Varun to miss rest of Afghanistan T20Is with injury
India spinner's comeback from a previous injury has been stopped short
England look to continue domineering T20 form
Sri Lanka's form in the warm-ups suggests life could be tough against a side they haven't beaten in T20Is since 2014
Varun Chakaravarthy ruled out of Afghanistan series due to injury
With the Asian Games in Japan starting soon after, it isnt yet clear whether Varuns injury will rule him out of the multi-sport spectacle too.
Adapting to format switches requires calmness and teamwork, says Ishan Kishan
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan said that calmness and some amount of teamwork are the key to adapting to switching formats in international cricket. In Indias seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in the T20I series opener at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Kishan hit 42 while sharing a 121-run stand with Abhishek Sharma, who hit a sensational 82, to chase down 157. As a professional, I think when it changes, we just have to adapt as soon as possible. We need to get into that zone again and again because this is not the first time we are doing this. We keep on playing different formats, and then we come back to T20 cricket. It takes a bit of time to get along with the game sometimes, but at the same time, you need to be just calm and composed in the middle so that you get the best out of yourself, Kishan said in a video posted on bcci.tv. on Monday. He also reflected on his stand with Abhishek, adding how the duo dynamically manages their roles based on who holds the early momentum. I think I played an ODI innings because Abhishek was there, good in his shots, and he was playing well. I wanted Abhishek to have that momentum so that he can keep on going and not think about wickets falling from other end. So, you just have to keep judging. Some days, if I feel like Abhishek is not in such great touch in the middle, maybe I'll take that role. So, this is something to do with teamwork, and yes, I think the initial moment and everything, it's very difficult to get into the T20 zone like in one or two days. But you try and give your best and like there will be glitches, but you need to just know what mistakes you're doing and you can get better in next every like each and every game, he added. Beyond tactical flexibility, Kishan stated that his off-field preparation, which involves video analysis of opposing bowlers combined with informal discussions with teammates to iron out flaws, is a key element of preparation. I mean, it's more about, for me, I look at the videos of the bowlers who are coming to bowl who is going to plan something. So, for that, you need to just be like in a zone in your room. Maybe when you are just sitting, you're chilling with your friends, you talk about your game, what changes I can make and what shots I can play. But end of the day, if you're calm and you're not thinking about particular area where you want to hit and you just think about watching the ball and playing your shots. So, that is something I think is something which is very important for us to keep doing again and again. Sometimes you get in a zone where you just keep on smacking the ball and you lose your momentum or shape. But when you talk to your friends, you do know what sort of mistakes you're making, and you just keep on improving each and every day. With a busy international schedule ongoing, Kishan concluded by revealing his straightforward recovery routine ahead of India's next game on Tuesday. I'm just going to rest. I won't do anything. I'll just have a good workout session before the next game and that's it. I think I'm not going to leave my bed for two days because, anyway, I'm too tired. I'm going to bed.
'I'll be with you...' Wife Devisha's Heartfelt B'day Note for Surya
Suryakumar Yadav turned 36 as wife Devisha, BCCI, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings celebrated India's T20 star, highlighting his World Cup triumphs, captaincy and international achievements.
Caribbean Premier League: Before the chat with Pooja Vastrakar began, Shikha Pandey quizzed her on what the ongoing stint in the Womens Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) had taught her so far. The answer from Pooja, who also went on a cruise trip, had nothing to do with her bowling, batting, or anything she might carry into a match. I learnt to enjoy everything from Qiana (Joseph), because we Indians do a lot of overthinking when it comes to our games and other small things. Here in the Caribbean, I'm learning a lot. They enjoy their present moment and small things. So, I'm sure it'll be great if I go back to India, she said in a quick reply. For most cricketers, life about playing in a global franchise T20 league is mostly about showcasing your skills and then picking up lessons from other players and coaches. For Pooja, the seam-bowling all-rounder currently playing for Barbados Tridents in the WCPL, it is something else to live and follow the new-found philosophy acquired via a shoulder injury layoff. Pooja isnt a stranger to injuries needing surgeries -- she went through a right-knee ACL reconstruction in 2017, before she had played for India, and was followed by a second operation on the left knee the following year. But the shoulder surgery done after the 2024 Womens T20 World Cup has been a perspective-altering event for Pooja. The surgery was done on a torn supraspinatus tendon in her shoulder. Rehab at the CoE ran to almost nine months, before a hamstring injury delayed her return to competitive cricket. But once the fitness certificate came through she turned out for RCB in the fag end of the WPL, where the side won the title and has since played in whatever tournament has been available to her. Navigating loneliness despite being around a plethora of players and specialists was hard for Pooja, who picked up a few wise lessons. There's a lot to learn because you spend a lot of time alone while in CoE, Bengaluru and you don't want to go back to your old life because cricket is a team sport and we always do training or sessions with the team. But when you go to the rehab, the feeling of loneliness is very strong, and it eats you up from the inside. At the same time, it teaches you a lot and makes you stronger. You build a lot of knowledge - you learn about your body, training, physiotherapy and load management. So, there's a lot to learn because people like me say that I've had three surgeries and spent a lot of time alone, Pooja told IANS in a select virtual interaction organised by FanCode, the official broadcaster of WCPL in India. Whenever a player has to face the rehab and recovery route, their go-to person is now Pooja. A lot of players don't even call their physios instead, they call me and say, 'I've had an injury. What should I do? They sometimes have fun with me. In CoE, the physios said that I have enough knowledge to deal with small injuries by myself. It's because you live in that atmosphere, you get that knowledge and learn a lot about yourself. Support also came from the people in her life close friends, family, CoE trainers, physios and the management at RCB consisting of coaches, trainer, physio and captain Smriti Mandhana. Theres a time when after an injury, there are a lot of biomechanical changes. In India, there is no awareness of it and people don't have knowledge. They compare the previous Pooja with the current Pooja. Like if someone has come from a knee surgery, even if they get a fitness certificate after nine months, the biomechanical changes in the ground will still be there. If someone is limping, it is very easy to judge in India that she is limping because he is injured. But she is not injured, as she is playing, and has got a certificate. If she is bowling, it means she is fit. Biomechanical changes will be there all the time in life. How the player manages to play is down to her talent. If any player is playing at a higher level, no one is 100 percent fit. There are a lot of matches like WPL, international, bilateral series and domestic games. Everyone manages to play well. I felt really good that RCB supported me a lot. At one time, the pace of bowling was going up and down. They told me to come and will take care of me and even said that my batting is enough for them. That helps a lot because at one time, I thought that I was not enough. When you have a lot of talent within you, we don't understand it at that time. When someone tells you that you can do this, that moment changes a lot, she explained. For all the changes the shoulder surgery brought to Poojas life view, one thing has been thankfully untouched: her bowling action. She watched bowlers who keep hurting long after the surgeon has called the healing complete and the strength coach has signed off the numbers, and who end up rebuilt at the crease because nobody can find another answer. That has never been her, and she says so with a touchwood attached. The one concession is at the start of a session - a body coming back to load does not simply accept it because you have turned up, so her warm-up runs longer than it used to. The rest is a matter of getting reacquainted with her skillsets. Actually, I don't think about the future. If the body responds at that time, and there is a little pain, then the coping mechanism of the body is such that it holds. Yes, when you bowl after 2-3 months of injury, the load is different. The body is not used to the load. Initially, you will feel pain for 2-3 days. But later on, you will feel that it is normal and the same is said by physios. You are not used to the load, but then you like it. Yes, you feel a little fear that when you fall, your fear that it shouldn't get worse. But when you keep doing it, you get used to all these things. Then there comes a moment when you go up in life, and then it doesn't matter. The RCB connection is hard to miss, considering Pooja had a setback in her hamstring while trying to become match fit and eventually came at the final phase of WPL phase in Vadodara, albeit as a specialist batter. They picked me during the rehab, and that was a very big thing for me. They showed so much faith that if Pooja gets fit, she can do batting, bowling or fielding for us in any department. But getting confidence from a franchise is the biggest thing. I joined the team very late. So, I didn't get a chance to work that much. But whatever small talks I had with Anya (Shrubsole, assistant coach), she focuses a lot on planning. Like, we put in the balls that we know and during the tournament, we can't work much on the technical side. So, the main thing I learnt from them is that they focus a lot on planning. Like, what should be your plan A, plan B, plan C. If you're sending down a bouncer, yorker, slower ball or a stock ball, then you need a specific field. If that field doesn't work, then what's your plan B? So, I got to learn a lot from them in terms of planning. Back home in the MP T20 League, where she captained Chambal Ghariyals to winning the title, she barely bowled not due to the injury, but because she counted the youngsters in the squad, who were waiting for a game to showcase their skills. Pooja also likes what is coming through behind her and thinks the coaching has sharpened since her own age-group days. When small kids come to my hometown and ask questions, my answer is that the game has become very advanced. It's important to bring those three skills and now they are also learning like WPL and different tournaments are happening. So, their coaches have become very smart as they are moulding the kids to be all-rounders. So, it's looking good. Though Pooja hasnt set the WCPL on fire, her mood is still cheerful. Yes, it's been great. We haven't had a lot of matches so far. But the atmosphere of the team and the practices we've been doing and the matches that are coming up, we're very positive about that. Actually, our first match didn't go so well. But the bond of our team is great. It's very important for us and even more important for women's cricket because the way women's cricket is developing, and when we play in public, we get to perform in front of a lot of fans. We then get to represent our country, and if we don't get a lot of opportunities, then it becomes a very good tournament to make a comeback into the team. Its going to be close to two years since Pooja donned an India jersey, and while the comeback may happen, she doesnt think too much about the future, as she now prefers to go with the flow. I have done a lot of things in my life and we tend to plan a lot for doing this and that in our respective lifetime. But I don't know how many things I have achieved in my life out of it. Most of the time, we are result-oriented. We think more about the result. Everyone's wish list and manifestations are about the result. My go with the flow philosophy is due to the fact that I don't have to think about or to manifest for the result. Its going to be close to two years since Pooja donned an India jersey, and while the comeback may happen, she doesnt think too much about the future, as she now prefers to go with the flow. I have done a lot of things in my life and we tend to plan a lot for doing this and that in our respective lifetime. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories I should follow the process as we become result-oriented a lot and forget the process. If the result is not clear, we get a lot of disappointment. But now I don't want all of that - I want to live in the present and be in that moment. Article Source: IANS
Injury Blow! Varun Chakaravarthy Ruled Out of Afghan T20 Series
India spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has been ruled out of the T20 series against Afghanistan due to a fresh injury, casting significant doubt on his participation in the upcoming Asian Games. This comes shortly after his recovery from a previous hamstring injury, raising concerns about player injury management.
Gaud penalised for giving send-off to Dulani in Asia Cup final
Pakistan players were fined 5% of their match fee for maintaining a slow over rate in the semi-final against Sri Lanka
'I used to hype finals': Shafali Verma on change in approach for big games
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) India's star opener Shafali Verma spoke on her change in approach for big games after having recently powered India to an eighth title in the Women's Asia Cup with a win over Sri Lanka in the final. Shafali made 68 from 39 balls to set things with the bat, along with Smriti Mandhana as the two put up 129 runs for the opening wicket as India won by 72 runs later while defending 183. Shafali and Mandhana sat down with each other to reflect on their performances as the right-handed batter spoke on her change of approach while playing in big games. Before her 68 in the final, Shafali also scored 64 against Bangladesh to help India win the semifinal. I used to take the finals as a crucial game. I used to keep it as a hype. But now I keep things simple. I think I have to go to my basics. I have to watch the ball and react, Shafali said in a video posted by BCCI Women. And I think cricket always grows. You learn slowly. If you're a good learner, you learn fast. So I'm just thinking about these things only. To learn things quickly and grow a lot, she added. Shafali was the Player of the Match in both final and semifinal and also the Player of the Series for having scored 236 runs and having taken two wickets. She also created an everlasting impact in the ODI World Cup 2025 final against South Africa with a stroke-filled 87-run knock from 78 balls before she also took two wickets to be named Player of the Match as India won a historic title. Meanwhile, Shafali and Mandhana were both relieved to beat Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2026 final after having lost to them in the 2024 showdown clash. Smriti didi, how are you feeling? We have finally taken revenge for 2024. I'm pretty sure we were all waiting for this moment for a long time. We came to the Sri Lanka finals and we won, Shafali asked her senior opening partner, Mandhana. 2024 was very disappointing. I think we could not defend 165. But I think after two years, it felt good to play in the same position in the finals. And especially after three years of T20 cricket, I don't think our team has done so well in the tournaments. So I feel that way, it's a good confidence booster. But yeah, we have to continue, Mandhana said. The two also reflected on their 129-run partnership, which is now the highest in the Women's T20I Asia Cup for any wicket. Mandhana heaped praise on Shafali for her innings. Today's innings was very...I would say a mature innings. You started off well, but picked your gaps, picked your pockets. A lot of things are said for the openers. Openers are always under scrutiny, Mandhana said, before Shafali replied, Like you said, that openers are under scrutiny, so it is best to reply with the bat. Coming to the match, India did very well in both departments. India posted a strong total of 183/5, with Shafali Verma (68) and Smriti Mandhana (59) setting things with a record 129-run stand for the opening wicket and scoring strong half-centuries. The Indian bowlers backed things pretty well as Shree Charani picked up four wickets, while Deepti Sharma also scalped three wickets to take the Women in Blue home.
Varun Chakaravarthy ruled out of Afghanistan T20I series due to injury; Check details
In a major blow for the Indian team, star spinner has been ruled out of the ongoing T20I series against Afghanistan due to injury. It is worth noting that Chakaravarthy bowled his complete quota of...
The Indian team got off to a stellar start to their ongoing T20I series against Afghanistan. Taking on the side at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on September 13, the Men in Blue registered...
Smith Casts Doubt Over Playing In 2027 Ashes, Sets Sight On Playing In 2028 LA Olympics
European T20 Premier League: Senior Australia batter Steve Smith has raised doubts over his participation in next year's Ashes tour of England, revealing he is managing his Test career on a series-by-series basis while targeting to play in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Smith, 37, is currently featuring for the Amsterdam Flames in the European T20 Premier League (ETPL). The right-handed batter has played 125 Tests and scored 37 centuries and is currently the second-ranked mens Test batter behind England's Harry Brook. I dont even know if Ill be there yet. Im kind of a series-by-series proposition, as Ive been for a while, and thats still a fair way away for me right now. So, yeah, Id love to win one there or to have won one there, but you wait and see if that comes to fruition. Right now probably its just the Olympics (as a goal) to try to be a part of that. One of the reasons why I wanted to play with Amsterdam here was just to continue playing as much T20 cricket as I can, Smith told The Telegraph on Monday. While Smith has not set a firm retirement date, he acknowledged that his remaining playing time will increasingly lean toward franchise T20 cricket. I still like to think I could play T20 cricket for a while. Whats next for me when I finish? Im not sure, but yeah, hopefully a bit more time left playing. Ive achieved a lot in the game. Its been a great ride for the last 15 years or thereabouts. Ive had a lot of fun. Im still enjoying it, so I dont have an end date, well wait and see. But its been a good ride. While Smith has not set a firm retirement date, he acknowledged that his remaining playing time will increasingly lean toward franchise T20 cricket. I still like to think I could play T20 cricket for a while. Whats next for me when I finish? Im not sure, but yeah, hopefully a bit more time left playing. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Oh, for me, its just another series. All that happened a long time ago, and weve played a lot of cricket weve been back to South Africa since then for one-dayers. Theyre a good side at the moment obviously beat us in the World Test Championship final. They have a really good pace attack as well, so should be a cracker of a series. Article Source: IANS
Hasan Mahmud withdrawn from Kent duty by BCB
Fast bowler rested ahead of busy international winter with county vying for promotion
Taylor, Cremer Make Surprise Return to Zimbabwe ODI Squad
Zimbabwe have named Sikandar Raza captain for their Australia ODI series, recalling veterans Brendan Taylor and Graeme Cremer while injuries rule out Richard Ngarava, Clive Madande and Tanaka Chivanga.
Delhi Capitals intensify IPL 2027 preparations by organising a short camp and trials in New Delhi
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) Delhi Capitals have stepped up their preparations for the 2027 Indian Premier League (IPL) season through a short camp and trials in the national capital. Sources have told IANS that the camps proceedings were taken care of by ex-India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh and former India leg-spinner Amit Mishra. Sri Lankas former pacer Chaminda Vaas, who played for the now-defunct Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2008 to 2010, also joined and may become the sides fast-bowling coach. The short camp took place at a ground in Aerocity, with a lot of players who did well in the previous camp in Bengaluru featuring here as well. It is understood that the camp will conclude on Monday, said a source to this news agency on Monday. The trio of Yuvraj, Mishra, who himself played for DC and finished as a prolific IPL wicket-taker, and Vaas were present to evaluate identified domestic talent and test them in various match situations, as the franchise looks to build a more competitive squad for the upcoming season. Before that, the team still has to pick players through the mini auction slated for later this year. Previously, DC held trials and an off-season camp at the Just Cricket Academy ground in Bengaluru last month, where Yuvraj and Sourav Ganguly, ex-India captain and DCs director of cricket in two stints, took charge. Under a formal operational agreement between co-owners JSW Group and GMR Group, management of the mens IPL team alternates between the two corporate entities every two years, with JSW taking charge of the cricket operations for the 2027 and 2028 cycles. DC are seeking to end their status as the tournaments perennial underachievers, especially after missing the playoffs in the IPL 2025 and 2026 seasons under Hemang Badani (head coach), Venugopal Rao (director of cricket) and Munaf Patel (fast bowling coach). The Delhi-based franchises solitary appearance in an IPL final came in the 2020 season.
Imran Khan's Ex-Wife Jemima Goldsmith Remarries at 52
Jemima Goldsmith, filmmaker and former wife of Pakistan's ex-prime minister Imran Khan, has married multi-millionaire financier Cameron O'Reilly. The news was confirmed by her family, with the couple reportedly exchanging vows over the weekend. Goldsmith continues to advocate for her sons and ex-husband amidst his incarceration.
Imran Khan's Ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith Marries Multi-millionaire Financier: Report
Jemima Goldsmith, the former wife of Pakistan's ex-prime minister Imran Khan, has married for a second time to multi-millionaire financier Cameron O'Reilly
Kranti Gaud Docked 10 Percent Match Fee Following Send-off In Womens Asia Cup Final
The International Cricket Council: India fast bowler Kranti Gaud has been fined 10 per cent of her match fee for a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct during her sides Womens Asia Cup final victory over Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday evening. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on Monday that Kranti violated Article 2.5 of the player code of conduct, which covers the use of language, actions, or gestures that disparage or could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon their dismissal. The incident occurred during the opening over of Sri Lankas run-chase when Kranti castled opener Imesha Dulani and gestured towards the pavilion. In addition to the financial penalty, one demerit point was added to Krantis disciplinary record, marking her first offence within a 24-month period. Match referee Supriya Rani Das of the ICC International Panel proposed the sanction after charges were levelled by on-field umpires Saleema Imtiaz and Shathira Jakir Jesy, with third umpire Rokeya Sultana and fourth umpire Humaira Farah. The ICC further said that Kranti admitted the charge and accepted the penalty, thereby avoiding a formal hearing. Under ICC guidelines, Level 1 offences carry a maximum fine of 50 per cent of a player's match fee and up to two demerit points. India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in Sunday's final to secure a record-extending eighth Womens Asia Cup title and reclaim the title they lost in 2024. However, Harmanpreet Kaur-led India refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President, who also serves as Pakistans interior minister. The ICC further said that Kranti admitted the charge and accepted the penalty, thereby avoiding a formal hearing. Under ICC guidelines, Level 1 offences carry a maximum fine of 50 per cent of a player's match fee and up to two demerit points. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, players are docked five per cent of their match fee for each over if their side fails to bowl within the allotted window. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana pleaded guilty and accepted the sanction. On-field umpires Vrinda Rathi and Shathira Jakir Jesy, third umpire Rokeya Sultana and fourth umpire Rabab Ahsan levelled the charge. Article Source: IANS
Dubai: Women's Asia Cup: Kranti Gaud Fined 10% Match Fee For Breaching ICC Code Of Conduct
In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Gaud, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period: Reports
Kranti Gaud Penalised for Breaching ICC Code in Asia Cup Final
India women's team seamer Kranti Gaud has been fined 10 per cent of her match fee and received one demerit point by the ICC for breaching the Code of Conduct during the T20 Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka. Gaud was penalised for an aggressive gesture after dismissing a batter. Separately, the Pakistan women's team was fined for a slow overrate in their semifinal match.
India Women's Star Kranti Gaud Handed Big Punishment By ICC After Asia Cup Final. This Is The Reason
The ICC on Monday handed India women's team seamer Kranti Gaud a fine of 10 per cent of her match fee and one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the Code of Conduct during the T20 Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka.
AFG Vs IND: When And Where To Watch 2nd T20I, Know All Details
Arun Jaitley Stadium: India will look to seal the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan when they meet in the second game at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday, with the visitors needing a much-improved performance to keep the contest alive India have a 1-0 lead after a dominant seven-wicket win in the opener. Afghanistan were reduced to 43/5 inside the Power-play before Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi revived the innings with an 83-run partnership. Omarzais unbeaten 64 off 44 balls helped Afghanistan reach 156/8, but the total proved inadequate. Arshdeep Singh led Indias bowling effort with 3-9, while Jasprit Bumrah also struck early on his return. Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy added wickets as Afghanistan struggled to build momentum. The chase was then turned into a one-sided affair by Abhishek Sharma, who smashed 82 off just 32 balls, including seven fours and seven sixes. Ishan Kishan contributed 42 as India reached 157/3 in only 13.4 overs. Afghanistans immediate priority will be to survive Indias new-ball attack. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for a duck in the opening over, and the visitors top order will need to provide a stronger platform for the likes of Omarzai, Nabi and Rashid Khan. India, meanwhile, face a selection dilemma after their comfortable opening victory. Abhisheks explosive 82 has strengthened his case at the top, while Sanju Samson managed only 10. The presence of Ishan Kishan, who scored 42, further adds to Indias batting options. Teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could again be in contention, having missed the opener. With Harshit Rana ruled out after suffering a rectus femoris strain, Yash Thakur has joined the squad as his replacement. Afghanistan have plenty of match-winners in their ranks, including Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Naveen-ul-Haq. Captain Ibrahim Zadran, leading Afghanistan in his first series as full-time T20I skipper, will hope his side can translate that individual quality into a more disciplined performance. For India, victory would wrap up the series. For Afghanistan, Tuesday offers a chance to force the contest into a decider. When: Tuesday, September 15, 7:30 PM IST Where: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi Where to watch: The match will be shown live on Sony Sports Ten 3, 4, and 5 SD & HD channels on TV. Live streaming will be available on the FanCode app and website. Squads: Where to watch: The match will be shown live on Sony Sports Ten 3, 4, and 5 SD & HD channels on TV. Live streaming will be available on the FanCode app and website. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Noor Rahman (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai and Naveen-ul-Haq. Article Source: IANS
Chaminda Vaas, Amit Mishra set to join Delhi Capitals' coaching staff ahead of IPL 2027
In a major development, former Sri Lanka cricketer Chaminda Vaas and former India cricketer Amit Mishra are all set to join the coaching staff of Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL (Indian Premier League) 2027. It is interesting to note that Chaminda Vaas will become Delhi Capitals bowling coach ahead of the season.
BCB Withdraws Hasan Mahmud From Kent Duties Ahead Of A Busy International Schedule
Bangladesh Cricket Board: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has withdrawn fast bowler Hasan Mahmud from Kent duty during their ongoing Division Two campaign, as Kent's promotion hopes have been dealt a blow. With a busy international schedule approaching, the BCB has opted to withdraw one of their premier speedsters, who was a vital cog in Bangladesh's historic win over Australia in Darwin last month. He has also been in stellar form for Kent, with seven-wicket match hauls in the past two games, and has taken 26 wickets across his four appearances, helping Kent rise to third place in the Division Two standings. Kent Cricket can confirm that after discussions with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Hasan Mahmud will return to Bangladesh ahead of their Winter schedule of multiple series against Afghanistan, West Indies and South Africa, Kent said. He will not be available for selection for their final two matches, as he will be participating in the Asian Games before the Tests against Afghanistan and West Indies and the all-format series against South Africa. Were disappointed to have lost Hasans services for the County Championship run-in, but we respect the decision made by the BCB after constructive talks, and wish him well this Winter, Kent Director of Cricket Simon Cook said. He will not be available for selection for their final two matches, as he will be participating in the Asian Games before the Tests against Afghanistan and West Indies and the all-format series against South Africa. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Meanwhile, the club thanked Mahmud for his services at Canterbury in the County Championship and in the Vitality Blast. Everyone at the Club thanks Hasan for his services this season, after taking 30 wickets in seven appearances across the Rothesay County Championship & Vitality Blast. He will always be welcome back at Kent, the statement added. Article Source: IANS
ENG vs SL 1st T20I Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI
ENG vs SL 1st T20I, Cricket Tips: After a dominating test series win over Pakistan, England are scheduled to take on Sri Lanka for three T20Is and three ODIs. The action begins with the first T20I on Tuesday. This contest will kick off at 11 PM IST at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. Harry Brook will lead the hosts, and they have an explosive batting lineup. Phil Salt is unavailable as he is injured, but Jordan Cox has been brilliant in the recent series. England beat India 4-0, and they will look to win this series also. Meanwhile, Charith Asalanka will be leading the visitors, as Kusal Mendis isn't fit. Sri Lanka have a good side, but these conditions can be tough for them. ENG vs SL: Match Details Date : September 15, 2026 (Tuesday) Time : 11:00 PM IST Venue : The Rose Bowl, Southampton ENG vs SL: Live Streaming Details Indian fans can watch the first T20I between England and Sri Lanka on the Sony LIV and FanCode mobile app or website. Meanwhile, the live telecast will be available on Sony Sports Networks. ENG vs SL: Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 18 England : 14 Sri Lanka : 4 No-result : 0 ENG vs SL: Ground Pitch Report The Rose Bowl has a history of offering good batting tracks in recent times. The average score here is around 169-175, which speaks to how well batters have played here. Though there will be good assistance early on for the bowlers, but batters are expected to perform better. ENG vs SL: Possible XIs England : Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler (wk), Harry Brook , Jordan Cox, Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, Josh Tongue, Adil Rashid Sri Lanka : Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara (wk), Lahiru Udara, Charith Asalanka , Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera ENG vs SL: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Jos Buttler and Pathum Nissanka are two batters who hold key for their teams. They will be the ones to watch out for. Probable Best Bowler Jofra Archer and Nuwan Thushara will get good assistance from this wicket, and they are very good in this format. Today Match Prediction : Sri Lanka have not beaten England in T20Is since 2014. They are very strong at home, and we predict them to win the first game. ENG vs SL Match 1st T20I, Today Match ENG vs SL, ENG vs SL Prediction, ENG vs SL Predicted XIs, Injury Update for England vs Sri Lanka Match Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.
Shree Charani breaks T20I wicket record
Indian spinner Shree Charani has made history by becoming the first Indian woman to claim more than 35 T20I wickets in a single calendar year, reaching her 36th wicket during the Women's Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka.
AFG vs IND 2nd T20I Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI
AFG vs IND 2nd T20I, Cricket Tips: India have recorded an easy win in the first T20I against Afghanistan to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Abhishek Sharma produced another blistering innings with a 22-ball fifty and ended up scoring 82 off 32 balls with seven sixes and seven fours. Ishan Kishan also did well, and Indian bowling was pretty impressive. Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai did key jobs for Afghanistan, and all other players were poor on the field. The second T20I will kick off at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday at 7:30 PM IST. Afghanistan are still searching for their maiden international win against India. AFG vs IND: Match Details Date : September 15, 2026 (Tuesday) Time : 7:00 PM IST Venue : Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi AFG vs IND: Live Streaming Details Indian fans can watch the second T20I on the Sony Sports Networks in India, and the live stream will be available at the FanCode streaming platform. AFG vs IND: Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 10 India : 9 Afghanistan : 0 No-result : 1 AFG vs IND: Ground Pitch Report As seen in the first game, Arun Jaitley Stadium is an excellent deck to bat on. The batters will dominate here. The boundaries are so short that they allow the batters to swing hard to cross the boundaries. There is very little help for the bowlers in the first innings, but nothing in the second. AFG vs IND: Possible XIs Afghanistan : Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran (c), Sediq Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi India : Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravi Bishnoi. AFG vs IND: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Abhishek Sharma tore apart the opposition in the first game. He will be looking to do it once again. Rahmanullah Gurbaz missed in the first game, but he is expected to return with a bang. Probable Best Bowler Arshdeep Singh has improved as a bowler, and he can handle new and old balls pretty well. Rashid Khan needs to improve because he is someone that can change the situation with the ball. Today Match Prediction: With the current form on their side, we predict Team India to win the second T20I on Tuesday. AFG vs IND Match 2nd T20I, Today Match AFG vs IND, AFG vs IND Prediction, AFG vs IND Predicted XIs, Injury Update for Afghanistan vs India Match Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.
'Medium Pacers Are Alive Because Of Ice Baths': The Method Behind Shikha Pandey's Longevity
Ask Shikha Pandey: Ask Shikha Pandey how she is still running in and bowling fast at this stage of her career, and she does not talk about desire, or hunger, or any of the usual words. Instead, Shikha, 37, talks about recovery protocols and carrying her own tools wherever she gets to play in leagues worldwide, including in the ongoing Womens Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) and before she starts, she issues a warning. Okay. I'll be a science geek now! I have my own compression boots that I travel with and spend a lot of time on mobility and stretches. We've been very fortunate. We have the ice baths that are available. Medium pacers literally thrive on ice baths and are alive because of ice baths. So, that as well and we have a huge recovery protocol and massages and things like that. I have been very lucky to be in a franchise like TKR. Yes, we are really taken care of in that regard, Shikha told IANS in a select virtual interaction organised by FanCode, the official broadcaster of WCPL in India. Her own interest in the science behind an athlete's life in the later years has been crucial to a career that is still going strong despite last playing for India in 2023 Womens T20 World Cup. Its this reason why the subject of ageing fast bowlers, when it came up in the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) dugout, did not trouble her much. Marizanne Kapp was padded up and waiting to bat. Biju George, the former India womens fielding coach currently in the TKR set-up, raised it, and the bench laughed. We said, it's difficult as you get older as a pacer to be bowling with the same intensity. But I guess with us, we are mature enough and we have a really good understanding of our body and how it works. So, that has helped a lot. Also, the skill isn't going to go anywhere. It's just about keeping fit. I mean, probably till the time I score runs, and take wickets, I will be playing cricket and I'm really enjoying my cricket right now. I've been very fortunate and lucky that I have my own recovery equipment which I travel with here in TKR. We have some amazing people, our physio, TJ, and our trainer, Jamie, who also doubles up as the massage therapist. Both of them are amazing. So, being really taken good care of, have to see to our own. So, yes, it's really good - probably it's also about the stress part of it. The lesser stressed you are, the better you do, she added. The same instinct governs how Shikha, who has picked five wickets so far in 2026 WCPL, prepares to bowl. A slow surface in the Caribbean is not something she discovers on arrival instead, she has already studied about its nature, with the answers worked out before the first net session. I guess I'm someone who likes to meticulously prep for any tournament that I'm going to be playing at. So, on pitches that are going to be slightly on the slower side, which is what happens here in West Indies, you work on a lot of slower balls and probably deliveries that do not depend on the pitch, yorkers, and things like that. Every league that you play in challenges you with respect to the surfaces that you are going to be bowling on, predominantly me being a pace bowler. So, I like to go ahead and do a little bit of research on that part or to see a little vision videos to prepare and to get ready for the tournament, she said. The mental side gets the same treatment from Shikha, a retired squadron leader of the Indian Air Force. Be it featuring in the Womens Big Bash League in Australia, the Super Smash in New Zealand and now plying her trade in WCPL, an association which began in 2024, she relishes the challenges of being a globe-trotting cricketer. I really love being challenged. In WBBL, it was about probably bowling the surge overs and over here as well, to be bowling in the difficult phases of the tournament. I somehow still enjoy doing it and helps me in terms of, I've always harped upon the more challenging situation that you put yourself in. You have this memory bank and which keeps you then really in a good state for if you have to be in the same situation again. I firmly believe that if you've played these high intensity pressure games, that really helps you in situations when you're put up again in them. So, that's why experience probably matters, and I'm really happy to be playing cricket, honestly. Just to add, also the environment and the people - it's entirely different the way people are here in Caribbean and probably in New Zealand or Australia. So, I've really enjoyed to be able to understand and have memories and friendships with everyone that I've played cricket with, she elaborated. The memory bank is a useful idea precisely because there is nothing mystical about it, even as Shikhas analytical streak found another outlet via a commentary assignment for JioStar in their studio during the 2026 Womens T20 World Cup. I had been asked before and it's been three years since I was being asked if I wanted to do it. I just kind of did it because it was in the offseason and thought I still had a lot of time. Playing career is still on the mind, but it was just about I wanted to have a feel of how that environment is. I love talking cricket and I love cricket on the whole. So it was really nice to be doing it alongside some really great people who also have the same interest. Shikha has strong views on how attacks should be built, too, and they are not the conventional ones. Around her in the TKR bowling group is a set of young Caribbean seamers, two of whom she singled out for praise before pushing back on the idea that conditions should dictate selection. They have really good medium paces in our team. It's like we have (Jannillea) Glasgow and (Jahzara) Claxton, who's another U19 superstar, and can hit the long ball. It's the same thing with Glasgow to be a lefty. Both of them being lefty and right-arm medium pacers - it's gold dust. I would say that in any country, the pace bowling resources are always available. It's just about being able to use it properly and I am not a firm believer of the fact that you choose a team depending upon conditions. I think if your main bowlers are pacers, they'll probably be able to bowl anywhere. The Indian contingent in the league has grown considerably since her first season with the franchise, when she and Jemimah Rodrigues were the only two players from the country. Apart from Pandey, Yastika Bhatia is with her at TKR, while Barbados Tridents have Pooja Vastrakar, Harleen Deol and Kiran Navgire, which means theres ample room for chit-chats in Hindi. Actually, Pooja is a superstar and doesn't really require any input from me. The other day, I was talking to Pooja when we met and then she goes about how the foreign players start hitting you from ball one, which is probably something that differs from how we traditionally play as Indians. So, that's really nice and keeps people in a good state. I mean, I'm pretty sure Pooja has been challenged in that way and when she comes in next to bowl, she'll be ready for it. Firstly, I'm really happy that so many of the Indians have come down here to play. It used to be the first year that I played for TKR, it was just me and Jemi. But now we can probably just get to the lobby and speak to someone who speaks Hindi. It's really nice because we Indians on the whole are known to be really hardworking and people who are really good at crafting the skills. I'm really excited for everyone who's here from India to be doing well, because then it opens up another opportunity for you to be playing competitive cricket just outside of the domestic cricket and in case someone wants to make a comeback, it really helps. Hopefully, it really helps them to put up good performances and get noticed. All of this method, she said, comes from a conclusion she reached about herself a long time ago. Asked how she would like to be remembered, Shikha did not reach out for a statistic. I guess I would have said to be remembered as a good teammate, not a good athlete. I was never very talented. I have had to put in a lot of hard work and probably if you're ready to struggle, which I was, I think you can go ahead and do things in life. It's really nice because we Indians on the whole are known to be really hardworking and people who are really good at crafting the skills. I'm really excited for everyone who's here from India to be doing well, because then it opens up another opportunity for you to be playing competitive cricket just outside of the domestic cricket and in case someone wants to make a comeback, it really helps. Hopefully, it really helps them to put up good performances and get noticed. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories I look for if even a single girl who would come out to watch the game yesterday or day before got inspired by watching us and me play, that is what I take cricket for. So, just to be able to inspire someone new to take up the sport would be a really huge achievement for me, she concluded. Article Source: IANS
ZIM vs AUS 1st ODI Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI
ZIM vs AUS 1st ODI, Cricket Tips: Zimbabwe and Australia are all set to collide in a three-match ODI series in the next coming days. The first ODI is scheduled to commence at 1 PM IST at Harare Sports Club on September 15. Sikandar Raza will lead Zimbabwe in the absence of captain Richard Ngarava. Greame Cremer is back for the hosts and will play his first ODI since March 2018. Mitchell Marsh will be leading Australia in the absence of Pat Cummins. Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from ODIs. Travis Head, Marsh, Cameron Green, and Josh Inglis make an explosive batting top order for Australia. Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, and Nathan Ellis will provide the much-needed experience with the ball. ZIM vs AUS: Match Details Date : September 15, 2026 (Tuesday) Time : 1:00 PM IST Venue : Harare Sports Club, Harare ZIM vs AUS: Live Streaming Details In India, the live streaming of the ZIM vs AUS ODI series will be through the FanCode mobile app or website with a nominal fee. ZIM vs AUS: Head-to-Head in ODIs Total Matche s: 33 Zimbabwe : 3 Australia : 29 No-result : 1 ZIM vs AUS: Ground Pitch Report Harare Sports Club offers a slow wicket for ODIs. The wicket will have good bounce and movement when the ball is new, but as the match progresses on, spinners will start to get grip and turn. Batting first is a good option here in an afternoon game. ZIM vs AUS: Possible XIs Zimbabwe : Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sikandar Raza (C), Craig Ervine, Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Brad Evans, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri Australia : Mitch Marsh (C), Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood ZIM vs AUS: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Travis Head offers a one-man show, and he is a dangerous batter on his day. For Zimbabwe, Brian Bennett is someone who can score big hundreds. Probable Best Bowler Blessing Muzarabani and Josh Hazlewood are two tall bowlers who will be effective on this wicket with their height and bounce. Today Match Prediction : Zimbabwe have the home conditions on their sides, but Australia have a good combination. Hence, we predict Australia to get a win on Tuesday in Harare. ZIM vs AUS Match 1st ODI, Today Match ZIM vs AUS, ZIM vs AUS Prediction, ZIM vs AUS Predicted XIs, Injury Update for Zimbabwe vs Australia Match Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.
Inspired By Rocky And WWE, Varun Sanyal Ready To Make MMA Mark At Asian Games 2026 Debut
When Mixed Martial Arts: When Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) makes its Asian Games debut at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, Indias Varun Sanyal will enter the competition carrying both an established record and a personal journey shaped by wrestling, WWE and a love for the Rocky Balboa story. A two-time national champion and bronze medallist at the Asian AMMA Championships in China in January 2026, Varun will compete in the mens traditional 77kg division as MMA makes its first appearance as a medal sport at the Asian Games. Varun is part of a two-member Indian MMA contingent for the Games, alongside Suchika Tariyal Hooda, who represented India in kurash at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou and will compete in the womens 60kg category. A professional fighter and a first-class business management honours graduate from Queen Mary University of London, Varuns introduction to combat sports came through an unlikely combination of professional wrestling and cinema. WWE and TNA sparked his initial interest, while watching Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt succeed at the 2012 London Olympics pushed him further towards martial arts. Seeing our Olympians succeed really drew me towards martial arts and eventually towards MMA. MMA is, in many ways, the most primal form of sport and competition, so I was naturally drawn to it. Its also a life skill. Learning how to defend yourself, stay calm under pressure and make decisions when youre under physical threat are incredibly important skills. Having to make decisions under pressure, sometimes with very serious consequences, has been one of the biggest learnings Ive taken from MMA, Varun told SAI Media. Varuns sporting development was also shaped by a wide range of disciplines. Growing up in Singapore, he played cricket, football, athletics and squash, while also taking up powerlifting before moving into wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai and eventually MMA. His father, economist and author Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, has been a constant source of support throughout that journey. Growing up, I remember my father taking me out to the field and kicking a football around with me. He would take me to play squash, wed sometimes go on random runs, and hed make us do exercises together. Even when I was very young, he put me into taekwondo classes, although I wasnt particularly interested in it at the time. As I grew up, whether it was playing cricket, going to the gym, or getting into powerlifting, he was always very supportive. MMA took him a little bit of time to come around to, but I cant deny how supportive hes been throughout my journey. When it comes to MMA, hes always discussing it with me and trying to understand the sport a little more. Hes supportive in whatever way he can be, said Varun. The Asian Games qualification journey, however, was far from straightforward. After winning the MMA SFI Nationals in 2025, Varun qualified for the Asian AMMA Championships in China, where his bronze medal placed him within the Asian ranking system. At the time, though, it wasnt particularly clear who had qualified for the Asian Games or what the qualification process was going to look like. There wasnt much clarity from the Asian side about how the qualification process would work. So rather than sitting around waiting, I decided to focus on my professional career. Eventually, I received final confirmation that I would be going to the Asian Games just two weeks before the Games themselves. So, obviously, preparing mentally and physically for something of this magnitude in such a short period has been quite a challenge. But I suppose thats part of sport. Thats what sport is, said Varun. Varun believes the inclusion of MMA at the Asian Games could prove transformative for the discipline in India, although he feels athletes still need greater institutional backing. The government is now aware of MMA and has shown more interest in the sport over the last year than it ever has before. That is certainly a positive step. We are still having to find support from different places just to continue our careers. Im fortunate to have Raphe mPhibr sponsoring me and supporting me on my journey, and Ive had other people support me over the years as well. But I understand that MMA is still a relatively new sport, and I trust that things will improve with time. Varun also acknowledged the efforts of national federation president Nikhil Kunder and others who have helped sustain the sport in India. I know how difficult it must be. The nationals, the events that have been conducted, and a lot of the training and expenses involved in supporting the fighters have been funded by the people running the federation themselves. A lot of that money has effectively gone straight out of Nikhils or the other peoples own pockets. So, while Im happy that the government is now looking at MMA more closely, I would like to see that interest translate into more direct support for the athletes. Varun also acknowledged the efforts of national federation president Nikhil Kunder and others who have helped sustain the sport in India. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories We now have two Indian athletes who have qualified and are ranked in the top six in Asia. I dont see why there cant be more. I dont see why, eventually, we cant fill all the weight categories in MMA in the same way that we do in sports like wrestling and boxing, said Varun. Article Source: IANS
Zimbabwe plot to topple Australia again with World Cup on horizon
Host keen to upset a vulnerable Australia again after T20 World Cup triumph while the defending ODI world champions look at reconnaissance mission ahead of 2027
Pakistan docked 11 WTC points for a slow over-rate in Edgbaston Test
Pakistan, already at the bottom of the WTC points table when they lost the opening Test in England, now have just 4.63 points in this cycle
Mitchell Marsh Calls ODIs vs Zimbabwe, South Africa A Great Opportunity For World Cup
Australia are in Zimbabwe for a three-match ODI series and will travel to South Africa for three ODIs and three Tests in what is an action-packed schedule.
Indonesia Cricket Chairman Abhiram Singh Yadav Jumps Into Race For Vacant ICC CEC Post
Royal Dutch Cricket Association: Persatuan Cricket Indonesia chairman Abhiram Singh Yadav has confirmed that he is entering the race for the vacant Associate Member position on the International Cricket Councils (ICC) Chief Executives Committee (CEC). The vacancy arose after Frances Gurumurthy Palani was elected to the ICC Board at its annual conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, in July. The elected representative will serve the remaining 10 months of the two-year term alongside current members Gurdeep Klair and Anuraag Bhatnagar until fresh elections are held next year. One member may be advanced in an area where another is only beginning, and somewhere else the position may be reversed. There is enormous knowledge within Associate cricket. We should be sharing it and helping each other to make progress in cricket, Yadav told IANS on Monday. Yadav is the sole candidate from Asia and the East Asia-Pacific (EAP) regions, while the others are from Europe: Sarah Gomersall (CEO, Jersey Cricket), Rashid Khan (Royal Dutch Cricket Association/KNCB), and Vignesh Sankaran (Vice-President, Deutscher Cricket Bund - Germany). An electoral college of 43 Associate nations - comprising 14 votes from Asia, six from EAP, 11 from Africa, 10 from Europe, and two from the Americas - will elect the representative, though the USA and Canada are ineligible to vote. Campaigning on a platform of structured consultation and equal opportunity, Yadav has set out six core priorities: strengthening the Associate voice, expanding competitive pathways, ensuring fair resource allocation, building knowledge-sharing networks, leveraging multi-sport events such as the Olympics, and maintaining post-election accountability. These are not six prescriptions that every country must follow in the same way. They are areas where I believe representation can make a practical difference. The priorities within them have to come from the Members themselves. Some countries may need infrastructure, some more meaningful competition, others stronger domestic cricket, coaching, womens and youth pathways, governance or commercial capability. The approach has to be global in outlook, but relevant in application, he added. Under Yadavs leadership, Indonesia reached the inaugural 2023 ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup and made its debut in the 2026 Women's Asia Cup in Dubai. Hes also looking into inaugurating permanent turf grounds as part of the Bali International Oval project - a move publicly praised by ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta. Some countries may need infrastructure, some more meaningful competition, others stronger domestic cricket, coaching, womens and youth pathways, governance or commercial capability. The approach has to be global in outlook, but relevant in application, he added. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories I dont claim to have every answer. I will listen before I speak, learn before I decide, represent fairly and, if given the responsibility, I will serve with humility, preparation and accountability, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Vaas and Mishra set to join Delhi Capitals as bowling coaches
The duo join a new-look coaching staff that also includes Sourav Ganguly (head coach) and Yuvraj Singh (batting coach)
The Womens Asia Cup 2026 final saw India take on Sri Lanka. The two sides met at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 13. The clash saw India register a dominant 72-run victory as...
Amritsar Soormas Crowned Champions Of Sher-E-Punjab T20 League
Amritsar Soormas were crowned Sher-E-Punjab T20 League following their eight-wicket win over Ludhiana Lions in Mohali on Sunday.
He's Pretty Inconsistent: Sanju Samson Gets Blunt Verdict After Another Poor Show In T20Is
Sanju Samson was dismissed for 10 off eight balls. His last four T20I innings read 27, 1, 0 and 5
Shuffle in WTC Standings After Pakistan sanctions
Shuffle in WTC Standings After Pakistan sanctions
IND vs AFG 2nd T20I Preview: India Eye Series Win As Afghanistan Look To Force A Fightback
Arun Jaitley Stadium: One game was enough to establish the early hierarchy in the three-match series. The second could reveal whether Afghanistan have an answer. India return to the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday with a 1-0 lead over Afghanistan, knowing another victory will seal the series. For Ibrahim Zadrans side, however, the equation is considerably more urgent: another defeat would leave them with only Thursdays final T20I to salvage something from a series that began with promise but ended in a seven-wicket defeat. The opening match exposed the difference between the two sides starts. Afghanistan were four down inside the powerplay and eventually slipped to 43/5 before Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi rebuilt the innings with an 83-run partnership. Omarzais unbeaten 64 off 44 balls dragged Afghanistan to 156/8, but the total never looked imposing once Indias chase got underway. Arshdeep Singhs 3/19 had already done the damage with the ball. Then came Abhishek Sharma. The left-hander turned the chase into a procession, smashing 82 from just 32 balls, including seven sixes and seven fours. Ishan Kishans 42 provided the support as India raced to 157/3 in 13.4 overs, leaving Afghanistan with little opportunity to bring their celebrated spin attack into the contest. That could make the second T20I a different proposition. Afghanistans first task is obvious: survive the new-ball phase. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for a duck by Jasprit Bumrah in the opening over of the series, while the Indian attack kept the pressure on before Omarzai and Nabis recovery. If Afghanistan are to challenge India, Ibrahim Zadran, Gurbaz and the top order will need to give the middle order something substantial to work with. Omarzai, meanwhile, has already provided a template. His counter-attacking innings was the clearest sign that Indias bowling can be disrupted when Afghanistan take the initiative rather than simply trying to survive. Mohammad Nabis experience also remains crucial, particularly against a batting line-up that could again attempt to dominate from the outset. For India, the bigger question may be selection rather than form. Shreyas Iyer had described the abundance of options between Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as a luxury before the series. India eventually went with Abhishek and Samson at the top for the opener, leaving Sooryavanshi out. Abhisheks 82 has now made that decision considerably harder to revisit, while Samsons 10 means the competition for places remains alive. Ishan Kishans 42 further complicates the equation, although his performance also demonstrated why Indias batting depth is such a problem for Afghanistan. The bowling department, meanwhile, delivered precisely the sort of start India would have wanted from Jasprit Bumrahs return. Bumrah struck early, while Arshdeeps three-wicket haul provided the cutting edge. Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy also picked up wickets as Afghanistan struggled to build momentum. Bumrahs workload could be worth watching, particularly with India also preparing for the Asian Games. Harshit Rana is unavailable after suffering a rectus femoris strain during a training simulation, with Yash Thakur brought into the squad as his replacement. Afghanistan, meanwhile, have no shortage of weapons waiting to make a bigger impact. Their squad contains Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Nangyal Kharoti, while Naveen-ul-Haqs return adds another dimension to the pace attack. Ibrahim Zadran is also playing his first series as Afghanistans full-time T20I captain. The challenge is turning that individual quality into a collective performance. India have historically held the upper hand in this fixture, and Sundays result extended their winning record in T20Is against Afghanistan. But the second game presents Afghanistan with one final opportunity to put pressure back on the world champions before the series slips away. For India, it is about finishing the job. For Afghanistan, it is about making India work for it. And after the first game was effectively decided by Indias explosive start, Tuesdays contest may come down to one simple question: can Afghanistan finally control the first six overs? When: Tuesday, September 15, 7:30 PM IST Where: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi Where to watch: The match will be shown live on Sony Sports Ten 3, 4 and 5 SD & HD channels on TV. Live-streaming will be available on the FanCode app and website. Squads Where to watch: The match will be shown live on Sony Sports Ten 3, 4 and 5 SD & HD channels on TV. Live-streaming will be available on the FanCode app and website. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Noor Rahman (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai and Naveen-ul-Haq. Article Source: IANS
ODIs Against Zimbabwe, SA A Great Opportunity To Learn From Conditions For 2027 WC
ODI World Cup: Australia stand-in ODI captain Mitchell Marsh believes that the upcoming African tour will provide defending champions Australia with ideal opportunities to learn the conditions ahead of the 2027 World Cup in southern Africa. Australia are in Zimbabwe for a three-match ODI series and will travel to South Africa for three ODIs and three Tests in what is an action-packed schedule. Speaking ahead of the ODI series, Marsh stressed the importance of playing in these conditions for players who have not been here before. I think it presents a great opportunity, he told Fox Sports Im not sure how many, certainly the younger guys, have actually played much cricket in Zimbabwe and South Africa, and I think one of the good things is that its quite similar to the conditions that we face in Australia. Albeit it can be a little bit more hostile over there. Certainly, South Africa love playing against Australia, and we love playing against them. So it always provides a great challenge, he added. Australia have had mixed results in the ODIs since winning the ODI World Cup 2023, but they have not fielded what seems to be their best teams since that November 2023 triumph. They have lost away series in Pakistan and Bangladesh in their previous two outings but beat India 2-1 at home late last year. Marsh reasoned that the tough conditions in Pakistan and Bangladesh were behind the performances, as he himself was not part of the tours with inexperienced sides fielded. Oh look, I think a lot of times its conditions based, he said. You look at the Pakistan (and) Bangladesh series; theyre really tough conditions for what was a really young, inexperienced team at times, and theyre only going to be better for that. And those places are really hard to win with your best team available, so I just saw that as an area for growth in our group, and guys getting experience in that. We know that in the conditions that were going to face in Zimbabwe and South Africa, we play really good cricket and we sort of understand the brand that we play. World Cups are a lot about timing and a bit of luck, as we saw in 2023. But looking forward to whats going to be a huge build-up to that, as I said, theres so much cricket to be played before then, but the ODI World Cup feels like the pinnacle of the white ball game and certainly we are looking forward to it. Australia have a gruelling Test schedule ahead, and their players, especially the big three fast bowlers - Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc- are picking and choosing. Marsh spoke on the busy schedule. We havent played a whole heap of one-day cricket over the last sort of 12 to 18 months, Marsh said. Australia have a gruelling Test schedule ahead, and their players, especially the big three fast bowlers - Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc- are picking and choosing. Marsh spoke on the busy schedule. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories But I think what that provides us is an opportunity to create as much depth as we possibly can, and when we get to the 2027 World Cup, well have hopefully a really big sport to choose from, and its great to get some young guys in around our group. Article Source: IANS
In a major blow to Pakistan Cricket, the side has been hit with a major sanction by the ICC (International Cricket Council). It is worth noting that the Babar Azam-led side was recently clean-swept by...
Pakistan fined heavily for slow over-rate in Edgbaston Test
Pakistan's cricket team has been fined 50 per cent of their match fee and docked 11 World Test Championship points due to a slow over-rate during their third Test against England in Birmingham, a match they lost by 8 wickets, contributing to a 0-3 series whitewash.
Pakistan Cleared To Play Hockey In India, Says Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann
The Asian Champions Trophy, to be held from October 27 to November 5, will feature India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia, and Korea and will be played at Jalandhar and Mohali's hockey stadiums.
Pakistan Slip To Single-digit PCT In WTC Table After Double Sanction
Emirates ICC Elite Panel: Pakistan have been hit with a double sanction for maintaining a slow over rate during their third Test defeat against England at Edgbaston, which has pushed them down to a single-digit percentage in the World Test Championship. Pakistan have been handed a fine of 50 per cent of their match fees and have also been deducted 11 WTC points for being 11 overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration during their eight-wicket loss to England in Birmingham, ICC stated. The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Chris Gaffaney, third umpire Allahudien Palekar, and fourth umpire Russell Warren and Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction on the Babar Azam-led side after a horrific 0-3 whitewash to England. This has forced Pakistan to slip into single digits in the points percentage. They were already dead bottom in ninth place in the WTC standings following their Birmingham defeat with a PCT of 14.81. However, this 11-point deduction has sent their PCT to 4.63 per cent. They now have only five points from nine matches after this latest deduction. They have won two matches and lost seven in the ongoing WTC cycle, but their slow-over rate offences have now cost them 19 of their 24 points. Before this 11-point deduction, Pakistan were also docked eight points due to their slow-over rate in the Dhaka Test against Bangladesh in May this year. Australia continue to hold the top spot in the WTC standings. They have 96 points and a PCT of 80 per cent after their 1-1 draw against Bangladesh. South Africa occupy the second spot with 36 points from four matches and a PCT of 75, followed by New Zealand, who sit close in third with a PCT of 72.22 per cent from six matches. Before this 11-point deduction, Pakistan were also docked eight points due to their slow-over rate in the Dhaka Test against Bangladesh in May this year. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories England are sixth with a PCT of 38.54 following their win over Pakistan in the third Test. Sri Lanka and West Indies are seventh and eighth, respectively, in the points table. The Lankan side has a PCT of 33.33 in six matches, while the Windies tally a PCT of 20.83 from 12 games. Article Source: IANS
2nd T20I: India look to seal series, address fifth-bowler conundrum against Afghanistan
Shreyas Iyer's men ticked all the boxes as pacer Arshdeep Singh and opening batter Abhishek Sharma produced sensational performances to set up the win
A big runway into the World Cup: Nathan Ellis sets sights on Australias 2027 title defence
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) Australia pacer Nathan Ellis sees the six ODIs against Zimbabwe and South Africa this month as a crucial opportunity to stake his claim for the 2027 ICC Mens Cricket World Cup squad, with the 31-year-old using the upcoming assignments in southern Africa to sharpen his game and help Australia understand conditions they could encounter during next years title defence. Australia begin their three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe in Harare on Tuesday before travelling to face South Africa in another three-game series later this month. With the 2027 World Cup set to be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, Ellis believes the fixtures offer Australia valuable preparation time rather than simply another block of bilateral cricket. Describing the period as an extended preparation window, Ellis said the Australian camp was focused on extracting as much information as possible from the matches. As a team it's gathering information, getting what we can out of it. What works, what doesn't work. It's a great platform and gives us a big runway into the World Cup next year, Ellis was quoted by cricket.com.au. For Ellis, the series also carries a personal significance. He missed Australias successful 2023 World Cup campaign because of injury and will be eager to ensure he is fit and performing when the selectors settle on the 15-player squad for the next edition. The right-armer has since established himself as an important member of Australias white-ball plans, offering versatility through his variations and an ability to contribute during both the powerplay and death overs. With six ODIs scheduled across Zimbabwe and South Africa, Ellis sees plenty of scope for the Australian group to test ideas before the World Cup arrives. It's a great opportunity for us here. We've got six games to get what we can out of it, gather as much information and start putting that all together for the big tournament next year, he added. The Zimbabwe series will also give Australia an opportunity to settle an old score. Zimbabwe stunned them by 23 runs at the T20 World Cup in Colombo earlier this year, and Ellis believes that result has added another layer to their upcoming meetings. We've played them (Zimbabwe) a little bit now and I guess you could say we've built up a little bit of a rivalry, Ellis noted. They've had the wood over us more recently in the T20 World Cup so I'm excited to not only try and get a little bit of redemption but also start building towards the one day World Cup in a year or so time, he stated.
India Look To Seal T20I Series Despite Bowling Concerns
India is set to face Afghanistan in the second T20I, aiming to clinch the series despite ongoing concerns about a reliable fifth bowling option in the absence of Hardik Pandya. The team delivered a dominant performance in the first match, securing a seven-wicket victory.
Uttarakhand Premier League Announces Icon Players Ahead Of Sep 16 Players Draft
The Uttarakhand Premier League: As the Uttarakhand Premier League (UPL) is set to enter its third season, it has announced seven Icon Players ahead of the Players Draft, scheduled for September 16. The seven players named as Icon Players for UPL 2026 are Akash Madhwal, Jagadeesha Suchith, Kunal Chandela, Avneesh Sudha, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Tejasvi Jaiswal and Mayank Mishra. The presence of established performers alongside emerging talent from Uttarakhand is expected to add further competitiveness and experience to the league's third season. With the Players Draft, franchises will look to build their squads around the Icon Players while identifying the next generation of talent from across the state. The seven Icon Players bring a blend of experience and emerging talent to UPL 2026. Madhwal, who has represented Uttarakhand and made his mark at the highest level of domestic and franchise cricket, adds considerable experience to the competition. Suchith brings extensive domestic and T20 experience, while Chandela has been a consistent presence in Uttarakhand cricket. Young talents Avneesh Sudha, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Tejasvi Jaiswal and Mayank Mishra further underline the leagues emphasis on providing opportunities to the next generation of cricketers from Uttarakhand. Speaking ahead of the draft, Kiran Verma, Secretary, Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU), said, The Uttarakhand Premier League has grown significantly over the first two seasons and has become an important platform for players from the state. The announcement of the Icon Players ahead of the third season adds further excitement and experience to the competition. We are confident that the Players Draft will provide another opportunity for talented cricketers to earn recognition and take the next step in their careers. Mahim Verma, Former Vice-President, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Former Secretary, Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU), said,The third season comes at an exciting time, and the inclusion of these Icon Players will bring valuable experience and inspiration for young cricketers. The Players Draft on September 16 will be a crucial moment as teams begin shaping their squads for another competitive season. Speaking ahead of the draft, Kiran Verma, Secretary, Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU), said, The Uttarakhand Premier League has grown significantly over the first two seasons and has become an important platform for players from the state. The announcement of the Icon Players ahead of the third season adds further excitement and experience to the competition. We are confident that the Players Draft will provide another opportunity for talented cricketers to earn recognition and take the next step in their careers. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Navneet Mishra, COO, Uttarakhand Premier League 2026, said, The announcement of the Icon Players marks the beginning of an exciting phase leading into the Players Draft. We are working towards making UPL 2026 bigger and more competitive while keeping the development of Uttarakhands cricketing talent at the heart of the tournament. Article Source: IANS
Pakistan Hit Rock Bottom, ICC Imposes Huge Penalty, Deduct Points For Code Of Conduct Breach
Pakistan was fined half their match fees and docked 11 World Test Championship points for a slow over-rate in the final Test against England in Birmingham.
The Indian team put forth a brilliant performance in the final of the Womens Asia Cup 2026. The side took on Sri Lanka in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 13, and the Women in Blue managed to register a 72-run victory to win the game and clinch the title.
Conscious, Institutional Decision in Prevailing Circumstances: Saikia on Asia Cup Trophy Row
The Indian women's team defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final on Sunday in Dubai but did not accept the trophy from Naqvi
A year to go - Australia's to-do list for ODI World Cup defence
Filling the roles played by Steven Smith in the middle order and Glenn Maxwell with both bat and ball will be key
BCCI: Asia Cup trophy refusal was 'institutional' decision
The BCCI has clarified that the Indian women's cricket team's decision not to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council's Pakistani chief Mohsin Naqvi was a conscious, institutional call, made due to prevailing circumstances and national sentiments.
Sanju Samson vs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Fight Continues As India Eye Series Win vs Afghanistan
With in-form youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi breathing down his neck, Sanju Samson would hope to turn the tide quickly and retain his opening slot as Shreyas Iyer finalises the XI for India's Asian Games campaign in Japan.
Coach plays down fielding woes after Asia Cup triumph
Despite India's dominant Asia Cup victory, head coach Amol Muzumdar acknowledged fielding as an area for improvement, while dismissing concerns over the middle-order's performance.
Afghanistan look for better result as India hope for a repeat of near-perfect opener
There is no reason for India to change their XI for the second game, but they do have Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on the bench
Remarks Against India, Politics: What Makes PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi Controversial
For the second consecutive tournament, the BCCI refused to accept a trophy from the hands of Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also a political leader in Pakistan.
Not Directed At Players: BCCI Explains Asia Cup Trophy Handover Stance
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said the Indian women's team refused the Asia Cup trophy from Pakistan's ACC chief as a conscious institutional decision.
'Don't Look At Me Like A Bechari'
'I hate sympathy,' says India's vice-captain and top-ranked batter Smriti Mandhana.
Pakistan Star, Sent Back Home Mid-Series From England, Slams Triple Hundred
Playing for the Kingsmen Academy at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, the batter played a blistering knock of 300 off 336 balls against Markhor IT Solutions, taking his side's total to 565/7.
'BCCI Loves To Fool Indian Fans'
During the Asia Cup final on Sunday, the cameras panned to the guest box at the Dubai international stadium and showed BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia in conversation with Asian Cricket Council Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi On Bench, Pressure On Sanju Samson After Fresh Failure
The first T20I of the three-match series against Afghanistan began on a dominant note for India as they registered a seven-wicket victory in Delhi.
Despite Asia Cup Win, India Women's Team Coach Keen On Improving One Factor
India crushed Sri Lanka in a one-sided final by 72 runs on Sunday to claim the Asia Cup (T20) for an eighth time, but as many as 13 dropped catches in five matches took some sheen off their dominant and unbeaten run.
Almost the exact same sequence had unfolded when India's men, led by Suryakumar Yadav, won the Asia Cup at the same venue last September. On Sunday, Harmanpreet Kaur's side beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs to lift the women's title.
Position taken by BCCI and we stand by it: Muzumdar on not accepting Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi
The Indian women's cricket team fully supports the BCCI's decision regarding the Asia Cup trophy. Coach Amol Muzumdar stated that winning the tournament is sufficient for the players. The team comprehensively defeated Sri Lanka in the final to secure their eighth title. This refusal to accept the trophy from the ACC chief is a repeat of a past stance.
Team backs BCCI's stance to refuse trophy from Naqvi: Coach
The Indian women's cricket team fully supports the BCCI's decision not to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council's Pakistani chief Mohsin Naqvi, with head coach Amol Muzumdar stating that winning the tournament is 'good enough' for the players.
1st T20I: Its about hitting the sweet spot, says Chakaravarthy after India show glimpses of old self
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) An age-old adage in cricket says that a successful and fearsome outfit features good bowlers who hunt in pairs. On Sunday, as India kicked off their T20I series in front of a buzzing Arun Jaitley Stadium as the visitors, that line played out to perfection. In what was also Indias first T20I game in India since the T20 World Cup win in March, Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy made successful returns from injury-enforced layoffs, and were well-supported by Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel to leave Afghanistans batting in ruins. Later, Abhishek Sharma blazed his way to 82 and ensured a 157-run target was completed in just 13.4 overs, ensuring the track India Waale from Happy New Year movie echoed loudly right from Bumrah taking out Rahmanullah Gurbaz - for the T20 World Cup holders. In the aftermath of their T20 World Cup triumph at home, India had found themselves grappling with an unfamiliar slump a shock defeat to Ireland was followed by loss in England. Though they managed to get the series win in Zimbabwe, the spin bowling department, a bedrock of their domination via Chakaravarthy and Axar, with Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav chipping in, had temporarily lost its edge. But Sundays outing showed signs of a reassuring return of the spinners to their best self. A frugal stump-to-stump leash from Axar and Chakaravarthy, who picked a scalp each, meant India looked and delivered like a team operating in a different realm. On a pitch which looked good to bat, the Indian spinners hit the 46m band for 60.7 percent of their deliveries to have combined figures of 2-26 at an economy rate of 4.59. Afghanistans spinners Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi managed to hit that band for just 53.1 percent balls and returned with 1-48, at an economy rate of 8.47. In the post-match press conference, Chakaravarthy explained how precise planning on length dictated their strategy. We are used to playing on such pitches and we know the dimensions very well. It is not a big ground. So, there are certain lengths that we have to get and we were initially given the stats that these lengths work in this ground and these lengths do not work in this ground. So, we stuck to our plans and worked with it. After Vande Matarams maiden bow in an international cricket game, Bumrah took just two legal deliveries to announce his return - forcing Rahmanullah Gurbaz to misjudge the bounce and register his 11th T20I duck. Though Afghanistan briefly rallied, Axars entry initiated a slide for the designated hosts. A mix-up led to run-out of skipper Ibrahim Zadran, and five balls later Sediqullah Atal departed off Arshdeep. At 39/3 after five overs, Afghanistan needed relief - instead, Axar and Chakaravarthy conceded just 11 runs across the next four overs while removing Gulbadin Naib (with a slower ball wide of off-stump) and Darwish Rasooli (with a quicker delivery that came in sharply). Together, the spin duo returned 2-43 from eight overs at an economy rate of 5.37, while Arshdeep starred with 3 for 19. Generally, my pace is within a certain range only. So, I don't change my pace much, but it is the same. It is just the lengths, I think, which matter in this wicket which are written. It is not very full or very short. It is just right in between that sweet spot which you have to hit, that works in this wicket, added Chakaravarthy. Reflecting on his outing after having a tough time in England, before a hamstring injury sent him to rehab and recovery, Chakaravarthy stated that the tour did teach him a few good things. It is just good, because the England tour was also good for me. Just because we didn't win, it doesn't mean that it has gone for waste. You get to learn a lot if you do the right thing. So, there is nothing that goes to waste. As I said, even if things wouldn't have gone our way, we would have had the same mindset as to learn something. So, every match is a learning and the results sometimes come our way, and sometimes it doesn't. Injuries are very common for all the sports people and it just shows that we are working, and we are giving our best. Sometimes, we push beyond our limits and that's when the body gives in. So, that's when we have to take a step back and work better and come back stronger. Chakaravarthy expanded further on how he insulates himself from the emotional highs and lows of wicket-taking life. It is the same. So, what you are referring to is results. I cannot go by results. If I go by results, I will start reacting to each and everything. If it goes my way, I will start being very happy. If it doesn't go my way, I will become very sad and I cannot go that way. So, the best way for me is to see the process. If it is a good ball and if it still differs, I will always take it. But if it is a bad ball and it is a wicket, I have to go and work on it again. So, that's how it works. You told it's all about wickets. But it's not about wickets. It is about if I am bowling in the right place or not. Whatever happens after that, it's not in my control. So, what's in my control is till I pitch the ball. After the ball pitches, if the ball can turn or cannot turn, it's not in my control. I'll see till that point. If it is still that, if it is fine, yeah, I'll take it. I don't go by results. Though Azmatullah Omarzais unbeaten 64 off 44 balls dragged Afghanistan to 157, as he and Mohammad Nabi made merry out of Indias wafer-thin fifth bowling options, the total proved completely defenceless once Abhishek, who made only 11 runs in the series win in Zimbabwe, smashed a 32-ball 82 and hammered boundaries in quick fashion. Watching the chase unfold from the pavilion, Chakaravarthy admitted he could only feel sympathy for the opposition spinners bowling to Abhishek and Ishan Kishan, who made 42. While sitting on top of the dressing room, I was just telling someone that against our teams batting line-up, you can't bowl spin. So, if you bowl spin against our batting line-up, they are just going to smack it left, right and centre. They are just so used to playing spinners. One of the best batting line-ups we have are in our top eight batters - anyone can take on any spinner in this world. I have personally bowled against them, while playing against them. I know how hard it is and I feel for their spinners. In the end, Sunday wasn't just about India taking a 1-0 lead in the series - it was also about them rediscovering the relentless efficiency that defines them, especially with the ball. With the spinners back in their rhythm, the pacers firing early, and Abhishek dismantling opposition bowlers with disdain, India looked every bit like their old, fearsome selves, once again.
1st T20I: Afghanistan erred in execution and made fundamental errors, says head coach Pybus
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) Designated as 'hosts' for the three-game T20I series, Afghanistan still found themselves firmly in foreign territory when they crumbled against the might of a near full-strength India. Afghanistan head coach Richard Pybus admitted that his side erred in execution and committed fundamental errors too. The Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday swerved almost entirely to Indias beats as the Shreyas Iyer-led side sauntered to a clinical seven-wicket win. Barring a modest and vocal pocket of Afghanistan supporters, the 25,165-strong crowd cheering for India effectively turned Afghanistan's 'home' fixture into a routine away assignment. Granted that Afghanistan took the field in a T20I game for the first time since February 19, their passive and almost resigned body language against a formidable India, especially when Abhishek Sharma went berserk to hit 82, raised concerns over whether they were caught up in overthinking or were intimated too much about facing India in India in Sundays game. Afghanistan head coach Richard Pybus refused to offer excuses following his sides seven-wicket defeat to India in the T20I series opener, conceding that a lack of preparation and poor execution cost them at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. First and foremost, I think it's important that you don't have any excuses. A lot of players came off after playing various domestic games, which is far from ideal preparation. Here we have a lot of boys who have played here in these conditions before and that equalises itself. The volume of games is a key, absolutely. The more you play together, the more you will understand each other's game plans, and the better you will be able to play together and even protect the squad. But it is what it is - we were lacking in execution and made fundamental mistakes. We will improve in that and be a lot more precise in our fundamentals. I wouldn't cast any doubt on our attempts, but our desire and our intention is always to put in good performances, he said in the post-match press conference. It didnt help that Afghanistan found a returning Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, a charged up Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel too hot to handle on a good batting pitch, with half of their batting line-up gone inside the first seven overs. Well, I think we lost four wickets for four overs. What went wrong? Well, what went wrong is, we didn't adapt. So when I talk about us actually being able to execute, it is about assessing conditions, it's about us being able to read them and get the partnerships going. But I also need to be fair to my guys - it's our first time as a team after quiet a long time, added Pybus. Afghanistans buildup to the series was severely disrupted by weather in the capital, which hampered their on-field training sessions ahead of the game at the Yamuna Sports Complex. We've been rain affected here in terms of our preparation, so it's important for us to get into the rhythm of the series. Obviously we wanted to win the first game, but I need to be fair to the guys and give them the opportunity for us to work through the series and see how we adapt. When I got off the aeroplane, we had a couple of days of torrential rain. So to be fair for groundsmen there, I mean, it was under water for two days. It wasn't ideal, it wasn't ideal - we arrived in the monsoon so we've got to be able to adapt. The key with the preparation is that, as I said earlier, it's not about making mistakes, it's about us, it's about us focusing on our game and getting it right. With only a 24-hour turnaround before the next games comes on Tuesday, Pybus felt clarity of mind will be the key in equalizing the series scoreline. Again, for me and myself, here it comes back to the same point. It's about turning up and not us delivering our skills - it's about our execution, we've got to be deliberate and precise. We saw we were off that, and we will be reviewing that, and reflecting on it. We've got a very short turnaround, we need to be much, much better going into the second game. But I think clarity of mind and being really, really clear on what we've got to deliver is key, bearing in mind how short the turnaround is. The lone spark of defiance came from Azmatullah Omarzai, whose unbeaten 44-ball 64 took Afghanistan to a respectable 156/8. Omarzais late counter-attack was another example of him stepping up for Afghanistan under pressure. Omarzais 64 not out is also the second-highest score by a number six or lower batter against India in T20Is, behind only Dasun Shanakas 74 not out in 2022. It also stands equal to new T20I skipper Ibrahim Zadrans 64 in Dubai as the highest individual score by an Afghan batter against India in the shortest format. He's a very special talent. He's got the ability to judge length very quickly and get on top of the bounce against the spinners and the pacers. I think we've seen it whenever he's played for Afghanistan and through the World Cups, he's good at the pressure and he's somebody who turns up. He's a very, very good player and he's an asset to Afghanistan, said Pybus, while replying to a question from IANS. This series marks Pybuss first T20I assignment with Afghanistan, and he highlighted how the process of working with the seamers is still a work in progress, including Naveen-ul-Haq, who is still not match fit. Against India, the Afghanistan pacers lacked serious penetration to stop a marauding Abhishek. Well we have got Naveen, whos coming back from a long-term injury, you know, we have got a leader who has been doing that for a long time, so we need to manage him. It's about getting him operating properly, it's the first time I have been with this side, as well as being with Fazal, Azmat and Naveen in this format. So it's about getting to know the bowlers, the work on them, trying to get them prepared, and I need time to work with them, for the staff to work with them, getting them where we want them to be. So over the next six months, we will have that time working with them and seeing how they respond and that's where we will be able to give a better reflection on how we turn up. Despite the sub-par defensive effort with the ball, Pybus remains confident in the group's spin bowling resources delivering the goods in upcoming matches. Long-term picture is always a given. The reality is that we are here in this series, and I think we have got a really good line-up of spin bowlers and many of them are experiencing these conditions. Here on this day, we were considerably short on the type of target that we should have been able to set. Again execution is an issue, it's not a lack of skills. Short, medium and long-term planning with the development leading to players back in Afghanistan is always hundred percent. But I do think we have got a highly talented and very competent spin bowlers in the team - it's about us getting our game together in the next year or two. Looking at the broader trajectory of the team, Pybus mentioned the gulf that currently exists between Afghanistan and top-ranked sides like India, while backing Zadran to bounce back from a tough debut game as the T20I captain. Well, the development of the side of the team is, we're number 10 in the rankings, and we're playing as the number one team. So we want to incrementally work our way through that. In the development of any side, we've got to get this first skill, get our foundations right. There's a definitive gap in understanding and execution when you're playing against the top sides of the world. So I think with Ibrahim, I've got to say to him as captain, obviously we're just a group together, I've got to be able to support him 100 percent. He's got to get it in there and he needs to know he's got my confidence. Again, in developing his relationships with his players, he's absolutely brand new in the role. I know that he's stood in previously for Rashid, etc. So long term is just keep on improving the side, developing the side. I'm really looking forward to the next couple of games. We're much, much better than what we showed here. Getting the guys focused and long term, where do you want to go? I mean, we've seen the development of Afghanistan pretty historically and it's been exponential. So we want to, when we're playing these series, we want to come here and win this series. There's plenty of work to be done as you can see, Pybus concluded.
Women's Team Showed Solidarity With 2025 Men's Stance On Asia Cup Trophy: BCCI Secy Saikia
Dubai International Cricket Stadium: BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia reflected on the Indian women's team's decision to decline the Asia Cup trophy and cheque from the Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi after their triumphant campaign, stating that the team showed complete solidarity with the precedent set by the men's team last year. The Indian women's team opted not to take the Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi after winning the continental showpiece for the record-extending eighth time, following their 72-run win against Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. did not turn up to receive their trophy from Naqvi, who is also the Federal Minister for Interior in Pakistan. The move mirrored the decision of the mens team which did the same after winning the mens Asia Cup beating Pakistan in 2025. Our men's team won the Asia Cup a year and a half ago. Our overall situation changed after the Pahalgam incident in April 2025, Saikia told IANS. Following that event, citizens across the country called on us to sever all ties and refrain from playing cricket with the neighbouring nation. However, our central government has a clear policy that we should participate against every country in multi-nation tournaments. We respect and strictly abide by that policy, and the BCCI remains ready to play in all multi-nation events. Saikia made it clear that fulfilling international sporting commitments does not equate to accepting all conditions. Our relations with that country have deteriorated significantly since April 2025, and ongoing operations continue. We simply cannot accept a trophy from one of their main leader who acts against our country. Just as our men's team chose not to take the trophy, our women's team made the conscious decision to stand by that same move, he added. It doesnt diminish the performances of our team. Our team played superbly. In the men's tournament, we defeated Pakistan three times. This time, we defeated Pakistan once and won against Sri Lanka. We have won every match convincingly, without any close contests, which is a source of great pride. Women's cricket is rising in our country, and there is no greater proof than our recent achievements. Last November, we won the 50-over World Cup. Recently, we went to Lord's and defeated England in a Test match, and today, we won the Asia Cup. In 15 to 20 days, we will head to the Asian Games to compete for the gold medal. We are also actively working on our strategy for the 2028 ICC T20 World Cup. Whether we win the trophy or not, the entire world and everyone watching from India knows how exceptionally well our women's team played and how they outshone the competition. Our team has come a long way, and that is what matters most, said Saikia. Everything went very well. We won, and everyone is extremely happy. Everyone is proud of their performance, and the biggest thing is that our countrys name is shining bright. There could be no greater cause for happiness than this. Everyone put in complete hard work; the entire team performed exceptionally, and our support staff worked tirelessly, which resulted in us winning this tournament so easily, he told IANS hours after the game. Saikia further lauded the womens cricket team for their eighth Asia Cup title and said, Everything went very well. We won, and everyone is extremely happy. Everyone is proud of their performance, and the biggest thing is that our countrys name is shining bright. There could be no greater cause for happiness than this. Everyone put in complete hard work; the entire team performed exceptionally, and our support staff worked tirelessly, which resulted in us winning this tournament so easily, he said. Saikia further lauded the womens cricket team for their eighth Asia Cup title and said, Everything went very well. We won, and everyone is extremely happy. Everyone is proud of their performance, and the biggest thing is that our countrys name is shining bright. There could be no greater cause for happiness than this. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Currently, there are no such plans. Right now, our focus is on tomorrow, as our team will be leaving for Japan via Delhi. So, all our attention is set on the Asian Games starting in Japan, where our matches are scheduled for the 18th, 20th and 22nd. Our goal is to bring home the gold medal, and that is our sole objective. Article Source: IANS
Belfast Wolves Thrash Glasgow Cosmic by 103 Runs as Chapman, Humphreys Shine in ETPL
Belfast Wolves produced a complete all-round performance to beat Glasgow Cosmic by 103 runs in Match 25 of the ETPL at Malahide. After posting 187/8, the Wolves bowlers dismantled the Cosmic batting line-up and dismissed them for 84, securing one of their most emphatic victories of the tournament. Glasgow won the toss and elected to bowl, but Belfast quickly established a strong platform. Paul Stirling fell for 3 early, before Harry Manenti and Lorcan Tucker combined for a 73-run partnership that shifted the momentum towards the Wolves. Manenti played aggressively for his 39 off 26 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes, while Tucker provided stability at the other end with a composed 50 from 45 deliveries, including five fours and a six. Mark Chapman took charge of the closing stages. Chapman struck 54 from just 25 deliveries, hitting three fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 216. His 45-run stand with Tucker helped Belfast move through the middle overs and took the Wolves to 187/8 from their 20 overs. Liam Livingstone was Glasgows most successful bowler, taking 3/27, while Ali Khan and Paul van Meekeren claimed two wickets each. Glasgows reply never gathered momentum. Finn Allen fell for 6 and Jason Roy for 2 inside the opening three overs, leaving Cosmic under immediate pressure. George Munsey made 10, but Glenn Maxwell removed the Glasgow captain soon after the powerplay, with the score at 42/3. Moises Henriques provided the strongest resistance for Glasgow, scoring 31 from 25 balls with two sixes. However, wickets continued to arrive at regular intervals. Liam Livingstone and James Neesham were dismissed for one each, while Richie Berrington made 3 as the Cosmic innings slipped further away. Matthew Humphreys completed an outstanding spell, taking four wickets for 19 runs from his four overs. Mark Adair, Chris Jordan and Gavin Hoey also picked up wickets, while Maxwell contributed with both captaincy and a wicket. With the middle order unable to establish a partnership, Glasgow were eventually bowled out for 84, handing Belfast a 103-run victory. The Wolves performance was built around contributions across both innings: a strong batting platform, Chapmans late acceleration and a disciplined bowling display that kept Cosmic under pressure throughout the chase. The result further strengthens Belfast Wolves position in the ETPL standings, with the side moving into second place and level on points with Rotterdam Dockers. The Wolves have, however, played one more match than the Dockers, making their latest victory particularly valuable as the race for the top positions intensifies. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Belfasts campaign has been built on a strong run of wins, and this 103-run victory adds another emphatic result to their record. With their batting producing a formidable total and the bowling unit then defending it with authority, the Wolves have continued to underline their credentials as one of the leading sides in the competition.
New Delhi, Sep 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu on Monday congratulated the Indian women's cricket team for winning the T20 Asia Cup Championship, with both terming the triumph a proud moment for Indian. Harmanpreet Kaur-led Team India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in Dubai on Sunday to lift their record-extending eighth Asia Cup title. A proud moment for Indian cricket! Congratulations to the Women's team on winning the Asia Cup, Modi said in a post on 'X'. The prime minister said the confidence of the players, their consistency and remarkable spirit were on full display throughout the tournament. May this triumph inspire millions of youngsters across the country to play more and shine, he said The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, also expressed pleasure over the victory, saying that the girls in blue are a source of inspiration for our youth, especially our daughters. They are a source of great inspiration for our youth, especially our daughters. I am sure, they will script many more inspiring chapters of success and excellence, she said in a post on X. My heartiest congratulations to all the members of Team India on winning Women's T20 Asia Cup Championship 2026. They played superbly as a team throughout the tournament, winning all the matches. They have done the country proud, the President said.
Mohsin Naqvi's Stance Revealed As Women's Asia Cup Trophy Drama Snowballs Into Fresh Controversy
A report has claimed that Mohsin Naqvi, the Asian Cricket Council chief, was keen to hand over the Women's Asia Cup trophy to the Indian team himself, despite being informed of the BCCI's decision in advance.
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Women's Asia Cup: Prez Murmu lauds Indian team, calls them source of great inspiration for youth
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) President Droupadi Murmu on Monday lauded the Indian women's cricket team for their Asia Cup win, stating that the players are a source of great inspiration for India's youth, while adding that they have made the country proud. India won the Women's Asia Cup for a record-extending eighth time, defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the 2026 Asia Cup final on Sunday. In a post on X, President Murmu said, My heartiest congratulations to all the members of Team India on winning Women's T20 Asia Cup Championship 2026. They played superbly as a team throughout the tournament, winning all the matches. They have done the country proud. They are a source of great inspiration for our youth, especially our daughters. I am sure, they will script many more inspiring chapters of success and excellence, she added. The Women in Blue starred across all departments to avenge their 2024 final loss to Sri Lanka, as they continued to boss the Lankan side in the Asia Cup finals. This was India's sixth win against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup finals, including the ODI format and the 2004 tournament when India beat Sri Lanka 5-0 in the two-team tournament. India posted a strong total of 183/5, with Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana setting things up with a record 129-run stand for the opening wicket and scoring strong half-centuries. The Indian bowlers backed things pretty well as Shree Charani picked up four wickets, while Deepti Sharma also scalped two wickets to take the Women in Blue home. Shafali and Mandhana laid the foundation for the win with their 129-run stand. Shafali smashed 68 from 39 balls and also hit the fastest half-century in the history of the tournament, when she raised her bat for the milestone off just 24 deliveries. Mandhana made a composed 59 from 39 balls, but Sri Lanka made a strong comeback in the latter half of the innings. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur struggled at No.3, falling for 14 before Richa Ghosh was also removed for 17, while G Kamalini, playing her first match of the tournament, made a five-ball 15 to give the Women in Blue a strong finish. Brief Scores: India 183/5 (Shafali Verma 68, Smriti Mandhana 59; Mithali Ayodhya 1-33) beat Sri Lanka 111/10 (Chamari Athapaththu 36, Nilakshika Silva 22; Shree Charani 4-20, Deepti Sharma 3-19) by 72 runs.
'Proud Moment For Indian Cricket': PM Modi On Women's Asia Cup Triumph
Prime Minister Narendra Modi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated the Indian women's cricket team on winning the Women's Asia Cup, calling it a proud moment and lauding their confidence and consistency throughout the tournament. India won the Women's Asia Cup for a record-extending eighth time, defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the 2026 Asia Cup final on Sunday. Taking to X, PM Modi said, A proud moment for Indian cricket! Congratulations to the Women's team on winning the Asia Cup. Their confidence, consistency and remarkable spirit were on full display throughout the tournament. May this triumph inspire millions of youngsters across the country to play more and shine. The Women in Blue starred across all departments to avenge their 2024 final loss to Sri Lanka, as they continued to boss the Lankan side in the Asia Cup finals. This was India's sixth win against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup finals, including the ODI format and the 2004 tournament when India beat Sri Lanka 5-0 in the two-team tournament. India posted a strong total of 183/5, with Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana setting things up with a record 129-run stand for the opening wicket and scoring strong half-centuries. The Indian bowlers backed things pretty well as Shree Charani picked up four wickets, while Deepti Sharma also scalped two wickets to take the Women in Blue home. Shafali and Mandhana laid the foundation for the win with their 129-run stand. Shafali smashed 68 from 39 balls and also hit the fastest half-century in the history of the tournament, when she raised her bat for the milestone off just 24 deliveries. Mandhana made a composed 59 from 39 balls, but Sri Lanka made a strong comeback in the latter half of the innings. India posted a strong total of 183/5, with Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana setting things up with a record 129-run stand for the opening wicket and scoring strong half-centuries. The Indian bowlers backed things pretty well as Shree Charani picked up four wickets, while Deepti Sharma also scalped two wickets to take the Women in Blue home. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Brief Scores: India 183/5 (Shafali Verma 68, Smriti Mandhana 59; Mithali Ayodhya 1-33) beat Sri Lanka 111/10 (Chamari Athapaththu 36, Nilakshika Silva 22; Shree Charani 4-20, Deepti Sharma 3-19) by 72 runs. Article Source: IANS
'Retire!': Fans Lash Out At Sanju Samson
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Indian Women's Cricket Team Refuses To Accept Asia Cup Trophy From ACC Head Mohsin Naqvi
The Asia Cup trophy impasse continued for the second year in a row after the victorious Indian women's cricket on Sunday did not accept the cup from Mohsin Naqvi, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman from Pakistan. Harmanpreet Kaur-led India defeated
BCCI Informed Mohsin Naqvi In Advance: Asia Cup Trophy Behind The Scenes Drama Revealed
In 2025, the Suryakumar Yadav-led men's team had also declined to accept the silverware from Mohsin Naqvi due to geopolitical tensions and his anti-India stance.
Salman Agha responds to Test axing with triple century
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Trophy Chor: Mohsin Naqvi Suffers Huge Embarrassment After Another Asia Cup Trophy Drama
The Asia Cup trophy impasse continued for the second year in a row after the victorious Indian women's cricket team on Sunday did not accept the cup from Pakistan's Mohsin Naqvi.
Team India No-Show, Mohsin Naqvi Walks Out Early: What Exactly Happened After Women's Asia Cup Final
The Indian women's cricket team refused to accept the Women's Asia Cup 2026 trophy from PCB chief and Pakistan minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Melbourne Stars sign Overton twins simultaneously
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Great to see someone like Shafali take responsibility: Harmanpreet on Asia Cup victory
Head coach Amol Muzumdar credited India's strong batting effort, singling out Shafali Verma's power and charisma, Smriti Mandhana's flair and the team's three-pronged spin attack after India crushed Sri Lanka by 72 runs
Women's Asia Cup: India Beat Sri Lanka To Clinch Title
Dubai International Cricket Stadium: Harmanpreet Kaur-led Team India beat defending champions Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final of the Women's Asia Cup 2026 here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday to lift a record-extending eighth title. It was an all-round performance for the champions, with both bowlers and batters contributing as a unit to win the game and lift the crown. India lifted the trophy and became Asian champions yet again after bowling Sri Lanka out for 111 in their chase of 184. After Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma's half-centuries, which also saw them sharing a record 129-run opening stand, the bowlers worked their magic, with Shree Charani picking a four-wicket haul and Deepti Sharma taking three scalps. Kranti Gaud, Shafali and Prema Rawat contributed with one scalp each. It was an all-round performance for the champions, with both bowlers and batters contributing as a unit to win the game and lift the crown. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories With the win, India extended their dominance over Sri Lanka, taking their victory tally to 26 in 31 games so far. India, now with eight titles in nine final appearances, are the most successful team in the history of the Womens Asia Cup. Article Source: IANS
1st T20I: Synergy In Bowling Attack Key To Indias Win Over Afghanistan, Says Shreyas Iyer
Arun Jaitley Stadium: India skipper Shreyas Iyer lauded his bowling unit's collective effort for setting up a clinical seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the first T20I here at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday. He also highlighted the immediate impact made by returning fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. India restricted Afghanistan to 156/8 before chasing down the target with 38 balls to spare. Yes, absolutely. Im grateful for that, and everyone worked in synergy towards the success and as I mentioned earlier, Bumrah is a great asset to the team, and, you know, giving that start, creating the momentum for all the bowlers coming in, said Iyer at the conclusion of the game. He also praised the other bowlers for keeping the pressure on the opposition through the middle overs. Arshdeep also bowled brilliantly, followed by Axar and Varun; the way they bowled was a phenomenal effort, he added. Asked if he could have handled the final over differently after Shivam Dube was handed the ball late in the innings, Shreyas defended the move. Honestly speaking, there was no choice. And you saw that its a bit unfair for Dube as well coming in for the 20th over, not able to gauge the pace of the wicket, how the ball is going to go on. So, I felt that he would be delivering at that particular moment, but its absolutely fine because its a game of cricket, and Im sure that hell go and analyze what areas he needs to work on. Shreyas was equally effusive in his praise for the top-order pair of Abhishek Sharma (82) and Ishan Kishan (42), who put on an important 121-run stand. Starting off with Abhishek, I feel that the shots he played were flawless, and some of them were exemplary. But talking about Ishan, hes been in great form recently, and the way hes been portraying himself in the dressing room and also on the ground during practice sessions, hes very relaxed, calm, and he knows his game at the moment. So thats a great sign for us as a team. On the other hand, Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran conceded that his side fell well short of a par score after losing wickets in clusters early in the innings. We didnt get the result we wanted. I would say we had three good starts, then we didnt contribute well. But talking about Ishan, hes been in great form recently, and the way hes been portraying himself in the dressing room and also on the ground during practice sessions, hes very relaxed, calm, and he knows his game at the moment. So thats a great sign for us as a team. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Zadran identified a key run-out of him, executed by Kishan, as the moment when the game tipped decisively in India's favour. I would say that run-out was the turning point. Ishan Kishan grabbed the ball and threw it to the fielder, the bowler. I would say that was the turning point; they got the momentum. Article Source: IANS
PIX: Dos Santos, Sedjati, Pathirage steal limelight
World-record holder Alison dos Santos secured victory in the men's 400m hurdles, while Djamel Sedjati surprisingly won the men's 800m on the final day of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship. Other winners included Jasmine Jones (women's 400m hurdles), Rumesh Pathirage (men's javelin), and Likina Amebaw (women's 5,000m) at the event in Budapest, which featured a record $10 million prize pot.
