Women's DPL: North Delhi Beat East Delhi By Nine Wickets In Campaign Opener
North Delhi Strikers: North Delhi Strikers made a winning start to their Womens Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2026 campaign, defeating East Delhi Riders by nine wickets with more than five overs to spare here on Friday. Put into bat, East Delhi Riders struggled to score freely against a disciplined North Delhi bowling attack and were restricted to 101/8 in their allotted 20 overs. The Riders were in early trouble after losing two wickets for just 17 runs. Vanshika Lila and Sonakshi attempted to steady the innings and added 30 runs for the third wicket, giving East Delhi some hope of building a competitive total. However, Lilas dismissal in the 10th over changed the momentum once again. She scored 26 off 24 balls before being dismissed, after which East Delhi lost wickets at regular intervals. The Riders were unable to establish another meaningful partnership and their scoring rate remained under control throughout the latter stages of the innings. North Delhis bowlers maintained pressure and restricted East Delhi to a modest total. Nazma led the bowling effort with an impressive spell, claiming 2/15 from her four overs. Reshika Beniwal also picked up two wickets while conceding 25 runs. Apeksha Anand was particularly economical, returning figures of 1/10 from three overs. Chasing 102 for victory, North Delhi Strikers lost Upasana Yadav early but did not allow the early setback to affect their momentum. Shivi Sharma and Archana took charge of the chase and attacked the East Delhi bowling with confidence. The pair combined for an unbeaten 92-run partnership for the second wicket, taking the game firmly away from the Riders. Chasing 102 for victory, North Delhi Strikers lost Upasana Yadav early but did not allow the early setback to affect their momentum. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The Strikers eventually reached the target comfortably, finishing on 102/1 to seal a convincing nine-wicket victory with plenty of deliveries remaining. Article Source: IANS
Test Cricket Cannot Be A 'finishing School' For Red-ball Batters, Says Daryll Cullinan
Former South Africa: Former South Africa cricketer Daryll Cullinan has warned that modern Test cricket is being forced to act as a finishing school for players ill-equipped to face the moving red ball and pointed to the decay of traditional first-class apprenticeship and the misplaced copying of Australia batter Steve Smith's unconventional style. The old apprenticeship offered a safeguard we have not properly replaced. Theory never got the final vote there; the game did. A batter could arrive with almost any method he liked, and over a long season the ball would reveal whether the method survived serious examination. Without that kind of process, Test cricket is left to be the finishing school, which it should never be. The school before a batter gets to the top is simply not good enough now, the way it was in the past, Cullinan wrote in his column for Cricinfo on Friday. He also noted that legendary batters developed their judgment through rigorous domestic stints, particularly in English county cricket, where varying conditions forced batters to figure out structural solutions to line and seam movement. Cullinan also criticized modern coaching for over-relying on biomechanics, academic language, and trying to replicate Australia star Steve Smith's unique technique without understanding its nuances. Enter Steve Smith, the chief influencer. Few batters have challenged convention as successfully, and still scored as heavily against the best bowling in the world as he has. The mistake was assuming what worked for Smith should become a template for everyone else. Smith understood his own method intimately and adjusted it constantly to the bowler and the conditions in front of him. An elite player proving something can work does not prove that everyone should be taught it. Smith's greatness has duped a whole generation of coaches and players - which is a tribute to his genius, he added. Emphasising that technical fixes cannot be learned under high-pressure Test matches, Cullinan stressed the need to restore challenging domestic cricket playing environments for young batters. That old finishing school is largely gone now, and I do not expect it to come back. But the lesson it taught still holds true. The great players were not built by removing difficulty from their path. They were built by spending enough time, facing enough failure and enough real consequence, to work out for themselves what actually did the job. Emphasising that technical fixes cannot be learned under high-pressure Test matches, Cullinan stressed the need to restore challenging domestic cricket playing environments for young batters. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories If we don't, we will continue to see players come and go, and teams keep looking for continuity, excellence and a winning culture. Otherwise, let's be honest about what a good performance against the moving ball actually is now. An anomaly, not a reflection of anything built to last, and a winning result for the team on the right side of luck, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
India spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule has backed Kuldeep Yadav ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka. The star spinner struggled to live up to expectations in the Galle Test, after which some of...
1st Test: England bowled out for 409; grab huge lead vs Pakistan
Jofra Archer's cameo helped England post 409 in their first innings as they grabbed a huge lead on Day 3 of the first Test against Pakistan at Lord's on Friday.1
Ex-batter Hashan Tillakaratne Appointed Batting Coach Of Sri Lanka Senior Men's Programme
National High Performance Center: Former Sri Lanka captain and 1996 Mens ODI World Cup winner Hashan Tillakaratne has been appointed as the batting coach of the senior men's national program, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced on Friday. The 59-year-old left-handed batter, who scored 8, 334 international runs across 83 Tests and 200 ODIs from 1989 to 2004, officially assumed his new role on August 20. His contract runs till December 31, 2027. Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the appointment of Hashan Tillakaratne as the batting coach of the senior men's program. He will be based at the National High Performance Center of the SLC and will work with the national players as part of the Senior Mens Program. The former World Cup winner previously served as the batting coach of the Sri Lanka mens national team and the head coach of the Sri Lanka womens national team. He also has served as the head coach of the Bangladesh Womens National Team. Tillakaratne represented Sri Lanka from 1989 to 2003, playing 83 Test matches and 200 ODIs and accumulating more than 8,200 international runs across the two formats. His appointment came into effect on 20th August 2026 and will continue until 31st December 2027, said SLC in its statement on Friday. The former World Cup winner previously served as the batting coach of the Sri Lanka mens national team and the head coach of the Sri Lanka womens national team. He also has served as the head coach of the Bangladesh Womens National Team. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Following his playing career, in which he captained Sri Lanka in 11 Tests, Tillakaratne served as a national selector and worked with various senior, U-19, and women's setups and completed a recent coaching stint in the United States of America (USA). Article Source: IANS
Sairaj Bahutule backed Kuldeep Yadav to make an impact in the second Test against Sri Lanka, insisting the wrist-spinner remains a key part of the teams plans
Aiming To Get Back Into Australia Squad Across All Formats: Liam Scott
Big Bash League: Having experienced the feeling of being in international cricket during Australia's white-ball tour of Bangladesh earlier this year, rising all-rounder Liam Scott said he believes he is good enough to play for the national team across all three formats in future and is eager to get into the set-up again. Scott made his ODI debut in Dhaka, where he picked two wickets, after having a stellar 2025/26 domestic season, where he was named the Sheffield Shield player of the year with 496 runs and 23 wickets, while also amassing 310 runs in the Big Bash League for Adelaide Strikers. I think now I've had that taste. I just want to get back there and try and play as much cricket as I can for Australia. For me (there's) little elements of keep getting better against spin, opportunities to score... trying to score 360 and a bit of power-hitting stuff as well. Those sort of things I've tried to add to my game a little bit. Just being in different conditions, I think hopefully when I get the opportunity or if I get the opportunity to go back and play in those conditions, I feel as though I'm well-equipped and can adapt a bit quicker than probably what I did when I was over there, Scott was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au on Friday. Following a brief county cricket stint with Gloucestershire, Scott, who bats right-handed and bowls medium pace, said he has been making technical tweaks to refine his overall game. Bowling-wise (it's) just little technical stuff that has allowed me to maybe pick up a little bit of pace. In saying that, I feel like what I've got is good enough, so if I get that opportunity again, I'm looking forward to making the most of it, he added. With Australia entering a packed 12-month schedule comprising a minimum of 20 Tests alongside several white-ball series, Scott feels national selection opportunities can open up anytime for him. There's a few guys that are getting a tad older rather than getting younger, so there's probably going to be change and opportunities at some stage. There's a lot of Test cricket and in saying that, there's a lot of other cricket as well. One-day cricket (and) T20 cricket, so there's no doubt there'll be opportunities in some space. As a player and as cricketer, it's a pretty brutal game and you can't get too far ahead of yourself because as soon as you do that, something slips and you're back on the drawing board. Hopefully, I'm playing good at the right time, and I think timing is everything. If you're making runs and taking wickets when you need to, then you're obviously in the shop window, so hopefully that's me, he added. As a player and as cricketer, it's a pretty brutal game and you can't get too far ahead of yourself because as soon as you do that, something slips and you're back on the drawing board. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories But with such a strong squad, any player that comes in can really help win games committing for the state and I think that's no different this year. We've added some more players which I think can play a crucial role in going back-to-back to-back, so everyone here has one goal, and that's to win trophies for South Australia, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto: Bangladesh are awaiting fitness clearance for opening batter Tanzid Hasan Tamim and veteran wicketkeeper batter Mushfiqur Rahim ahead of the second Test match against Australia in Mackay. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto is hopeful that the duo will get the nod from the medical team, but will have to wait before making a final call on Tanzid. The Southpaw Tanzid hit a masterful century in the first Test in Darwin, but missed the batting session in Mackay on Thursday due to neck stiffness, which casted doubts over his participation in the second game. However, skipper Shanto revealed that the opener batted on Friday after completing his scan. Meanwhile, Mushfiqur picked up a finger injury while putting in the hard yards in the nets on Thursday. Mushfiqur bhai is doing well so far. Tamim also batted today. Overall, I think we will be able to make a good decision tomorrow morning, Shanto told the media on the eve of the second Test. I have an idea [about the playing XI], but I'll take another look tomorrow morning. However, the skipper noted that the final call on Tanzid will be taken only on the match day. As far as Tanzid is concerned, he batted today, and that is a positive sign. But in medical terms, we want to observe him a little more until tomorrow morning. Hopefully he will be fine. But we have all kinds of options. So I don't think there will be much of a problem, he added. Shanto also confirmed that left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam is fine and healthy, which means he can slot back into the team for the Mackay Test. However, whether the visitors will leave out the left-arm spinner Taijul Islam for him is anyone's guess. Shoriful is fine, healthy. He is bowling well. I hope he will do something good if he gets the chance, said Shanto. I think the bowlers will get a little help because of the wind. The swing might get a little extra. If the bowlers can use the wind, it will definitely be an added advantage for the bowlers. Shanto revealed that the composition of the squad gives him all the choices to pick from, with five seamers and two spinners present. The wicket looks good. Of course, the practice wicket we practiced on had a bit more bounce. All five pace bowlers in our squad are ready. The positive side is that the two spinners we have bowl well in any conditions. I think, since we have a little more time, we will take another look at the wicket in the morning and make whatever decision is best for the team, said Shanto. I have said many times that the spin attack we have is very experienced and can bowl in any condition. They know how to bowl in these conditions. With the kind of spinners we have in the team, we have the opportunity to play with three pacers and two spin bowlers. Shanto revealed that the composition of the squad gives him all the choices to pick from, with five seamers and two spinners present. The wicket looks good. Of course, the practice wicket we practiced on had a bit more bounce. All five pace bowlers in our squad are ready. The positive side is that the two spinners we have bowl well in any conditions. I think, since we have a little more time, we will take another look at the wicket in the morning and make whatever decision is best for the team, said Shanto. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Bangladesh stunned Australia in Darwin to mark their first-ever win in Test cricket Down Under. The Bangla Tigers put up a stellar show with Hasan Mahmud and Mehidy Hasan Miraz leading the way with the ball and Tanzid scoring the crucial century in the first innings. But Shanto said the win is now history, and the team now puts its focus on the second Test. I think it's done. The Darwin win is over now. Now we have to play good cricket for five days again. It's very important for us to do well in this Test match. We have to do well again against this bowling and batting attack, he said. Article Source: IANS
Sri Lanka ring in crucial changes, name squad for upcoming second Test against India in Colombo
India and Sri Lanka are all set to take on each other in the second Test of the ongoing series. The two sides are slated to meet at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, from...
India vs Sri Lanka Tests: Visitors brave the heat in Colombo nets ahead of 2nd Test
India stepped up preparations for the second Test amid sweltering conditions in Colombo, with Shubman Gill unleashing some big hits during the practice session
England vs Pakistan 1st Test Day 3 Live Score Updates
England vs Pakistan 1st Test Day 3 Live Score Updates
'Kuldeep is in the scheme of things, one match does not define him'
India's spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule defended Kuldeep Yadav's performance in the first Test, stating he remains in the team's plans despite a modest outing.
Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan Taken Back To Jail After Hospital Checks
Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan was transferred back to jail on Friday, authorities said, hours after the popular politician was taken to hospital for court-ordered medical checks. The Supreme Court ordered on Tuesday that Khan, 73, be taken to the private Shifa International Hospital in the capital Islamabad for treatment, after his lawyers filed a petition over health concerns. The ex-cricket captain and his wife Bushra Bibi, who is also his spiritual guide, were both sentenced late last year to 17 years in prison in a case Khan argues was politically motivated. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar wrote on X that Khan was taken to a public hospital instead of Shifa, blaming the security situation caused by supporters at the private clinic. A team of qualified doctors, including an ophthalmologist, a cardiologist and a physician, conducted a detailed examination of him and declared him medically fit, Tarar said. After the completion of this entire process, he was transferred back to Adiala Jail. Provincial MP Sohail Afridi, a senior leader in Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, criticised the handling of the hospital visit. The authorities don't even take the court seriously, Afridi told a news conference in Islamabad. This is against the whole judicial system, he added, saying the party would file a contempt of court case. Hundreds of police, some wielding sticks, were deployed near Shifa late on Thursday, with roads leading to the hospital cordoned off ahead of the expected transfer. Dozens of supporters had waited outside the hospital. The court had warned against public gatherings on the hospital grounds or the use of information about Khan's health for political gain, cautioning that any breaches could lead to the order being reversed. The next court hearing was set for September 16. - 'Torture' - The former prime minister received eye treatment at the same public hospital earlier this year, with his family and lawyer saying at the time that he had lost most of the vision in his right eye. Khan's sister Uzma Khan, a medical doctor, was present during Friday's examination. She told reporters at the same news conference Afridi spoke at that her brother kept saying, 'I am not OK. I have no books, no human contact'. Only his eye was checked, nothing else, she added. We are not satisfied with the treatment. The hypertension is due to the lack of human contact. Solitary confinement is torture, and Khan has been subjected to it for the past 10 months. Khan's personal physician, Faisal Sultan, whom the court said would be involved with the medical checks, told the news conference he had waited at Shifa hospital during the night before being told Khan would not be taken there. Haleem Adil Sheikh, a senior PTI leader, told AFP there was hope in the party that Khan would receive better treatment after the court order. But after changing the hospital and then moving Khan back to jail, we've lost that hope as well, he said. Khan was prime minister from 2018 to 2022 before being removed in a no-confidence vote during a political crisis over tensions between his government and the powerful military establishment. He has since faced multiple legal cases on corruption and other charges, which Khan and his PTI party maintain are politically motivated. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories His arrest triggered nationwide protests in May 2023, some of which turned violent and led to hundreds of arrests.
Confident Shanto plots 'five days of good cricket again'
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto believes his side can cope with the extra bounce in Mackay, the venue of the second Test against Australia
Rohit Begins Prep For West Indies ODIs
Rohit Sharma has commenced his rigorous training at the Mumbai Cricket Association facility, gearing up for the ODI series against the West Indies in September.
Sri Lanka bring in Mishara and Arachchige for second Test against India
Dinesh Chandimal is out after his concussion in the first Test, while Nishan Madushka, Ramesh Mendis and Dilshan Madushanka have been dropped
Former Sri Lanka cricketer questions India's batting attack despite comfortable win in Galle Test
The Indian team managed to register a dominant win as they took on Sri Lanka in the first Test of the ongoing two-game series. The two sides met at the Galle International Stadium for the...
Sri Lanka bring in two new faces for India Test
Sri Lanka has announced two changes to their squad for the upcoming second and final Test against India, bringing in all-rounder Sahan Arachchige and batter Kamil Mishara. These changes come as Sri Lanka aims to level the series after losing the first Test.
Does Shubman Gill Have Weakness Against Left Arm Spin?
India captain Shubman Gill on Friday spent considerable time fine-tuning his game against that variation at the team's training session ahead of the upcoming second Test against Sri Lanka, in Colombo.
Where's Shreyas Iyer Holidaying?
Shreyas Iyer is unwinding in Bali with close friend Aman Khan, sharing glimpses of their relaxing holiday away from the demands of the sport.
'Pakistan Are A Poor Side': England Great Delivers Brutal 'Failure' Verdict
Former England cricket team fast bowler Stuart Broad delivered a brutal verdict on Pakistan as he described them as a 'poor side'.
Sri Lanka Name Arachchige, Mishara For 2nd Test Against India
Sri Lanka Cricket: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Friday announced their squad for the second and final Test match against India. All-rounder Sahan Arachchige and batter Kamil Mishara have been drafted into the 14-member squad that will face the Shubman Gill-led side in the second Test in Colombo from August 23 onwards. Dinesh Chandimal, who suffered an injury during the opener in Galle, is out, as is his replacement Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who was out for a golden duck in the only innings he batted after making his debut as a concussion replacement. There was no place for the other opener, Nishan Madushka, while bowling all-rounder Ramesh Mendis and fast bowler Dilshan Madushka also missed out. Arachchige gets his reward after leading the Sri Lanka A side in the unofficial Tests against the Indian A team and putting up an impressive performance. He scored 127 in the second game and also scored 72 in the first match. He made 209 runs in the two games and topped the charts for his team, second only to India's Sai Sudharsan. The all-rounder remains uncapped in Tests. Mishara was in impressive form in the Lanka Premier League 2026, having scored 411 runs in nine innings in the recent season. He also scored a hundred against Galle Gallants. He was in brilliant touch in the Major Clubs T20 competition, having hit 145 from 72 balls yesterday. Arachchige gets his reward after leading the Sri Lanka A side in the unofficial Tests against the Indian A team and putting up an impressive performance. He scored 127 in the second game and also scored 72 in the first match. He made 209 runs in the two games and topped the charts for his team, second only to India's Sai Sudharsan. The all-rounder remains uncapped in Tests. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Sri Lanka squad: Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis (Vice Captain), Dhananjaya De Silva (Captain), Sahan Arachchige, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Ratnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando Article Source: IANS
The stage is set for the second and final Test of the ongoing series between Australia and Bangladesh. The two sides are slated to take on each other at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay from August 22nd, and it is interesting to note that it was Bangladesh that managed to register a historic win in the first Test.
'We Just Want To Play Good Cricket': Shanto Not Thinking About History Ahead Of Mackay Test
Great Barrier Reef Arena: History books will look to add another chapter of glory when Bangladesh take on Australia in the second Test of the series on Saturday as the Asian team can complete their first Test series win Down Under. However, amid talk of creating history, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is focusing only on playing good Test cricket and not on the result. Bangladesh need only a draw at the Great Barrier Reef Arena to secure their first-ever Test series victory against Australia, while another win would give them a stunning 2-0 sweep after their historic nine-wicket victory in the opening Test in Darwin. However, Shanto does not want his players to get carried away by the possibility of creating history and has urged the team to concentrate on the process and take the game session by session. No, I dont want to think that far ahead; I have been saying this from the beginning that we want to play good cricket, Shanto said at the pre-match press conference on Friday. The important thing is how well we are playing each day, each session. So that will be the target. I think if we follow the process properly, we can play good cricket session by session. The result will come automatically, he added. Bangladeshs historic win in Darwin gave them a huge boost, but Shanto believes the team must now put that result behind them and adapt to the new conditions in Mackay. Before we came here, we always talked about it being a very challenging series for us. We have to enjoy this opportunity and this challenge. After the first Test, there is a lot of emotion going on, but as professional cricketers, we have to come again and again to face new conditions and new challenges, Shanto said. Bangladeshs historic win in Darwin gave them a huge boost, but Shanto believes the team must now put that result behind them and adapt to the new conditions in Mackay. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Definitely, we should play. I think if we dont play, we wont improve ourselves, and we wont be able to show what we are capable of in world cricket because we won this last match, we have been able to send a positive message, and we believe that the team we have is capable of playing in any conditions, he said. Article Source: IANS
Punjab T20 League: As the stage is set for the upcoming edition of the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League, scheduled to begin on August 30 at the I.S. Bindra Stadium in Chandigarh, Jalandhar Warriors captain Prabhsimran Singh is excited about the tournament and believes his team has prepared well for the challenge. Six franchises will lock horns with each other for the ultimate glory, with some of the best emerging and established cricketing talent from Punjab set to take the field. Speaking about the preparations, Prabhsimran said, Im very excited to lead the Jalandhar Warriors in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League. The preparations are going on in full flow. We picked a good team at the auction, and all the players are working hard during the practice sessions. Everyone is putting in that extra effort, and we are looking forward to the tournament. The right-handed batter also highlighted the importance of the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League in providing young players with an opportunity to learn from experienced cricketers. With several players who have represented India and played in the IPL expected to feature in the tournament, Prabhsimran feels the youngsters can benefit greatly from sharing the dressing room with them. It is a very good platform for the youngsters. They will get an opportunity to share the dressing room with IPL and India players. They can learn from their experience, understand the demands of professional cricket and improve their game. Playing alongside experienced players can give them a lot of confidence, he said. Prabhsimran also believes the support of the fans will add to the excitement of the tournament. With Punjabs cricket fans known for their passion, he is hoping to see the stands packed during the league. It is a very good platform for the youngsters. They will get an opportunity to share the dressing room with IPL and India players. They can learn from their experience, understand the demands of professional cricket and improve their game. Playing alongside experienced players can give them a lot of confidence, he said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories With the tournament just around the corner, the Jalandhar Warriors batter is eager to get started and hopes the team can put up a strong performance throughout the season. Article Source: IANS
'They will come harder': Bangladesh ready for Australia
Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons has cautioned his team to expect a strong comeback from Australia in the second Test after their surprising nine-wicket victory in the series opener. Simmons emphasised the need for continued high performance, while Australia's captain Pat Cummins acknowledged their poor performance in the first match and confirmed team changes for the upcoming game in Mackay.
Matt Renshaw returns as Australia name playing XI for second Bangladesh Test in Mackay
The stage is set for the second and final Test of the ongoing series between Australia and Bangladesh. The two sides are slated to take on each other at the Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay,...
India High Commissioner Hosts Team India Ahead Of Colombo Test
Sri Lanka Santosh Jha: Indias High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha has hosted the Indian team here at India House ahead of the second Test of the ongoing two-match series against Sri Lanka. Jha hosted both the Indian and Sri Lankan teams on Thursday night, with the two sides preparing for the second Test, scheduled to begin in Colombo on August 23. The BCCI shared a post from the event on X, describing the gathering as a 'memorable evening.' A memorable evening in Colombo! H.E. Mr. Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, hosted #TeamIndia at the India House in Colombo ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka, the BCCI said in its X post. Jha also expressed his pleasure at hosting both teams and shared the glimpses of the meeting on X, with a caption, Cheering for #TeamIndia. Happy to host the Indian and Sri Lankan Mens Cricket Teams during the ongoing ICC World Test Championship matches in Sri Lanka. Bound by a shared passion for the sport, cricket continues to strengthen the enduring ties between India and Sri Lanka. India took a 1-0 lead in the series with a comprehensive 165-run victory in the opening Test in Galle. India dominated the first Test after posting 462 in their first innings, with Devdutt Padikkal scoring a magnificent 167. The visitors then bowled Sri Lanka out for 284 before setting up a 372-run target in the fourth innings. Jha also expressed his pleasure at hosting both teams and shared the glimpses of the meeting on X, with a caption, Cheering for #TeamIndia. Happy to host the Indian and Sri Lankan Mens Cricket Teams during the ongoing ICC World Test Championship matches in Sri Lanka. Bound by a shared passion for the sport, cricket continues to strengthen the enduring ties between India and Sri Lanka. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The Colombo Test, which will be played from August 23 to 27, will give Sri Lanka an opportunity to level the series, while India will look to maintain their winning momentum and strengthen their position in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. Article Source: IANS
Indian High Commissioner Hosts Team India In Colombo Ahead Of 2nd Test Against Sri Lanka
India High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha hosted the Indian men's cricket team at the India House in Colombo ahead of the second Test of the ongoing two-match series against Sri Lanka on Thursday.
Indian High Commissioner hosts Team India and Sri Lanka in Colombo
India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, hosted both the Indian and Sri Lankan men's cricket teams at the India House in Colombo, emphasising cricket's role in strengthening bilateral ties ahead of their second Test match.
Bangladesh eye more history with only one result on Australia's mind
Bangladesh did the unthinkable in Darwin, and will have to do it all over again if they want to convert the Test match win to a Test series win
Renshaw To Open For Second Test Against Bangladesh, Lyon Holds Spot In XI
Great Barrier Reef Arena: Australia captain Pat Cummins has confirmed recalled batter Matthew Renshaw will open in his return to the Test arena for the second Test against Bangladesh in Mackay while veteran spinner Nathan Lyon has kept his spot in Australia's XI for the second Test after the skipper said an all-pace attack was under consideration in a bid to level the series in Mackay. In the pre-match press conference, Cummins confirmed that Renshaw would make his Test comeback at the top of the order but initially did not announce the full side for the second Test, saying they wanted to give the pitch another day before making a decision at a venue hosting its first Test match. This will be Renshaw's 15th appearance at Test level first in more than three years, with the 30-year-old's last Test cap coming in Delhi against India back in 2023 when he came in as a concussion substitute for regular opener David Warner. He has since featured for Australia in both ODI and T20I cricket but wins a recall to the Test arena following a disappointing performance from the Aussies' top-order in the first Test against Bangladesh. After Australia incurred a shocking nine-wicket loss to Bangladesh in the first Test of their two-match series in Darwin, Australia dropped Jake Weatherald and recalled left-hander Renshaw as his replacement. Marnus Labuschagne and Beau Webster look likely to hold their spots in the XI. Moreover, Australia were considering leaving Nathan Lyon out for the second Test against Bangladesh. Lyon picked up just one wicket during the opening Test against Bangladesh in Darwin, though the 38-year-old has never been dropped for a red-ball Test when fully fit under the captaincy reign of Cummins. Trying to give it another day to see whether it's four quicks or a spinner, Cummins told reporters earleir. It's largely conditions-based. If you think there's a good chance in that first or second first bowling innings (that) you're going to take 10 wickets mainly with the quicks relatively quickly, and then perhaps the fourth innings isn't going to break up. That's a lot of the decision. Then probably related to that is having someone like Scotty Boland on the bench, who obviously is very class. I think that's why the conversation always comes up, he said. But the Aussies have resisted the temptation to leave out the veteran spinner for the second Test, as selectors convened pitch-side shortly after Cummins spoke and confirmed Lyon had held his spot, while announcing the playing XI. The Aussies twice played an all-seam attack for pink-ball Tests last year, but the last time they left Lyon out of their XI when fit for a red-ball Test was 14 years ago at the WACA Ground in 2012. But the Aussies have resisted the temptation to leave out the veteran spinner for the second Test, as selectors convened pitch-side shortly after Cummins spoke and confirmed Lyon had held his spot, while announcing the playing XI. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Australia XI for second Test: Matthew Renshaw, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood Article Source: IANS
'Rinku Singh among top 5 finishers in the world'
Meerut Mavericks fast bowler Kartik Tyagi has lauded captain Rinku Singh, stating that the left-hander is 'almost in the Top 5 batters' globally for his ability to dominate pressure situations in the death overs.
Not Here To Outshine Other Sports, ETPL Aims To Find Its Place In Europe: Abhishek Bachchan
The European T20 Premier League is not looking to compete with football or other established sports for audience attention but aims to carve out its own space in the continent's sporting landscape, league co-owner Abhishek Bachchan said ahead of its inaugural season.
Harry Brook Makes Pakistan Pay For Drop As England Dominate First Test
Harry Brook punished Pakistan for dropping him at the start of his innings Thursday with a quickfire 91 that strengthened England's grip on the first Test at Headingley.
Mike Hussey Open to Joining England as Test Batting Coach Ahead of Ashes
Australian great Mike Hussey could face his own country in the Ashes after saying Friday he was open to joining England as their Test batting coach. Hussey has had an informal approach from England's new red-ball coach Stephen Fleming, the duo having spent 15 years as team-mates and then coaches at Indian Premier League side Chennai Super Kings. We obviously get on really well and work a lot together, former Test stalwart Hussey told Fox Sports, where he is employed as a commentator. So it was just a bit of a passing comment, really saying, 'Look, what do you reckon? Would you think about being the batting coach?' Hussey, known as Mr Cricket for his technical expertise, has just returned home after coaching Welsh Fire in The Hundred and said he had not given it proper consideration yet. To be honest I have not been able to give it any thought whatsoever, he said. Would I? I mean, I wouldn't say never to anything really. I just love the coaching side of the game, and just to be able to work with different players. Should Hussey accept, it could see him plotting the downfall of Australia with Fleming when they tour England for the Ashes series next year. Hussey admitted it would feel a bit weird. I have worked with England once before at the T20 World Cup (in 2022), and I must admit it did feel very weird pulling on that training shirt for the first time, he said. But once you get in the nets and you start working with players, you sort of almost forget what shirt you've got on. So, look, I haven't fully considered anything at this stage. I'm sort of just trying to take a bit of a break from it all at the moment and will give it some thought in due course. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Fleming was appointed coach in late July following the sacking of fellow New Zealander Brendon McCullum, who remains in charge of England's white-ball teams.
Bangladesh Coach Phil Simmons Wary Of Australia Backlash In Second Test
Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons has warned his players that Australia will come at them harder in the second Test at Mackay on Saturday after his side's shock win in the opening match.
Mike Hussey In England Camp For Ashes? Australian Great Drops Big Hint
Australian great Mike Hussey could face his own country in the Ashes after saying Friday he was open to joining England as their Test batting coach.
The Indian team got off to a good start to their ongoing two-game Test series against Sri Lanka. Taking on the side in the first Test in Galle, India managed to register a 165-run victory...
Imran Khan Moved to Islamabad Hospital for Medical Tests on Supreme Court Order
Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, Pakistan's most popular politician, was moved to a hospital for medical tests on the orders of the Supreme Court, his political party said early Friday. Hundreds of police, some wielding sticks, were deployed near Shifa International Hospital in the capital Islamabad, with roads leading to the clinic cordoned off. It's confirmed that he has arrived at Shifa International Hospital, Zulfi Bukhari, a spokesman for Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, told AFP. The Supreme Court's order has been complied with. Arif Alvi, the country's former president and a PTI member, also confirmed Khan's transfer on X, adding that the whole country is happy and dancing with joy. Khan, 73, and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were sentenced late last year to 17 years behind bars after being charged with corruption and other crimes. Imran Khan, who has been in jail since 2023 , insists the charges were politically motivated. Dozens of Khan supporters gathered near the private hospital, while others flung handfuls of red flower petals at passing cars. Younus Qureshi, 69, said he came to show his support for the man who has made so many sacrifices for Pakistan. Another supporter, 52-year-old Bilal, expressed hope that Khan, a former World Cup-winning cricket captain, would receive appropriate medical treatment. Our love and affiliation will remain with Mr Khan, he added. Khan's lawyers had petitioned the Supreme Court, saying Khan was in poor health and needed a medical examination, and the court on Tuesday ordered Khan hospitalised within two days. Earlier this year, Khan received eye treatment at a hospital, with his family saying at the time that he had lost most of the vision in his right eye. The three-bench court added in its order that Khan would be allowed to meet with his family once a week and speak to his sons via telephone twice weekly. A panel of specialists would be set up for his treatment, with his sister, medical doctor Uzma Khan, allowed to take part, the court added. Khan served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, when he was ousted in a no-confidence vote amid a political crisis fuelled by tensions between his government and the powerful military establishment. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories His arrest triggered nationwide protests in May 2023.
India Cricketer, Who Played 10 ODIs, Acquitted In 22-Year-Old Criminal Case
Former Indian cricketer and Vadodara resident Jacob Martin has been acquitted of all charges by the Patiala House Court in a 22-year-old criminal case which stemmed from a 2004 FIR.
'He Might Want To Play IPL, But Don't Go There'
'All the young players might want to play the shorter format, but India should be looking to preserve him for the Test format.'
Joe Root continues to smash records, becomes first captain to achieve huge feat in WTC history
England and Pakistan continued their ongoing first Test by taking on each other on the second day of the clash. After Pakistan was bundled out for a score of 171 runs in the first innings...
UPT20: Yuvraj Singh Stars With 91 As Kashi Rudras Seal Thrilling Win Against Kanpur Superstars
Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari: Sahab Yuvraj Singh starred with a brilliant 91-run knock as defending champions Kashi Rudras hold their nerve to clinch a thrilling seven-run win over Kanpur Superstars in UP T20 League Season 4 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. The fixture was officially inaugurated by retired High Court Justice Ranganath Pandey, who conducted the traditional bell-ringing ceremony to commence the game. The ceremony was attended by several distinguished officials and administrators, including UP T20 League Governing Council Chairman Sanjay Kapoor, UPCA Media Committee Chairman Mohammad Faheem, UP T20 League Governing Council Member Sanjeev Kumar Singh, Fatehpur District Cricket Association President Saifuddin, Sultanpur Cricket Association Secretary Asar, and Varanasi District Cricket Association Secretary Jamal Ahmed, along with other dignitaries. After Kanpur Superstars won the toss and elected to field, defending champions Kashi Rudras suffered an early collapse, slipping to 46/4 inside the first eight overs. Opener Sahab Yuvraj Singh anchored the innings with a composed and authoritative knock. He notched up his half-century and stitched a vital 64-run partnership for the fifth wicket alongside Shubham Chaubey to steady the ship. Yuvraj departed after playing a standout innings of 91 off 56 deliveries, studded with seven boundaries and five sixes. A late flurry from Arnav Baliyan, who blasted an unbeaten 29 off just 12 balls, ensured the Rudras finished on a competitive 167/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Chasing 168, the Kanpur Superstars had a brisk start with Priyanshu Pandey scoring a quick 19 off 9 balls. Following his dismissal, Adarsh Singh and Abhishek Pandey cautiously rebuilt the innings with a 49-run stand for the second wicket. However, the match turned swiftly as Kanpur lost both set batters within a span of six deliveries. The middle order followed in quick succession, with Mohammad Amaan and captain Sameer Rizvi falling cheaply, triggering a slide from 73/1 to 90/5 by the end of the 12th over. Experienced campaigner Karn Sharma joined Satyam Sangu in the middle to stage a recovery. With the required run rate escalating and 45 runs needed from the final 24 deliveries, Sunil Kumar returned to dismiss Karn. Satyam then took the attack to the bowler, smashing a six and two boundaries in the remainder of the over to bring the equation down to 28 runs required off the final 18 balls. Experienced campaigner Karn Sharma joined Satyam Sangu in the middle to stage a recovery. With the required run rate escalating and 45 runs needed from the final 24 deliveries, Sunil Kumar returned to dismiss Karn. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Defending 14 runs in the final over, Atal Bihari Rai delivered a spectacular finish under extreme pressure. He forced a run-out on the very first ball of the over and then another run-out on the fourth delivery, effectively bundling out Kanpur for 160, handing Kashi Rudras a dramatic seven-run victory. Article Source: IANS
Renshaw to open in Mackay on Test comeback
Jake Weatherald, who had opened with Travis Head in the first Test against Bangladesh, was dropped from the squad prior to the second Test, which starts on Saturday in Mackay
Australia's Michael Hussey open to England coaching role for Ashes
Former Australia Test stalwart Mike Hussey has indicated he would consider a batting coaching role with England for next year's Ashes series, following an 'off-the-cuff' approach from new England coach Stephen Fleming.
Shadab leads Falcons past Patriots to fourth place on the table
Dasun Shanaka had given the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots innings a boost by slamming 49* in 17 balls but the slow progress by their other batters came back to hurt them
Sachin Tendulkars Historic Yorkshire Debut: The Unsung Hero Who Made It Possible
In 1992, Sachin Tendulkar became not only the first Indian but also Yorkshire's first-ever overseas professional.For more than a century, Yorkshire had followed a strict policy of selecting only players born within the county. While rival county cricket clubs prospered with overseas stars, Yorkshire resisted the trend. Eventually, Geoff Boycott's committee agreed to recruit an overseas player. Dean Jones was initially shortlisted before captain Martyn Moxon opted for Australian fast bowler Craig McDermott. But when McDermott withdrew with a groin injury, Yorkshire urgently needed a world-class replacement. The club turned to Bradford League veteran and Dewsbury businessman Suleman Solly Adam, who had recently signed Vinod Kambli for Spen Victoria. Adam suggested Kambli's schoolmate, the 19-year-old Sachin Tendulkar, already a rising international star with three Test centuries, including his famous hundred at Old Trafford. The biggest hurdle was convincing Sachin. Touring Australia at the time, he initially declined because of prior commitments. Adam then sought the help of Sunil Gavaskar, whose successful county experience with Somerset gave his advice special weight. Adam later recalled that after Gavaskar spoke to Sachin, the youngster called back with a simple message: I have spoken to Sunny Sir. I will come, Solly. Adam always insisted that Gavaskar deserved the real credit for convincing Tendulkar. Yorkshire acted immediately. Chief executive Chris Hassell flew to Bombay, where the contract was signed in the dressing room while Sachin was playing a match. At just 19, Sachin Tendulkar became the first non-Yorkshire-born cricketer to represent the county. When he arrived in England, the County Championship season had already begun. Joining the team at The Oval, he was handed a Yorkshire flat cap and a pint of Tetley bitter for a publicity photograph that became one of the defining images of his early career. Tendulkar soon repaid Yorkshire's faith. Across all competitions he scored 1,671 runs in 35 matches, including more than 1,000 Championship runs. His highest score was 107 against Lancashire in the Sunday League, while his Championship hundred came against Durham. The Yorkshire experience also shaped him off the field. A teetotaller on arrival, he later sampled local drinks, drove a sponsored car until the publicity became too much, and earned the dressing-room nickname Seth. His presence also ensured Yorkshire players rarely had to pay when the team visited Indian restaurants across England. Ten years later, Yorkshire honoured Tendulkar among its greatest overseas players. Although he never scored a century at Headingley during his county spell, he fulfilled that ambition in 2002 with a magnificent 193 for India against England in an innings victory. Yet the man who made the entire story possible is rarely remembered. Suleman Solly Adam or Solly bhai, migrated from Karachi to England in 1963, first working as a motor mechanic before building Solly Sports. Over several decades he became the bridge between South Asian cricketers and English league clubs, helping stars such as Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Abdul Qadir, Vinod Kambli, VVS Laxman, Chandrakant Pandit, Paras Mhambrey, Sameer Dighe and many others secure opportunities in England. To generations of players, Solly was the one-stop solution centre for English league cricket. Few also know that Tendulkar chose not to stay in the accommodation arranged by Yorkshire. Instead, he lived with the Adam family, enjoying a genuine home away from home throughout his stay. Adam's close relationship with Indian cricket was reflected in a room in his house known as the Sunil Gavaskar Room, where Gavaskar stayed whenever he visited. At the launch of Adam's biography, Solly Adam Beyond Boundaries, Sunil Gavaskar described the Adam family as his own family and said that selfless people like Solly were among the unsung heroes who have enriched cricket. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories It is worth remembering not only Sachin Tendulkar's historic county stint but also the forgotten man whose vision, contacts and persistence helped make it possible.
'Pass On The Weed': South Africa Great Mocked For Stunning Sachin Tendulkar-Virat Kohli Comparison
Former Indian cricket team fast bowler Dodda Ganesh mocked South Africa great AB de Villiers for his recent comments on Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar.
Former India Cricketer Jacob Martin Acquitted In 22-Year-Old Forgery Case
Former Indian cricketer Jacob Martin has been acquitted of all charges by the Patiala House Court in a 22-year-old criminal case involving allegations of forgery and passport act violations, bringing him significant relief after years of stress.
India's tour of Bangladesh set to be postponed again!
Bangladesh Cricket Board president Tamim Iqbal has indicated that India's upcoming cricket tour to Bangladesh, scheduled for September, might be postponed again. Discussions are ongoing between the BCB and BCCI, with the BCB president suggesting dates could be shifted due to a conflicting domestic tournament schedule and past strained relations between the boards.
Pakistan vs England Test: Brook maintains stranglehold over Pakistan for dominant England
Brook cashed in on some indisciplined bowling from a lightweight seam attack to make 91 from 93 balls as England opened a 195-run lead with two first innings wickets still standing
Harry Brooks 91 Puts England in Control as England Strengthen Grip Over Pakistan
Harry Brook punished Pakistan for dropping him at the start of his innings Thursday with a quickfire 91 that strengthened England's grip on the first Test at Headingley. England were 366-8 at stumps of a rain-marred second day, 195 runs ahead of Pakistan's meagre first-innings 171. The only sadness for the crowd was that neither of their local Yorkshire heroes were able to post a century, with skipper Joe Root out for 66 before Brook fell late in the day. Dan Lawrence, recalled after the international retirement of former captain Ben Stokes, made 51 and put on 120 with Brook in England's first Test of the post-Bazball era. Jordan Cox (73) and Root had earlier shared a third-wicket stand of exactly 150 before falling in quick succession to give Pakistan a glimmer of hope in the first of this three-Test series. Brook, however, should then have been out for one when he edged Khurram Shahzad only for diving Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, leading the side in place of the injured Babar Azam, to drop the chance at second slip. Brook cashed in and was in sight of what would have been his first Test century at Headingley -- and 11th in 39 matches overall -- when he tried to turn left-arm spinner Ali Usman legside only for the ball to hit his leg before rattling the stumps. The 27-year-old faced just 93 balls, hitting 13 fours. It was the second time Brook, the number one batsman in the red-ball rankings, had been out in the 90s of a Test at Headingley following his 99 against India last year. He was one of a quartet of England batsmen who made a fifty Thursday without going on to a century. Cox, appearing in just his second Test, told reporters after stumps: Probably one of us could have kicked on and instead of making just a hundred, make it 150, 160, 170 and that puts us in a better position definitely. Usman, who said he didn't think he had bowled that well, was the pick of an otherwise largely ineffective all-pace attack with 5-92 in 23 overs, his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket coming in just his third match. After dismissing three specialist batsmen, Usman removed tailenders Gus Atkinson and Ollie Robinson with successive deliveries in the 80th over before Jofra Archer survived the hat-trick ball. England, following a washed-out morning session, resumed on 112-2 after pacemen Robinson (5-51) and Josh Tongue (5-46) had shared all 10 Pakistan wickets between them on Wednesday. - Root and Cox run riot - Root, at the start of his second stint as full-time England captain, was 37 not out with number three Cox -- replacing the injured Jacob Bethell -- unbeaten on 23. Cox was severe on anything loose and the 25-year-old completed a maiden Test fifty when he turned Mohammad Abbas past leg slip for his 10th boundary in 78 balls faced. That was the end of the over, and just as Robinson and Tongue had reached their five-wicket hauls Wednesday off successive deliveries, the next ball saw Root follow Cox to fifty by whipping Mohammad Ali through the legside for four. Cox was fortunate on 57 when Shahzad dropped a return catch off a miscued pull. Usman succeeded where the seamers had failed, however, when a fending Cox edged a sharply turning delivery to wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan. I think I let myself down a tiny bit but at the end of the day you take 70, don't you? said Cox. England's 198-3 became 202-4 when Root was lbw four balls later to give the persevering Shahzad his lone wicket of an expensive 19 overs costing 111 runs. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories But this was a tough day for Pakistan and their plight was summed up when Agha tried to run out the advancing Lawrence, after the ball rebounded off the batsman's pads, only for his throw from slip to hit the back of Rizwan's legs.
Will India Retain Kuldeep For 2nd Test?
With Kuldeep Yadav looking ineffective, India could look towards including off-spinner Saransh Jain in the playing XI in the second Test in Colombo, especially looking at three left-handers in the Sri Lankan top seven.
Gautam Gambhir Sent Huge Warning Despite Galle Test Win: 'Give Them Time'
The former India cricketer also urged the BCCI to organise preparatory camps, saying they would allow players and coaches to spend more time together before the start of a series.
In Pulwama, cricket heals wounds of the past
Nightlife has been a dream for the turmoil-hit district. However, cricket in the past two years has acted as a healing process for locals.
Usman rues Pakistan bowling lapses despite five-wicket haul
Spinner believes team must be positive with the bat when second innings comes about
In glory in Galle, its time for Team India to iron out the flaws
Team India celebrates a Test victory in Galle while aiming to address key flaws ahead of tougher challenges in Sri Lanka
Imran Khan moved to private hospital amid deteriorating health
Former Pakistan prime minister and cricket captain has been serving extended prison sentences
Root Joins Tendulkar at Top With 68th Test Fifty
Joe Root equalled Sachin Tendulkar's record of 68 Test fifties against Pakistan, adding another milestone to his remarkable career while returning as England captain.
1st Test: Brook Dominates as England Build Big Lead Over Pakistan
Harry Brook's blistering 91 and strong partnerships with Dan Lawrence, Joe Root and Jordan Cox put England firmly in control, leaving Pakistan facing an uphill battle in the first Test at Headingley.
Cox brings the Fire though Hundred proves elusive for England's new No.3
Partnership with Welsh Fire team-mate Root helps to cement England's strong position at Headingley
Womens Cricket In Delhi Is Growing From Strength To Strength, Says DDCA Prez Rohan Jaitley
DDCA President Rohan Jaitley: As the third season of the Womens Delhi Premier League (DPL) got underway on Thursday, Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) President Rohan Jaitley said the most encouraging aspect for them is that womens cricket in Delhi is growing from strength to strength When the Womens DPL was introduced, around 80 players registered for the auction, with 78 players required to fill the four squads. Three seasons on, the landscape has expanded significantly, with Delhis domestic womens cricket structure now featuring 48 club teams and a database of more than 700 players, marking an important step in the growth of womens cricket in the capital. The most encouraging aspect for us is that the growth of womens cricket in Delhi is not limited to numbers. When we started the Womens DPL, we wanted to create a platform where players could play regular competitive cricket and showcase themselves. Today, we are seeing a much larger pool of players coming through the system, and that tells us that the pathway is working, Rohan Jaitley, President, Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), said on Thursday. DDCA also organises the DDCA Womens League, where players get an opportunity to perform and showcase their talent. Based on their performances, promising players are shortlisted for the DPL auction, allowing them to be picked by DPL teams and take the next step in their cricketing journey. The most important thing is that we are creating more opportunities for women cricketers to play competitive cricket and prove themselves. The journey from the DDCA Womens League to the DPL is giving players a clear pathway, and we are seeing more and more talented players come through that system. It is very encouraging to see how the league is helping strengthen the overall womens cricket ecosystem in Delhi, Shikha Kumar, Vice President, DDCA, said. The growth has also been reflected in the latest DPL auction, which saw a significantly larger pool of players putting their names forward, highlighting the increasing interest among women cricketers to compete at a higher level and use the league as a pathway to progress. The impact of the growing ecosystem is also being seen in performances on the field. Delhis senior women recently ended a 14-year wait for silverware by winning the 202526 Senior Womens One-Day Trophy, while the states younger players have also continued to make their presence felt, with Delhi finishing runners-up in the 202324 Womens Under-23 T20 Trophy. For us, this is the most important measure of progress. It is one thing to see more players registering and more teams participating, but the real success is when that increased participation starts to translate into quality and performance. Delhi winning the Senior Womens One-Day Trophy after 14 years was a very special moment, and the performances of our younger teams also show that there is considerable talent coming through, Jaitley added. The Womens DPL has played an important role in providing players with exposure to a competitive franchise environment, while also allowing emerging cricketers to perform alongside and against established names. The growth we are seeing in womens cricket is a result of creating the right platforms at the right stages. The DDCA Womens League allows players to perform, while the DPL gives them a bigger platform to showcase their ability. Our focus is to keep strengthening this pathway so that more players can progress and represent Delhi at the highest level, Ashok Sharma, Secretary, DDCA, said. The Womens DPL has played an important role in providing players with exposure to a competitive franchise environment, while also allowing emerging cricketers to perform alongside and against established names. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories We are very encouraged by the journey so far. We have seen the numbers grow, we have seen the quality improve and, most importantly, we have started seeing the results. But we do not want to stop here. The objective is to continue expanding the ecosystem, provide more women cricketers with meaningful opportunities, and create an environment where the next generation of Delhi players can aspire to play at the highest level. Season 3 is another important step in that direction, Jaitley concluded. Article Source: IANS
Bangladesh Premier League Cancelled Amid Credibility Concerns!
Bangladesh has shelved the BPL for a season amid corruption allegations, financial losses and organisational turmoil, with the cricket board promising a carefully rebuilt tournament.
APL 2026: Dibrugarh Warriors Edge Past Nagaon Rangers By One Run; Semis Line-up Confirmed
Assam Cricket Association Stadium: Dibrugarh Warriors held their nerve in a thrilling final game of the league stage to edge past Nagaon Rangers by one run in the Assam Premier League (APL) 2026 at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati on Thursday. Chasing 122 for victory in a rain-shortened 18-over contest, Nagaon Rangers fell agonisingly short, finishing on 120/9 as Dibrugarh secured a dramatic win. With this result, Dibrugarh Warriors finish third on the points table with 14 points from 10 matches. Guwahati Royals top the table with 14 points and a superior net run rate, while Barpeta Braves finish second, also on 14 points. Barak Legends take the fourth and final semi-final spot with 13 points. The semifinal line-up for the inaugural season is also now confirmed, with table-toppers Guwahati Royals set to face Barak Legends. At the same time, second-placed Barpeta Braves will take on third-placed Dibrugarh Warriors for a place in the final. Both matches will take place on Friday. Asked to bat first, Dibrugarh Warriors posted 121/8 in their allotted 18 overs. Ayush Agarwal anchored the innings with an impressive 52 off 38 balls, striking three fours and two sixes. Jay Borah contributed 12, while Ranjan Bikash Das and Anurag Phukan added valuable unbeaten cameos of four and six, respectively. Nagaon Rangers' Sunil Lachit was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4/23 from his four overs, while Bhargav Dutta picked up two wickets. In reply, Nagaon made a strong start but kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Jitu Ali produced a stunning counter-attacking knock of 38 off just 21 balls, with five fours and a six, while Anurag Talukdar scored 33 off 37 deliveries. With the chase going down to the wire, Dibrugarh's bowlers held their nerve. Ranjan Bikash Das returned excellent figures of 3/23, while Rituraj Biswas claimed 2/9 from his four overs to help complete a thrilling one-run victory. With the champions set to receive 50 lakh and the runners-up 25 lakh, the stakes are high as the tournament enters its business end. Brief scores: Dibrugarh Warriors: 121/8 in 18 overs (Ayush Agarwal 52, Jay Borah 12; Sunil Lachit 4/23, Bhargav Dutta 2/24) Brief scores: Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Result: Dibrugarh Warriors beat Nagaon Rangers by 1 run Article Source: IANS
Patterson-White leads Notts fightback as Lawes bags five
Surrey lose Dom Sibley to second-ball duck in response to Notts' 184 all out
Abbott, Neal put Hampshire on top but Yorkshire fight back
George Hill takes 3 for 4 in eight overs but Yorkshire stumble in relegation battle
Tamim Iqbal's Bombshell Update Leaves India's Bangladesh Tour In Limbo
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Tamim Iqbal has hinted that India's scheduled tour of Bangladesh could be postponed again
India's tour of Bangladesh is very likely to be postponed again, BCB president Tamim Iqbal indicates
Indias tour of Bangladesh is set to be postponed again. It was scheduled to take place in September, but Bangladesh Cricket Board president Tamim Iqbal has confirmed that the two boards are still discussing the...
Glamorgan claim seven wickets in shortened day to seize upper hand
van der Gugten leads the line as wickets are shared around in helpful conditions
Crawley makes 81 on return to first-class cricket
Former England opener makes Kent comeback after short break from Championship action
Lees guides Durham with half-century on shortened day
Durham captain hangs tough in damp conditions to lay his team's foundation
With Hayden, Mott And Aaron In Tow, Glasgow Cosmic's Co-funder Takes The ETPL Plunge
European T20 Premier League: Glasgow Cosmic co-owner Vipul Agrawal said he aims to build a sustainable development pipeline for Scottish cricket through his European T20 Premier League (ETPL) franchise, as the inaugural season of the competition starts on August 26. For Agrawal, Chairman of the Mugafi Group, entering European cricket is rooted in his early experiences following the sport in India as a fan, ranging from the 2001 epic Test win over Australia in Kolkata to the 2011 Mens ODI World Cup triumph on home soil, and admiring Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, and Rahul Dravid, who is also the co-owner of the Dublin Guardians franchise. Basically, I've been into cricket for a fairly long time. One of my first startups, back in 2014-15, was in cricket, and I've been aware of the ecosystem. I have had a deep love for cricket and the sport itself while growing up. We have all watched a lot of players come, play for India, and be a great inspiration. I always wanted to find and merge my love for the sport into something which I can do on a day-to-day basis. I think that's been a larger reason when the opportunity came to me. I just jumped on it and tried my best to take it over, Agrawal told IANS in an exclusive conversation. To instil that same winning mentality and structural rigour within the Glasgow Cosmic franchise, Agrawal has assembled a high-profile leadership setup, bringing in legendary Australian batter Matthew Hayden as the co-owner-cum-head coach, as well as Matthew Mott and Varun Aaron as assistant coach and bowling coach, respectively. Like me, it also came as an opportunity for all of them. They have been great warriors in cricket, I would say, and have been carrying this for their own countries, like Varun did it for India, the impact he had, or Matthew, he was back in Australia, the impact he had. Not just from batting or being on the ground, but also being a coach for multiple teams, franchises globally. I found it's the perfect time for him (Hayden) to have a role where he owns it and builds it from scratch. When we reached out, he was much more excited than we thought he would be. So, I think having him as a co-owner is a great source of pride for us. It puts us in a very good spot where we don't just have a coach who is gonna lead the team to great heights, but who is also gonna think of this like a family who knows that it belongs to him. For him, everything matters, like on-ground and off-ground things. Around him, having such a great coaching squad, from Matthew Mott to Varun Aaron, I think we can't be more proud of ourselves to have all of them together with us. As the squad intensifies its preparations ahead of its opening fixture, Agrawal acknowledged the relentless nature of competitive cricket. Have you ever been ready for a cricket match? I think there's always something that you think you can improve, and that's about sports, right? I think till the time the first ball is bowled, there's always one thing that we need to improve. So, like, you can't ever be ready at the same time. You always have to act as a team so that you can play the first match now. Like, we're as ready as we can go out and play the match today. But since we know it's the 27th, we're gonna play the first match. So there's always something else that we keep on improving, and we'll try to give our best on the field when we are there. Beyond the immediate pressures of the upcoming ETPL season, Agrawals core thesis centres on structural sustainability. He views franchise cricket not merely as entertainment, but as an essential nursery for Scottish and European talent to gain exposure at the highest level. I think that's the whole agenda of having franchise cricket, right? Why else are you doing it? Unless you have a local talent who can look up to you, who can find one more opportunity to be a part of the journey and maybe make it to the national team tomorrow. So I think the very important thing for us is not just to have these international players, but how these international players can pass on the experience to the players at the local grassroots level who are going to and are already playing for the country and who can make a large impact. Highlighting the current integration of local players, Agrawal pointed out that Glasgow Cosmic already serves as a vital platform for members of the Scotland national team. Like, starting from Scotland, we want to see that, like today, if you see, like, I think four to five of our players in our squad play in the Scotland cricket main team. Now, from there, having more and more such players who are going out and playing for the national team becomes more important for us. The kind of way these people are gonna perform and the kind of ways the new talent is gonna come and grow will define how Europe is gonna look at cricket as a sport for the next decade, and we are fairly excited to have that. Like, we already know that Europe and the UK are big sports-friendly countries, right? Where they support the game like anything. In Agrawals view, Europe possesses an untapped reservoir of sports fanaticism that rivals traditional cricket strongholds and requires only the right spark to propel cricket into the mainstream consciousness. After India, if you see the kind of passion, I think that's in European countries, where the passion is mad. The only thing we have to do is, among that passion, we have to make a space for cricket. Like going back to Scotland, this sport is anyway 200 years old, being played long back in the country. I keep saying this - the only thing that we need is that one shining light where the team performs so amazingly well that the entire next generation becomes much more inspired to be a part of the journey in the coming decades and going upwards, and that's what you want to do through the team that we own. Like teach people, inspire people, train as much grassroots talent as possible and eventually see Scotland, you know, reaching the highest stage at the national level or even in the World Cup. With the ICC Men's T20 World Cup scheduled to be co-hosted in the region in 2030, Agrawal believes the next five years represent a defining operational window for the franchise and the region. It's a very big executional challenge. I think as an entrepreneur, that's what excites me most about this - how the next five years are gonna look, and the interesting part for us is that the 2030 World Cup is gonna happen in the same soil. We would love to have the highest impact in that World Cup for a Scotland team, and for a Glasgow team that can deliver the next set of players to the team itself. With the ICC Men's T20 World Cup scheduled to be co-hosted in the region in 2030, Agrawal believes the next five years represent a defining operational window for the franchise and the region. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories So that's the most important, like the every match we're gonna play, the most important piece of us is to like play the most competitive cricket possible and lifting a trophy is must like we want to and we have to, and that's how we're gonna enlighten a lot of the people locally and bring their supports, not just in this season, but the seasons going forward, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Thomas, Nicholls put title-chasing Somerset in charge
New overseas signing makes 96 on debut after young opener's hundred
Walkden claims maiden wicket on truncated day
Lancashire debutant has moment to savour but play is severely limited
Haines, Booth share honours with Edgbaston wildlife on truncated day
Runs, wickets and a pigeon enliven rain-shortened day in Birmingham
India's tour of Bangladesh could be postponed yet again
The tour was originally planned for August last year before being deferred to September 2026
UP T20 League: Choudhary's Last-over Heroics Lead Kings To Thrilling Win Over Lions
UP T20 League Governing Council: Anivesh Choudhary produced a sensational late blitz as Noida Kings pulled off a dramatic three-wicket victory over Gaur Gorakhpur Lions in a high-scoring UP T20 League clash at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Thursday. Chasing a target of 186, Noida Kings were in dire straits -- requiring 18 runs off the final six deliveries. Choudhary, who remained unbeaten on an explosive 34 off just 15 balls, smashed two consecutive sixes, followed by taking two runs and hitting a boundary on the penultimate ball to seal a memorable win for his team with a ball to spare. Earlier, opting to bat first, Gaur Gorakhpur Lions rode on a strong start to post 185/9 in their 20 overs. Openers Abhay Pratap Singh and skipper Aryan Juyal stitched a solid 72-run partnership to set the foundation for a big total. Abhay eventually top-scored with a 41-ball 70, while Siddharth Yadav chipped in with a rapid 51 off 28 deliveries. For the Kings, Bobby Yadav was the star performer with the ball, picking up 4-48 to stem the run flow late in the innings. The match had earlier been inaugurated by Dr. Raj Shekhar (IAS), Managing Director of UP Jal Nigam (Rural), who performed the traditional Bell Ringing Ceremony in the presence of UP T20 League Governing Council Chairman Dr. Sanjay Kapoor, member Sanjeev Kumar Singh, and former India cricketer Manvinder Bisla. Abhay eventually top-scored with a 41-ball 70, while Siddharth Yadav chipped in with a rapid 51 off 28 deliveries. For the Kings, Bobby Yadav was the star performer with the ball, picking up 4-48 to stem the run flow late in the innings. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories But a middle-order wobble left Noida needing 23 runs off the final two overs. After Abdul Rehman conceded just five runs in the 19th over, and Noida lost a wicket to a run-out on the first ball of the final over, Choudhary took charge to pull off a sensational victory out of nowhere. Article Source: IANS
Allison runs through Gloucestershire top order but rain ruins first day
Cheltenham-born Tommy Boorman makes maiden half-century to lead recovery
Look Back On Ashes Shamefully, Should Have Won That First Game, Says Mark Wood
Mark Wood: Fast bowler Mark Wood said he looks back on his performance in England's dismal Ashes campaign in Australia with shame, adding that the tourists should have won the opening Test in Perth before their tour unravelled both on and off the field. Wood was battling a knee injury before the series and played in the opening match but was subsequently ruled out of the remainder of the tour due to the same issue and has not featured in competitive cricket since then. In Perth, England lost nine wickets for 99 runs before Travis Head smashed a blistering 123 to chase down 205. I look back on it shamefully. We should have won that first game. The whole tour was different if we won in Perth. Australia were there for the taking. Then the game just seemed to be in fast-forward, which is why I feel shame, because the game was finished. At one point, Gus Atkinson was bowling; we were just bowling bouncers at Head, and he was smacking them, and I remember looking at the score and thinking, 'this game is finished'. I stopped the play and went to Gus to say, 'What are we actually doing here, because this is the last resort? If you don't change it now, we're finished, and the game is literally gone'. Head was so good that day, and then the momentum was with them. I just look back and think 'what a shame'. It's a total missed opportunity, said Wood to BBC TMS during the ongoing England-Pakistan Test. From a personal standpoint, Wood conceded that he was far from match-ready heading into the Perth game after suffering elbow, knee, and hamstring issues. I look back at it from a personal point of view that I was nowhere near ready. Coming to Perth, my knee probably wasn't right, and then my hamstring I've never had a hamstring problem in my whole career. I think the hamstring was over-compensating for my knee, protecting my knee, and that's why it got tight. I remember bowling in the nets in Perth, almost convincing myself I'm ready to go, then at the back of my mind thinking, 'I'm nowhere near', he said. England's campaign was further complicated by relentless media scrutiny, including reporters following players to golf courses, an aquarium, and an incident where Wood was photographed riding an e-scooter without a helmet in Brisbane. People can say what they want about when Australia comes here, but if they get followed as we got followed in Australia, I would be amazed. Me and Ben Stokes went for a walk, and this guy fell out of the bush with his camera. We had reporters running after us, asking us questions. A lot of the time we were doing interviews, saying outlandish things that probably didn't help the cause. It just felt like a huge pressure cooker, more so than normal. The scrutiny and pressure the team was under, even in the dressing room from a team that is usually quite relaxed, there were more heated discussions than I remembered in that team. This shouldn't be an excuse. The main problem is we didn't play well. Addressing the controversy over a mid-tour trip to Noosa, where players were criticised for drinking outside a roadside bar, Wood distanced himself from the situation while respecting his teammates' choices. I wouldn't have done that. If I were a drinker, I wouldn't have done that, but that's not to say what I think is right or wrong, that I'm righteous, or that I would have done the right thing. I wouldn't have done that because of what people might perceive me to be. Their choice is their own. They're grown men. If it is to their detriment and they don't play well, that's a detriment to your career, so that's up to you as an adult. My choice might have been different, but that is my choice, and I've made loads of bad choices in my career. I wouldn't have done that. If I were a drinker, I wouldn't have done that, but that's not to say what I think is right or wrong, that I'm righteous, or that I would have done the right thing. I wouldn't have done that because of what people might perceive me to be. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories You get away from the mental pressures of the tour, or at home. I see both points. The problem for me is how it's perceived by the public. That's the bit that looks wrong to me. I liked to get away and see where we were staying. You'd often fly into a place, see a hotel, or fly out. I'd often grab Mark Saxby, the masseur, or Chris Woakes, and we would go to a coffee shop or find somewhere. Article Source: IANS
Joe Root equals Sachin Tendulkar's world record in Test cricket with half-century against Pakistan
Joe Root rediscovered his form in Englands first Test against Pakistan at Headingley in Leeds. After an underwhelming three-match series against New Zealand , Root responded strongly in his first outing as captain as he once again showed his class with the bat.
Spin or Balance? Sri Lanka Face Crucial Pitch Call for 2nd Test
Sri Lankan cricket officials are considering a balanced pitch for the second Test against India at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), moving away from a spin-friendly track. This decision aims to provide equal opportunities for both batters and bowlers, similar to the Galle pitch, and support their young batting lineup. The SSC pitch character has evolved over the years, with less home advantage since the retirement of legendary players.
TNPL | Tushar starts and Pradosh finishes as Tamizhans get past Panthers
The opener sizzles on his captaincy debut with a 17-ball 48 before the latter scores an unbeaten 65 with his team under pressure; the 2018 champion recovers from 76 for seven to post 157; Shoaibs four-for goes in vain for the Madurai outfit
Bangladesh Cricket Board suspends BPL for 2026-27 season, president Tamim Iqbal explains reason
Bangladesh Cricket Board president Tamim Iqbal has confirmed that the Bangladesh Premier Leagues 2026-27 season is uncertain amid issues concerning the financial and operational departments. Tamim said the BCB has suffered substantial losses from the...
Yorkshire CEO Believes International Match Allocation Has Been 'unfair' To Headingley
Yorkshire CEO Sanjay Patel: Yorkshire CEO Sanjay Patel believes the allocation of international matches for the 2027-2031 cycle by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has been unfair to Headingley, as it leaves the iconic venue without a marquee Test match. The venue has missed out on hosting an Ashes Test in 2027 and will not host a Test against India in 2029, making it the only major English venue excluded from both lucrative and high-profile series. We're pretty disappointed with the allocation; we don't feel it's fair in terms of our cricketing history, the scale of the recreational game, and the club's finances. It's definitely something that we're going to have to navigate as a club in the next two or three years. We've got to make sure that when the next allocation comes up, we have the plans in place to make sure cricket is played at this ground in a meaningful way, that means we're going to have to raise external investment, have to raise our facilities and almost make sure we get the big Test matches here, because it's really important, Patel told BBC TMS during the ongoing Test between England and Pakistan. He also acknowledged the complexity of assigning fixtures across the country but argued the current distribution distorts the balance for cricket in the northern region. I think match allocations are always difficult because you're trying to keep a lot of people happy and you probably don't have enough Test matches and other content to go around. As long as it's done in a balanced way and a fair way, not just done through a financial lens, it's what's actually important for cricket in England and Wales, then that's ok. I'd argue that the current allocation probably doesn't get the balance right. Hopefully, moving forward, that balance will be addressed through to the next allocations. We'd hope that we would get our fair share of Test cricket, he said. The loss of top-tier fixtures carries substantial financial implications for Yorkshire, which means they need to make the most out of the games allotted to them. This is hugely important for our finances. The way our business works, we are reliant on Men's international cricket. If we don't have a Test match, we will probably lose a million and a half this year, so it's essential we make the most of this match financially. But it's not just about the finances. The Yorkshire public have got a very special affinity with Test cricket. It's important for the people of England and Wales that there's a lot of Test cricket being played here at Headingley to inspire the next generation of cricket. To improve its standing for future allocation rounds, Yorkshire plans to restructure its corporate setup to finance stadium upgrades. I'd like to think that we're in a slightly better position compared to where we were when the allocation got sent out. Financially, we're very stable; the club is moving forwards in the right way, and we've recently announced a ten-year strategy. ECB are aware of that strategy and are very supportive; I think we're reasonably well placed for the next allocation. We've got to get Headingley to be a world-class stadium. To improve its standing for future allocation rounds, Yorkshire plans to restructure its corporate setup to finance stadium upgrades. I'd like to think that we're in a slightly better position compared to where we were when the allocation got sent out. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories We've got a full plan to redevelop the ground. We are a members' club, roughly around 8,000. We want to change it into a private company, then it allows us to bring investment into redeveloping Headingley. Hopefully this is by early 2027; there's a lot of work to be done though, concluded Patel. Article Source: IANS
Duleep Trophy | Venue change an acknowledgement that domestic cricket needs audience
Inaugural APL Champions To Receive Rs 50 Lakh Prize Money, Runners-up To Get Rs 25 Lakh
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: The champions of the inaugural Assam Premier League (APL) will take home Rs 50 lakh, while the runners-up will receive Rs 25 lakh, the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) Secretary Sanatan Das announced on Thursday. The prize purse announcement adds significant financial incentive at a time when the state's marquee T20 tournament enters its decisive knockout phase. Guwahati Royals, Dibrugarh Warriors, Barak Legends, and Barpeta Braves have emerged as the top four teams after a fiercely contested league stage and will compete in the semi-finals on Friday. Jorhat Stallions, Tezpur Titans, Nagaon Rangers, and Charaideo Sunrisers have been eliminated from the competition after failing to enter the knockout phase. The two winning teams will advance to the grand final on August 23 to clash for the inaugural title. Organised by the ACA, the tournament features eight franchises competing across a 23-day schedule comprising 43 matches. As per the format, each team faces every other side once during the league stage, with major IPL franchise scouts keeping an eye on promising players whom they can pick via the auction to be held later this year. Designed to provide a high-profile platform for emerging talent across the region and widen the talent pool for Assams white ball tournaments and age-group sides, the league will crown its first-ever champions at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Sunday, after a break day on Saturday. Organised by the ACA, the tournament features eight franchises competing across a 23-day schedule comprising 43 matches. As per the format, each team faces every other side once during the league stage, with major IPL franchise scouts keeping an eye on promising players whom they can pick via the auction to be held later this year. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Indias batting all-rounder Riyan Parag, who hails from Guwahati, was not part of the inaugural edition of the competition due to his ongoing recovery from shoulder surgery after sustaining the injury while leading Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026. Article Source: IANS
Arnold Praises 'class' Padikkal And 'patient' Suthar For Being Architects Of India's Win In Galle
Former Sri Lanka: Former Sri Lanka cricketer Russel Arnold has praised the class of Devdutt Padikkal and a patient Manav Suthar for being the primary architects of India's emphatic 165-run victory in the first Test at Galle International Stadium. Playing in his third Test, Padikkal was the calm aggressor at number three in B Sai Sudharsans absence and smashed a career-best 167 in the first innings, which ensured India held complete control of the match. A crucial second-innings 44 from the Karnataka batters willow helped India get a bigger lead over Sri Lanka. Padikkal seems to be in a great zone. He just seems to know exactly what he's about. He uses his strengths really well, and that's his reach and the way he uses his feet - playing on these slower conditions and pitches are an art, actually. It might seem easy, but everyone doesn't get runs. As you would have seen right throughout the test match, everyone else did struggle. Most others did struggle, and the fact that he's confident and he's been doing really well in all formats, I think this opportunity has come at the right time so that his form also does count. But he's shown a lot of class and quality, and I reckon he's one that India can expect a lot from, Arnold told IANS in a virtual interaction organised by Sony Sports Network on Thursday. If Padikkal laid the base for Indias victory with the bat, a classical Suthar, hailing from Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan, used his subtle changes in pace and variations to ensure Sri Lanka never recovered from the big strikes made by him. His match figures of 4-76 and 6-55 helped him outshine a star-studded spin attack featuring Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. Arnold compared Suthar's methodical patience to Sri Lanka spin bowling great Rangana Herath. Suthar, on the other hand, is so simple, so good to watch, and I think that's his strength - being simple and being patient. On Sri Lankan pitches, we keep harping about the fact that you do get natural variations. Of course, certain spinners have a lot of skill. That was Murali, for example, or Warne. But others who have done really well have been by keeping it simple and staying patient. The best case in point is Rangana Herath, and Suthar seemed to be doing just that. Getting in there, just varying his pace and varying how he releases the ball. It was all there and thereabouts. So that was the good thing from those two. The patience of Suthar is what took him through, and that is hard to maintain, he added. With Ravichandran Ashwin retired and Jadeja entering the twilight of his career, alongside India's ongoing search for a long-term number three post Cheteshwar Pujaras departure, the emergence of Padikkal and Suthar comes as good news for the Test team. Getting in there, just varying his pace and varying how he releases the ball. It was all there and thereabouts. So that was the good thing from those two. The patience of Suthar is what took him through, and that is hard to maintain, he added. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Watch Sri Lanka vs. India 2nd Test Day 1 on August 23, 2026, from 10 AM IST live on Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada) and Sony LIV. Article Source: IANS
Bangladesh BPL Cricket League Suspended For Overhaul
Bangladesh's premier T20 competition, the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), will not be held this year as the troubled tournament undergoes an overhaul, the national board chief said Thursday. The BPL will not happen this year, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Tamim Iqbal told reporters, saying some franchises had breached rules and regulations. The board was also dealing with unpaid dues and bank guarantee issues, with the BCB having suffered losses of around $3.3 million from the BPL over the past two years, according to Tamim. The BPL is a great product and there is a lot of interest in it. If we can do it properly, the interest will increase even more, Tamim said. BCB is supposed to make a profit from franchise cricket, not a loss. So until we fix this, holding a tournament at a loss is not important, he said. Our intention is 1,000 percent to host BPL. But I do not want to rush. I want to do it properly; if it takes six months or 12 months, I will take that time, he added. Tamim, who was recently appointed chairman of the International Cricket Council's newly formed Franchise League Committee, said Bangladesh's own experience with the BPL made the overhaul particularly important. If franchise cricket does not run properly in my country, then stopping it, and rebuilding it, will be a big message for my committee, he said. Tamim was speaking at the launch of the Game Development (GD) Trophy, a new tournament featuring Bangladesh's under-17, under-19 and under-23 teams. The board has started communicating with existing franchises and plans to complete the franchise process by April or May next year, giving it time to seek alternatives should a team default. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories He also said the board was open to foreign franchises.
'UPT20 League Will Be No.1 In India After IPL': Governing Council Chairman Sanjay Kapoor
Governing Council Chairman Sanjay Kapoor: The UPT20 League Governing Council Chairman Sanjay Kapoor predicted that Uttar Pradesh's franchise T20 league - UPT20 League - will rise to the top in India across states and will be only behind the lucrative Indian Premier League in the next five years. The league, which is in its fourth season, has been one of the most popular state leagues in the country, with footfall from several Indian internationals and the IPL making it one to watch out for. Rinku Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohsin Khan, Sameer Rizvi, Prashant Veer and Swastik Chikara, among others, are part of the recently started season of the league. Speaking exclusively to IANS, Kapoor emphasised that the league is doing equivalent to what the IPL does. It's immaculate (the platform). You can say this platform is equivalent to the IPL (in terms of what it is doing). We are doing what is in the IPL. We broadcast on Jio, on Star Sports, Kapoor told IANS. The Governing Council Chairman further detailed that the league has already crossed the viewership of the past season and that it will only grow. We have 55 million (views) now right after eight league matches. So this year, in video coverage, views, Instagram, we are all in all the places on the positive side. Leaving interactivity aside, we will be No.1 in the country after IPL in positive cricket (in five years), Kapoor added. The league also provides the opportunity for budding cricketers to rub shoulders or share the dressing room with experienced cricketers like Rinku and Bhuvi. Kapoor highlighted that playing alongside such cricketers remains the dream of many of the players. When you share your dressing room with stalwarts, then your dreams come true in a way. You are sitting with them, talking to them, seeing their body language. When you follow them, see them, learn from them, you take their positives; you get to learn a lot. When you learn, you become a big player. And a platform like UPT20 League is being broadcast in 150 countries, he added. When you share your dressing room with stalwarts, then your dreams come true in a way. You are sitting with them, talking to them, seeing their body language. When you follow them, see them, learn from them, you take their positives; you get to learn a lot. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Kapoor also emphasised the eauty of this initiative. The beauty of this (initiative) is that we audition young fast bowlers for our league. We bring them to the auction, and they end up earning a heavy amount of money. From 2 lakhs, they can get up to Rs 21.5 lakh (Shubham Gautam). The beauty of this is that it allows us to pick talented youngsters from around the state. That was the vision of Rajiv Shukla ji, he further stated. Article Source: IANS
