England bowl first again in second ODI at Derby
England make one change with Ryana MacDonald-Gay coming in for Lauren Filer
Mohsin Naqvi on Pakistan's changes: No option if players don't perform
The PCB chair defends the decision to sack head coach Sarfaraz and bowling coach Gul after Pakistan lost the Lord's Test by 194 runs
Zimbabwe opt to bowl against Namibia; Muzarabani returns
Namibia's left-arm spinner Bernard Scholtz missed out for offspin-bowing allrounder Jan Balt
Tilak Varma wants to play Test cricket for India, says 'my strength is red-ball cricket'
South Zone captain Tilak Varma led by example as his team defeated North by seven wickets to qualify for Duleep Trophy final. The 23-year-old scored an unbeaten century in the first innings and added that...
Injured Jafta Out Of South Africa's Maiden T20I Tour Of Zimbabwe, Filander Named Replacement
South Africa Emerging Women: Wicketkeeper-batter Sinalo Jafta has been ruled out of South Africas upcoming five-match womens T20I series in Zimbabwe after sustaining a hamstring strain during pre-tour physical testing, Cricket South Africa (CSA) said on Thursday. Western Province wicketkeeper-batter Jae-Leigh Filander, previously in the Proteas Under-19 team, has earned her maiden senior international call-up as a replacement. Proteas Women wicketkeeper-batter Sinalo Jafta has been ruled out of the upcoming five-match T20 International (T20I) series against Zimbabwe after sustaining a hamstring strain during pre-tour testing. SA U19 Women and Western Province starlet Jae-Leigh Filander has received her maiden senior international call-up as a replacement and will join the Proteas Women squad in Tshwane ahead of the teams departure for Bulawayo on Monday, 07 September, CSA said in its statement. Regular captain Laura Wolvaardt will lead the tour, which is South Africa's first T20I series against their neighbours. The squad includes many newcomers, while several senior players, including Marizanne Kapp, Dan van Niekerk, Sun Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tazmin Brits, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, and Shabnim Ismail, have been rested. The Proteas travelling party includes three uncapped prospects: 21-year-old seamer Caitlin Wyngaard, former South Africa Under-19 pacer Nthabiseng Nini, and off-spinner Luyanda Nzuza. The trio delivered impressive performances for the South Africa Emerging Womens team during the recent games against the Bangladesh Emerging team. They join returning players Faye Tunnicliffe, Anneke Bosch, Ayanda Hlubi, Eliz-Mari Marx, Seshnie Naidu, Nondumiso Shangase, and Mian Smit, all of whom missed out on the ICC Womens T20 World Cup in England. Wicketkeeper Karabo Meso, along with all-rounders Kayla Reyneke and Annerie Dercksen, round out the squad. The Proteas travelling party includes three uncapped prospects: 21-year-old seamer Caitlin Wyngaard, former South Africa Under-19 pacer Nthabiseng Nini, and off-spinner Luyanda Nzuza. The trio delivered impressive performances for the South Africa Emerging Womens team during the recent games against the Bangladesh Emerging team. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories South Africas updated squad: Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Anneke Bosch, Annerie Dercksen, Jae-Leigh Filander (wk), Ayanda Hlubi, Eliz-Mari Marx, Karabo Meso (wk), Seshnie Naidu, Luyanda Nzuza, Kayla Reyneke, Nthabiseng Nini, Nondumiso Shangase, Mian Smit, Faye Tunnicliffe, and Caitlin Wyngaard. Article Source: IANS
Injured Jafta out of Zimbabwe tour; Filander earns maiden SA call-up
Jafta's absence will mean even less experience in an already young squad
Laxman confirmed as India men's head coach for Asian Games
Gambhir will be with the India ODI team for the three-match series at home that overlaps with the Asian Games
Sports Ministry Adds 11 Athletes To Expand India's Asian Games Contingent To 768 Members
Tajinderpal Singh Toor: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on Thursday added another 11 athletes to the 492-athlete list for the Asian Games as the Indian contingent for the Aichi-Nagoya Games was expanded to 768 members. The Ministry added athletes across athletics, mixed martial arts and surfing for the Games. Surfing is also making its debut at the Asian Games as four athletes - Kishore Kumar, Sivaraj, Kamali and Sugar Shanti will represent India in the sport. MMA is also marking its debut at the Games. Meanwhile, six in athletics Praveen Kumar, Harita Bhadra, Kiran Pahal, Asha Ilango, Sindhushree Ganesha and Sanya Yadav have been added, while Varun Sanyal will represent India in mixed martial arts as per the updated list from the Ministry. The expanded list now sees India's Asiad contingent extend to 768 members, with 503 athletes (269 male and 234 female). 246 team officials/supporting staff and 19 contingent staff are also part of the Indian roster set to compete across 36 disciplines in the continental showpiece. The Ministry has also confirmed the head of the Centre of Excellence to be the head coach of the Indian men's side for the cricket event. Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Subhadeep Ghosh will join Laxman, while Amol Muzumdar will spearhead the women's team for the Asiad. Muzumdar will have Aavishkar Salvi as the bowling coach and Munish Bali as the fielding coach in his coaching staff. Earlier in the day, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) also finalised the 77-member squads for athletics for the Asiad. Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Yashvir Singh has replaced the 2022 Asian Games gold medallist Neeraj Chopra in the list after Chopra was ruled out of the season due to an injury. Two-time Olympic medallist Chopra was initially named to the 73-member Indian athletics team for the Games but will no longer defend the titles he won in Jakarta 2018 and Hangzhou 2023. Rohit Yadav is the other Indian selected for the men's javelin throw. Earlier in the day, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) also finalised the 77-member squads for athletics for the Asiad. Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Yashvir Singh has replaced the 2022 Asian Games gold medallist Neeraj Chopra in the list after Chopra was ruled out of the season due to an injury. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Meanwhile, men's 110m hurdler Tejas Shirse, who was intially selected for the 110m hurdles despite sustaining two stress fractures in his left foot during CWG in Glagow, has also been omitted from the team. Abhishek Pal, who has landed in a doping controversy after being served a notice by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) over an apparent violation, was dropped out of the squad. Article Source: IANS
Birthday Boy Shami Eyes Test Comeback
Mohammed Shami, despite being out of international contention since 2025, is making a strong case for a Test team comeback through his exceptional performances in domestic cricket.
Sri Lanka Pledges Support For Women's Champions Trophy After Losing Hosting Rights
The Sri Lanka Cricket: The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Thursday said it has pledged full support for the upcoming ICC Women's Champions Trophy and accepted the global governing body's decision to relocate the inaugural tournament to India. The International Cricket Council (ICC) stripped Sri Lanka of its hosting rights due to government interference in the SLCs governance and handed the staging rights of the inaugural six-team competition to India. The tournament, featuring Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka, is scheduled to run from February 14 to 28 next year, with games to be staged in Mumbai and Vadodara. Despite the administrative setback of losing its second major ICC tournament in two years, the island nation's board confirmed it will focus entirely on supporting its squad following their qualification based on global rankings. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) notes the International Cricket Councils decision regarding the hosting of the upcoming ICC Womens Champions Trophy 2027, the board said in a statement on Thursday. While Sri Lanka will not host the tournament, the Sri Lanka womens national team has secured automatic qualification for the competition based on its standing in the current qualification process. SLC welcomes the qualification of the Sri Lanka womens national team and remains committed to providing the team with the necessary support in its preparation for the tournament. Sri Lanka Cricket will continue to work closely with the ICC, the host nation of the ICC Womens Champions Trophy, and all relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful conduct of the inaugural tournament, the SLC said in its statement on Thursday. SLC welcomes the qualification of the Sri Lanka womens national team and remains committed to providing the team with the necessary support in its preparation for the tournament. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Despite this, the side retained its entry to the competition based on its standing at the July 6 cut-off date. The six participating teams will compete in a single round-robin format during the event, with the top two sides progressing to the final on February 28. Article Source: IANS
The ICC Chairman Jay Shah said the inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy 2027 will mark an exciting new chapter for women's cricket as the tournament is set to be hosted in India across two venues, Vadodara and Mumbai in February
We Went Out There With One Mindset, And We Got The Win: Sawal On Amritsar Soormas Turnaround
Punjab T20 League: Amritsar Soormas head coach Sandeep Sawal has credited a renewed sense of unity and belief within the squad for the teams first victory of the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League 2026, as the side prepares to face Bathinda Royals at the I.S. Bindra Stadium on Thursday. The Soormas enter the contest after opening their campaign with two defeats before responding with a convincing seven-wicket victory over Fazilka Falcons. The result earned Amritsar their first points of the tournament and has given the team an opportunity to build momentum as the league moves forward. Sawal revealed that the coaching staff and players had addressed the difficult start directly, with the group making a collective commitment before taking the field against Fazilka. After losing our first two matches, it was important for the players to come together, believe in themselves and be clear about what we wanted to achieve on the field. So, we wrote We will win on the board and asked everyone who believed in it to stand together. Every player agreed, and that belief translated onto the field. We went out there with one mindset, and we got the win. The response was emphatic. Chasing against Fazilka, Amritsar were led by Naman Dhirs unbeaten 88 off 48 balls, while Abhay Choudhary remained not out on 58 from 35 deliveries as the Soormas completed a seven-wicket win. Dhirs performances have made him the player to watch in the Amritsar line-up. The batter currently leads the Orange Cap race with 252 runs from three matches and will once again be central to the teams hopes against Bathinda. Captain Abhishek Sharma will be expected to provide his usual attacking intent at the top, while Choudhary will look to carry forward the confidence gained from his match-winning contribution in the previous outing. Amritsar also have Sahaj Dhawan, Jashanpreet Singh Sidhu and Mayank Markande among the players capable of influencing the contest as they seek a second successive victory. Bathinda Royals, meanwhile, will present another significant challenge, with Uday Saharan, Gurnoor Brar, Harnoor Singh, Gourav Choudhary and Ashwani Kumar forming part of a competitive unit. For the Soormas, though, the immediate objective is straightforward: ensure that their breakthrough victory does not remain an isolated result. Bathinda Royals, meanwhile, will present another significant challenge, with Uday Saharan, Gurnoor Brar, Harnoor Singh, Gourav Choudhary and Ashwani Kumar forming part of a competitive unit. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories IANS Article Source: IANS
Discarded Pakistan player refuses to meet King Charles in protest of being dropped from squad
After an embarrassing 194-run defeat to England in the second Test at Lords, the Pakistan Cricket Board made wholesale changes. They dropped seven players, sacked head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul and...
V V S Laxman to coach India men's team at Asian Games
VVS Laxman, BCCI's Centre of Excellence chief, will coach the Indian men's cricket team at the upcoming Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. He will be assisted by Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, and Subhadeep Ghosh. Gautam Gambhir, the regular head coach, will be with the senior team for the West Indies ODI series. Amol Muzumdar will continue as the head coach for the Indian women's team, who will also defend their title.
Vadodara Hosting 2027 Womens Champions Trophy Games Is Well Deserved, Says BCA CEO Parikh
Vadodara International Cricket Stadium: The selection of Vadodara as a venue for the inaugural 2027 ICC Womens Champions Trophy matches is well deserved, given the venue's proven track record of staging high-profile domestic and international fixtures in recent times, said Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Snehal Parikh. His comments followed the International Cricket Council (ICC) naming Vadodara International Cricket Stadium and Mumbais Brabourne Stadium as co-hosts of the inaugural six-team competition, to be held from February 14 to 28 next year. We can say that we are lucky. But we can always say its well deserved because we've been hosting so many matches, tournaments and I think the response has been good. People have appreciated and the BCCI has appreciated as well. Various officials, India players, and international masters league players like Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, and everyone have appreciated the grounds, facilities, wickets, and outfield. So, yes, we are lucky there, Parikh told IANS on Thursday. The tournament was moved to India following a global assessment by the ICC, which evaluated alternative bids from India, Bangladesh, and South Africa after Sri Lanka was stripped of its hosting rights due to government interference in its boards administration. The competition will feature the top six womens T20I sides as of July 6 - Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. Located roughly 30 kilometres outside Vadodara, just off the Harod-Halol-Vadodara highway, the stadium, also known as Kotambi International Stadium, hosted its first international cricket match during the India-West Indies women's ODI series in December 2024, before staging a men's ODI between India and New Zealand in January this year. The tournament was moved to India following a global assessment by the ICC, which evaluated alternative bids from India, Bangladesh, and South Africa after Sri Lanka was stripped of its hosting rights due to government interference in its boards administration. The competition will feature the top six womens T20I sides as of July 6 - Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The venue is scheduled to host a three-match womens ODI series between India and Zimbabwe on 23, 25, and 28 October. It will also host India womens Under-19 T20 games against the England women's Under-19 team on 26 and 28 November. Article Source: IANS
Not Gautam Gambhir, VVS Laxman To Coach Indian Men's Cricket Team At Asian Games. Here's The Reason
VVS Laxman, is going to take charge of the Indian men's team at the upcoming Asian Games 2026 to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, later this month
BCCI Review Meeting Live Updates: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's spot in the ODI World Cup 2027 squad remains a major focus at the BCCI review meeting on Thursday.
India All-rounder Deepak Hooda Returns To Baroda Domestic Team After Five-year Absence
BCA Chief Executive Officer Snehal: Batting all-rounder Deepak Hooda is set to play again for his home state, Baroda, in the ongoing domestic season, five years after leaving the team following a feud with skipper Krunal Pandya, a left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder. Hooda, 31, had left Baroda and moved to Rajasthan after being suspended by the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) for indiscipline, following a storm-out from the team hotel and bio-bubble on the eve of Barodas first game in the 2021 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, during which he alleged verbal abuse and bullying by Pandya in a practice session. BCA Chief Executive Officer Snehal Parikh confirmed on Thursday that all past grievances between Hooda, Pandya and the association. Yes, Deepak is going to play for Baroda again in domestic cricket. He got everything from Baroda and is now back to play for us once again. I would say there were no issues. But if there were issues, I believe they have been sorted now, he said to IANS. Hooda, who also bowls handy off-spin, has represented India in 10 ODIs and 21 T20Is, bringing significant experience back to the Baroda side. In the IPL, Hooda has played for Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants and Chennai Super Kings. So far, Hooda has scored 4,267 first-class runs at an average of 45.39, including 14 centuries, alongside nearly 3,972 runs in T20 cricket and 3340 runs in List A cricket. The best thing is, our local boy is coming back home. We are very happy for the home coming of our own boy and glad to have him back. He made his Ranji Trophy debut for us and hes the second player after me to score a century in the first game, added Parikh. He also confirmed that wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma will continue to represent Baroda as a guest player, but only in white-ball games, while pacer Rasikh Salam will continue to play in all formats. The best thing is, our local boy is coming back home. We are very happy for the home coming of our own boy and glad to have him back. He made his Ranji Trophy debut for us and hes the second player after me to score a century in the first game, added Parikh. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The BCA is also bringing in ex-India pacer Munaf Patel, a member of the 2011 ODI World Cup-winning team, to its backroom staff. Patel served as bowling coach for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025 and 2026. We are also getting Munaf Patel as our mentor and pace bowling coach for the association, concluded Parikh. Article Source: IANS
Ajit Agarkar Was Clueless On Jasprit Bumrah's Fitness, Hardik Pandya A Big Headache: Report
The BCCI announced India's squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, with Bumrah included, subject to clearance from the CoE. Hardik, on the other hand, did not find a place in the team.
'Dhoni told me that he won't play as Impact Player in IPL 2027'
Mahendra Singh Dhoni has reportedly informed Subramaniam Badrinath that he will not play as an Impact Player in the IPL, preferring to continue as a full-time wicketkeeper if he plays.
'First Target To Is Play 2027 World Cup For Australia': Nikhil Chaudhary Eyes ODI Debut
ODI World Cup: India-born Australian cricketer Nikhil Chaudhary has set his sights on the upcoming ODI World Cup as he aims to make his ODI debut for Australia. Chaudhary, who hails from Delhi, is the first India-born male cricketer to represent Australia in the past six decades, having made his T20I debut in June against Bangladesh. The spin all-rounder will be in action soon for Australia A against India A in an unofficial one-day series and is eyeing an Australia ODI cap and the 2027 World Cup in future. I want to play 50-over cricket and, if I get a chance, Tests too, Chaudhary said as quoted by Cricinfo. My first target is the 2027 ODI World Cup, and then the T20 World Cup the following year. I want to represent Australia for as long as I can. Chaudhary settled in Australia after being stranded there because of COVID. Having made his List A and T20 debuts for Punjab, he pursued his cricket career in Australia and has now been playing across domestic formats Down Under. The all-rounder made his T20I debut in Bangladesh, where he played in three T20Is and took three wickets in limited opportunities. On not being able to play for India and instead plying his trade for Australia, Chaudhary sounded more practical, saying that all he wants is to play cricket. It doesn't really matter to me because I just wanted to play cricket. If you see, most players never get to represent their country. They finish their careers playing domestic cricket. Some move to another country to play club cricket. So, if you love cricket, you just want to play cricket; it doesn't matter for whom, he added. Chaudhary has played across all formats in the domestic circuit and has also been a regular in franchise cricket. The all-rounder made his BBL debut in 2023 for Hobart Hurricanes and his first-class debut in 2025 for Tasmania. It doesn't really matter to me because I just wanted to play cricket. If you see, most players never get to represent their country. They finish their careers playing domestic cricket. Some move to another country to play club cricket. So, if you love cricket, you just want to play cricket; it doesn't matter for whom, he added. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories My plan has always been the same: work hard, give your best, and try to make your team win. Whatever opportunity you get, you try to perform, he said. Article Source: IANS
He Keeps Tweeting Against Pakistan: Wasim Akram's Big Remark On Ex-India Star
Recently, Wasim Akram opened up about his relationship with Irfan Pathan, revealing that he first met him in 2004 and was impressed by his approach and attitude.
IND-W vs HK-W Match 7 Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI
IND-W vs HK-W Match 7, Cricket Tips: India Women started the Women's Asia Cup 2026 campaign with a good win in their opening game against Thailand Women by 94 runs. Shafali Verma, Nandni Sharma, and Deepti Sharma played key roles for India in the win. India will face Hong Kong Women in their second game of their campaign. This contest will be held at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday at 8 PM IST. India have a chance to make it two in two and stay at the top of the points table. Hong Kong Women lost their opening game and will be hoping for a better show. IND-W vs HK-W: Match Details Date : September 03, 2026 (Thursday) Time : 8:00 PM IST Venue : Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai IND-W vs HK-W: Live Streaming Details The live action of the game will be available on the Sony Sports Networks, and the live stream will be on the Sony Live app or website. IND-W vs HK-W: Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 0 India Women : 0 Hong Kong Women : 0 No-result: 0 IND-W vs HK-W: Ground Pitch Report Dubai International Stadium has a slow and low deck. It is a tough place to bat on. The new ball will swing and move, whereas spinners will get more out of the surface in the lateral stages. The toss will be important because bowling second will be a good option here. IND-W vs HK-W: Possible XIs India Women: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Prema Rawat, Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Nandni Sharma Hong Kong Women: Mariko Hill, Maryam Bibi (c), Yasmin Daswani (wk), Marina Lamplough, Kary Chan, Shanzeen Shahzad, Joyleen Kaur, Shing Chan Dorothea, Alison Siu, Charlotte Chan, Ruchitha Venkatesh IND-W vs HK-W: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Shafali Verma and Yasmin Daswani are two batters who are coming off good knocks in their opening matches. Probable Best Bowler Deepti Sharma and Shing Chan Dorothea produced good spells in the first game and are two good bowlers. They will be tough to face for the batters. Today Match Prediction: There is no comparison between these two teams, and India Women are expected to win this game. IND-W vs HK-W Match 7, Today Match IND-W vs HK-W, IND-W vs HK-W Prediction, IND-W vs HK-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for India Women vs Hong Kong Women Match Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.
Japan Cricket Chief Breaks Silence On Concerns Over Asian Games 2026 Accommodation
A Sri Lankan official said this week that some of Asia's top teams had raised doubts over facilities and accommodation at the Games, which are taking place in Nagoya and the wider Aichi area from September 19.
The Indian team is gearing up for the ODI World Cup 2027; the marquee tournament will be held in South Africa, and the biggest teams in world cricket will look to put in their best...
'India Lost To Ireland': PCB Chief's Bizarre Verdict On Pakistan's Test Struggles
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi pointed at India's shock defeat against Ireland to defend Pakistan cricket amid the ongoing criticism.
Carlos Alcaraz recovers after dropping the first set to reach the third round at the U.S. Open
The 23-year-old Alcaraz then picked up his seventh major title at this year's Australian Open and is on a 16-match winning streak in Grand Slam tournaments.
Sri Lanka Face Rs 188 Crore Loss Due To Massive Decision By ICC: Report
Sri Lanka are reportedly set to suffer an estimated loss of at least USD 20 million (around Rs 188 Crore) after the International Cricket Council formally stripped the country of hosting rights for the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy.
Dhoni-Pant Viral Video Sparks New Hookah Debate
A recent viral video featuring M S Dhoni and Rishabh Pant has once again brought Dhoni's alleged hookah habit into the public spotlight.
BCCI Review Meeting: Rohit Sharma's ODI Future To Be Discussed!
Top BCCI officials, including captains Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and CoE head VVS Laxman, are meeting in Mumbai to review India's recent T20I and ODI series defeats against Ireland and England.
Won't Play As Impact Player: Ex-CSK Star Drops Big Hint On MS Dhoni's IPL Future
Former Chennai Super Kings batter S Badrinath has revealed that MS Dhoni does not see himself taking the field as an Impact Player.
Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, Gautam Gambhir Arrive At BCCI Office For Review Meeting
India's T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, Test and ODI skipper Shubman Gill, national head coach Gautam Gambhir, and Centre of Excellence (CoE) chief VVS Laxman arrived in Mumbai at BCCI Headquarters on Thursday for the critical review meeting.
He Told Me He Won't Play As Impact Player: Badrinath Reveals Dhonis Stance On CSK Role
Former Chennai Super Kings: Former Chennai Super Kings batter S Badrinath has revealed that MS Dhoni does not see himself taking the field as an Impact Player, saying the former India captain personally conveyed his preference to continue as a full-time wicketkeeper despite questions surrounding his role ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 season. Dhonis future and potential role have emerged as major talking points for CSK following another campaign in which the franchise failed to make the playoffs. With concerns over his physical workload continuing, Badrinath said using Dhoni selectively could offer the five-time champions a tactical advantage, although the veteran wicketkeeper has made his own position clear. He has personally told me that he wont play as an Impact Player. He sees himself as a full-time keeper, and that means he has to be on the field for the full 20 overs. So he wont play as an Impact Player, but I feel if he does, itll tactically benefit CSK, Badrinath said on his YouTube channel. His body cannot withstand long durations, which even Fleming has said. He is only going to bat after the 16th over and keep wickets. When his participation is so less, he would be ideal as an Impact Player, he added. The former CSK player also weighed in on the wider debate surrounding the Impact Player rule, particularly its perceived effect on Shivam Dubes opportunities as a bowler for the franchise. Badrinath rejected the suggestion that the rule itself was responsible for Dube not bowling regularly for CSK. Shivam Dube bowling for India but not for CSK is not because of the Impact Player rule. It has to do with the CSK management and their lack of usage of Dube with the ball. Why are they using him as an Impact Player? The rule cannot be blamed, Badrinath stated. Badrinath also questioned the teams handling of Akeal Hosein, arguing that the spinner should be an automatic selection in the starting XI rather than being kept in reserve as an Impact Player. Shivam Dube bowling for India but not for CSK is not because of the Impact Player rule. It has to do with the CSK management and their lack of usage of Dube with the ball. Why are they using him as an Impact Player? The rule cannot be blamed, Badrinath stated. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Badrinath's remarks put the spotlight on CSKs tactical approach heading into the next phase of their planning, with Dhonis workload, Dubes bowling role and the utilisation of overseas players all likely to remain key selection questions for the franchise. Article Source: IANS
Shreyas, Gill, Gambhir Arrive At BCCI HQ For Crucial Review Meeting
Treasurer Prabhtej Singh Bhatia: Indias T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, Test and ODI skipper Shubman Gill, national head coach Gautam Gambhir, and Centre of Excellence (CoE) chief VVS Laxman arrived here at BCCI Headquarters on Thursday for the critical review meeting. They are joined by top BCCI officials: President Mithun Manhas, Secretary Devajit Saikia, Treasurer Prabhtej Singh Bhatia, and interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hemang Amin. The long-pending review meeting was initially scheduled for July to address Indias T20I series defeats in England and Ireland, as well as the ODI series loss to England. However, it was postponed due to the T20I tour of Zimbabwe and the Test series in Sri Lanka, where India registered 3-0 and 1-0 victories, respectively. Sources familiar with the agenda for Thursday's meeting told IANS that discussions will primarily focus on evaluating the senior mens team's recent performances, examining key takeaways, and identifying areas for improvement. The meeting will also focus on managing ongoing injury concerns involving key players, such as Hardik Pandya, while mapping out future plans for major assignments, including the multi-format tour of New Zealand, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series at home, and the 2027 Mens ODI World Cup, a source said. Fitness concerns within the senior mens squad were evident during Tuesdays squad announcement for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, scheduled to take place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi from September 13 to 17, as Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Harshit Rana have all been selected provisionally, with their inclusion subject to fitness clearance. The meeting will also focus on managing ongoing injury concerns involving key players, such as Hardik Pandya, while mapping out future plans for major assignments, including the multi-format tour of New Zealand, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series at home, and the 2027 Mens ODI World Cup, a source said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Although Pandya is considered a central figure in India's plans for the 2027 Mens ODI World Cup, recurring injury setbacks, the latest being a blow to the shin, have raised questions over his long-term utility as a seam-bowling all-rounder in 50-over cricket. Article Source: IANS
The Asian Games is all set to kick off on September 24, and among the multitude of sports at the event, cricket will be one that will be heavily followed and discussed. The cricketing event at the Asian Games will begin on September 24; ahead of the event, it is clear that Team India will be considered the biggest favourites to go all the way..
The Way TNPL Has Grown Over The Years Is Immense: Shahrukh Khan (ld)
Tamil Nadu Premier League: Cricketer Shahrukh Khan believes the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) has played a major role in the growth of cricket in the state, providing a platform for young players to showcase their talent and a pathway towards the Indian Premier League. Shahrukh himself is among the players who have benefited from the TNPL platform. After spending nearly two decades in the Tamil Nadu cricket system, the hard-hitting batter has established himself as one of the states prominent white-ball players and an IPL cricketer. The 2026 season marked another highlight in Shahrukh's TNPL journey as he guided Kovai Kings to their third championship. The team beat Madurai Panthers by 84 runs in the final held at MA Chidambaram Stadium on August 28. Andre Siddarths quick 82 off 47 balls contributed to a solid team total, and Kovai's bowlers dismissing Madurai for just 98. For Shahrukh, however, the importance of the TNPL goes beyond his own success. TNPL has been a platform for a lot of players from Tamil Nadu, including me, Natarajan, Varun Chakravarthy, a lot of players, Shahrukh said in an exclusive conversation with IANS. He believes the tournaments growth over the years has been significant and that its impact is now evident in the number of players from Tamil Nadu who have gone on to play in the IPL. And the way the tournament has grown over the years is just immense. And not just TNPL but the other leagues that happen around India as well. But the first domestic tournament for a state T20 was TNPL and very fortunate to be a part of this tournament, he said. The league, which began in 2016, has increasingly become an important fixture in the Tamil Nadu cricket calendar. For young players, it offers an opportunity to play alongside experienced domestic cricketers and to perform under pressure in front of a wider audience. Shahrukh feels that the process is continuing to work, with new players emerging every season. And every year, you see new talents coming up. I hope even this year, the IPL scouts see a few talents and picks so that the tournament grows even bigger next year, he said. Shahrukh has played cricket in the states circuit for around 20 years and has encountered a range of leadership styles across his age-group, league, domestic and IPL careers. He believes these experiences have helped him develop his own understanding of leadership. But when it comes to the foundation of his captaincy, Shahrukh looks closer to home. I think I have been in Tamil Nadu circuit for about 20 years now. So there are various captains that I have played under in league matches, the local league that happens here. And obviously, I have been playing age group cricket for a very long time. And played under a lot of captains in IPL as well, but the base foundation for me in terms of captaincy is the sort of cricket that we play here in Tamil Nadu, the league structure, he said. He specifically credited Ashwin Venkatraman, a prominent figure in the Tamil Nadu league circuit and a former associate of Kovai Kings, for aiding his understanding of the tactical aspects of captaincy. I have really looked up to a person, a captain called Ashwin Venkatraman. He is a player in Tamil Nadu league here. So he has been really vital in terms of how to go about in a game of cricket and how to read a batsmans mind before he does something, Shahrukh said. His IPL experiences have shaped his leadership style. Shahrukh has shared dressing rooms with several seasoned captains and has watched how they manage various situations. And obviously, playing IPL, I have seen a lot of captains. And from afar, if you look at it, MS Dhoni has always been my idol in terms of captaincy. And the pattern in which I go about is whatever I have got from him, he added. Shahrukh's IPL 2026 season with Gujarat Titans was disappointing, leading to his removal from the playing XI during the tournament. He later disclosed that he had been battling a technical flaw in his batting for several months. And obviously, playing IPL, I have seen a lot of captains. And from afar, if you look at it, MS Dhoni has always been my idol in terms of captaincy. And the pattern in which I go about is whatever I have got from him, he added. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories His efforts following the IPL reignited his form in the TNPL. A notable achievement was his 17-ball half-century against Dindigul Dragons, ranking among the quickest in the tournament. As the next IPL season approaches, the Tamil Nadu batsman aims for his TNPL revival to boost his performance in India's premier T20 competition. Article Source: IANS
Aryna Sabalenka powers her way into third round of U.S. Open in just 53 minutes
The top-seeded Sabalenka overwhelmed Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 in 53 minutes, putting on a power-hitting display that made it seem her recent problems are in the past
UP Spinner Kartik Yadav Models Himself On Jadeja And Pandya
Young Uttar Pradesh spinner Kartik Yadav, who impressed on his Ranji Trophy debut, aims to become an all-format cricketer by drawing inspiration from the adaptability of Ravindra Jadeja and the composure of Hardik Pandya.
PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi Breaks Silence On Brutal Decision Amid England Tour, Sends Big Message
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has lashed out at critics of the board's decision to sack seven players and two coaching staff members of the Pakistan cricket team during their ongoing Test tour of England.
I Dont Rate Nitish Reddy So High: Badrinath Questions Gambhir-backed T20I Selections
Nitish Kumar Reddy: Former India batter S Badrinath has questioned the inclusion of Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy in Indias T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan, beginning September 13 in Delhi, suggesting that head coach Gautam Gambhirs preferences may have played a role in the selections. Reacting to the 15-member squad, Badrinath took aim at what he described as the continued backing received by certain players, particularly Sundar, while also expressing reservations about Reddys credentials as a bowling all-rounder. At first look, the coachs favourites are back. Washington Sundar is getting tremendous backing in Indian cricket. He needs to really make use of it, Badrinath said on his YouTube channel Badrinath then turned his attention to Reddy, making it clear that his assessment of the youngster was primarily based on his bowling ability rather than his batting. And somehow I dont rate Nitish Kumar Reddy so high. Thats because of his bowling. I still feel hes a batter and not someone I rate with the ball, he said. The Afghanistan series will see India make several changes to their squad, with a number of prominent names in line to return from injury. Jasprit Bumrah, Sundar, Nitish and Harshit Rana have all been included, although their participation remains subject to fitness clearance from the BCCIs Centre of Excellence. While Badrinath was critical of some of the selections, he viewed Bumrahs possible comeback as a significant positive for India, especially with the Asian Games gold-medal defence scheduled later this month in Japan. Bumrahs return is a huge positive. It could also have been that Bumrah told the management that he wanted to play these three matches. Then they have to select him. We dont know that, Badrinath stated. The former batter also suggested that Bumrah himself may have pushed for a return to competitive cricket after spending time on the sidelines. Bumrahs return is a huge positive. It could also have been that Bumrah told the management that he wanted to play these three matches. Then they have to select him. We dont know that, Badrinath stated. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Bumrah last played during Indias ODI series in England in July before a left knee injury forced him out of the subsequent Sri Lanka tour. His potential return against Afghanistan would therefore offer India an opportunity to bring their pace spearhead back into action ahead of a busy period on the international calendar. Article Source: IANS
Did MS Dhoni Smoke Hookah In Party With Rishabh Pant? Viral Video Leaves Internet Buzzing
The video of India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant partying with former captain MS Dhoni has taken the internet by storm.
CPL 2026: Falcons Beat Knight Riders by 8 Runs, Reclaim Top Spot
The Antigua & Barbuda Falcons claimed an 8 run victory over the Trinbago Knight Riders in the final game of the season at the Queens Park Oval in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The loss is the Knight Riders third straight loss and they finish their homestand having lost four out of five. Hasan Nawaz was the standout performer with the bat, whilst Rahkeem Cornwall and Joshua James brought it home with the ball for the Falcons who notch another win after a rain cancelled fixture against the Patriots. The Falcons made a promising start in the PowerPlay with Evin Lewis and Rahkeem Cornwall putting on a decent 40 run partnership before Cornwall chopped on off the bowling of Usman Tariq. This was the 17th consecutive CPL match hes taken a wicket. They had the chance to send Lewis back for 16 but the catch was put down by Terrance Hinds. The Knight Riders have relied on their spinners to bowl a tight first six but the Falcons didnt allow themselves to get bogged down and reached 43 for 1 at the end of the PowerPlay. Dropped catches would plague the Knight Riders again shortly after as Moeen Ali was dropped on 1 by Akeal Hosein. By this time, Hasan Nawaz was establishing himself in this innings and looked to be the man to spearhead the Falcons innings. He would reach his half century in 36 balls with Moeen Ali on his second lifeline, supporting from the other end. Nawaz was eventually caught by Alex Hales off the bowling for Lahiru Kumara for 76. The Falcons cleverly picked their victims with Usman Tariq and Sunil Narine showed respect and finishing with tidy figures. The Falcons skipper was there at the end finding a boundary off the last ball to take the Falcons to 183 for 4 at the end of 20 overs. The Knight Riders approached the PowerPlay with a high risk, high reward strategy, taking 63 runs for the loss of 4 wickets. Colin Munro and Nicholas Pooran both got starts but fell to Rahkeem Cornwall who was the man for the occasion in the Falcons attack. He finished the PowerPlay with an outstanding spell, taking 3 for 17 to peg the Knight Riders chase back. Kieron Pollard, hampered by an existing injury looked to put the team on his back once again as his 55 partnership with Joshua Da Silva kept the Knight Riders in touch heading into the last five overs. But when he was pouched smartly by Jayden Seales it looked an uphill task from there. The impressive Joshua James was the man to claim the crucial wicket. He and Sharmar Springer would combine to set James up with a comfortable 25 run cushion in the final over, which was well executed. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Joshua Da Silva brought up his half century hitting a six off the final ball and finishing 54 unbeaten, but this was nothing more than a consolation as the Knight Riders have potentially played themselves out of play-off contention. The Falcons reclaim top spot for now and are in a strong position to qualify.
'Role Model' Ben Stokes Set To Open For Adelaide Strikers
Role model Ben Stokes is set to open the batting for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League, with club coach Tim Paine saying the former England skipper was made for the job. All-rounder Stokes, who signed for the T20 franchise on Tuesday, is usually a middle-order batsman but ex-Australia captain Paine has other ideas. I think he's made to open the batting in the Big Bash. The pacey, bouncy wickets in Australia really suit him, said the Strikers head coach. I've been on the end of a couple of his devastating innings in Test cricket where you feel like you can't defend the field. He can play 360, he's got power. Should the 35-year-old do so he would partner Strikers captain Matt Short, another destructive big-hitter. I love the combination. They're both really different. Both absolutely world class, said Paine. Stokes retired from the international game midway through England's recent Test series defeat against New Zealand but has continued playing county cricket for Durham. He had been dropped for the second Test against New Zealand after breaking a team curfew in a nightclub incident also involving England team-mate Gus Atkinson. Despite the controversy and Australian fans' love-hate relationship with Stokes, Paine is confident he will be warmly welcomed. I know Australian cricket fans have loved beating England and love beating Ben Stokes, he said. But they've absolutely always respected the way he plays the game, how competitive he is and how much he wants to win. I think Australian fans will really warm to his character and his personality. We expect he'll be a fantastic role model for our club and for our fans. Stokes's decision to play for Adelaide takes him back into the T20 franchise world after a brief stint at Big Bash side Melbourne Renegades in 2015. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories He is available for the entire tournament, which runs from mid-December to January 26.
'The world is laughing harder now': Khawaja mocks Aaqib Javed
Former Australia batter Usman Khawaja has criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board's director of high performance, Aaqib Javed, over his comments regarding the team's major shake-up during the Test series against England.
Former South Africa cricketer weighs in Rohit Sharma's importance for India ahead of ODI WC 2027
The stage is set for the ODI World Cup 2027; the marquee tournament will be held in Africa next year, and it is worth noting that the Indian team is being revered as one of...
Rohit Sharma Was Angry But Agreed: Report Makes Huge 'Retirement' Claim
The futures of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja will be up for discussion at the BCCI meeting on Thursday as India begin their road to the ODI World Cup 2027, according to a report.
Jasprit Bumrah And Yashasvi Jaiswal Snubbed, 4 Other Indians Picked In 'World Test XI' By Ex-Star
Former India cricketer Aakash left out some superstars from his current World Test XI, including Jasprit Bumrah and Steve Smith.
Rohit Sharma 'unhappy' amid selector's retirement directive ahead of ODI World Cup 2027 | Report
The ODI World Cup 2027 is rapidly approaching; the teams are hard at work preparing for the marquee tournament. The biggest teams in world cricket are already gearing up for the event, and ahead of...
JJ Smuts, Tom Curran Star as Edinburgh Rockers Beat Belfast Wolves by 59 Runs
Edinburgh Castle Rockers delivered a commanding all-round performance to defeat Belfast Wolves by 59 runs in Match 11 of the ETPL, with JJ Smuts near-century and Tom Currans historic hat-trick leading the way at Voorburg Cricket Club, Netherlands. The match also produced one of the most unusual moments of the tournament so far, with brothers Ross Adair and Mark Adair facing each other on opposite sides and both eventually playing a direct role in each others dismissals. Belfast Wolves won the toss and elected to bowl, but the Rockers quickly established control through JJ Smuts. The South African all-rounder produced a superb 98 from 60 balls, striking 11 fours and three sixes as he anchored Edinburghs innings while maintaining an impressive scoring rate, earning him the man of the match award. Ross Adair added nine before the first wicket fell at 19, but the dismissal carried a storyline of its own. Mark Adair removed his brother Ross, with Tim Tector completing the catch. It was the first of two occasions in which the brothers would be directly involved in each others dismissals. Andries Gous added 14 before Brandon McMullen shifted the momentum with a blistering 30 from 16 balls, including two fours and two sixes. Mitchell Santner then provided the finishing burst, smashing an unbeaten 25 from 13, as Edinburgh closed on 189 for five from their 20 overs. Belfasts chase began with immediate trouble. Trent Boult produced a superb opening spell, claiming three wickets for 16 runs. Tim Tector and Lorcan Tucker fell in successive deliveries, before Paul Stirling was dismissed for 25 from 13 balls as the Wolves slipped to 37 for three. Glenn Maxwell offered resistance with 35 from 23, while David Miller made 20, but Edinburgh continued to chip away. Jack Jarvis claimed two wickets and Mark Watt added another before Curran took centre stage. The Rockers all-rounder produced the defining moment of the match, taking the first hat-trick in ETPL history. Curran dismissed Fred Klaassen and Matthew Humphreys with his final two deliveries of the 16th over, before returning for the 18th over, where he bowled and removed Mark Adair to complete three wickets from three consecutive balls of his spell. He finished with outstanding figures of 4/20 from 3.1 overs. And once again, the Adair brothers were at the centre of the action. Mark Adair, who had earlier dismissed Ross, was Currans fourth wicket but the catch was completed by Ross Adair. Earlier, Mark had ended Ross innings, now Ross had a hand in ending Marks. It was a remarkable exchange between the brothers in a match already full of memorable moments. Belfast were bowled out for 130 in 17.1 overs, giving Edinburgh a comprehensive 59-run victory. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Smuts 98 provided the foundation, Boults three-wicket burst broke the Wolves chase early, and Currans historic hat-trick sealed the result. But alongside those performances, the extraordinary Adair subplot gave Match 11 a storyline that will be remembered long after the final scorecard.
The ongoing three-match Test series against England has not only exposed the frailties within the squad but has also highlighted poor management and questionable decision-making by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Bangladesh Name 15-Member Squad For Asian Games 2026, Litton Das To Captain
Litton Das will captain Bangladesh in the men's cricket tournament at the Asian Games 2026, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announcing a 15-member squad for the competition, which begins on September 17
Faf du Plessis Stars as Rotterdam Dockers Chase Down Dublin Guardians in ETPL
Rotterdam Dockers produced another statement performance in the ETPL, chasing down 179 against Dublin Guardians to secure a seven wicket victory with eight balls remaining at Sportpark Westvliet. After winning the toss and choosing to field, the Dockers were set a challenging target as Dublin posted 178 for four from their 20 overs. James Vince led the way for the Guardians, remaining unbeaten on 95 from 54 balls, striking five fours and six sixes. Sanjay Krishnamurthi added 26 from 17, while Vijay Shankar provided a powerful finish with 26 from 13, including two sixes. Dublin's innings was built around Vince's ability to keep the scoreboard moving. After Noah Croes fell for eight, Vince combined with Harry Tector for a 56-run partnership, taking the Guardians through the middle overs. Tector contributed 14 from 15 before falling at 78, after which Vince continued to anchor the innings. Partnerships with Daryl Mitchell, Krishnamurthi and Shankar then helped Dublin finish strongly, with the final total reaching 178 for four. But Rotterdam's response was even more emphatic. Michael Levitt immediately changed the tempo of the chase, smashing 35 from just 14 balls, with three fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 250. His explosive start combined with Faf du Plessis' experience gave the Dockers a 55-run opening partnership, bringing the required rate under control before Levitt was dismissed by Joshua Little. Faf then took complete command. The Rotterdam captain produced an outstanding 79 from 51 balls, striking nine fours and a six at a strike rate of 154.90. More than simply providing stability, du Plessis repeatedly found the boundary and ensured that the chase never lost momentum. Ravichandran Ashwin brought his T20 experience into the middle overs, looking to slow the Dockers scoring. However, Levitts explosive start and du Plessis control ensured the Guardians struggled to build sustained pressure. After Levitt's departure, Faf added 39 with Vikramjit Singh, who contributed 18 from 14 balls, before another partnership took the chase further. When Vikramjit fell at 94, Faf and Heinrich Klaasen put together a crucial 54-run stand, shifting the equation firmly in Rotterdam's favour. Klaasen then took responsibility for the finish. His unbeaten 34 from 28 balls included two sixes, while Ben McDermott remained alongside him as the Dockers closed in on victory. Klaasen and McDermott ensured there was no late drama, taking the Dockers to 179 for three in 18.4 overs. For his match defining innings, Faf du Plessis was named Player of the Match, capping a performance that combined leadership, control and attacking intent. Dublin had produced a substantial total and Vince's unbeaten 95 was an outstanding effort, but Rotterdam's response showcased the versatility of their batting unit. Four partnerships, Levitt and du Plessis, du Plessis and Vikramjit, du Plessis and Klaasen, and Klaasen and McDermott steadily dismantled the target. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The Dockers once again demonstrated their ability to chase with purpose. With du Plessis leading from the front, Rotterdam turned a demanding target into another impressive victory.
Pakistan spinner Usama Mir took a subtle jibe with a social media post, amid drama surrounding the mass sackings in the Pakistan Test team.
Mohammed Shami, Auqib Nabi Suffer Fresh Setbacks Ahead Of New Zealand Test Tour: Report
The series in New Zealand will be crucial to India's hopes of reaching next year's World Test Championship (WTC) final, with every game now a must-win for the Shubman Gill-led side.
Anaya Bangar, the daughter of former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar, recently announced that she will be eligible to participate in elite women's cricket in Australia starting March 2027.
PIX: Home crowd spurs Shelton past Hurkacz to third round
American tennis player Ben Shelton secured a hard-fought victory against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz in the U.S. Open third round. Shelton, an eighth seed, was buoyed by a supportive home crowd in New York as he overcame a challenging match, winning 6-3 5-7 7-6(3) 7-5. This win keeps his hopes alive for ending a long U.S. men's major title drought.
Sher-e-Punjab T20: Naman, Abhay Help Abhishek Sharma-led Amritsar Soormas To First Win
Punjab T20 League: Amritsar Soormas registered a stunning seven-wicket win over Fazilka Falcons to open their account in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League 2026 at the I.S. Bindra Stadium, Mohali, on Wednesday. Batting first, Fazilka Falcons posted 182/9 in 20 overs after recovering from an early setback. The Falcons were reduced to 38/2 before Vihaan Malhotra and Sanvir Singh steadied the innings with an important 83-run partnership for the third wicket. Malhotra scored a quick 60 off 34 balls, while Sanvir continued the attack with 63 off 35 balls. However, Amritsars bowlers came back strongly in the latter stages and kept picking up wickets to prevent Fazilka from finishing with an even bigger total. Akash Pandey was the pick of the bowlers with 2/27 in four overs, while Mayank Markande impressed with an economical spell of 1/12 in two overs. The Soormas also produced a brilliant fielding effort throughout the innings, with sharp catches, quick movements in the field and good work inside the circle helping them keep the Falcons under pressure. Chasing 183, Amritsar got off to a shaky start and were reduced to 39/3. Captain Abhishek Sharma provided a quick burst with 21 off just nine balls but was unable to continue his innings. With the team under pressure, Naman Dhir and Abhay Choudhary took control of the chase. The pair played with confidence and attacked the Fazilka bowlers whenever they found an opportunity. Dhir, who has been in excellent form, remained unbeaten on a brilliant 88 off 48 balls, while Choudhary provided excellent support with an unbeaten 58 off 35 balls. The duo added an unbeaten 147-run partnership, completely changing the game after Amritsar had lost three early wickets. Dhir, who has been in excellent form, remained unbeaten on a brilliant 88 off 48 balls, while Choudhary provided excellent support with an unbeaten 58 off 35 balls. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The win gave Amritsar Soormas their first points of the tournament and capped off an all-round performance, with their bowlers and fielders setting up the game before Dhir and Choudhary finished the chase in style. Article Source: IANS
Nilakshika fifty, Athapaththu seven-for rescue Sri Lanka against Indonesia
Athapaththu picked up a hat-trick as the defending Asia Cup champions cruised to victory despite posting only 124 for 7
Fisher channels disappointment at former club for Surrey's survival
Axed by England for the third Pakistan Test, Fisher lifted Surrey in their relegation bout with Yorkshire
Worcestershire ahead in promotion tussle with Kent
Wasted starts and lower-order collapse sees Kent bowled out for 238 on day one at Canterbury
Leaning rebuilds amid Porter cameo from the bench
Charlie Bennett's injury saw Essex call on Jamie Porter, who was originally rested for this round
Cricketers to get best rooms at Asian Games, says Japan chief
A Sri Lankan official said this week that some of Asia's top teams had raised doubts over facilities and accommodation at the Games, which are taking place in Nagoya and the wider Aichi area from September 19.
UP T20 League: How UPCA Speed Hunt Changed The Life Of Barabanki's Shakti Verma
How UPCA Speed Hunt: From working a private job for 7,000 a month to sharing a dressing room with established Indian Premier League (IPL) stars like Sameer Rizvi, Mohsin Khan, and Karn Sharma, Shakti Vermas rise is one of the most compelling stories of Season 4 of the UP T20 League. Hailing from Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh, the fast bowler was discovered through the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Associations (UPCA) Speed Hunt, a grassroots talent scouting initiative. He consistently clocked speeds of 138 km/h to top the charts at the Lucknow selection trials, earning a direct ticket to the UPT20 player auction where the Kanpur Superstars secured him for 2,50,000. While the ongoing season has been a challenging one for the Kanpur Superstars, Shakti has already featured in three games, proving that raw talent can thrive when given the right platform. Shaktis journey is rooted in humble beginnings. He is the eldest son of Amar Singh Verma, a local motor mechanic. Despite severe financial constraints, his father supported his cricketing ambitions, often managing to buy expensive season cricket balls for his practice. However, the overall cost of professional cricket nearly forced Shakti out of the game. My father does a normal job as a mechanic, and I am the eldest at home, Shakti shared. Cricket is a very expensive game. I used to do a private job earning 7,000 a month. With that salary, I couldn't buy cricket shoes worth 7,000. My coach, Sarvan Nawab sir, provided all the backing I needed. Whatever cricket I have played, and whatever I achieve in the future, is all because of him. Shakti's entry into formal cricket took time. He started purely on the local tennis ball circuits. When I played tennis ball cricket, boys would tell me I bowled well. A friend took me to my coach. Initially, I wanted to bat, but my coach told me to stick to bowling, and he polished my skills. My seniors like Vipraj Nigam and Shivam bhai also guided me and helped me financially during tough times. The UPCAs decision to keep the Speed Hunt trials entirely free of cost was the crucial turning point for players like Shakti, removing the financial barrier that often keeps rural talent hidden. That free trial was a very big thing for us, Shakti explained. If someone comes from a well-off family, an entry fee of 1,500 is very little for them. But for a normal boy, even 10 is a lot. Because the trials were free, boys like us got a massive boost. If the Speed Hunt happens every year, more boys and better talents will emerge from the bottom. Being picked at the auction for 2.5 Lakh has fundamentally changed his financial reality. The money we get from this platform can be utilised to invest in ourselves, he noted with raw honesty. The amount we received is more than enough for us. For people from normal families, this prize money is huge. Frankly, I had never seen this much money in my life before. That free trial was a very big thing for us, Shakti explained. If someone comes from a well-off family, an entry fee of 1,500 is very little for them. But for a normal boy, even 10 is a lot. Because the trials were free, boys like us got a massive boost. If the Speed Hunt happens every year, more boys and better talents will emerge from the bottom. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The Speed Hunt gave a chance to new boys who couldn't reach this level otherwise, Shakti said. Players from the grassroots who didn't get opportunities in trophy cricket got a huge platform here. I am very thankful to the UPCA, Rajeev Shukla sir, and Dr. Sanjay Kapoor sir for this initiative. If we do well here, we can even play in the IPL and get international recognition. We can go very far. Article Source: IANS
David Bedingham underlines class to resist Northamptonshire
South African batter strikes 57*, repairing Durham's innings and passing 1,000 season runs
Hollman frustrates Anderson on injury comeback
Returning Lancashire captain strikes twice early before Middlesex recovery
Haseeb Hameed milestone brightens dank day
Just 10.3 overs were possible at Trent Bridge in the Midlands Derby
MS Dhoni, Rishabh Pant Spotted Partying Together. Viral Video Breaks The Internet
Former India captain MS Dhoni and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant were seen partying together with some friends during a get-together.
India women's bowling coach Avishkar Salvi on Wednesday said workload management plans are in place for every bowler in the team and are being executed really well.
Womens Asia Cup: Salvi Plays Down Batting Collapse Against Thailand Ahead Of Hong Kong-China Clash
Dubai International Cricket Stadium: India women's bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi has brushed off concerns surrounding the team's late-order batting collapse against Thailand, describing it as a natural phase of T20 cricket as the side prepares to face Hong Kong China in a Group A clash on Thursday. Despite securing a comfortable 94-run victory over Thailand, seven-time champions India's batting frailties resurfaced in alarming fashion. Cruising at 101/2 at the halfway mark, thanks to opener Shafali Vermas explosive 36-ball 64, India lost seven wickets for just 29 runs in the second half of the innings to eventually finish on 159/9. Yeah, but that's the nature of the sport. We are playing a T20 sport. So it's not that every time we get into it, we will be executing our plans. There will be times when we will probably not execute the plans as well as we would have wanted to. So there will be a downfall. But if you see, there was a comeback also. The way they came back really well, they stretched the partnership at the end. Those important runs were contributed by the middle order and the lower order batters, which probably created that 160 mark. Then after that, you saw how they bowled the game, Salvi told reporters in the pre-match press conference. He also highlighted how the squad's physical and mental preparation during a pre-tournament camp in Bengaluru helped them adapt seamlessly to the severe heat and humidity at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Post England, we also had a camp in Bengaluru. So during that period we also worked, I mean, in that weather, and then we were travelling to Dubai. So as we know, as professional cricketers, they have to handle different weather. So they are acclimatising and getting used to the conditions. As far as bowling is concerned, we have built their workload from the camp itself. While they had those practice sessions in Dubai, they have had those overs under their belt. I think the conditions currently are hot and humid. But we already knew about it when we came into the tournament. So accordingly we had prepared and trained ourselves, not just physically but mentally as well. So we had actually planned that way. When we came here, we practised under these conditions. We thought that girls got good exposure to the sort of surface which they expected in the practice sessions, he added. Salvi further commended the execution from both pace and spin units in their opening win over Thailand. I thought they utilised it really well, and getting into that first game against Thailand, I thought the girls had acclimatised really well. If you see in that game, there were pacers also who got the wickets, and there were spinners also who were getting the wickets. If you see the score line also, in the first 10 overs we were like 100. I think it's about utilising those conditions well. Whoever utilises those conditions would probably be at the better end of the game, he added. He also praised left-arm spinner N Sree Charani for her rapid rise up the international rankings through her disciplined training regime. I think she is an exceptional talent. She has created an impact from day one, when she stepped into the Indian women's cricket team. One year down the line, you see where she has reached in the rankings as well. I think she is someone who focuses mainly on her basics while she is practising in the nets. Every day, there are some other things she wants to learn. If you see the practice sessions, if you are following or covering that, you will see every single time that she comes into the nets, she challenges herself to do different situations and tries to express herself in the nets also. With a busy international schedule ahead, Salvi explained that managing the physical load of the entire bowling attack remains a top priority for the team management and is not just restricted to one bowler. So it's about everyone. It's not only about Renuka in particular - it's about all the bowlers. We are managing their workloads really well. If you see the kind of tournament that they have gone through, I mean, they have been continuously playing. They are into the main and marquee tournaments. Then there are camps in between, and then now, like this Asia Cup and, after it, there is another tournament lined up and a camp again. So it is like each of the bowlers has to go through their building-up phase, then maintenance phase. Then, I mean, play those games, and there will be a phase where they are taking a break, focusing on their training aspect, and then they are again rebuilding themselves. So for all the bowlers, there is a definite plan through which they are having those overs under their belts so that they are at that optimum during the tournament. Addressing seam-bowling all-rounder Arundhati Reddys progress, Salvi underlined her dedication to refining her skills through structured practice routines. Basically, if you see Arundhati, I have always maintained consistently that she is a very hard-working girl. I mean, if you see her working in the nets and covering all the net sessions also, she is always there practising her skills. So it is a process. I mean, for all the bowlers, if you see, it is a process that they go through. There will be times when they will be successful, and there might be a downfall also. But then, they are not going away from the process. They are sticking to their process, and what is working really well for them is thinking about what the grey areas are to improve. Addressing seam-bowling all-rounder Arundhati Reddys progress, Salvi underlined her dedication to refining her skills through structured practice routines. Basically, if you see Arundhati, I have always maintained consistently that she is a very hard-working girl. I mean, if you see her working in the nets and covering all the net sessions also, she is always there practising her skills. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Every single time that they step onto the field, be it a practice session or during the tournament or a practice session during the camp, they come with an objective. There is not a particular thing, but there are different aspects at different points in time. So depending upon what she is working on, we cater to it, and accordingly she comes into the nets prepared, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Brydon Carse was dropped from the squad for the second Test at Lord's after he was briefly arrested and handcuffed by police following an incident outside a Derby nightclub on August 22.
Tamil NaduRanjipre-season camp from September 3
Shanto And Mahmud Recalled As Bangladesh Name Asian Games Mens T20 Squad
Najmul Hossain Shanto: Bangladesh have recalled Najmul Hossain Shanto and fast bowler Hasan Mahmud to their T20I squad for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, while Litton Das returns to lead the 15-man side following a hamstring injury. Litton missed Bangladesh's recent T20I series against Zimbabwe and Australia due to the injury. But hes now back to resume captaincy duties ahead of the multi-sport event, which begins on September 17 in the Aichi-Nagoya region. Shanto makes his return to the shortest format after featuring against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in May last year. The top-order batter endured a lean T20 run of 19 innings without a half-century, which resulted in him losing the captaincy to Litton. Shanto, though, recently spearheaded Bangladesh to a historic first Test victory in Australia, where he scored a half-century in Darwin. He also compiled 355 runs, including a century and a fifty, during the last Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) season. Pacer Hasan Mahmud also returns to the national T20 setup after playing during the Pakistan tour last year, where he managed three wickets across three matches at an economy rate of 11.30. Mahmud was named Player of the Match alongside Shanto in the Darwin Test win and claimed 10 wickets at an average of 24.67 in the last BPL. Wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain have been dropped from the squad, while fast bowler Nahid Rana misses out as he continues to recover from a side strain. Bangladesh enter the tournament as direct quarterfinalists alongside India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and hosts Japan. The team will open its campaign in the quarterfinals on September 28 against the winner of Group B, with all cricket fixtures scheduled to take place at the Korogi Sports Park. Wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain have been dropped from the squad, while fast bowler Nahid Rana misses out as he continues to recover from a side strain. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Bangladesh squad: Litton Das (captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Mosaddek Hossain, Yasir Ali, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud. Article Source: IANS
Mousley, Yates deepen Hampshire's woes after Kuggeleijn U-turn
Unbroken 127-run stands puts Warwickshire on top at Utilita Bowl
Brydon Carse Left Out Of Englands Squad For Final Test Against Pakistan
Salman Ali Agha: Fast bowler Brydon Carse has been left out of England's 15-man squad for the third and final Test against Pakistan, starting at Edgbaston on September 9, as he remains under police investigation following an arrest in Derby. Carse, 31, was omitted from the second Test at Lord's after being arrested on August 22 outside a nightclub. Derbyshire police confirmed they are investigating allegations of assault. Despite playing for Durham in their County Championship victory over Gloucestershire last week, Carse was not selected for their ongoing fixture against Northamptonshire and has not been recalled by national selectors. Uncapped pacer Sonny Baker, 23, retains his spot in the squad after replacing Carse ahead of the Lord's Test. Fast bowler Matthew Fisher is the only player dropped from the squad as England aim to complete a 3-0 series sweep in Birmingham. England have an unassailable 2- 0 series lead following a victory by an innings and 103 runs at Headingley and a thumping 194-run win at Lord's. With six white-ball games against Sri Lanka coming up once the Test series is over, England management could rotate key seamers Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, and Josh Tongue. That dynamic could open the door for Baker, seamer Sam Cook, or off-spinner Shoaib Bashir to feature at Edgbaston. Cook, 29, earned his single Test cap against Zimbabwe last summer, while Bashir has yet to feature in the current series as England has favoured an all-pace bowling unit. Bakers sole Test appearance came against New Zealand at The Oval in June. With six white-ball games against Sri Lanka coming up once the Test series is over, England management could rotate key seamers Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, and Josh Tongue. That dynamic could open the door for Baker, seamer Sam Cook, or off-spinner Shoaib Bashir to feature at Edgbaston. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories England squad: Joe Root (captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith, and Josh Tongue. Article Source: IANS
England Leave Carse Out of Final Pakistan Test Amid Investigation
England have left Brydon Carse out of the final Pakistan Test as he remains under police investigation, while Sonny Baker retains his place after England secured a 2-0 lead.
Bashir strikes twice as Bancroft call backfires
Rock-bottom Gloucestershire collapse to 37 for 5 after choosing to bat first
Madan Mohan Malviya Stadium: Channelling the all-round versatility of Ravindra Jadeja and the unwavering confidence of Hardik Pandya, the 19-year-old left-arm spinner Kartik Yadav has emerged as the defensive engine behind Kashi Rudras' bid for a historic third consecutive UP T20 League title. The two-time defending champions are set to face Noida Super Kings in a high-stakes Eliminator, after rebounding from a mid-season four-match losing streak to secure third place in the league stage with 10 points. The turnaround extends Kashis streak of reaching the playoffs to four consecutive seasons. Kashi enter the playoffs brimming with confidence, thanks to Kartik's match-winning spell against table-toppers Meerut Mavericks, where he took 3-12 in four overs to bowl them out for 119. Across the regular season, Kartik has picked up 14 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 6.29, an average of 15.29, and a strike rate of 14.57. Playing-wise, I would say Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya as well, as he has that mindset. Jadeja does left-arm spin bowling, left-handed batting, and his fielding is also good. I see him as a contributor for the team in all three departments, whenever needed in any format. So, I have the same mindset whenever I am readying to play for any team, be it my Kashi team or domestic team, and hopefully, if I play for India, I will play for the Indian team in every department. As far as Hardik bhaiya is concerned, I see and want that mindset of his. I see that he is confident. No matter what the situation is, there is no pressure on him. He handles the pressure well, and he has in his mind that I am the best -- not in a negative sense, but in a positive sense. So, I admire that a lot about him, Kartik told IANS in an exclusive conversation. For Kartik, the turning point came at the Madan Mohan Malviya Stadium in Prayagraj when coach Amit Pal advised him to swap the bat for the ball. In his early days, Kartik focused strictly on scoring runs, even in school cricket. But Pal urged him to give spin bowling a try, and from there, it was no looking back for him. The son of a CRPF official, Kartik soon moved to a cricket academy in Ghaziabad to hone his newly embraced craft, something which has paid off very well. Despite his standout performances with the ball, including a best spell of 4-7 this season, also the second-best figures this season, Kartiks primary focus is on run restriction rather than chasing wickets. The plans were not much (before picking 3-12). I did well in the other matches without much thought in mind. Whenever the team needed me, I used to perform, be it in bowling or any other department, and the result was in our favour. My personal point of view is that I am not much behind in picking wickets. I try to give away as few runs as possible or save as many runs as possible for my team. Be it in bowling, which is more so the case, as I try to give as few runs as possible while coming out to bowl. As for the wickets, it is not in my hands. The rhythm has always been in peak mode. I don't have any pressure. Again, I will talk about the process like whatever we have done so far, if we play good cricket with good body language and good energy, obviously, we will win the final, he added. Reflecting on the team's mid-season slump, Kartik praised the dressing room culture maintained by captain Karan Sharma and head coach Dhruv Singh, which helped them to bounce back. We had faith in ourselves and God that we would play well, come back, and enter the playoffs. After losing four matches, in the dressing room, the morale of the players was down. It's just a matter of saying that it doesn't happen. But inside, you feel that you shouldn't have lost. In fact, all the players were backing each other and instilling belief that we could still make things happen. Our staff, coaches, and captain backed us, saying that we can still do good things, play well, and go to the playoffs. Hopefully, we will win the final. The captain is the one who brings the team together, and the coach is the one who leads everyone. On both sides, things have been very positive. There has been a lot of relaxation. They have never let us feel any pressure -- be it when on the field with the captain or outside the ground. They have always created a positive atmosphere and have shown us that we can do it. That is the biggest thing - they believe in us. They have never let us feel negative and have always been positive, and that matters a lot for the players, he added. Kartik highlighted the collective effort of Kashi's bowling unit, operating alongside seamer Atal Bihari Rai and ambidextrous spinner Vijay Yadav, who have taken 14 and 13 wickets respectively. There is no pressure as such, as I have faced such situations before. There was no pressure, as just like there is a batting partnership, we have a bowling partnership. Its not just the three of us - there are other bowlers in our team who have done well - like Rishabh Rajput and Sangam, who is a young player. There are other fast bowlers who have done well. There are good bowling partnerships, and the result is in front of us, he added. The 19-year-olds form in the UP T20 League follows early exposure to multi-day domestic cricket, having represented Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy last season and taking a five-wicket haul on debut against Tamil Nadu. I will explain the experience to you. After last years league, I didn't go for the Ranji Trophy straightaway. I got selected in the U23 team and performed in that. I then got selected for senior red-ball games and got a five-wicket haul on debut its a big achievement at this age, as per me. But I will always have the hunger to play more cricket at a higher level, Kartik said. The 19-year-olds form in the UP T20 League follows early exposure to multi-day domestic cricket, having represented Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy last season and taking a five-wicket haul on debut against Tamil Nadu. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories We know their tactics and what their team can do. So, there is no pressure - let's work on the process, and the rest, let's see, as results are in God's hands. Everyone's family will be happy. Not just mine, families of all players and staff members, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Why Renuka Singh's Absence in Thailand Game Was Part of Bigger Plan
India women's bowling coach Avishkar Salvi detailed the team's comprehensive workload management plans for all bowlers, ensuring optimal performance through various phases of training and rest. He also addressed the recent batting collapse against Thailand, acknowledging occasional shortfalls but highlighting the team's resilience and lower-order contributions.
ICC Confirms India as Host for First Women
India will host the inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy in 2027 with Mumbai and Vadodara as the two venues for the six-team tournament. The tournament will take place from February 14 to 28, 2027 at Cricket Club of India in Mumbai
Shanto, Mahmud back in Bangladesh T20I squad for Asian Games
Litton Das too returns as the T20I captain after missing the Zimbabwe and Australia series due to a hamstring injury
Carse overlooked for third Test squad amid Derby investigation
Fast bowler not considered in 15-man squad, Fisher also absent
I have always loved red-ball cricket: Tilak Varma
Hridoy goes past Tamim with record-breaking 350*
Hridoy now has the highest individual score by a Bangladesh batter in first-class cricket
Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer Likely To Be Summoned By BCCI After Ireland-UK Tour Debacles: Report
The review meeting, which was originally planned after India's dismal tour of Ireland and the UK, was postponed due to the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.
Gujarat Titans batter Shahrukh Khan has praised Shubman Gill's evolution as a leader, describing the India Test and ODI captain as a highly tactical cricketer whose mind is always working on the game.
KCL | Govind Devs blistering ton powers Royals into the last four
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta has recalled the intimidating on-field presence of legendary spinner Anil Kumble, revealing that he would sometimes appeal even when he knew a batter was not out simply because Kumble expected him to be relentless behind the stumps.
Indonesia opt to bowl; SL bring in Kavindi for injured Ayodhya
This is the first time these two sides will be facing each other in international cricket
India to stage inaugural Womens Champions Trophy 2027 after Sri Lanka dropped as host
The tournament was originally scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka but will now be staged in India as Sri Lanka Cricket continues to make the requisite reforms outlined at the ICCs Annual Conference in July, read an ICC statement
