Cricket

'My Father Took That Decision Instantly': Samson Recalls How He Shifted Base To Kerala After Rejection In Delhi

T20 World Cup: Struggling to break into Delhi's competitive cricket circuit, flamboyant India batter Sanju Samson on Saturday revealed how a sudden, life-changing decision was made by his father Viswanathan to shift the entire family to Kerala, which later turned out to be the turning point of his eventual cricketing career. Samson had a breakthrough time by hitting three consecutive fifties to take India to T20 World Cup glory at home earlier this year and became Player of the Tournament. But Samson hasnt been at his best of late making five and zero in the series defeat to Ireland and posting just one in the abandoned T20I against England in Durham. Samson, though, will be backed to find his rhythm when India take on England in the second T20I at Old Trafford on Saturday. Back in school, I used to see friends wear the DDCA jacket and talk about playing for the state cricket team of Delhi. That motivated me. I wanted to represent Delhi too. I went for trials, attended state camps, and scored runs. Two or three times I made it to the camp but never got a breakthrough into the state team. The competition was tough. Then one day, the team list was announced after my trials had ended. My name was not there. We returned home in silence. As soon as we reached home, my father told my mother, 'We will have to move to Kerala. We are shifting.' My mother said, 'The kids are only in 6th standard. Let them complete 10th.' My father said, 'No, we have to go now. Pack your things. I am booking tickets in three days.' He took that decision instantly. I remember, we all boarded the train. Then we reached Kerala and I started playing for Kerala. That is how my cricket journey for the Kerala State team began, said Samson on JioStar's show 'Superstars'. He also recalled how he began to have a love for cricket while growing up in the police colony in GTB Nagar. Delhi has played a very big role in my life, to be very honest. My life started in Delhi. My father was in the Delhi Police football team. He used to go for practice in the morning and evening. From that time, I developed a love for sports. I felt that yes, I want to become a sportsman one day. I used to live in the police quarters. There, cricket used to be played everywhere. So automatically, cricket attracted me from childhood. I used to gather my friends and we would play in the middle of the road in the police colony, with quarters on both sides. We would put up stumps and play there. It started from proper gully cricket, with a tennis ball. We had our own rule. My father also saw that I was enjoying cricket. He never tried to push me into football. He used to take us to play football, and we still play it, but he thought that cricket has a good future. He told me, 'I saw you batting and I felt that you have talent.' So, he made me and my brother play cricket instead of football. He further shared a fond memory of seeing a rare practice session at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium (formerly Feroz Shah Kotla), arranged courtesy of his father being on police duty. It is a very special memory. As kids, we used to go to academies and practice in schools. One day, my father said that he would take me to Feroz Shah Kotla for practice. We would put up stumps and play there. It started from proper gully cricket, with a tennis ball. We had our own rule. My father also saw that I was enjoying cricket. He never tried to push me into football. He used to take us to play football, and we still play it, but he thought that cricket has a good future. He told me, 'I saw you batting and I felt that you have talent.' So, he made me and my brother play cricket instead of football. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So, my brother, my father, and I practiced together in the nets for an hour. I don't know, it must have been a big blessing. I don't know how my father managed it, but nowadays they don't allow such things. Maybe because my father was on duty, it happened. Article Source: IANS

Womens T20 WC: When And Where To Watch AUS Vs England Final, Know All Details

Star Sports Network TV: Arch-rivals England and Australia are set to battle for ultimate glory in the final of the 2026ICC Womens T20 World Cup at the historic Lords Cricket Ground on Sunday. The high-stakes encounter marks the fourth time these two cricketing powerhouses will contest the tournament's summit clash, having previously met in the 2012, 2014, and 2018 finals all won by Australia. Six-time champions Australia enter the title decider as firm favourites after maintaining a flawless tournament record with six consecutive victories. Led by Sophie Molineux, who took over the captaincy following Alyssa Healys retirement in March, Australia entered the final with a commanding eight-wicket win over the West Indies at The Oval. Australias phenomenal squad depth has been their biggest asset, featuring multiple match-winners like Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, and Georgia Wareham. Meanwhile, hosts England earned their place in the final after defeating South Africa by 40 runs in their semi-final fixture at The Oval. The Nat Sciver-Brunt-led side are aiming to capture their second T20 World Cup crown, and repeat their historic triumph from the inaugural edition at this very venue back in 2009. Under a revamped coaching setup led by Charlotte Edwards, this refreshed England lineup looks to break a three-year jinx against Australia, who have dominated recent head-to-head encounters with eight successive wins across formats. Beyond the intense on-field cricketing action, the final of the 10th edition of the tournament will feature a star-studded closing ceremony. Global music icons Rita Ora and Clean Bandit are scheduled to perform at the venue and add entertainment value to the massive sporting spectacle. When: Sunday, July 5, 7:00 PM IST Where: Lords Cricket Ground, London Where to watch: The title clash will be shown live on Star Sports Network TV channels and will be live-streamed on JioHotstar website and app. Squads Australia: Sophie Molineux (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham and Tahlia Wilson (travelling reserve). Squads Also Read: Live Cricket Score On-Field: Jacquline Williams & Vrinda Rathi. Third Umpire: Kim Cotton. Fourth Umpire: Nimali Perera. Match Referee: GS Lakshmi Article Source: IANS

ICC Women's Chief Pradhan Hails 'Outstanding' World Cup Standard

England and Australia may be into the T20 World Cup final at Lord's on Sunday but the performances of emerging nations have led the global head of the women's game to hail the outstanding cricket on display at the whole tournament. Concerns were raised about whether the women's game had the depth to cope with an event expanded from 10 teams to 12. But the likes of Scotland, who thrashed Ireland by 40 runs, have more than played their part. The Scots challenged several established teams and almost defeated Sri Lanka, while Ireland ended a 12-year wait for a maiden World Cup win by beating the West Indies, the 2016 champions. I think it's been outstanding in terms of the standard of cricket that we've seen, Snehal Pradhan, the International Cricket Council's manager of women's cricket, told AFP in an interview. The number of scores well above the 150-160 mark are a mark of an entertaining tournament. And some of those scores are being chased down -- you're not just having one team putting up a big score and the other team falling short. We've seen that even from the likes of Scotland, who have relied on their lower order to be able to get them scores of more than 150-160. Title-holders New Zealand and 50-over world champions both failed to reach the semi-finals, with former India seamer Pradhan saying that was a sign of the overall competitive levels of the tournament. A crowd of some 27,000 witnessed last week's double-header at Lord's, where South Africa just snuck past Bangladesh before Australia knocked India out of the tournament. Another capacity attendance is expected at the 'Home of Cricket' for Sunday's final. I'm almost sad that we don't have grounds here that are bigger than maybe the 27,000 capacity we've seen at Lord's, which has been the highest so far, because I feel some of these matches would have gone more than the 27,000 that showed up, said Pradhan. This tournament has also witnessed the return of several players who had previously retired from international duty, notably South Africa fast bowler Shabnim Ismail, who featured in the Proteas semi-final loss to England. - 'Game-changing' - Pradhan, citing the importance of equal prize money at ICC's men's and women's tournaments, said: Prize-money parity at our events in the last few years has been game-changing. Maybe it's a factor in a few stars returning to the international game after having retired? Away from the World Cup, cricket will return to the Olympics for the first time in over a hundred years with men's and women's T20 medals up for grabs at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles -- something Pradhan believes is vital to the sport's global expansion beyond established nations once part of the British Empire. It's not just about the six teams who will be there, but the fact the entire ecosystem now has access to Olympic solidarity programmes is a huge boost in terms of being able to access funding that did not exist before, she said. But West Indies captain Hayley Matthews lamented an unfair funding ecosystem following her cash-strapped side's eight-wicket semi-final thrashing by Australia, home to the Women's Big Bash League and long a sporting and financial powerhouse of the women's game. The reason we were so successful back in 2012 to 2016 is because women's cricket was based off pure talent at that time, said Matthews. The minute that investment comes into the picture, we've seen the gap widen a lot...I feel like it's a bit unfair sometimes. I saw those comments, Will Glenwright, the ICC's head of global development, told AFP. I think the one truth that is perpetual is there's never enough money -- the members are always crying out for more. Our role, I think, in addition to trying to maximise the amount of money we give to the members, is also reducing their reliance on ICC income. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So we work with them to either access more funding from governments, build their commercial capability and get more money from partners and sponsors.

'Sooryavanshi Will Do Wonders For India, Don't Pressurise Him': Chaminda Vaas

Former Sri Lanka: Former Sri Lanka fast bowler Chaminda Vaas, currently serving as the official mentor of the Palamuru Strikers in the Telangana T20 League (TG20), believes teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has all the ingredients to enjoy a successful international career but urged fans and experts not to burden the 15-year-old with unrealistic expectations. Speaking to IANS, Vaas said India has consistently produced world-class young cricketers over the years and expressed confidence that Sooryavanshi will eventually establish himself in the national side if allowed to develop naturally. Well, India has produced so many young talent over so many years. And this new sensation, Sooryavanshi, is still young, and I am sure he will get the opportunity to play for India and do well, but one thing I will ask of the people is that he is still young and not to pressurise him, and I am sure he will do wonders for Indian cricket. Sooryavanshi, who grabbed headlines by amassing 776 runs at a staggering strike-rate of 237.30 to bag the Player-of-the-Tournament honour in IPL 2026 for Rajasthan Royals, is currently eyeing a much-anticipated international debut for India in the ongoing five-match T201 series against England. Sooryavanshi was unused in Ireland, as India suffered a shock 2-0 series loss. Vaas also lauded the TG20, saying tournaments of this nature are crucial in identifying and nurturing young talent while providing aspiring cricketers with a pathway to the IPL and eventually the Indian team. Hyderabad Cricket Association organizing the first Telangana T20 is good for the youngsters, and theres so much potential I can see with all the teams. Especially if you take Palamuru Strikers, there are quite a few youngsters coming through the ladder, and Im really pleased with their performance, but even though as a team we didnt perform, there are a few individuals striking really well, He said. Vaas also lauded the TG20, saying tournaments of this nature are crucial in identifying and nurturing young talent while providing aspiring cricketers with a pathway to the IPL and eventually the Indian team. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Indian cricket has done a great job for youngsters, and not only in Hyderabad, I think every state they organize a T20 tournament and give so much exposure, so much opportunity, as well as the experience to get into IPL, and thats how most of the cricketers have come up. And its really good to see the youngsters are stepping into the next level, he added. Article Source: IANS

Nandani, Charani called up for England Test; Renuka, Bhatia back

Anushka and Deol to lead India A in T20s and One-dayers, respectively, against England A

'Iyers Knock In 1st T20I Was A Masterclass In Reading The Situation, Says Patel

Emirates Old Trafford: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel believes Shreyas Iyer silenced his critics with a composed captains knock in the rain-abandoned first T20I against England, saying the innings showcased his maturity and ability to adapt to the match situation. Leading the side in the series opener at Chester-le-Street, Iyer struck 68 off 47 deliveries to anchor Indias innings after the visitors were reduced to 6/2 inside the first two overs. His knock, along with Abhishek Sharmas explosive 59 off just 24 balls and Shivam Dubes unbeaten 42 off 21 deliveries, helped India recover to post a competitive 189/7. However, persistent rain after the completion of Indias innings prevented England from beginning their chase, forcing the match to be abandoned without a result. Reflecting on Iyers innings, Parthiv said the India skipper displayed excellent awareness by complementing Abhisheks aggressive approach instead of looking for big hits himself. Those raising questions over Shreyas Iyer would have felt a lot more relieved after this innings. As a player, Shreyas Iyer doesnt have to worry about anything. Hes a proven performer in this format. It was a very important innings because India had lost two early wickets, while at the other end, Abhishek Sharma was batting quite aggressively. So, Shreyas had to play the second fiddle rather than rely too much on hitting sixes, which is something every Indian player is so used to from playing in the IPL, Parthiv told Jio Hotstar. You have to rotate the strike, and score boundaries along the ground. I thought it was a masterclass from Shreyas Iyer, understanding the situation and the dimensions of the ground. Thats something both the captain and the Indian team would have learned from those two games against Ireland, he added. Patel also felt Indias batting display was an important step forward after an inconsistent start to the tour during the two T20Is against Ireland, saying the innings showed the teams ability to adapt to different conditions. You have to rotate the strike, and score boundaries along the ground. I thought it was a masterclass from Shreyas Iyer, understanding the situation and the dimensions of the ground. Thats something both the captain and the Indian team would have learned from those two games against Ireland, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India and England will now clash in Manchester in the second T20I at Emirates Old Trafford, with the five-match series still level after the rain washed out the opener. Article Source: IANS

LAKR climb to fourth after Powell takes Super Kings apart

Saiteja Mukkamalla's 80 set up a strong total for Texas Super Kings, but Rovman Powell's onslaught was too much for them to handle

West Indies hope new ball brings change of luck after Udara bosses first day

This is my third chance in Tests, so I thought I want to go big. I made it, so I'm really happy about that, Lahiru Udara says after scoring his first Test century

World Cup serves up Wimbledon dilemma: Football or tennis?

Despite Wimbledon's ban on broadcasting World Cup matches, football fever is palpable. Roars from Centre Court and No. 1 Court erupted during England's crucial equalizer, with fans and players alike glued to their phones. Organisers acknowledge they can't control everything, with tournament director Jamie Baker noting it creates light-hearted moments and doesn't impact the atmosphere. Players are also discussing the tournament, though some sensitive topics are avoided.

Wimbledon 2026 | Sinner eases past Brooksby, Sabalenka wins power battle against Ostapenko

Coco Gauff scrambled into the fourth round past fellow American Claire Liu; Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime continues to fly under the radar

Harmer and Cook help Essex hand out Hove thrashing

Eagles captain hits 46 off 17 balls to boost total before claiming two wickets and effecting a run-out

Stone holds nerve as Notts seal one-run win to stay top

Munsey continues hot streak with fifth half-century in six before Lancashire mess up run chase

Smale trail plots path for Glamorgan to win again

Sam Hain hits 63 not out from 46 but Warwickshire unable to knock home side off course in chase

Bairstow, Moeen gun down Durham as Yorkshire close on knockouts

Durham get off to flyer thanks to Alex Lees' 73 off 35 before stumbling, unable to defend 205-9

ENG vs IND 2nd T20I: Approaching Milestones and Records Ahead of Manchester Clash

ENG vs IND 2nd T20I,T20IApproaching Milestones and Records :The stage is set for another thrilling encounter between two top T20I sides. England cricket team and Indian cricket team will lock horns in the second T20I at Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday at 7 PM IST. The first game was washed out at Riverside Stadium after the first innings. Both teams will be aiming to get a win to get a lead in the series. Abhishek Sharma and Shreyas Iyer scored half-centuries in the first game, while Shivam Dube played yet another crucial knock. But other Indian batters struggled in these conditions. That will be a big challenge in this Manchester clash on Saturday. England had a good bowling display. They started well with two early wickets and then closed out the innings with not much to offer. They have announced a strong playing XI for the second game, and they will be expecting a good display from the team. Notably, it is a good scoring venue, and we can expect a high-scoring thriller. Here, we will talk about big records and milestones which are lined up and can be achieved in the England vs India second T20I clash at Old Trafford in Manchester. ENG vs IND 2nd T20I: Approaching Test Records and T20ICricket Milestones Ahead of the ENG vs IND 2ndT20IatOld Trafford in Manchester 23 - Tilak Varma is just 23 runs away from completing 1500 T20I runs. He will be the 10th Indian to do so. 60 - Abhishek Sharma scored a 20-ball fifty in the first game. He needs 60 more runs to surpass Suresh Raina (1605) and become India's 8th highest scorer in T20Is. He will play his 50th T20I on Saturday. 2 - Adil Rashid needs two more wickets for surpassing Ish Sodhi (165) and becoming the second-highest wicket-taker in T20Is. 3 - Arshdeep Singh needs three more wickets to surpass Haris Rauf (133) and get into the top 15 wicket-takers in T20Is. 1 - Axar Patel is just one wicket away from becoming the fourth Indian bowler with 100 T20I wickets.5 - Jos Buttler needs five sixes to surpass Suryakumar Yadav (179) and become the batter with the fourth highest T20I sixes. 85 - Sanju Samson needs 85 runs to complete 85 international runs for India. 41 - Jos Buttler needs 41 more runs to complete 12500 international runs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score 1 - Adil Rashid needs one wicket to become England's fourth highest wicket-taker at the international level.

Hose, Raza get Rapids flowing before Kent collapse

Visitors blown away for 59 with Allison, Raza and Mir all taking two apiece

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Praveen Dubey Guides Bengaluru Blasters To Thrilling Last-ball Win Over Hubli Tigers

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Praveen Dubey's unbeaten 64 off 32 balls guided Bengaluru Blasters to a thrilling three-wicket victory over Hubli Tigers off the final ball of the match in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament in Hubballi on Friday. Chasing 197, the Blasters recovered from an early collapse before holding their nerve to register their seventh win of the season and assure themselves of the top spot in the playoffs. The Blasters were rocked early after slipping to 59/4 with two balls remaining in the powerplay as Shikhar Shetty and Vaibhav Sharma combined to put the chase on the back foot. Captain Shubhang Hegde (41 off 30) and Wahid Faizan Khan (25 off 18) steadied the innings with a crucial 39-run partnership before Dubey took charge with an unbeaten 64 off 32 balls, striking three fours and six sixes to seal victory dramatically. The victory consolidated the Blasters' position at the top of the table with 14 points from eight matches, while Hubli Tigers remained at the bottom with six points from eight outings. Earlier, Hubli Tigers posted a competitive 196/6 after recovering from a difficult start. Reduced to 82/5 in the 12th over, the Tigers rebuilt through a vital 70-run stand between Abhinav Manohar (35 off 18) and Shivkumar Rakshith (50 not out off 28). Manvanth Kumar also played an important unbeaten knock of 28 off 11 balls as the Tigers added valuable runs in the closing overs. The Tigers had earlier lost momentum despite a promising start from Kruthik Krishna (34 off 22) and Aneeshwar Gautam (31 off 18). Shubhang Hegde was the pick of the Bengaluru Blasters bowlers with figures of 2/24, while the rest of the attack chipped in to restrict further damage before the late surge. Earlier, Hubli Tigers posted a competitive 196/6 after recovering from a difficult start. Reduced to 82/5 in the 12th over, the Tigers rebuilt through a vital 70-run stand between Abhinav Manohar (35 off 18) and Shivkumar Rakshith (50 not out off 28). Manvanth Kumar also played an important unbeaten knock of 28 off 11 balls as the Tigers added valuable runs in the closing overs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Hubli Tigers 196/6 in 20 overs (Shivkumar Rakshith 50 not out, Kruthik Krishna 34, Abhinav Manohar 35; Shubhang Hegde 2/24) lost to Bengaluru Blasters 197/7 in 20 overs (Praveen Dubey 64 not out, Shubhang Hegde 41; Shikhar Shetty 3-19, Vaibhav Sharma 2-56 ) by three wickets Article Source: IANS

Dawkins hundred, Flintoff 79* as England U19s level series

Unbroken 191-run partnership sees South Africa comfortably overhauled

Novak Djokovic earns 105th match win at Wimbledon to equal Roger Federer record

Djokovic will face Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin in the fourth round

Pakistan Spinner Abrar Is In A Fix As West Indies Tests Clash With The Hundred

West Indies Test: Pakistans mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed is in a spin as his possible selection for the two-match Test series in the West Indies will hurt his chances to feature in The Hundred in the UK, where he was bought by an Indian owner, Sunrisers Leeds, a news report said on Friday. Abrar is facing the country v club debate, and he will have to decide whether to join the national team for red-ball cricket or his franchise for white-ball cricket, a report in Telecom Asia Sport said. Abrar and his agent are in a fix because if he is selected for the Test team to play in the West Indies, it will affect his participation in The Hundred, which will start four days before the first Test, sources said. The Hundred starts from July 21, while the first Test commences on July 25. Abrars signing caused a major controversy in Indian cricket circles as the Kavya Maran-owned franchise Sunrisers Leeds came under fire for signing the Pakistani player for a big sum of 190,000 pounds (approx. INR 2.3 crore). Kavya Maran had faced online backlash with fans criticising the move and accusing the franchise of ignoring national sentiment. The controversy intensified after reports suggested that Kavya herself raised the paddle during the bidding war that secured the services of a Pakistani spinner. Sources close to Abrars agent said it would be a big blow if the spinner is not released to take part in The Hundred. Sunrisers Leeds owner has faced backlash from 140 billion people and has resisted that, so it will be imperative that Abrar plays in The Hundred, sources told telecomasia.net. Pakistan's national selection committee is due to announce the squad for the two-Test series on Monday, and they are considering Abrar as they need a leg-spinner, who is seen as a strong weapon against the West Indies batters. India halted bilateral cricket with Pakistan in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, blamed on militants based across the border. The two countries only play each other in multi-national events like the World Cup, Champions Trophy, and Asia Cup. Pakistan's national selection committee is due to announce the squad for the two-Test series on Monday, and they are considering Abrar as they need a leg-spinner, who is seen as a strong weapon against the West Indies batters. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Since then, Pakistani players have been banned from the IPL, while all Indian owners of teams in Leagues around the world do not select them. It was only following a threat by the England and Wales Cricket Board that o discrimination would be allowed against Pakistan players that Sunrisers Leeds bought Abrar in the auction. Article Source: IANS

Winfield-Hill 99, Kalis 86* as Yorkshire romp to first Blast win

Anika Learoyd's unbeaten hundred in vain as Somerset fall short in chase of 211

Kaia, Burl, Marumani, Masakadza back in ODI side for Bangladesh series

This will be Ngarava's first ODI series as captain, having recently led them to the one-off Test win against Bangladesh

Moore takes five as Surrey swoop after Knott's six-for

The Blaze suffer disastrous collapse from 98 for 2 to 121 all out chasing 156

2nd T20I: Morkel Backs Sooryavanshi To Be Ready But Urges 'patience'

Lucknow Super Giants: India bowling coach Morne Morkel has praised teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's seamless integration into the senior setup but insisted the management will not rush the 15-year-old into the playing XI, reaffirming its faith in established openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma ahead of the second T20I against England in Manchester. With Samson experiencing a tough time on the ongoing UK tourscoring 5, 0, and 1 in his last three inningsand Sooryavanshi waiting for his chance, Morkel said the coaching staff remained committed to supporting players who have consistently performed for India. I think we need to respect the fact that we had our No.1 batter in T20 cricket, Abhishek Sharma. Sanju was the player of the World Cup, Morkel explained. Samson had a great IPL. So, as a coaching staff, its only fair to show trust and support for your players. Yes, a young man is knocking on the door, and thats exciting. But for not just those two players at the top, but for the entire group, its good that we show our support. Morkel also emphasised that India was hesitant to move batters from their preferred roles just to make room for new players. In a day, its about putting performances on the board. That is the key. But we also dont want to think too much and put other players in different positions. So, its not as simple as just saying, 'Lets play Sooryavanshi.' Its about standing by some of the guys who have won World Cups, who have performed well in tough situations, and then building from there to strengthen our top order as much as possible in these conditions. Although he didnt specify when Sooryavanshi might debut internationally, Morkel said the young player had already impressed everyone with his attitude and composure. I think hes filled in very well. If you follow the boys on Instagram, there are already many photos being posted, especially of him. At the nets as a 15-year-old on the international stage, it can be intimidating. But just from the couple of nets weve had, hes been very impressive. Were all excited to see how he performs. When he gets an opportunity, Im sure hell be ready. Fitting into the squad has been very smooth. Morkel also praised fast bowler Prince Yadav, who has taken six wickets in his first three international matches after starting as a net bowler for the Lucknow Super Giants. I was lucky to work with Prince while I was with Lucknow Super Giants. At that time, he was a net bowler, and he was already recognised as someone with great skill. Im amazed at how calm he stays. Morkel also praised fast bowler Prince Yadav, who has taken six wickets in his first three international matches after starting as a net bowler for the Lucknow Super Giants. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The former South Africa pacer added that it was encouraging to see Harshit Rana return from injury and bowl with intensity, providing India with more depth in their pace attack as they aim to even the five-match series. Article Source: IANS

'It's Been A Mad 15 Years': Ben Stokes Bids Emotional Farewell After Retiring From International Cricket

ODI World Cup: Days after announcing his retirement from international cricket during the England vs New Zealand third Test, former captain Ben Stokes has shared an emotional farewell message, thanking fans, teammates, and everyone who supported him during his remarkable 15-year career. Stokes, regarded as one of England's greatest all-rounders and match-winners, reflected on the highs and lows of his journey in a heartfelt post on X, saying the decision to retire was one only he could make. It's been a mad 15 years. It's had everything thrown in there, from the highest highs to the lowest lows (on and off the field). My time was up, and no one was going to be able to make that decision other than me. But in the meantime, I just want to say I love every single England fan and every single cricket fan who's supported me over the years, Stokes wrote. The 35-year-old also expressed gratitude to his teammates and everyone associated with his career. I love every single person I've walked out onto the field with representing England. I could go on and on, but I hope you get the gist of how much I loved doing what I did for 15 years. I'm looking forward to being a fan and supporting the team, and the odd day in hospitality won't go amiss. Family, friends, teammates, fans...I love y'all. Stokesy, he added. Stokes brought the curtain down on an illustrious international career after England's defeat to New Zealand in the third Test, his final appearance in England colours. He leaves the game as one of the defining cricketers of his generation and among England's greatest match-winners. His unbeaten 84 in the unforgettable 2019 ODI World Cup final against New Zealand helped England lift the trophy for the first time in history after a dramatic Super Over finish. Just six weeks later, Stokes produced another iconic innings, smashing an unbeaten 135 at Headingley to script one of the greatest Test victories of all time and keep England alive in the 2019 Ashes series against Australia. He leaves the game as one of the defining cricketers of his generation and among England's greatest match-winners. His unbeaten 84 in the unforgettable 2019 ODI World Cup final against New Zealand helped England lift the trophy for the first time in history after a dramatic Super Over finish. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He retires having represented England in 122 Tests, including 44 as captain, scoring more than 7,000 runs and taking over 200 wickets in the longest format. He also featured in 114 One-Day Internationals and 43 T20 Internationals, cementing his legacy as one of England's finest all-format cricketers. Article Source: IANS

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Bhatkal Stars In Mysore Warriors' 3-wkt Victory Over Gulbarga Mystics

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Ritesh Bhatkals unbeaten 75 in 42 balls was the highlight of Mysore Warriors' three-wicket victory over Gulbarga Mystics in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 in Hubballi on Friday. It was another thriller with Bhatkal holding things together to steer the Warriors home in 19.3 overs. Chasing 197, the 33-year-old dug deep into his reserves, pulled the team back from early hiccups (2/39) and remained unconquered with four fours and five sixes. He was aided by Manoj Bhandage (24 off 15) as the pair combined for 37 runs in 23 balls to seize control despite a strong showing from the Mystics' attack led by Nathan D'Mello (3-38), Paras Gurbax Arya (2-24), and Ronit More (2-41) The Warriors moved up out of the bottom berth with their third victory from eight matches and sit in fourth position on seven points, while the Mystics are now below them on six points after their fifth loss. The Mystics, put into bat, relied on disciplined batting before seamlessly shifting gears to steady the ship from 2-24 in 2.4 overs to a more manageable 147-5 in 16 overs. Young all-around No. 4 Dhruv Prabhakar and attacking No.5 Thippa Reddy batted with composure and added a 29-ball 56 for the fourth wicket to pull up the Gulbarga Mystics before Manish Pandey unleashed a late assault of 41 runs in only 19 deliveries with six fours and a six. The Raichur-born Thippa Reddy (51 off 26) slammed his second successive half-century studded with five fours and three sixes, while the 21-year-old Dhruv also made the most of his promotion, making a fluent 51 in 35 balls with six fours and a six. For the Warriors, Arbind Rai and Lavish Kaushal were the most successful bowlers with 3-31 and 3-25, respectively. The Raichur-born Thippa Reddy (51 off 26) slammed his second successive half-century studded with five fours and three sixes, while the 21-year-old Dhruv also made the most of his promotion, making a fluent 51 in 35 balls with six fours and a six. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Gulbarga Mystics 196/7 in 20 overs (Macneil Noronha 27, Dhruv Prabhakar 51, Thippa Reddy 51, Manish Pandey 41 not out; Arbind Rai 3-31, Lavish Kaushal 3-25) lost to Mysore Warriors 197/7 (L R Chethan 23, Ritesh Bhatkal 75 not out, Lankesh KP 29, Manoj Bhandage 24; Nathan DMello 3-38, Paras Gurbax Arya 2-24, Ronit More 2-41 Article Source: IANS

Hope returns, Roach out for West Indies after injury-hit Sri Lanka bat

Sri Lanka were forced to make three changes with Nissanka and Kumara out injured, and Rajitha left out because of form

Archer back in the XI, Tongue to debut; India eye runs at Old Trafford

India bowling coach Morne Morkel hints Sooryavanshi will have to wait his turn

TG20 Season 1: Gaurav Reddy's Blistering 101* Helps Nalgonda Knights Surge To 2nd Spot

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: Opener Gaurav Reddy carried his bat to guide Anurag Nalgonda Knights to a crucial eight-wicket win against Medak Falcons in the Hyderabad Cricket Association's Sreenidhi University TG20s first match on Friday. The victory lifts the Knights to second on the points table. Chasing 181, Knights openers Gaurav and Jashwanth Mote (34 off 21) laid the platform for their side in the powerplay. The former went on to score his maiden century in the tournament, registering an unbeaten 101 in 47 balls to lead his side to a comprehensive win. He also moved into third place in the race for the Orange Cap, amassing 257 runs in the tournament thus far. Opting to bat first, the Falcons were off to a steady start courtesy of Naman Agarwal (18 off 14) and Shrunjith Reddy. The two openers capitalised on loose deliveries to cruise their way to 30/0 after three overs. Aniketh Reddy outfoxed Naman to provide the Knights with the breakthrough in the fourth over, turning the tide for his side. With that setback, Falcons skipper Ravi Teja and Shrunjith then consolidated with a 28-run stand off 24 balls. They found the odd boundary and combined it with regular strike rotation to lead their side to 58/1 in the Power-play. Shrunjiths 17-ball 30 was brought to a halt as he succumbed to a runout in the eighth over. His captain took the onus to counterattack, smashing back-to-back sixes to score 13 runs against Urvesh Kakkad in the ninth over. Debutant Ilyaan Sathani made an immediate impact in his first over, dismissing Ravi to put the Falcons in a spot of bother. Rakshann Readdi also got the better of Bunny Jagam (4 off 7) in the following over, sinking Falcons deeper into trouble at 89/4. District player Vikram Naik and Sai Varun Yerram (44* off 29) then showed immense maturity to rebuild the innings in the latter half. They kept the scoreboard ticking without too many risks before taking on the bowlers at the death, scoring 63 runs in the last five overs. The onslaught began with 15 runs coming in the fifteenth over, with Vikram displaying why hes regarded as one of the best batters in the tournament thus far. His 31-ball 48* included four fours and two sixes. Sai Varun also found boundaries with regularity towards the end, as the two notched a 91-run stand off 55 balls to help Falcons post 180/4. It was an exhilarating start to the run chase for the Knights, with Jashwanth setting the tone by scoring 14 runs in the first over. Gaurav also joined in on the action as the two openers found boundaries at will and ate into a large chunk of the target. They blazed to 81 runs in the powerplay before Arjun Gorrapalli provided the Falcons with some respite as he dismissed Jashwanth, breaking the 83-run partnership. Despite the breakthrough, Falcons bowlers were being put to the sword by Gaurav, who registered his half-century in 22 balls. Nitish Reddy played second fiddle alongside him as the two stitched together a 58-run stand off 34 balls, with Gaurav playing the aggressor. Madhukar Manne struck for the Falcons to dismiss Nitish after his 17-ball 21, but the damage had already been inflicted by then. With the finish line in sight, skipper Rahul Buddhi (20* off 14) joined Gaurav in the middle to finish the job for their side. The latter carried on his scintillating form to amass his maiden ton in the tournament. He reached the milestone in 46 balls, with his knock including six fours and nine sixes. Gaurav eventually scored the winning runs, guiding his team to a commanding win with 21 balls to spare. Nitish Reddy played second fiddle alongside him as the two stitched together a 58-run stand off 34 balls, with Gaurav playing the aggressor. Madhukar Manne struck for the Falcons to dismiss Nitish after his 17-ball 21, but the damage had already been inflicted by then. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Medak Falcons 180/4 in 20 overs (Vikram Naik 48*, Sai Varun Yerram 44*, Aniketh Reddy 1/27, Rakshann Readdi 1/32) bt Anurag Nalgonda Knights 181/2in 16.1 overs (Gaurav Reddy 101*, Jashwanth Mote 34, Arjun Gorrapalli 1/36) by 8 wickets. Article Source: IANS

Archer Returns As England Make Two Changes For Second T20I Against India

Emirates Old Trafford: England have recalled pace spearhead Jofra Archer and handed fast bowler Josh Tongue his T20I debut as the hosts made two changes to their playing XI for the second T20I against India at Emirates Old Trafford on Saturday. Archer replaces Saqib Mahmood, while Tongue comes in for left-arm seamer Luke Wood as England look to build momentum after the opening match of the three-game series at Chester-le-Street was washed out due to rain. The first T20I ended without a result after India posted 189/7, powered by half-centuries from captain Shreyas Iyer and Abhishek Sharma, before persistent rain prevented England from beginning their chase. Archer returns to the shortest format on the back of an impressive Test series against New Zealand, where he was named Player of the Series despite featuring in only two of the three matches. The right-arm quick claimed 11 wickets at an average of 22.81 to finish as England's leading wicket-taker in the series. Having missed the opening Test, Archer made an immediate impact at The Oval with a five-wicket match haul before producing his best performance in the series finale at Trent Bridge. He picked up two wickets in the first innings and followed it up with figures of 4/53 in the second innings, removing both New Zealand openers early to put the visitors under pressure. The 30-year-old also carried excellent form from the IPL, where he finished as Rajasthan Royals' highest wicket-taker with 25 wickets in 16 matches during the 2026 season. Having missed the opening Test, Archer made an immediate impact at The Oval with a five-wicket match haul before producing his best performance in the series finale at Trent Bridge. He picked up two wickets in the first innings and followed it up with figures of 4/53 in the second innings, removing both New Zealand openers early to put the visitors under pressure. Also Read: Live Cricket Score England Playing XI: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook (captain), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue. Article Source: IANS

James Coles Earns Maiden England ODI Call-up As Hosts Name Squad For India Series

ODI World Cup: Sussex all-rounder James Coles has earned his maiden England One-day International call-up after being named in a 16-member squad for the three-match ODI series against India later this month, while fast bowler Josh Tongue also received his first ODI selection. England have also brought back Gus Atkinson and Saqib Mahmood. Jofra Archer returns to the 50-over setup after being rested for the ODI series in Sri Lanka earlier this year. The inclusion of James Coles is one of the biggest topics in Harry Brook's squad as England prepares for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. The 21-year-old Sussex cricketer, a left-handed batter who bowls left-arm spin, has consistently impressed in domestic cricket. He gives England another all-round option. Liam Dawsons selection alongside Coles highlights Englands aim to strengthen their spin-bowling resources. Tongue has been rewarded for his recent performances in Test cricket. He joins a well-known pace attack featuring Archer, Atkinson, and Mahmood. Atkinson returns from injury, while Mahmood is back in ODI consideration after missing England's winter fixtures due to a knee issue. England will be without Brydon Carse, who is still recovering from a hand injury, and Jamie Overton, who has been ruled out with a quad problem. Carse had started training with the squad before the rain-affected opening T20I against India in Durham. The batting group includes captain Harry Brook, former skipper Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, and Rehan Ahmed. England is looking to finalise their strongest combination ahead of the next World Cup cycle. India, on the other hand, has named a full-strength squad for the 50-over series. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (subject to fitness), and Jasprit Bumrah are all set to play. The batting group includes captain Harry Brook, former skipper Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, and Rehan Ahmed. England is looking to finalise their strongest combination ahead of the next World Cup cycle. Also Read: Live Cricket Score England ODI squad: Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (captain), Jos Buttler, James Coles, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, and Josh Tongue. Article Source: IANS

Bethell in line to open as England name ODI squad for India series

Batter's promotion could foreshadow a future elevation in Test cricket as well

Women's T20 WC: Jacquline Williams, Vrinda Rathi To Officiate Final Between England And Australia At Lord's

The International Cricket Council: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday announced the match officials for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 final, with experienced umpires Jacquline Williams and India's Vrinda Rathi set to take charge of the title clash between England and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground on Sunday. The final, set to start at 8:00 PM IST, will feature unbeaten hosts England facing six-time champions Australia. This match revisits one of the greatest rivalries in women's cricket. Williams, who is officiating her fifth ICC Women's T20 World Cup, has had another strong tournament. She was on the field for the opening match on June 12, where England defeated Sri Lanka at Edgbaston. She also oversaw England's 40-run semi-final win over South Africa and Australia's important six-wicket Group A victory against India. Sunday's final will be Williams' second ICC Women's T20 World Cup final as an on-field umpire. She previously officiated Australia's 19-run win over South Africa in the 2023 final. For Rathi, this appointment marks a significant milestone as she prepares to officiate her first Women's T20 World Cup final. During the tournament, she has overseen victories for both finalists, including Australia's strong semi-final win over the West Indies and England's four-wicket victory over Ireland. New Zealand's Kim Cotton is the third umpire, while Sri Lanka's Nimali Perera will serve as the fourth umpire. Experienced Indian official GS Lakshmi has been named the match referee for this major event. Lakshmi also officiated the tournament opener between England and Sri Lanka, as well as Sri Lanka's memorable five-wicket victory over New Zealand in Southampton. Sunday's final will be Williams' second ICC Women's T20 World Cup final as an on-field umpire. She previously officiated Australia's 19-run win over South Africa in the 2023 final. For Rathi, this appointment marks a significant milestone as she prepares to officiate her first Women's T20 World Cup final. During the tournament, she has overseen victories for both finalists, including Australia's strong semi-final win over the West Indies and England's four-wicket victory over Ireland. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Australia reached the final with a strong eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in the first semi-final at The Oval. Meanwhile, unbeaten hosts England secured their spot with a convincing 40-run win over South Africa. England will be chasing their second Women's T20 World Cup crown, having won the first tournament at Lord's in 2009. Australia, on the other hand, aims to add a record-extending seventh title to their impressive collection, following wins in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020, and 2023. Article Source: IANS

Fresh Twist in J&K Cricket Association Turf War: Court Bars President from Exercising Powers

A Jammu court has granted ad-interim relief to the Vivek Khajuria-led faction of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), restraining suspended and reinstated president Javed Ahmad Kitab from exercising the powers of his office until the next hearing on July 6.

ENG vs IND 2nd T20I Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI

ENG vs IND 2nd T20I , Cricket Tips :The first T20I between England and India was called off due to rain. India scored 189/7 in the first innings, and there was no further play. The second T20I is scheduled to begin at 7 PM IST on Saturday at Old Trafford in Manchester. These two sides will look to produce a thrilling encounter. Abhishek Sharma and Shivam Dube did well again, and captain Shreyas Iyer scored a much-needed fifty. But Samson, Tilak, Ishan, and Axar looked bad again. Vaibhav Suryavanshi is still on the sidelines. Will he play the next match? England would be happy with their bowling performance in the first game. But they will like to take wickets in the middle. ENG vs IND: Match Details Date : July 04, 2026 (Saturday) Time : 7:00 PM IST Venue : Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester ENG vs IND: Live Streaming Details Indian fans can watch the live action of the second T20I on the Sony Sports Networks on TV channels. The live stream option of the game will be available on the Jio Hotstar app or website. ENG vs IND: Head-to-Head in T20I Total Matches : 31 India : 18 England : 12 No-result : 01 ENG vs IND: Ground Pitch Report Old Trafford is considered a good batting wicket in T20Is. Even in the Women's T20 World Cup 2026, this venue produced good scores. However, we might see overcast conditions or light rain, which will produce more assistance for the fast bowlers. In that case, bowling first can be a better option. ENG vs IND: Possible XIs England : Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood India : Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy ENG vs IND: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Abhishek Sharma carried his form and struck a 20-ball fifty in the first game. He is a dangerous batter in the power play. Phil Salt is the most destructive English batter, and he has a good record against India. Probable Best Bowler Arshdeep Singh will like bowling in these conditions, and he can be dangerous with the new ball. Adil Rashid did well in closing overs in the first game. But his usage will be important in the second game. Today Match Prediction: India had an improved batting performance, but they still struggled as a unit. Hence, we predict England to win the second T20I in Manchester. ENG vs IND Match 2nd T20, Today Match ENG vs IND, ENG vs IND Prediction, ENG vs IND Predicted XIs, Injury Update for England vs India Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.

Women's T20 WC: Head Coach Mashimbyi Vows Stronger South Africa After Semi-final Exit

T20 World Cup: South Africa head coach Mandla Mashimbyi believes the Proteas will emerge stronger from their ICC Women's T20 World Cup campaign despite their semi-final defeat to England, insisting the team will use the disappointment as motivation to improve ahead of future global tournaments. South Africa's run ended at The Oval on Thursday after England secured a strong 40-run victory, earning a place in Sundays final against Australia. The Proteas started well by eliminating three England batters early on. However, a crucial century partnership between Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight shifted the game in Englands favor. Despite the loss, Mashimbyi remained positive about his team's growth and the lessons they learned during the tournament. You just lose and you learn, Mashimbyi said after the semi-final. We've learned a lot in this World Cup. We'll go back to the drawing board and put in place things that will make us even more dangerous and better as a team. We know where our gaps are, and thats all we can do really. We can't change the results. Its about the work we put in going forward. We want to ensure that when we get another chance to play in a World Cup or ICC Trophy tournament, we are competing with other teams. South Africa had a strong tournament, even though they did not reach the final. Opener Tazmin Brits was the team's top run-scorer with 225 runs. Experienced bowlers Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail each took eight wickets in six matches. Mashimbyi also supported veteran bowler Ismail, who came out of retirement for the tournament, to continue representing South Africa. I think she's still in for the long haul, he said. She'll have to make a decision. But right now, she's still a Proteas player. The South Africa coach dismissed claims that his side relied too much on Kapp and Ismail with the new ball. He admitted, however, that the bowling attack lacked variety and needed better support for frontline spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba. I think we had too many similar types of bowlers, and teams could figure out what we were trying to do, Mashimbyi said. Shabnim and Kapp can put any team under pressure with a new ball, and thats what weve been doing. The South Africa coach dismissed claims that his side relied too much on Kapp and Ismail with the new ball. He admitted, however, that the bowling attack lacked variety and needed better support for frontline spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba. Also Read: Live Cricket Score While South Africa's World Cup journey ended just short of the final, Mashimbyi believes the campaign has laid out a clear plan for the Proteas to become an even stronger presence in future ICC tournaments. Article Source: IANS

Dhoni, Djokovic Both Have Rare Quality To Stay Calm When It Matters Most: Deepti Sharma

Deepti Sharma: Indian women's cricket team all-rounder Deepti Sharma has drawn an interesting comparison between former India captain MS Dhoni and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, saying both sporting icons possess the rare ability to remain calm and composed in the most challenging situations. Deepti, who is attending Wimbledon for the first time, shared her thoughts on how Dhoni, like Djokovic, handles pressure with calmness. When you talk about Djokovic, everyone speaks about his mental strength. He is someone who never gives up, no matter how tough the situation is. In cricket, I think MS Dhoni sir is very similar. He is known for being very cool and calm. Whenever pressure situations come, he handles them really well. It never looks like he is in a difficult situation. He handles pressure so easily, Deepti told Jio Hotstar. Both Djokovic and Dhoni have that rare quality of staying calm and strong when it matters the most. Watching them, we learn how to stay calm and find a way out of tough situations, she added. The Indian all-rounder also revealed that watching a Wimbledon match in person had been a bucket-list wish for years. My dream was that one day I would come to watch a Wimbledon match, and it feels really good to finally be here. When you go to watch a match at an iconic venue like this, and when you have always seen it on TV but today you are seeing it live for the first time, it feels amazing. The atmosphere, the crowd, the energy everything is different. I am really enjoying watching tennis at Wimbledon. It just feels great, she said. Deepti also named Djokovic as the player she admires the most, praising the Serbian's resilience and competitive spirit. My favourite is Djokovic. I follow his game very closely. The way he fights on the court, his mental strength, and his never-give-up attitude, I really admire all of that. Watching him play is always inspiring, she said. I grew up watching greats like Federer and Nadal. I followed their matches closely for a long time. But lately, Djokovic has become my favourite. I follow his matches more than anyone else now, Deepti said. Asked whom she would like to accompany her for a day at Wimbledon, Deepti named three Indian cricket legends. I grew up watching greats like Federer and Nadal. I followed their matches closely for a long time. But lately, Djokovic has become my favourite. I follow his matches more than anyone else now, Deepti said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Deepti is the second Indian cricketer to visit Wimbledon in two days. On Wednesday, former India opener Shikhar Dhawan made an appearance at the Centre Court at the All-England Club. Article Source: IANS

Shepherd and de Kock make the difference as MI New York defend 132 in Pomona

Marcus Stoinis put on a strong all-round show, with 3 for 14 and 36 in 31 balls, but couldn't take Seattle Orcas over the line

England Ease Past SA To Set Up Women's T20 WC Final With Australia

T20 World Cup: Nat Sciver-Brunt proved pivotal as all-round England eased South Africa by 40 runs in the semifinal here at The Oval to set up a date with Australia in the Women's T20 World Cup final. Sciver-Brunt helped England rally from a shaky start and post 169/5. Despite a defiant fifty by Tazmin Brits, South Africa crumbled to 129/8 in their 20 overs. Sunday's final at the Lord's Cricket Ground pits the two unbeaten teams of the tournament, England and Australia. England will also be looking to maintain their perfect record at home -- they have never lost a women's World Cup, T20 or ODI, as hosts. After electing to field first, Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail gave South Africa a fiery start as the latter was the first to have delivered the first blow, claiming the wicket of Amy Jones while Kapp castled Danni Wyatt-Hodge. Ismail returned to attack and trapped Alice Capsey leg before the wicket to reduce England to 23/3 in 3.2 overs. In the process, Ismail also became the first bowler to cross the milestone of 50 wickets at the tournament, ICC reports. In the hunt for another key wicket, South Africa bowled out Kapp early, and the pacer finished with outstanding figures of 1/16 in four overs. After early blows, Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight led the England fightback with a 133-run stand for the third wicket, which is the highest partnership in knockouts in the tournament. Sciver-Brunt dazzled with her footwork and ran hard between the wickets, hitting 11 fours and a six en route to her eighth half-century in Women's T20 World Cup. It drew her level with the game's greats Suzie Bates (New Zealand) and Beth Mooney (Australia). At the other end, Knight also kept the runs ticking. She brought up her fifty with a heave over deep mid-wicket for six. When it looked like England were about to switch gears, Nonkululeko Mlaba landed decisive blows in the 19th over. She had the England captain caught in the deep while trying to sweep, bringing an end to the partnership. Two balls later, Knight lofted the ball straight to Laura Wolvaardt at extra-cover. Though England didn't quite get the acceleration at the death, they finished at a challenging 169/5. In response, South Africa made a steady start as Wolvaardt and Brits put on an opening partnership of 43 runs. Wolvaardt stay at the wicket was cut short as Sophie Ecclestone grabbed a leaping catch near mid-on off Linsey Smith. Freya Kemp then removed Annerie Dercksen cheaply for 3. The hammer blow was the loss of Kapp, who, having added just five, tried to flick the ball into the leg side but got a leading edge, leaving Sciver-Brunt with the simplest of catches. That left the South Africans on 68-3 in 10.4 overs. Even as South Africa kept losing wickets at regular intervals, Brits waged a lone battle, getting to 50. However, she was dismissed on the very next ball, as she got a leading edge off Charlie Dean that flew to Sciver-Brunt. Once Brits departed, the South African challenge fell apart and England walked away with the win. Lauren Bell and Dean were the most effective bowlers on the day and claimed two wickets each. Smith, Freya Kemp and Eccelestone also chipped in with a wicket each. Even as South Africa kept losing wickets at regular intervals, Brits waged a lone battle, getting to 50. However, she was dismissed on the very next ball, as she got a leading edge off Charlie Dean that flew to Sciver-Brunt. Once Brits departed, the South African challenge fell apart and England walked away with the win. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief scores: England Women 169/5 in 20 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 75, Heather Knight 58; Nonkululeko Mlaba 2-25, Shabnim Ismail 2-31) beat South Africa Women 129/8 in 20 overs (Tazmin Brits 51, Laura Wolvaardt 17; Lauren Bell 2-28, Charlie Dean 2-32) by 40 runs Article Source: IANS

Anisimova and Fritz through as Americans sparkle at Wimbledon

Even as media speculation swirled about Serena Williams' participation in the women's doubles event alongside her sister Venus after a knee injury, her singles conqueror Maya Joint fell to Alexandra Eala of the Philippines

Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight put England in final

They defended 170 with ease against South Africa and will now face Australia in the final at Lord's on Sunday

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Shivamogga Yodhas Climb To Second Spot With Win Over Mangaluru

Mangaluru Coastal Kings Mangaluru: Riding on a mammoth partnership between Aneesh KV and Smaran R, Shivamogga Yodhas surged to a commanding seven-wicket victory over Coastal Kings Mangaluru in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 on Thursday. The win helped the Yodhas climb to the second spot on the points table, while Coastal Kings Mangaluru slipped to third. Earlier in the day, Shreesha Achar, Abhilash Shetty, and Dhanush Gowda all registered figures of 2/33 for the Yodhas to restrict the Coastal Kings to 162/7. During the chase, Shivamogga Yodhas found themselves in early trouble after slipping to 40/3 at the end of the Power-play. Vasuki Koushik struck first to dismiss orange-cap holder Luvnith Sisodia (5 off 3), before Nischith Pai continued his impressive form by accounting for Tushar Singh (7 off 9) and Naveen MG (20 off 20). With the innings in the balance, Aneesh KV and Smaran R combined to produce a match-winning, unbeaten partnership of 125 runs off just 75 balls to wrest control of the chase. Aneesh led the counterattack, bringing up a fluent half-century in just 31 deliveries, and finishing the innings with eight fours and two sixes. By the end of the 15th over, the Yodhas were firmly in command at 127/3. Aneesh further tilted the contest with three consecutive boundaries in the 16th over before Smaran fittingly sealed the chase by launching Nischith over mid-wicket for a maximum. The left-hander also brought up a 32-ball half-century in the process, studded with six fours and two sixes. Earlier, opting to bat first, Coastal Kings Mangaluru made a steady start through Aadharsh (24 off 17) and Nikin Jose (51 off 41), who stitched together a 35-run opening stand from 31 deliveries. However, Shivamogga Yodhas' disciplined bowling attack ensured the scoring rate never got away during the Power-play. The innings then unravelled quickly as Coastal Kings Mangaluru lost wickets in clusters. Gowda turned the tide with a superb sixth over, dismissing Aadharsh and Karun Nair (0 off 2) within the space of three deliveries. Shreesha Achar compounded the damage in the eighth over by removing Siddharth Akhil (5 off 10) and Shreyas Gopal (0 off 1), leaving the batting side under pressure. Jose anchored the innings through the middle overs, adding a valuable 43-run stand with Suraj Ahuja (39 off 19), before Yashovardhan Parantap accounted for him in the 14th over with the score on 103/5. Ahuja then joined forces with CA Karthik (36 not out off 20) to inject momentum into the innings, the pair adding 29 runs in just 13 deliveries. Abhilash Shetty struck twice late in the innings, removing Ahuja and Rajvir Wadhwa (3), but Karthik remained unbeaten, smashing two fours and three sixes to lift Coastal Kings Mangaluru to a competitive total of 163. Jose anchored the innings through the middle overs, adding a valuable 43-run stand with Suraj Ahuja (39 off 19), before Yashovardhan Parantap accounted for him in the 14th over with the score on 103/5. Ahuja then joined forces with CA Karthik (36 not out off 20) to inject momentum into the innings, the pair adding 29 runs in just 13 deliveries. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Coastal Kings Managaluru 162/7 in 20 overs (Nikin Jose 51, Surah Ahuja 39, CA Karthik 36; Shreesha Achar 2/33, Abhilash Shetty 2/33, Dhanush 2/33) lost to Shivamogga Yodhas 165/3 in 18.2 overs (Aneesh KV 76 not out, Smaran R 53 not out; Nischith 2/35) by 7 wickets Article Source: IANS

Wimbledon 2026 | Superb Swiatek, Zverev cruise into last 32

Reigning champion was back to her ruthless best in a 6-1, 6-3; Zverev was also on top form raising hopes the German can finally master the grass courts

South Africa bowl and bring in Sune Luus against England

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt returned after recovering from a calf muscle injury, with Dunkley making way

All-rounder Deepti Sharma Visits Wimbledon

T20 World Cup: With the Indian team's campaign in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup coming to an end, all-rounder Deepti Sharma visited Wimbledon, the world's most prestigious Grand Slam, and watched some of the top tennis players plying their trade at the All-England Club in London. One of the world's top all-rounders, Deepti, who did well for the Indian team in the T20 World Cup before their campaign came unstuck in the league stage against five-time champions Australia, was welcomed by the All-England Club on her maiden visit to Wimbledon. Welcome to Wimbledon, @officialdeeptisharma

TG20 Season 1: Rahul, Hrishikesh Score Fifties To Propel Karimnagar Diamonds To Second Spot

Ranga Reddy Risers: EIPL & eleve Karimnagar Diamonds secured their third win on the trot, registering a 58-run win against Ranga Reddy Risers in Hyderabad Cricket Association's TG20 on Thursday. The win propelled Diamonds to second place on the points table, while Risers dropped down to third spot. Rahul Radesh, the centurion from the Diamonds previous match, carried on his fine form with a 37-ball 72, including seven fours and four sixes. He was supported by Hrishikesh Sharma (60 off 38) as the two stitched together a brilliant partnership to help their side post 230/5 on the board. Narayana Teja led the way with the ball courtesy of his three-wicket haul, while Rathlavath Dinesh (2/25), Shubham Sharma (2/38), Ashish Srivastav (1/19), and B Satish Kumar (1/24) all contributed to ensure Diamonds manufactured a commanding win. Tanmay Agarwal (29 off 16) was quick off the blocks, smashing Aryan Cariappa for 16 runs in the first over. This set the tone for the Diamonds, with his partner Satwik Reddy (24 off 13) soon getting in on the action as the two set the platform for their side, scoring 42/0 after four overs. However, the Risers struck back with Tanay Jaddu bagging the prized scalp of Tanmay in the fifth over. Tanay Thyagarajann got the better of Satwik in the following over, pulling things back for the Risers. They conceded only nine runs in the next fifteen balls as Rahul Radesh and Hrishikesh Simha bided their time to consolidate the innings. After a lull in the middle, which saw boundaries drying up, both batters broke the shackles in the ninth over. They scored 49 runs in three overs to put the pressure back on the Risers bowlers. Adding to their woes, Rahul was dropped off Nitin Sai Yadavs bowling as he went on to register his half-century in 28 balls. The onslaught continued as Hrishikesh cruised to his fifty in 31 balls. The pair added 123 runs off 65 balls to build a monumental partnership the fourth-highest partnership of the tournament that put Diamonds in the ascendancy. Tanay Jaddu provided the vital breakthrough to dismiss Rahul in the 17th over and bagged his second wicket in the process. Hrishikesh too fell in the next over, with Nitin Sai Yadav getting the better of him. However, the momentum was firmly in the batting sides favour despite losing a couple of wickets. Chandan Sahani (20 off 10) and Shubham Sharma (17 off 7) chipped in with crucial cameos in the death overs. The pair scored 30 runs off the last two overs to power the Diamonds to 230/5 at the end of 20 overs. With a high total to chase down, Risers endured an early setback when Rathlavath Dinesh dismissed Avanish Rao (4 off 3) in the opening over. Gnana Prakash Reddy counterattacked with three boundaries in a single over from Harish Thakur before Dinesh got the better of him. Despite the setback, Aaron George found the fence regularly as the Risers recovered to 50/2 after five overs before Shubham dismissed Aaron (19 off 13) to leave the Risers in trouble at 51/3. Aditya Javvaji (48 off 31) then seized control of the innings alongside Alankrith Rapole. Aditya shifted gears spectacularly with back-to-back sixes off Shubham Sharma in the final over of the powerplay to lead his side to 64/3. He continued to be on the charge against Satish Kumar, scoring 16 runs off an over to help the Risers race to 97/3 at the halfway mark. Narayana Teja broke the back of the run chase with a double blow in the twelfth over. He dismissed Alankrith and Tanay Thyagarajann in successive deliveries. Ashish Srivastav then outfoxed Aditya to put the Risers further into trouble. The innings unravelled rather quickly for them thereafter. Aryan Cariappa displayed his skills with the bat to score a 20-ball 30 to help his side reduce the margin of defeat. Risers eventually fell well short, losing by 58 runs. Narayana Teja broke the back of the run chase with a double blow in the twelfth over. He dismissed Alankrith and Tanay Thyagarajann in successive deliveries. Ashish Srivastav then outfoxed Aditya to put the Risers further into trouble. Also Read: Live Cricket Score EIPL & eleve Karimnagar Diamonds 230/5 in 20 overs (Rahul Radesh 72, Hrishikesh Simha 60, Tanay Jaddu 2/48, Tanay Thyagarajannn 1/32) bt Ranga Reddy Risers 172/9 in 20 overs *(Aditya Javvaji 48, Aryan Cariappa 30, Narayana Teja 3/25, Rathlavath Dinesh 2/25) by 58 runs Article Source: IANS

Arachchige's Unbeaten 83 Guides Sri Lanka A To 288/5 Against India A, Thakur, Saransh Pick Two Scalps

Skipper Sahan Arachchige: Skipper Sahan Arachchige led from the front with an unbeaten 83 to help Sri Lanka 'A' reach a commanding 288/5 on the opening day of the second four-day game against India 'A' on Thursday. For India, pacer Yash Thakur and off-spinner Saransh Jain were the standout bowlers with two scalps each. Earlier, India 'A' made three tactical alterations to their playing eleven drafting in Aman Mokhade, Zeeshan Ansari, and Gurnoor Brar in place of Ayush Pandey, Harsh Dubey, and Anshul Kamboj. B Sai Sudharsan, who retired hurt in the second innings in the first game, became fit for the ongoing game. Opting to bat first, the hosts received a steady launchpad from openers Pawantha Weerasinghe and Sohan de Livera, who put together a 53-run partnership. Thakur provided India A's first breakthrough in the 16th over by removing de Livera for 28. Weerasinghe looked set but threw away his start for 39, falling to Gurnoor Brar just before the lunch break. The afternoon session saw Nuwanidu Fernando (44) play with positive intent, hitting Brar for consecutive boundaries. He stitched a crucial 57-run stand for the third wicket with Ashen Bandara before Saransh broke the partnership in the 37th over. The pattern of batsmen failing to convert good starts persisted as Ashen was dismissed for 34 in the 47th over. Thereafter, Arachchige joined forces with Anjala Bandara to frustrate the Indian bowlers by guiding the home team to 192/4 by tea. The Sri Lanka A captain looked comfortable throughout his stay and crossed his half-century with a boundary off Auqib Nabi in the 64th over. India A's search for a wicket finally ended in the 77th over when Saransh cleaned up Anjala for 42, ending a stubborn 99-run association. However, Arachchige remained unperturbed through the final session till stumps were called. Thereafter, Arachchige joined forces with Anjala Bandara to frustrate the Indian bowlers by guiding the home team to 192/4 by tea. The Sri Lanka A captain looked comfortable throughout his stay and crossed his half-century with a boundary off Auqib Nabi in the 64th over. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sri Lanka A 288/5 in 85 overs (Sahan Arachchige 83 not out, Nuwanidu Fernando 44; Yash Thakur 2-32, Saransh Jain 2-77) against India A Article Source: IANS

Srinagar's 11-Year-Old Atiqa Asif Mir Scripts History With Selection for Formula 1 Academy Programme

Eleven-year-old karting sensation Atiqa Asif Mir from Srinagar has created history by becoming the first Indian and the first Asian female driver to be selected for the Formula 1 Academy's prestigious 'Discover Your Drive' development programme. Her remarkable achievement has earned praise from Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and is being hailed as a milestone for Indian motorsport.

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Hubli Tigers, Mysore Warriors Share Points After Abhinav Manohar's 12-ball Blitz

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Abhinav Manohar's explosive 12-ball 46 lit up a rain-hit match between Hubli Tigers and Mysore Warriors before persistent rain forced the match to be abandoned in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament on Thursday. Both teams walked away with one point each. Reduced to an eight-overs-a-side contest, Hubli Tigers posted 91/6, thanks largely to Manohar's breathtaking late assault. The Tigers were in trouble at 27/2 after five overs when rain interrupted play. Kruthik Krishna (23 off 19) and Hardik Raj (2 0ff 4) both retired out, leaving the innings in a precarious position. Manohar smashed two fours and six sixes in a whirlwind knock. The former Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad batter took a particular liking to Vyshak Vijaykumar, hammering 6, 4, 6, 6 in the sixth over before finishing with 6, 6, 4, 6 in the eighth. He eventually fell off the final ball of the innings after propelling the Tigers to a competitive total. The knock was a timely reminder of Manohar's big-hitting prowess, having struck 52 sixes for the Shivamogga Lions during the 2024 season, including three innings featuring nine maximums. Ritesh Bhatkal was the top performer for the Warriors, picking up two wickets for just 10 runs. The washout leaves Hubli Tigers fifth on the table with six points from seven matches, having registered two wins, three losses, and two no results. Mysore Warriors remain sixth with five points from seven matches, with two wins, four losses, and one no result. Bengaluru Blasters continue to lead the standings on 12 points, followed by Coastal Kings Mangaluru, Gulbarga Mystics, and Shivamogga Yodhas. Later in the evening, Coastal Kings Mangaluru will take on Shivamogga Yodhas. Bengaluru Blasters continue to lead the standings on 12 points, followed by Coastal Kings Mangaluru, Gulbarga Mystics, and Shivamogga Yodhas. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Hubli Tigers 91/6 in 8 overs (Kruthik Krishna 23 retired hurt, Abhinav Manohar 46; Ritesh Bhatkal 2/10). No Result Article Source: IANS

ETPL Completes Historic Inaugural Player Draft As Six Franchises Finalize Squads For Maiden Season

The European T20 Premier League: The European T20 Premier League (ETPL) completed its first-ever Player Draft in Dublin on Thursday, marking a major milestone ahead of the tournament's inaugural season. The league's six franchises selected 36 players, 12 each from Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland, and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB), to finalise their core squads, with Irish all-rounder Jai Moondra and veteran batter Paul Stirling among the headline picks. The draft saw an even distribution of talent across the six teams, although franchises largely leaned towards players from their respective regions. Amsterdam Flames and Rotterdam Dockers selected the majority of the Dutch contingent, while Edinburgh Castle Rockers and Glasgow Cosmic drafted nine of the 12 Scottish players. Dublin Guardians and Belfast Wolves, meanwhile, picked seven of the 12 Irish players. One of the biggest talking points of the draft was Rotterdam Dockers making highly rated all-rounder Jai Moondra their opening selection. Moondra has emerged as one of Ireland's brightest young prospects and recently impressed in the T20I series against India with his all-round performances. The Dockers also strengthened their squad by adding Netherlands internationals Michael Levitt, Ryan Klein, Vikramjit Singh, and Saqib Zulfiqar, along with Scotland's Jasper Davidson. Belfast Wolves, meanwhile, added proven international experience by drafting Ireland opener Paul Stirling and left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys as part of their inaugural squad. Dublin Guardians captain and mentor Ravichandran Ashwin explained that his franchise prioritised versatility and role clarity over nationality while building its squad. While the majority of our picks were Irish, I think nationality comes second; it's about the quality of the player and how they will fit into our mix. I do believe that, going into an auction or a draft, every single player that you pick must be a playable resource. Of course, there must be an exciting amount of skill that they put on display, but they must be very playable. If a player is unavailable, somebody should be able to seamlessly come in and fill that role. Rotterdam Dockers co-owner Jonty Rhodes said Moondra had been a priority target after his recent rise on the international stage. Jai Moondra was someone we were particularly keen to bring into the squad after the way he announced himself on the international stage. He is an exciting young talent with tremendous potential, and we're delighted to have secured him. Alongside Jai, we've put together a really exciting group of players from across Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. We believe we have a strong, balanced squad with the depth and quality to be highly competitive, and we're looking forward to seeing them come together when the league gets underway. The remaining franchises also completed their player selections during the draft: Amsterdam Flames: Curtis Campher, Kyle Klein, Tim Pringle, Aryan Dutt, Jordan Neill, and Max O'Dowd. Belfast Wolves: Matthew Humphreys, Fred Klaassen, Tim Tector, Paul Stirling, Zainullah Ihsan, and Alexander Roy. Dublin Guardians: Benjamin Calitz, George Dockrell, Matthew Hollard, Craig Young, Noah Croes, and Chris Greaves. Edinburgh Castle Rockers: Gareth Delany, Ross Adair, Jack Jarvis, Charlie Tear, Safyaan Sharif, and Finlay McCreath. Glasgow Cosmic: Brad Currie, Matthew Cross, Paul van Meekeren, Michael Leask, Oliver Davidson, and Chris McBride. Rotterdam Dockers: Jai Moondra, Michael Levitt, Ryan Klein, Jasper Davidson, Vikramjit Singh, and Saqib Zulfiqar. Irish Wolves co-owner Glenn Maxwell expressed satisfaction with the squad-building process, describing the draft as a rewarding experience. Incredibly happy with how the draft went. Its a new experience for me to be involved in starting a team from scratch. To go through the risk management process, building a squad and a team that we can put on the park and be really competitive, has been a really great experience. Really happy how the draft went, we were able to get the picks that we needed, the playing skills we needed to give ourselves depth as well. Amsterdam Flames co-owner Steve Waugh said the draft demanded flexibility, particularly after making the opening selection. Incredibly happy with how the draft went. Its a new experience for me to be involved in starting a team from scratch. To go through the risk management process, building a squad and a team that we can put on the park and be really competitive, has been a really great experience. Really happy how the draft went, we were able to get the picks that we needed, the playing skills we needed to give ourselves depth as well. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The inaugural draft represents one of the most significant milestones in the ETPL's build-up, with franchises backed by several of cricket's biggest names, including Rahul Dravid, Steve Waugh, Matthew Hayden, Faf du Plessis, Heinrich Klaasen, Glenn Maxwell, and Jonty Rhodes. With the squads now finalised, focus shifts to the league's maiden season, where established internationals and emerging talent from Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands will compete together in a new franchise competition. Article Source: IANS

Yash Thakur, Saransh Jain make inroads for India A

Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige held fort for the hosts with an unbeaten 83

DPL 2026 Women's Auction: Parunika Sisodia Top Buy At 14 Lakh As Franchises Complete Squads

Delhi Premier League: Left-arm spinner Parunika Sisodia emerged as the biggest buy at the Delhi Premier League (DPL) T20 Womens Auction after being signed by East Delhi Riders for 14 lakh, as the four franchises assembled their squads for the third edition of the tournament. The auction witnessed intense bidding, strategic Right to Match (RTM) moves, and marquee signings, underlining the growing profile of the womens competition, which has established itself as one of Indias leading domestic T20 platforms. East Delhi Riders strengthened their squad by signing marquee players Parunika Sisodia and Simran Dil Bahadur, while Central Delhi Queens acquired all-rounder Arushi Goel to partner retained marquee all-rounder Soni Yadav. North Delhi Strikers bolstered their bowling attack by adding Priya Mishra alongside retained marquee player Ayushi Soni, while South Delhi Superstarz signed India batter Priya Punia to complement retained India U-19 player Shweta Sehrawat. Besides Parunikas 14 lakh deal, Arushi Goel was the second-most expensive player at 11 lakh after being picked by Central Delhi Queens. The top seven most expensive players at the auction were: Parunika Sisodia East Delhi Riders 14 lakh Arushi Goel Central Delhi Queens 11 lakh Sumiti Soni Central Delhi Queens 8 lakh Simran Dil Bahadur East Delhi Riders 8 lakh Purva Siwach East Delhi Riders 7 lakh Samaira Raghav North Delhi Strikers 7 lakh Pragya Rawat - East Delhi Riders - 7 lakh Franchises also strategically exercised their Right to Match (RTM) cards to retain proven performers from last season. East Delhi Riders brought back Pragya Rawat for 7 lakh, while North Delhi Strikers used RTM to re-sign all-rounder Samaira Raghav for 7 lakh. By the end of the auction, all four franchises assembled balanced squads featuring a blend of experienced performers and promising young talent, setting the stage for a highly competitive edition of the DPL T20 2026 Womens competition. Complete squads: Central Delhi Queens: Soni Yadav, Arushi Goel, Monika, Deeksha Sharma, Nidhi Mahto, Sumiti Soni, Medhavi Bidhuri, Ritisha Khushi, Nidhi Tanwar, Kanika Mathur, R Priyadarshni, Riya Kondal, Saachi, Jyoti, Mallika Khatri, Neha Parmar, Puja Halder, Akshita Jain, Nishtha Bisht, Kashvi Kumar, Chelcy Yadav, Tanu Chauhan. East Delhi Riders: Parunika Sisodia, Simran Dil Bahadur, Bharti Rawal, Pragya Rawat, Purva Siwach, Vanshika Lila, Aarna Dudeja, Goyinka Sharma, Mahi Chauhan, Nilanchal Nerwal, Sonakshi, Tamanna Singh, Suhana Attri, Ishika, Riti Tomar, Hridya Sharma, Neha Chhillar, Urvashi Gupta, Jasleen Kaur, Geet Rarhana, Yashasvi Dhiman, Rajshri Yadav. Central Delhi Queens: Soni Yadav, Arushi Goel, Monika, Deeksha Sharma, Nidhi Mahto, Sumiti Soni, Medhavi Bidhuri, Ritisha Khushi, Nidhi Tanwar, Kanika Mathur, R Priyadarshni, Riya Kondal, Saachi, Jyoti, Mallika Khatri, Neha Parmar, Puja Halder, Akshita Jain, Nishtha Bisht, Kashvi Kumar, Chelcy Yadav, Tanu Chauhan. Also Read: Live Cricket Score South Delhi Superstarz: Priya Punia, Shweta Sehrawat, Ekta Bhadana, Tanisha Singh, Disha Nagar, Mayuri Singh, Nishika Singh, Himakshi Chaudhary, Tanishqa Singh, Aarti Kumari, Chhavi Gupta, Kashish, Ananya Pahuja, Avleen Kaur, Harshita, Mitali R, Geetanjali, Pragati Bisht, Anamika Kumari, Yashika, Roopali Vishwa Mohan. Article Source: IANS

How RCA's Ad-hoc Regime Rose, Lingered And Fell Amid 'dynasty Politics' Charges

BJP State Spokesperson Pinkesh Jain: Rajasthan cricket over the past two-and-a-half years witnessed the rise and fall of the Rajasthan Cricket Associations (RCA) ad-hoc committee -- a body that was constituted as a temporary arrangement after the resignation of the associations elected president but gradually evolved into a prolonged administrative regime marked by repeated extensions, leadership changes and allegations of promoting parivarvad. Also, there were repeated extensions, changing conveners, internal disputes and mounting controversies, however the one task it was created to accomplish, to conduct elections, remained unfulfilled. The long-running chapter reached a decisive conclusion on Wednesday, when the Rajasthan High Court suspended the ad-hoc committee, appointed senior IAS officer Bhaskar A. Sawant as administrator and directed that elections be held at the earliest. The order effectively ended an interim arrangement that had survived three conveners, multiple extensions and nearly two and a half years of uncertainty. The story began on February 23, 2024, when the Rajasthan State Sports Council sealed the RCA office at Jaipur's Sawai Mansingh Stadium after terminating the MoU over alleged dues of nearly Rs 8 crore. Three days later, then RCA president Vaibhav Gehlot resigned, bringing the elected administration to an end and setting in motion a chain of events that would keep the state's premier cricket body under ad-hoc rule for far longer than anyone had anticipated. To fill the vacuum, the state government constituted the first ad-hoc committee on March 28, 2024, appointing BJP MLA Jaideep Bihani as its convener. The committee was given a clear mandate, to stabilise the association and conduct elections within three months. Initially, the move was welcomed as an opportunity to reform cricket administration and restore democratic governance. However, the optimism was short-lived. Within months, the committee itself became embroiled in controversy. Allegations surfaced that key decisions were being taken unilaterally, while several members claimed meetings had virtually stopped and collective decision-making had broken down. Instead of preparing the association for elections, the committee increasingly found itself defending its own functioning. Yet, despite the controversies, the committee continued to receive extensions. Its first three-month tenure, which was to end in June 2024, was extended. Another extension followed in September 2024, then again in December 2024, and once more in March 2025. With every extension, expectations of elections faded further while criticism from district cricket associations, players and administrators grew louder. Many began questioning whether the ad-hoc arrangement, conceived as a temporary measure, was quietly becoming a permanent one. Facing mounting opposition, internal disagreements and complaints regarding the committee's functioning, the government finally replaced Jaideep Bihani, appointing Deendayal (DD) Kumawat as the new convener. The leadership changed, but the narrative did not. Administrative disputes persisted, the election process remained stalled, and repeated assurances that polls would be held soon failed to inspire confidence among stakeholders. In March 2026, the government reshuffled the leadership once again, appointing Dr Mohit Jaswant Yadav as the third convener of the ad-hoc committee. While the committee continued to oversee cricketing activities, it failed to accomplish the very objective for which it had been constituted, holding elections and restoring an elected executive body. Every leadership change was accompanied by fresh promises, but the outcome remained the same. As part of this reshuffle, the incumbent convener, Deendayal Kumawat, was removed from his post. Furthermore, BJP State Spokesperson Pinkesh Jain was also dropped from the committee. In the last announcement, the ad hoc committee featured Mohit Yadav, son of BJP MLA Jaswant Yadav, as the convener of the committee, while others include Dhananjay Singh Khimsar (son of Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar), Arisht Singhvi (grandson of former Minister Chandraraj Singhvi), Ashish Tiwari (son of BJP MP Ghanshyam Tiwari), and Arjun Beniwal (son of MLA Sanjeev Beniwal), all five members who were sons of ruling BJP politicians. Flagging this reshuffle, the leader of opposition Tika Ram Jully said that by appointing sons of ministers and MLAs to the RCA committee, the ruling BJP, which often questions 'parivarvad' in politics, has made RCA a launching pad for relatives of politicians. By then, frustration within Rajasthan's cricket fraternity had reached a tipping point. Players, district associations and former office-bearers openly questioned why the RCA continued to function under an interim arrangement nearly two and a half years after the resignation of its elected president. What had started as a short-term administrative solution had evolved into one of the longest-running ad-hoc regimes in the association's history. The impasse eventually reached the Rajasthan High Court on Wednesday, where judges questioned the repeated extensions granted to the ad-hoc committee and sought an explanation for the continued delay in conducting elections. Observing that an ad-hoc committee could not continue indefinitely, the High Court suspended the committee, appointed senior IAS officer Bhaskar A. Sawant as administrator and directed that elections be held at the earliest. The court's intervention effectively brought the prolonged chapter to a close. It also echoed what Rajasthan's cricket fraternity had been demanding for nearly two years, that the state's premier cricket body should return to elected leadership instead of continuing under an endlessly extended interim arrangement. From the sealing of the RCA office on February 23, 2024, to Vaibhav Gehlot's resignation on February 26, the constitution of the first ad-hoc committee on March 28, followed by successive tenure extensions in June 2024, September 2024, December 2024 and March 2025, the story remained one of recurring postponements. It also echoed what Rajasthan's cricket fraternity had been demanding for nearly two years, that the state's premier cricket body should return to elected leadership instead of continuing under an endlessly extended interim arrangement. Also Read: Live Cricket Score In the end, it was judicial intervention -- rather than administrative action -- that dismantled the extended ad-hoc regime, paving the way for long-awaited elections in Rajasthans premier cricket body. Article Source: IANS

Ashwin: ETPL crucial in making cricket a global sport

The former India allrounder believes that a short format like T20 cricket is key to the sport's success in Europe and beyond, including at the LA Olympics in 2028

T20 Is Here To Stay, Not Too Sure About ODI Cricket: Ashwin

European T20 Premier League: Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes T20 cricket has cemented its place as the format that will drive the sport's future, while expressing doubts over the long-term sustainability of One-Day Internationals. Speaking during a media interaction after the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) 2026 Player Draft on Thursday, the Dublin Guardians captain and mentor said T20's shorter duration makes it the ideal vehicle for cricket's global expansion and its return to the Olympic Games. Responding to a question on whether cricket's growth in emerging nations should focus only on T20s or extend equally to other formats, Ashwin stressed that players must first master the art of adapting to different situations, irrespective of the format they play. I think cricket as a whole needs to be learned in a way that you get better every single day. You should be able to adapt. The name of the game is adaptation, Ashwin said in a media interaction following the conclusion of the ETPL 2026 Player Draft. He pointed to India's recent T20I series against Ireland as an example of how external conditions can significantly influence the shortest format, forcing players to evolve constantly. Which is why what happened recently between India and Ireland in that T20 series is a classic example of how conditions can eliminate a lot of aspects of the game that have been developed as a root cause of T20 as a sport, the all-rounder added. The veteran spinner, however, believes that when it comes to expanding cricket's footprint across new markets, T20 remains the most practical and effective format. But that aside, our job will be purely on T20 cricket and how it can get better. And if the game has to become global and it has to become an Olympic sport, the shorter the game, the more viable it is, the Dublin Guardians captain and mentor stated. The veteran spinner, however, believes that when it comes to expanding cricket's footprint across new markets, T20 remains the most practical and effective format. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The 38-year-old then offered a blunt assessment of how he views the future of the game's formats. T20 as a sport is here to stay. I am not too sure about ODI cricket. Article Source: IANS

Galle and Colombo to host India for two Tests in August 2026

No tour matches have been officially announced

Nathan McSweeney agrees 2027 Northants return

Australian has been in prolific form in County Championship and T20 Blast

WI vs SL 2nd Test: Preview, Predicted XIs, Player Tips & Match Prediction

WI vs SL 2nd Test, Cricket Tips :Sri Lanka's tour of West Indies is coming to its end. Sri Lanka won the ODI series 1-0, and West Indies bounced back with a 2-1 T20I series win. The hosts carried their good form in the test series also and beat the visitors with a massive margin of an innings and 217 runs in the first test. They have taken a 1-0 lead and will be aiming for the long-awaited series win in tests. It was their first win in the ongoing WTC cycle. Amir Jangroo scored 233 runs and won the MOTM award. Captain Roston Chase also scored 194. West Indies produced an all-round bowling display and recorded a dominating win. Sri Lanka would be feeling the pressure. They crumbled badly with the bat. With the ball, the restricted West Indies for 168/5, but after that they had a record 401-run stand, and Sri Lanka couldn't recover from there. But to stay in the series, they need to win the upcoming test. WI vs SL: Match Details Date : July 3-7, 2026 (Friday-Tuesday) Time : 7:30 PM IST Venue : Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua WI vs SL: Live Streaming Details Indian fans can watch the second test on the FanCode streaming platform. WI vs SL: Head-to-Head in Tests Total Matches : 25 West Indies : 05 Sri Lanka: 11 No-result: 09 WI vs SL: Ground Pitch Report As seen in the first game, there will be something in this wicket for everyone. Fast bowlers can get good pace from the wicket, but as the game goes on, the bounce can get uneven. The spinners will have their role. Meanwhile, batters who can stick to the crease can play long innings. WI vs SL: Possible XIs West Indies : Brandon King, John Campbell, Kavem Hodge, Amir Jangoo, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Roston Chase (c), Justin Greaves, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales Sri Lanka: Nishan Madushka, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Kusal Mendis (wk), Sonal Dinusha, Milan Priyanath Rathnayake, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando WI vs SL: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Amir Jangoo scored his maiden double hundred in the game, and he will be hoping for another match-winning knock. For Sri Lanka, captain Dhananjaya de Silva scored a good century in the first innings and showed his good form. Probable Bowler Kemar Roachachieved the milestone of 300 test wickets in the first game. He was moving the ball well and took six wickets in the game. Milan Priyanath Rathnayake bowled a long spell and took five wickets. He was the only Sri Lankan who looked consistent with his line. Today Match Prediction : After the first test, West Indies will be high on confidence. They also know these conditions better. Hence, we predict West Indies to win the second test. WI vs SL Match 2nd Test, Today Match WI vs SL, WI vs SL Prediction, WI vs SL Predicted XIs, Injury Update for West Indies vs Sri Lanka Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.

Rahul Doesnt Want To Be Involved, Has Left Cricketing Decisions To Me At Dublin Guardians: R Ashwin

European T20 Premier League: Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed that Rahul Dravid has entrusted him with complete control over the cricketing affairs of Dublin Guardians in the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL), saying the former India head coach has deliberately chosen to stay away from on-field decision-making. Speaking after the ETPL 2026 Player Draft on Thursday, Ashwin said the responsibility for building the squad and shaping the team's strategy rests squarely with him as the franchise's captain and mentor. Dublin Guardians, co-owned by Dravid, appointed Ashwin in the dual role ahead of the league's inaugural season. Asked how closely the Indian batting great would be involved in the team's planning and strategy, Ashwin said Dravid had made his intentions clear from the outset, and that he had consciously stepped back from cricketing matters, placing his trust in the former India spinner to oversee the team's direction. I think freedom is very important for people to be able to run a cricket team on the field. And I don't think we have had too many issues at all so far. Rahul has been very clear that he doesn't want to be involved as much in cricketing decisions. Which is why I am at the centre of it. I will be taking responsibility for it, and I also have to construct the teams, Ashwin said in a media interaction following the conclusion of the ETPL 2026 Player Draft. The 39-year-old acknowledged that leading a franchise in a new league presents unfamiliar challenges but said both he and Dravid share the ambition of helping establish the ETPL on a strong footing. And like everybody else on this call and those who were available on this draft, it is new territory for all of us. We are looking forward to it and, hopefully, in the long run, making a difference. And Rahul and I both will have our sincere stamp on whatever we do in this tournament, he added. Ashwin also explained why he accepted the dual responsibility of captain and mentor, saying it reflects the direction he wants his career to take as he transitions towards leadership and coaching roles. I think I'm at that stage of my career where I'd like to contribute more than just being a player. And for whatever it is, whatever it is worth, even if it's a straight-run league, I've been a coach-cum-captain for the last couple of years that I've played my cricket there, the spin-bowling all-rounder said. He said the opportunity felt like a natural progression, with Dravid already familiar with the leadership role he has been playing in domestic cricket. So, it was just a straight connection. And Rahul (Dravid) had seen me do the job. And he understands what I do back home for club cricket. So, I think he was pretty confident that I could do it. It's just a crossover into what I'd like to do next. I think I'm at that stage of my career where I'd like to contribute more than just being a player. And for whatever it is, whatever it is worth, even if it's a straight-run league, I've been a coach-cum-captain for the last couple of years that I've played my cricket there, the spin-bowling all-rounder said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score It's also sort of a comeback for me after my knee surgery. So, it's taking a touch longer. But I'm assuming that by the time I'm getting there to Malahide, I'd be good enough to go and all guns blazing, he stated. Article Source: IANS

Entire World Waiting To See Sooryavanshi Play, Will Feature In All Three Formats Soon, Says Karim

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is not only the cynosure of Indian fans, but also of the entire cricketing world, who is eagerly waiting to see him perform at the highest level, said former India selector and wicketkeeper Saba Karim. Sooryavanshi, who grabbed headlines by amassing 776 runs at a staggering strike-rate of 237.30 to bag the Player-of-the-Tournament honour in IPL 2026 for Rajasthan Royals, is currently eyeing a much-anticipated international debut for India in the ongoing five-match T20I series against England. Sooryavanshi was unused in Ireland, as India suffered a shock 2-0 series loss. In my opinion, in the history of the IPL, perhaps after that season of Virat Kohli when he scored so many runs, if one season has to be defined, it is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's IPL, IPL 2026. The kind of performances he has put in against top-quality bowlers, even though in Indian conditions, have been top-notch. I have full faith in his ability to score big runs. Not only Indian fans but the entire world is waiting to see Vaibhav Sooryavanshi play in the same manner that he did in the IPL. I have high hopes for this young lad. Very soon, we will see him in all three formats. I am dead sure about it, said Karim on JioStar. He also recalled of the time when Sooryavanshi first burst in IPL 2025 and didnt expect him to get big runs. I didn't expect him to score in his very first year. But before last season's IPL, I remember getting a lot of videos from all his coaches, Manish Ojha from the Patna academy, our Bhojpuri commentator Robin, and a few others, saying, 'Sir, you have to watch him. He's a kid, but he has great timing.' When he was bought in the auction, I was just hoping that he would get a chance to play at least once because I wanted the world to see that India now has such a talented player. Just imagine, you're playing your first match on such a big platform, up against a top-quality bowler who has played for India. He had no baggage whatsoever. The first ball he faced, he completely dismissed the bowler from his sight. This is what Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is all about. Dismissing concerns that the youngster would suffer from second-season blues after opposition analysts figured out his game, Karim revealed of his reassuring conversation with RR batting coach Vikram Rathour. Even after he scored that record 170-odd in the Under-19 World Cup final, everybody still felt that in the second season, it was possible that bowlers would come with definite plans against him and cause him problems, targeting his body and identifying areas to trouble him. But I didn't feel that he would have second-season blues. I felt that he was well prepared, and he batted in the same way. I remember having a chat with Vikram Rathour, who is the batting coach at Rajasthan Royals, where I asked him if Vaibhav could find it challenging against top-quality bowling or short-pitched deliveries at 145-150 clicks. He said, 'Saba, just wait and watch.' I think he is equally prepared to handle any kind of delivery, he said. Even after he scored that record 170-odd in the Under-19 World Cup final, everybody still felt that in the second season, it was possible that bowlers would come with definite plans against him and cause him problems, targeting his body and identifying areas to trouble him. Also Read: Live Cricket Score That kind of preparation is what he has done. That's why this year we have seen him start to play the upper cut against shorter deliveries, hit through the covers with a strong base, go over long-off, over cover, and play inside-out shots. All these shots that he has added to his scoring repertoire mean that now, whatever the conditions are, whatever the bowling attack is, he is ready, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

Surrey pile on the runs as Essex are outdone at Chelmsford

Trio of half-centuries make the difference in contest of 473 runs

USA Could Have Upset India At T20 WC; ETPL Can Help European Teams Close The Gap: Belfast Captain Maxwell

European T20 Premier League: Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell believes the gap between cricket's powerhouses and emerging nations is narrowing rapidly, saying the United States came close to upsetting India at the T20 World Cup and that the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) can further accelerate the rise of developing teams. Speaking after the ETPL 2026 Player Draft on Thursday, the Belfast Wolves co-owner and captain said franchise leagues provide the exposure needed for Associate nations to consistently challenge the world's best. Asked whether ETPL could help make results like Ireland's recent T20I series win over India more frequent by giving European players a stronger competitive platform. The Australian cited the USA's performance against India at the T20 World Cup as evidence that emerging teams are already capable of challenging the sport's heavyweights, saying that the Americans came within touching distance of producing one of the biggest upsets in recent ICC tournament history. Yeah, I think you've only got to look at a team like the US. The way that they've grown as a team and how they played at the last T20 World Cup. I think it was in, sorry, the last T20 World Cup in India. And how they pushed teams. And if they had probably caught SKY (Suryakumar Yadav), they might have even upset India there as well, Maxwell said while replying to an IANS query during a media interaction following the conclusion of the 2026 Player Draft. Using that example, the Australian said emerging cricket nations are improving at a rapid pace and backed the ETPL to play a significant role in Europe's cricketing development. And hopefully the same thing will happen with the ETPL. It can happen quite fast, the growth in these nations. With the, I suppose, inspiring the next generation of cricket, the all-rounder stated. While he acknowledged that building a sustainable cricket culture takes time, Maxwell said recent ICC tournaments have already shown that Associate nations are becoming increasingly competitive against Full Members. It might take a little bit longer. But as we've seen over the last period, the last little period of time with the T20 World Cup. And involving so many different nations. It can happen quite fast, he said. He added that regular opportunities to compete against experienced international sides will only help emerging teams continue their upward trajectory. It might take a little bit longer. But as we've seen over the last period, the last little period of time with the T20 World Cup. And involving so many different nations. It can happen quite fast, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Maxwell concluded by saying that the success of the ETPL could ensure European teams continue to narrow the gap on the world's leading cricket nations, as he said, And I think that's what we're going to see in the future, pending the success of the ETPL. Article Source: IANS

'What Started As A Dream Has Become A Reality': Shah Rukh Khan On Knight Riders International Cricket Stadium In LA

The Los Angeles Knight Riders: Bollywood Superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan hailed the opening of the Knight Riders Cricket Ground in Los Angeles as the realisation of a long-cherished dream after the venue hosted its first-ever Major League Cricket (MLC) match, with the Knight Riders Group becoming the first global cricket franchise to establish an international-standard cricket stadium. The Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) took on Washington Freedom in the inaugural fixture at the newly-built venue, marking another milestone in crickets growing presence in the United States. Reflecting on the historic occasion, Shah Rukh Khan said the project was the culmination of years of planning and a vision to take cricket to newer audiences. What started as a dream has become a reality today. Bringing cricket, the second most-watched sport in the world, to Los Angeles is a landmark moment for all of us. Through this long-term partnership between Fairplex and Knight Riders, we are creating much more than a cricket venue. We are building a space that celebrates community, togetherness, energy and entertainment. It is a place built not just for sport, but also for entertainment, for families, and for memories that will last forever, he said. Expressing his hopes for the future, Shah Rukh Khan said he wanted the ground to become the citys cricketing home and inspire generations of players and fans. We hope this becomes a home for cricket in Los Angeles and inspires generations of fans and players alike. This is for Los Angeles, for cricket fans across the globe, and for the Knight Riders family. Believe in Purple and Gold, he added. Knight Riders Sports CEO Venky Mysore described the stadium as a defining moment in the franchises global journey. We hope this becomes a home for cricket in Los Angeles and inspires generations of fans and players alike. This is for Los Angeles, for cricket fans across the globe, and for the Knight Riders family. Believe in Purple and Gold, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Built to international standards, the Knight Riders Cricket Ground features eight wickets on the main square, ICC-standard playing dimensions, six 120-foot floodlight towers and required the movement of over 32,000 metric tonnes of earth during construction. The venue will stage Major League Cricket matches from July 1 to July 5, reinforcing the United States emergence as one of crickets fastest-growing markets. Article Source: IANS

World Sports Journalists Day: Sports Min Mandaviya, Jay Shah Hail Media's 'invaluable' Contributions

On World Sports Journalists Day: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya and International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah on Thursday extended their wishes to the sports media fraternity on the occasion of World Sports Journalists Day, recognising the invaluable contribution of journalists in promoting sport, celebrating athletes achievements and connecting millions of fans with sporting action across the globe. Observed annually on July 2, World Sports Journalists Day honours the efforts of sports journalists, photographers, broadcasters and digital content creators who chronicle sporting events and bring stories from the field to audiences worldwide. The day was instituted by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) in 1994 to mark the 70th anniversary of the organisation, which was founded on July 2, 1924, during the Paris Olympic Games in France. Mandaviya highlighted the importance of sports journalists in Indias rapidly evolving sporting landscape. He described the media as vital partners in the countrys sporting journey, crediting journalists for celebrating achievements, identifying and highlighting emerging talent, and inspiring young athletes to pursue excellence. The Sports Minister further said the hard work, dedication and professional integrity displayed by members of the sports media fraternity continue to strengthen Indias sporting ecosystem. Sports journalists are vital partners in Indias sporting journey, celebrating achievements, highlighting talent, and inspiring the next generation of athletes. On World Sports Journalists Day, I extend my heartfelt wishes to the entire sports media fraternity. Your hard work, dedication, and professional integrity continue to strengthen Indias sporting ecosystem. Happy World Sports Journalists Day! he posted on X. The Sports Minister further said the hard work, dedication and professional integrity displayed by members of the sports media fraternity continue to strengthen Indias sporting ecosystem. Also Read: Live Cricket Score On World Sports Journalists Day, I extend my appreciation to sports journalists around the world whose dedication and passion bring the stories of sport to life. Your commitment to informing, inspiring, and connecting fans plays a vital role in the growth of sport globally. Thank you for your invaluable contribution, Shah wrote. Article Source: IANS

Amsterdam Flames Prioritised 'adaptable Players' In ETPL Draft: Co-owner Steve Waugh

European T20 Premier League: Australian great Steve Waugh said versatility was the defining factor behind Amsterdam Flames' selections in the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL) 2026 Player Draft, explaining that the franchise deliberately prioritised multi-skilled cricketers over loading up on specialist batters. Amsterdam Flames entered the draft with an already formidable core featuring Australian T20I captain Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith and Tim David, alongside Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards. That allowed the franchise to focus on building balance around its established stars. The Flames used four of their six picks on all-rounders, led by Ireland international Curtis Campher. Speaking on whether adaptability had taken precedence over traditional batting depth, Waugh, who co-owns the franchise, made it clear that the strategy had been planned alongside head coach Ryan Cook. Yeah, we've got lots of all-rounders. That's what Ryan Cook, the coach, was really focused on. Players that are adaptable, that can play different roles, Waugh said while responding to an IANS query during a media interaction after the conclusion of the ETPL 2026 Player Draft. The Flames made Curtis Campher their first draft selection before adding Kyle Klein, Tim Pringle, Aryan Dutt, Jordan Neill and Max O'Dowd across the remaining rounds. While the draft appeared to lean heavily towards all-rounders, Waugh insisted the squad already possesses ample batting firepower. At the end of the day, we've got some amazing players. There's international players who are specialist batsmen. Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith and Tim David. I mean, they're three outstanding players, probably three of the best batsmen in the world in T20 cricket, he added. Waugh also pointed to the franchise's wider roster, highlighting players capable of contributing with the bat despite being classified as all-rounders. But we see a lot of these other players with multiple skills. I've been seeing Airee (Dipendra Singh Airee) from Nepal, excellent batsman, Curtis Campher. We've got lots of all-rounders. We've got lots of all-rounders. Yuvraj Samra from Canada is a specialist batsman. So we've got plenty of batsmen there, he stated. The former Australia captain believes having players who can seamlessly switch roles will prove decisive in the shortest format, particularly in a new competition expected to feature varied conditions across Europe. But we see a lot of these other players with multiple skills. I've been seeing Airee (Dipendra Singh Airee) from Nepal, excellent batsman, Curtis Campher. We've got lots of all-rounders. We've got lots of all-rounders. Yuvraj Samra from Canada is a specialist batsman. So we've got plenty of batsmen there, he stated. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The Amsterdam Flames will enter the inaugural ETPL season with a squad built around proven international experience and emerging global talent, banking on flexibility as the cornerstone of their campaign. Article Source: IANS

If Vaibhav Needs To Play, He Should, But Not At The Expense Of Dropping Someone: Pujara

T20 World Cup: Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara addressed the discussion surrounding India's top order ahead of the second T20I against England, making it clear that he does not believe Sanju Samson should lose his place to accommodate Vaibhav Sooryavanshi despite growing calls for the teenage batter to be included in the playing XI. The veteran batter added that constant speculation over Samson's place in the side was unnecessary, insisting the wicketkeeper-batter deserves a longer run. I think India should persist with Sanju Samson. I don't think he should be feeling any pressure. He has proved himself in the T20 World Cup and, with the kind of talent he possesses, he should be there in the playing XI, Pujara said on JioStar. There shouldn't be a lot of noise about dropping Sanju Samson. He is a quality player and should get a longer run. Sanju just needs to bat naturally and not think too much, he added. While Pujara acknowledged that Sooryavanshi has earned an opportunity, he argued that the youngster's inclusion should not come at the cost of disrupting India's established top order. If Vaibhav needs to play, he should play, but not at the expense of dropping someone, rather by resting someone. If you want to give him an opportunity, that is fine. But you shouldn't be dropping any of India's top three players, whether it's Sanju, Abhishek or Ishan Kishan. Having said that, Vaibhav does deserve an opportunity, and his opportunity will come, he mentioned. Pujara also praised captain Shreyas Iyer's composed innings after India recovered from an early setback to post a competitive total in the rain-hit opening T20I against England in Durham. With India losing early wickets after electing to bat first, Pujara said Iyer's ability to steady the innings before accelerating played a decisive role in putting the visitors in a strong position. Pujara felt Iyer delivered exactly what was expected of a captain after India found themselves under pressure in the powerplay, balancing caution with aggression as the innings progressed. It was an important knock from Shreyas Iyer and, when you are leading the team, you always look to lead from the front. He showed a lot of maturity because India were in trouble after losing a couple of early wickets, Pujara told JioStar. He also credited Iyer for pacing his innings according to the match situation before shifting gears once he was well established at the crease. Abhishek played a good knock, but it was important for Shreyas to hold one end up and take his time. Once he was set, he played some quality shots, he added. He also credited Iyer for pacing his innings according to the match situation before shifting gears once he was well established at the crease. Also Read: Live Cricket Score If you look at his innings at the end of the 20 overs, you know that, as a captain, you have done your job. You have put your team in a very commanding position. This was a perfect knock from Shreyas, both as a leader and as a batter, he said. Article Source: IANS

'Had Enough Runs To Defend': Parthiv Backs Indias Batting Efforts In Washed-out T20I Vs ENG

New Delhi: Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel backed India's batting display after the rain-hit opening T20I against England in Durham ended without a result on Wednesday. India, who opted to bat first after winning the toss, posted 190 before persistent rain prevented the second innings from getting underway. Assessing the visitors' performance after play was called off, Patel said the innings showed India's willingness to adapt to English conditions and highlighted Abhishek Sharma's impact at the top of the order. According to Patel, India embraced the challenge of batting in unfamiliar conditions instead of taking a cautious approach. From India's point of view, they needed this kind of batting performance, especially after what had happened in Ireland. They wanted to challenge themselves; they wanted to adapt to the conditions early, and India did that really well in this game, Patel told JioStar. 190 runs on this pitch, with three spinners bowling through the middle overs, I thought India had enough runs to defend. Nevertheless, they will definitely be more confident going into the second T20I, he added. The former India cricketer also reserved special praise for Abhishek Sharma, crediting the left-hander for quickly reading the nature of the surface and making the most of scoring opportunities. I thought he batted really well. He understood the conditions well. There was a slightly spongier bounce in Durham, but he made sure that whenever the opportunity presented itself, he capitalised on it, he stated. Patel pointed to Abhishek's aggressive intent against both pace and spin as one of the defining features of the innings, as he said, That over from Saqib Mahmood was an important one, where he stepped out and hit three boundaries, two over point and one over mid-off. Then, when the spinners came on, he chose the right areas to hit those sixes. Looking beyond the knock itself, Patel said performances in overseas conditions continue to reinforce Abhishek's credentials as one of the leading batters in the shortest format. Patel pointed to Abhishek's aggressive intent against both pace and spin as one of the defining features of the innings, as he said, That over from Saqib Mahmood was an important one, where he stepped out and hit three boundaries, two over point and one over mid-off. Then, when the spinners came on, he chose the right areas to hit those sixes. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The two sides will next face off in the second T20I on Saturday at Old Trafford in Manchester. Article Source: IANS

WBBL still 'the best' competition despite growth of WPL and Hundred

Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars will launch the 2026-27 season in what could be their final edition if privatisation goes through

Netravalkar, Owen bowl Washington Freedom to big win

They picked up three wickets apiece before Steven Smith steered them home in a 109-run chase

NZ Quick Sears Ruled Out Of Windies ODIs, Lister Named Replacement

T20 World Cup: New Zealand fast bowler Ben Sears has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies with an ankle injury, with Ben Lister being named as a replacement in the 16-man squad. NZC said Sears had experienced some ongoing pain in his ankle since the four-day Test against Ireland in May, which flared up during the final day of the third Test against England at Trent Bridge, so a precautionary decision has been made to send him home to New Zealand for further treatment. Lister will assemble with the squad in Guyana over the coming days. The 30-year-old medium pacer, who made his ODI debut in 2023 against Pakistan in Karachi, has featured 17 times for New Zealand (4 ODIs and 13 T20Is), taking 17 wickets and was part of the teams last ODI series, against Bangladesh in April. Injuries to key fast bowlers have been a major concern for New Zealand, as Blair Tickner will return home for scheduled surgery on his ankle and was unavailable for selection for Windies ODIs. Duffy, who missed the recent Test series in England to welcome the birth of his first child, is set to return to international cricket for the first time since the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final in March. Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, and Will ORourke will miss the series to rest after a heavy workload during the first half of 2026. The five-game series gets underway in Guyana with the first three matches on July 11, 13 and 16, before the series moves to Bridgetown in Barbados for the final two fixtures on July 19 and 21. Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, and Will ORourke will miss the series to rest after a heavy workload during the first half of 2026. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New Zealand squad for ODI series against West Indies: Mitchell Santner (capt), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Mitchell Hay (wk), Nick Kelly, Tom Latham (wk), Jayden Lennox, Ben Lister, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Nathan Smith, Will Young Article Source: IANS

MCC issues plea for members to attend Women's T20 World Cup final

Club wary of repeat of 2017 scenario when empty seats in pavilion marred England's nine-run victory

Anderson applies winning touch as allround Shadab sets up Lancashire

Veteran delivers decisive penultimate over as Derbyshire are edged out by four runs

Willey, McSweeney lead romp as Northants overwhelm Gloucestershire

Stiff target of 185 is hunted down with 16 balls to spare thanks to brace of half-centuries

Coco Gauff survives tense tiebreak against Sierra to keep Wimbledon hopes alive

Wimbledon is the only major where the American has yet to go beyond the fourth round

Hain, Gleeson to the fore as Warwickshire make it three in a row

Sussex can't find an answer to trio of half-centuries as Gleeson stars with four wickets

Wimbledon 2026 | No chinks in Djokovics armour, rolls over Tsitsipas to reach third round

The seventh seed will next face 25th-seeded Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech as he looks to continue his bid for an eighth Wimbledon title

First T20I washed out after Abhishek, Shreyas fifties take India to 189

Saqib Mahmood's 3 for 33, on England comeback, left England with a par total to chase down but heavy rain had the final say at Chester-le-Street

Former champion Krejcikova rallies past Andreeva into Wimbledon third round

Andreeva saved six match points in the decider, but was not able to stop Krejcikova from crossing the finish line and claim only her second victory over the youngster

'Not like I've forgotten how to bat' - Wolvaardt hopes to find her groove again

Obviously it's so recent, it's not like my batting has changed. It's probably just a bit of a mindset thing, she said

Redmayne completes the job as Surenkumar fells Essex

Target of 117 proves insufficient as Warwickshire romp to victory with four overs to spare

TG20 Season 1: Himateja, Sai Krishna Shine As Khammam Aces Down Nalgonda Knights

Sai Krishna Reddy: Anvita Khammam Aces rode on a breathtaking unbeaten 80 from skipper Himateja Kodimela and a fluent half-century from G. Sai Krishna Reddy to post a daunting 211/2 in their 20 overs. Ved Reddy and Wafi Kachchhi then led a disciplined bowling effort as the Aces defeated Anurag Nalgonda Knights by 34 runs in the Hyderabad Cricket Association's TG20 in Wednesday's second match. The win moves them back into the playoff spot, above EIPL & eleve Karimnagar Diamonds to fourth on the points table. Meanwhile, the Knights slip to third by virtue of a lower Net Run Rate than Ranga Reddy Risers. Himateja's unbeaten 80 moved him to second on the Orange Cap standings with 282 runs to his name, while 16-year-old Ved is now second on the Purple Cap standings, having scalped nine wickets. Aces made a solid start through Paras Raj and Wafi Kachchhi (14 off 19), helped by a wayward opening over to reach 51 without loss at the end of the powerplay. Paras led the charge with a flurry of boundaries and a six, while Wafi played the supporting role as the pair stitched together a brisk 53-run opening stand. Hyderabad E-Champions struck immediately after the Power-play as Divesh Singh dismissed Wafi, but Paras continued to anchor the innings alongside G. Sai Krishna Reddy. He added impetus with a six and a four off Varun Goud before disciplined bowling in the next two overs slowed the scoring, leaving the Aces at 76/1 after 10 overs. Aces shifted into top gear through Paras and Sai Krishna. The pair kept the scoreboard ticking before the former fell for a well-made knock of 46 runs in 39 balls after Aniketh Reddy struck in the 12th over. Himateja Kodimela then took charge, launching a six immediately after the wicket to ensure the momentum remained firmly with the Aces. With Sai Krishna providing the perfect foil, Himateja unleashed an attacking display in the death overs as the duo plundered boundaries and sixes at will. Their innings ensured that the Aces scored 135 runs in the second half of their innings, with Sai Krishna scoring a 29-ball 50 before Himateja completed his half-century in just 18 balls. The pair added quick runs against every bowler, taking 31 runs from the final two overs to propel the Aces to a formidable 211/2, with Himateja finishing with an unbeaten 80 in just 31 balls, including seven fours and five sixes, while Sai Krishna smashed 56 in just 32 balls. The Knights made a brisk start to the chase, with Jashwanth Mote (22 off 13) and Gaurav Reddy (54 off 35) putting on 45 runs in under four overs. Gaurav led the charge with two towering sixes off Mahesh Vipparla, while Jashwanth chipped in with a six and a boundary before Mahesh provided the breakthrough by dismissing him at the end of the fourth over. Nitish Reddy (17 off 14) joined Gaurav to keep the momentum going, adding useful runs as the Knights reached 76/1 at the end of the powerplay. However, Aces tightened their grip through disciplined bowling from Ved Reddy, who first restricted the scoring before dismissing the well-set Nitish in the 10th over. At the halfway mark, the Knights were well placed at 92/2, with Gaurav continuing to anchor the chase alongside skipper Rahul Buddhi (12 off 8). Knights' chase unravelled after the halfway mark despite being well placed at 98/2. Ved triggered the collapse by removing Gaurav and Divesh (0 off 1) in the same over, before Wafi tightened the screws with a brilliant spell that accounted for Rahul via a run-out, as well as Aniketh Reddy (1 off 2) and Varun Goud (5 off 8), reducing the Knights to 124/7 after 15 overs. Md Arfaz Ahmed (14 off 10) and Rakshann Readdi (10 off 5) briefly resisted before Wafi struck again to dismiss Arfaz. Harshwardhan Singh (37* off 24) then launched a late counterattack with an unbeaten cameo, smashing two sixes and four boundaries in the final three overs, but the effort came too late as the Knights finished on 177/8, falling 34 runs short of the target. Knights' chase unravelled after the halfway mark despite being well placed at 98/2. Ved triggered the collapse by removing Gaurav and Divesh (0 off 1) in the same over, before Wafi tightened the screws with a brilliant spell that accounted for Rahul via a run-out, as well as Aniketh Reddy (1 off 2) and Varun Goud (5 off 8), reducing the Knights to 124/7 after 15 overs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Anvita Khammam Aces 211/2 in 20 overs (Himateja Kodimela 80*, G Sai Krishna Reddy 56*, Aniketh Reddy 1/36, Divesh Singh 1/23) bt Anurag Nalgonda Knights 177/8 in 20 overs (Gaurav Reddy 54, Harshwardhan Singh 37*, Ved Reddy 3/26, Wafi Kachchhi 3/35) by 34 runs. Article Source: IANS

Weerappuli spins a web as Lancashire come up Roses

Yorkshire undone by teenage legspinner as fiercest rivals land morale-boosting win

1st T20I: Shreyas And Abhishek Fifties, Dubes 42 Not Out Carry India To 189/7

Shreyas Iyer: Thanks to halfcenturies from skipper Shreyas Iyer and Abhishek Sharma, along with a late surge from Shivam Dube, India overcame slight drizzle and a gloomy evening to post 189/7 in 20 overs in the opening T20I against England at the Riverside Ground on Wednesday. On a not-so-easy pitch, Iyer hit his first fifty as Indias T20I captain his knock of 68 came off 47 balls, laced with six fours and a six. Abhishek, meanwhile, hit 59 off 24 balls studded with six fours and four sixes. Dube applied the finishing touches by hitting 42 not out off just 21 balls, including two boundaries and three sixes. Sent in to bat, India slipped to 6/2 inside two overs. Sanju Samson fell cheaply again, caught at backward point off Saqib Mahmood, before Ishan Kishan was run out after a mixup with Abhishek for a duck. Abhishek then launched a blistering counterattack, racing to a 20ball fifty the fastest by an Indian batter in England with a flurry of pulls and lofted drives, before Sam Currans slower ball trapped him lbw in the eighth over, which also ended his 82-run stand with Shreyas. But by then, Abhishek had become the fastest batter to smash 100 sixes in T20Is (in 785 deliveries) and surpassed West Indies batter Evin Lewis, who had smashed hundred sixes in 789 deliveries in his career. Shreyas then combined with Tilak Varma for a 36run stand, while striking cleanly against pace and spin. Varmas dismissal, caught off a low full toss on Mahmoods bowling, brought Dube to the crease. Iyer reached his ninth T20I halfcentury from 38 balls, his slowest in the format, but accelerated with a six over extra cover and inventive strokes against Luke Wood and Mahmood, who later trapped him lbw. Dube then took charge, clearing midwicket and square leg with powerful hitting, and finished unconquered. Englands spinners Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson struggled for control in the drizzle, while Mahmood impressed with three wickets. Curran accounted for Abhishek and ran out Axar Patel off the final ball as India closed on 189, which is above par at the venue. England may have a delayed start to the innings due to steady rain, after India blasted 54 runs in the last five overs. Dube then took charge, clearing midwicket and square leg with powerful hitting, and finished unconquered. Englands spinners Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson struggled for control in the drizzle, while Mahmood impressed with three wickets. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India 189/7 in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 68, Abhishek Sharma 59; Saqib Mahmood 3-33, Sam Curran 1-25) against England Article Source: IANS

Wimbledon 2026 | Sabalenka channels her inner Rocky to fend off Kessler challenge

With Wimbledon being the only major where she has yet to contest a final, Sabalenka will be hoping for another KO performance when she faces Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko for a place in the last 16

Tejasvi Dahiya Goes For Rs 40 Lakh As DPL Season 3 Men's Auction Wraps Up In New Delhi

Delhi Premier League T20: Tejasvi Dahiya emerged as the costliest player in the men's auction for Season 3 of the Delhi Premier League T20, which concluded in New Delhi on Wednesday, with all eight franchises completing their squads across multiple rounds. The auction opened with the Marquee round, in which eight players were sold across teams. Tejasvi Dahiya was the highest-sold player of the auction at Rs 40 lakh, with South Delhi Superstarz using their RTM card to secure him. New Delhi Tigers invoked their RTM to pick up Himmat Singh for Rs 38 lakh, while North Delhi Strikers matched the Rs 17 lakh bid for Sarthak Ranjan. Anuj Rawat went to Puraani Dilli 6 for Rs 27 lakh, while Kuldip Yadav, Suyash Sharma, Navdeep Saini, and Simarjeet Singh were all picked up at base price by Central Delhi Kings, West Delhi Lions, Outer Delhi Warriors, and East Delhi Riders, respectively. The remaining unsold players from the Marquee set were moved into the Category A pool at a revised base price of Rs 5 lakh each. By the time the hammer fell on the final lot, all eight franchises had assembled 23-to-26-player squads built around their retained Marquee names. Central Delhi Kings anchor their campaign around Kuldip Yadav, Yash Dhull, and Vansh Bedi; East Delhi Riders around Simarjeet Singh, Mayank Yadav, and Mayank Rawat; New Delhi Tigers around Himmat Singh and Prince Yadav; and North Delhi Strikers around Harshit Rana and Sarthak Ranjan. Outer Delhi Warriors will lean on Navdeep Saini and Priyansh Arya, Puraani Dilli 6 on Anuj Rawat, Digvesh Rathi, and Lalit Yadav, South Delhi Superstarz on Ayush Badoni and Tejasvi Dahiya, and West Delhi Lions on Nitish Rana, Suyash Sharma and Kulwant Khejroliya. With squads now locked in, attention turns to the season ahead, as all eight franchises look to blend their experienced picks with a deep bench of uncapped and emerging players. Marquee round log Tejasvi Dahiya - Rs 40L - South Delhi Superstarz (RTM) Himmat Singh - Rs 38L - New Delhi Tigers (RTM) Anuj Rawat - Rs 27L - Puraani Dilli 6 Sarthak Ranjan - Rs 17L - North Delhi Strikers (RTM) Kuldip Yadav - Rs 10L - Central Delhi Kings Suyash Sharma - Rs 10L - West Delhi Lions Navdeep Saini - Rs 10L - Outer Delhi Warriors Simarjeet Singh - Rs 10L - East Delhi Riders Full squads: Central Delhi Kings: Kuldip Yadav, Yash Dhull, Vansh Bedi, Divij Mehra, Money Grewal, Jonty Sidhu, Aayush Kumar, Vedant Sehwag, Yatish Singh, Yugal Saini, Aditya Bhandari, Siddharth Joon, Keshav Dabas, Aatrey Tripathi, Arun Pundir, Aryaveer Kohli, Gavnish Khurana, Jasvir Sehrawat, Tejas Baroka, Ojasdeep Singh, Samarth Singh, Rahul, Abhishek Kumar Yadav, Prathmesh Singh, Jai Sharma. East Delhi Riders: Simarjeet Singh, Mayank Yadav, Mayank Rawat, Arpit Rana, Dhruv Kaushik, Rounak Waghela, Hardik Sharma, Sujal Rajiv Singh, Tanmay Chaudhary, Aradhya Chawla, Rohan Parchanda, Vansh Jetly, Yashwardhan Oberai, Deepak Punia, Ashish Meena, Kavya Gupta, Rohit Yadav, Vaibhav Baisla, Uday Chawla, Sunny Rawal, Suryansh Raina, Ankit Kumar, Vansh Mehra, Suryakant Chauhan, Harsh Bhardwaj. New Delhi Tigers: Himmat Singh, Prince Yadav, Hritik Shokeen, Rahul Chaudhary, Lakshay Thareja, Vaibhav Rawal, Atulya Pandey, Dhruv Bindra, Laxman, Pradyuman Sanan, Aaryan Sharma, Keshav R. Singh, Manish Sehrawat, Parikshit Singh Bhati, Parth Kr. Bali, Shivam Gupta, Varun Vanjani, Tanuj Pawar, Rishabh Sharma, Revaant Rakyan, Saurabh Gupta, Yashjeet, Ayush Tanwar, Aditya Paweriya, Dev Chaudhary. North Delhi Strikers: Harshit Rana, Sarthak Ranjan, Pranav Rajvanshi, Vaibhav Kandpal, Aayush Singh, Akhil Chaudhary, Arnav Bugga, Kirit Kaushik, Saurabh Deswal, Yash Bhatia, Parnit Tiwari, Prikshit Sehrawat, Arjun Rapria, Kaushal Suman, Vikas Dixit, Yash Dabas, Mayank Dagar, Bharat Sindhwani, Ajay Yadav, Anant Jain, Gaurav Sabharwal, Nikhil Kumar. Outer Delhi Warriors: Navdeep Saini, Priyansh Arya, Aryan Rana, Harsh Tyagi, Shivam Sharma, Siddhant Sharma, Anant S. Sareen, Dhanya Nakra, Mohit Panwar, Saksham Gahlot, Shaurya Malik, Aman Chaudhary, Rushal Saini, Yajas Sharma, Dhruv Singh, Rishab Drall, Aditya Sharma, Akshay Saini, Monu Shukla, Pratham Saluja, Sammar Kohar, Garvit Grover, Shivam Bhan, Deepanshu Phore, Aditya Yadav. Purani Dilli 6: Anuj Rawat, Digvesh Rathi, Lalit Yadav, Rohan Rana, Samarth Seth, Dev Lakra, Kush Nagpal, Mohak Kumar, Rajneesh Dadar, Udhav Mohan, Prince Mishra, Yug Gupta, Aditya Malhotra, Ajay Ahlawat, Gaurav Saroha, Kabir Sachdeva, Pankaj Jaswal, Yash Kumar, Aryan Gaur, Aditya Verma, Ashwini Chillar, Lakshay Verma, Harshvardhan Phogat, Vanam Aggarwal, Arjun Rexwal. Outer Delhi Warriors: Navdeep Saini, Priyansh Arya, Aryan Rana, Harsh Tyagi, Shivam Sharma, Siddhant Sharma, Anant S. Sareen, Dhanya Nakra, Mohit Panwar, Saksham Gahlot, Shaurya Malik, Aman Chaudhary, Rushal Saini, Yajas Sharma, Dhruv Singh, Rishab Drall, Aditya Sharma, Akshay Saini, Monu Shukla, Pratham Saluja, Sammar Kohar, Garvit Grover, Shivam Bhan, Deepanshu Phore, Aditya Yadav. Also Read: Live Cricket Score West Delhi Lions: Nitish Rana, Suyash Sharma, Kulwant Khejroliya, Ayush Doseja, Manan Bhardwaj, Mayank Gusain, Aaryavir Sehwag, Ankit Rajesh Kumar, Dhruv Kumar Chumbak, Krish Yadav, Ravneet Tanwar, Rudra Dev Yadav, Aarav Garg, Shubham Dubey, Ajay Rana, Anirudh Chowdhary, Hiten Dalal, Jitesh Singh, Tishant Dabla, Vikas Rana, Bhanu Yadav, Sombir Sheokand, Yash Bansal, Avinash Singh Manhas, Khushhal Yadav. Article Source: IANS

Wimbledon 2026 | Sinner stays clear of trouble against Borges to reach round three

Sinner dominated to rack up an Italian record 95th Grand Slam match win, moving ahead of Nicola Pietrangeli

Dont Think I Was Utilised Properly In Last Years Tests In England, Says Shardul Thakur

Mumbai Cricket Association: Indias seam bowling allrounder Shardul Thakur has said he was underutilised during last years AndersonTendulkar Trophy in England, adding that he remains determined to play international cricket again. Thakur, 34, appeared in the Tests in Leeds and Old Trafford, scoring 1, 4, and 41 runs while bowling just 27 overs across the two matches and taking two scalps. I 100 per cent desire to play for India again. At the back of my mind, it's always there. Even if you're dropped or discarded, I think hope is a very strong word. As long as hope is alive, everything is possible. It's very hard to comment on why I may have missed out on a few selections. But after the 202425 season, the kind of season I had, I think I could have played a few more games and literally made a difference. When I played in England, I don't think I was utilised properly. In batting, yes, it was my mistake that I played a loose shot in Leeds. But in Manchester, I batted beautifully, I would say, because it was overcast, the ball was swinging, and there was one length from where the ball was hardly bouncing. I survived that spell, and India still put up a very, very strong total in the first innings. Then the pitch became flat, and we were also able to save the game, Thakur, who captains Mumbai across formats, told reporters on the sidelines of a Mumbai Cricket Association 2026/27 season launch event on Wednesday. Thakur, who has featured in 13 Tests, 47 ODIs, and 25 T20Is, said he is still very much ready to play for India again whenever called up. So it's not that I didn't make any contribution when I last played for India. But yes, I think I deserved a few more opportunities. I would say it was more about being underbowled and being used in the wrong phases. There were some calculation errors, I would say. Hope is still alive. If, in the near future, they ever ask me to play for India again, I'll be ready. Playing for India is a dream everyone's dream. Even during my previous stints with the Indian team, there were a handful of games where I made an impact and literally won matches for the team. So, even in the near future, or whenever I make a comeback, I'm still willing to contribute as much as I can (both in red-ball and white-ball cricket). Thakur, who has featured in 13 Tests, 47 ODIs, and 25 T20Is, said he is still very much ready to play for India again whenever called up. So it's not that I didn't make any contribution when I last played for India. But yes, I think I deserved a few more opportunities. I would say it was more about being underbowled and being used in the wrong phases. There were some calculation errors, I would say. Hope is still alive. If, in the near future, they ever ask me to play for India again, I'll be ready. Also Read: Live Cricket Score When you start the season with a strong message, there is always a purpose to practise. If you are mentally switched on, you are looking forward to improving your fitness, sharpening your skills, and learning something new. Article Source: IANS

Sciver-Brunt and England medical team throw everything at recovery

The England captain embarked on a high-tech regimen of treatment in an effort to return for the knockouts

Brook Is The 'front-runner' For Test Captaincy After Stokes Retirement, Says Morgan

Harry Brook: Former England skipper Eoin Morgan has listed Harry Brook as the frontrunner to take over the Test captaincy following Ben Stokes retirement, adding that he would look to get a different white-ball skipper if the right-handed batter is handed the top role. Brook is currently Englands white-ball captain and was the vice-captain in Tests when the side lost the recent three-game series to New Zealand by 2-1. I think you can coach all three formats of the game. We've seen it with India, with Australia. The thing I don't like, though, is having one captain across all three formats - and that creates a problem for England. I think there's possibly only one candidate (for the Test job) in that changing room, and that's Brook - unless they go back to Joe Root. Brook is the front-runner for me, and I would look elsewhere for the white-ball captaincy. I think there are more options to give the white-ball captaincy within the side...candidates like Phil Salt, Sam Curran, and an outside pick like Will Jacks, said Morgan ahead of the broadcast of the first T20I between England and India at the Riverside Stadium. England fast bowler Mark Wood said he was proud of how Stokes was an asset for the side, both as a player and captain. I haven't spoken to him (Stokes) yet. Obviously, a lot has happened, so you let things settle down a bit. I'm just very proud of Ben, as a friend growing up here in Durham - we came through the academy together. The man that he is, I can't speak highly enough of him. You, as all ex-players, or players who play with him, and they can't believe how loyal he is, and how good he was to play with. England fast bowler Mark Wood said he was proud of how Stokes was an asset for the side, both as a player and captain. I haven't spoken to him (Stokes) yet. Obviously, a lot has happened, so you let things settle down a bit. I'm just very proud of Ben, as a friend growing up here in Durham - we came through the academy together. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I'd have given him a shot in (recent series in) Ireland, and even against England - unleash him early! Especially when he's in his sort of form, he's red hot - and he's got a damn smart cricketing brain. Article Source: IANS

India bat first with three spinners, keep Sooryavanshi waiting in first T20I against England

Meanwhile, England brought Saqib Mahmood and Luke Wood into their side, replacing Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton from the side they fielded in the T20 World Cup semi-final