Talented Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Has A Long Way To Go, Says Sanath Jayasuriya
Corporate Cricket World Cup: Legendary Sri Lanka cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya has lauded young Indian batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, saying that he has a long way to go, while terming Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson as talented and proven players. 15-year-old Sooryavanshi, who made his international debut in the T20I tour of England in July. was recently an unused member in Indias 3-0 series win over Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, as Abhishek and Sanju made 346 runs between themselves across the series, including sharing a 142-run opening stand in the third T20I. The trio are in Japan for the historic one-off T20I in Sano on Tuesday, before playing in the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. They're talented and they've been proven players and all three, Sooryavanshi and all these players are really good. Sooryavanshi has a long way to go and when he will get the opportunity, he will do good, Jayasuriya said to IANS on the sidelines of the launch of the Corporate Cricket World Cup on Sunday. Commenting on Sri Lanka's prospects at the Asian Games, where the womens team is set to battle against India in the gold medal game and the mens campaign is scheduled to kick off later this week, Jayasuriya backed both squads to deliver strong performances. I think we have a talented, good team for Asian Games, men's and women's and they're doing well and I hope they will continue to do well, he noted. He also reserved special praise for rising Sri Lankan batting all-rounder Sonal Dinusha, and hailed his ability to deliver under pressure. Dinusha had scores of 100 and 84 in the first Test against India in Galle which Sri Lanka lost. But his knocks of 103 and 133 not out in the second one at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground in Colombo helped Sri Lanka seal an epic draw. Very good player, and future of Sri Lanka. It's always been good to see a player like him performing really well under pressure. Its not easy and in every innings he played really well, he added. The former explosive opener, who is serving as the global ambassador for the Corporate Cricket World Cup, stated the importance of workplace tournaments in unearthing hidden talent and offering second chances to players who missed out on mainstream pathways. The pan-India competition will see 192 corporate teams square off across 24 cities, with each city fielding eight teams. Following the city-level qualifiers, the top two teams from each destination will secure a berth in the July 2027 showpiece event. In a bid to test players across different dynamics of the sport, the tournament will feature a mix of formats, including 11-overs-a-side, T20s, and 40-over matches, thus allowing working cricketers to showcase their adaptability and skills under varied conditions. The pan-India competition will see 192 corporate teams square off across 24 cities, with each city fielding eight teams. Following the city-level qualifiers, the top two teams from each destination will secure a berth in the July 2027 showpiece event. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories So from that talent, like the players we have been talking about just now, how he became a player for India, it's like that you'll be able to find few players, so that's the key, concluded Jayasuriya. Article Source: IANS
Manalbounces back after failing to make it to u-19 WC team
Ramesh Powar lends Australia u-19 spinners a hand
'Want To Focus On My Batting': Nigar Sultana On Decision To Leave Bangladesh T20I Captaincy
Bangladesh Cricket Board: Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana has stated that her decision to leave the T20I captaincy is to focus on her batting, brushing aside the reports that she was hurt after not getting support from the Bangladesh Cricket Board during tough times. Sultana had informed the BCB of her decision to leave the T20I captaincy following the Asian Games and opened up on the rationale behind that after Bangladesh's loss to India in the Asian Games semifinal on Sunday. No, it's totally (false that I left the captaincy because I was hurt). As a batter, as a player, I have a lot more to give to my country and my team. So I want to focus on that, and that's why I made this decision, Nigar told the media after the 114-run defeat to India at the Korogi Sports Park. Bangladesh were steamrolled by India in the semifinal as their batters failed to put up a fight in the 196-run chase against the defending gold medallists. The Bangladeshi skipper admitted the shortcomings of the batters, while also pointing out that the bowlers could have fared better. When you're chasing a big total, this kind of collapse is natural. With slightly better bowling, we could have restricted them to fewer runs, said Nigar. When a team collapses for so few runs, we as batters definitely took no responsibility. If even one top-order batter had stayed till the end, we could have added more runs, she said. The Bangladeshi skipper admitted the shortcomings of the batters, while also pointing out that the bowlers could have fared better. When you're chasing a big total, this kind of collapse is natural. With slightly better bowling, we could have restricted them to fewer runs, said Nigar. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories While India and Sri Lanka will battle for the gold medal, Bangladesh will face Pakistan for a bronze medal. We have a good record against Pakistan. There is a sense of positivity there, the skipper said on the upcoming game. Article Source: IANS
Why Naman Dhir Could Be the Missing Piece in India's ODI Puzzle
Naman Dhir's batting flexibility and useful off-spin could address a missing role in India's ODI setup, with Irfan Pathan highlighting his potential following a standout domestic T20 campaign.
A former India all-rounder praised the duo of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma but highlighted concerns in their batting.
India 'Not Consulted' For New Zealand Tour, New Scheduling Chaos Engulfs Team: Report
India are scheduled to play five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests during a gruelling two-month tour of New Zealand.
Zimbabwe and Australia continued their ongoing ODI series by taking on each other in the third ODI. The two sides met at the Harare Sports Club on September 20th, and the clash began with Zimbabwe...
The International Cricket Council: The International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah on Sunday heaped praises on India women's cricket team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana for becoming the leading run-scorer in T20I cricket across men's and women's game. Mandhana achieved the feat during the Asian Games semifinal against Bangladesh women at the Korogi Sports Park, where she played a strong cameo of 37 off 19. In the process, she surpassed former New Zealand cricketer Suzie Bates to top the run-scorers' list with 4788 runs in 171 innings. Many congratulations to @mandhana_smriti for going top of the Womens T20I run charts (4,788 runs). By rewriting history, you are lifting womens cricket to new heights and setting the standard for young dreamers everywhere. Heres to many more milestones ahead! Shah posted on X. Coming into the game, Mandhana had 4751 runs in 170 innings and needed to score only eight to go past the New Zealand icon, and she did that pretty early in her innings when she hit a couple of fours in her first seven balls with two singles too. Mandhana had recently become the leading run-scorer in women's international cricket as well. During the Asia Cup, she broke the record of former India skipper Mithali Raj to become the most prolific run-scorer in the women's game. She hit 124 against Hong Kong in the Asia Cup to surpass Mithali's tally of 10,868 runs and also hit her 18th international hundred, which was the most in women's international cricket, making her go past the legendary Meg Lanning. The century record was later equalled by South Africa women's captain Laura Wolvaardt. She hit 124 against Hong Kong in the Asia Cup to surpass Mithali's tally of 10,868 runs and also hit her 18th international hundred, which was the most in women's international cricket, making her go past the legendary Meg Lanning. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories She is placed fifth in the ICC Women's T20I batter rankings and tops the ICC Women's ODI batting charts. Article Source: IANS
Raza lifts Zimbabwe to 271 alongside Ervine and Kaia
The home side's captain held the latter stages of the innings together while Nathan Ellis stood out for Australia
Why Japan Sees India Game as Cricket's Big Break
The Japan Cricket Association (JCA) is hosting its historic maiden T20I against reigning world champions India, an event its COO Alan Curr believes will significantly boost cricket's profile and aid its global recognition efforts. The match, taking place at the upgraded Sano International Cricket Ground, is seen as a crucial step towards attracting more established cricketing nations and fostering grassroots growth, despite challenges like weather and integrating cricket into the national sports scene.
Webster, Meredith run riot as Tasmania rout Western Australia
Australia allrounder Beau Webster and fast bowler Riley Meredith took seven wickets as WA were skittled for 115 before Tasmania chased it down one down in 16.2 overs
Japan Head Coach Bedingfield Relishes Surprise Second Shot Of Taking On India Via Historic T20I Game
Sano International Cricket Ground: A month ago, Japan coach Dhugal Bedingfield had no idea his side would be facing world champions India in a mens T20I game in 2026. Cut to now, and on Tuesday, the Bedingfield-coached Japan will walk out against India in a historic 20-over game at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture, in front of a sell-out crowd. The game, to be played for the Suzuki Cup, serves as a rare chance for Japan to test themselves against India, the current T20 World Cup holders. It also serves as a warm-up for the Asian Games men's T20 cricket competition starting two days later, where Japan will take on Afghanistan, while Shreyas Iyer-led India go straight into the quarter-finals. Well, this Japan-India match has come along pretty quickly and suddenly. So a month ago, we really had no idea that this match was going to go ahead and then it was talked about and I believe from a very high level in Japan and India, Prime Ministers were discussing it. It's all just come together very quickly. At first, when we first heard about it, we couldn't quite believe it. So now there's preparations in place in a hurry, getting our ground ready and all of that to accommodate a big crowd to come and watch it. My Japan squad has got together now. We're in a training camp and have been discussing it from Thursday morning and everyone's very excited, Bedingfield told IANS in an exclusive chat. Asked whether the fixture had come as a surprise, he said, Absolutely 100 percent. It's not something we thought was on the cards this year. But it's all happened very quickly. It's a wonderful opportunity for us to play the number one ranked team in the world. There's a lot of Indians living in Japan who are very excited about it as well and we're expecting a big crowd on Tuesday. It should be a really good atmosphere as well. Its a great opportunity for our players and to benefit the game of cricket in Japan by showcasing Japan versus one of the best T20 teams in the world. Tickets sold out soon after going on sale, but rain could make an appearance on match day. We're hoping the weather holds. There's been quite a bit of rain around lately, which doesn't help with your preparation. But we're hoping for a window of fine weather so the game can go ahead, said Bedingfield. Before facing Hong Kong at Sano earlier this month, Japan last played in May, when they finished the East Asia-Pacific qualifier with a win over Papua New Guinea. The result left the two teams level on points, with PNG taking first place on net run rate, and both advancing to the next stage of T20 World Cup qualifying. You're right, that was the last match we played back in May. It was about, what, four months ago now. I wouldn't say it's a distant memory, but that was a tournament which was the first round of T20 World Cup qualification. So that was a tournament we were trying to get through and progress to the next stage. That last match against PNG was quite tense. We were keen for a win there and we got the win. We ended up on equal points with PNG, who finished top on net run rate. But both teams were able to progress to the next round of T20 World Cup qualification. It was pleasing to beat PNG, who are ranked significantly higher than us. We've managed to beat some of the teams ranked above us over the last 12 months, which has probably just given us that confidence that we can compete with some pretty good teams, added Bedingfield. Getting his players under one roof has been a struggle, with much of the squad spread across Japan and abroad. I mean, that's a great question. It's something we've been wrestling with this year in particular. We've got a group of players who don't live in the same area and we've got a lot of players who are based overseas, playing cricket overseas, which is great. But how do we keep that group connected? We're doing what we can and technology helps. For example, if we've got guys training in Australia, say doing their remote training sessions, we've got that on video and that's linked to the coaches. Coaches need to get better at communicating regularly with players and connecting with players. So there's a number of things that we're doing to try to bring that group a little bit closer. But, it's a real challenge. So we had our training session on Friday, but that was the first time since May that we've had our whole squad training together, added Bedingfield. He did not play down the gulf in firepower between the sides and whether the occasion could overwhelm Japan. The way T20s play these days by the best teams, not just India, is you can get blown out of the water by just the firepower of some of these players. So we're just looking to compete as hard as we can. It's part of T20 cricket that you might have a big over go against you. But we've got to discuss how do we bounce back from that in-game and not let the occasion overwhelm us, as I think you were referring to. Bedingfield coached Japan's Under-19 side at the 2020 World Cup in South Africa, where an India team featuring Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravi Bishnoi and Kartik Tyagi bowled Japan out for 41. Bishnoi is now a part of the main Indian team coming to Japan, while Tyagi is one of the three net bowlers attached with the team. I was head coach of the U19 team back in 2020 when we played in the World Cup in South Africa. One of the teams we played against was India. We had a young, inexperienced U19 team who managed to qualify for that World Cup. Coming up against Jaiswal, Bishnoi, and Tyagi, that was an amazing experience. Of course, they smashed us! I've had a number of roles at Japan Cricket through my tenure here. I started here about 12 years ago. I've worked in coaching and community cricket over that journey. Never expected to be coaching against India and to do that twice now, firstly at U19 level, and now at senior men's level, it's pretty interesting. One of his current players has a more recent history with India's next wave. Charlie Hara-Hinze, a 17-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder who played at this year's Under-19 World Cup, is in the senior squad for the India game and the Asian Games, and came up against Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at the 2024 Under-19 Asia Cup. I've had a number of roles at Japan Cricket through my tenure here. I started here about 12 years ago. I've worked in coaching and community cricket over that journey. Never expected to be coaching against India and to do that twice now, firstly at U19 level, and now at senior men's level, it's pretty interesting. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Because to really compete long term against the best countries in the world, we need cricket to be a mainstream sport in Japan. We need thousands and thousands of kids picking up cricket bats and choosing cricket as their sport of choice. So, we're looking to do more than just play one game of cricket. We're looking to set an example for future generations of cricketers and cricket fans in this country, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
England To Ask Ben Stokes To Come Out Of Retirement? Coach Stephen Fleming's Big Response
Newly-appointed England Test coach Stephen Fleming says it would be wrong to ask former captain Ben Stokes to reverse his international retirement before next year's Ashes.
Gautam Gambhir Sent World Cup Reminder As Irfan Pathan Backs India Star For Bigger Role
Irfan Pathan said that the West Indies series is a nice time to try out the team's bench strength.
Chauhan thanks Jay Shah for support and commitment towards differently-abled cricket
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 20 (IANS) Ravi Kant Chauhan, member of the BCCI Differently Abled Cricket Committee, has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to ICC Chairman Jay Shah and the Indian cricket board for their unwavering backing in promoting cricket for physically challenged athletes across the country. Recent discussions at the 95th BCCI Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the boards headquarters in Mumbai on Friday highlighted general body encouraging the participating state associations to actively participate in developing differently-abled cricketers, including appropriate facilities and resources to promote their development and progress. Our deepest gratitude to Shri Jay Shah Ji for his support, understanding and commitment towards differently-abled cricket. His willingness to listen, understand the journey and give the sport greater attention at the BCCI level has given our players renewed hope and confidence, Chauhan, a former Physical Disability cricketer, said in a statement on Sunday. Earlier this year, the DCCI hailed the BCCIs decision to roll out a structured support framework for the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), terming it a landmark step toward inclusive growth in the sport. CABI is a founder member of the DCCI. As State Associations are now being encouraged to become part of this journey, we sincerely thank Jay Shah Ji and the BCCI for helping create a stronger path forward for differently-abled cricketers across India. Thank you, Jay Shah Ji, for your support, trust and belief in the future of differently-abled cricket, added Chauhan. The BCCI AGM also saw the General Body approving the initiation for preparations for the Board's landmark centenary celebrations in 2028, which will be marked by a year-long schedule of events starting in December 2027. It also unanimously took a call to celebrate the upcoming 20th edition of IPL in 2027 in a grand way. The General Body also unanimously approved an enhanced payment structure for umpires and match referees, alongside a complete reclassification of their grading system to better compensate match officials. Among other key administrative decisions, the Board constituted a new Internal Committee under the BCCI Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Policy and formally adopted an updated Age Verification Policy to streamline domestic governance.
Edinburgh Castle Rockers vs Belfast Wolves: Inaugural European T20 Premier League Final Preview
The inaugural ICC-sanctioned European T20 Premier League 2026 has reached its final chapter as Edinburgh Castle Rockers take on Belfast Wolves in the summit clash at the Malahide Cricket Club, Dublin. The Edinburgh Castle Rockers earned a direct passage to the title clash after finishing at the top of the table in the league stage, while Belfast Wolves secured their place in the final with a seven-wicket victory over Amsterdam Flames in the qualifier. The two sides now meet for the first-ever ETPL title, as Europe prepares to crown its first champions. Both teams have already faced each other twice during the tournament, with each side winning once, and the final now presents the opportunity for either side to settle the contest. For Edinburgh Castle Rockers, captain Mitchell Santner has been central to the teams campaign as they topped the league stage and earned the advantage of going straight into the final. Reflecting on the teams journey in the inaugural season, Santner highlighted how the new group has come together throughout the tournament. Its been a great start to the first year of the tournament. As a new team with a new group of players and management, weve really gelled well both on and off the field. We were very good in Holland and also performed well in Ireland, and while we lost a couple of games here, we were able to finish top of the table and go straight through. The level of competition has been really good this year, and its been a great tournament to be part of. Now, weve got a big game and were looking forward to it. Belfast Wolves, meanwhile, come into the final on the back of an impressive qualifier win over Amsterdam Flames. Captain Glenn Maxwell played a decisive role in that victory, returning career-best T20 bowling figures of 4/18 before hitting the winning runs with consecutive sixes, while chasing a modest total of 133, giving them strong momentum heading into the final. Maxwell has also been impressed by the quality of cricket throughout the inaugural season, particularly the way players have adapted to the challenging European conditions. Reflecting on the tournament, the Belfast Wolves captain said, The standard of the competition has been outstanding. Weve been challenged by the conditions at times, particularly with the weather and wet outfields in Voorburg, but the players deserve a lot of credit for adapting and continuing to play a good brand of cricket. It has come across really well on the telecast, and the fans have also been outstanding throughout the tournament. The final will also bring together two sides with plenty of firepower across their line-ups. Edinburgh have seen Brandon McMullen produce a standout 82* against Glasgow Cosmic, while JJ Smuts 98 off 60 balls played a major role in their first win over the Wolves. Santner himself has contributed with both bat and ball throughout the campaign. The Wolves, meanwhile, have a wealth of experience in their middle order, with Glenn Maxwell, Lorcan Tucker and Paul Stirling providing plenty of firepower. Maxwells 82* against Edinburgh earlier in the league stage helped Belfast secure a nine-run DLS victory. Maxwell commended his teams bench strength, saying that reaching the final in the first edition of the tournament despite a few challenges was a huge achievement, and that they now need one final push against the Castle Rockers. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Its been a massive achievement to be able to reach the final in year one of this competition. We've played some great cricket along the way. The fact that we've been able to do it with a couple of injuries along the way. We've had a fairly deep list that we've had to dig deep into. They've all held themselves to a really high standard, and that high standard has carried on throughout this tournament and hopefully we can carry it through into one final game and one huge effort against the Edinburgh team, Maxwell added.
Elavenil Valarivan Claims Silver as India Open Asian Games Shooting Campaign Strongly
India made a strong start to its shooting campaign at the 20th Asian Games, securing two silver medals on the opening day at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery. Olympian Elavenil Valarivan led India's challenge in the Women's 10m Air Rifle
Late Nights, Early Starts Dominate In Sano For One-off Japan-India T20I: Japan Cricket COO
Sano International Cricket Ground: Pulling the covers, putting up tents and keeping scores are not usually part of a chief operating officer's job, but Japan Cricket Association (JCA) COO Alan Curr has been doing all of it as his small team gets Sano International Cricket Ground ready for Tuesday's historic one-off mens T20I against heavyweights India. It's been a big learning curve, and we're a small team. We don't have a lot of staff here at the JCA. I'm COO, but this morning I was pulling the covers. I've also been putting up tents, scoring and doing sort of everything. So we're all doing a lot of different things that we don't normally do. It's asking a lot from our staff. It's been a lot of late nights and early starts, but hopefully it's all worth it when we get a whole load of people into the ground and getting so excited and seeing their heroes play, Curr told IANS in a select virtual interaction organised by FanCode, the official broadcasters of the match. Over the past week, Sano hosted a three-match series between Japan's women and Malaysia, after which the hosts left for the Asian Games matches in Nagoya, while Hong Kong mens team were here for games against Japan. Such was the impact of this one-off game against India, billed as the Suzuki Cup, that all tickets were sold out soon after going on sale, with the grounds capacity going from 500 to 2,000 via temporary stands. Well, it's certainly a big undertaking. We've never really done anything quite on this scale before. At the ground, we have permanent seating probably for around 500 people. So we've put in a lot of temporary seating. We're putting in a whole load of extra areas for VIPs and there's even a VVIP area. We've got ticket gates, for example, as we don't normally have ticketing at our events. We've had a separate section put together for where the players will come in. We always have a PMOA, but a PMOA here is usually just through some cones and barriers, which basically anyone could step over if they wanted to. But now we've got it set up properly so that we understand the security measures that need to be taken around India coming, added Curr. With India's visit bringing a different level of scrutiny, the JCA has hired outside help too. We've actually brought out a consultant from England who arrived yesterday and has worked on World Cups, The Hundred and has been around events where India have participated before. He's got a good understanding from a cricketing point of view of what security measures we need to take. So we are taking all of this stuff very seriously, and it's really important for us to show that we have the capacity to handle something like this, added Curr. All of that effort could still be undone by the weather. Curr revealed a large typhoon was sitting south of Japan and there was no reserve day if the match is abandoned. Japan will also play their first Asian Games mens T20 match in Nagoya, around 500 km away and the squad is due to board a bus for the long journey straight after playing the game against India. With India also heading to Nagoya soon after and already facing a packed calendar, Curr said there was no scope for a reserve day, and he was trying not to think about a washout. The JCA had been planning to relay its turf square in Sano for about 18 months, and a groundsman sent by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) under a partnership arrived in December 2024 to look for suitable clay. It was eventually sourced within Japan and used for the Asian Games square in Nagoya. The JCA then laid the same clay in Sano and pitched the ground to full-member nations as a training base, with the idea coming from the last Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, where the top-ranked full members waited a week or more for playing their first knockout match with little access to proper cricket facilities. A proposal went out around June, and talks with the BCCI began at the ICC conference in Edinburgh in July. Curr said the BCCI moved quickly, and all things fell in place, with the players excited on seeing the ground change shape over the past few days. At the same time, the players are under no illusion about the gulf in class against an India side they have never faced before at this level. For the JCA, success would be measured by how Japan conduct themselves as much as by the result. Curr felt he wanted the team to play hard, but also show that cricket was friendly, accessible and fun, and to earn respect. Having handled the JCA's social media accounts, Curr admitted to being taken aback by comments from people surprised that Japan has a cricket team. The game in Sano comes at a time when Japanese cricket is busier than it has ever been, with the mens side beating Kuwait, Bahrain, and PNG earlier this year. In terms of what's led to the improvement, we're a bit better resourced now than we have been previously, particularly with it being an Olympic sport. By being part of the Japan Olympic Committee, we do get a lot more funding. That funding isn't hard cash. We don't get money from the Olympic Association, but they do help us with human resources. So, for example, we've been able to hire a strength and conditioning coach. We've been able to bring in a part-time analyst and these are kind of things that we didn't have before. We've got more people on the coaching staff going out and coaching our junior teams. So those have been important. Becoming members of the Asian Cricket Council in 2024, and the opportunities to play there after joining have been significant. The ACC does an amazing job of putting on events and tournaments that we've now been able to play in. When I first got into the high-performance side of things, we went from 2014 to 2017 without a men's tournament. It was just complete blanks. We had to start arranging our own cricket games because there was just literally nothing to play for, and nothing to play in, explained Curr. The quiet months that once gave the JCA breathing space, he said, are gone. Whereas now, that's completely the opposite. I mentioned the other day how probably the single biggest change from a performance perspective since I've been here is that the Japan Cricket Association used to have a very definite on-season and off-season. We'd have a quiet time where you could relax a little bit and plan more in advance for the following summer. But now, we're a 12-month-a-year organisation. There always seems to be a team away playing somewhere. So there's a lot happening and just the sheer amount of cricket, the depth that we've been able to create through having under 19, even under 16 national teams now is really helping drive the standards. As we're becoming more well-known, we can't shy away from it, added Curr. The numbers back up that claim. Japan has 8,800 registered cricketers in its latest census, roughly three times the figure of about 3,000 when Curr arrived in 2014. The nationwide Japan Cup T20 competition has grown from 11 or 12 teams to more than 80, while the Tokyo-based 40-over Japan Cricket League now runs four divisions with around 37 or 38 teams. The JCA also introduced the game to about 12,000 children last year through schools, community programmes and festivals. Part of the growth at the top end has come from players of Japanese heritage raised in established cricket nations, and in turn leading to growth of watching games, especially the International Cricket Council (ICC) providing Japanese commentary feed for matches under its umbrella. We have a lot of players of Japanese heritage who live overseas. A lot of our players might have been born in Japan but then at some stage moved back to Australia, England, New Zealand, cricket-playing nations. They've grown up learning the game in a strong environment, which as much as we're trying our best here in Japan, it can't compare to an environment that you're going to get playing in Australia or New Zealand or England or any other full member in terms of the number of facilities you've got, the accessibility of those facilities, the accessibility to coaches. We're finding players at a younger age who want to come and be part of Japan cricket. For me, it's been fantastic to see so many people who are mixed race - one parent is Japanese, one parent is from somewhere else. They might have moved overseas, but they are reconnecting with their Japanese heritage through cricket, he added. Curr called this the most satisfying part of his work, especially with cricket in Japan growing despite the overwhelming popularity of baseball, football, rugby and martial arts. For me, that's been one of the most rewarding parts of my job. Some of them are great cricketers and they make our national teams and some of them just enjoy playing and they come back to Japan and just make friends in the cricket community and they do that once a year. But it's been a brilliant way for people to reconnect with who they are, particularly post-Covid-19. All that stuff really took off after 2020 when we qualified for the Under-19 World Cup for the first time. That gave us a profile and nowadays, people contact us pretty regularly with sometimes it's about themselves, or their sons or daughters who have Japanese heritage and who want to come and play. Those players are helping to lift the standards because they come from a different, a more entrenched cricketing culture. So we have our players who are based in Japan who bring sort of that knowledge of what the Japan way is and how things are done in Japan and the discipline and everything that goes around the culture there. Then we've got the players from overseas who just have the training nous and what a training schedule looks like. So that's been really helpful in terms of lifting the standards, he elaborated. Home-grown talent faces a structural hurdle, as per Curr. Japan's school club system, known as bukatsu, usually has children pick a single sport at around 12 and play it year-round until they leave school, and only a handful of schools offer cricket. Those schools have historically produced most of the national team players. A government-level working group is looking at how cricket could fit into the school curriculum, though Curr said such processes take time. The lack of people with cricket expertise in Japan has meant the JCA leaned heavily on volunteers and backers who saw the sport's potential, citing sportswear brand Mizuno's sponsorship of the men's team as a significant boost. Cricket's place in the Asian Games, an event Japanese audiences regard as of immense importance like the Olympics, has also given the sport a legitimacy it lacked before. As for what's next, we will have an East Asia Pacific regional final for the men who will try to qualify for the global qualifier for the next T20 World Cup. So we're not sure exactly when that's going to be yet. It's going to be four teams and we will be playing that probably in the second half of next year with a view to making the global qualifier, which I believe will be early 2027. That's not confirmed and then, the goal is to make a World Cup. We've not shied away from that at all. I mean, the qualification pathway was actually changed last year. It seems to be changing every cycle. But if the qualification cycle for the last World Cup had been the same as the cycle before, we would have been at the last World Cup, said Curr. He also admitted to Japan feeling short-changed by the revamped qualifying structure. We were the highest-placed team in the East Asia Pacific region at the Asia EAP final. They've never had a combined qualifying structure between Asia and East Asia Pacific before. So, we kind of felt we got a bit hard done by in that reshuffle. I mean, the qualification pathway was actually changed last year. It seems to be changing every cycle. But if the qualification cycle for the last World Cup had been the same as the cycle before, we would have been at the last World Cup, said Curr. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories So I hope cricket can continue to grow, there can be more teams and the tournament can get bigger. But for us, reaching a World Cup is certainly the next goal and there's work to do, for sure. But we're ambitious and we want to keep striving for the heights that we believe we can get to, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Shafali dazzles with 49-ball 100*, India march into Asian Games final
India's 114-run victory sets up gold-medal match clash against Sri Lanka
'Due Reward': Bishop Hails Shafali After Landmark T20I Century
Shafali Verma smashed an unbeaten 100 off 49 balls against Bangladesh, becoming the first Indian woman to score an Asian Games century and strengthening her record-breaking 2026 T20I campaign.
Shafali Verma's Century, Bowlers' Blitz Send India Into Asian Games Women's Cricket Final
Shafali Verma slammed her maiden T20I century to power India into the final of women's cricket event at the Asian Games.
Asian Games 2026: Shafalis fiery ton fires India to womens cricket final, ensures medal
Opting to bat, India rode on Shafalis unbeaten 100 off 49 balls (9 sixes, 3 fours) to post 195 for four in the second semifinal
New England Boss Stephen Fleming Says 'Wrong' To Ask Ben Stokes To End Retirement
Newly-appointed England Test coach Stephen Fleming says it would be wrong to ask former captain Ben Stokes to reverse his international retirement before next year's Ashes Stokes dramatically announced the end of his England career -- and four-year spell as Test skipper -- during a defeat by New Zealand at Trent Bridge in June that condemned his team to a 2-1 series loss. The 35-year-old has continued playing for his county side Durham and has also signed up for a stint with the Adelaide Strikers in Australia's Big Bash League. But Fleming, who met with Stokes soon after arriving in England, played down the prospect of a fairytale return. I went up to Durham and spoke to Ben, which was good. He's really happy and seemed to be really at peace with his decision, Fleming, who previously worked with Stokes at Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, told reporters. I've worked with Ben quite a bit. We've got a really good relationship... He seems really happy and comfortable with what he's doing. Fleming, speaking later to the BBC, insisted he would not ask Stokes to perform a U-turn. I respect his decision too much, he said. To try to turn that around and question that is wrong. - 'England could do much better' - Former New Zealand captain Fleming was appointed in July but has only just taken charge after missing England's recent 3-0 whitewash of Pakistan due to family commitments. On Saturday, Fleming witnessed England complete a T20 series rout of Sri Lanka in Manchester. While at Old Trafford, he spoke with predecessor and fellow ex-New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum, still in charge of England's white-ball teams despite being sacked as Test boss. Fleming said his ambition was to take England from sixth in the rankings back to the summit for the first time since 2012 and improve their woeful record in the World Test Championship. I would love to be in charge of the number one Test team in the world, said Fleming. There have been some really good moments (for this side) but I think there's more to give. England have never come close to reaching any of the three finals in the history of the WTC and are unlikely to qualify for next year's showpiece match at the Oval. England could do much better than that, added Fleming. If that's one of the pinnacle trophies in world cricket, why would we not be trying to get it along with every other marquee event that comes our way? Fleming's relationship with McCullum is hoped to be key to the success of England's latest split-coaching regime, with the duo not only former team-mates but close friends and business partners. It's nice to be in a position to work with him, it's been a while, said Fleming, at 53 nine years older than McCullum. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories It is an advantage that we will be able to talk fairly openly and be robust... we don't have to spend time getting to know each other as coaches.
Ajinkya Rahane praised the India star following his terrific performance in the recently-concluded three-match series against India.
Shafali Verma Scripts History With Maiden T20I Ton Against Bangladesh In Asian Games
Former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop hailed Indian opener Shafali Verma for her maiden century in the women's Asian Games cricket semifinal
Smriti Mandhana Becomes No. 1 Run-Scorer in Women
New Delhi: Smriti Mandhana etched her name in the history books again on Sunday as the India opener continued her prolific T20I century. Mandhana achieved the feat during India's Asian Games 2026 semi-final against Bangladesh, needing just seven runs to pass
India women took on Bangladesh in the Asian Games 2026 cricket semi-final. The two sides met at the Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, on September 20, and it was the Indian team who were extremely dominant...
Fleming targets No.1 Test rankings, keeps WTC high on agenda as England coach
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 20 (IANS) Incoming England Test coach Stephen Fleming has kept his focus on making England the No. 1 side again and has put the World Test Championship on the agenda. Fleming addressed the media at his first press conference as England's Test coach, highlighting that the job is prestigious. It's one of the most prestigious jobs in cricket, Fleming said. I was very honoured to be asked. He has signed a contract with the ECB through September 2030 following a two-week recruitment process. His first assignment as the Test coach would be against South Africa in winter, and then there is also a home Ashes series waiting, which the New Zealander holds in high regard. I would love to be in charge of the No.1 Test team in the world, Fleming said. That would be my aspiration, Fleming said on wanting to make England No.1 for the first time since 2012. I know the marquee events - the Ashes - are something I can't wait for. As a New Zealander, I have watched and loved the Ashes all my cricketing life. To be part of that is an absolute highlight, so I can't wait for that. But there is a piece of work there that has already begun, which is around our identity. There has been a lot of coverage around that. The way players represent England and the group is going to be really important to me. The style of play will come with that also. That will be more player-directed, but I feel very strongly about finding a sense of belonging within the group, and that will take a bit of time, he added. He highlighted that he has started working with Test captain Joe Root and aims to make England's team in its best form. I have started the process. I have been in a lot of contact with Joe, and on this trip as well we have done some things to start this piece of work. Not only will we be in the best position to win cricket matches but also to represent the England cricket team in its best form, he said. He also spoke on England's blase attitude towards the World Test Championship, where they have not come close to making it to the final of any of the three editions. It's high (on the agenda), it's aspirational, he said of the WTC. England could do much better than that. And even attitude just around the over rate, I think, comes down to identity and style of play. If that's one of the pinnacle trophies in world cricket - why would we not be trying to get it along with every other marquee event that comes our way? Now, I don't say that lightly; there's a lot of hard work to do, and players must be balanced around that But it's aspirational, and that's why I'm here. That opportunity is real, but there's a huge amount of work to do. The New Zealander takes over from Brendon McCullum, who served in the role from 2022. He comes into the role after an underwhelming performance by the English side over the last 18 months, which he believes would have hurt McCullum. That was one thing that will probably hurt him (McCullum) a little bit (underperformance) - I think he feels what I feel now, that there's an opportunity around the corner. He was also realistic about what had gone on and just very honest. It's interesting when you go to watch as a bystander for the first half of the year, then things change quite quickly to a real narrow focus on where the team was at. Was I the right person to take the team forward and then deemed by the ECB to be the right person? That process was very thorough. I was constantly watching the good and the bad and analysing that in a much different way than I would have done in early April. One of the dark arts of coaching is timing my honest appraisal, it's a great time to be the head coach. I think there's a real opportunity with the players coming through, he added.
Shafali Verma scripts history, slams century against Bangladesh in Asian Games semi-final
The Asian Games cricket semi-final saw India women taking on Bangladesh women. The two sides took on each other at the Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, on September 20, and the clash saw India women coming in to bat first. They put forth a strong showing, posting a total of 195 runs in the first innings. It is worth noting that Women in Blue have been in good form and came on the back of a victory against Japan in the previous clash.
Cremer plays his first ODI in eight years, Zimbabwe bat first
Cremer and Masuku replace Masakadza and Nyamhuri for Zimbabwe while Australia bring in Johnson and Bartlett for Hazlewood and Stanlake
Asian Games: Shafali's Record Unbeaten Ton Powers India To 195/4 Against Bangladesh In SF
Korogi Sports Park: Shafali Verma smashed her maiden white-ball century to guide India to a strong total of 195/4 in the Asian Games semifinal against Bangladesh at the Korogi Sports Park here on Sunday. Shafali made an unbeaten 100 from 49 balls and became the first-ever player to hit a hundred in the women's Asian Games. The opener smashed three fours and nine sixes in her stroke-filled knock to take the Women in Blue near 200. Shafali's nine sixes also set the record for the most by a female cricketer in T20Is in a calendar year. She surpassed Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu in the record list and now has 35 maximums in 2026. Coming into the game, the Indian opener had hit 26 sixes and was six behind Athapaththu's 32 maximums in 2024. The star Indian batter surpassed the Sri Lankan skipper with her stellar knock. Most sixes in a calendar year in Womens T20Is: 35 - Shafali Verma in 2026 32 - Chamari Athapaththu in 2024 25 - Chamari Athapaththu in 2026 25 - Harmanpreet Kaur in 2018 21 - Sophie Devine in 2018 21 - Sophie Devine in 2020 21 - Fatima Sana in 2026 The nine sixes are also the joint-most in an innings in women's T20Is, joining the West Indies duo of Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin. While Shafali made an unbeaten 100, captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored 40 from 33 deliveries with six fours. The other opener, Smriti Mandhana, had earlier scored 37 from 19 balls. During her 37-run knock, Mandhana also became the leading run-scorer in men's and women's T20I cricket. The Indian vice-captain surpassed former New Zealand cricketer Suzie Bates to top the run-scorers' list. She now has 4788 runs in 171 innings. Coming into the game, Mandhana had 4751 runs in 170 innings and needed to score only eight to go past the New Zealand icon, and she did that pretty early in her innings when she hit a couple of fours in her first seven balls with two singles too. Mandhana and Bates were already above the leading run-scorer in men's T20Is, Babar Azam, and have now created a further gap over him. Most runs in T201 cricket (men's and women's): 1- Smriti Mandhana: 4,788 runs 2 - Suzie Bates: 4,758 runs 3 - Babar Azam: 4,596 runs 2 - Suzie Bates: 4,758 runs Also Read: Special Cricket Stories 5 - Harmanpreet Kaur: 4,287 runs Article Source: IANS
Fleming promises evolution not revolution as England era begins
New head coach wants to add
Fleming targets No. 1 Test ranking alongside focus on 'identity'
Incoming head coach will place higher priority on World Test Championship, and wants to reconnect with county game
Asian Games: Athapaththu's Unbeaten 83 Helps SL Women Beat Pakistan To Storm Into Final
Sri Lanka Women: Chamari Athapaththu produced a captains knock as Sri Lanka Women chased down Pakistans 177/4 with eight wickets in hand to reach the Asian Games final on Sunday. Set 178 for victory at Korogi Sports Park, Sri Lanka needed just 17.5 overs to complete a commanding chase, with Athapaththu remaining unbeaten on 83 from 50 deliveries. Her innings featured seven fours and six sixes as she dismantled Pakistans bowling attack and ensured Sri Lanka never lost control of the pursuit. The chase began at a brisk pace, with Imesha Dulani striking 26 from 21 balls before Pakistan captain Fatima Sana provided her side with an important breakthrough. That, however, proved to be little more than a brief interruption. Athapaththu took over after Dulanis dismissal and built the innings around a crucial partnership with Hasini Perera. The pair added 95 for the second wicket, steadily turning Sri Lankas advantage into a near certainty. Athapaththu contributed heavily to the stand, accelerating as Pakistan struggled to contain her strokeplay. Perera eventually fell with Sri Lanka within touching distance, but there was no late drama. Harshitha Samarawickrama, unbeaten on 17, joined Athapaththu and helped complete the job as Sri Lanka reached 178/2 with 13 deliveries unused. Earlier, Pakistan had recovered impressively from a disastrous beginning. Gull Feroza was dismissed on the first ball, immediately putting Pakistan under pressure after Sri Lanka opted to bowl following a delayed start due to a wet outfield. Ayesha Zafar and Shawaal Zulfiqar then transformed the innings. Zafar attacked from the outset, smashing 71 off 40 balls with nine fours and two sixes, while Zulfiqar contributed 54 from 50. Their substantial partnership carried Pakistan beyond 100 and gave the team a competitive platform before they finished on 177/4. Sri Lankas emphatic chase, however, meant Pakistans strong recovery was ultimately overshadowed. Sri Lanka will now contest the gold-medal match, while Pakistan will play the bronze-medal playoff against the loser of the second semifinal between India and Bangladesh, which currently underway, on Tuesday. Sri Lankas emphatic chase, however, meant Pakistans strong recovery was ultimately overshadowed. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Pakistan 177/4 in 20 overs (Ayesha Zafar 71, Shawaal Zulfiqar 54; Kawya Kavindi 1-13, Chamari Athapaththu 1-30) lost to Sri Lanka 178/2 in 17.5 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 83*, Hasini Perera 42; Fatima Sana 1-24, Nashra Sandhu 1-38) by eight wickets Article Source: IANS
The 30-year-old elegant left-hander needed seven runs to break the record as she reached the landmark in the third over, hammering Bangladesh pacer Marufa Akter for back-to-back boundaries off the final two deliveries of the over
Alexander Zverev Defeats Matej Dodig 6-4, 7-6 to Put Germany Ahead in Davis Cup
Alexander Zverev returned to action after his US Open triumph with a straight-sets victory over Croatia's Matej Dodig in the Davis Cup qualifying round on Saturday. The world No. 2 defeated the 21-year-old Dodig 6-4, 7-6(3) at the Heristo Arena in
Smriti Mandhana Becomes Leading T20I Run-scorer Across Men's And Women's Cricket
Korogi Sports Park: India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana added another feather to her illustrious cap as she became the leading run-scorer in T20I cricket across men's and women's game on Sunday. Mandhana achieved the milestone during the Asian Games semifinal against Bangladesh women at the Korogi Sports Park with a strong cameo of 37 from 19 balls. The Indian vice-captain surpassed former New Zealand cricketer Suzie Bates to top the run-scorers' list. She now has 4788 runs in 171 innings. Coming into the game, Mandhana had 4751 runs in 170 innings and needed to score only eight to go past the New Zealand icon, and she did that pretty early in her innings when she hit a couple of fours in her first seven balls with two singles too. Mandhana and Bates were already above the leading run-scorer in men's T20Is - Babar Azam - and have now made further gap from him. Most runs in T20I cricket (men's and women's): 1 - Smriti Mandhana: 5,788 runs 2 - Suzie Bates: 4,758 runs 3 - Babar Azam: 4,596 runs 4 - Jos Buttler: 4,292 runs 5 - Harmanpreet Kaur: 4,287 runs Mandhana had recently become the leading run-scorer in women's international cricket as well. During the Asia Cup, she broke the record of former India skipper Mithali Raj to become the most prolific run-scorer in the women's game. 5 - Harmanpreet Kaur: 4,287 runs Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Coming to the Asiad semifinal, India opted to bat first against Bangladesh. The Women in Blue are looking to defend their gold medal from the 2023 Hangzhou Games. They defeated hosts Japan in the quarterfinal earlier. Article Source: IANS
Smriti Mandhana Makes History, Breaks World Record for Most Runs in Women's T20Is
Smriti Mandhana became the top run-scorer in Women's T20 Internationals with 4765 runs, surpassing New Zealand's Suzie Bates during the Asian Games semifinal against Bangladesh.
Suchika Tariyal Makes History, Assures India First-Ever MMA Medal at Asian Games 2026
The 36-year-old Suchika Tariyal will either face Singapore's Hui Hoon Teo or Iran's Arezou Salimighalehtaki for a place in the gold medal match. Securing a semifinal finish at Asian Games in MMA, an athlete secures herself a medal.
India vs Bangladesh LIVE Score, Asian Games 2026 Women's Cricket Semi-Final Scorecard LIVE Updates: Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma have opened the innings for India in the Asian Games 2026, cricket semi-final match on Sunday.
Chamari Athapaththu's 83* leads Sri Lanka into final
Fifties from Shawaal Zulfiqar and Ayesha Zafar went in vain for Pakistan
Glenn Maxwell Stars as Belfast Wolves Reach ETPL Final With 7-Wicket Win
Belfast Wolves booked their place in the ETPL final with a seven-wicket victory over Amsterdam Flames in the qualifier at Malahide. Glenn Maxwells four-wicket haul helped restrict Amsterdam to 133, before the Wolves chased down the target in 18.3 overs, with nine balls to spare. Amsterdam were asked to bat first and made a steady start through Yuvraaj Samra and Steven Smith. The pair added 46 for the opening wicket before Samra was run out for 27 from 20 balls, having struck three fours and a six. Smith continued to anchor the innings, scoring 45 from 42 deliveries, but Amsterdam struggled to build partnerships around him. Bas de Leede, Tim David and Curtis Campher were dismissed in quick succession, leaving the Flames at 74 for four. Maxwell took control with the ball. The Belfast captain claimed four wickets for just 18 runs from his four overs, removing de Leede, David, Campher and Michael Bracewell as Amsterdams middle order unravelled. Matthew Humphreys provided further pressure with three wickets for 22 runs, while Chris Jordan took one. Smith fell in the 15th over, and although Scott Edwards made 14 and Max ODowd scored 17, Amsterdam were bowled out for 133 in 20 overs. Aryan Dutt added 15 from 11 balls before becoming Jordans victim. The Wolves chase began with the early dismissal of Paul Stirling, who made eight, but Tim Tector and Devon Conway steadied the innings. Tector scored 28 from 21 balls, including four boundaries, while Conway contributed 35 from 41 deliveries. Amsterdam found a breakthrough when Tector was stumped off Dutt, and Michael Bracewell later dismissed Conway to leave Belfast at 96 for three in the 16th over. Lorcan Tucker and Maxwell then ensured there would be no late uncertainty. Tucker remained unbeaten on 34 from 30 balls, while Maxwell struck an explosive 21 not out from just eight deliveries, hitting three sixes at a strike rate of 262.50. Their unbroken stand carried Belfast to 136 for three in 18.3 overs, sealing a seven-wicket win and confirming their place in the final. Maxwells performance shaped the contest at both ends: his four wickets restricted Amsterdam to a modest total and he produced his best bowling figures in T20 with 4/18, and his late hitting helped finish the chase. Humphreys three-wicket contribution also proved crucial in keeping the Flames from building a stronger platform. For Amsterdam, Smiths 45 was the innings top score, but the teams middle-order collapse left them with too little to defend. Belfast, meanwhile, combined a disciplined bowling display with a measured chase before Maxwells late assault brought the qualifier to a close. The contrast between the two innings was decisive. Amsterdam lost wickets at regular intervals and were unable to turn Smiths contribution into a larger total. Belfast, despite losing Stirling early and later seeing Tector and Conway depart, kept the chase on course before their rapid finish removed any remaining doubt. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The Wolves now advance to the ETPL final with Edinburgh on Sunday, while Amsterdams campaign ends in the qualifier. For Belfast, the victory sets up the tournaments final challenge after a performance built around Maxwells impact with both bat and ball.
Asian Games: Unchanged India Women Opt To Bat First Against Bangladesh In SF
Korogi Sports Park: India won the toss and opted to bat first against Bangladesh in the Asian Games women's cricket semifinal here at Korogi Sports Park on Sunday. Indias XI remained unchanged from their quarterfinal match, while Bangladesh are playing their first match of the tournament. Harmanpreet Kaur's Women in Blue brushed aside hosts Japan in a lopsided affair in the quarterfinal to march into the semifinals for the second straight time in as many tournament appearances. The defending champions are the favourites to claim the title they won after beating Sri Lanka in the 2023 Asiad final, in what is a similar look to the semifinals of the previous edition. Meanwhile, Bangladesh are coming into the semifinal without any game time in Nisshin. Their quarterfinal against China was washed out, and they progressed because they were the higher-ranked team of the two. The Bangladeshi side has defeated the Women in Blue only thrice in the 25 meetings. The Women in Blue are fresh from winning an eighth Asia Cup title a few days ago, while Bangladesh lost to the Indian juggernaut in the Asia Cup semifinal in Dubai. Playing XIs The Women in Blue are fresh from winning an eighth Asia Cup title a few days ago, while Bangladesh lost to the Indian juggernaut in the Asia Cup semifinal in Dubai. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Bangladesh: Dilara Akter, Juairiya Ferdous, Sobhana Mostary, Nigar Sultana Joty (C & WK), Shorna Akter, Sharmin Akter, Sanjida Akter Supta, Rabeya Khan, Nahida Akter, Marufa Akter, Sultana Khatun Article Source: IANS
England Reclaim No. 1 T20 Ranking After 3-0 Series Whitewash of Sri Lanka
England returned to the summit of the T20 world rankings with another thumping of Sri Lanka to complete a 3-0 series whitewash in Manchester on Saturday. The hosts made quick work of an eight-wicket win at Old Trafford, following equally emphatic 119-run and six-wicket successes earlier this week in Southampton and Cardiff respectively. England's latest victory was all but assured after Sri Lanka were dismissed for just 124, with two wickets apiece for Sonny Baker, Jofra Archer and Will Jacks. The home side then cruised to their meagre target in under 10 overs, with Jos Buttler 62 not out after sharing a partnership of 85 with captain Harry Brook as Stephen Fleming, the new England Test coach, looked on. England now boast a record of 23 wins from their last 26 T20 internationals. That put them back ahead of world champions India at the top of the T20 standings, with the pair having traded the number one position three times in the past two months. Being back at world number one in T20s is an amazing achievement and one everyone should be really proud of, said Brook. Everyone stepped up, especially lads who haven't played as much. Fast bowler Baker, appearing in just his third T20 for England, returned miserly figures of 2-17 in 3.5 overs. For Sonny Baker to bowl three overs in the powerplay in two games is an amazing achievement, not going for many runs and taking wickets, said Brook. There have been concerns over Brook's workload given he is a mainstay in all three international formats. But the 27-year-old, who plundered 170 runs in the series, said: I want to play as much cricket as I can for England. That is my main priority and why I don't play franchise cricket. We want to be a side when the conditions aren't in our favour where we are still able to manufacture a win. Sri Lanka will hope for an improved performance when they face England in the first of three one-day internationals at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday. A very disappointing series for us with both batting and bowling, said visiting skipper Charith Asalanka. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories It was an important eye-opener for us of where we stand in T20 cricket compared to the best teams in the world.
India-Japan T20I Marks 75 Year Celebrations Of Diplomatic Relations: Ambassador Nagma Mallick
Japan Nagma Mohamed Mallick: The upcoming India-Japan cricket match in Sano City will mark the inaugural event of the celebrations commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Ambassador of India to Japan Nagma Mohamed Mallick told IANS. The match is scheduled for September 22 in Sano City, Tochigi, and will be a significant sporting event amid the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. This is an important event in the bilateral calendar between India and Japan. The cricket match on the 22nd will be the inaugural event for the 75-year celebration of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. Thats what were celebrating. Its the first event, and our two prime ministers agreed to that a couple of months ago, Mallick told IANS. The fixture will be played in Sano rather than at the newly developed cricket venue in Nagoya, which is being used for the Asian Games. Mallick explained that the Nagoya pitch will remain occupied by teams competing in the continental tournament. So we will hold this in Sano City, not here because they developed a cricket pitch here just for the Asian Games. And that pitch will be busy with the teams playing for the Asian Games. So theres another older pitch in Sano City, she said. While the fixture is being viewed as a friendly match, Mallick said its significance extends beyond the cricket field, with the contest forming part of the broader celebrations of India-Japan ties. Thats where well be doing it on the 22nd. Its a great feeling. Its an important event for the bilateral relationship, she added. The ambassador also highlighted the enthusiasm surrounding the fixture, noting that tickets were sold out and that supporters from India and around the world were expected to attend. And also I hope, I mean, as far as I know, tickets are sold out. So people have come even from back home and other places abroad to watch that match, Mallick said. The ambassador also highlighted the enthusiasm surrounding the fixture, noting that tickets were sold out and that supporters from India and around the world were expected to attend. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The India-Japan cricket match is thus set to combine sporting exchange with a landmark milestone in the two countries diplomatic relationship. Article Source: IANS
'I still feel strong in myself' - Jhye Richardson eyes Test return as he enters his 30s
The fast bowler has been boosted by staying on the park during the winter as he now prepares to face India A
The 35-year-old suffered an injury during the first T20I against Afghanistan and was subsequently ruled out of the remaining two matches of the series, as well as the upcoming Asian Games.
Don't Think Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Has Got The Technique: Ex-England Star's Huge Test Claim
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has played 6 T20Is for India but he is yet to make his Test debut.
Mandaviya Hails Indian Diasporas Support For Athletes At Asian Games
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya: Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya praised the Indian diaspora in Japan for supporting the countrys athletes during the ongoing Asian Games in Nagoya, highlighting the communitys role in encouraging the Indian contingent. Mandaviya joined members of the Indian diaspora in Japan for a special 'Sundays on Cycle' event organised to cheer for the Indian contingent ahead of the upcoming Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya. Speaking to IANS on the sidelines of the Asian Games, Mandaviya said the Indian diaspora organised the event in Nagoya to show its support for the athletes. The Asian Games have started in Nagoya, Japan, and 503 youths from India have come to participate in the Games. Today, Indias Diaspora has organised a Sunday on Cycling event in Nagoya. I am happy that our contingent is performing well, and our Diaspora is encouraging them, Mandaviya told IANS. Mandaviya also spoke about the support extended by the Indian community in Japan and said the diaspora remained a source of strength for the country worldwide. Naturally, the Diaspora is a strength in our country. Wherever the Indian people are in need, our Diaspora is always there to support them. In Nagoya, the Diaspora has made all the arrangements to encourage our Indian athletes. Many youths are working as volunteers. This is the specialty of India, he added. Mandaviya said the presence and participation of volunteers from the Indian community reflected the strong connection between the diaspora and the countrys sporting contingent. Naturally, the Diaspora is a strength in our country. Wherever the Indian people are in need, our Diaspora is always there to support them. In Nagoya, the Diaspora has made all the arrangements to encourage our Indian athletes. Many youths are working as volunteers. This is the specialty of India, he added. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The Indian contingent will have eyes on multiple medals and opportunities as action kicks off on Sunday at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya. The days focus includes the Indian cricket team, teqball star Quimcy Dsouza, and shooters like Elavenil Valarivan. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led cricket squad, defending champions, will face Bangladesh in the second semi-final, with the winner guaranteed at least a silver medal. Meanwhile, Quimcy seeks India's first-ever teqball medal, competing in the womens singles bronze match and also aiming for a medal in mixed doubles with Mohamed Anas Beg. Article Source: IANS
Exclusive: Gautam Gambhir And Co Cautioned Against Replacing Sanju Samson With Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
There has been considerable debate over who Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could potentially replace as India's new opening batter, with Sanju Samson often finding himself at the centre of those discussions.
Davis Cup: Czechs beat USA to qualify for finals
The wins in Davis Cup are always a little bit different because this is a team competition, said Jiri Lehecka
Kamil Pooran earns maiden T20I call-up for WI tour of India; Holder rested
Shimron Hetmyer will miss the ODI leg of the tour, which starts on September 27, but will link back up for the T20Is
John Campbell Returns, Kamil Pooran Earns Maiden Call-Up For India Tour
John Campbell, who missed the final two ODIs against New Zealand due to a hamstring injury, returns to the 15-member squad led by Shai Hope.
West Indies recall Campbell for India ODIs; Pooran gets maiden T20I call-up
The West Indies have announced their ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming series against India, with John Campbell returning to the ODI side and Kamil Pooran earning his maiden T20I call-up.
Siraj to lead Hyderabad in first two Ranji Trophy matches
Fast bowler will join his domestic side after playing for India against West Indies in September-October
Siraj to captain Hyderabad in first two Ranji Trophy matches
India pacer Mohammed Siraj will lead Hyderabad in their first two Ranji Trophy matches of the upcoming season.
Brook wants to keep No. 1 ranking after England sweep aside Sri Lanka
England's record under Harry Brook improves to 23 win out of 26 completed T20Is
ZIM vs AUS 3rd ODI Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI
ZIM vs AUS 3rd ODI, Cricket Tips: Australia have shown why they are the best in all conditions. With a second-string side, Australia have managed to win the ongoing ODI series in Zimbabwe. They have not let the hosts come near to them in both games. Travis Head finally regained his form with a blistering century. Cooper Connolly has carried his form with half-centuries in both games. They will look to try out the players who have not played in the first two games. The final ODI will start at 1 PM IST on Sunday at Harare Sports Club. Zimbabwe have failed with the bat, and their batters need to stick to the surface to play long innings. ZIM vs AUS: Match Details Date : September 20, 2026 (Sunday) Time : 1:00 PM IST Venue : Harare Sports Club, Harare ZIM vs AUS: Live Streaming Details To watch the final ODI on Sunday, Indian fans can switch to the FanCode mobile app or website with an active subscription. ZIM vs AUS: Head-to-Head in ODIs Total Matches : 35 Zimbabwe : 3 Australia : 31 No-result: 1 ZIM vs AUS: Ground Pitch Report Harare Sports Club has produced flat decks in the first two games. Batters have enjoyed their time on the field. However, there is enough assistance for the bowlers also. Fast bowlers can use the early seam movement, while spinners will be handy in the lateral stages. ZIM vs AUS: Possible XIs Zimbabwe : Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Brendan Taylor (wk), Innocent Kaia, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza (c), Wessly Madhevere, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani Australia : Travis Head, Mitch Marsh (c), Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, Matt Renshaw, Oliver Peake, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Billy Stanlake ZIM vs AUS: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Travis Head scored a century in the last game and will be looking to produce another thrilling performance. Craig Ervine has used his experience to good effect and made some useful contributions. Probable Best Bowler Nathan Ellis and Blessing Muzarani are two go-to bowlers for each team, and they will be the ones to watch out for. Today Match Prediction: Australia have been too good for the hosts. They have outplayed them in both games and are expected to win the final ODI also. ZIM vs AUS Match 3rd ODI, Today Match ZIM vs AUS, ZIM vs AUS Prediction, ZIM vs AUS Predicted XIs, Injury Update for Zimbabwe vs Australia Match Also Read: Special Cricket Stories 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.
IND-W vs BAN-W 2nd Semi Final, Womens Asian Games 2026 Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI
IND-W vs BAN-W 2nd Semi Final, Cricket Tips: Harmanpreet Kaur and her team have made it to the semifinal of the ongoing Women's Asian Games 2026 after beating Japan Women in the quarter-final round. They recorded a big win and showed why they are the favorite to win the gold medal. They are just two matches away from winning the ultimate prize. India Women will face Bangladesh Women in the semifinal on Sunday. This contest is scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM IST at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin. This is the repeat of the semifinal of the Asia Cup 2026 a couple of weeks back. India won that game, and they will be looking for a similar result. IND-W vs BAN-W: Match Details Date : September 20, 2026 (Sunday) Time : 10:30 AM IST Venue : Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin IND-W vs BAN-W: Live Streaming Details Indian fans can watch the live action of the semifinal on the Sony Sports Networks. Fans can watch the game through the Sony LIV app or website. IND-W vs BAN-W: Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches: 25 India Women : 22 Bangladesh Women: 3 No-result : 0 IND-W vs BAN-W: Ground Pitch Report So far, the batters have found it a little tough to bat at the surface at Korogi Sports Park. There have been good bounce and pace, which has helped the fast bowlers. As the ball gets old, spinners also play a big role here. IND-W vs BAN-W: Possible XIs India Women: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Renuka Thakur, Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Nandani Sharma Bangladesh Women : Dilara Akter, Sharmin Akhter, Sobhana Mostary, Juairiya Ferdous, Nigar Sultana (c) (wk), Shorna Akter, Rabeya Khan, Nahida Akter, Sultana Khatun, Marufa Akter, Fahima Khatun IND-W vs BAN-W: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Shefali Verma won the MOTM award in the quarterfinal, and she is the in-form batter for India. Captain Nigar Sultana will have a big role in this semi for Bangladesh. Probable Best Bowler Shree Charani and Marufa Akter are two in-form bowlers and the ones to watch out for. Today Match Prediction: India Women have enjoyed facing Bangladesh across formats. The history and form are with them, and they are expected to win the semifinal on Sunday. IND-W vs BAN-W 2nd Semi final, Today Match IND-W vs BAN-W, IND-W vs BAN-W Prediction, IND-W vs BAN-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for India Women vs Japan Women Match Also Read: Special Cricket Stories 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.
England Dethrone India As World No 1 In T20Is After Sri Lanka Whitewash
Jos Buttler's unbeaten half-century led England to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka, completing a 3-0 T20 series whitewash and elevating England to the top of the T20 world rankings.
Jones holds nerve in last-ball thriller as Blaze bow out with domestic treble
Beaumont and Elwiss make crucial half-centuries, as Hampshire finish as losing finalists once again
Jos Buttler ransacks small chase as England cruise to 3-0 series sweep
Bowlers share wickets around in underpowered Sri Lanka effort that saw them all out in 18.5 overs
Kris Srikkanth Minces No Words, Slams Shreyas Iyer For Letting Random Guy Play For India
India defeated Afghanistan by 127 runs in the third T20I in Delhi on Thursday to complete a 3-0 whitewash in the three-match series.
Dottin to miss Zimbabwe tour, Matthews to only play ODIs
Allrounder Chinelle Henry returns to the squad following an injury during the T20 World Cup
Hlubi, Nini seal 5-0 win for South Africa
Zimbabwe were 102 for 2 chasing 165 but couldn't see the game through with Hlubi and Nini finishing with three wickets each
Indian Captain Shreyas Iyer Sees Asian Games As A Big Opportunity
This is going to be my first time, so I am looking forward to going there and firstly to get used to the conditions
Matthews To Skip T20Is After Leading WI In ODIs Against Zimbabwe, Dottin Granted Personal Leave
Head Coach Shane Deitz: Regular skipper Hayley Matthews will lead West Indies women during the ODI leg of their upcoming tour of Zimbabwe before taking personal leave and skip the subsequent T20I series, while star all-rounder Deandra Dottin has been granted personal leave for the entire trip. Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced the squad for the white-ball tour to Zimbabwe scheduled to be played from September 24 to October 7, which features three ODIs and as many T20I games. Under-19 World Cup prospect, all-rounder Eboni Brathwaite, comes into the squad as Deandras replacement, while seam-bowling all-rounder Chinelle Henry returns after recovering from an injury that disrupted her T20 World Cup campaign in England in June-July. Henry replaces Qiana Joseph, who misses out on the tour following a drop in form. With Hayley departing the setup ahead of the series in the shortest format, the West Indies squad will reduce from 15 players in the ODIs to 14 for the T20I series, though the CWI hasnt announced the stand-in skipper for the 20-over series. The core of the squad has been retained following a successful tour of Ireland and a strong campaign at the recent ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England and Wales, where West Indies reached the semi-finals. Looking ahead to the upcoming series, Head Coach Shane Deitz said, We are looking forward to this tour of Zimbabwe. They are a side we haven't played much, and, in their conditions, there will be some challenges. We have a young squad, so this is a great opportunity for some players to step up and take their opportunity at this level. The core of the squad has been retained following a successful tour of Ireland and a strong campaign at the recent ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England and Wales, where West Indies reached the semi-finals. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories West Indies women squad: Hayley Matthews (Captain - ODIs only), Aaliyah Alleyne, Eboni Brathwaite, Shemaine Campbelle, Jahzara Claxton, Afy Fletcher, Jannillea Glasgow, Realeanna Grimmond, Shawnisha Hector, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, and Stafanie Taylor Article Source: IANS
The relation between Ajit Agarkar and the current BCCI regime turned frosty mainly due to couple of reasons.
CPL awaits new champions as Kingsmen and Falcons look to make history
For only the third time in CPL history, the final will be played without either Guyana Amazon Warriors or Trinbago Knight Riders
UPL 2026: Vaani Kapoor To Headline Grand Opening Ceremony In Dehradun
Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium: Bollywood actress Vaani Kapoor will headline the opening ceremony of the third edition of the Uttarakhand Premier League (UPL) 2026, adding a touch of glamour to the tournaments opening day at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Dehradun, on September 21. The opening ceremony will also showcase the rich cultural and musical heritage of Uttarakhand, with performances by artistes from different regions of the state. Karishma Shah and Ruhaan Bhardwaj from Garhwal, Inder Arya from Kumaon, Manju Nautiyal from Jaunpur, and Ajju Tomar and Ajay Chauhan from Jaunsar will take the stage, bringing together the diverse musical traditions of Garhwal, Kumaon and Jaunsar and adding a distinct local flavour to the celebrations. The opening ceremony will be held on the evening of September 21, following the two womens fixtures scheduled earlier in the day. The womens competition will get the tournament underway, with Pithoragarh Hurricanes taking on Dehradun Warriors at 11:00 AM, followed by Bageshwar Aerial facing Mussoorie Queens at 3:00 PM. Vaani Kapoor will be the star attraction at the evening ceremony, which will mark the formal opening of UPL 2026 and set the stage for the mens competition, beginning on September 22. The ceremony will be attended by senior officials associated with the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU) and the Uttarakhand Premier League. Kiran Verma, secretary, Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU), said, The opening ceremony marks the beginning of another exciting edition of the Uttarakhand Premier League. We are delighted to bring together cricket and the rich cultural talent of Uttarakhand on one platform. Shri Mahim Verma, former vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and former secretary of the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU), said, The opening ceremony is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate both cricket and the vibrant cultural identity of Uttarakhand. Over the years, the Uttarakhand Premier League has provided a platform for players to showcase their talent, and this edition promises another exciting chapter. Speaking ahead of the third edition of the league, Sunil Joshi, chairperson, Uttarakhand Premier League, said, The third edition of the Uttarakhand Premier League is an important milestone for the league and for cricket in Uttarakhand. With players from different age groups and backgrounds coming together, the tournament provides an opportunity for both established and emerging cricketers to compete in a quality T20 environment. We look forward to an exciting edition and to welcoming cricket fans to the stadium. The opening day will feature a full day of cricketing action, beginning with the womens competition in the morning. The two womens matches will be followed by the opening ceremony in the evening, bringing together cricket, entertainment and celebrations as UPL 2026 officially gets underway. The womens competition features Mussoorie Queens, Bageshwar Aerial, Pithoragarh Hurricanes and Dehradun Warriors, with Nandini Kashyap, Prema Rawat, Raghavi Bisht and Sweta Verma, respectively, serving as icon players. The mens competition will begin on September 22, with Haridwar Elmas taking on Nainital Tigers at 7:30 PM in the opening mens fixture. The seven-team mens competition also features Pithoragarh Hurricanes, USN Indians, Rishikesh River Kings, Tehri Titans and Dehradun Warriors. The womens competition features Mussoorie Queens, Bageshwar Aerial, Pithoragarh Hurricanes and Dehradun Warriors, with Nandini Kashyap, Prema Rawat, Raghavi Bisht and Sweta Verma, respectively, serving as icon players. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The third edition of the Uttarakhand Premier League will be played from September 21 to October 1, 2026, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Raipur, Dehradun. Article Source: IANS
How Rohit Beat Test Cricket Nerves With Mum's Banana Wafers
Former India captain Rohit Sharma has revealed that his mother's homemade baked banana wafers were his go-to comfort food for midnight cravings during Test matches, helping him cope with the nervousness of the longest format.
May They Give Their Best And Shine: PM Modi Wishes Indian Contingent As Asian Games Begin
At Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended his best wishes to the Indian contingent as the 20th Asian Games officially commenced in Aichi-Nagoya in Japan, saying the country is proud of the athletes for their hard work, dedication and determination. As the Asian Games commence in Aichi-Nagoya, my best wishes to the Indian contingent. Each athlete has worked incredibly hard and shown remarkable dedication and determination. India is proud of them. May they give their best, play well and shine! PM Modi wrote in a post on X. At Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya, Japans Emperor Naruhito declared the 20th edition of the continental sporting extravaganza open, marking the ceremonial beginning of an event that will bring together thousands of athletes over the next two weeks. For India, the opening ceremony carried its own significance as Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat led the Indian contingent into the stadium. With the Indian Tricolour held high, the duo became the faces of a contingent carrying the expectations of a nation looking to build on its record-breaking campaign at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. India won 107 medals in Hangzhou, including 28 gold, and will now look to surpass that tally in Aichi-Nagoya. The first Asian Games were held in New Delhi in 1951, with 489 athletes from 11 countries taking part. Since then, the continental showpiece has been hosted 19 times. The Aichi-Nagoya Games are the 20th edition of the Asian Games and the third time that Japan is hosting the continental event, after Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994. The Games will feature 45 countries and regions competing across 43 sports. India will enter the competition as defending champions in both mens and womens cricket and kabaddi, while the mens hockey team will also seek to retain its title. PV Sindhu will spearhead Indias badminton campaign, while Mirabai Chanu will lead the weightlifting contingent. Manu Bhaker will be among Indias leading names in shooting, with Aman Sehrawat taking the mat in wrestling. India will enter the competition as defending champions in both mens and womens cricket and kabaddi, while the mens hockey team will also seek to retain its title. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Gulveer Singh, Tejaswin Shankar, Murali Sreeshankar, Jyothi Yarraji and Parul Chaudhary are among Indias leading athletics names, while Tajinderpal Singh Toor heads into Aichi-Nagoya as a two-time defending champion in shot put. Article Source: IANS
From IPL Sensation To India 'A': Praful Hinge Opens Up On His Next Big Challenge
Praful Hinge's three-wicket opening over while turning out for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Rajasthan Royals made him an overnight sensation in this year's Indian Premier League.
England bowl first in bid for series clean sweep against Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka make one change, with Thushara coming into the XI for Chameera
Liam Blackford's stunning debut 149* pulls of remarkable Victoria chase
The wicketkeeper's career was under threat when he suffered a blood clot three years ago
India To Play In Official BCCI Jersey For One-off Japan T20I: Source
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi: India are set to face Japan for the one-off T20I on Tuesday in their national jersey to mark the 75 years of diplomatic ties with the Japanese nation. The Shreyas Iyer-led side will be donning the official Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) colours for their one-off contest at the Sano International Cricket Ground and not the Asian Games kit, sources told IANS. The match will be played two days before the start of the men's cricket competition at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, where India will also be in action along with Japan and eight other teams. The kit for the Asian Games cricket event will be different, as was seen with the Indian women's side. The one-off contest is the first international cricket match between the two teams and is a special fixture to inaugurate celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The fixture serves as the flagship event launching Sport 75, a broader bilateral initiative originating from a summit agreement between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi designed to foster sporting exchanges and cooperation. The one-off contest is the first international cricket match between the two teams and is a special fixture to inaugurate celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories India and Japan share a strong and longstanding relationship and friendship, and we are pleased that cricket will be part of the celebrations marking 75 years of bilateral relations between the two countries, and we thank the Japan Cricket Association (JCA) for its efforts in making this fixture possible, Saikia had said in a statement. Article Source: IANS
Asian Games A Big Opportunity To Gel And Build Momentum, Says Shreyas Iyer
India T20I: India T20I captain Shreyas Iyer said he is treating his maiden appearance at the upcoming Asian Games as an opportunity to adapt quickly to unfamiliar conditions while building team synergy on the back of India's recent 3-0 series triumph over Afghanistan. The Iyer-led Indian team will leave for Japan in an early morning flight on Sunday and will first play a one-off T20I against Japan before entering the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Regarding, Asian Games, this is going to be my first time. So, I am looking forward to going there and firstly to get used to the conditions because we have never been there before. So, having a set of ideas about how the wickets are over there, it's going to be a combination of everything and the most important aspect is that again we gel along as a team and this series is definitely a great momentum towards Asian Games, Iyer said in a video posted on BCCIs social media accounts on Saturday. Reflecting on India's recent series victory over Afghanistan, Iyer praised the relentless hunger shown by the opposition while hailing his own squad's dominant and optimistic mindset throughout the assignment. All the Afghani players, if you see and look at them, they are rollicking characters and they have this phenomenal attitude when they step onto the field, they want to win. They have that hunger and zest in them to come out here and perform. The first series win was in Zimbabwe. The second series win and that too away, but at home. It feels amazing. Every individual took that responsibility to go out there and perform to the best. I feel that it was the contribution that made us win the series with a comprehensive victory. I think the approach itself was optimistic. When we stepped onto the field, we wanted to set a rhythm for ourselves going into the tournament and then match one, you saw how dominating we were in our approach. The attitude was phenomenal and I think that carried on in the second game and third game as well here we saw, he elaborated. Iyer also reserved special praise for opener Abhishek Sharma, who produced explosive performances at the top of the order, including hitting a record 30-ball ton in the final game on Thursday. Abhishek, the way he batted throughout, he usually has his practice over here in Delhi and he said he is very much used to the wickets around. So, we were expecting big scores from him here and also the previous two games he delivered it, so happy for him. Iyer also reserved special praise for opener Abhishek Sharma, who produced explosive performances at the top of the order, including hitting a record 30-ball ton in the final game on Thursday. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories So, that talks highly about the mindset of every individual who have been participating during the match and also the ones who have been sitting outside. Their contribution matters a lot because the energy inside the dressing room is what exactly delivers the performance and the results as well. Article Source: IANS
Keeping things simple worked for India u-19 cricketer Yashbardhan
Mohammad Rizwan Seeks ICC Intervention Amid Betting Probe Controversy
Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan has approached the International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption Unit seeking clarity on the procedure to be followed if a player is suspected of involvement in corruption.
Najmul Hossain Shanto To Lead As Bangladesh Announce Squad For One-Off Test Against Afghanistan
Bangladesh have announced a 15-member squad for their one-off Test against Afghanistan, scheduled to be played in the United Arab Emirates from October 9, with Najmul Hossain Shanto continuing as captain.
Axar Patel wins 'Impact Player of Series' award in Indias 3-0 series win over Afghanistan
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) Left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel was named the 'Impact Player of the Series' following India's recent 3-0 T20I series triumph over Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, with head physio Kamlesh Jain handing over the medal in the dressing room. Axar played a crucial role throughout the series by delivering tight spells and maintaining pressure while picking four wickets in three games, including a spell of 2-9 in three overs in the final game which India won by 127 runs. Guys, congratulations on the series win. With regards to the impact player for the series, someone who does his work silently behind the scenes and also during the game when he has to bowl those crucial overs in the power play, as well as towards the end of the power play. He comes in, silently does his job, whether it's in the fielding in 30 yards or on the boundary line, gives his 100 percent commitment. Someone who echoes the team's motto of putting the team over self, one and only, Axar Patel, Jain said in a video shared by the BCCI on their social media accounts on Saturday. Accepting the honour, Axar expressed pride in the collective effort shown by the team across all three matches and called on the group to carry the same momentum into their next assignment, which is the mens T20 event in the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. We did pretty well in all three games. We implemented what we had discussed. Overall, as a team, I am very proud of this side and the past few series, the way it went, nothing can be changed. If we keep winning, the atmosphere will be automatic upwards. If we keep winning, we will move forward as a unit. In the next Asian Games, we will do the same. If we keep the atmosphere and environment as it is, I think we can do better. So keep it up and good luck, he said. Head coach Gautam Gambhir, who isnt going for the Asian Games, kept his address brief and called on the players to put the series victory behind them and re-align their focus for the continental event, where India are current gold medal holders. Good luck to the guys for the Asian Games. I think one message is that the series is over and switch on for the Asian Games. Good luck, he said.
Why Ajit Agarkar Quit As Team India's Chief Selector
Former chief selector Ajit Agarkar's departure from the BCCI was primarily driven by disagreements over Rohit Sharma's future in white-ball cricket and policy differences with Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman, culminating in his absence from a crucial review meeting.
Glamorgan Sign England Spinner Georgia Davis From Warwickshire
Girls Cricket Aimee Rees: Glamorgan have roped in England off-spinner Georgia Davis from Warwickshire on a three-year deal ahead of the 2027 season. Davis, a 27-year-old off-spinner, would boost the Glamorgan squad as they look for Tier One Status in 2027. She made her England debut against Ireland at Belfast in 2024, which was her only international. However, she has been a consistent performer across franchise and regional cricket. She was with Welsh Fire in the 2024 Hundred and picked up 10 wickets in eight games. The off-spinner also put up a strong performance in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy with Central Sparks. Joining Glamorgan is an opportunity I'm incredibly grateful for, said Davis, as quoted by Glamorgan. The club's history, heritage, and contribution to Welsh cricket make it a special place, and it's clear that something really exciting is being built here. The success the women's team achieved in Tier Two has laid a fantastic foundation, and it's a credit to everyone who has worked so hard to get the club to this point. I'm excited to play my part in the next chapter, helping the club take on the challenge of Tier One. I can't wait to get started, meet everyone involved, and contribute to what I believe will be a very exciting future for Glamorgan. Meanwhile, Glamorgans Head of Women & Girls Cricket Aimee Rees was excited to add Davis to the squad. Georgia is a fantastic addition to our squad, and were delighted to have her on board. She brings a wealth of experience from international and franchise cricket, as well as strong leadership qualities, which will be invaluable to the group both on and off the field, Rees said. I'm excited to play my part in the next chapter, helping the club take on the challenge of Tier One. I can't wait to get started, meet everyone involved, and contribute to what I believe will be a very exciting future for Glamorgan. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Her experience of performing at the highest level, combined with her leadership and knowledge of the game, will be a huge asset to our squad. Were really excited to see Georgia bring that experience to Glamorgan and play an important role in what were building over the next 3 years, she added. Article Source: IANS
IPL Breakout Star Praful Hinge Relies On 'one Ball At A Time' Approach For India 'A'
Vidarbha Pro T20 League: Praful Hinge's three-wicket opening over while turning out for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Rajasthan Royals made him an overnight sensation in this year's Indian Premier League (IPL). But with his first India A assignment looming, via a red-ball series against Australia A in Puducherry, the right-arm fast bowler said he will take the simplest of approaches into the game starting on September 22: stay in the present and think about nothing beyond the next delivery. I don't think too much in my brain about what will happen next or what may not happen. I just focus on the present like what I have to do with the ball in hand in a match. I just focus on bowling one ball at a time. As a bowler, there are a lot of challenges and I love those challenges. When the ball comes, I just have to do my bowling. I'll do my best. The rest, and whatever happens, will have to happen, Hinge told IANS in a chat ahead of the series to be played at the picturesque CAP-Siechem Stadium. Hinge learned of his India 'A' selection while away from his residence in Nagpur, and only believed it once he had checked for himself. I got a message from a friend who works in media, and said that I got India 'A' call-up. I was out of station at that time and then got a message from the friend, who said, 'Congratulations on getting India 'A' team call-up'. To see that for real, I saw on the BCCI website and it began to sink in that I was in India 'A' team. This is what is going on right now - if you work hard, you'll definitely get something. I've been playing red-ball cricket since Ranji Trophy and red-ball cricket has been my favourite format since childhood, he added. Since the IPL ended, Hinge has kept bowling. He took eight wickets in the Vidarbha Pro T20 League and played Under-25 emerging matches at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru - all with an eye on keeping himself in good bowling rhythm. I mean, now that I've got a chance, I should do well. So, in all the matches, everything was good for me and I performed well. Whatever the match was either bowling my overs, fielding, batting, it was the same. The experiences were the same - I just have to keep myself ready so that I can get a chance someday. My body is doing well. I mean, my fitness is great and everything is going well. Yes, I briefly attended a SRH off-season camp. We had a good volume of bowling there as well and our fitness was good, he added. Hinge was largely unknown outside domestic cricket circles before his breakout time in IPL 2026 for SRH. He acknowledges that the attention has changed his life off the field, even if he tries not to dwell on it and keeps social media at arm's length. A lot of people do recognize me. Now, everyone knows me wherever I go. So, it feels really good. Sometimes, I do think about it in my mind - like, I've done this too. Nothing much as such. I don't use it (social media) much. I don't pay much attention to it. I just use it for a bit of fun, humour and work things. His family in Nagpur has also felt the difference. Yes, the parents and family members get more recognised now. Like if they needed something before, it would come late. Now whenever they need something, it comes a little earlier than expected since my good showing in the IPL. Hinge also credited former India fast bowler Varun Aaron, SRHs fast bowling coach, for keeping a close watch on his development since the IPL ended. After the IPL, he's always been following me. Like, what are you doing? How's the training and bowling going? Once or twice, I went for bowling with him. I even bowled with the red-ball in a camp. So, he keeps asking me how I'm doing and takes constant updates about my progress. Aaron, whose own playing career was repeatedly interrupted by injuries, has also helped Hinge fine-tune his action. He faced a lot of things and saw a lot of ups and downs. So, it feels like he's of immense help to me. When I met him at MRF, I told him that I was injured. So, since then, he's been in touch with me. Like, how's it going? What's going on? Like, the bowling action, whatever needs to be done up and down, he adjusted it. Whatever I have seen of him, I've learnt a lot from him as well. Hinge has also leaned on the experience of CoE fast-bowling coaches, former India fast bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji and P Krishnakumar. I asked them a lot about the little things I can do better in a bowling situation, and what we can't do. I always used to ask them about whatever I could think of in terms of questions about fast bowling and related topics. Hinge made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2024 and has 27 wickets from 10 first-class matches. He has already played Ranji Trophy cricket in Puducherry via his debut game and expects the afternoon heat to be a test for the pacers. I've played matches in Pondicherry before as well in the Ranji Trophy. So, I have a bit of an idea about the conditions there. But the temperature is going to be a bit high. The sooner I can adapt to the conditions, the better it is as bowling in the afternoon is a bit tough. But doing tough things is a habit now for me. So, it will be good when the matches happen. Hinge made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2024 and has 27 wickets from 10 first-class matches. He has already played Ranji Trophy cricket in Puducherry via his debut game and expects the afternoon heat to be a test for the pacers. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories With the series just a few days away, Hinge's focus is on the task in front of him, including wearing India A whites for the first time while playing. It's just a few days away. I'm more excited for it, as this is what everyone practices for, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
When Will Asia Cup Trophies Be Handed To India? BCCI Secretary's Massive 'Timeline' Response
The missing Asia Cup trophies won by the Indian men's and women's team will be brought to the BCCI headquarters here one day but a timeline cannot be provided for it, said secretary Devajit Saikia on Friday.
BCCI Cited Network Issues, But Ajit Agarkar Chose To Miss Key Board Meeting: Report
Ajit Agarkar's absence from the review meeting in Mumbai was the first indication that he had made up his mind not to continue in the role.
Cricket Russia Launches Russian T10 League To Revive Sport
The Russian T10 League: In a bid to revive cricket in Russia, the Russian Cricket Federation (Cricket Russia) has launched the Russian T10 League with four teams set to compete in the two-day event on September 19 and 20. The tournament will be played at the Luzhniki Stadium, with Moscow Foxes, Kremlin Stars, Kazan Falcons and St. Petersburg Lions competing in seven matches. Sambhav Jain, director, Russian Cricket Federation (Cricket Russia), reflected on the launch of the tournament. The tournament is designed to be more than a sporting competition. It is part of a wider vision to promote cricket across Russia, attract new players and audiences, and create more opportunities for the development of the sport, Jain said. With 60 players participating across four teams, the event provides a platform for cricketers to compete, gain experience and showcase their talent, he added. The Russian T10 League is Russia's first structured domestic cricket calendar through a T10-format tournament. It is open to local Russian players, expat communities, and the South Asian diaspora competing together from Day 1. It is designed to showcase talent at the highest local level, with an aim also on making cricket immediately engaging for new audiences. Identification and development of homegrown Russian talent for the national pipeline is a core objective of the tournament. The T10 League is also the first step in the Russia Cricket Development Initiative, which envisions a future where cricket is a mainstream sport in Russia. The aim remains on a thriving domestic league, world-class infrastructure in every major city, and a Russian national team competing on the international stage. The launch arrives at a genuinely useful moment for cricket in, coming just two years before the sport returns to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028. A federation-backed, city-based franchise competition gives Russia a clearer development pathway at a time when several associate nations are racing to professionalise their domestic structures, Jain added. Final Fixtures: 19th September 2026: Match 1: Kremlin Stars vs Kazan Falcons Match 2: Moscow Foxes vs Saint Petersburg Lions Match 3: Kremlin Stars vs Moscow Foxes 20th September 2026: Match 1: Kazan Falcons vs Saint Petersburg Lions Match 2: Kremlin Stars vs Saint Petersburg Lions Match 1: Kazan Falcons vs Saint Petersburg Lions Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Final: 1st Place vs 2nd Place Article Source: IANS
Perth Scorchers To Begin BBL Title Defense In Chennai Against Melbourne Renegades
Perth Scorchers will face Melbourne Renegade on December 12 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Shanto To Lead As Bangladesh Announce Squad For One-off Test vs Afghanistan
United Arab Emirates: Bangladesh have announced a 15-member squad for their one-off Test against Afghanistan, scheduled to be played in the United Arab Emirates from October 9, with Najmul Hossain Shanto continuing as captain. The squad retains a strong blend of experience and emerging players as Bangladesh prepare for their next Test assignment after an impressive showing against Australia last month. Tanzid Hasan, Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque are the main top-order options, while captain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das provide experience in the middle order. Soumya Sarkar, Tawhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali Anik are the other batting options. Bangladesh have included two frontline spinners in Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam, while the pace attack features Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury and Shoriful Islam. Nayeem Hasan, Musfik Hasan and Iqbal Hossain Emon have been named as travelling reserves and will accompany the squad to the UAE. The Afghanistan Test comes after Bangladesh produced one of their most notable Test performances in recent years during their tour of Australia in August. Bangladesh stunned Australia by nine wickets in the opening Test in Darwin, recording their first-ever Test victory on Australian soil. Hasan Mahmud took six wickets for 55 runs in Australias first innings, while Tanzid Hasan became the first Bangladesh batter to score a Test century in Australia. Australia bounced back strongly in the second Test in Mackay, winning by an innings and 51 runs to level the two-match series 1-1. Mitchell Starc claimed 10 wickets in the match, while Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam returned figures of 7/48 in Australias first innings. The 1-1 draw marked Bangladeshs first Test series in Australia in 23 years and followed their historic nine-wicket triumph in Darwin. Bangladesh will now look to carry that confidence into their UAE assignment against Afghanistan. The fixture opens a busier multi-format season for Afghanistan in the UAE across October and November, which is also reported to include a white-ball series involving Zimbabwe. The 1-1 draw marked Bangladeshs first Test series in Australia in 23 years and followed their historic nine-wicket triumph in Darwin. Bangladesh will now look to carry that confidence into their UAE assignment against Afghanistan. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Reserves: Nayeem Hasan, Musfik Hasan, Iqbal Hossain Emon Article Source: IANS
