Cricket

WPL 2026: We'll Take All The Learnings From Today And Come Back Stronger, Says Mandhana

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Smriti Mandhana said her side would take positives from their sevenwicket loss to Delhi Capitals, ending their unbeaten run in the 2026 Womens Premier League (WPL), stressing that the setback came at the right time before the playoffs. For sure, I mean, in tournaments like these, you take these losses before the playoffs. So, again, I think we did a lot of things right in the practice. We'll take all those positives and go ahead, and I mean, we've just played really good cricket, one off day today for all of us. So we'll take all the learnings from today and come back stronger, said Smriti Mandhana in the post-match presentation ceremony. Reflecting on conditions in Vadodara, Mandhana said, I feel the wicket is playing differently every day here in Baroda. In the last match we played, and in the other matches, it was quite low. Today, it was a little more spongy, I would say. So, I think we could not adapt to it. We all thought maybe 160, 170, maybe 140 plus was a good total. But again, I mean, credit to our bowlers. They fought really well. There are some things with our fielding and our batting, which we'll work on and make those right decisions, said Mandhana. She admitted her teams fielding fell short of their lofty expectations. I mean, as I said earlier, I think as a captain, I'll take it today rather than playoffs one odd day. We really pride ourselves on fielding well. So today's definitely something which we won't be really happy with as a team. I think this fielding performance should hit us in general for all the girls. But knowing our girls, they work really, really hard and I'm sure that they're going to come back harder, practice harder and come back next match and go out and field the best again, Mandhana added. She praised her bowlers for their intent despite defending a low total. The only thing I said batting out there today, whatever balls I faced, I was telling them that, of course, this is one of the toughest wickets we have got in the tournament, so really thought that three, four wickets in the powerplay or something like that would really give us a chance, so keep it really positive, simple. I think this fielding performance should hit us in general for all the girls. But knowing our girls, they work really, really hard and I'm sure that they're going to come back harder, practice harder and come back next match and go out and field the best again, Mandhana added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Mandhana signed off by praising her newball pair of Lauren Bell and Sayali Satghare. Sayali's been brilliant for us in the Power-play, as well as Belly, I mean, both of them are making for a good combination in terms of one takes it out, one takes it in. Again, we started really, really well, but there's some few things we can definitely get better at in terms of taking those chances. But again, as I said, with this unit of girls, I'm extremely happy with the way they're working, and I'm sure they'll just work their way up. Article Source: IANS

WPL 2026: Delhi Capitals Kept Believing And Executing What We Planned, Says Jemimah Rodrigues

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Delhi Capitals skipper Jemimah Rodrigues praised her sides belief and execution of their plans after they ended Royal Challengers Bengalurus sixmatch winning streak in Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 with a sevenwicket victory at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Saturday. A hundred percent, and credit goes to the team. I think one thing the team has kept doing is believing and executing what we planned. So I think it makes my job easier as a captain. It did (go to plan tonight). I think we were under a little pressure while Smriti was batting, too, but I think a brilliant catch and Mani coming in were the key. I think credit goes to her for how she bowled the way she did, even to a right-hander. I think that was great. Kappy being Kappy as always, but I think things just were really good, I would say. But we also worked hard to get this done. So I would give credit, a lot of credit to the girls, said Jemiah in the post-match presentation ceremony. She highlighted the teams approach of attacking the stumps rather than chasing wickets. We did have a discussion. Mani was anyway going to come on anyway, even if the timer was not on, because of the lefty. But I think we just kept talking about how we need to keep attacking the stumps, and don't worry too much about picking wickets, just attack the stumps, wickets will come. So I think that's what everyone did really well. Didn't think too much about the outcome because we knew today's game was very crucial. Every game is, but today was really crucial for us, given the form RCB are in. But I think we just stuck to our plans, sticks done. Sometimes, to win something, you have to lose. So I think that's one of those days, she added. Jemimah added that the victory reflected the resilience of her squad. But I think it also speaks a lot about the character of the girls. I strongly believe a champion team is a team that knows how to pick itself up after a fall. That's what this team has done, and I'm extremely, extremely proud of this team. We can enjoy the swing today, but again, when we come back, we're back to business. Keep things simple, keep executing, keep sticking to our processes, and the results will take care of themselves. Jemimah added that the victory reflected the resilience of her squad. But I think it also speaks a lot about the character of the girls. I strongly believe a champion team is a team that knows how to pick itself up after a fall. Also Read: Live Cricket Score But I think even learning from the mistakes of the past, like I remember that match, the last time we played RCB, I kept Kappy for later, just thinking what if we need it on deck. But today I was like, no, if she gets a wicket, then that happened. So I think that was my learning from there. So I think as long as you're learning, you can never make mistakes, if that makes sense. Article Source: IANS

WPL 2026: Nandni, Wolvaardt Star As Delhi Capitals End RCBs Unbeaten Run, Move To Second Place (ld)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Nandni Sharma celebrated her selection into the India A squad for the Rising Womens Asia Cup by picking 3-26 while Laura Wolvaardt struck 42 not out as Delhi Capitals ended Royal Challengers Bengalurus unbeaten run through a seven-wicket victory in their 2026 Womens Premier League (WPL) game at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Saturday. On a slow pitch, Nandni stood out with her control and mastery of the slower ball to pick 13 wickets in the ongoing edition -- the most by an Indian pacer in WPLs history, as RCB were bowled out for 109. Apart from Nandni, Marizanne Kapp, Chinelle Henry, and Minnu Mani took two wickets each, while N. Sree Charani had a scalp as well in a disciplined bowling performance by DC. Chasing a modest target of 110, DC reached the finish line with 4.2 overs to spare, a result that lifted them to second place in the points table and boosted their Net Run Rate. Shafali Verma gave the chase early impetus before falling alongside Lizelle Lee in successive overs from pacer Sayali Satghare. Skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (24) and Laura steadied the innings with a composed 52-run stand. The duo took advantage of lapses in the field as RCB spilt catches and conceded boundaries through misfields. Though Jemimah departed before the chase ended, Marizanne Kapp (19 not out) joined Laura to complete the chase comfortably. RCB, already assured of a playoff berth, were outplayed in all departments on the night, finishing with 109 all out -- their lowest total of the season. DC, meanwhile, celebrated a second successive win to strengthen their push for entering the playoffs. Shafali gave Delhi a flying start in the opening over by striking three boundaries off Lauren Bell, as 16 runs came off it. But her dismissal in the second over, stumped off Sayali, checked DCs momentum. Two overs later, Lizelle also fell to Sayali as her slog-sweep was caught by deep backward square leg. Laura Wolvaardt and skipper Jemimah Rodrigues rebuilt steadily, adding runs through controlled strokes and capitalising on RCBs lapses in the field. Rodrigues was dropped twice while finding her rhythm with successive boundaries off Arundhati Reddy, while Laura kept the scoreboard ticking with singles and occasional fours. Though Jemimah was caught at extra cover off Radha Yadav, the Proteas duo of Marizanne and Laura ensured there were no further alarms. Marizanne struck clean boundaries off Lauren and Radha, while Laura launched a four and six each off Lauren and Georgia Voll. The chase was wrapped up in the 16th over when Marizanne swept Shreyanka Patil for four to seal a comprehensive win for DC and boost their net run rate. Previously, skipper Smriti Mandhana showed brief composure by top-scoring with a 34-ball 38, before falling after the first timeout. It triggered a collapse for RCB on a tricky surface, as they posted their lowest WPL total. Radha was the only other batter to offer resistance, but her dismissal in the 17th over sealed RCBs fate of making a below-par total, where three batters got into double figures. Inserted into batting first, Smriti and Grace Harris hit seven boundaries in 4.3 overs, before the latter was caught at backward point off a probing Marizanne. Smriti anchored the innings with six fours and a six, but her dismissal slog-sweeping to square leg off Minnu triggered a meltdown. Georgia and Gautami Naik fell in quick succession, after being castled by Marizanne and Charani respectively, before Richa Ghoshs attempted drive was brilliantly caught by Laura at backward point. At 78/5, RCB were in deep trouble, and Radha briefly lifted hopes of posting a competitive total with a straight six off Minnu. But her departure to Chinelle, after edging behind Lizelle, dashed all those hopes. After Chinelle took out Nadine de Klerk, Nandni then took charge in the closing overs by trapping Arundhati Reddy lbw, removing Shreyanka with a slower ball, and castling Sayali to finish with a well-deserved three-fer. Georgia and Gautami Naik fell in quick succession, after being castled by Marizanne and Charani respectively, before Richa Ghoshs attempted drive was brilliantly caught by Laura at backward point. At 78/5, RCB were in deep trouble, and Radha briefly lifted hopes of posting a competitive total with a straight six off Minnu. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Royal Challengers Bengaluru 109 all out in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 38, Radha Yadav 18; Nandni Sharma 3-26, Marizanne Kapp 2-17) lost to Delhi Capitals 111/3 in 15.4 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 42 not out, Jemimah Rodrigues 24; Sayali Satghare 2-18, Radha Yadav 1-10) by seven wickets Article Source: IANS

Brook slams 'worst pitch' as England prevail in spin-heavy contest

Visitors prevail on slow and low surface, but Root also critical of conditions in five-wicket win

Kapp, Mani share four wickets as DC hand RCB first loss of the season

Nandani Sharma bagged three wickets, including two in final over, to restrict RCB to 109

India Announce Squad For Historic Mixed Disability T20I Series Against England

The Differently Abled Cricket Council: The Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) on Saturday announced India's mens mixed disability squad for the upcoming historic five-match Mixed Disability T20 International (T20I) series against England, set to be played from January 29 to February 6 in Greater Noida and Jaipur. Ravindra Sante will lead the Indian side as captain, while Vivek has been named vice-captain of the team. The series, which will feature players with physical disabilities, hearing impairments, and intellectual disabilities competing together in a single international format, marks another significant step forward in the growth of inclusive cricket on the global stage. The three matches of the series will be played at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium, Greater Noida, before the action shifts to Jaipur, which will host the final two T20Is. Indias preparations have been in full swing, with the national training camp concluding on Saturday. The Indian team will travel to Greater Noida on January 25 ahead of the series opener. Speaking on the squad announcement, DCCI General Secretary Ravi Kant Chauhan said, This Indian squad represents the depth and diversity of mixed disability cricket in the country. The players have shown great commitment during the camp, and this series against England will be an important platform to showcase Indias progress. Such international exposure is crucial for strengthening the format and inspiring many more aspiring cricketers. The England team arrived in India on Friday. They come into the series after a successful home campaign in 2025, where they defeated India 61 in the first-ever Mixed Disability international series. Led by captain Callum Flynn, the visitors have announced a balanced squad blending experience with young talent. Speaking on the squad announcement, DCCI General Secretary Ravi Kant Chauhan said, This Indian squad represents the depth and diversity of mixed disability cricket in the country. The players have shown great commitment during the camp, and this series against England will be an important platform to showcase Indias progress. Such international exposure is crucial for strengthening the format and inspiring many more aspiring cricketers. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Ravindra Sante (C Physical Disability), Vivek Kumar (VC Deaf), Akash Singh (Deaf), Sibun Nanda (Deaf), Shariq Majeed (Deaf), Krishna Gowda (WK Deaf), Deepak Kumar (Deaf), Jithendra V N (Physical Disability), Majid (Physical Disability), Wasim Iqbal (Physical Disability), Yogender Badoriya (WK Physical Disability), Akash Patil (Physical Disability), Sandeep (Intellectual Disability), Rizwan (Intellectual Disability), Tarun (Intellectual Disability), Soham (Intellectual Disability), Jayesh Parmar (Intellectual Disability). Article Source: IANS

ICC replaces Bangladesh with Scotland in Men's T20 World Cup after venue dispute

Bangladesh had sought to move their group-stage fixtures from India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns in the wake of fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman being released from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. But ICC's decision ends weeks of uncertainty after the BCB repeatedly pressed for a venue change and even suggested swapping groups with Ireland.

U19 World Cup: India Continue Winning Run With Seven-wicket Win Over New Zealand

U19 Cricket World Cup: The Indian men's U19 team maintained its winning run in the 2026 ICC Mens U19 Cricket World Cup with a sevenwicket win over New Zealand in a rainaffected group stage match at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on Saturday. Asked to bat first, New Zealand faltered early as pacer R.S. Ambrish struck twice in quick succession on his way to finishing with figures of 4-29. Henil Patel also took three wickets as New Zealand were bowled out for 135. Despite losing Aaron George for seven, Indias chase was steady. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made 40 off 23 balls, and captain Ayush Mhatre struck 53 off 27 deliveries to put their side in control, before Vihaan Malhotra (17 not out) and Vedant Trivedi (13 not out) guided them home. New Zealand struggled to get going as Ambrish dismissed Hugo Bogue (4) and Tom Jones (2). It became 17/3 when Aryan Mann was out to Henil. That quickly became 22/5 as Marco Alpe (1) and Snehith Reddy (10) also fell. Cotter led the fightback, with Samson and Sanjay also chipping in to take New Zealand into three figures. India looked unflustered in their chase despite the early loss of George, who was castled for seven by Mason Clarke. Sooryavanshi and Mhatre, who had a lean run so far, combined excellently to get the chase in Indias favour, before Malhotra and Trivedi finished the job through an unbeaten 29-run stand to secure the top spot for India in Group B. The win also places India in Group 2 of the Super Six stage, alongside England, Pakistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Zimbabwe. India, the five-time champions, will play their next match against Zimbabwe on Tuesday and are set to face off against Pakistan on February 1. India looked unflustered in their chase despite the early loss of George, who was castled for seven by Mason Clarke. Sooryavanshi and Mhatre, who had a lean run so far, combined excellently to get the chase in Indias favour, before Malhotra and Trivedi finished the job through an unbeaten 29-run stand to secure the top spot for India in Group B. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New Zealand 135 all out in 36.2 overs (Callum Samson 37 not out, Selwin Sanjay 28; R.S. Ambrish 4-29, Henil Patel 3-23) lost to India 130/3 in 13.3 overs (Ayush Mhatre 53, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 40; Selwin Sanjay 1-22, Mason Clarke 1-29) by seven wickets via DLS method Article Source: IANS

Scotland Accepts ICC Invite To Replace Bangladesh In Men's T20 World Cup

ICC Chair Jay Shah: Scotland have accepted an invitation to replace Bangladesh and compete in the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup starting on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka, Cricket Scotland said in Edinburgh on Saturday. Earlier on Saturday, the ICC confirmed that Scotland will replace Bangladesh in the mega event after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to participate under the tournaments published schedule, which would require them to play their league stage games in India. Bangladesh had sought to move their group-stage fixtures from India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns in the wake of fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman being released from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. But ICCs decision ends weeks of uncertainty after the BCB repeatedly pressed for a venue change and even suggested swapping groups with Ireland. Cricket Scotland said the mens squad has been training for several weeks ahead of scheduled tours and will now travel to India immediately to acclimatise before the tournament begins, adding that details around squad selection for the tournament will be shared in the coming days. I welcomed a call from ICC Chair Jay Shah earlier today confirming that Scotland will receive an invitation to play at the ICC Mens T20 World Cup. I was pleased to accept on behalf of our team, who are willing and ready to go. We thank the ICC for this opportunity and look forward to competing with some of the best sides in the world in India in the coming weeks, said Wilf Walsh, Cricket Scotland Chair, in a statement. Scotland will now take on England, Italy, Nepal, and the West Indies in the Group C games three of which will happen in Kolkata and one to be staged in Mumbai. The side comes into the T20 World Cup as the next-highest ranked T20I team that had originally missed the qualification for the tournament, where they finished at fourth place. Scotland are currently ranked 14th, which in fact is ahead of competing teams Namibia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Nepal, USA, Canada, Oman, and Italy. Interestingly, Scotland had played the 2009 T20 World Cup in England after Zimbabwe pulled out of the tournament due to political reasons. Scotland will now take on England, Italy, Nepal, and the West Indies in the Group C games three of which will happen in Kolkata and one to be staged in Mumbai. The side comes into the T20 World Cup as the next-highest ranked T20I team that had originally missed the qualification for the tournament, where they finished at fourth place. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We also acknowledge that this opportunity has arisen out of challenging and unique circumstances. Our squad have been training for some weeks in preparation for upcoming tours and are now preparing to arrive in India imminently to acclimatise to local conditions, ready to play and contribute to what should be a fantastic ICC Mens T20 World Cup, said Trudy Lindblade, Cricket Scotland Chief Executive. Article Source: IANS

WPL 2026: Nandni Sharma Takes 3-26 As Sensational DC Bowl Out RCB For 109

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Nandni Sharma starred with figures of 3-26 as Delhi Capitals produced a sensational bowling display to dismiss Royal Challengers Bengaluru for just 109 in their 2026 Womens Premier League (WPL) game at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Saturday. On a slow pitch, Nandni stood out with her control and mastery of the slower ball to pick 13 wickets in the ongoing edition -- the most by an Indian pacer in WPLs history. Apart from Nandni, Marizanne Kapp, Chinelle Henry, and Minnu Mani took two wickets each, while Sree Charani had a scalp as well. Skipper Smriti Mandhana showed brief composure by top-scoring with a 34-ball 38, before falling after the first timeout. It triggered a collapse for RCB on a tricky surface, as they posted their lowest WPL total. Radha Yadav was the only batter to offer some resistance, but her dismissal in the 17th over sealed RCBs fate of making a below-par total, where three batters got into double figures. Inserted into batting first, Smriti and Grace Harris hit seven boundaries in 4.3 overs, before the latter was caught at backward point off a probing Marizanne. Smriti anchored the innings with six fours and a six, but her dismissal slog-sweeping to square leg off Minnu triggered a meltdown. Georgia Voll and Gautami Naik fell in quick succession, after being castled by Marizanne and Charani respectively, before Richa Ghoshs attempted drive was brilliantly caught by Laura Wolvaardt at backward point. At 78/5, RCB were in deep trouble, and Radha briefly lifted hopes of posting a competitive total with a straight six off Minnu. But her departure to Chinelle Henry, after edging behind Lizelle Lee, dashed all those hopes. After Chinelle took out Nadine de Klerk, Nandni then took charge in the closing overs by trapping Arundhati Reddy lbw, removing Shreyanka Patil with a slower ball, and castling Sayali Satghare to finish with a well-deserved three-fer. At 78/5, RCB were in deep trouble, and Radha briefly lifted hopes of posting a competitive total with a straight six off Minnu. But her departure to Chinelle Henry, after edging behind Lizelle Lee, dashed all those hopes. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Royal Challengers Bengaluru 109 all out in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 38, Radha Yadav 18; Nandni Sharma 3-26, Marizanne Kapp 2-17) against Delhi Capitals Article Source: IANS

Upbeat India target series win against New Zealand in Guwahati

New Zealand have been blown away in the two games so far and will need a special show to stop the Indian juggernaut

Ranji Trophy: Athishs 88 Leads TNs Charge For A Win, Andhra Inch Closer To Victory

Odisha Cricket Association: Tamil Nadu opener S.R. Athish struck a career-best 88 to anchor his sides charge for victory on Day Three of their Elite Group A clash against Odisha in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 at the KIIT Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday. Athish, who had made a scratchy maiden fifty in the first innings, looked far more assured in his second knock, while Sonu Yadav built on his maiden five-wicket haul with a brisk 74 as Tamil Nadu were bowled out for 316, setting Odisha a daunting target of 455. At stumps, Odisha were at 47/2 in 15.3 overs, with a win for Tamil Nadu looking a possibility. Meanwhile, in Anantapur, Andhra strengthened their push for the quarterfinals by closing the days play at 93/1 against Vidarbha. Andhra need 166 more runs with K.S. Bharat and Shaik Rasheed unbeaten on 27 and 50 respectively in an unbroken 78-run stand. Vidarbha, the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy winners, will rue their failure to post a bigger total after being bowled out for 191 in their second innings. Yash Rathod top-scored with 56 but lacked support from the other end as Andhras bowlers, led by K. Saitejas four wickets, dismantled the visitors. Meanwhile, in Anantapur, Andhra strengthened their push for the quarterfinals by closing the days play at 93/1 against Vidarbha. Andhra need 166 more runs with K.S. Bharat and Shaik Rasheed unbeaten on 27 and 50 respectively in an unbroken 78-run stand. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Meanwhile, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh ended the days play at 69/7 in 23 overs and trail Jharkhand by 316 runs. Uttar Pradesh was forced to follow on after being bowled out for 176 in their first innings in response to Jharkhand's 561/6 declared. Madhav Kaushik (9) and Vipraj Nigam (1) are at the crease, but a heavy defeat is inevitable for Uttar Pradesh. Article Source: IANS

India to face Pakistan in Under-19 World Cup Super Six stage

India will also face Zimbabwe while Pakistan's other opponents are New Zealand

3rd T20I: India Aim To Wrap Up Series Win Against New Zealand As Dew Factor Looms Large In Guwahati (Preview)

The Barsapara Cricket Stadium: Riding high on confidence gained after taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, India will look to seal the five-match T20I series when they face New Zealand in the third T20I match at the ACA Stadium, Barsapara in Guwahati on Sunday. India delivered a powerful statement in the second T20I at Raipur, where they pulled off a stunning chase of 208 in just 15.2 overs to take a 2-0 lead, underlining their dominance in the series and momentum ahead of the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. It was the second-highest successful chase in Indias T20I history. Only Indias 211/4 against Sri Lanka in Mohali in 2009 stands above it, with the Raipur effort also eclipsing chases of 209/4 vs West Indies (Hyderabad, 2019), 209/8 vs Australia (Vizag, 2023), and 204/4 vs New Zealand (Auckland, 2020). The emphatic finish was also the biggest win by balls remaining for a full member nation while chasing a target of over 200. It surpassed Pakistans 24-ball victory against New Zealand in Auckland in 2025 and Australias 23-ball win over West Indies in Basseterre that same year. Batting first, New Zealand struggled for stability early on before Rachin Ravindra counterattacked with a brisk 44 off 26 balls to rebuild the innings. Indias bowlers shared the workload effectively, with Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Hardik Pandya, and Shivam Dube claiming one wicket each, while Kuldeep Yadav stood out with two crucial breakthroughs. New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner anchored the latter half of the innings with an unbeaten 47 off 27 balls, guiding the visitors to a competitive total of 208 for 6. Indias reply, however, quickly swung the contest in their favour despite the early setbacks of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson. Ishan Kishan launched a fierce counterattack, smashing 76 runs at a blistering strike rate. Captain Suryakumar Yadav then produced a vintage knock, remaining unbeaten on 82 off 37 deliveries to register his first T20I half-century after a long gap, which helped India secure a seven-wicket win. India will be hoping that they continue to ride the momentum in the third match and continue to do so till the T20 World Cup 2026. The Barsapara Cricket Stadium has hosted seven T20I matches, with three won by teams batting first and three by teams bowling first, while one match ended in a draw. The average first-innings score at the venue stands at 161, while teams batting second have averaged 153. The highest total recorded at the ground is 237 for 3 by India against South Africa, while the lowest total is 118 all out by India against Australia. Dew will play a big role in the match and could be a crucial factor in deciding the outcome. The team bowling second will face its implications as it is expected to settle down in the night at Guwahati. The team winning the toss is likely to choose to bowl first. Kuldeep Yadav is closing in on a major milestone in T20I, needing just eight more wickets to reach the landmark of 100 wickets in the format. Glenn Phillips is also approaching a significant fielding achievement, as the Black Caps star is only four catches away from completing 150 catches in T20 cricket. Meanwhile, Rinku Singh is 59 runs short of reaching 3,500 runs in T20, underlining his growing impact in the shortest format. With the series still in its early stages, India will be keen to carry forward the confidence gained from the opening matches. The team management is unlikely to make any changes in the playing XI as they aim for a 3-0 lead. New Zealand, meanwhile, will be eager to bounce back from the disastrous start. The visitors will be looking for a stronger bowling effort and greater consistency from their batting lineup as they seek to counter Indias aggressive style. When: Sunday, Jan 25, 7:00 PM IST Where: Baraspara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati Where to Watch: Star Sports Network for live TV broadcast and JioHotstar for live streaming. Squads: Where to Watch: Star Sports Network for live TV broadcast and JioHotstar for live streaming. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (wicket-keeper), Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Ish Sodhi. Article Source: IANS

Capitals bowl with two changes, RCB bring back Arundhati Reddy

Delhi Capitals brought in Chinelle Henry and Minnu Mani for Lucy Hamilton and Deeya Yadav

WPL 2026: Henry, Minnu Come In As Delhi Capitals Elect To Bowl First Against RCB, Arundhati Is Back

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Delhi Capitals (DC) have brought in Chinelle Henry and Minnu Mani as they won the toss and elected to bowl first against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their 2026 Womens Premier League clash at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Saturday. Table-toppers RCB are already assured of a playoff berth, and a sixth win on the trot will help them skip the Eliminator and secure a direct passage to the final. DC, meanwhile, are chasing to strengthen their push for the knockouts, and a win will brighten that. After winning the toss, RCB captain Smriti Mandhana said seam-bowling all-rounder Arundhati Reddy is fit, and she comes in for Prema Rawat. We were looking at the field. We definitely thought about it (what to do). With the wind around today, we dont expect as much dew as the previous games, and when its windy, the dew tends to settle less, she said. So batting first was certainly in our minds. But the way this tournament has gone, we seem to keep losing the toss - thats just how its been. Very important (qualifying for the finals). Weve had good practice sessions, and everyone even turned up for the optional training, which says a lot about the group. As a captain and support staff, thats really pleasing. Were starting to look like a really good unit, she added. Delhi Capitals' skipper Jemimah Rodrigues said Chinelle Henry and Minnu Mani come in for Lucy Hamilton and Deeya Yadav, who have been ruled out of WPL due to a back injury. Under lights, the ball will skid on, and the dew also will come on. It does look a bit fresher and seems to come on nicely off the bat, but from what weve seen and read, it should still stay a little low. So I dont think the game plan changes too much. The youngsters bring a lot of energy, but everything is new for them. We try to share our experience and feed off their enthusiasm - it works both ways, and its been great, she said. Playing XIs: So I dont think the game plan changes too much. The youngsters bring a lot of energy, but everything is new for them. We try to share our experience and feed off their enthusiasm - it works both ways, and its been great, she said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Grace Harris, Smriti Mandhana (c), Georgia Voll, Gautami Naik, Richa Ghosh (wk), Nadine de Klerk, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Sayali Satghare, and Lauren Bell Article Source: IANS

You Want To Be The Guy Who Walks Off The Field With Your Partner, Says Brevis Ahead Of SA20 Final

Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Ahead of Pretoria Capitals taking on Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20 final on Sunday, young in-form batter Dewald Brevis said the importance of being present at the crease until the final ball of an innings is something which has been the key behind his batting approach in the last two games. In this season of SA20, Brevis has noticeably tempered his naturally aggressive approach in recent outings, which have especially come into notice during his back-to-back match-winning performances of 53 and 75 not out for the Capitals. Brevis, whos capped in all formats for South Africa, once looked to dominate from ball one, but he now appears willing to build his innings, suggesting a maturity that could prove crucial in Sunday's title clash. I think it's always like every game is new. Every game presents a new opportunity. I want to be like, for example, there is a role that I'm supposed to play. I want to obviously just be myself and play in that way. But like the approach in the previous two games, it was two different games, actually. The main thing for me and what the coach and the team want is for me to be there till the end. If I do that, like with being smart and whatever decision you make, you want to be there. You want to be the guy who walks off the field with your partner. So I think that's always the goal, and it's to just remain positive. Obviously, everyone wants to do it from the start of the tournament. I would have loved to do that. But it was a bit of a journey. I'm glad to see where we are as a team. Everyone is contributing, and I can't wait for Sunday, said Brevis, while replying to a query from IANS in the JioStar Press Room show on Saturday. The Capitals are coached by former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who is in his maiden coaching assignment in cricket. Standing on the brink of winning its first piece of silverware, Ganguly acknowledged that memories of him leading India in finals do surface in his mind, but then he aims to put them aside to guide and motivate the Capitals to win the title. It's not just the 2003 (ODI World Cup) final - I've captained India in the 2001 and 2002 finals. So it's been a few finals. When you get there, you have those memories back. But then you put it behind, and that's gone - you can't do much about it, and you've got to look forward. So it's a new day, a new game, and you're always backing yourself to win. It's not just about finals -- it's about these 11 games throughout the tournament. The Capitals are coached by former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who is in his maiden coaching assignment in cricket. Standing on the brink of winning its first piece of silverware, Ganguly acknowledged that memories of him leading India in finals do surface in his mind, but then he aims to put them aside to guide and motivate the Capitals to win the title. Also Read: Live Cricket Score It's about winning a match. We played Sunrisers in the group stage, semifinal, and final. So the team hasn't changed - it's just the situation which has changed. It's the same process that you win cricket matches, and that's what we look to do. Obviously, that comes with experience when you play over a long period of time. So for me, it's just another game where we'll have to play well to win, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

All-round Parmar takes Japan to historic win after Tanzania lose 7 for 13

Nihar Parmar took a four-for, then hit an unbeaten 53, to take Japan to their first victory at a World Cup

Naqvi casts uncertainty on Pakistan's participation in T20 World Cup after Bangladesh ouster

The PCB chairman said the final call will be taken after talks with the Pakistan government

Government Will Decide Pakistan's Participation In T20 World Cup, Mohsin Naqvi

Indian Premier League Franchise Kolkata: With the ICC deciding to replace Bangladesh with Scotland for their refusal to play their matches in India, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has approached the government regarding the participation of their team in the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup in solidarity with Bangladesh. Pakistan's participation in next month's Twenty20 World Cup now hinges on the government's clearance, said PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, in response to Bangladesh's ouster after the International Cricket Council rejected their request to relocate their matches from India over security fears, Telecom Asia Sport has reported. Whether we play in the T20 World Cup or not, the decision will be taken by the government, Naqvi, who is also the country's Interior Minister and thus the second-in-command in the Pakistan government, said in Lahore on Saturday. Our PM (Shahbaz Sharif) is out of the country. When he comes back, we will take advice from him. The decision by the government will be final and binding, and if they say no, then they (ICC) may invite any other team. Naqvi said PCB has alternate plans. We have alternate plans A, B, and C, which we can use when the time comes. We have done this before during the Champions Trophy, so nothing new for us, and we know how to deal with such matters. Despite the ICC Board meeting outvoting Bangladesh's demand on Wednesday, Bangladesh's interim government refused to change its stance, which they took after the Board of Control for Cricket in India expelled Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League Franchise Kolkata Knight Riders over the geo-political situation. The ICC's Dispute Resolution Committee also rejected the Bangladesh Cricket Board's plea and replaced Bangladesh with the next-ranked team, Scotland. Despite the ICC Board meeting outvoting Bangladesh's demand on Wednesday, Bangladesh's interim government refused to change its stance, which they took after the Board of Control for Cricket in India expelled Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League Franchise Kolkata Knight Riders over the geo-political situation. Also Read: Live Cricket Score According to the report, Naqvi criticised the ICC for favouring one country -- India. One country is dictating and when the ICC changed venues for Pakistan and India in a favour then why it was not done for Bangladesh, Naqvi questioned, Naqvi said. Article Source: IANS

Jindal Family Invites Womens Blind Cricket World Champions For Iconic Tiranga Celebration

Blind Cricket World Champions: The Jindal Foundation and the Flag Foundation of India, led by Naveen Jindal and Shallu Jindal, held a Tiranga milestone celebration at Jindal House, which was graced by the Indian Womens Blind Cricket Team, champions of the first-ever Womens World Cup, Cricket for the Blind 2025. The team attended, as special guests, the event at which the Jindal family emphasised that nation-building is deeply linked to inclusion and constitutional values. Held before Republic Day, the event offered a compelling national setting to celebrate achievement, equality, and participation. Under the Tricolour, representing dignity, justice, and equal citizenship, the attendance of women athletes with visual impairment exemplified the enduring promise of the Indian Constitution: that all citizens are integral to the nations story. A memorable moment was the interaction involving Naveen Jindal, a three-time Member of Parliament, Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University, and President of the Flag Foundation of India, with athletes from the Cricket Association of the Blind in India (CABI). Demonstrating inclusion and support, Jindal bowled a blind cricket delivery and officially honoured the World Champion team, awarding each player and official a cheque for 60,000, totalling 12 lakh. He was also presented with an autographed cricket bat and a blind cricket ball by Mahantesh, Founding Trustee of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled and Chairman of CABI, symbolising mutual respect and national pride. A memorable moment was the interaction involving Naveen Jindal, a three-time Member of Parliament, Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University, and President of the Flag Foundation of India, with athletes from the Cricket Association of the Blind in India (CABI). Also Read: Live Cricket Score India enjoyed a flawless run in the tournament, remaining unbeaten before clinching the title with a convincing seven-wicket win over Nepal in the final. Chasing a target of 115, the Indian side reached the mark in just 12.1 overs. Article Source: IANS

Sunrisers chase third SA20 title, Capitals their first as familiar foes meet in final

Sunrisers return to familiar territory while a rebuilt Capitals chase elusive glory

Djokovic wins record 400th Slam match to power on in Australia

The 38-year-old Serbian great swept past Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) under a closed roof on centre court to extend his own all-time record of match wins at the majors

Scotland Set To Replace Bangladesh In T20 World Cup 2026: ICC Sources

T20 World Cup: Scotland's cricket team is all set to replace Bangladesh in the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which will be played in India and Sri Lanka from February 7. A source close to the development told IANS that ICC has reached this decision after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) remained firm on its stance of not traveling to India. The official confirmation from the governing body will come soon. Since the ICC released its statement earlier this week and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) appears adamant about not travelling to India, Scotland is set to replace Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup. An official confirmation is expected very soon, ICC sources told IANS on Saturday. Bangladesh earlier informed the ICC that they would not travel to India due to security concerns amid deteriorating relations between the two nations and requested that their matches be relocated to Sri Lanka. However, the ICC reiterated that the T20 World Cup will proceed as per schedule, with Bangladeshs matches to be played in India. This follows the BCCI's direction to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release pacer Mustafizur Rahman for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 amid prevailing political tensions between the two countries. ICC also gave a 24-hour deadline to BCB for conveying its final decision on playing the tournament as planned. This follows the BCCI's direction to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release pacer Mustafizur Rahman for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 amid prevailing political tensions between the two countries. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Scotland will now be placed in Group C in the preliminary stage of the tournament. They will play against the West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9, and England on February 14 in Kolkata. Scotland will play its final group stage game in Mumbai against Nepal on February 17. Article Source: IANS

ICC replaces Bangladesh with Scotland at T20 World Cup due to BCB refusal to play in India

Decision comes after Bangladesh refused to change its stance following ICC board meeting

We Dont Know What Will Happen Next, Says Shoriful Islam On Bangladesh T20 WC Uncertainty

Bangladesh T20 WC: Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam on Friday said players can only focus on their performances and have no control over decisions related to Bangladeshs participation in the upcoming ICC Mens T20 World Cup, as speculation continues over the countrys possible withdrawal from the multinational tournament. Our job is to perform. Whether we go to the World Cup or not is not in our hands, Shoriful said, as quoted by Dailystar. Shorifuls comments came after the Bangladesh Cricket Board remained stern on its decision not to send players to India, citing security concerns amid deteriorating relations between the two nations. The BCB had earlier demanded that their matches be shifted to Sri Lanka. However, the ICC reiterated on Wednesday that the T20 World Cup will proceed as scheduled, with Bangladeshs matches to be played in India. Addressing the media after winning the Player of the Season award in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Shoriful stressed that speculation over the World Cup should not distract players from their core responsibility. As players, our responsibility is to think about how we can perform better. Everyone tries to give their best from their own position, and thats what I am trying to do, he said. Shoriful acknowledged that uncertainty ahead of a major global tournament can be challenging, but maintained that the decision is not in the players hands. Going to the World Cup or not going is not in our hands. The guardians of our cricket have made a decision, and we respect that. There is no point in talking too much about something we dont control, he added. Asked whether the issue had been discussed within the team and if it had any mental impact on players, Shoriful once again emphasised focusing on cricket over speculation. Going to the World Cup or not going is not in our hands. The guardians of our cricket have made a decision, and we respect that. There is no point in talking too much about something we dont control, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Shoriful was in prime form in the recently concluded BPL season, as the left-arm pacer took 26 wickets, which helped his side Chattogram Royals finish as runners-up in the tournament. Article Source: IANS

Australian Open 2026: Naomi Osaka withdraws before third-round match

The two-time Australian Open champion announced it on social media without divulging her injury, posting on Instagram that she had to withdraw to address something my body needs attention for after my last match

Harmanpreet Kaur Calls 'Mardaani 3' Trailer 'insane', Asks For Example Setting Punishments

Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan: Indian womens cricket team captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, is the latest admirer of Rani Mukerjis impeccable acting skills after witnessing the gripping trailer of her forthcoming crime drama Mardaani 3. Moved by the trailer, Harmanpreet has called swift and example setting punishment as the need of the hour for crimes against women. Harmanpreet further thanked the police force of the country for constantly trying to protect girls and women of India. Love our police force who are always there to protect us every day #Mardaani3 trailer is insane....cant wait to watch the film, her Instagram post read. The latest instalment in the popular franchise will focus on the issue of young girls aged 8-9 years, from low-income groups, who are kidnapped for a specific reason from across our country. Before this, Mardaani exposed the grim realities of human trafficking and Mardaani 2 explored the disturbing psyche of a serial rapist who challenged the system. Earlier, several members from the film fraternity were also in awe of the Mardaani 3 trailer. Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, who shared screen space with Rani in Mujhse Dosti Karoge, called her a Dynamite. Bebo wrote on the photo-sharing app, Rani meri jaan love you always Killing it. #RaniMukerji #AdityaChopra #AkshayeWidhani @abhiraj88 #30YearsOfRaniMukerji. Actress Katrina Kaif also lauded Rani, calling her a Queen. Celebrating 30 years of Queen #ranimukerji Irreplaceable Unstoppable Undefinable, Katrina's social media post read. Actress Kiara Advani claimed that Rani continues to rule the screen even after 3 decades in the industry. Celebrating 30 years of Queen #ranimukerji Irreplaceable Unstoppable Undefinable, Katrina's social media post read. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Made under the direction of Abhiraj Minawala and produced by Aditya Chopra, Mardaani 3 will reach the cinema halls on January 30. Article Source: IANS

MS Dhoni Starts Net Practice In Ranchi Ahead Of IPL 2026

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna: Former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has begun preparations for the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season. The 44-year-old will represent Chennai Super Kings for the 17th time and was seen padded up and batting in the nets in a video shared by the Jharkhand State Cricket Association on their social media platforms. JSCA called Dhoni their pride and wrote, Look who is back. Pride of JSCA: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, in the caption of their post on Instagram. In the clip, Dhoni can be seen chatting with former JSCA secretary Saurabh Tiwary while gearing up for the nets. Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020, except for the IPL, where he continues to represent his beloved CSK. Dhoni is one of the most influential players in the CSK ranks and is a core member of the leadership group. He has won five titles for the team during his captaincy stint. CSK had a poor run last season. The team finished last in the points table. The five-time champions were only able to win four matches out of fourteen. Dhonis performance was also disappointing throughout the season. CSKs finisher scored just 196 runs in 13 innings at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17, with a best score of 30*, and even captained CSK in Gaikwads absence due to injury. CSK had a poor run last season. The team finished last in the points table. The five-time champions were only able to win four matches out of fourteen. Also Read: Live Cricket Score A modern-day legend of Indian cricket, wicketkeeper-batter Dhoni has led India in all three formats of the game. A recipient of the Padma Bhushan (2018), Padma Shri (2009), and Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (2008), Dhoni represented India from 2004 to 2019, leading the country to the T20 World Cup in 2007 and the ODI World Cup in 2011. Article Source: IANS

2nd T20I: Suryakumar Credits Wife After Ending 468-day T20I Fifty Drought, Says have A Coach At Home

Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International: Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav shared that his wife's vital advice enabled him to break free and score his first half-century in 468 days, contributing to India's comfortable seven-wicket win over New Zealand in the second T20I at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium on Friday. In a video posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday, Ishan Kishan, who was named Player of the Match in the recent game, asked the captain about his slow start to the innings, saying, Theyve been calling it a lean patch. As a sportsman, I feel that those who play cricket are aware of the capabilities of the batters. I didnt think itd be a big deal for you. Was that playing on your mind? Suryakumar responded by sharing his wife's advice, saying, We all have a coach at home, the one you are married to. She keeps telling me to take some time. She has seen it all and can read my mind really well. So I took her advice and played carefully at the start. I took it in the last game, and in this match also. The 35-year-old also discussed the three-week break and how quitting social media has improved his mental health, helping him achieve the results he wanted. I've been telling everyone that I was doing well in nets. But until you score in the matches, you don't feel that confidence. I utilised the 2-3 week gap very well, went home, cut off social media, and practised, which put me in a good mental space. Cricket is a great leveller. It's important to have humility, he said. The Indian T20I skipper gave Abhishek Sharma, who has been India's top performer over the past year, a playful nudge while emphasising the team's collective effort. I've been telling everyone that I was doing well in nets. But until you score in the matches, you don't feel that confidence. I utilised the 2-3 week gap very well, went home, cut off social media, and practised, which put me in a good mental space. Cricket is a great leveller. It's important to have humility, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Suryakumar scored 82 off just 32 balls against the Blackcaps, hammering nine fours and four sixes in his innings. Article Source: IANS

A Record Missing for Nearly 200 Years, Now Finally Erased

Recent news from neighbouring country Pakistan was that their first class side Pakistan Television (PTV) beat Sui Northern in the 2024-25 President's Trophy Grade-I match and broke a 232-year old record in this win. The unique achievement is that they successfully defended the lowest total (40) in first-class cricket. In a match played at the National Stadium in Karachi, facing a target of 40 runs to win, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) were bundled out for 37 in 19.4 overs, on the third day of the fourth round of Presidents Trophy Grade-I and lost by 2 runs. Previous record: Oldfield defended 41 against MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) to win by six runs in August 1794 at the Lords Old Ground. Match details; Sui Northern (led by Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood) made 238 in their first innings, in reply to Pakistan TV score of 166 to earn a 72-run lead. Pakistan TV then scored only 111 in the second innings and Sui Northern faced a target of only 40 runs to record an easy win. The five-time President's Trophy champions, Sui Northern however struggled against Ali Usman (6-9) and Amad Butt (4-28) on a deteriorating pitch who bowled 9.4 and 10 overs respectively, on the trot. Ali recorded his career best performance and had a match haul of 10-75. Shan Masood who had scored a record 177 ball 200, a few days back, was dismissed for a duck.. Now we return to the previous record where Oldfield defended 41 against MCC and won by six runs in 1794. Although this record was created more than 200 years ago, if you glance through the cricket record books and Almanacs of just a few years back, surprisingly you will not find mention of this record. For decades, reference works listed Eastern Province vs Border 1946-47 (target 42, won by 7 runs) as the record holder in this regard. Near at the end of the last century, the ICC relooked at all the early matches and many of them were accorded first class matches including this 1794 match. So the record was awarded to Oldfield about 200 years later in other words the record was held by a match which took place in 1794 but the feat was recognised fairly recently. Lowest FC targets defended Target Score Winner Loser Venue,Season 40 37 PTV SNGPL Karachi,2025/26 41 34 Oldfield MCC Lords (Old) ,1794 42 34 Eastern Province Border East London,1946/47 44 39 England Kent and Sussex Lords,1856 49 32 Kent Sussex Hawkhurst,1825 Do you know what is the lowest first class target defended, in India? In a Ranji Trophy 2022/23 match in Jamtha, Nagpur, Vidarbha had successfully defended 73 against Gujarat and this record still exists. They had rewritten the record for first-class cricket on Indian soil, by improving the 1948/49 feat, Delhi facing a target of only 78 against Bihar at the Keenan Stadium in Jamshedpur, were 38-2 at one stage but then collapsed to 48 all out. The architects of this collapse were Shute Banerjee (6-22) and Potla Bose (4-25). Also Read: Live Cricket Score Chasing 73 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Gujarat almost repeated the same collapse story. At one time, they were at 26-2 with no real threat of a defeat. Then the last eight wickets fell for 28, in 20.2 overs and this time the collapse was caused by left-arm spinners Aditya Sarwate (6-17) and Harsh Dubey (3-11). They recorded match figures of 11-71 and 5-38 respectively and Sarwate was named the Player of the Match. Gujarat were out for 54, which included 10 extras. Only Siddharth Desai (18) managed to score in double figures

BCB Probe Corruption Claims Involving Board Director Mokhlesur Rahman: Report

The Bangladesh Cricket Board: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has launched an internal investigation into corruption allegations involving board director Mokhlesur Rahman, further deepening scrutiny around the administration of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). A BCB spokesperson confirmed that the boards integrity unit has taken up the matter and that Rahman has relinquished his role as chairman of the audit committee pending the inquiry. Rahman, who was elected as a BCB director in October, represents Chapainawabganj as a board councillor, according to ESPNCricinfo. The allegations stem from the current BPL season and were first brought to public attention by journalist Riasad Azim in an investigative report published on his verified Facebook page on Thursday. Although the board has not publicly detailed the nature of the claims, the report has prompted swift internal action. The investigation is being overseen by the BCBs integrity unit, led by former ICC Anti-Corruption Unit chief Alex Marshall. The timing adds further strain to an already stretched department, which is currently reviewing a separate, independent 900-page report examining corruption allegations from the previous BPL season. Rahman has stepped aside from his board responsibilities amid the probe, making him the second BCB director this month to be embroiled in controversy. Earlier in December, Bangladeshs professional cricketers staged a boycott of BPL matches after director M Nazmul Islam made comments deemed offensive, both on social media and during a press conference. The investigation is being overseen by the BCBs integrity unit, led by former ICC Anti-Corruption Unit chief Alex Marshall. The timing adds further strain to an already stretched department, which is currently reviewing a separate, independent 900-page report examining corruption allegations from the previous BPL season. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The latest development comes at a sensitive moment for the Bangladesh cricket administration, with the BCB also embroiled in an ongoing dispute with the ICC over the countrys participation framework for the Mens T20 World Cup. Article Source: IANS

'Ishan Kishan Could Have Gotten A Big Hundred,' Says Simon Doull

T20 World Cup India: Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull has praised Ishan Kishan's explosive knock after India cruised to a comfortable victory over New Zealand in the second T20I on Friday to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. New Zealand great feels that Kishan's shots were amazing, and he missed a well-deserved hundred. Ishan played beautifully. He could have gotten a big hundred. We know his prowess, scoring a double hundred in ODIs. Hes got such power, and he does it so quickly, Doull told Jio Star. Highlighting the impact of Kishans counterattacking innings after India lost early wickets, Doull felt the aggressive approach put New Zealand under immediate pressure and allowed captain Suryakumar Yadav time to settle at the crease. When Abhishek obviously didnt get them off to a good start, what Ishan did from two for six was to put New Zealand under pressure. He took the game away and allowed Surya to settle in. At one stage, Suryakumar was 11 off 11 balls. The way Ishan played allowed him to settle, he said. Doull also praised specific shots that stood out during Kishans 73-run innings. There were a couple of shots that stood out. The one off Ish Sodhi, when he went down the wicket and then pulled the ball over mid-wicket, was a phenomenal shot, he added. So I thought he was simply superb. Hes got shots all around the ground, Doull said. Turning his attention to Indias overall batting strength, Doull underlined the depth and power available throughout the lineup, even without some of the sides most destructive hitters getting an opportunity to bat. If you take Abhishek away, who failed in the game, Rinku and Hardik, two of the most prolific six-hitters, didnt even get a go. So India are out-sixing with guys who dont usually; I mean, they do hit sixes, but your two real powerhouses didnt even get a bat. I thought India was simply brilliant, he said. Doull felt New Zealand missed a crucial opportunity early in the contest despite reducing India to two for six. New Zealand had an opportunity early on, two for six, with both the openers gone, and they should have been better. I dont think Mitchell Santner had a great night from a captaincy point of view. New Zealand just didnt put enough on the board, and Im not even sure 280 would have been enough, he added. Assessing Indias strength ahead of the ICC Mens T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026, Doull said the current squad appears tailor-made for the shortest format. Its a different-looking side to what we saw in the ODIs, to me. Its a side that just looks like they really know how to play this format of the game. Theyre enjoying it. Theres a mix of experience and youth. Theres all-out aggression, he said. Doull also praised Indias relentless mindset, regardless of match situations, which has helped the team achieve massive success. Its a different-looking side to what we saw in the ODIs, to me. Its a side that just looks like they really know how to play this format of the game. Theyre enjoying it. Theres a mix of experience and youth. Theres all-out aggression, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score They just look like a team that Surya has got in a great headspace at the moment. Theyre playing with confidence. They were laughing and joking as they came off the field, the pats on the back, the rubs on the head, those little things that come with a team in a very good frame of mind and knowing exactly what they have up their sleeves. Doull concluded. Article Source: IANS

A clash of familiar titans to decide the BBL title

Can Sydney Sixers learn the lessons from earlier in the week and toppled favourites Perth Scorchers at their imposing home ground?

BCB to investigate corruption allegations against board director Mokhlesur Rahman

The allegations centre around this season's Bangladesh Premier League

2nd T20I: 'Surya's Innings Showed Maturity And Awareness,' Says Gavaskar After India Take 2-0 Lead

Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International: Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar hailed captain Suryakumar Yadav's mature knock, which helped India secure a hefty victory against New Zealand in the second T20I that was played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Friday. The Former India captain also believes that Suryakumar's return to form has given the Men in Blue a big boost ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, which commences on February 7. India comfortably chased down the 209-run target, securing a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, thanks to a crucial 122-run partnership between the skipper and keeper-batter Ishan Kishan. Gavaskar highlighted Suryakumars awareness and maturity in managing his innings, reflecting on his pacing. Suryas innings showed that he was aware of the situation. At one stage, he was 11 off 11 balls while Ishan was scoring freely. That shows the skippers maturity; he allowed the in-form batter to take charge while he got his eyes in and rotated the strike, he told JioStar. After Ishan got out, Surya took the initiative and started hitting. Driving through the offside was a big plus because it showed he was looking to play straight. Eighty-plus not out was a fabulous innings and a big, big boost for India before the T20 World Cup, he added. Gavaskar highlighted Suryakumars awareness and maturity in managing his innings, reflecting on his pacing. Suryas innings showed that he was aware of the situation. At one stage, he was 11 off 11 balls while Ishan was scoring freely. That shows the skippers maturity; he allowed the in-form batter to take charge while he got his eyes in and rotated the strike, he told JioStar. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Ishan and Surya have played for the Mumbai Indians together, so they know each others game. When you travel and play together for more than two months, you develop a kinship. Ishan is a fun-loving guy and extremely popular in the dressing room. Its great to see the team spirit because thats what you want in tough situations, Gavaskar noted. Article Source: IANS

Australian Open 2026: Jannik Sinner battles cramp, heat to reach fourth round

The Italian limped over to his players' box in desperation midway through the match and was told by coach Darren Cahill to walk through the rest of the third set if necessary to get to a break

Pratika Rawal and Vaishnavi Sharma get India Test call-ups for Australia tour

Fifteen-member squad led by Harmanpreet has five players in line to make their debuts

U19 World Cup: Match Officials For Super Six Stage In Namibia Announced

U19 World Cup: The ICC has announced the list of umpires and referees for the Super Six stage of the U19 Mens Cricket World Cup 2026, set to take place in Namibia. Faisal Afridi and Nitin Bathi will serve as on-field umpires for the highly anticipated match between Australia and South Africa at Namibia Cricket Ground. Cory Black will be the TV Umpire, while Forster Mutizwa will act as the Fourth Umpire. Afridi has previously umpired South Africas loss to Afghanistan in the group stage, and Bathi was the umpire for their win over Tanzania. On January 25, the West Indies will face Ireland, with Shaun Haig and Iknow Chabi as the on-field umpires. Graham Lloyd will take on the role of TV Umpire, while Virender Sharma will serve as the Fourth Umpire. This will be Haig's third match involving the West Indies, having already officiated their group-stage games against Afghanistan and South Africa. On the following day, Afghanistan will meet Sri Lanka, with Cory Black and Forster Mutizwa once again on the field. Haig will be the TV Umpire, and Chabi will act as Fourth Umpire. Additionally, Black and Mutizwa will also officiate the 13th-16th place play-off between Japan and Tanzania at the High Performance Oval. The match officials for the Super Six fixtures in Zimbabwe will be announced once the matchups are finalised. Japan v Tanzania on January 24 at High Performance Oval, Windhoek On-field: Cory Black and Forster Mutizwa TV: Graham Lloyd Fourth: Deighton Butler Referee: Prakash Bhatt Australia v South Africa on January 25 at Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek On-field: Faisal Afridi and Nitin Bathi TV: Cory Black Fourth: Forster Mutizwa Referee: Prakash Bhatt West Indies v Ireland on January 25 at High Performance Oval, Windhoek On-field: Shaun Haig and Iknow Chabi TV: Graham Lloyd Fourth: Virender Sharma Referee: Neeyamur Rahul Afghanistan v Sri Lanka on January 26 at Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek On-field: Cory Black and Forster Mutizwa TV: Shaun Haig On-field: Cory Black and Forster Mutizwa Also Read: Live Cricket Score Referee: Neeyamur Rahul Article Source: IANS

From fill-in to front row: Joel Davies' rise to key Sydney Sixers role

The allrounder starred in all three disciplines against Hobart Hurricanes and his bowling and fielding has shone throughout the season

Australian Open 2026: Players, fans brace for extreme heat

Play started an hour earlier to take advantage of the relative cool of the morning but conditions were already stifling

Australian Open 2026: Madison Keys revels in Melbourne heat as Novak Djokovic steps up history bid

Players, fans and tournament organisers are braced for highs of 40C in the late afternoon, which could see play suspended

Nepal Skipper Rohit Paudel Eyes New Summit With 'Nothing To Lose' At T20 World Cup

Nepal captain Rohit Paudel says his side have nothing to lose in next month's T20 World Cup as they target more famous upsets and a place in the tournament's Super Eight second phase. The Himalayan nation stunned the two-time T20 World Cup winners West Indies last year for their first series win over a Test-playing side in the shortest format. It gave them huge belief ahead of the 20-team event starting February 7 in India and Sri Lanka that they can repeat the feat and take down one of the cricketing powers. Nepal will face the West Indies again in Group C alongside another two-time champion, England, and debutants Italy. Bangladesh, who are refusing to play in India, were also drawn in the group, but look likely to be kicked out and replaced by Scotland. Paudel and his team are currently in Colombo, practising ahead of their opener against England on February 8 at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. As a team, we have everything to gain from here, Paudel, who at 23 is the youngest captain at the event, told AFP. Nothing to lose, and we can play freely. We will try to showcase our skills in front of the world. The 17th-ranked Nepal will not have any group matches in Sri Lanka. But it is a sign of their confidence that they opted to train in Colombo as preparations for the subsequent Super Eight round, where they would play in Sri Lanka if they qualify as one of the top two in the group. Realistically, I think beating a Test-playing country would be a great opportunity for all of us, Paudel said Reaching the Super Eight would be another one, so we are eyeing that spot. But the first aim is to play the best brand of cricket we know. And we will try to do that. - Small nation, big dream - Cricket does not enjoy the same adulation in Nepal as it does in neighbouring South Asian nations where the game dominates popular culture. But interest has surged over the past decade. Nepal made their T20 World Cup debut in 2014 and returned in 2024, pushing South Africa and Bangladesh close in narrow defeats. The International Cricket Council granted Nepal one-day international status in 2018, a milestone that helped accelerate investment and fan interest. Domestic competitions such as the Nepal Premier League have drawn growing crowds and commercial backing, further widening the talent pipeline. Team manager Prabal Gautam said training in the Sri Lankan capital was to help players adapt from the cool Himalayan climate to the heat and humidity further south. Players initially struggled with temperatures above 30C in Colombo, he said, but were gradually acclimatising. This is the first step of practice matches before the World Cup, just to cope with the weather and to play quality cricket, Gautam told AFP. The squad plan further sessions in Mumbai before their group matches tournament and fancy their chances of going further. Being a small nation, being a small cricketing team, we also have a dream of winning the World Cup, Gautam said, adding dreams can come true. First we had a dream of playing in a World Cup. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Now this is our third time at a World Cup.

Hurricanes left to ponder what could have been

The defeat to Brisbane Heat knocked the stuffing out of the defending champion's title defence

All-round Coles, Muthusamy put Sunrisers Eastern Cape in fourth SA20 final

SEC's spinners took combined figures of 10-1-47-4 to set up win against Paarl Royals in Qualifier 2

Suryakumar on Kishan's counterattack: 'This is what we want from batters'

India's captain was full of praise for Kishan, who led India's revival from 6 for 2 with an audacious 32-ball 76

2nd T20I: 'Never Saw Anyone Hit The Ball Like He Did,' Says Suryakumar Yadav On Ishan Kishan's Fiery 76

T20 World Cup: Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav said the hosts want their batters to play with freedom and express themselves, hailing Ishan Kishans fearless strokeplay as a reflection of the teams mindset after India beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the second T20I in Raipur on Friday. Despite having a little help from the dew, India's chase of 209 started out shakily. Sanju Samson went out for 6, Abhishek Sharma made a golden duck, and all of a sudden, the hosts were down to 6 for 2. However, what followed was a mind-blowing counterattack. Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav put up 122 runs in a mere 48 balls for the third wicket, suddenly turning what had looked like a tough chase into an easy stroll. Kishan inflicted the majority of the damage with his aggression early on and had 76 from 32 balls - including a 21-ball fifty - when he got out mis-hitting Ish Sodhi for a catch off his own bowling. By that time, damage had already been done. Suryakumar finished with an impressive 82 from only 37 balls, reemphasising his class and importance to the team, only weeks leading into a home T20 World Cup. I didn't know what Ishan had for lunch. Never saw anyone hit the ball like he did. This is what we want from the batters to go out there and express themselves, be happy. I was angry he didn't give me a strike in the Power-play. But I knew that we had time and could cover up. I was batting really well in the nets, I got some good time with family and friends, and I am enjoying what's happening right now, Suryakumar Yadav said after the match. The emphatic finish was also the biggest win by balls remaining for a full member nation while chasing a target of over 200. It surpassed Pakistans 24-ball victory against New Zealand in Auckland in 2025 and Australias 23-ball win over West Indies in Basseterre that same year. Indias bowling struggled during this match. Arshdeep Singh had a particularly tough evening, giving away 53 runs without taking a wicket. Hardik Pandya was more economical, finishing with 1 for 25 from three overs. Harshit Rana, despite having a wicket maiden, ended with 1 for 35 from three overs. The spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy bowled a combined eight overs, taking three wickets while conceding 70 runs. Shivam Dube also contributed with one wicket. The emphatic finish was also the biggest win by balls remaining for a full member nation while chasing a target of over 200. It surpassed Pakistans 24-ball victory against New Zealand in Auckland in 2025 and Australias 23-ball win over West Indies in Basseterre that same year. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Suryakumar also highlighted the positive, relaxed atmosphere in the camp, stressing that India is committed to playing their brand of cricket while giving 100 per cent in every aspect. I am really enjoying. The mood in the camp is happy. We want to play the same brand of cricket and leave no stone unturned. Article Source: IANS

2nd T20I: Suryakumar Yadav's Unbeaten 82 Guides India To A Seven-wicket Victory Over New Zealand

Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International: Skipper Suryakumar Yadav finally produced a big one, scoring an unbeaten 82 while Ishan Kishan contributed a fiery 76 as India romped to a seven-wicket victory with 28 balls remaining against New Zealand in the second T20I at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur, and go 2-0 up in the five-match series. It was also the second-highest successful chase in Indias T20I history. Only Indias 211/4 against Sri Lanka in Mohali in 2009 stands above it, with the Raipur effort also eclipsing chases of 209/4 vs West Indies (Hyderabad, 2019), 209/8 vs Australia (Vizag, 2023), and 204/4 vs New Zealand (Auckland, 2020). The emphatic finish was also the biggest win by balls remaining for a full member nation while chasing a target of over 200. It surpassed Pakistans 24-ball victory against New Zealand in Auckland in 2025 and Australias 23-ball win over West Indies in Basseterre that same year. Despite having a little help from the dew, India's response started shakily. Sanju Samson went out for 6, Abhishek Sharma made a golden duck, and all of a sudden, the hosts were down to 6 for 2. However, what followed was a mind-blowing counterattack. Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav put up 122 runs in a mere 48 balls for the third wicket, suddenly turning what had looked like a tough chase into an easy stroll. Kishan inflicted the majority of the damage with his aggression early on and had 76 from 32 balls - including a 21-ball fifty - before he got out, mis-hitting Ish Sodhi for a catch off his own bowling. By that time, the damage had already been done. Suryakumar, who had been struggling on 10 from 10 balls at one point in time, then flipped a switch and began to accelerate. As a bonus, Shivam Dube was moved up the order to hit a quickfire 36 (200 SR) and assisted Suryakumar in putting up 81 runs together in the fourth wicket partnership, to easily finish the chase. Suryakumar finished with an impressive 82 from only 37 balls, reemphasising his class and importance to the team, only weeks leading into a home T20 World Cup. Earlier, New Zealand set India a tough target after Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and chose to bowl. Both openers got good starts but could not build on that. Rachin Ravindra top-scored with a solid 44 off 26 balls. Skipper Mitchell Santner gave the innings a crucial boost with an unbeaten 47 off 27 balls, helping the visitors pass the 200-run mark. Zak Foulkes also contributed by remaining not out on 15 off 8. New Zealand finished with a total of 208/6. New Zealand's bowlers had a chance to prove themselves on the night, but they had an unsuccessful evening. Zak Foulkes had no luck in his three overs, giving up 67 runs - the highest ever for a T20I bowler who is a member of one of the full member teams - breaking the previous record of 63 runs held by Liam McCarthy (Ireland) against the West Indies at Bready in 2025. Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, and Matt Henry managed to take one wicket each, but merely taking three wickets was not sufficient to stop the onslaught of runs from India. When Henry started well, it was a crucial decision to turn to Foulkes as the first change, and he went for 24 runs in his first over - the first time that Kishan really got his rhythm going. Thereafter, things went downhill for New Zealand, with some additional missed fielding opportunities compounding the problems. For India, Kuldeep Yadav was the standout bowler, taking two wickets for 35 runs. Hardik Pandya, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Shivam Dube each took one wicket. However, the rest of the bowling attack struggled to keep the scoring in check on a surface that favoured batting. Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, and Matt Henry managed to take one wicket each, but merely taking three wickets was not sufficient to stop the onslaught of runs from India. When Henry started well, it was a crucial decision to turn to Foulkes as the first change, and he went for 24 runs in his first over - the first time that Kishan really got his rhythm going. Thereafter, things went downhill for New Zealand, with some additional missed fielding opportunities compounding the problems. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New Zealand 208/6 in 20 overs (Mitchell Santner 47, Rachin Ravindra 44; Kuldeep Yadav 2-35, Hardik Pandya 1-25) lost to India 209/3 in 15.2 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 82 not out, Ishan Kishan 76; Jacob Duffy 1-38, Ish Sodhi 1-34) by seven wickets. Article Source: IANS

Teen skaters Aarush Tiwari from Delhi, Hiya Adlakha from Haryana shine at Khelo India Winter Games in Leh

Fourteen-year-old figure skaters Aarush Tiwari of Delhi and Hiya Adlakha of Haryana have emerged as promising talents at the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 in Leh, winning medals in the novice categories.

Kishan and Suryakumar lay down marker in astonishing chase

From 6 for 2 in a chase of 209, India romped home with 28 balls to spare

Ownership Of Pakistan Super Leagues Lahore Franchise Changes Due To Alleged Corruption

Pakistan Super League: In a dramatic turn of events, the ownership of the most popular and successful franchise of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been restored to its original founder-owner after his two brothers were found to have illegally taken shares from the elder brother, a news report said on Friday. Lahore Qalandars have won the title thrice in the PSL that started in 2016 and finished runner-up once. They were embroiled in controversy because of a dispute between the brothers over the ownership of the popular and successful franchise. The original owner, Fawad Rana, was the one who bought the franchise and made it popular through his endearing demeanours highlighted by his dance in jubilation and show of remorse in defeats. But Fawad was usurped by his two younger brothers Sameen and Atif through illegal transfer of shares, sources told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net). According to the report, an arbitration tribunal headed by retired Justice Maqbool Baqer ruled against the current management of Kausar Rana Resources (Pvt) Limited (KRR), the parent company of the Lahore Qalandars. The tribunal found that the transfer of majority shares from Qatar Lubricants Company (Qalco) to brothers Atif and Sameen was legally void and lacked valid authorisation, the report said. The tribunal ordered the respondents to either pay Qalco Rs 2.96 billion plus markup or immediately restore Qalcos 51 per cent majority shareholding in the company. The report said that the tribunal ordered that within 45 days, the younger Rana brothers must pay Qalco Rs2.296bn with markup dating back to June 2020, or return the 51pc shareholding. The tribunal found that the transfer of majority shares from Qatar Lubricants Company (Qalco) to brothers Atif and Sameen was legally void and lacked valid authorisation, the report said. The tribunal ordered the respondents to either pay Qalco Rs 2.96 billion plus markup or immediately restore Qalcos 51 per cent majority shareholding in the company. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The decision is seen as a major setback to the Lahore franchise, which finished last in the first three editions. They then won three titles in four years, the last two back-to-back events in 2022 and 2023, and then regained the title last season. Article Source: IANS

Tanzid ton, Fernando four-for power Rajshahi Warriors to BPL title

Chattogram's chase never really took off, as they crumbled to 111 in the 175 chase

Capitals' Deeya Yadav and Mamatha Madiwala ruled out of WPL 2026

Allrounder Pragati Singh and seamer E Srujana were signed up as replacements

2nd T20I: Santners Unbeaten 47 Powers New Zealand To Record 208/6 Against India

Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International: Skipper Mitchell Santner's late burst of unbeaten (47) and Rachin Ravindra's (44) helped New Zealand post 208/6 in 20 overs--registering their third-highest T20I total against India and the highest-ever T20 score at the venue in the second T20I at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur, on Friday. The total also marked New Zealands third 200-plus score against India, placing it alongside 219/6 (Wellington, 2019) and 212/4 (Hamilton, 2019), and ahead of 203/5 (Auckland, 2020) and 196/2 (Rajkot, 2017). New Zealand's new opening pair of Devon Conway and Tim Seifert started scoring quickly, with their 43-run opening partnership coming off just three overs before losing the toss. Harshit Rana gave India their first breakthrough by taking the wicket of Conway (19 off 9) with a wicket-maiden over. In the next over, Varun Chakaravarthy also added his name to the list of India's first-change bowlers as he took the wicket of Seifert (24 off 13); however, this gave India a temporary reprieve in what was a high-scoring match. Rachin Ravindra led the way for New Zealand as he added 55 runs for the third wicket with Glenn Phillips (19 off 13), helping New Zealand recover after losing their first two wickets early in the match. Ravindra remained the anchor of New Zealand's innings as further wickets fell at the other end with Daryl Mitchell (18 off 11) and Mark Chapman (10 off 13) both being dismissed soon after. Ravindra's innings ended in the 13th over when he fell for 44 (off 26 balls) after a fine display, hitting two fours and four sixes. From there, Santner took charge. He timed his acceleration perfectly and dominated the final overs. He scored 47 runs off 27 balls and remained unbeaten, pushing the total well past 200. His calm yet strong finish helped New Zealand make the most of the favourable batting conditions. Indias bowling struggled during this match. Arshdeep Singh had a particularly tough evening, giving away 53 runs without taking a wicket. Hardik Pandya was more economical, finishing with 1 for 25 from three overs. Harshit Rana, despite having a wicket maiden, ended with 1 for 35 from three overs. The spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy bowled a combined eight overs, taking three wickets while conceding 70 runs. Shivam Dube also contributed with one wicket. From there, Santner took charge. He timed his acceleration perfectly and dominated the final overs. He scored 47 runs off 27 balls and remained unbeaten, pushing the total well past 200. His calm yet strong finish helped New Zealand make the most of the favourable batting conditions. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New Zealand 208/6 in 20 overs (Mitchell Santner 47, Rachin Ravindra 44; Kuldeep Yadav 2-35, Hardik Pandya 1-25) against India Article Source: IANS

WPL 2026: Delhi Capitals Announce Replacements For Deeya Yadav, Mamatha Madiwala

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Delhi Capitals on Friday announced Pragati Singh and E Srujana as replacements for injured players Deeya Yadav and Mamatha Madiwala for the remainder of the Womens Premier League (WPL) 2026 season. Pragati Singh and E. Srujana have been signed as their respective replacements for a base price of Rs 10 lakh. Delhi Capitals (DC) picked Pragati Singh and Eddla Srujana as replacements for Deeya Yadav and Mamatha Madiwala for the remainder of the TATA Womens Premier League (WPL) 2026, WPL announced on Friday. Pragati Singh is an all-rounder who has represented Punjab Women, India 'B' Women Under-19, and India 'E' Women teams so far in her career. Srujana has been part of the Delhi Capitals setup as a net bowler and has now been signed as a replacement player for the remainder of WPL 2026. The 16-year-old Deeya Yadav made her Women's Premier League (WPL) debut against the Mumbai Indians in Vadodara, becoming the youngest player to feature in WPL 2026. Delhi Capitals have a crucial match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the WPL on Saturday in Vadodara. Delhi, currently in fourth place with two wins out of five matches, need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. RCB, in contrast, enter the match in strong form. They have won all five of their matches and comfortably sit at the top of the standings, already securing a playoff spot. The 16-year-old Deeya Yadav made her Women's Premier League (WPL) debut against the Mumbai Indians in Vadodara, becoming the youngest player to feature in WPL 2026. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Delhi Capitals squad: Jemimah Rodrigues (c), Shafali Verma, Marzianne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Laura Wolvaardt, Chinelle Henry, Shree Charani, Sneh Rana, Lizelle Lee, Pragati Singh, E. Srujana, Taniyaa Bhatia, Nandni Sharma, Lucy Hamilton, Minnu Mani, Alana King. Article Source: IANS

58th Edition Of Fit India Sundays On Cycle To Commemorate With Nationwide Celebrations From Karaikal To Amritsar

Central Armed Police Forces: The 58th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle is set to unfold on January 25 with a powerful national spread that reflects how the movement has grown from a weekly fitness initiative into a peoples movement cutting across regions, institutions, and communities. Leading this weeks edition will be Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, who will ride with citizens in Karaikal, Puducherry, underlining the Centres continued emphasis on fitness, sustainability, and active lifestyles. Taking forward the Prime Ministers consistent emphasis on youth-led nation building, the National Voters Day celebrations this year draw inspiration from his address to the youth of the country, where he called upon MY Bharat to take the lead in creating awareness about the importance of voting and democracy. The Prime Minister recalled that when he first took the oath as Chief Minister, many young citizens of today had not yet been born, and when he assumed office as Prime Minister in 2014, most of them were still children. Despite the passage of time, he emphasised that his trust in the younger generation has remained constant and unwavering. Your capability, your talent, I have always drawn energy from your energy. And look at today, all of you are holding the reins of the goal of a Developed India, Shri Modi noted. Taking this message forward, the National Voters Day celebrations this year will mark the celebration of the Young Voters of Viksit Bharat under the campaign #MYBharatMYVote, with Fit India Sundays on Cycle providing a nationwide platform to integrate fitness, youth participation, and democratic values. From the southern coast, the focus then shifts to the nations western frontier, as Sundays on Cycle makes a symbolic and spirited stop at Attari near Amritsar. Celebrated as part of National Voters Day and on the eve of Republic Day, the Amritsar edition will see the Central Armed Police Forces and young voters come together, blending fitness with democratic values and national pride. The MoS for Youth Affairs & Sports, Raksha Nikhil Khadse, along with Olympian boxer Nikhat Zareen, cricketer Siddharth Kaul, as well as Indian actors Ragini Dwivedi and Vivek Dahiya, remain key guests. With sportspersons, youth, and celebrities cycling shoulder to shoulder, the event reinforces the message that a fit nation and a strong democracy go hand in hand. At Amritsar, the presence of eminent athletes and popular public figures as mentioned above will further amplify the message of #MYBharatMYVote, as they lend their voices to encourage young citizens to recognise the importance of voting alongside adopting a healthy and active lifestyle. Their participation is expected to add visibility and momentum to the campaign, inspiring greater youth engagement both on the ground and across digital platforms. In the run-up to the 58th edition, Fit India Ambassadors from across the country will also be celebrating through their active participation and have also been actively urging citizens to participate in Sundays on Cycle and celebrate National Voters Day. Social media platforms are currently flooded with their messages, videos, and calls for participation, reflecting growing enthusiasm and reinforcing the initiatives evolution into a truly nationwide peoples movement. Dr. Mandaviya said, A strong democracy depends on healthy and aware citizens. By linking Sundays on Cycle with National Voters Day and the #MYBharatMYVote campaign, we are encouraging young Indians to embrace fitness while recognising their responsibility in shaping the nations future. He further said that this Sunday, as Fit India Sundays on Cycle takes place simultaneously across the country, the initiative will celebrate the spirit of young voters of Viksit Bharat. Dr. Mandaviya noted that in collaboration with MY Bharat, Fit India will mark the nationwide celebrations by encouraging youth to adopt fitness as a way of life while also recognising their role as informed, active, and responsible voters in strengthening the worlds largest democracy. Adding another landmark chapter to this weeks edition, Fit India Sundays on Cycle will also be held at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, marking the first-ever time the initiative is hosted on an IIT campus. Founded in 1847, IIT Roorkee, Indias oldest engineering institution, will host the cycling drive as part of a special collaboration between the Fit India Movement and the institute. The campus edition reflects how the movement has steadily expanded beyond city roads to educational institutions, inspiring young minds to integrate fitness into their daily routines. Dr. Mandaviya added, From coastal towns and border areas to premier educational institutions, Sundays on Cycle has evolved into a true peoples movement. Its growing participation reflects how fitness can unite citizens across regions and backgrounds, making active living a shared national culture. Launched in December 2024, Sundays on Cycle has rapidly emerged as a flagship initiative of the Fit India Movement, envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Over the past year, it has seen participation from over 25 lakh citizens across more than two lakh locations nationwide, bringing together people from all walks of life, from students and professionals to athletes, senior citizens, and uniformed services. Dr. Mandaviya added, From coastal towns and border areas to premier educational institutions, Sundays on Cycle has evolved into a true peoples movement. Its growing participation reflects how fitness can unite citizens across regions and backgrounds, making active living a shared national culture. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Fit India Movement was launched on August 29, 2019, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a view to making fitness an integral part of our daily lives. The mission of the Movement is to bring about behavioural changes and move towards a more physically active lifestyle. Article Source: IANS

Luke Mudgway Romps To Glory As Pune Grand Tour 2026 Ends With Spectacular City Finale

Li Ning Star: Luke Mudgway romped home to the title in a start-to-finish cruise to help his team top the general classificationas the Pune Grand Tour 2026 concluded on Sunday with a fitting finale, as the Pune Pride Loop delivered colour, crowds, and closure to a week that has reshaped Indias place on the global cycling map. Harshveer Singh Sekhon of the Indian National Team finished the week as Indias Leading Performer, earning the Blue Jersey. Stage Four traced a 95-kilometre circuit through the heart of the city, rising 578 metres and weaving past Punes modern arteries and historic icons, including Shaniwar Wada, before this race reached its conclusion. When the dust settled after 437 gruelling kilometres, Li Ning Star, China, stood atop the team General Classification with a combined time of 28:41:19. Anchored by the imperious form of Luke Mudgway, the Chinese outfit delivered a masterclass in consistency and control across all four stages. Spanish powerhouse Burgos Burpellet BH, the only Pro-team in the inaugural Pune Grand Tour, claimed second place at 28:42:09, while Terengganu Cycling Team, Thailand, rounded out the podium with 28:48:19, underlining the truly international depth of the field. At the centre of it all was 29-year-old Mudgway from New Zealand, who emerged as the undisputed champion of the inaugural edition. Competing against 164 elite riders from 28 teams representing 35 countries across five continents, he finished with an overall time of 09:33:04 for the Stage 4 race today. His closest challenger, Alan Carter Bettles of Roojai Insurance Winspeed, Thailand, trailed by just 14 seconds, while Yorben Lauryssen of TartelettoIsorex, Belgium, finished third at 33 seconds behind. Mudgways victories on Stage 1 and Stage 2 proved decisive. By establishing a buffer early, he forced rivals into a chasing role that became increasingly difficult to sustain as the race unfolded. Mudgway retained the Yellow Jersey from the moment he claimed it on the opening day at the MulshiMaval Miles and never relinquished it. His consistency in the sprints also earned him the Green Jersey as the races most prolific points scorer, capping a week in which he combined resilience and tactical awareness. However, reflecting on his triumph, Mudgway credited collective effort over individual brilliance, I have a really good team. They looked after me from start to finish. As you saw over the last two days, we had two other riders win. So, we've won with three different riders and, yeah, a lot of hard work, a lot of teamwork, a lot of training, a lot of hours, everything to get the win today. So, yeah, this one's for my team, Mudgway said. Mudgway was particularly impressed with the Pune crowd and added, Today was amazing, actually. I've never seen crowds like this before. There were so many people the whole way around the course. It was amazing, and it was fantastic to race in front of everybody. I hope everyone enjoyed the racing and, yeah, I'd love to come back next year. On the road, honours on Stage 4 went to Aliaksei Shnyrko of Li Ning Star, who powered to victory on the city circuit. His teammate Cameron Nicholas Scott followed closely in second, while Dylan Hopkins of Roojai Insurance Winspeed claimed third. With the General Classification effectively settled after Stage Three, the result had little impact on the final standings, but it underlined Li Ning Stars dominance and provided a celebratory end to the week. Elsewhere, the remaining jerseys found their owners. Clement Alleno of Burgos Burpellet BH secured the Polka Dot jersey as King of the Mountains after amassing 15 points, ahead of Stefan Benetton of EuroCyclingTrips CCN, Guam, and Cristian Railaenu of Li Ning Star. The Orange Jersey for Best Asian Rider remained with Jambaljamts Sainbayar, of Burgos Burpellet BH, Spain, one of the standout performers of the tour, while Dutch talent Tijssen Viego of Wielerploeg Groot Amsterdam, Netherlands, again claimed the White Jersey as the Best Young Rider U23. Indias Harshveer Singh Sekhon of the Indian National Team finished the week as Indias Leading Performer, earning the Blue Jersey. Amina Lanaya, Director General of the Union Cycliste Internationale, said: I have goosebumps at this level and trust me, wow, such emotions and India can be proud, really. I think, you know, the bar has been raised very high, and India, you know, just after the first edition, has proven that it can deliver the best-class event. So, Im really, really looking forward to working together with the local authorities, the National Federation, to make cycling grow even higher. Everybody was happy, you know, only smiling faces along the roads. And I think that cycling is a new sport in the minds of Indian people. I would like cycling to go big like cricket, for example, take in the hearts of the Indians. And that's our goal, that's what we want to achieve because we have the right fans at the right place. She adds Amina Lanaya, Director General of the Union Cycliste Internationale, said: I have goosebumps at this level and trust me, wow, such emotions and India can be proud, really. I think, you know, the bar has been raised very high, and India, you know, just after the first edition, has proven that it can deliver the best-class event. So, Im really, really looking forward to working together with the local authorities, the National Federation, to make cycling grow even higher. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Over five demanding days, India showcased its ability to host elite, multi-stage racing at the highest level. And as Mudgway rolled into history wearing Yellow, the message from Pune was unmistakable: this was not just the end of a race, but the beginning of a new era. Article Source: IANS

Sri Lanka vs England, 2nd ODI- Who will win today SL vs ENG match?

SL vs ENG, 2nd ODI , Cricket Tips :Sri Lanka proved to be too good for England in the first ODI and outpowered them by 18 runs in the first ODI in Colombo. Kusal Mendis had a great knock of an unbeaten 93 runs, but he would be disappointed not to get a century. Dunith Wellalage (25* off 12 and 2/41) also played a great role to help his team win the match. For England, there were plenty of positives, but they failed with the bat in the middle. It was yet another defeat for England in an away ODI. The second ODI is slated to be played on Saturday at 2:30 PM IST at R. Premadasa Stadium. SL vs ENG: Match Details Date : January 24, 2026 (Saturday) Time : 2:30 PM IST Venue : R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo SL vs ENG: Live Streaming Details To watch the second ODI in India, fans can tune into the Sony Sports Network on cable TVs. Fans can also watch the action on the Sony LIV streaming platform. SL vs ENG: Head-to-Head in ODI Total Matches : 80 Sri Lanka : 38 England : 38 No-result/Tied : 4 SL vs ENG: Ground Pitch Report The wicket in Colombo gets slow with time, and it can be tough to adjust here as a batter. The rain is predicted for the second ODI, and it will add more for the bowling side. Hence, both teams might look to bowl first at this wicket. SL vs ENG: Possible XIs Sri Lanka : Charith Asalanka (c), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando England : Zak Crawley, Harry Brook (c), Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid SL vs ENG: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Kusal Mendis showed his form in the first game and will be looking to carry it on. For England, Joe Root will be key because of his experience and form. Probable Best Bowler It is an excellent deck for the spinners. That is why Dunith Wellalage and Adil Rashid will be key for their respective teams. Today Match Prediction : Sri Lanka know these conditions, and they will look to put England under pressure. We predict Sri Lanka to win the second game. SL vs ENG Match 2nd ODI, Today Match SL vs ENG, SL vs ENG Prediction, SL vs ENG Predicted XIs, Injury Update for Sri Lanka vs England Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.

Rejuvenated Capitals aim to dent RCB's perfect record

RCB have five wins in five games so far and are one more victory away from sealing their spot in the final

2nd T20I: Harshit, Kuldeep Come In As India Elect To Bowl; NZ Bring In Henry, Foulkes And Siefert

Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International: India won the toss and elected to bowl first against New Zealand in the second T20I, here at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur. India lead the series 1-0 after winning the first match of the series in Nagpur. India have made two changes to their XI, with Harshit Rana and Kuldeep Yadav coming in for Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel. New Zealand have rung in three alterations of their own: Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry and Tim Seifert are included, while Kyle Jamieson, Kristian Clarke and Tim Robinson make way. India captain Suryakumar Yadav said, We will look to bowl first. Already there is a bit of dew out there; we haven't chased in a while, so I want to chase tonight. I think it looks good. The same wicket was used for the ODIs. Hopefully, lots of runs. We play every game, and we try to get better. We are not perfect. We would look to try to do the same things again; we will try to do the same in bowling, fielding, and batting. We have 2 changes. Axar is missing out because he got hit in the last game. Bumrah is resting. Harshit and Kuldeep come in. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said, Would have bowled as well. The ground's already wet, and there is some dew already. Every time you play against a quality side, there is always something to learn, which we did. The way they came out with the bat, throughout the whole innings, they came out pretty hard. We know that now on the bowling side, so we gotta be a bit clearer with our plans and try and squeeze them a little bit more. We have got 3 changes. Seifert's in for Robinson. Kristian Clarke is out, Zak Foulkes is in, and Matt Henry is in for Kyle Jamieson. Playing XIs: New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said, Would have bowled as well. The ground's already wet, and there is some dew already. Every time you play against a quality side, there is always something to learn, which we did. The way they came out with the bat, throughout the whole innings, they came out pretty hard. We know that now on the bowling side, so we gotta be a bit clearer with our plans and try and squeeze them a little bit more. We have got 3 changes. Seifert's in for Robinson. Kristian Clarke is out, Zak Foulkes is in, and Matt Henry is in for Kyle Jamieson. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav Article Source: IANS

India bowl and rest Bumrah, Axar out injured

Harshit Rana and Kuldeep Yadav came into their side

Ranji Trophy: Saurashtra Thrash Punjab Inside Two Days To Stay Alive In Knockouts Race

Niranjan Shah Stadium Ground: Saurashtra needed less than two days to secure six crucial points and stay in contention for the Ranji Trophy knockouts after thrashing Punjab by 194 runs in their Elite Group B match at the Niranjan Shah Stadium Ground C in Rajkot on Friday. On a turning pitch, Punjab lasted just 79 overs across both innings. Chasing 321 for victory, they were bundled out for 125 in 39 overs, with left-arm spinners Parth Bhut and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja taking five wickets apiece to seal the win. Earlier, resuming their second innings at 24/3, Saurashtra posted 286 all out in 58.5 overs. Prerak Mankad top-scored with a brisk 56 off 41 balls, while veteran left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja contributed 46 off 44 deliveries. Hetvik Kotak made 39 while Bhut remained unbeaten on 37. Punjabs left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar returned with figures of 5-104, completing a match haul of 11 wickets, while Jass Inder picked up three scalps. Punjabs batting faltered again in their second innings. Uday Saharan made 31, while skipper Shubman Gill managed only 14. Bhut was the wrecker-in-chief with 5-8 in 10 overs, and finished with a match haul of 10 wickets. Jadeja also bagged 5-55 to complete the rout. Bhuts all-round effort led to him being named Player of the Match. Meanwhile, at Alur Cricket Stadium, Elite Group B toppers Karnataka were left reeling at 168/8 in response to Madhya Pradeshs 323. Captain Mayank Agarwal and in-form Devdutt Padikkal were dismissed for ducks, while Karun Nair managed only 12. For MP, spinner Saransh Jain was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets. Punjabs batting faltered again in their second innings. Uday Saharan made 31, while skipper Shubman Gill managed only 14. Bhut was the wrecker-in-chief with 5-8 in 10 overs, and finished with a match haul of 10 wickets. Jadeja also bagged 5-55 to complete the rout. Bhuts all-round effort led to him being named Player of the Match. Also Read: Live Cricket Score At KCA Cricket Ground, Mangalapuram, Chandigarh tightened their grip against last years runners-up Kerala after centuries from Manan Vohra and Arjun Azad took them to 416 in 115.4 overs. Kerala, trailing by 257 runs, were 21-2 at stumps and are staring at an innings defeat. Article Source: IANS

U19 WC: Japans Kato-Stafford Reflects On unbelievable Experience Of Being In Competition

Cricket World Cup: Japan may have finished their second ICC Under-19 Mens Cricket World Cup group stage campaign without a win, but skipper Kazuma Kato-Stafford chose to reflect on an unbelievable experience of featuring in the competition, saying that its not everyday one gets to face higher-ranked nations. Though Japan lost to Ireland, Australia and Sri Lanka, they had some standout performances to take positives from. Hugo Tani-Kelly became the first Japan player to score a century at this level by making 101 not out against Sri Lanka, while Timothy Moore claimed three wickets in the same match. Against defending champions Australia, Tani-Kelly made 79 not out, while Kato-Stafford returned with figures of 2-42 from nine overs. It's not every day an Associate nation gets to come up against three full Test level nations and three of the best in the world. (It was) absolutely huge. An unbelievable experience. We've got a number of guys, I think more than half the squad, available for the next World Cup, so it's a really good experience for them, especially playing under pressure, playing against some world class players, who I have no doubt will go onto big things, Kato-Stafford was quoted as saying by ICC on Friday. He further expressed pride on how his side had handled pressure of being in a mega event. Just being able to put Japan Cricket on the world stage is just a really good honour and hopefully it's onto bigger and better things from here. We've learned how to (handle) a lot of pressure against us. A few teams got off to really good starts against us, so being able to bounce back from that, being able to use our different options. Normally we've been reliant on a few bowlers through the middle (but) this time around we've been able to rely on a few other guys. He further expressed pride on how his side had handled pressure of being in a mega event. Just being able to put Japan Cricket on the world stage is just a really good honour and hopefully it's onto bigger and better things from here. We've learned how to (handle) a lot of pressure against us. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Japan will next face U19 Mens Cricket World Cup debutants Tanzania on Saturday in a grading fixture, with both teams seeking their first win of the tournament and sign off on a high. Article Source: IANS

Babar, Shaheen Return As Pakistan Announce Squad For Australia T20I

The Pakistan Cricket Board: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced its 16-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Australia on Friday, which will commence on January 29 at Gaddafi Stadium. All-rounder Salman Ali Agha will continue to lead the team in the important bilateral series ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, which will start on February 7. Former captains Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi have returned to the T20I squad after missing the three-match away series against Sri Lanka in January. Babar was struggling for runs in the ongoing BBL season. He scored just 202 runs in 11 games. His low strike rate of 103.06 was an area of concern for the team. He left his franchise before the playoffs to join his national side. He hopes to turn his fortunes playing at home. Pakistan boasts a strong batting lineup, which includes the likes of Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, and Sahibzada Farhan, who are in good form. While wicketkeeper-batter Mohammed Rizwan has again been overlooked, his T20I future remains uncertain. Shadab Khan will continue to build on his comeback in the previous T20I series and will form part of a strong spin-bowling contingent along with Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, and Usman Tariq. While Shaheen, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Wasim Junior will lead the fast bowling attack. Pakistan's premier T20I bowler, Harris Rauf, is also missing from the squad. Rauf has performed well in the ongoing Big Bash League. He has taken 20 wickets in just 11 matches and is also the leading wicket-taker of the current season. Pakistan squad: Pakistan's premier T20I bowler, Harris Rauf, is also missing from the squad. Rauf has performed well in the ongoing Big Bash League. He has taken 20 wickets in just 11 matches and is also the leading wicket-taker of the current season. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Pakistan will start their campaign in the T20 WC on February 7 against the Netherlands. The team will play all its group stage matches in Colombo. Article Source: IANS

Australia top Group A after bowling out Sri Lanka for 58

Fast bowler Will Byrom picked up 5 for 14 and was the wrecker-in-chief

Smith and Davies star to take Sydney Sixers into BBL final

Defending the title proved out of reach for Hobart Hurricanes, who went down by 57 runs in the penultimate step of the competition

Shivam replaces injured Veer mid-match for UP

This is the second instance of a Serious Injury Replacement being used in Ranji Trophy

Afridi, Babar named in Pakistan's T20I squad for Australia series

Khawaja Nafay, who impressed on debut in Sri Lanka earlier this month, keeps his place as the designated wicketkeeper in the squad of 16

Wiaan Mulder joins Essex for Championship and T20 Blast

Derbyshire sign Sufiyan Muqeem for Blast; Logan van Beek to play first half of season for Yorkshire

Shivam Replaces Injured Veer In Uttar Pradeshs Ranji Trophy Game Against Jharkhand

Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari: Uttar Pradesh's left-arm spinner Shivam Sharma on Friday was drafted into the sides playing eleven as a Serious Injury Replacement for all-rounder Prashant Veer, who sustained a shoulder injury while fielding just before lunch on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match. Veer, who recently fetched the highest bid for an uncapped player at last years IPL auction (Rs 14.2 crore by Chennai Super Kings), is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks. This is only the second instance of the Serious Injury Replacement rule being invoked in the Ranji Trophy since its introduction ahead of the ongoing domestic season. Shivam has bowled 18 overs so far in the match, conceding 66 runs and claiming the prized wicket of centurion, wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra. The timeline of Veers recovery will keep five-time champions CSK anxious, considering IPL 2026 is expected to begin from March 26. Earlier, in October 2025, Bengal batter Kazi Junaid Saifi had come in as a serious injury replacement for injured opener Sudip Chatterjee during the Bengal-Gujarat Ranji Trophy fixture at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, thus becoming the first player to feature in a playing eleven of a Ranji Trophy game under the new rule. Shivam has bowled 18 overs so far in the match, conceding 66 runs and claiming the prized wicket of centurion, wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra. The timeline of Veers recovery will keep five-time champions CSK anxious, considering IPL 2026 is expected to begin from March 26. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The ongoing game is important for both teams to maintain their place in the race to Ranji Trophy knockouts. After opener Sharandeep Singhs century on the first day, Kushagra added 102 runs to take Jharkhand close to the 500-run mark. Article Source: IANS

'Journey Of Going Against Assumptions, Opinions And Perceptions Continues': Bumrah On Completing 10 Years In Int'l Cricket

ICC Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy: Indias fast bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah marked a decade in international cricket on Friday and reflected by saying its a continuation of going against assumptions, opinions and perceptions. Bumrah made his debut in international cricket in the ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2016 and returned with figures of 2-40. He was the highest wicket-taker in the T20I leg of the tour, where India won the series 3-0. Since then, Bumrah has become one of the worlds greatest fast bowlers across formats. 10 years of living the dream of the child who fell in love with the sport that made him feel alive like nothing in this world ever could. The journey of going against assumptions, opinions and perceptions and keeping the belief alive continues, with the love and support of family and God. Waheguruji da shukr eda he baba ji mehraan bhariyaan hath rakheen. Satnam Waheguru, Bumrah posted on his Instagram on Friday. So far, Bumrah has picked 234 Test wickets in 52 matches at an average of 19.79. In 89 ODIs, he has claimed 149 wickets at an average of 23.55, while in 83 T20I, he has taken 103 wickets at an average of 18.17. Since then, Bumrah has become one of the worlds greatest fast bowlers across formats. 10 years of living the dream of the child who fell in love with the sport that made him feel alive like nothing in this world ever could. The journey of going against assumptions, opinions and perceptions and keeping the belief alive continues, with the love and support of family and God. Waheguruji da shukr eda he baba ji mehraan bhariyaan hath rakheen. Satnam Waheguru, Bumrah posted on his Instagram on Friday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Bumrah is also the recipient of the ICC Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, awarded to the Men's Cricketer of the Year, for his exceptional performances in 2024. He also won the ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year in 2024 for picking 71 wickets in 13 matches. Bumrah also won the Player of the Tournament award in India for winning the 2024 Mens T20 World Cup for picking 15 wickets at an average of 8.26. Article Source: IANS

'When You Think Of The Team, You Have To Swallow Bitter Pills,' Kaneria On Babar Being Denied Strike In BBL

Big Bash League: Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria whilereacting to Babar Azams early exit from the Big Bash League and an on-field incident with Steve Smith, where the former Pakistan captain was denied a strike, stated that when a player thinks of the team, he must sometimes be prepared to swallow bitter pills. Babar was struggling for runs in the ongoing BBL season. He scored just 202 runs in 11 games. He left BBL midway and returned to Pakistan to join his national team to commence preparations for upcoming international matches. Reacting to reports suggesting that Babar felt 'disrespected' during the Sydney Sixers match, Kaneria said such situations are part and parcel of professional cricket and should not be viewed emotionally. Social media creates unnecessary chaos. Babar was denied a strike, and Rizwan was also recalled earlier. These things happen in team sports. No one does these things intentionally. Even in the IPL, when players dont perform or when team balance is needed, decisions are taken. That doesnt mean something dramatic has happened. Even Tilak Varma was called back in a game, Kaneria told IANS. Reacting to reports suggesting that Babar felt 'disrespected' during the Sydney Sixers match, Kaneria said such situations are part and parcel of professional cricket and should not be viewed emotionally. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Advising Babar to look beyond the noise, Kaneria added that professionalism lies in accepting tough calls with maturity. Babar doesnt need to be upset. If the team needs him, he should come back respectfully. When you think of the team, sometimes you have to swallow bitter pills, and thats okay. The team should always come first, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

Australian Open to start earlier on Jan. 24 over forecast 40C heat

Play will start in Melbourne at 10:30 a.m. on the main arenas, compared to the normal 11:00 or 11:30 a.m.

Have Been Following Rohit Bhai's Footsteps, Happy To Play Aggressively For India: Abhishek

T20 World Cup: Indias lfet-handed opener Abhishek Sharma said he has modelled his attacking approach on Rohit Sharmas powerplay exploits, adding that hes happy to play aggressively for the side in the run-up to the Mens T20 World Cup, starting on February 7. Rohit bhai has done a lot for the country. There is always pressure because of the starts he used to give in the powerplay. When I came into the team, the coach and captain wanted the same from me. I felt it suited my style too because I love to attack from the first few balls. So, I think I have been following in Rohit bhai's footsteps, and I am really happy to play in this manner and do well for India, Abhishek told JioStar. Abhishek had hit a match-winning 84 in the T20I series opener against New Zealand in Nagpur and said his role was clear at the top of the order. I wouldn't say I am fully matured yet, because there is always room to improve. But I feel my job is to play aggressive cricket in the first six overs. I have been practising a lot for that. I know if I give a good start or show good intent early, the team can follow that momentum. That is what I always think about. Abhishek explained how he tailors his training to excel against specific opponents. If I want to play aggressive cricket and show intent, I have to practise a certain way. That is what I always do before matches. When I get a week or ten days, I keep in mind the bowlers I will face in the next series or matches. It all comes down to how I execute those plans. For the upcoming T20 World Cup, I have been practising for that too. I know we will play all over India in different conditions against different teams, so preparation is key. I feel I have to play this way because in most teams, the main bowlers bowl the first few overs. If I score runs in those overs, it helps the team follow that momentum. It also puts the bowlers under pressure. Once that happens, I feel they are playing into my plan and I can execute it, he elaborated. He also spoke about a technical tweak to his batting. I have always had a high grip holding position on the bat. The only thing I worked on was my back lift. I used to keep it a bit low, but now I keep it above my waist so I can get a smooth flow. When it was low, I was getting late on some balls. So I practised that. But the back lift and the grip are both natural for me. I feel I have to play this way because in most teams, the main bowlers bowl the first few overs. If I score runs in those overs, it helps the team follow that momentum. It also puts the bowlers under pressure. Once that happens, I feel they are playing into my plan and I can execute it, he elaborated. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I ask them to bowl out-swingers, in-swingers, and use the new ball. I also ask them to take certain fielders out for me. I know, especially going into the World Cup and any match, they won't give me a lot of pace. I realised that in the last few matches, so I have been working on it. If you want to play aggressive cricket, you have to be prepared for different situations all the time. Article Source: IANS

Bangladesh, Pakistan Playing Or Opting Out Wont Matter To ICC Or BCCI: Danish Kaneria

T20 World Cup: Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria strongly supports the ICCs stance of not changing the schedule, amid the BCB decision to not travel to India for the 2026 ICC Mens T20 World Cup, stating if Bangladesh are opting out of the tournament, it won't make much difference, adding that its not like they were going to finish in the top four. Bangladesh earlier informed the ICC that they would not travel to India due to security concerns amid deteriorating relations between the two nations and requested that their matches be relocated to Sri Lanka. However, the ICC reiterated on Wednesday that the T20 World Cup will proceed as scheduled, with Bangladeshs matches to be played in India. This follows the BCCI's direction for Kolkata Knight Riders to release pacer Mustafizur Rahman for IPL 2026 amid prevailing political tensions between the two countries. Speaking to IANS, Kaneria said, There was the issue of Mustafizur, who was with KKR, and the team was forced to sideline him because of the kind of unrest and the public reaction. Shah Rukh Khan, who is the owner of KKR, released him. There was no pressure from the BCCI, nor from the ICC. But for humanity, he did what he thought was right. The BCCI or ICC never asked Bangladesh not to come to India. They welcomed them. All the teams in the ICC umbrella get foolproof security. Referring to the ICC meeting that followed, he pointed out, You saw that a meeting took place where all the boards were presentfrom England to Australia, West Indiesevery board that is part of the ICC was there. When voting took place, everyone supported what the ICC proposed. Only the Pakistan Cricket Board voted along with Bangladesh. Just two votes went against it. Kaneria said the developments in Bangladesh that preceded the standoff were deeply disturbing and wrong at a human level. When I look at this entire scenario, what was going on in Bangladesh, the kind of situation that developed there, the way our Hindu brothers and sisters and others were treated, the way incidents happened, it was wrong, first of all, Kaneria said. Our religion doesnt teach violence; it is a religion of love. People were just earning their livelihood, doing their jobs, and they were attacked without any reason. The strange and disturbing acts that took place were very sad. It really makes your heart sinkwhat is going on? The former spinner also warned that Bangladeshs firm stance could prove damaging in the long term, and its cricketing future would suffer. In my view, this is not going to be good for Bangladesh in the long run. If they think that whatever they say should be accepted by the ICC as a decision, that wont work. Going forward, India will not play with Bangladesh anyway, and that will be a big loss for them. Backing the ICCs decision-making process, Kaneria stressed that mega tournaments cannot be altered at the last moment. I believe the ICCs decision is absolutely correct, because things cannot be changed at the last minute. You have to prepare the entire tournament structure, schedules, and team travel. You have to change the whole scenario. If Bangladesh feels they dont want to play, then dont play. It wont make much difference anyway; its not like they were going to finish in the top four, he added. On reports that Pakistan might follow Bangladeshs path, Kaneria dismissed the speculation and asserted that the ICC has alternatives ready. I dont think that will happen. Because who suffers the loss? The country that backs out suffers the loss. There are penalties, rules and regulations. If Bangladesh doesnt go, Scotland can come in. If Pakistan refuses, some other team will come. Namibia is playing very good cricket. The ICC and BCCI wont be affected. Kaneria feels that if Bangladesh had come to the World Cup, then its players could also get entry in the IPL in future. If Bangladesh had come to play the T20 World Cup in India, then the barrier that has been created in the IPL with Mustafizur Rahman would have broken, and more Bangladeshi players would have taken part in the league. Kaneria also talked about how cricket discourse has shifted away from the game itself, and now politics are more discussed than techniques. Now cricket is no longer being discussed, and only politics is being talked about. Earlier, people talked about wickets, bowling, and techniques. Now everything has become political. Technical cricket doesnt sell. What sells? Kohli vs Babar comparisons. Shaheen Afridi vs Bumrah comparisons, he noted. Calling for restraint, Kaneria urged stakeholders to protect the sport and not involve politics in cricket. Technical cricket doesnt sell. What sells? Kohli vs Babar comparisons. Shaheen Afridi vs Bumrah comparisons, he noted. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He concluded by stressing that decisions must be driven by long-term vision rather than short-term reactions. You have to look at the long picture, not the short. Now lets see what the final decision is, though in my opinion it must already have been taken, as nearly 24 hours have passed. What is good for cricket must be done, and as I said earlier, Scotland would already be preparing to face spin. Article Source: IANS

Ranji Trophy: Sarfaraz Khan Smashes Double Ton For Mumbai Against Hyderabad

Ranji Trophy Elite Group: India batter Sarfaraz Khan struck a fluent double century off 206 balls for Mumbai against Hyderabad in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group C clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Friday. Sarfaraz registered the fifth first-class double hundred of his career, as he was eventually dismissed for 227 off 219 deliveries. His knock featured 19 fours and nine sixes at a strike rate of 103.65, including 45 runs taken off India pacer and Hyderabad skipper Mohammed Siraj in just 39 balls. He also shared a 249-run stand with stand-in skipper Siddhesh Lad (104) for the fourth wicket, steering Mumbai past 500 after the side had slipped to 82-3. His innings has helped turn the match firmly in Mumbais favour, as Sarfaraz also went past 5,000 first-class runs tally. The right-hander has been in prolific form of late. He recently lit up the Vijay Hazare Trophy with a record 15-ball half-century against Punjab the fastest by an Indian male batter in List A cricket breaking the record of reaching the mark in 16 deliveries previously held by Abhijit Kale and Atit Sheth. He also shared a 249-run stand with stand-in skipper Siddhesh Lad (104) for the fourth wicket, steering Mumbai past 500 after the side had slipped to 82-3. His innings has helped turn the match firmly in Mumbais favour, as Sarfaraz also went past 5,000 first-class runs tally. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He was Mumbais second-highest run-getter in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this season with 329 runs in seven matches at an average of 65.80 and a strike rate of 203.80. Sarfaraz also earned an IPL 2026 contract with five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at his base price of Rs. 75 lakh. Article Source: IANS

T20 Cricket World Cup Row Overshadows India's Olympic Ambitions

India hopes next month's T20 World Cup will bolster its credentials as a global sports host -- and the country's Olympic ambitions -- but preparations have been rocked by a diplomatic row with Bangladesh and accusations of political interference. With barely two weeks until the tournament, Bangladesh have effectively been forced out after the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected a request to move their matches from India to co-hosts Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. Our only demand is to play the World Cup -- but not in India, Bangladesh Cricket Board President Aminul Islam Bulbul told reporters on Thursday, adding that without a change of venue, the team would not participate. India is preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, seen as a stepping stone to the 2036 Olympics. But the chaotic build-up to the T20 World Cup has cast a shadow over those ambitions, especially with cricket returning to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028. The T20 World Cup schedule was delayed and not released until December and now it appears Scotland could have to be drafted to replace Bangladesh just days before the opening match on February 7. - 'No one to challenge' - Bangladesh is a cricket-loving nation. If a country of nearly 200 million people misses the World Cup, the ICC will lose a huge audience, Bulbul added. Cricket is entering the Olympics in 2028, Brisbane in 2032, India is bidding for 2036. Excluding a major cricket-loving country like Bangladesh would be a failure. The ICC said it had found no credible or verifiable threat to move Bangladesh's games, and was committed to safeguarding the collective interests of the global game. But that global game is dominated by India, where cricket is woven deep into culture, the economy and politics. South Asia accounts for about 90 percent of cricket's billion-plus fans, with India generating roughly three-quarters of the sport's global income. India's supremacy stems from the outsized revenues of its BCCI cricket board, flush with cash from its role as custodian of the most popular sport in the world's most populous country. Sports journalist Pradeep Magazine wrote in the Tribune, an Indian daily, that the BCCI's staggering revenues... gives it unimaginable control over decision-making in cricketing affairs of the world. There is no one to challenge India's hegemony. ICC chairman Jay Shah is the son of Amit Shah, India's powerful interior minister, and right-hand man of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. - 'A political issue' - Cricket has been captured completely by politics in a way that it never has been before, Indian sports journalist Sharda Ugra told AFP. The Bangladesh issue has reached where it has because it's a political issue. Political relations between India and Bangladesh have soured since a mass uprising in Dhaka in 2024 toppled Sheikh Hasina, now a convicted fugitive hosted by old ally New Delhi. But matters escalated after the India Premier League (IPL) team Kolkata Knight Riders were ordered by India's BCCI board to drop Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, triggering fury in Dhaka. Mustafizur's removal followed online outrage by right-wing Indian Hindus who invoked alleged attacks on a fellow community in Muslim-majority Bangladesh. Dhaka maintains that Indian media had exaggerated the scale of the violence. Bangladesh's interim government sports adviser Asif Nazrul said that no one should have a monopoly over cricket. If the ICC truly wants to be a global organisation, and if the ICC does not rise and sit at India's command, then we must be given the opportunity to play in the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, Nazrul said. Bangladesh wanted to follow the example of Pakistan, who will play all their matches in Sri Lanka under a deal hatched after India refused to travel to Islamabad for the 2025 Champions Trophy and all their games were moved in Dubai. Nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan have fought multiple conflicts since they were divided at the end of British rule in 1947 and are bitter rivals on the pitch, refusing to shake hands in their recent matches. There is no one in the ICC who can stand up to anything that the BCCI says or does, said Ugra. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The BCCI and the ICC are the same thing at the moment.

WPL 2026: 'Asked Girls To Go Out And Fight Hard,' Says GG Coach Klinger

Gujarat Giants: Gujarat Giants head coach Michael Klinger said his message for the team during the drinks break in their WPL 2026 clash against UP Warriorz was to really go out and fight hard, something which spurred them to secure a 45-run win at the BCA Stadium and move to second place in the points table. The black soil doesn't bounce as much, but it came onto the bat quite nicely. So if I'm being honest, I thought we were probably 20 short with a bat, even just a couple of sort of mistakes through the innings that we made that could have helped us get there. But one thing we spoke about in the break was just asking the girls to really go out and fight hard. We know they've got two or three really key batters who have made the majority of their runs. I think they've made something around 75 to 80% of their runs for the tournament. So we knew that if we get those key wickets, we will be massively in the game. Then some of the batters who hadn't batted as long throughout the tournament, the pressure would have been on them, and I'm extremely proud of the group. Our fielding has been a bit of a rollercoaster throughout the tournament, but they were fantastic, said Klinger in the post-game press conference. The move to bring in left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad in place of Tanuja Kanwer paid off when she picked 3-16 to run through UPW's middle overs. It was a really tough call. TK has been a big part of our team for a few years now. We felt like we definitely wanted to go in with an extra quick as an option. In the end, we didn't use it because our spinners bowled really well. So we went in with Happy (Kumari), but she'll get an opportunity down the track in the next game to get some overs in. But I think Raj probably gave us an option in the power play. We felt maybe slightly more than TK, not that TK isn't good at that in the power plays, more so just Raj has bowled a few good overs for us already this season. In the end, we didn't use her in the power play, but she did fantastically well through the middle to bowl four over straight from one end, 3-16, that unbelievable effort and match winning spell that was. So, I'm really happy for her. I thought she filled it well too. She's been working really hard at training and she's done fantastically well, added Klinger. Reflecting on conditions and the slowness of the pitch, where GG made 153/8, Klinger said, I think it was under par. The wicket was good, felt it was probably a 170 to 180 par wicket. We just probably didn't bat as well as we could have and then we obviously put a lot of pressure on the opposition with our bowling and fielding. So I thought the groundsmen got the wicket quite nice. Asked if this will be the pattern seen in rest of the games at the venue, Klinger said he hoped there were enough fresh wickets prepared for the business end of the competition. Tough one. I think it's going to depend a little bit whether you play on the wicket the first time or the second time. Like I felt two nights ago, the match, the second time it was played on, was a bit lower. So it'd be interesting to see tomorrow (Saturday) night how this one plays, whether it plays as well as it was here or whether it's a bit lower than this game. So that's going to be interesting. I'm not sure if they've got three or four wickets prepared, but I think the more wickets they have here prepared, the better for the rest of the competition because I'm not sure you want to be playing third time on these wickets. So maybe they can prepare four or five for the tournament to make sure we have good wickets right through. Like I felt two nights ago, the match, the second time it was played on, was a bit lower. So it'd be interesting to see tomorrow (Saturday) night how this one plays, whether it plays as well as it was here or whether it's a bit lower than this game. So that's going to be interesting. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The bowlers seemed to struggle to hold it and it was a little bit slippery, whereas I think this year, maybe it's the spray they're using. I'm not sure, but it seems to be wet definitely when fielding, but the bowlers seem to be able to get a good grip on it. So maybe it's not as bad as it was here last year. Article Source: IANS

Australia Open 2026: Carlos Alcaraz celebrates 100th Slam match with easy win

The 22-year-old six-time major winner was at a different level on Rod Laver Arena to book his passage 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 in 2hrs 5mins

Warner Signs Extension With BBL Club Sydney Thunder

Thunder General Manager Trent Copeland: Former Australian opener David Warner has signed a one-year extension with Sydney Thunder, the Big Bash League (BBL) club said on Friday. After leading the Thunder to the BBL Final last season, Warner's side crashed back to earth in BBL 15 as they finished bottom of the table with just two wins. The 39-year-old finished BBL 15 as league's leading runscorer with 433 runs at a strike rate of 154, despite missing two matches due to injury. His standout season also earned him a second consecutive Team of the Tournament selection, once again named captain. The former Australian Test opener has 1,139 BBL career runs to his name and eager to add to that tally next season. Im really excited to commit to another season with Thunder, Warner said. It was certainly a challenging year for us, we are a much better team than what we put on the field this season and were unable to put a consistent game together. But the support from our fans turning up in numbers every game it played a massive role in my decision to stay, Warner said in a statement shared by Thunders. I feel I've got plenty more to give to this team and to this game. I felt pretty comfortable with my performance and was proud to give the team a fighting chance. Weve already begun reviewing the season and putting the right plans in place to ensure we deliver a much stronger campaign in BBL 16, he added. Thunder General Manager Trent Copeland said it was a no brainer to extend Warner after another huge season. Were stoked that Davey is staying on for another season. Hes had an incredible year, not only is he one of the greatest T20 players in the world over the last 15 years, but still very clearly one of the best batters in the BBL and his fitness levels are elite. His hunger and his drive as a leader to improve upon a disappointing season for the squad is as strong as ever. Meanwhile, Melbourne Stars have re-signed experienced trio Hilton Cartwright, Sam Harper and Peter Siddle for BBL 16. Cartwright and Harper have both agreed to two-year extensions with the Stars, while Siddle will have at least one more season in green. Meanwhile, Melbourne Stars have re-signed experienced trio Hilton Cartwright, Sam Harper and Peter Siddle for BBL 16. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Alongside Harper, Siddle made the BBL Team of the Tournament, recognising the 41-year-olds outstanding campaign with the ball. Article Source: IANS

Lhuan-dre Pretorius Stars as Paarl Royals Crush Joburg Super Kings by 36 Runs in SA20 Eliminator

Youth and experience combined in perfect harmony for Paarl Royals to send Joburg Super Kings crashing out in the Betway SA20 Eliminator at rousing Centurion on Thursday evening. Teenager Lhuan-dre Pretorius starred with the bat with last seasons leading run-scorer coming to the fore when it mattered most as the Royals defeated JSK by 36 runs. The powerful left-hander put a disappointing second season behind him with 34-ball 51 that formed the bedrock of Royals imposing 210/5. The rest of the Royals batters all chipped in from opener Kyle Verreynne (30 off 15 balls) through to Dan Lawrence (36 off 23 balls), Sikandar Raza (35 off 19 balls) and Asa Tribe (30 not out off 16 balls). Joburg Super Kings run-chase never left the starting blocks with 36-year-old fast bowler Hardus Viljoen turning back the clock to send down a rasping opening spell. Viljoen (3/24) hurried up all the JSK batters with his pace to send Neil Timmers and Matthew de Villiers back to the pavilion within the Powerplay. JSK certainly missed the experience of their injured captain Faf du Plessis and Rilee Rossouw during this period as left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin and the competitions leading wicket-taker Ottneil Baartman also chipped in with a wicket apiece to reduce Super Kings to 40/4. Stand-in captain James Vince and Wiaan Mulder attempted to rebuild JSKs innings with a 58-run partnership for the fifth wicket. It was brought to a close by another impressive Royals teenager Nqobani Mokoena, who outsmarted Vince with an excellent slower ball to clean bowl the Englishman. The four Player of the Match candidates were Bjorn Fortuin, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Asa Tribe and Hardus Viljoen with the left-handed opener winning 53% of the fan vote. Mulder (41 off 27 balls) attempted to keep the dwindling JSK flame flickering, but he too was outdone by the brilliance of Baartman than ended all hopes. The Royals now travel down the NI1 South to the Wanderers to face Sunrisers Eastern Cape on Friday evening in Qualifier 2. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The winner will have the prized opportunity to head down to Cape Town to face Pretoria Capitals in Sundays grand Final at Newlands.

Ellis ruled out of remainder of BBL finals due to hamstring injury

Hobart Hurricanes' captain hasn't recovered from hamstring tightness as the team aim to defend their title

Injuries Force Two Changes to South Africas T20 World Cup Squad

Injuries have forced two changes inSouth Africas squad for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next month. Batsman Tony de Zorzi and all-rounder Donovan Ferreira were both ruled out. They have been replaced by batsmen Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs who were both surprise omissions from the original squad. Veteran batsman David Miller will miss a three-match series against the West Indies next week because of a groin injury and will need to pass a fitness test before joining the flight to India. The left-handed De Zorzi, who has played in two T20 internationals, was a surprise choice when the original squad was announced three weeks ago. De Zorzi suffered a hamstring injury in a one-day international in India last month. He missed the SA20 and according to a statement by Cricket South Africa has not progressed as expected in his rehabilitation. The hard-hitting Ferreira broke his collarbone in an SA20 match last week. Rickelton was the leading run-scorer in the league phase of the SA20, which finishes on Saturday, while Stubbs was regarded as one of South Africas leading T20 players before suffering a dip in form last year. Coach Shukri Conrad said he was optimistic that Miller would be able to recover in time. He had a follow-up scan today and the results were positive, he said. Left-handed batsman Rubin Hermann will replace Miller for the West Indies series, which starts in Paarl on Tuesday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score RevisedSouth African squad: Aiden Markram (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada,Ryan Rickelton,Jason Smith,Tristan Stubbs

Bangladesh Pull Out of T20 World Cup After Refusing to Travel to India

Bangladesh will not travel to India to play in next month's T20 World Cup, its cricket board said on Thursday, effectively ruling the country out of the tournament. Our only demand is to play the World Cup -- but not in India, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam Bulbul told reporters. The refusal came a day after cricket's governing body rejected Bangladesh's plea to play its games in Sri Lanka instead. There is no scope for changing our decision, said Asif Nazrul, an adviser for youth and sports issues in Bangladesh's interim government. The T20 World Cup begins on February 7, with Bangladesh scheduled to play their four group matches in the Indian cities of Kolkata and Mumbai. The row between the neighbouring nations erupted on January 3 when the Indian cricket board ordered the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman. Mustafizur's removal from the IPL followed online outrage by right-wing Indian Hindus who invoked alleged attacks on a fellow community in Muslim-majority Bangladesh. Dhaka maintains that Indian media had exaggerated the scale of the violence. The sport's global governing body said on Wednesday it had engaged with the BCB in sustained and constructive dialogue to ensure Bangladesh could participate in the tournament, but added that those efforts had been rebuffed. The International Cricket Council (ICC) said independent security assessments, comprehensive venue-level security plans and formal assurances from the host authorities found there was no credible or verifiable threat to the safety of the Bangladesh team. - 'Lose a huge audience' - However, Nazrul said Bangladesh's security concerns did not arise from speculation or theoretical analysis. They arose from a real incident -- where one of our country's top players was forced to bow to extremists, and the Indian cricket board asked him to leave India, he said. Bangladesh will hold elections during the World Cup, its first since a mass uprising in 2024 toppled then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina, a close ally of New Delhi. Political relations have since soured between Bangladesh and India, where Hasina fled after she was ousted. There are wider issues for India, which is preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games that areseen as a stepping stone for its ambitions to host the 2036 Olympics. Bangladesh is a cricket-loving nation. If a country of nearly 200 million people misses the World Cup, the ICC will lose a huge audience, the BCB's Bulbul said. Cricket is entering the Olympics in 2028, Brisbane in 2032, India is bidding for 2036. Excluding a major cricket-loving country like Bangladesh would be a failure. Bangladesh's appeal to the ICC was not without precedent,with India's arch-enemy Pakistan to play all its games in Sri Lanka. That deal was struck after India, a financial and administrative powerhouse within cricket, refused to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy and played its matches in Dubai instead. However, the ICC said a year later a similar shift was impossible for Bangladesh. There are many precedents worldwide where matches have been moved to other venues due to security risks, Bangladesh's Nazrul said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score ICC sources told AFP this week that Bangladesh could be replaced by Scotland, the highest-ranked team that did not qualify outright for the World Cup.

Injured NZ Quick Adam Milne Ruled Out Of T20 WC; Jamieson Named Replacement

ICC T20 World Cup: Right-arm fast bowler Adam Milne has been ruled out of the ICC T20 World Cup with a torn left hamstring and will be replaced in the squad by Kyle Jamieson, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said on Friday. Milne suffered the injury while bowling in the SA20 on Sunday, with subsequent scans revealing the extent of the injury. Were all gutted for Adam. Hed worked so hard to get himself ready for the tournament and was looking back to his best in his eight games for the Eastern Cape Sunrisers. It's unfortunate timing for Adam and we wish him a speedy recovery, said head coach Rob Walter. Jamieson, who is currently part of the white-ball tour of India, has been added to the T20 World Cup squad after originally being named as the travelling reserve for the mega event in India and Sri Lanka. Walter said Jamieson was a worthy replacement. Its great that Kyle is already with us here in India. Hes an integral member of our pace-bowling group and has hit the ground running on this tour. Hes a hard worker with a good set of skills and experiences that will hold him good stead for the tournament, he said. Milne has been a part of New Zealands squad at multiple T20 World Cups, including the 2012, 2016, 2021 and 2022 editions of the tournament. He has played 11 matches at T20 World Cups and has taken six wickets for New Zealand. The 33-year-old pacer has 65 wickets in 56 matches ever since his T20I debut for the Kiwis in 2010. Overall, Milne has 258 scalps from 226 T20 matches at an average of 23.23 and an economy of 7.89 in T20 cricket. He has played 11 matches at T20 World Cups and has taken six wickets for New Zealand. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New Zealand will begin their campaign on February 8 with a clash against Afghanistan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Article Source: IANS

Milne ruled out of T20 World Cup, Jamieson called up

Adam Milne picked up the injury during the SA20 where he had shown promising form

Australian Open 2026: Sabalenka passes Potapova test to reach fourth round; Alcaraz sets sights on last 16

Seemingly down and out at 4-0 in the second set, the world number 55 broke Sabalenka three times and nudged ahead to 6-5, forcing the Belarusian into a surprising scrap to the finish

Warner signs new one-year deal with Sydney Thunder

He struck two centuries this season and will now play in the competition beyond the age of 40

India vs New Zealand, 2nd T20I- Who will win today IND vs NZ match?

IND vs NZ, 2nd T20I , Cricket Tips :Team India displayed a dominating performance in the first T20I in Nagpur and thrashed them by 48 runs. Abhishek Sharma and Rinku Singh made the difference with the bat and helped India to post their highest T20I total of 237/8 against New Zealand. There were some good contributions from the Kiwi players, but it wasn't enough. With a 1-0 lead, India will take on New Zealand in the second T20I on Friday (January 23) at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur. Runs from Suryakumar Yadav was the biggest positive for India. They will be keen to carry on that form, whereas New Zealand will look to bounce back after that loss. IND vs NZ: Match Details Date : January 23, 2026 (Friday) Time : 7:00 PM IST Venue : Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur IND vs NZ: Live Streaming Details Star Sports Network will broadcast the live action of the second T20I on Friday. Fans can also catch the live stream on the Jio Hotstar app or website. IND vs NZ: Head-to-Head in T20I Total Matches : 26 India : 15 New Zealand : 10 No-result : 01 IND vs NZ: Ground Pitch Report Just like the first game in Nagpur, the wicket in Raipur is expected to be another batting-friendly one. There is not much help for the bowling side, and batters will be dominating. We expect another high-scoring game here. Slower ones and cutters might be more effective here. IND vs NZ: Possible XIs India : Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah New Zealand : Tim Robinson, Devon Conway (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), Kyle Jamieson, Kristian Clarke, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy IND vs NZ: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Abhishek Sharma can singlehandedly put the opposition under pressure, which he did in Nagpur. He will be a big wicket for New Zealand. On the other hand, Glenn Phillips followed his ODI century with another good innings. He is in red-hot form. Probable Best Bowler Jacob Duffy produced a spell of 2/27 when India scored 237/8. He bowled smartly and didn't give away much. For India, Varun Chakravarthy will be key in the middle overs. Today Match Prediction : India have been superb in this format, and the way they are batting, we predict them to win the second game. IND vs NZ Match 2nd T20I, Today Match IND vs NZ, IND vs NZ Prediction, IND vs NZ Predicted XIs, Injury Update for India vs New Zealand 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.

Road turns minefield as England fail familiar trial by mid-innings spin

England were well set in their 272-run chase before Khettarama surface did as it tends to do