Cricket

Patterson's milestone-game hundred builds commanding lead

The left hander forged a new career-best on the third day at the SCG to leave Tasmania a huge target

These Boys Handled Pressure Like Seasoned Pros: Shastri Hails India U19 WC Glory

U19 Cricket World Cup: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri hailed India's Men's U19 Cricket World Cup glory as special not just because they won, but because of how they handled pressure like seasoned pros. A staggering century from 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fired India to ICC U19 Mens Cricket World Cup glory as they overcame England by 100 runs in the final at the Harare Sports Club in Harare on Friday, clinching a record-extending sixth U19 World Cup crown. Opener Sooryavanshi blasted 15 fours and 15 sixes in his brutal 175 from 80 balls, recording the highest individual score in the history of finals in this competition. Captain Ayush Mhatre (53) and wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu (40) also made valuable contributions as India racked up 411 for nine. England made a promising start in reply, but a middle-order collapse proved costly, with Caleb Falconers brilliant 115 in vain as India completed a record-extending sixth ICC U19 Mens Cricket World Cup triumph. Watching this India Under-19 side lift the World Cup was special. Not just because they won, but because of how they went about it, composed, aware of the moment, and willing to take responsibility when it mattered most. These boys handled pressure like seasoned pros and played for each other every step of the way. That tells you a lot about their character. Talent will get you noticed, but temperament is what takes you forward, and this group has plenty of both. Enjoy this win. Savour it. And remember, this is just the first chapter. Indian cricket will be hearing these names for a long time,' Shastri shared on X. Watching this India Under-19 side lift the World Cup was special. Not just because they won, but because of how they went about it, composed, aware of the moment, and willing to take responsibility when it mattered most. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The BCCI have announced a total cash award of Rs 7.5 crore for the U20 Men's Cricket World Cup winning team, technical staff and the selection committee. Article Source: IANS

Pakistan Likely To End Boycott Crisis In Lieu Of Increased Revenues From ICC: Report

The Sri Lanka Cricket: The stand-off over the February 15 T20 World Cup match between Pakistan and India is close to getting resolved, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) likely to demand an increase in the annual funding from the International Cricket Council (ICC), as per reports. On Sunday, Pakistan government announced that its national cricket team would not play the T20 World Cup group-stage match against India at Colombos R.Premadasa Stadium on February 15. The decision could reportedly cost world cricket more than 250 million dollars. The PCB, however, is having backdoor talks with the ICC with Singapore Cricket Association's Imran Khawaj and Oman's Pankaj Khimji as mediators. As per the Telecom Asia Sport (www telecomasia.net) report, a source close to the development said that a solution is now in sight for the T20 World Cup's highest revenue-generating match to go ahead. Pakistan's strong stance has put them in a good position to bargain for a few things which have been the Pakistan Cricket Board's demands for several years now. The opinion of various cricket administrators in the past has been that since Pakistan is a vital cog in the highest money-generating match, they should get more funding, sources told www.telecomasia.net. According to the report, Pakistan gets 34.5 million dollars from the annual ICC pool, which is fourth behind India, England and Australia. The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has also taken on the task of convincing Pakistan to change their stance because as the co-hosts they stand to lose big money in foreign exchange with a large number of Indian fans travelling to Colombo and in gate money for the match, the report said. Other than the revenue increase, Pakistan is also trying to convince the ICC to mediate with the Board of Control for Cricket to resume bilateral ties which will be tough to revive as not playing full series is a decision by the government, and the BCCI has no say in that. The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has also taken on the task of convincing Pakistan to change their stance because as the co-hosts they stand to lose big money in foreign exchange with a large number of Indian fans travelling to Colombo and in gate money for the match, the report said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The PCB has indicated to the mediators that it will convince the Pakistan government if their demands are accepted. Article Source: IANS

Brasher's defiant half-century keeps Victoria alive after Straker's strikes

Brasher finished 54 not out on debut, with Victoria 150 for 6 chasing 242 to win after Straker took 3 for 16

Sooryavanshis Ability To Not Feel Pressure In The Final Is A Special Skill: Aakash Chopra

The India Under: Former India opener Aakash Chopra lauded Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for scoring a match-winning century in the Under-19 World Cup final, which helped the side clinch their record sixth title in the tournament. The 14-year-old contributed significantly to India's massive total of 411/9 in their 50-over innings, notching up an 80-ball 175, before the bowlers limited England to 311 in 40.2 overs, resulting in a 100-run victory for India in the final. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi got out in the 26th over and he had already scored 175 runs by then. When he was dismissed, the teams score was 250 runs. Out of 250, he single-handedly scored 175. That is massive. This innings showed the kind of talent he is blessed with. The India Under-19 players are raising the bar. Not every ball he hits is a six; he also gets beaten sometimes. But his ability to forget the last ball, or to not feel pressure in a final, is a special skill, Chopra told JioHotstar. You could say you are born with skills, but they also need to be honed. It is a mindset where you feel no one can stop you. That kind of confidence is enviable. At such a young age of 14, nothing seems to matter to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. First, the semifinal against Afghanistan, then the final against England, to turn a match single-handedly like that tells you how beautiful India's cricket future is, he added. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi got out in the 26th over and he had already scored 175 runs by then. When he was dismissed, the teams score was 250 runs. Out of 250, he single-handedly scored 175. That is massive. This innings showed the kind of talent he is blessed with. The India Under-19 players are raising the bar. Not every ball he hits is a six; he also gets beaten sometimes. But his ability to forget the last ball, or to not feel pressure in a final, is a special skill, Chopra told JioHotstar. Also Read: Live Cricket Score What truly set it apart was his composure. Despite his age, he showed an extraordinary understanding of tempo. He respected the new ball early, reaching just 24 from his first 24 deliveries, before flipping a switch and tearing the attack apart. Out of his 175 runs, a staggering 150 came via boundaries, highlighted by 15 massive sixes. Article Source: IANS

'Bright future is here': Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir praise India's U-19 World Cup champions

Sooryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre built a strong partnership, scoring 142 runs together, with skipper Mhatre contributing 53 off 51 balls. Sooryavanshi then took charge, scoring 175 runs off 80 balls, which included 15 fours and 15 sixes. He reached his century in just 55 balls and his 150 in 71. Late innings support from Kanishk Chouhan, who made 37 off 20, helped India to a total of 411/9.

BCCI Announces Rs 7.5 Crore Cash Reward for U19 Mens Cricket World Cup Champions

The BCCI have announced a total cash award of Rs 7.5 crore for the U20 Men's Cricket World Cup winning team, technical staff and the selection committee, the board's secretary Devajit Saikia told IANS on Saturday. India beat England by 100 runs to win the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup final at the Harare Sports Club in Harare on Friday, claiming a record-extending sixth U19 World Cup crown. A cash award of Rs 7.5 crore will be given to the Indian team who won the U19 Men's Cricket World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia. We are working on the details of the prize amount break-up for players, technical staff and the selection committee, but Rs 7.5 crore is the total reward for them from the BCCI, Saikia told IANS. A staggering century from 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fired India to ICC U19 Mens Cricket World Cup glory. Captain Ayush Mhatre (53) and wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu (40) also made valuable contributions as India racked up 411/9. England made a promising start in reply, but a middle-order collapse proved costly, with Caleb Falconers brilliant 115 in vain as India clinched their sixth U19 Mens Cricket World Cup crown. This title triumph completed a rare double, with India currently holding both the ICC Under-19 Mens and Womens World Cup titles. Saikia further said that BCCI will soon announce the central contracts for senior men and women players, Also, an official statement will come out very soon on the central contracts for senior men's and women's players, he added. This title triumph completed a rare double, with India currently holding both the ICC Under-19 Mens and Womens World Cup titles. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Age-group cricket remains a key priority, and the BCCI will continue to invest in and strengthen these foundations for the future. Well done, boys! The nation is immensely proud of you, he posted on X. Article Source: IANS

Jemimah Joins Harmanpreet, Smriti, Deepti In Women's Central Contracts Grade A: Report

ODI World Cup: All-format skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, star batter Smriti Mandhana and all-rounder Deepti Sharma have been retained in Grade A, while Jemimah Rodrigues has been promoted from Grade B in the women's central contracts, as per reports. In the topmost category, a player earns Rs 50 lakh annually, while those in the B and C categories are paid Rs 30 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, respectively. The BCCI has awarded central contracts to 21 players in the womens category, according to a Dainik Jagaran report. Eight players, Pratika Rawal, Kranti Goud, Shree Charani, Harleen Deol, Kashvee Gautam, G Kamalini, Vaishnavi Sharma and Tejal Hasabnis are the new entrants in the central contract list. Yastika Bhatia, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Amanjot Kaur, Uma Chetry, and Sneh Rana have all retained their central contracts. The report stated that Renuka Thakur, Shafali Verma, Richa Ghosh and Sneh Rana have all been slotted in grade B, while grade C includes Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Pratika Rawal, Kranti Goud, Uma Chetry, Arundhati Reddy, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Harleen Deol, Kashvee Gautam, G Kamalini, Vaishnavi Sharma and Tejal. According to the 2024/25 contracts list announced in March 2025, Renuka Singh, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh and Shafali Verma have all been retained in Grade B, while Yastika Bhatia, Radha Yadav, Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar join them in Grade C in the central contracts list from the 2022/23 season. Shreyanka Patil, Titas Sadhu, Arundathi Reddy, Amanjot Kaur, and Uma Chetry were the fresh faces who made the cut for the retainership. The report stated that Renuka Thakur, Shafali Verma, Richa Ghosh and Sneh Rana have all been slotted in grade B, while grade C includes Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Pratika Rawal, Kranti Goud, Uma Chetry, Arundhati Reddy, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Harleen Deol, Kashvee Gautam, G Kamalini, Vaishnavi Sharma and Tejal. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Meanwhile, the BCCI will discuss possible changes to the India mens central contracts system at its next Apex Council meeting, as per proposals from the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee. Article Source: IANS

T20 WC: 'They Battle For Crown Over 55 Exciting Matches', ICC Chief Jay Shah Extends Best Wishes For All Teams

Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground: Jay Shah, chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), extended his wishes for all the participating sides of the Mens T20 World Cup as the tournament gets underway on Saturday with the first match between Pakistan and the Netherlands. Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the 2026 tournament will include 20 teams and 55 matches, promising a month of incredible cricket. Six different champions already in nine editions of the @ICC Mens @T20WorldCup. Wishing the teams the very best of luck as they battle for the crown over 55 exciting matches in India and Sri Lanka! Shah wrote on X. The tournament begins on Saturday in Colombo, with Pakistan facing the Netherlands. Later that day, the focus shifts to Kolkata for the match between the West Indies and Scotland at Eden Gardens. The opening day wraps up with a game in Mumbais Wankhede Stadium between defending champions India and the USA, promising an exciting start to the competition. Matches will take place at eight venues across India and Sri Lanka: Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai), Arun Jaitley Stadium (New Delhi), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground (Colombo), and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy). The venue for the summit clash has not yet been confirmed, but it is scheduled for March 8 in either Ahmedabad or Colombo. Matches will take place at eight venues across India and Sri Lanka: Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai), Arun Jaitley Stadium (New Delhi), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground (Colombo), and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy). Also Read: Live Cricket Score The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 8 stage, which will feature two groups of four teams each. In this stage, teams will play against all other teams in their group, with the top two from each group moving on. The final four will then compete in the knockout stage, with the winners of each semi-final advancing to the final. Article Source: IANS

Pakistan Opt to Bowl First Against Netherlands in ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 Opener

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first against the Netherlands in the opening game of the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 here at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Saturday. Pakistans depth and seasoned lineup give them the edge, but the Netherlands cant be taken lightly. If the conditions swing their way, this contest could be far more competitive than what most predictions suggest. Pakistan hold a 20 edge over the Netherlands in T20 World Cups, but both sides arrive with very different narratives. After a shock group-stage exit last time, Pakistan have overhauled their setup, moving away from familiar faces, reshuffling the batting order, and leaning heavily on a spin-dominant strategy that paid off in a 30 T20I sweep of Australia. The Netherlands, making their seventh T20 World Cup appearance, have built a reputation as giant-killers, with memorable upsets against England and South Africa over the years. Despite limited recent match practice, demanding travel, and unfavourable conditions, they remain a side defined by resilience and competitive spirit. Winning the toss, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha said, Fresh pitch, rain around. We want to use moisture. First time I've seen this much grass I've seen in SL. We're playing three pacers and all-rounders. The Netherlands are a good side; we want to execute our plans. Meanwhile, the Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards said, It's a good-looking wicket. Would've bowled, don't mind batting. For us, it's a big game, so are the other three. We've been in India and SL for a month and a half, used to the conditions. Plenty of all-rounders and options for bowling and batting. Playing XIs: Meanwhile, the Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards said, It's a good-looking wicket. Would've bowled, don't mind batting. For us, it's a big game, so are the other three. We've been in India and SL for a month and a half, used to the conditions. Plenty of all-rounders and options for bowling and batting. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Netherlands: Michael Levitt, Max O'Dowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (c & wk), Zach Lion Cachet, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Kyle Klein, Paul van Meekeren Article Source: IANS

Pakistan ask Netherlands to bat in T20 World Cup opener

If there's any moisture we want to use that, Pakistan captain Salman Agha says of his decision to bowl first on a grassy SSC surface

Professionalism, Attention To Detail Made All The Difference: Laxman Hails Support Staff's Teamwork In U19 WC Glory

Head Coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar: Former India cricketer and Head of Cricket at BCCI Centre of Excellence VVS Laxman reserved special praise for the support staff behind the U19 men's team's World Cup triumph. India clinched the ICC Under-19 Mens Cricket World Cup, defeating England by a massive 100-run margin in the final at the Harare Sports Club in Harare on Friday, claiming a record-extending sixth U19 World Cup crown. Proud of what we achieved together. Your professionalism, attention to detail and genuine care for the boys made all the difference. This World Cup will always remind us of what true teamwork means. Thank you for everything you put in, day after day, Laxman shared on X. The title win consolidated Indias position as the most successful nation in the history of the tournament and completed a rare double, with India currently holding both the ICC Under-19 Mens and Womens World Cup titles. Watching this Under 19 team grow and finish as World Champions has been special. Your discipline, courage and belief under pressure were outstanding. You all played with heart, skill and character. Proud of each one of you. Congratulations Champion, he wrote in another X post. Earlier, the BCCI expressed its appreciation for Head Coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar and his support staff for guiding the team with clarity and purpose and a special acknowledgement to Laxman, whose vision and roadmap for Indias age-group ecosystem have played a vital role in ensuring continuity, consistency, and a seamless pathway from junior to elite cricket. Watching this Under 19 team grow and finish as World Champions has been special. Your discipline, courage and belief under pressure were outstanding. You all played with heart, skill and character. Proud of each one of you. Congratulations Champion, he wrote in another X post. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was unquestionably the star of Inda's innings, producing a sensational 175, the highest individual score ever in an Under-19 World Cup final. Article Source: IANS

India Captain Admits 'There Will Be Nerves' At Home T20 World Cup

India captain Suryakumar Yadav admitted Friday there will be nerves when India open their T20 World Cup campaign in front of more than 30,000 fanatical home supporters in Mumbai, but vowed to give them entertainment. The co-hosts start their Group A campaign against the United States at a packed Wankhede stadium on Saturday night. Suryakumar is only too aware that India, the top-ranked T20 team in the world, are overwhelming favourites to retain their title. But he said his team will try to feed off the positive vibes from a billion-plus home supporters and not be crushed by the huge weight of expectation. When you're playing at home there is always an added pressure. I'm not running away from the fact, Suryakumar told reporters ahead of India's final training session on Friday. To be honest, there will be nerves, there will be pressure, but if you see the positive side of it, there'll be a lot of cheer around. There's so many people coming to watch in the stadiums, I've told my boys the same thing, 30,000-35,000 people coming and so many watching at home. Let's give them a good time. Let's give them entertainment. India know that their opening opponents, the United States, caused the biggest upset of the 2024 tournament when they beat Pakistan in a super over, and Suryakumar said no team would be taken lightly. I don't see any weak teams in the competition. All 20 teams are very much capable of playing some good cricket, he said. In this format, one or two batters can make a difference. Or it takes one or two bowlers to have a good 24 balls on any given day. So we will have to play the same way as we've been playing against all the teams. The USA's middle order batsman Sanjay Krishnamurthi said it was an honour to play the opening match against the hosts in Mumbai. I think for all Americans, this is a special moment for our country, said the Oregon-born 22-year-old. To be able to come here and play cricket in one of the most iconic stadiums against one of the best teams in the world, I think it's going to inspire a future generation of cricketers to rise through the ranks in American cricket. In a blow to Suryakumar's plans, India fast bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana was ruled out of the tournament late Friday after suffering a knee injury in a warm-up match two days before. Following consultations with a specialist and subsequent scans, the BCCI medical team deemed him unfit to participate in the tournament, India said. The 24-year-old will be replaced by experienced fast bowler Mohammad Siraj. Also Read: Live Cricket Score A veteran of 45 Tests, the 31-year-old Siraj has not played a T20 international since July 2024.

Madushan replaces injured Malinga in Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup squad

Madushan last played a T20I for Sri Lanka in 2023

Mumbai Open | Tagger rallies to knock outSemenistaja, meetsFangranin the semifinals

Sammy: 'Feels like 2016 when no one gave us a chance'

The head coach dreams for an era where West Indies succeed 'because of, not in spite of'

U19 WC: Sooryavanshis Childhood Coach Reveals WhatsApp Tip That Sparked Masterclass Of 175

Harare Sports Club: A simple WhatsApp message and an advice to make a technical adjustment to handle bouncers proved the catalyst for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive 175 that powered India to their sixth U-19 World Cup title, said his childhood coach Manish Ojha. The 14-year-old left-handed opener's stunning knock against England in the final - featuring 15 fours and 15 sixes off just 80 balls helped India win the title clash by 100 runs at the Harare Sports Club on Friday and get a record sixth title. Sooryavanshis whirlwind knock against England fetching him the Player of the Final award came a day after Ojha reminded his protege via WhatsApp that this was the first tournament where he had yet to score a century, and provided specific instructions on correcting a technical flaw that opposition bowlers had begun exploiting in the competition. This is a matter of absolute pride and joy that Vaibhav played a stellar knock which gave India the World Cup win and they are now bringing the trophy back home. It is a moment of immense pride for all of us that a small and talented kid like him played so well and showcased his talent brilliantly on a big stage like his, said Ojha to IANS from his residence in Patna. Player of the Tournament Sooryavanshi, who amassed 439 runs in seven innings at an average of 62.71, consistently got solid starts, but the century was still eluding him. I spoke to Vaibhav before the final on WhatsApp. I told him that Vaibhav, this is his first tournament in which he has not scored a century yet. If you look at his records in all the tournaments he has played, he has scored at least one century. If we keep aside the Ranji Trophy from his records, you can see he has scored at least a century in all the other formats of the game. It could be more, but at least one century used to be there from his bat. This was going to be his first tournament in which he hadnt scored a century. I spoke to him after the semi-final match against Afghanistan. I reminded him about this missing puzzle in his performances so far, as well as talked to him about the technical problem of the bowlers outclassing him via the bouncers bowled outside the off-stump, recalled Ojha. The opposition bowlers bowling bouncers outside the off-stump neutralised Sooryavanshi's typically powerful pull shot, something which Ojha was quick to notice. Generally, he hits a pull shot very well. But many times, it happens that whatever is your strong point, it could well become a weak point. He was being attacked by the pacers bowling bouncers on the off-stump. When he is being attacked on the bodyline, he is able to hit a strong pull shot if pitched on the middle stump. But when he faced bouncers outside the off-stump, he takes his head back and tries to hit it with his back knee bent, resulting in him often getting top edge or mistiming the shot altogether. I told him that he should not do much and that if a situation comes up, he should not hit a shot on that ball. If you wish to hit a shot, you have to keep your head upright and instead of bending your back knee, try to get the back knee and body aligned in a line. Then he could keep his back upright and if he connected with the ball, he would be in absolute control of the shot and could send it anywhere he wished to hit in the leg-side, he said. Ojha's connection to Sooryavanshi runs deeper than typical coach-student relationships. According to people aware of the workings of the pair, Ojha becomes so nervous during Sooryavanshi's innings that he often cannot watch the matches, and only finds peace once the youngster reaches triple figures, something which signifies their emotional attachment. The two maintain constant communication, with Sooryavanshi returning to Ojha for coaching sessions whenever his demanding schedule permits, even if its just for a single day of practice at Gennex Cricket Academy in Patna. If you look at all the matches that he played since the beginning of this tournament, he got an initial start in all the matches and got set on the wicket to make big runs. In fact, the knock of 72 against Bangladesh was a match-winning performance. But still, it was not a big innings. He got a good start against Afghanistan and set up an excellent platform for the Indian team to win the match. But on an individual level, that big knock was yet to come. But as they say, Deir aaye, durust aaye (better late than never) in a final where the whole world had their eyes on, he played an extraordinary knock. By hitting 15 fours and as many sixes, I don't think there has been a match like this in any World Cup where a batter hammered these many sixes and made so many runs in very less balls. As soon as he got the century, I spoke to his father Sanjeev, who was really very happy, said Ojha. The 175 in U19 World Cup final has added another chapter to an already remarkable story for Sooryavanshi, who became the youngest player to score an IPL century in 2025 while playing for Rajasthan Royals. Its a very proud moment. It's a dream come true for a player, coach, and parents. It can't be better than seeing that their son has reached that level where he is in the top position of this tournament, where top cricketing nations were competing here. It was always the best of the best competition and when the title clash came, he shined there like anything. Knocks of 175 are historic, but the manner in which he played his knock and brought out those aggressive shots to take India to victory was absolutely unique. I mean, it was such a stunning display of batting which hasnt been witnessed in decades. It was absolutely an emotional moment for me when Vaibhav was getting those trophies in the presentation ceremony and a very proud one too as a coach and as someone hailing from Bihar. To see one of our own take the Indian team to this high in the cricketing world is a very proud moment for all of us, said Ojha. Knocks of 175 are historic, but the manner in which he played his knock and brought out those aggressive shots to take India to victory was absolutely unique. I mean, it was such a stunning display of batting which hasnt been witnessed in decades. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We will have to see how his schedule is and when he can come to Patna. Whatever it will be, there will be a very grand welcome for him. With his future looking very bright, the BCCI can consider drafting him into the senior T20I and ODI teams because wherever hes gone, he has proved his potential and performed in such a way that he makes the games look one-sided, which is very unique. Article Source: IANS

Liam Livingstone signs T20-only contract with Lancashire

Loss of central contract means Livingstone is back on Lancashire's payroll and unlikely to play red-ball

BCCI Hails India U-19 Team After Record Sixth ICC U-19 World Cup Triumph

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday congratulated the India Under-19 Mens team on clinching the ICC Under-19 Mens Cricket World Cup 2026 in Harare, Zimbabwe, and securing a record sixth title for the country in the most prestigious event for the youngsters. The BCCI, in a statement, said, This triumph in Zimbabwe further consolidates Indias position as the most successful nation in the history of the tournament and completes a rare double, with India currently holding both the ICC Under-19 Mens and Womens World Cup titles. The achievement stands as a powerful endorsement of the BCCIs long-standing commitment to structured player development and excellence at the grassroots and age-group levels. The BCCI places on record its appreciation for Head Coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar and his support staff for guiding the team with clarity and purpose. BCCI also congratulated VVS Laxman for his vision and roadmap for India's age-group ecosystem. Special acknowledgement is also due to VVS Laxman, Head of Cricket, BCCI Centre of Excellence, whose vision and roadmap for Indias age-group ecosystem have played a vital role in ensuring continuity, consistency, and a seamless pathway from junior to elite cricket. After India chose to bat first, they quickly lost Aaron George for 9 runs. However, Sooryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre built a strong partnership, scoring 142 runs together, with skipper Mhatre contributing 53 off 51 balls. Sooryavanshi then took charge, scoring 175 runs off 80 balls, which included 15 fours and 15 sixes. He reached his century in just 55 balls and his 150 in 71. Late innings support from Kanishk Chouhan, who made 37 off 20, helped India to a total of 411/9. England started their chase with promise, featuring a solid performance from Ben Dawkins, who scored 66, and Mayes, who added 45. Caleb Falconer played exceptionally well, scoring 115 off 67 balls, helping England recover from a tough position at 177/7 to reach 311 runs. However, Indias bowlers, with RS Ambrish taking 3 wickets for 56 runs and Deepesh Devendran claiming 2 wickets, secured a comfortable victory for India. BCCI president Mithun Manhas said in a statement, Winning the Under-19 World Cup for the sixth time is a remarkable achievement and a reflection of Indias strength in age-group cricket. This team played with confidence and character throughout the tournament. Holding both the mens and womens Under-19 World Cup titles is a matter of immense pride and highlights the depth of our cricketing structure. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said, Heartiest congratulations to the Indian U-19 Mens team on their glorious unbeaten run and triumph at the ICC U19 World Cup in Harare, defeating England by 100 runs. This outstanding achievement is a testament to the strength of a robust system built on long-term player development, competitive domestic structures, quality coaching programmes supported by dedicated technical staff, and a strong talent identification process. Age-group cricket remains a key priority, and the BCCI will continue to invest in and strengthen these foundations for the future. Well done, boys! The nation is immensely proud of you. BCCI president Mithun Manhas said in a statement, Winning the Under-19 World Cup for the sixth time is a remarkable achievement and a reflection of Indias strength in age-group cricket. This team played with confidence and character throughout the tournament. Holding both the mens and womens Under-19 World Cup titles is a matter of immense pride and highlights the depth of our cricketing structure. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Prabhtej Bhatia, joint-secretary, BCCI, said, The success of this Under-19 team reflects the collective effort of players, coaches, selectors, and support staff. The BCCIs emphasis on exposure, competitive opportunities, and all-round development continues to yield results at the most coveted ICC tournaments. Article Source: IANS

Mohammed Siraj Replaces Injured Harshit Rana in Indias Squad for T20 World Cup 2026

The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 has approved seasoned pacer Mohammad Siraj as a replacement for Harshit Rana in the India squad after the pace-bowling allrounder was ruled out with a knee injury suffered during India's warm-up match against South Africa a couple of days back. Fast bowler Siraj, who has played 45 Tests, 50 ODIs, and 16 T20Is, was named as a replacement after Rana was ruled out with an injury to his right knee that was sustained during the warm-up game against South Africa on 4 February. The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee (ETC) before the player can be officially added to the squad. The ETC of the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 consists of Wasim Khan - ICC General Manager Cricket (ICC Representative), Gaurav Saxena (IBC Representative), Hemang Amin (Host Representative), and Shaun Pollock (Independent Representative). IANS has reported earlier in the day that with Rana out of the equation with injury, Siraj was the leading contender to step in, though there was talk of roping in Prasidh Krishna or fellow all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has recently recovered from an injury, because of their batting abilities. But in the end, the Indian team management chose to opt for the experienced Siraj. Rana, who has nine T20I caps so far, suffered the injury during the warm-up match against South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday. He was seen limping off the field while clutching his knee during the warm-up match after bowling just one over, where he conceded 16 runs and aborted twice in his run-up. Though Rana was not an automatic starter in Indias playing eleven for the World Cup, his ability to contribute with the bat at either number eight or nine lends balance to the team apart from his bowling skills. Rana, who has nine T20I caps so far, suffered the injury during the warm-up match against South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday. He was seen limping off the field while clutching his knee during the warm-up match after bowling just one over, where he conceded 16 runs and aborted twice in his run-up. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Siraj was a member of the side that won the 2024 Mens T20 World Cup. Prasidh, who was the Purple Cap winner for being the leading wicket-taker in IPL 2025, has played five T20Is for India, though all of them came in 2023. Article Source: IANS

'India's Cricketing Talent Shines': PM Narendra Modi Wishes India U19 Team On Title Win

Prime Minister Narendra Modi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation's political and sports establishment in sending congratulatory messages to the India U19 team after it clinched their record sixth title, beating England by 100 runs in Harare. Indias cricketing talent shines. Proud of our U-19 team for bringing home the World Cup. The team has played very well through the tournament, showcasing exceptional skill. This win will inspire several young sportspersons, too. Best wishes to the players for their upcoming endeavours, Modi posted on X. After India chose to bat first, they quickly lost Aaron George for 9 runs. However, Sooryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre built a strong partnership, scoring 142 runs together, with Mhatre contributing 53 off 51 balls. Sooryavanshi then took charge, scoring 175 runs off 80 balls, which included 15 fours and 15 sixes. He reached his century in just 55 balls and his 150 in 71. Late innings support from Kanishk Chouhan, who made 37 off 20, helped India to a total of 411/9. England started their chase with promise, featuring a solid performance from Ben Dawkins, who scored 66, and Mayes, who added 45. Caleb Falconer played exceptionally well, scoring 115 off 67 balls, helping England recover from a tough position at 177/7 to reach 311 runs. However, Indias bowlers, with RS Ambrish taking 3 wickets for 56 runs and Deepesh Devendran claiming 2 wickets, secured a clear victory for India. Vice-president C.P Radhakrishnan posted on X, Heartiest congratulations to Indias Young Champions on lifting the ICC U19 World Cup trophy in Harare, Zimbabwe. A truly historic achievement as India clinches the title for a record sixth time. Special appreciation to young star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his record-breaking knock. I extend my best wishes to captain Ayush Mhatre and the entire team on this proud moment for the nation. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was effusive in his praises for the team and especially noted the brilliant performances of 14-year-old opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Vice-president C.P Radhakrishnan posted on X, Heartiest congratulations to Indias Young Champions on lifting the ICC U19 World Cup trophy in Harare, Zimbabwe. A truly historic achievement as India clinches the title for a record sixth time. Special appreciation to young star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his record-breaking knock. I extend my best wishes to captain Ayush Mhatre and the entire team on this proud moment for the nation. Also Read: Live Cricket Score 6th time U-19 World Cup Winners!!

'Our Domination In Age Group Cricket And Beyond Continues': Kohli Leads Congratulatory Messages For U19 WC Title Win

Former West Indies: Former Indian cricket stars sent their congratulatory messages to the India U19 team after it clinched a record sixth title for the country, beating England by 100 runs in the final played in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Friday. After India chose to bat first, they quickly lost Aaron George for 9 runs. However, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and skipper Ayush Mhatre built a strong partnership, scoring 142 runs together, with the captain contributing 53 off 51 balls. Sooryavanshi then took charge, scoring 175 runs off 80 balls, which included 15 fours and 15 sixes. He reached his century in just 55 balls and his 150 in 71. Late innings support from Kanishk Chouhan, who made 37 off 20, helped India to a massive total of 411/9 in their 50 overs. They then bundled out England U19 for 311 in 40.2 overs to seal a huge win. Congratulations to the U-19 Indian team for lifting the World Cup once again. Our domination in the age-group cricket and beyond continues. Well done to the whole squad and the support staff, Virat Kohli posted on X. Former West Indies cricketer Ian Rachel Bishop said, Indias U19 team didnt just turn up with a galaxy of stars to rest on their laurels. They turned up and turned on the power and flex. They worked hard and played smart, and deserve this win. Congratulations. England started their chase with promise, featuring a solid performance from Ben Dawkins, who scored 66, and Mayes, who added 45. Caleb Falconer played exceptionally well, scoring 115 off 67 balls, helping England recover from a tough position at 177/7 to reach 311 runs. However, Indias bowlers, with RS Ambrish taking three wickets for 56 runs and Deepesh Devendran claiming two wickets, secured a comprehensive victory for India. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla hailed the U19 team for its commanding run and said, World Champions again! Heartiest congratulations to the India U19 team on lifting the U19 World Cup. A commanding run throughout the tournament, crowned by a sensational knock from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the final. Well done to the players and support staff on this memorable triumph. Indian men's team head coach Gautam Gambhir posted, Proud of you boys! The bright future is here! #IndiaU19. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla hailed the U19 team for its commanding run and said, World Champions again! Heartiest congratulations to the India U19 team on lifting the U19 World Cup. A commanding run throughout the tournament, crowned by a sensational knock from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the final. Well done to the players and support staff on this memorable triumph. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Heartfelt congratulations to the players, coaching staff, and support team for nurturing talent and upholding Indias rich cricketing legacy. The future of Indian cricket is in safe and confident hands. Article Source: IANS

Nitish Kumar Congratulates Vaibhav Suryavanshi For Historic Knock In U-19 World Cup Final

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, on Friday, congratulated young cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi for his exceptional performance in the Under-19 World Cup 2026 final between India and England. Praising the Bihar-born batsman, the Chief Minister said that Vaibhav's remarkable innings has made the entire state and the country proud. In today's Under-19 World Cup final match between India and England, Bihar's cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi delivered a spectacular performance by scoring 175 runs off just 80 balls. Through his hard work and exceptional talent, he has emerged as a new hope for Indian cricket. I wish that Vaibhav creates new records for Team India in the future and brings glory to the nation, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar added. The U-19 World Cup final is being played at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe, where the Indian Under-19 team produced a historic batting display. After winning the toss and opting to bat, India posted a massive total of 412 runs in the allotted overs, setting a daunting target for England in the title clash. The foundation of this mammoth score was laid by Vaibhav Suryavanshi's breathtaking innings, which completely dismantled the English bowling attack. Displaying extraordinary confidence and power-hitting ability, Vaibhav Suryavanshi played cricketing shots all around the ground and kept the bowlers under constant pressure. India had a shaky start to the innings, losing an early wicket. However, the second-wicket century partnership turned the momentum decisively in India's favour. Vaibhav Suryavanshi, along with Indian skipper Ayush Mhatre, not only stabilised the innings but dominated the English bowlers so thoroughly that none of their strategies worked. Vaibhav's blistering knock of 175 runs off 80 balls placed India in a commanding position before he was eventually dismissed. By the time he returned to the pavilion, Team India had virtually sealed a winning platform, bringing the Under-19 World Cup trophy within touching distance. The cricketing world is now watching the action at Harare with keen interest. Scoring more than 400 runs in a high-pressure final reflects the confidence and maturity of the Indian Under-19 side. The cricketing world is now watching the action at Harare with keen interest. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With a towering total on the board, the responsibility now rests on the Indian bowlers to defend the score and complete what could be a historic World Cup triumph. Article Source: IANS

U19 WC: Vaibhav Sooryavanshis Generational 175 Powers India To Title In Blockbuster Final

Harare Sports Club: A summit clash for the ages was headlined by a generational knock from Vaibhav Suryavanshi and backed by a disciplined bowling effort as India U-19 outplayed England by a massive 100-run margin to clinch the title at the Harare Sports Club. After winning the toss, India chose to bat first and faced an early setback when Aaron George was out for 9. However, a strong rebuilding effort led by Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre followed. The pair opted for aggression, challenging the English bowlers head-on and refusing to retreat. Mhatre targeted the pacers near the end of the powerplay, with Vaibhav playing the perfect supporting role. The duo added 142 runs in 15 overs for the second wicket before Mhatre mistakenly pulled a ball and was out for 53 off 51 balls. From that point, the stage belonged to Vaibhav. Suryavanshi launched a stunning attack, reaching his century in 55 balls and quickly moving to 150 in just 71 deliveries. He added 25 more runs off the next 9 balls, ending with an impressive 175 off 80 balls, which included 15 fours and 15 sixes. At the time of his dismissal, India was scoring nearly 10 runs per over, highlighting the impact of his innings. India's scoring rate dipped briefly after Vaibhav's exit, but valuable contributions kept the momentum going. Vedant Trivedi scored 32, Vihaan Malhotra added 30, and RS Ambrish chipped in with 18. A late flourish came from Kanishk Chouhan, whose 37 off 20 balls was key in pushing India past the 400-run mark, finishing at 411/9. For England, James Minto was the standout bowler with 3 for 63, while Sebastian Morgan and Alex Green took two wickets each. Manny Lumsden had the prized wicket of Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Chasing an imposing 412 in this high-pressure knockout match, England faced a tough task. They lost Joseph Moores early, but the Ben duo countered with intent. After getting through the initial phase, they started finding boundaries, adding 74 runs for the second wicket in 49 balls before Mayes was out for 45 off 28. Ben Dawkins then teamed up with skipper Thomas Rew, who came out swinging to score 31 off 18 balls. Dawkins became Englands biggest threat, reaching fifty and advancing to 66 off 56 balls with growing confidence. The turning point came when Ayush Mhatre brought himself into the attack and turned out to be Indias golden arm. He dismissed Dawkins, and India struck again immediately as Ralphie Albert ran himself out. In the next over, Deepesh Devendran took out Farhan Ahmed and Sebastian Morgan, triggering a sharp collapse that left England at 177/7. The turning point came when Ayush Mhatre brought himself into the attack and turned out to be Indias golden arm. He dismissed Dawkins, and India struck again immediately as Ralphie Albert ran himself out. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Falconer continued the fight after Manny Lumsden fell, taking charge with the tail for support. He reached a brilliant century in 63 balls, struck a couple more boundaries, and ultimately fell for 115 off 67 balls, caught spectacularly by Khilan Patel. England finished with 311, recovering well from 177/7 but still falling short. Article Source: IANS

In-form Pakistan take on undercooked Netherlands in T20 World Cup 2026 opener

The busiest team in T20Is in the last nine months faces a side that is short on preparation and versatility

Max O'Dowd feels Netherlands are 'as prepared as we have ever been'

Netherlands have caused an upset here and there in the past but O'Dowd is confident they are capable of inflicting more damage this time

Sooryavanshi 175 makes India six-time U-19 World champions

England were always behind the game and couldn't come close despite a blazing ton from Falconer

IND vs USA Match 3 Prediction, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Match Preview And Expected Playing XI

IND vs USA, Match 3, Cricket Tips :The current champion, India, are ready to defend their title as they head into the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Suryakumar Yadav and his men will lock horns with the United States of America on Saturday. This contest will be held at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai at 7 PM IST. This is the second game to be played in Group A. India have been in fantastic form, and they have not lost a single series since the T20 World Cup 2024. The USA have improved a lot since the last edition, and they can't be taken lightly. They will be looking for a historic upset in Mumbai. IND vs USA: Match Details Date : February 07, 2026 (Saturday) Time : 07:00 PM IST Venue : Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai IND vs USA Live Streaming Details Fans can tune into the Star Sports Networks to watch the live action of this game. To watch the game through the live stream, Indian fans can switch to the Jio Hotstar app or website. IND vs USA: Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 1 India : 1 USA : 0 No-Result : 0 IND vs USA: Ground Pitch Report Wankhede Stadium is another brilliant batting venue in India. The bounce here is brilliant, and batters can play their shots on the up, and we might see several sixes here. It will be a difficult job to defend a total here. IND vs USA: Possible XIs India : Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav , Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy USA : Andries Gous, Shayan Jahangir, Monank Patel (c), Milind Kumar, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Harmeet Singh, Shubham Ranjane, Mohammad Mohsin, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Saurabh Netravalkar IND vs USA: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Ishan Kishan has outperformed no. 1 ranked T20I batter Abhishek Sharma, which itself is a big achievement. So, he will be eager to produce another great and fiery knock here. For the USA, Andries Gous has been one player who has evolved as a T20 star in the last few years. Probable Best Bowler Varun Chakravarthy, with his mystery spin, will be a difficult bowler to face in this game. For the USA, Saurabh Netravalkar can make a difference with the new ball in the powerplay. Today Match Prediction : The form India have been in the last couple of years, we predict India will beat the USA in this game. IND vs USA Match 3, ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Today Match IND vs USA, IND vs USA Prediction, IND vs USA Predicted XIs, Injury Update for IND vs USA 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.

WI vs SCO Match 2 Prediction, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Match Preview And Expected Playing XI

WI vs SCO, Match 2, Cricket Tips :Only three teams have managed to win the T20 World Cup twice, and West Indies are one of them. But not many are predicting them to go far in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. Shai Hope and his men have a lot to prove going into the ICC event. West Indies will lock horns with Scotland in their first game on Saturday at Eden Gardens in Kolkata at 3 PM IST. Scotland replaced Bangladesh in this competition, so for them it is just a lottery. But they have beaten West Indies on the big stage in 2022. So, they can do it once again. WI vs SCO: Match Details Date : February 07, 2026 (Saturday) Time : 03:00 PM IST Venue : Eden Gardens, Kolkata WI vs SCO Live Streaming Details Fans can watch the live action of the WI vs SCO game on the Star Sports Networks. Indian fans can also opt to catch the live stream on the Jio Hotstar app or website. WI vs SCO: Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 1 West Indies : 0 Scotland : 1 No-Result : 0 WI vs SCO: Ground Pitch Report Eden Gardens has always been a good T20I wicket. There are enough runs here, and generally it has been a high-scoring venue in the IPL. But spinners also have done well here because of the grip which will be there with the old ball. However, chasing is a better option at this venue. WI vs SCO: Possible XIs West Indies : Brandon King, Shai Hope (c & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein Scotland : Michael Jones, George Munsey, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington (c), Matthew Cross (wk), Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Brad Wheal, Brad Currie, Safyaan Sharif WI vs SCO: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Shai Hope has been the best West Indian batter in the last couple of years. So, there will be a lot of responsbility on him in this game. For the Netherlands, veteran batter George Munsey was part of the last game when Scotland beat the Netherlands, and he will be a crucial wicket in this game. Probable Best Bowler Akeal Hosein is among the top T20 spinners in the world. He can bowl at different stages of the game, which is a big positive for West Indies. For the Netherlands, Mark Watt will like bowling here and will get good assistance. Today Match Prediction : Netherlands beat West Indies last time these two teams met in a T20 World Cup. But because of the experience of West Indies, we predict them to beat the Netherlands in in Kolkata. WI vs SCO Match 2, ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Today Match WI vs SCO, WI vs SCO Prediction, WI vs SCO Predicted XIs, Injury Update for WI vs SCO 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.

T20 World Cup: Clash Of Green Card And Aadhar Card Holders Is A Good Opportunity For Players, Says SKY

T20 World Cup: With as many as eight players in the USA squad tracing their roots to India, Saturday's clash between the two countries in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium is being jokingly referred to as a match between those holding a Green Card against those with an Aadhar Card. Captain Maunak Patel, spinner Harmeet Singh, batter Shubham Ranjane, Jasdeep Singh, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Milind Kumar, Saiteja Mukkamalla, and experienced pacer Saurabh Netravalkar are the eight players in the United States squad that trace their roots to India. Harmeet, Shubham, and Netravalkar are products of the Mumbai maidans, where they rubbed shoulders with the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube. On the eve of their clash, India captain Suryakumar Yadav said having players of Indian origin in other teams is a good thing for the sport, as more players are getting a chance to play the game at the international level. They've gone now to the land of dollars. But I see it from a good perspective. It's good that people are getting an opportunity. Even though they're playing from other countries, it's a good opportunity for them. I've played a lot of cricket with them. But right now, we're having fun in our own cricket. The way we're playing cricket. At least I have played in Mumbai, so I know how it works here. It'll be fun. We'll start the tournament tomorrow, and after that, we'll catch up slowly, the Indian captain said. He admitted that they have not played a lot against associate nations like the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands, which bring in a lot of unknown elements to the game. He said they keep themselves abreast by watching videos of those teams and preparing well. See, we do see a lot of videos. Yes, we don't play them often. But at the same time, we have a lot of preparations going on. When we have bowlers meeting, batters meeting. We see the bowlers. We play a similar kind of fast bowlers when we are practising in the nets as well. So yes, there are a lot of preparations behind it. Though we have a disadvantage that we don't get to play these nations. But definitely you have to be prepared. At this level, there is no excuse, said Suryakumar Yadav. SKY said the presence of little-known teams does not mean India will have an easy time in the middle of the group stages. Sir, I don't see any weak teams in the competition. All 20 teams are very much capable of. Playing some good cricket in this format. As I said, it's a format where you can see. A good player doing well on any given day. That requires 1 or 2 batters to make a difference. Or 1 or 2 bowlers to have a good - good 24 balls on that given day. So we'll have to play the same way as we've been playing against all the teams. So there are no weak or tough teams in the competition. I think they are all the same, he said. The 36-year-old batter, known for his 360-degree stroke-making ability, said he is in a happy space as a captain with an abundance of riches at his disposal, which he says is a happy headache to have. As a captain, I'm feeling good. I keep reminding myself that when you say captain, it sounds overrated. Say, leader, it sounds better. The feeling of a leader. So when you say captain, there's a little complacency. But it's good. It's a good responsibility to lead such a good group on home soil. And starting the campaign from Wankhede. So I'm very excited, and it's a good responsibility, he said. He said there is no added pressure as a leader, and he sees the ICC Men's T20 World Cup as a good opportunity for himself and his players. As a captain, I'm feeling good. I keep reminding myself that when you say captain, it sounds overrated. Say, leader, it sounds better. The feeling of a leader. So when you say captain, there's a little complacency. But it's good. It's a good responsibility to lead such a good group on home soil. And starting the campaign from Wankhede. So I'm very excited, and it's a good responsibility, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score You have to see what you want to do on the given day. What kind of cricket do you want to play? That is, I think it is very important. And just stay in the present. Have your feet where you are. Stay grounded, because when you're playing at home. You want to be more excited. You want to give people more than they expect. And at those times, you might make a mistake. But I think staying in the present will be the key in this World Cup. Even though we go till the end. But I think every game we play, we will have to be very relaxed and think about the game we're playing, the India skipper said. Article Source: IANS

Scotland seek to seize their reprieve in West Indies opener

After Bangladesh withdrawal, two-week scramble for tournament culminates in Kolkata on Saturday

Salman Agha: 'I've learnt how to put captaincy away when I go to bat'

Pakistan's captain said he supported Babar, Fakhar but didn't guarantee spots for players

T20 WC: Saurabh Netravalkar Set For Emotional Wankhede Stadium Return With USA

When Saurabh Netravalkar: When Saurabh Netravalkar first learnt the India-USA fixture in the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup would be at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, it hit him hard. As a teenager in eighth grade, he made his first trip to the iconic venue. Whenever the train passed by the stadium, glimpses of the pitch through the window fuelled his dreams of playing professional cricket. On Saturday, that dream comes true - just not how the teenaged Netravalkar imagined it - wearing USA's navy blue and red as their pace spearhead in the away team dressing room. I was secretly hoping I would get to play on Wankhede, preferably with India. As a child, I grew up dreaming to play for India at Wankhede. But the dream is going to come true in playing for the USA. Still its going to be even more special, because it's like a full circle moment where I had actually given up on the game and then had to restart everything from scratch. I thought I had to again work my way up the rankings in USA, get noticed and then getting picked in the team and again playing internationally - it's been a long journey again, more than 7-8 years for USA itself I've been playing. So, no words to describe actually. I was emotional when I saw that - took some time to sink in, and shared with my family that its happening in Wankhede, recalls Netravalkar in an exclusive conversation with IANS. In USAs warm-up games at the DY Patil Stadium, Netravalkars family his parents, sister, wife and daughter - made their presence felt and the same will be the case on Saturday. It will be a special feeling for sure. Getting to play alongside, again in the Indian team, quite a few players from Mumbai Surya (India captain Suryakumar Yadav), Shivam (Dube), who I've played with in Mumbai as well - it will be special to play against them as well and we'll see how we go, he added. Netravalkar has picked 40 wickets in 41 T20Is for USA at an average of 22.9, and economy rate of 6.9. Half of those wickets came in the powerplay where he swings the ball back into right-handers with menacing precision. Against India at the 2024 World Cup in New York, he dismissed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to finish with 2-18 in four overs. USA surprised all by reaching the Super Eights in their maiden T20 World Cup campaign and the side will depend on Netravalkar again to make big strikes in the 1-6 and 17-20 overs. Though Netravalkar played in the 2010 Mens U19 World Cup for India and created a cricket app called CricDecode (was available on Google play store), he departed for the USA in 2015 for further engineering studies and landed a job with software giant Oracle in California. Netravalkar thought he closed the chapter on professional cricket for good, but discovered a path was there to pursue the sport again in USA. It also helped that the ICC eligibility rules for representing an associate team were reduced from seven to three years. I started playing weekend-to-weekend club cricket for fun. In my club, incidentally, there were a few players who were part of the then USA national team. They explained to me the circuit and I started playing tournaments around the USA. It was still for fun, but that's how I started using my weekends more and started training hard again. But international cricket happened in 2019 when I made my debut for USA. USA was in Division 3 at that time, a pretty low down in the ranking. But we had that opportunity to get the team up. That awakened another dream that if we keep working hard, the team keeps getting better and better, we can one day aim to play a major tournament. Gradually we moved up the ranks, got ODI status, and had Major League Cricket happen in USA in 2021. That gave us a huge boost again to play alongside top cricketers and for top franchises. Then our game really improved in those two-three years. We got our opportunity to host World Cup and then just things exponentially grew and grabbed on to those opportunities as well, he added. While cricketers in other nations are full-time players, Netravalkar juggles playing international cricket with his job in California - managing training around work hours and taking vacation time during World Cups. It's usually case by case basis. At home, obviously I manage my training around my work times. Like I will do the fitness after work and cricket training sessions, I usually do alternate days in the afternoon where I do extended lunch kind of a thing. On tour, depends on the location where I am, the time zone, which tournament, what format it is, how long it is and so I manage. If it's a short practice day, I can still work remotely for a few hours. If it's an ODI game, I'm going to be very tired and I plan my vacation around that. If it's a major tournament like a World Cup, obviously I'm going to take full vacation. I talk with my boss and I see how my work is going. As long as I get my work done, they are very supportive. In that way, it helps a lot, he said. The mental gymnastics required to maintain this balance would break most people. But not Netravalkar, who credits yoga - not as exercise, but as a life philosophy, apart from being a proficient ukulele player and follower of Vegan lifestyle. Yoga is just a philosophy of life. It's not for achieving something that I'm practicing yoga. I'm just studying knowledge like reading good books and trying to just apply it to my life just in general to be a better person. Me and my wife both follow the same path and other things just happen. For example, playing cricket or working doesn't feel like a chore anymore - it's just part of my life. It's assimilated into one life. I'm not trying to balance this versus that - they are not against each other. They complement each other. I would say it all ties down into one whole sadhana and that's how life is, he elaborated. June 6, 2024 - USA versus Pakistan at the T20 World Cup, a match that shouldn't have been close and Pakistan should have won easily. Instead, USA pulled off one of cricket's great upsets, with Netravalkar at the centre of it due to bowling the Super Over that sealed it. That was definitely a coming-of-age moment for us as a team because even leading up to the World Cup, we had two good series. We beat Canada 5-0 and then we beat Bangladesh 2-1. That gave us a big boost saying, Okay, if we are playing well, at least in our home conditions, we can give a fight to any good team. First game of the World Cup, again, we chased 190 versus Canada against all odds. Each individual somehow managed to raise their game and perform when it mattered. That's what happened in the Pakistan game - it was like all eleven or even substitute fielders came and they took a brilliant catch. It was a complete team effort - everybody contributed and that gave us a boost as a team that we can perform at the top level, he recalled. The victory and March to Super Eights wasn't just historic; it was transformative as USA cricket went from curiosity to being under spotlight overnight. Major League Cricket performances were being noticed big time - players started getting picked up for global T20 leagues - not as associate quota fillers, but as genuine overseas professionals. For Netravalkar himself, opportunities followed in the CPL and ILT20, which meant more cricket, exposure, and chances to study batters and bowlers at the highest level. It massively helps us because it started obviously with our own local league, which is a major league and again has six franchises - two based out of Australia and four are IPL-based team owners. Once you do well for them in USA, then gradually they started trusting our skills and we got gigs - like I got a CPL and ILT20 gig. Shubham (Ranjane) just played the South Africa T20 league (SA20). That is a big deal because South Africa is again a full member nation and there was no associate player quota per se. He played as a regular overseas player, and that is a big checkmark. Again, 8-9 players - Andries Gous gets picked all over. He plays all these leagues while Harmeet (Singh) got a good opportunity Sanjay (Krishnamurthi), Nosh (Nosthush Kenjige), lot of guys like Monank (Patel, captain). It was nice to see our players being recognized and being trusted as overseas players and not just as local players, he said. USA's lengthy preparation camp in Sri Lanka was about adjustment - to heat, surfaces that favour batters and spinners over pacers, conditions where 200 might be chased when 170 would be competitive back home. We'll expect the batters will try to attack the fast bowlers and maybe some good balls might also be hit. It's about maximizing your percentages and bowling the best balls, but expecting that maybe some balls might get hit. Scores might be higher here than what we see in USA, where it's usually a 160-170 kind of a game. Here we are seeing even 200 is getting chased. The pattern will be a little different and we have to try to be more unpredictable, use our variations smartly and that's about it, he said. But all considerations fade when discussing the Wankhede homecoming. It's important to enjoy the emotions as well. So, yes, I will feel nostalgic and emotional. But when I will go to execute my skills and enter the field, I hope the focus will be only on my job at hand and I'll try to soak the energy. Hopefully, there's a lot of crowd and it'll be nice to perform and try to play my best cricket. I'll give my best and will see how we go. USA faces steep odds to achieve their goal of advancing to the next stage - tough conditions, top teams. But Netravalkars definition of achievement extends beyond results. If we're making the right moves, maybe some days our execution might be off or some days the batters might just be too good for us and that's fine as well. It's about had we progressed from the last time we played and we have left no stone unturned in terms of preparation, planning and execution. If we did our best and still lose, then that's still a win. That's the best you can do as a player. If the result goes in our favour, that's great and will be historic for us again, but we'll see how we go, he said. He thinks about kids who might have watched that Pakistan victory, the way he once watched Indian heroes and copied their bowling actions with a rubber ball in his Mumbai building. As players, yes, it is a responsibility for us to get the results. But result is not controllable ultimately. It's about had we progressed from the last time we played and we have left no stone unturned in terms of preparation, planning and execution. If we did our best and still lose, then that's still a win. That's the best you can do as a player. If the result goes in our favour, that's great and will be historic for us again, but we'll see how we go, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Saturday evening at Wankhede Stadium won't distinguish between the teenaged boy who once bowled here aiming to don Indias blues and is realising his dream by sporting the USA colours. The improbable has already happened; Saturday is just the long-awaited homecoming for Netravalkar. Article Source: IANS

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'Put Your Body On The Line': Kohli's Message That Inspired RCB's WPL 2026 Title Triumph

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: A day after their victory, Royal Challengers Bengaluru released a motivational video message from Virat Kohli that played a key role in lifting the spirits of the team ahead of their Womens Premier League (WPL) final against Delhi Capitals, a contest where they chased down a historic 204-run total to clinch their second title of the tournament. In a video released by the franchise on Friday, Kohli was seen addressing the squad on the eve of the final. The former India captain urged the players to embrace the occasion and focus on the small moments that define big matches. I wouldnt call it just another day or just another game, because thats what we play sport for: the big finals, the big occasions, winning trophies, Kohli said. The 36-year-old congratulated the team for qualifying for the final once again and finishing at the top of the table, crediting their consistency and ability to handle pressure through the season. Ive been watching you guys play this season, and its been amazing to see the high-pressure games that weve won. Its no surprise to me that we were the first ones to make it to the finals, finishing top of the table, he said. Reflecting on the campaign, Kohli also pointed to the importance of learning from challenging phases during the league stage, calling it a hallmark of championship-winning sides. There were a couple of games in the middle where it was good to reflect on what the team could work on moving ahead. And thats exactly what you guys did in the last few games, he added. Emphasising commitment and intensity on the field, Kohli urged the players to push themselves in crucial moments. Small things make all the difference at the very end. If you have a chance to put your body on the line for that ball, do it. If you have a chance to dive into the crease for that one run, do it. Thats whats going to count at the end of the day, Kohli said. He concluded the message by wishing the team well and hoping their hard work would be rewarded. You can walk away from that field with your head held high. Thats all that I wish for you. Go RCB, he signed off. Inspired by the words from the franchise icon, RCB Women produced a composed performance in the final to defeat Delhi Capitals by 6 wickets at BCA Stadium (Kotambi) on Thursday and lift the WPL title, marking a landmark moment for the Bengaluru-based franchise. You can walk away from that field with your head held high. Thats all that I wish for you. Go RCB, he signed off. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Champions again. Keeping the RCB flag flying high is something that each one of you can be proud of. To Smriti @smriti_mandhana and the whole squad and the management team, a big congratulations on this tremendous victory. You guys deserve this undoubtedly. Enjoy the moment and embrace the love of our amazing fans, he wrote. Article Source: IANS

T20 World Cup: SKY Admits Playing At Home Adds To Pressure, Says Team Is Confident And Ready

T20 World Cup: On the eve of his first T20 World Cup as a captain, Suryakumar Yadav was relaxed and in a cheerful mood as he faced the media at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, answering questions with confidence, cracking jokes, and expressing himself freely. Even though the Indian team and its captain are weighed down by expectations following their title triumph in the 2024 edition, they have also had brilliant performances over 19 months since that fateful day in Barbados when they claimed their second T20 World Cup title. The 36-year-old, considered one of the best batters the shortest format of the game has ever seen, admitted that they were not facing any undue pressure because of the huge expectations as they are defending the title, and the historic fact that no country has won the title at home. Going into their opening match against the minnows, the United States at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, Suryakumar Yadav appeared as relaxed and jovial as he is seen on the ground and said the atmosphere around the team is quite good. He said playing for India is a great opportunity for the youngsters, and he has shared his experiences of the 2024 World Cup with them. See, the atmosphere is good. The mood in the camp is really nice. Very positive. Most important is that people are enjoying what's happening around. As a group. So that's what I want from them because I have shared a few 2024 T20 World Cup experiences and instances with them. So that taste. They should feel that taste. And the mood in the camp is very happy. Very relaxed. Very excited for the World Cup. I told them there are very few people who get an opportunity to represent India. That too on the home soil. So it's a great opportunity. So just enjoy it and cherish it. The India captain, famous as a player with the ability for360-degree stroke-making, admitted that playing at home does bring some added pressure, but felt that the support from the home crowd more than makes up for that. I think when you're playing at home, there is always an added pressure. I'm not running away from the fact. To be honest, there will be nerves. There will be pressure. But if you see the positive side of it, there will be a lot of cheer around. You're playing on home soil, you know, people are backing you. Talking about expectations. Definitely the way we've played in the last 1 or 2 years. People must be expecting the same way. And we will try giving them more reasons. To stay on top, to play the same brand of cricket. There are so many people coming to watch in the stadiums. I've told my boys the same thing. 30-35 thousand people are coming. So many people are watching at home. Let's give them a good time. Let's give them entertainment, said Surya. Known around the world as SKY, the Indian captain played down the absence of strong opponents, except Pakistan, in Group A and said that at this level, there is no easy opponent. I don't see any weak teams in the competition. All 20 teams are very much capable of. Playing some good cricket in this format. As I said, it's a format where you can see. A good player doing well on any given day. That requires 1 or 2 batters to make a difference. Or 1 or 2 bowlers to have a good - good 24 balls on that given day. So we'll have to play the same way as we've been playing against all the teams. So there are no weak or tough teams in the competition. I think they are all the same, said Surya. Asked about whether he follows a special routine to remain cheerful and smiling even in tough match situations, the India captain said he just wants to be as relaxed as possible, as there is enough pressure off the field. There is already enough pressure from outside. Oh. I didn't say that, he joked. See, there is already so much going on the ground. When we are off the field. So I think when we are on the field. We just want to be relaxed, because I feel the preparations -- what we do during practice sessions. When we are in the room, I think that sets the tone when you come on the ground. As I have always said, it comes on autopilot when you come on the ground. You have to let your emotions flow and take the best call that the team needs on that given day. So at the same time, and you know this format is actually very harsh for the bowlers. Sometimes to the batters as well. But you have to be relaxed. Give them company at that time. Make them relaxed. Take their breath back. And just enjoy it. You are there as a group for 75-80 minutes on the ground. When you are fielding. So I think that's the time we have fun on the ground. And then enjoy it, said Surya. See, there is already so much going on the ground. When we are off the field. So I think when we are on the field. We just want to be relaxed, because I feel the preparations -- what we do during practice sessions. When we are in the room, I think that sets the tone when you come on the ground. As I have always said, it comes on autopilot when you come on the ground. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I think all the games that we'll play from tomorrow (are tough). Like from the warm-up game. The warm-up game was also important for us to set the tone for the World Cup. And if you play against any team in the World Cup, I think all the games will be important. You can't take any team lightly. Because in this format, you just require 2 good batters on a given day. Or 1 or 2 good bowlers to make a difference. So you have to be switched on all the time. In every game. And we've seen it before during the T20 World Cup or any tournament. That's right, teams have troubled a lot of teams. So we'll have to bring our A game. Set the tone from tomorrow, he added. Article Source: IANS

England Beat India By Nine Wickets, Seal Series 4-1 In 5th Mixed Disability T20I

Mixed Disability T20I: England capped off a dominant campaign with a commanding nine-wicket victory over India in the fifth and final T20I of the Mixed Disability Series in Jaipur, on Friday, sealing the series 41. Batting first, India struggled to build momentum and were bowled out for 125 in 19.2 overs. The hosts lost early wickets, with Wasim Iqbal departing cheaply. Akash Singh was the standout performer with the bat for India, scoring a fighting 51 off 43 balls, which included four boundaries and two sixes. Captain Ravindra Sante also contributed with a brisk 33 off 26 deliveries, trying to steady the innings in the middle overs. However, Englands disciplined bowling attack kept the pressure on throughout. Farooq Mohammad and Liam OBrien were effective in breaking partnerships, while regular wickets ensured India never truly recovered. Contributions from the lower order were minimal, as India lost wickets in quick succession to be restricted to a below-par total. In response, England made light work of the chase, reaching 128 for 1 in just 12.4 overs. Opener Jon Gale anchored the innings with an unbeaten 53 off 36 balls, showcasing composure and clean stroke play. Wicketkeeper-batter Angus Garant Brown played a match-winning knock of 62 off just 34 deliveries, smashing five fours and five sixes to put the Indian bowlers under immense pressure. In response, England made light work of the chase, reaching 128 for 1 in just 12.4 overs. Opener Jon Gale anchored the innings with an unbeaten 53 off 36 balls, showcasing composure and clean stroke play. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Englands emphatic win underlined their superiority throughout the series, as they outplayed India in all departments to clinch the five-match series 41. Article Source: IANS

T20 World Cup: With Harshit Rana Out, Favourites India Work Out Combos For Opener Against USA

T20 World Cup: Hoping to become the first country to win back-to-back titles and the first team to lift three crowns in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, the Indian men's cricket team will kick off its campaign against minnows the United States, hoping to ride the recent momentum to make history. Though the build-up off the field has been rocky with the spotlight fixed on the Pakistan and Bangladesh teams because of the shenanigans of their respective boards, the Indian team will be hoping to put all that stuff behind them when it steps into the iconic Wankhede Stadium for their first match on the opening day, which will have three matches on the stove as the tournament explodes into action. With Namibia, the Netherlands, and Pakistan the other team in Group A, and with the Green Shirts looking set to not play the India match in Colombo on February 15, the Men in Blue have an easy path to the Super 8s. India, winner of the inaugural ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2007, who added a second title to their kitty in the Caribbean and USA in 2024, is the third country, along with England and the West Indies, to win the title twice. The Men in Blue get into the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup as firm favourites and have a brilliant recent record to justify being placed on the pedestal. They dominantly won the 2024 edition and have since then gone from strength to strength, rarely losing a T20I match. Though they lost stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja to retirement since 2024, the squad has been refurbished with the explosive opener Abhishek Sharma, the inform Ishan Kishan, and mid-field maestro Tilak Varma stepping in. The result was that India won nine consecutive home series in the shortest format, with the latest being the 4-1 drubbing of New Zealand in a five-match series just before the World Cup. The nucleus of the squad remains the same, with skipper Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Sanju Samson, and Rinku Singh still making up the bulk of the squad for the 2026 edition. India enjoys an embarrassment of riches in the cricket field, especially in the T20 format, because of the IPL, which is why Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill did not field a place in the World Cup squad, while Rishabh Pant, who was also part of the 2024 team, is out with an injury. On the eve of the opening match, the hosts suffered a setback with fast-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana set to miss the opening match because of a knee injury that he picked up during India's lone warm-up match against South Africa. He was not feeling good after the warm-up match. He is not ruled out of the tournament, and the physio is currently working with him, but things are not looking good, said skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who jokingly told the media not to fret as they have 11 players to put in the field for the opener. On the flip side, the hosts have an abundance of riches in batting with batters who look in tremendous form. Abhishek Sharma produced some blistering knocks in the series against the Black Caps, while Ishan Kishan ended the series with a blazing century in Thiruvananthapuram. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav made a welcome return to form with a couple of half-centuries against New Zealand. Skipper Suryakumar indicated that Ishan Kishan is likely to retain his place in the playing XI and will bat in the top-three as he can't go below No.3. The team management will have to take a call on whether to get him to open with Sanju Samson dropping to the middle-order or leave out one of the finishers to accommodate both of them. But with Rana set to miss the opener, Ishan Kishan may get the wicketkeeping duties with Sanju Samson, who has struggled a bit in recent matches, relegated to the bench. Still, the USA is not expected to pose a major challenge for India in the opening match despite the presence of some expatriate Indian and Pakistani players in the ranks. Captain Maunak Patel, Harmeet Singh, Shubham Ranjane, Jasdeep Singh, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Milind Kumar, Saiteja Mukkamalla, and experienced pacer Saurabh Netravalkar are among eight players who trace their roots to India. Harmeet, Shubham, and Netravalkar are products of the Mumbai maidans, where they rubbed shoulders with the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube. The USA team is made up of a majority of players from the sub-continent, with three players of Pakistani background, while Shehan Jayasuriya played for Sri Lanka from 2010 to 2020, making his T20I debut against Pakistan in August 2015. The left-handed batting all-rounder is a recent entry into the US squad and has good experience of international cricket. Despite all this, Suryakumar Yadav's side should come through Saturday's clash with ease, thanks to their batting strength and bowling resources, despite the absence of Harshit Rana and the unavailability of Washington Sundar. However, the USA can't be taken lightly as they have caused a couple of upsets to reach the Super 8 stage in the 2024 edition. They were in the same group as India in the 2024 edition. For India, the Wankhede is a lucky venue as they won the 2011 World Cup here and have usually dominated in the batting-friendly conditions. Things will not be much different on Saturday. Squads: For India, the Wankhede is a lucky venue as they won the 2011 World Cup here and have usually dominated in the batting-friendly conditions. Things will not be much different on Saturday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score USA: Monank Patel (c), Jessy Singh, Andries Gous, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamala, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Mohammad Mohsin, Shubham Ranjane Article Source: IANS

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T20 WC: Glittering Opening Ceremony To Get Tournament Underway In Mumbai

T20 World Cup Trophy: The ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 will burst into life on Friday evening with a high-energy opening ceremony at Mumbais iconic Wankhede Stadium, setting the tone for an action-packed tournament before co-hosts India face the USA. The show opens with a powerful musical medley from Rishab Sharma and Shivamani before the ICC Mens T20 World Cup Trophy makes a spectacular arrival, carried into the stadium by a jetpack performer in a moment designed to captivate fans inside the Wankhede Stadium. The tournament trophy will be greeted by ICC Chairman Jay Shah and former India captain Rohit Sharma, who led the defending champions to glory at the previous edition in 2024. They will be accompanied by 20 children representing every participating country and will formally declare the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 open. Following the trophys arrival, fans will be treated to headline singing and dance showcases, with chart-topping star Badshah delivering a high-energy live performance before Nora Fatehi takes centre stage for a dynamic dance spectacular, supported by a large cast of dancers. The ceremony culminates with both artists coming together for a grand finale. The ceremony has been designed to reflect the pace and energy of T20 cricket, with the field of play acting as a unified visual canvas and the official tournament logo forming the main performance stage. The show will close with a stunning pyrotechnic display before the fireworks begin on the pitch with India vs USA starting at 7 pm IST. Following the trophys arrival, fans will be treated to headline singing and dance showcases, with chart-topping star Badshah delivering a high-energy live performance before Nora Fatehi takes centre stage for a dynamic dance spectacular, supported by a large cast of dancers. The ceremony culminates with both artists coming together for a grand finale. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Only ticket holders for the match will be able to attend the opening ceremony. Article Source: IANS

You Cant Stop The Sun From Rising: Cricket Fraternity Lauds Vaibhav Suryavanshis Historic Knock In U19 WC Final

Cricket World Cup: The cricketing world witnessed a moment for the ages on Friday as 14-year-old Indian batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi delivered a historic performance in the ICC Under-19 Mens Cricket World Cup 2026 final against England, scripting history with the highest individual score ever recorded in a tournament final. Suryavanshis breathtaking 175 runs knock of just 80 balls sparked widespread admiration from current and former cricketers across the globe, with many hailing the Indian opener as the next big thing in world cricket. Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag said Suryavanshi was born from the Sun dynasty and that Englands efforts went in vain, as no one can stop the sun from rising. Vaibhav Suryavanshi 175 off 80 balls, 15 fours + 15 sixes, equal fours, equal sixes, equal destruction. Suryavanshi = Born from the Sun dynasty. Today he batted like one! Blazing. Blinding. Unstoppable. England bowlers tried everything. But you cant stop the SUN. The sun has risen on Bhartiya cricket! Just a sign of the future, he wrote on X. Former Indian all-rounders Yusuf Pathan and Irfan Pathan lauded Suryavanshis fearless attitude on the biggest stage. 14 years old. No fear. No pressure. Just pure talent. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi didnt just play an innings, he announced the future of Indian cricket. #U19WorldCup2026, Yusuf Pathan wrote on X. A daddy 199 in a World Cup final. Vaibhav Suryavanshi isnt just consistent, he delivers when it matters most. Big-match player! Irfan Pathan wrote on X. Suryavanshi surpassed Unmukt Chands long-standing record of 111*, set in the 2012 final against Australia, to achieve the feat of the highest individual score in a World Cup final. Unmukt reacted to the knock by writing different breed on X while sharing Suryavanshis photo. Icelands cricket handle took a humorous jibe at Englands bowlers after Suryavanshi thrashed them in the final. Someone arrest Vaibhav Suryavanshi right now. This violence on the field against the English bowlers is X-rated! they wrote on X. The young Indian stars innings also earned praise from former England captain Michael Vaughan, who wrote, Vaibhav Suryavanshi this really is very, very special. #iccu19worldcup on X. Former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan wrote, What an innings from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. A dominant knock of 175 off 80 in a World Cup final is truly extraordinary, with pure intent, power and timing all day, on X. Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants owner and businessman Sanjiv Goenka wrote Soorya, namaskar! while sharing Vaibhavs photo on X. Former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan wrote, What an innings from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. A dominant knock of 175 off 80 in a World Cup final is truly extraordinary, with pure intent, power and timing all day, on X. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With the help of Suryavanshis century and Ayush Mhatres fifty, India posted a mammoth total of 411 for 9 against England in the final. Article Source: IANS

T20 WC: Ian Bishop Backs India To Handle Pressure Of Quest For Retaining Trophy At Home

T20 World Cup India: India's quest to defend their Mens T20 World Cup title in the upcoming mega event starting on Saturday will not be undermined by pressure, said former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop. Defending champions India head into the upcoming showpiece event as the top-ranked T20I side and a dominant 4-1 series victory over New Zealand. They boast of the best win percentage (84.6 percent) among the top ten teams post the last T20 World Cup in 2024. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side are aiming to retain their title, win a third trophy, and potentially win a final at home, something which no other side has done before in a Mens T20 World Cup. My simple answer to the point of pressure is that you go back to 2011, India won an ODI World Cup at home. They got to the final in 2023 against Australia, who were too good on the day. So look, as defending champions, I think a lot of teams are very good now - management staff are taking pressure away from the players and I think India are one of those teams. There'll still obviously be high expectations at home. But I don't think that that will be the issue for this Indian team. So many of them have played the IPL, have played in finals, and they know what expectation is. Abhishek Sharma is certainly one of those that you look forward to seeing how he can match up against the best in the world. I think he's going to be very important guy, the captain. They've got so many guys, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Bishop told IANS at a JioStar media day on the eve of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026. He also identified the team that has the greatest bowling depth in addition to their batting could be the one that wins the World Cup. I think the bowling, perhaps, is probably the thing that India are going to have to try to separate themselves from the other high power-hitting teams in the world and that's my view. I think a lot of power-hitting teams - the West Indies have great depth, South Africa have great depth. When Australia are fit, they have great depth, for example. So I think bowling-wise will be the difference maker, added Bishop. Asked about Ishan Kishan's form potentially challenging Sanju Samson for the opening slot, and concerns over Harshit Rana's fitness due to him picking a knee injury, Bishop said India have dilemmas at hand to solve them. He's giving them a good headache and those are the headaches that coaches want. They prefer to have that sort of tough decision to make because of good form rather than tough decisions to make for players in poor form. If Ishan is playing that well, you have to make room for him. T20 is a game that you have to go with guys in form. Who sits out? I couldn't possibly answer that from a bowling perspective. You have to back Harshit Rana's medical team will give the answer to his thing. But I still would back India's know-how in their conditions from a bowling perspective. The ability of guys to stand up by then could be highly, yes, he's had a bit of a run and it'll also lift his game. He's giving them a good headache and those are the headaches that coaches want. They prefer to have that sort of tough decision to make because of good form rather than tough decisions to make for players in poor form. If Ishan is playing that well, you have to make room for him. T20 is a game that you have to go with guys in form. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Watch India's bid to repeat history at the ICC Mens T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026, as India take on the USA tomorrow, at 7:00 PM, LIVE on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network Article Source: IANS

Mighty India meet multicultural USA in polarised World Cup

This match is a homecoming for Mumbai boys Harmeet Singh and Saurabh Netravalkar

'He Is Ready For Big Stage': BCA President Harsh Vardhan Lauds Vaibhavs Marathon Knock In U19 WC Final

Bihar Cricket Association: Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) president Harsh Vardhan hailed Vaibhav Suryavanshi's historic innings in the ongoing ICC Under-19 World Cup final against England as a moment of immense pride for Indian cricket and for the state. The BCA president praised Vaibhavs composure, fearlessness, and ability to perform on the biggest stage, reflecting extraordinary talent and mental strength. Suryavanshi on Friday produced a sensational performance, hammering a breathtaking century. He completed his hundred in just 55 balls, making it the fastest century ever scored in an Under-19 World Cup final. Vaibhav's historic innings is a moment of immense pride for Indian cricket and for Bihar. At such a young age, his composure, fearlessness, and ability to perform on the biggest stage reflect extraordinary talent and mental strength, said Harsh Vardhan. His record breaking performance is an inspiration for countless young cricketers across the country. On behalf of the Bihar Cricket Association, I congratulate Vaibhav on this remarkable achievement, he added. The BCA president further stated that at every level, be it the IPL, Under-19 cricket, or domestic cricket, Vaibhav has consistently proved that he is ready for the big stage. At every level, be it the IPL, Under-19 cricket, or domestic cricket, Vaibhav has consistently proved that he is ready for the big stage. His temperament, confidence, and ability to perform under pressure at such a young age reflect his exceptional talent, said BCA president. The 14-year-old rewrote multiple records during his innings, as he also became the batter to hit the most sixes in a single Under-19 World Cup innings. He smashed 15 sixes, breaking the previous record of 12 sixes held by Australias Michael Hill. At every level, be it the IPL, Under-19 cricket, or domestic cricket, Vaibhav has consistently proved that he is ready for the big stage. His temperament, confidence, and ability to perform under pressure at such a young age reflect his exceptional talent, said BCA president. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He played a stunning knock of 175 runs off just 80 balls in the final. Batting at a blistering strike rate of 218.75, his innings included 15 fours and 15 sixes. Remarkably, 150 of his runs came through boundaries alone. Article Source: IANS

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Honours Blind Women's T20 World Cup Champion Anu Kumari

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday honoured Anu Kumari, a member of the Indian team that won the inaugural Blind Womens T20 World Cup in 2025, for her outstanding contribution to the historic victory. The Chief Minister presented Anu Kumari with a cheque of Rs 23,43,750 along with a traditional shawl as a mark of recognition. Anu Kumari played a crucial role in Indias triumph in the first-ever Blind Womens T20 World Cup, delivering an impressive bowling performance throughout the tournament. During the ceremony, Anu Kumari presented the Chief Minister with a memento comprising a cricket bat and ball. Expressing her gratitude, she said that players were progressing with the continuous support of the state government. We are receiving encouragement and all possible assistance from the government. Sports infrastructure in Bihar has improved significantly, and players are benefiting from it. Bihar is now being praised across the country in the field of sports, which makes us proud, she said, adding that players from other states also appreciate the facilities available in Bihar. Anu Kumari hails from a humble background in Mukundpur village under Simri police station in Buxar district. Her father, Sohan Chaudhary, said that she had been hardworking and disciplined since childhood. The Bihar Cricket Association identified her talent and gave her the opportunity to play. After that, she never looked back and earned a place in the national team. She bowled exceptionally well in the World Cup and played a decisive role in Indias victory, he said. Expressing pride in his daughters achievement, Sohan Chaudhary said that Anu Kumari had brought recognition to the family and the village. The Bihar Cricket Association identified her talent and gave her the opportunity to play. After that, she never looked back and earned a place in the national team. She bowled exceptionally well in the World Cup and played a decisive role in Indias victory, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Present on the occasion were Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Deepak Kumar, Secretary to the Chief Minister Anupam Kumar, Secretary to the Chief Minister Kumar Ravi, Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Chandrashekhar Singh, Secretary of the Sports Department Mahendra Kumar, Director General of Bihar State Sports Authority Ravindran Shankaran, and coach Shika, along with other senior officials. Article Source: IANS

Richardson shines but Webster puts Tasmania in charge

The quick bowler produced a superb opening burst and returned to make further inroads, but Western Australia face a tough chase

T20 WC: Siraj, Nitish, Prasidh In Consideration To Replace Injured Rana In Indias Squad

Bengal Cricket Academy Ground: With India suffering a setback ahead of kickstarting their Mens T20 World Cup title defence due to suspense over the participation of pace-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana, chatter has picked up over who could be his replacement for the showpiece event. Rana, who has nine T20I caps so far, suffered a knee injury during India's warm-up match against South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday. He was seen limping off the field while clutching his knee during the warm-up match after bowling just one over, where he conceded 16 runs and aborted twice in his run-up. While India skipper Suryakumar Yadav insisted that Rana hasnt been ruled out yet, sources told IANS on Friday that senior pacer Mohammed Siraj is the frontrunner to replace him, while seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and fast bowler Prasidh Krishna are also under consideration. As of now, the replacement for Rana has not been chosen yet. Between Siraj, Nitish and Prasidh, a suitable replacement will be decided in consultation with all the concerned stakeholders. Its for sure that Ranas replacement will be between these three only, though Siraj is slightly ahead of others for the nod, further said sources. Though Rana is not an automatic starter in Indias playing eleven for the World Cup, his ability to contribute with the bat at either number eight or nine lends balance to the team apart from his bowling skills. In the past few months, Rana has shown glimpses of using the long handle and adding more batting depth to Indias line-up. Though Rana is not an automatic starter in Indias playing eleven for the World Cup, his ability to contribute with the bat at either number eight or nine lends balance to the team apart from his bowling skills. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Reddy, meanwhile, has featured in four T20Is and is currently turning out for Andhra in their Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Bengal at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani. With India already sweating over Washington Sundars fitness for the mega event, finding a replacement for Rana will be the key for the side aiming to launch their title defence on a high at home. Article Source: IANS

Vaibhav Suryavanshi Smashes Second-fastest Ton In U19 WC History

U19 World Cup: India's teen batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on Friday smashed the second-fastest century in the U19 World Cup when he smashed the 55-ball hundred in the final against England here at the Harare Sports Club. His century was laced with six boundaries and as many maximums, making him the second-fastest centurion in U19 World Cup history, beating Qasim Akram of Pakistan, who brought up his ton in 63 balls against Sri Lanka in 2022. Will Malajczuk of Australia currently hold the record of the fastest U19 World Cup century with his 51-ball 100 against Japan in 2026. Moreover, Suryavanshi became the fastest Indian player to score a century in U19 World Cup history. He broke the previous record held by Raj Angad Bawa, who had reached a hundred in 69 balls against Uganda in 2022. The 14-year-old batter also became the third Indian to score a century in the U19 World Cup final. Sooryavanshi also has the most sixes for anyone in a Youth ODI innings and U19 World Cup innings (15), surpassing his own 14 against UAE U19 at ICCA Dubai in December. The batter from Bihar notched up his 150 off just 171 balls, the fastest in U19 cricket, bettering the 98 balls taken by Ben Mayes (ENG) vs SCOT at the same venue earlier in the competition. Suryavanshi stitched the 142-run second partnership with captain Ayush Mhatre (53) and established a 89-run stand with Vedant Trivedi before his dominating knock (175 off 80) in the history of the U19 World Cup came to an end in the 26th over. The batter from Bihar notched up his 150 off just 171 balls, the fastest in U19 cricket, bettering the 98 balls taken by Ben Mayes (ENG) vs SCOT at the same venue earlier in the competition. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Suryavanshi is currently Indias leading scorer in the U19 World Cup, having amassed 264 runs at an average of 44 and a strike rate of 147.49. In January, he had captained the Indian U19 side to a commanding 3-0 away Youth ODI series win over South Africa in Benoni, leading from the front in his maiden assignment as junior national team captain. Article Source: IANS

Harshit Rana in doubt for T20 World Cup due to injury

India allrounder injured his thigh during the T20 World Cup warm-up match against south Africa on Wednesday

T20 WC: Will Wait For The Final Word On Rana, But It's Not Looking Good At The Moment, Says Suryakumar

T20 World Cup: Ahead of defending champions India kicking off their Mens T20 World Cup title defence against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium, India skipper Suryakumar Yadav reflected on seam-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana's injury scare, saying the side will wait for a final word, but he admitted his current situation isnt encouraging. Rana, who has nine T20I caps so far, suffered a knee injury during India's warm-up match against South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday. He was seen limping off the field during their warm-up match after bowling one over, where he conceded 16 runs. He is not ruled out of the tournament as of now. He was not looking good after the warm-up match against South Africa. We will wait for the final word on him, but at this moment it is not looking good, said Suryakumar in the pre-match press conference. He acknowledged Ranas injury is a big setback to their plans but stressed that the team had contingency plans. Don't worry, we have eleven players. We have worked out our combinations with him (Harshit Rana) in mind, so if he is not available, we will work out other combinations with whoever is available. It is a setback, said Suryakumar. He is not ruled out of the tournament as of now. He was not looking good after the warm-up match against South Africa. We will wait for the final word on him, but at this moment it is not looking good, said Suryakumar in the pre-match press conference. Also Read: Live Cricket Score When asked if the Indian team was exploring options for his replacement, Suryakumar said, We will see who can replace him through the fast bowlers who have done well and the fast bowlers who can bat too, but no such hard and fast rules. We do have a few options. Article Source: IANS

T20 WC 2026: 10 Players Who Could Shape The Tournament

The ICC Men: The ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 is here, with India and Sri Lanka co-hosting. The tournament will feature a strategic battle: Indias batting-friendly pitches are expected to encourage aggressive batting and high scores, while Sri Lankas slower, more challenging pitches will require patience, adaptability, and spin-bowling skill. T20 World Cups are seldom won solely through depth. Instead, they hinge on key moments, such as an explosive powerplay, a crucial spell that stifles the middle overs, or a masterful performance in the death overs under intense pressure. History shows that a few standout players often shape the tournament's story. Here are 10 cricketers who look primed to leave a lasting imprint on the 2026 edition: Abhishek Sharma (India) Indias evolution in T20 cricket has been driven by a clear intent, exemplified by Abhishek Sharma. As an opener, he views the powerplay as an opportunity rather than a risk, leveraging pace and true bounce, conditions common in India. His talent for breaking down bowling attacks early can give him the potential to disrupt entire tournaments. With a string of confident performances, he could make Indias top order exceptionally formidable. Travis Head (Australia) Few batters can push opposition teams on the back foot as quickly as Travis Head. His aggressive scoring not only comes fast but also unsettles the bowlers, often leading them to adopt defensive fields early and prompting captains to abandon plans sooner. Heads experience playing in subcontinental conditions enhances his versatility, making him even more formidable. In a format where maintaining momentum is crucial, he continues to be one of Australias most lethal weapons. Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) If the conditions favour Sri Lanka, Hasaranga is likely to be a key player. A wrist-spinner known for taking breakthroughs, he is effective both with the new ball and during the middle overs, which is exceptional in T20 cricket. His sharp cricketing mind and subtle variations make him especially dangerous on slow pitches. Plus, his improving ability to hit lower-order shots makes Hasaranga a versatile match-winner in home conditions. Hardik Pandya (India) Big tournaments require players who can manage chaos, and Hardik Pandya has built his career on thriving in such environments. Whether hes finishing an inning, bowling a key over, or energising the fielding side, his impact often extends beyond just statistics. For India, Hardiks importance is in maintaining balance: he offers versatility in team setup while taking on leadership roles during stressful moments. In close knockout matches, his calmness could be invaluable. Quinton de Kock (South Africa) Few batters combine elegance and brutality as effortlessly as Quinton de Kock. His comeback to international cricket re-establishes authority at the top of South Africas batting lineup. De Kocks key strength is his capacity to control powerplays with composure, making bowlers work hard for breakthroughs early on. When he bats deep into an innings, South Africas prospects of setting or chasing large totals improve significantly. Varun Chakaravarthy (India) Varun Chakaravarthys comeback stands out as one of Indian crickets more understated successes. Once labelled just a mystery spinner, he now skilfully blends deception with control and strategy. His distinctive strength lies in his performance during the powerplay, a period when most spinners focus on damage control. On turning wickets, his variety of deliveries can be pivotal, especially against aggressive openers. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) Rashid Khan continues to set the benchmark for T20 bowling. His extensive experience in franchise cricket worldwide has enhanced his adaptability, and his statistics reflect consistent excellence over time. More than simply taking wickets, Rashid manages the games flow, induces mistakes, and excels under pressure. For Afghanistan, he is not only their top player but also their key pillar of strength. Phil Salt (England) Englands assertive T20 strategy is well exemplified by Phil Salt. As an opener eager to take charge immediately, Salt seldom gives bowlers a chance to settle. Although slower Sri Lankan pitches might challenge his shot choices, his bold style suits Englands game plan. If he survives the initial overs, the match can swiftly turn in Englands favor. Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan) Afghanistans success in global tournaments relies on versatile cricketers, and Azmatullah Omarzai exemplifies this. As a strong middle-order batsman and a capable pace bowler, he provides both balance and strategic options. When facing top-tier teams, players like Omarzai frequently make crucial impacts by contributing in various parts of the gamean ability that could prove essential for Afghanistans ongoing campaign. Jasprit Bumrah (India) Even in a format mostly centered around batters, Jasprit Bumrah stands out as a master of control. His ability to vary length, angle, and pace lets him command the game during both the powerplay and the death overs, which are the most unpredictable parts of a T20 match. When playing in familiar conditions, his impact increases further. As the game tightens and margins become thinner, captains increasingly rely on Bumrah as their go-to bowler. The 2026 T20 World Cup promises to be a clash of contrasts, featuring power against precision, aggression versus adaptability. Although teams will be filled with talented players, these ten individuals emerge as possible creators of pivotal moments. Even in a format mostly centered around batters, Jasprit Bumrah stands out as a master of control. His ability to vary length, angle, and pace lets him command the game during both the powerplay and the death overs, which are the most unpredictable parts of a T20 match. When playing in familiar conditions, his impact increases further. As the game tightens and margins become thinner, captains increasingly rely on Bumrah as their go-to bowler. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The marquee event gets underway on Saturday and will run till March 8. Article Source: IANS

Labuschagne defying broken thumb in Queensland title quest

He picked up the injury in the final Ashes Test but has not missed a game since and aims to see out the season

Labuschagne grinds after Handscomb 67 to leave MCG game in the balance

Things settled a little on the second day but bowlers still held sway as Queensland closed with a lead of 178

T20 WC: USAs Harmeet Singh Cherishes Homecoming At Wankhede Stadium For India Clash

When Harmeet Singh: When Harmeet Singh steps onto the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday evening, draped in the navy blue and red of the USA jersey when they take on India, the left-arm spin bowling all-rounders life will come full circle. Saturday's clash on day one of the Mens T20 World Cup will see Harmeet return to play cricket in the city where he spent the first 27 years of his life chasing a dream that seemed perpetually out of reach till a move to the USA made it possible. Harmeet's journey from Mumbai's domestic circuit to winning the 2012 U19 World Cup with India and now representing the USA at the Mens T20 World Cup is a story of reinvention, resilience, and the unbelievable fact that life can indeed come full circle. Playing in Wankhede has always been special. Growing up in Mumbai and playing most of my cricket in Mumbai till the first 27 years of my life, it means a lot coming back to Mumbai and playing a game at Wankhede, and that too a World Cup game. So, it's very special, firstly personally, but then when I look at it as a whole event, it means a lot for the USA also as a cricket-playing nation getting that world stage to show what the team is all about and what cricket means in the USA and how hard everybody has worked to be here, recalled Harmeet in an exclusive conversation with IANS ahead of the T20 World Cup. Once hailed by Australian legend Ian Chappell as a promising talent, Harmeet's career was marred by controversy spot-fixing allegations from which he was later cleared by the BCCI and being booked for driving a car on a railway station platform. Though he cleared his name and continued to perform his last first-class game in India saw him pick up a six-wicket haul the doors to national selection remained firmly shut. I needed that change because what was happening in India was like a stamp: no matter how much I performed, even my last first-class game was a six-wicket haul, and that didn't move anyone. No selector was moving, and it was like I was performing and no one was watching. When I made the change, I did the same things that I was doing there. It's not like I have become consistent or started doing something different overnight, he said. The move to the USA six years ago changed everything. Not his game the same controlled left-arm spin bowling and chipping in with handy batting but the reception to it. Whatever teams I play for in any tournament, I try to win championships. I have been able to do that and create an impact. It's not easy, you also know, to be consistent in the T20 format as a bowler or all-rounder. Wherever I have played, whichever league I have played, I have always done well only. Mostly, once I made that change, the same performance was only getting appreciation. Growing up in Mumbai, there was no other way to get into the Mumbai team other than performing, and I knew how to perform, he said. Since moving to the USA, Harmeet has thrived becoming first pick in the Major League Cricket draft during his cooling-off period, leading Seattle Orcas to the finals in his debut season, and establishing himself as a crucial all-rounder for the national team. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, he demonstrated his value with 2-24 against South Africa, dismissing Quinton de Kock and David Miller, before contributing a vital 38 off 22 balls with the bat, though it went in vain. His recent form has been equally impressive: 21 wickets in 21 T20 games since 2025, with an economy rate of 7 and a strike rate of 19. 4. Since I moved to the USA, there is always appreciation and reward towards the performance. It's not like aap andhere mei teer chalaye jaa rahe ho aur kahi lag hi nahi raha (You are shooting arrows in the dark and you can't hit anywhere). Since that thing has changed in my life, it has helped me a lot because games are live; no one can say whether you have performed or not. It doesn't go unnoticed it is always noticed. Since then, it has only been nice, and it has worked for me. I am glad I made that decision and made a career out of the sport I love, added Harmeet. Harmeet also has the company of his former Mumbai friends pacer Saurabh Netravalkar and batting all-rounder Shubham Ranjane. The diversity of the USA squad players from Caribbean, South African, Pakistani, and Indian origins has forged an identity built on fearlessness and mutual respect. The Caribbean players bring their way of playing cricket, as do South Africans and Pakistanis, and we Indians know what we bring to the table. That common ground is playing fearless cricket, and that's been our brand of cricket we have been following. We respect the opponents, but we don't put anybody on a pedestal, especially when we step on the field, and then off the field there is huge respect. But then we want to win almost every game we play. All the experience we carry from the Indian turf gives us a head start in the fact that we know the conditions and what to do and share with our players. All that helps a lot, and hopefully, with that little bit of experience which we are able to share, we can use it to our advantage. From the last World Cup till now, even in League 2, we have done well; we are on top, and we have been winning most series wherever we go. It's only getting stronger the bond and winning always helps. It makes us feel that we are doing something right, and it's been working for us. I am very excited for this World Cup because we have only become stronger and better as a team, said Harmeet. That fearlessness will be tested to its limits when the USA faces India at the Wankhede, even as Harmeet is scrambling to secure seats even for his own family and friends in Mumbai. But rather than being overawed by the occasion or their opponents, Harmeet and his teammates are approaching the tournament with quiet confidence. People think we exceeded, let's say, expectations at the last World Cup. But we did not, if you ask our 15 players. We also gave a tough game to India and South Africa, and they were the finalists of the 2024 World Cup. I don't think as a team, we think that we are less than anyone. On our day, we all are match winners, and we can win a game on our own, over anybody. Again, to set boundaries, we will limit ourselves. I am not setting any boundaries for this World Cup. It suits an Indian or a South African or an Australian player to say that, okay, we will go out there and win the World Cup. But for us, I feel I'm not setting any boundaries because we don't want to limit ourselves, he said. He refuses to set limits on how far the USA can go. We don't want to just make the Super 8s. Why not the semi-final? Why not the final? Why not win it? The way we are playing cricket and the way we are together, I feel if we keep doing the right things under pressure, handling pressure will be the most important thing in India, more than showing your skill set. If we handle pressure well, then there are no limits, he said. Amidst the mega-event frenzy, Harmeet is keenly aware of the challenges posed by Indian conditions smaller boundaries, flatter wickets, and the unique characteristics of venues like Wankhede. Sometimes Wankhede can be different because it has not had a lot of games recently, so it might be a fresh wicket, and we don't know how flat it will be. Normally, in white-ball cricket, they give flatter wickets. But because it's a World Cup, they also want the wickets to last. A lot of games are going to happen, so maybe they'll give a lot of grass covering, so then plans change. There are a lot of things, but I'm not fixing up a plan in mind. Its more like keeping it flexible, so that if this happens, we'll do this, or if that happens, we'll do that. Its about having my plans in place and then manoeuvring as and when needed, he said. His approach to the format reflects a philosophy honed through years of experience across multiple leagues and conditions. T20 cricket is about execution. Initially I didn't believe in luck, but T20 cricket is a little bit about luck also. Mostly I try to keep my plans in place and try to execute them to my best ability, and then I don't complicate things much because the more you complicate, the more you are going to find yourself in trouble. T20 cricket is about clarity it's about expressing, being fearless, and executing under pressure. Beyond personal redemption, Harmeet sees this World Cup as crucial for USA cricket's development. We coach a lot of kids at the grassroots level, and we are already connected there. We are all rooted with the smaller kids in America who are picking up the bat and ball. It really means a lot to all of us. We keep inspiring the next generation and motivating them to play the sport. If there is money in infrastructure and sport, a lot of American parents will allow their kids to play and pursue the sport also. Right now it's more, let's say, more passionate kids who love the sport, and they are playing, he said. He draws parallels with India's transformation in the early 2000s when administrative vision and investment revolutionised the sport. The USA has everything it just needs good administrators, people with vision, investors, and infrastructure. If all that happens, the USA will probably be the next Australia. Acceptance has happened; USOPC is getting aligned, and it will help us a lot. Athletes will be taken care of. Infrastructure is the roadblock between the USA being a full member nation versus where we are right now. The talent and pool of players are there we just need the structure. As he prepares to walk out at Wankhede Stadium wearing the USA colours, Harmeet will cherish a very special homecoming, built on the back of chasing his dreams and the willingness to cross geographical boundaries. Each one of us in the team has their own story, and everyone has come a long way from where we all started. That's also what America is about, the land of opportunities. Acceptance has happened; USOPC is getting aligned, and it will help us a lot. Athletes will be taken care of. Infrastructure is the roadblock between the USA being a full member nation versus where we are right now. The talent and pool of players are there we just need the structure. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So, it means even more personally. But it's not just about me it's more about the team. It's more about the journey of all of us, and then we go out there, and I'm hoping that we are able to express ourselves in our best way, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

Litchfield: Life after Healy will be 'a massive change'

The left hander is hopeful of being fit for the start of the multi-format series against India after injury ended her WPL campaign

The SSC finally steps out of the sunshine and into the floodlights

The venue in Colombo has not hosted a men's T20 international since 2010, and will have day-night matches for the first time during the 2026 T20 World Cup

'Disappointing To Come Out On The Wrong End Of It Again,' Says DC Coach After Fourth Consecutive WPL Final Loss

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Delhi Capitals head coach Jonathan Batty felt gutted after her team suffered its fourth straight final loss as Royal Challengers Bengaluru put on a spectacular show to chase down 204 runs to clinch their second title in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 title clash played at BCA Stadium (Kotambi). Batty felt the batters did their job well, carrying the momentum from the eliminator to record the highest first-innings score at Vadodara, but it was disappointing to end on the losing side once again. It's really tough to take. Having played so well in the Eliminator earlier in the week, and coming into this game with momentum, putting a really good score on the board, I was proud of the way we went about our business with the bat. Twenty overs in, you think, 'Okay, it's a good score; if we bowl well here, we've got a very good chance.' It's really disappointing to come out on the wrong end of it again. But full credit to RCB; obviously, those two batters, Georgia Voll and Smriti, played absolutely fantastically, Batty said in a post-match presser. Despite the loss, Batty heaped praise on the team's fightback at the end and taking the match to the last over, where RCB needed ten runs to win the match. I'm really proud of our team's effort to still be in the game there, where it looked like it was drifting for a period of time, to still be in that last over and lose with only two balls to go I think we showed a lot of fight, a lot of heart. But I think the game kind of summed up our season, that we did certain bits really well and other bits kind of fell away at times as well. Despite the loss, Batty heaped praise on the team's fightback at the end and taking the match to the last over, where RCB needed ten runs to win the match. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Her leadership grew and grew as we went through it as well. So, I'm really proud of the effort she's put in. She's thrown her heart and soul into this season. So, I'm looking forward to seeing where she takes that over the next few years as well, Batty added. Article Source: IANS

Patterson and Edwards put New South Wales in control

The home side built a strong lead on a surface that continued to provide assistance for the pace bowlers

T20 WC: Very Happy With Indias Progress, Hopes Are Really Very High To Retain The Title, Says Mhambrey

T20 World Cup: Having lifted the Mens T20 World Cup trophy for the first time in 2007, before breaking a long drought to clinch the crown in 2024, defending champions India are aiming to become the first team to achieve three milestones: retain the crown, win it three times, and clinch a World Cup in the shortest format on home soil. The co-hosts enter the tournament as the top-ranked side and boast of the number one ranked batter and bowler in Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakaravarthy, respectively. With their ultra-attacking batting template and pinpoint precision with the ball, India have the best win percentage among the top 10 T20I teams since winning the 2024 edition. Paras Mhambrey, Indias former bowling coach, was a part of the setup during the 2024 triumph under Rohit Sharma and believes the side has the depth and leadership to retain the title. Before India launches its title defence against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, Mhambrey spoke exclusively to IANS on the sides chances of retaining the title, Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy, the influential factors in play when featuring in a mega event at home and more. Excerpts:- Q. We are just a day away from the 2026 T20 World Cup commencing, this time on home soil. How do you analyse India's chances of retaining the trophy won in 2024? A. I'm very happy and sure of it. In the way I've seen in the last few years, the way the team has progressed, the kind of cricket they're playing that's fabulous. Just to see the last series that we played and even the last game that we played, the warm-up game against South Africa it's fabulous to watch, just the way everyone's going about it. Happy to know and see that the core is still there from the last two years. It's so important to actually have that core playing the World Cup. One is the experience bit there's so much experience out here and just the skill sets that are available to us. When you're entering a big tournament like this, you want all your top players to be available. It's good to see that Tilak (Varma) is back in the team, getting an opportunity and playing a fabulous innings out there. Overall, we are very happy with the way things have progressed for us. Now, it's one day at a time. But just the way the Indian team is playing, I think hopes really are very high. Q. Take us back to June 2024 what are the moments from that victorious 2024 World Cup campaign that give you goosebumps to date? A. It's the tag of world champions. I think any team that plays cricket and any individual that represents the country I think the tag of being a world champion is always special. That's something that will stay with that individual and the team. I'm no different from anyone else out here. As a player, I know the value and the importance of representing your country, and especially the World Cup is so special because it comes every four years. We didn't have the T20 tournament, and we always kind of looked at the 50-over tournament, and the World Cup was special. So, getting an opportunity out there, and then again, just shifting it from one side of the rope to the other and getting an opportunity to be part of that dressing room it's something that, as a player, I always wanted to be and experience the whole journey, if I can say that. It's so special because it takes a lot. The tenure of the tournament is a week or so, 15 days. But there are a couple of years of real, real hard work that went into it, and when you see that finally bear fruit, I can't explain that. I think the tag of being world champions is special. Q. That 2024 World Cup-winning squad had a special chemistry. How much of that has carried forward into this 2026 team, in your opinion? A. It is the case you can see it on the ground. Everyone is so professional in terms of being very clear about their roles. Good to see that each and every individual has delivered at some point or other. It was so important to go into the tournament and not only deliver - I thought they won the game for the team, and that's so important. You are ticking the right boxes out here, and everyone is fit. So good to see that they are coming and you have the best 15 available to choose from, and it's so important. The core is always important because that's where your experience lies. You have been through that situation, and they have experienced that. To a certain extent, they are a little better prepared to deal with the tournament because some of the individuals have not played and not experienced this. They played the bilaterals and other series, but especially the World Cup is different. I am sure by the time the first game comes and much before it, right now I think everyone will get the hang and feel of what the World Cup is, especially when it's a domestic one. Wherever you go, they will be reminded. There will be hoardings out there and billboards around. People in the lift, the watchmen also saying, 'Jeetna hai, jeetna hai' (You have to win, you have to win). So they will feel how important it is not only for the players but for the whole country around. Q. Suryakumar Yadav is leading this Indian side while also being one of the most destructive batters in world cricket and discovering form at the right time. How do you see him balancing those dual responsibilities in this mega event? A. He is doing it wonderfully. I thought he had settled down well. He is very well settled in his role right now. Whatever you say, that shift is a little different even though you don't want to think about it and feel it may not affect you. But it's always going to be at the back of your mind that you are captain, and that adds a little bit of responsibility on your shoulders not only for the others but also for yourself. Your expectations also are high up there because you want to deliver, and then you are playing a dual role, right? You are also focusing on, importantly, your game. So it's difficult now. He has to find the balance, and I am very happy with the way he is shaped up because it's very difficult to find the balance between yourself and the team. Now he has to look after all the 10 other players on the ground, not only himself. So it takes a little while, but I'm happy with the way he is shaped up as a captain just the way others have warmed up to it and just that you can see on the ground, for sure. Q. Playing a World Cup at home comes with its own pressures and advantages. What do you think will be the biggest factor the crowd support, familiarity with conditions or just the form they are in? A. All three you touched the right points. You can't beat the home crowd. You have that when you go in and know that everyone is going to be rooting for you. When chips are down, you still have people supporting you. It's so important sometimes. As an opponent, you are not in a game, and you don't really realise that you are on top of the game right now because of so much support that you have. So that's incomparable anyway, but conditions, definitely, because you play on these wickets, you know exactly how the wickets behave like the red soil and black soil because you played out there, and just generally from your past, you can draw from your past experiences and then work on your game. The most important bit is the form. I thought it was important to have everyone contributing, and it's good to see that not only did everyone contribute, but at some point, they all won games. Maybe on an individual basis like a spell, a knock, or a few balls it's so important to do that. In all three aspects, I think you are really up there, and I am happy because all three bases are covered for us. Q. Without asking for predictions, which team do you think poses the biggest tactical challenge for India in this tournament? A. Oh, that's a mystery question you asked me. You got me thinking about it. It's just... I feel in a tournament like this, from past experiences, I can tell you that whenever you go with the favourites, I think people have got it wrong. If you look at the way, just look at the way the last game was; the last World Cup final was against South Africa. It's just one scenario they were favourites to win at one time. We went in; that didn't work, and it's just the way the game went, and everyone thought, 'This is going to be South Africa.' 'You have someone like... you don't take away from Sri Lanka in these games. If you look at the last few games that they've played, they've been playing decent cricket, and with their home conditions, you're going to play some games there, similar to out here, because a lot of these guys play in the IPL the bowling bit. So they would be competitive, and maybe a couple of teams like this. But as I said, you really can't go in with the favourite side, as sometimes you've got it wrong. It's just one scenario they were favourites to win at one time. We went in; that didn't work, and it's just the way the game went, and everyone thought, 'This is going to be South Africa.' 'You have someone like... you don't take away from Sri Lanka in these games. Also Read: Live Cricket Score A. I'll put my neck out here and say supremely confident. It's just the way they're playing and what kind of cricket they're playing it gives you a lot of confidence. Availability of players is, again, a big factor for me. Variety is available as spinners and seamers a big factor that's been touched. We covered all our bases as well as we could, and I'm supremely confident in just the way they have played in the past so, fingers crossed. Article Source: IANS

RCB honour captain Smriti Mandhana rejoices second WPL triumph; Virat Kohli writes 'keeping the RCB flag flying high'

Smriti Mandhana led RCB sealed a six-wicket win over Delhi Capitals to lift the WPL 2026 trophy. RCB chased down a massive 204 runs with six wickets and two balls to spare, completing the highest successful chase in WPL history.Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma and fans rejoiced as RCB clinched yet another memorable win.

Aussie Pacer Josh Hazlewood Ruled Out Of T20 WC

T20 World Cup: Australia suffered another injury blow as fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been officially ruled out of the ICC Mens T20 World Cup, starting on Saturday in Sri Lanka and India, after failing to recover in time for the showpiece event. Hazlewood suffered a hamstring injury in the final Sheffield Shield game before the start of the Ashes. He was initially sidelined from the England series due to a hamstring strain, later developed an Achilles problem during his recovery. Having not played a match since injuring his hamstring in the Sheffield Shield on November 12, Hazlewood was initially named in the World Cup squad despite him remaining in Sydney when the group assembled in Sri Lanka this week. But just five days before Australia's opening match against Ireland in Colombo on February 11, national selector Tony Dodemaide said the 35-year-old is still some time away from regaining full fitness. We were hopeful Josh would be back to match fitness by the Super Eights stage but the latest indications (are) he is still some time away. Trying to accelerate his program will carry too much of a risk, Dodemaide said. Australia will not name a replacement immediately, with selectors opting to reassess based on conditions and requirements as the tournament progresses. We will not be naming a replacement player immediately. We feel we are well covered for the initial games so will make any later decisions based on priority need at the time, Dodemaide added. Hazlewood has a formidable T20 record despite not playing a match in the format for nearly four years, from March 2016 to January 2020. He helped Australia to their only T20 World Cup title, in the UAE in 2021, taking 3 for 16 in the final against New Zealand. He has taken 133 wickets at 20.44 with an economy rate of 7.57. Of the 75 quick bowlers to have sent down at least 2000 deliveries between January 2020 and the end of last year. His average is the second best (behind India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah), and his economy ranks him eighth. The 35-year-old pacer joined fellow fast bowler Pat Cummins on the injury list. Xavier Bartlett and Sixers left-armer Ben Dwarshuis are the only two fully fit frontline quicks. Sean Abbott, who was added as a travelling reserve last week, could eventually be added to the squad as Hazlewoods replacement. Nathan Ellis and Tim David, who have both been dealing with hamstring issues, are on track to be available for the group stage, while Adam Zampa (groin tightness) will be available for the first match in Colombo next week. Australias warm-up match against the Netherlands was abandoned on Thursday, but they still have a six-day preparation window before the first group game against Ireland. Skipper Mitchell Marsh remains confident Australia have a lot of bases covered with our squad given the presence of seam-bowling all-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green. Australias warm-up match against the Netherlands was abandoned on Thursday, but they still have a six-day preparation window before the first group game against Ireland. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Matthew Kuhnemann has been great for us. We've also got Adam Zampa and then we've got a few spinning all-rounders, like most teams will. So I think we've got all bases covered, and now it's just about getting stuck into it, Marsh said. Article Source: IANS

T20 WC: India's All-round Depth And Pace Attack In Prime Shape, Says Mhambrey

T20 World Cup: India's all-round options and the complementary fast-bowling partnership of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh have the team well-positioned ahead of their Mens T20 World Cup title defence, said former bowling coach Paras Mhambrey. India's all-rounder department is full of enviable depth via Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Shivam Dube, providing different skill sets across batting and bowling. The trio have made significant contributions since the 2024 triumph, giving the defending champions crucial balance in their playing eleven. Pandya has featured in 29 T20Is post the 2024 World Cup, scoring 579 runs at a strike rate of 155 with three fifties while taking 21 wickets at a strike rate of 21.1. Axar has played 27 matches in the same period, making 233 runs at a strike rate of 121 and claiming 28 wickets at a strike rate of 15.1. Good to see Hardik and Axar delivering with both the bat and the ball. So your two departments are looked into you have a seaming option as well as a quality spin option. Both are quality players, and two departments are covered with a lefty and right-hand bat combination. Then Axar has become a floater right now. He's equally adept at playing up the order or lower down the order, and he's done well for us. So that's really good to see. Bowling-wise, both are ticking the right boxes, and happy to see the way Hardik is shaping up. Hardik is important, and fingers crossed, everything has been taken care of for sure, because I'm sure with the work ethic that he has, he really must have done well and must have worked hard on his fitness and his bowling. So I'm sure that the results you can see will be helpful for him, Mhambrey told IANS in an exclusive conversation on Friday. Dube, meanwhile, has emerged as a powerful six-hitting option, scoring 347 runs in 26 matches at a strike rate of 175, including two half-centuries. He has also chipped in with 18 wickets, while maintaining a strike rate of 13.2 as a seamer, especially with his bowling returns being handy in the last few months. For Dube, he's turned out to be a guy with a golden arm. He bowls the least in the tournament games and kind of gives you the breakthroughs that you don't expect. So in that sense, it's very nice, and I'm happy to see that. In case sometimes you have other options as well. But it's good to see that in case either of the bowlers... you want all of the bowlers to bowl 4 overs, and you expect them to bowl their overs. It may not happen all the time, but in case there are a couple of overs here and there or two overs that you need to look for, I think with Dube, the way he's gone about it, he gives you the confidence that you are going to get a couple of overs from him every game. So that's good, and it's good to have that kind of option available as well in spin, like Abhishek can do that, added Mhambrey, who was Indias bowling coach in their 2024 T20 World Cup win. The fast bowling department is also well taken care of, thanks to the well-balanced and highly effective Jasprit BumrahArshdeep Singh pairing. After the 2024 World Cup win, where he was the Player of the Tournament, Bumrah has taken 18 wickets in 15 innings at an economy of 7.7 and a strike rate of 18.7. Arshdeep, meanwhile, has been prolific with 39 wickets in 23 innings, striking every 12.8 balls despite an economy of 8.9, and is coming off picking his second five-wicket haul in T20Is against New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram. I feel they are the Laurel and Hardy combination right now. It's just the fact that they are so famous. They are the combination in terms of complementing each other so well. One is a right-hander, and one is a left-armer. Both bowls are in different phases and are equally adapted to bowls in different phases. You don't have to bank on only looking at Bumrah to bowl in the powerplay, as you can then mix it up. The way Arshdeep goes, he is going to give you a couple of overs in the powerplay, if not more. So you can then play around with Bumrah's overs in between. So it's just the way they are complementing each other both are adapted to this format so well. I think the pressure that they handle in every game, practically, they are delivering. So currently both are on top of the game right now, and it's such a great thing to see, and it's so helpful from the team perspective, added Mhambrey, who currently works as the Mumbai Indians bowling coach in the IPL. You don't have to bank on only looking at Bumrah to bowl in the powerplay, as you can then mix it up. The way Arshdeep goes, he is going to give you a couple of overs in the powerplay, if not more. So you can then play around with Bumrah's overs in between. Also Read: Live Cricket Score You cannot afford not to have him in any of the games. Same with Hardik, and I don't see anything like that right now. It's just like the last game; Hardik bowled, and he was batting. I think that's the right basis, and I don't see anything right now from here onwards, like any one of them taking a break. You want to have momentum going into a tournament, and I am sure you will see them playing, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

T20 WC: Chakaravarthy's Accuracy Makes Him A Challenging Bowler, Says Mhambrey

T20 World Cup: India wrist-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy's relentless accuracy, pace and subtle variations are the factors which make him a very challenging bowler for batters to face, feels former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey. Since his return to international cricket in October 2024, Chakaravarthy has been bamboozling batters with his mystery spin and tight lines that offer little margin for error. In the lead-up to the upcoming mega event, Chakaravarthy has taken at least one wicket in each of his last 13 innings. The streak is bettered only by Arshdeep Singh, who claimed wickets in 17 consecutive T20I innings between 2024 and 2025. Since the T20I series win in South Africa in 2024, Chakravarthy has picked up at least one wicket in 24 of his last 25 innings. Chakravarthys impact is unmatched, as he is the leading wicket-taker in T20Is post the last World Cup with 57 scalps, ahead of New Zealands Jacob Duffy (48), Pakistan duo of Mohammad Nawaz (44) and Abrar Ahmed (44) and Bangladeshs Rishad Hossain (42). It's about the lines and the lengths that he goes. He's always challenging the stumps all the time, right? So as a batter, the margin of error is pretty less. If you miss it, if you're still going to go and play your shots and you miss it, most likely you're going to be in trouble - getting leg-before or bowled - and that's what is happening out here. The other bit is, obviously, people aren't able to pick his variations. That's become a challenge because it's so subtle. It's not like a very big change in the way that changes in his run-up or the delivery style, whatever. The third bit is the pace that he bowls, right? It's one bit that you can't do against him. Generally, what you do against a spinner is you use your feet. I think with the speed that he bowls, he doesn't allow you to step out. So as a batter, that one of the couple of shots that may take the pressure off is not available to you. Then, as a batter, you need to look at other options, Mhambrey told IANS in an exclusive conversation on Friday. With conventional options unavailable, batters are forced into high-risk strategies that often play into Chakaravarthys hands. You need to look at a straight hit, where you expect him to err a little bit on the length, which is not happening that often. So you start looking at the other options and the slogs. Then, as a bowler, because just the way he bowls, he's into play, and I think that's what's really challenging when facing him, added Mhambrey, who was Indias bowling coach in their 2024 Mens T20 World Cup win. India's embarrassment of riches in the spin department includes Chakaravarthy, left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel and left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav - a trio that could prove to be devastating if a few pitches turn out to be spin-friendly in the competition. India also have off-spin bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar in their squad, and is recovering from a side strain injury at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. It will be. Looking at conditions, especially when you're playing in India and more so in Sri Lanka, when you think you will play it out there. The conditions out there, the soil and wicket will make it challenging. That's not a monkey on my back right now to think about how do I fit all three in the combination, but we'll love to see all three of them because they are your sure shot three wicket-taking options - sure shot 12 overs out there who can bowl in different phases of the game. Varun has proved it; Axar has proved it. Kuldeep has become... just the way he mastered the middle phases, end phases. All three are picking wickets and are capable of picking wickets. So it's great. I hope you get to see them play. How often, I don't know, but we'll love to see them, all three together, added Mhambrey, who played two Tests and three ODIs for India. Aside from the spinners, middle-order batter Rinku Singh has established himself as a reliable finisher with his ability to deliver the goods in pressure situations for India. In 19-20 overs in T20Is, Rinku has hit 220 runs at a strike-rate of 275. As per Cricket-21, Rinku has hit 25 sixes in overs 17 to 20 and hits a maximum in every 6 balls in this period. Add to it, 78% of his sixes have come against pace in T20Is, which made Mhambrey praise his understated but highly effective approach and few pockets of weakness to exploit for the opposition bowlers. If you just look at Rinku on the field, I think it's easy to miss him, right? He is not the kind of guy who is very animated, but does his role very smoothly. He is a gun-fielder. I think when he actually drops a catch, you kind of surprise everyone like, 'Rinku has dropped the catch!' So that's kind of a reputation that he has earned over the years. It's purely because of his fielding and we have seen that from the IPL days. We have seen how destructive he can be with the bat and he has got the capacity to really play the angles as well. It's not the kind of area that you can get away with saying that you are going to cramp him and he struggles with that. If you just look at Rinku on the field, I think it's easy to miss him, right? He is not the kind of guy who is very animated, but does his role very smoothly. He is a gun-fielder. I think when he actually drops a catch, you kind of surprise everyone like, 'Rinku has dropped the catch!' So that's kind of a reputation that he has earned over the years. Also Read: Live Cricket Score His ability to clear the ropes is well known, and if you have someone like him batting at six, seven or whatever number you think that you want to work around, and with his ability to finish a game like that - it's a challenge for the opponents, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

Hazlewood ruled out of T20 World Cup, Australia wait to name replacement

He joins Cummins as a late withdrawal due to injury as a difficult lead-in to the tournament continues

Smriti Mandhana overcomes 'massive flu' to play title-winning innings for RCB

The RCB captain was the top-scorer in the final, and the top-scorer of the season too

T20 WC: Shastri, Smith, Bishop To Headline Star-studded Commentary Panel

ICC World Test Championship: Highly-renowned commentators Ravi Shastri, Nasser Hussain, Ian Smith and Ian Bishop headline commentary panel during the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup that commences in India and Sri Lanka on February 7. An impressive list of former greats and current stars also features former T20 World Cup winners Aaron Finch, Dinesh Karthik, Kumar Sangakkara, Samuel Badree, Robin Uthappa, Carlos Brathwaite. The ICC said that current player and reigning ICC World Test Championship-winning captain Temba Bavuma of South Africa will be heard on commentary, while 2014 T20 World Cup winner Angelo Mathews is also included in an impressive list of commentators that will be utilised across the 55 matches at the tournament. Team India is entering the tournament as defending champions and will aim to become the only team to win the trophy for the third time and also to defend the title. The ICC said that current player and reigning ICC World Test Championship-winning captain Temba Bavuma of South Africa will be heard on commentary, while 2014 T20 World Cup winner Angelo Mathews is also included in an impressive list of commentators that will be utilised across the 55 matches at the tournament. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The Men in Blue will kick off their campaign on February 7 with a group-stage match against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Article Source: IANS

T20 WC: There Is Clarity In Abhisheks Game Plan, Decision-making Is Not Clouded: Mhambrey

U19 Cricket World Cup: Former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey has praised in-form left-handed opener Abhishek Sharmas clarity in game plan and decision-making ahead of the 2026 Mens T20 World Cup, adding that it was a matter of time for him to enter the senior set-up and develop into a quality player. Abhishek enters the upcoming mega event as the top-ranked T20I batter, having amassed 1,297 runs in 37 T20Is, including ten fifty-plus scores since his debut in July 2024 the most for a batter in this time-frame ahead of the World Cup. He also leads the six-hitting charts with 88 maximums in that period, the most amongst top ten teams, while his strike rate of 195 is the best among batters with 1,000-plus runs. Abhisheks power-hitting is unmatched as per Cricket-21, he strikes a six in every eight balls in T20Is. He has also hit 55 maximums in the first six overs the second-most for an India mens batter. Remarkably, he has cleared the ropes 36 times within his first 10 deliveries, which translates to averaging a six in every nine balls. Mhambrey has kept tabs on the progress of Abhishek when the latter was a member of the 2018 Mens U19 Cricket World Cup winning team in New Zealand. His dazzling progress in T20Is may have come as a surprise to many, but not to Mhambrey and former head coach Rahul Dravid. I just look back and think about Abhishek during the under-19 days. You always felt that he had time. He had time and he was still a young kid. I thought he was still the youngest of the lot. He was 17 or so, maybe. But with that said, you knew that within a span of the next 3-4 years, obviously, he will develop as a player, physically as well, because you knew the technique was there. You still knew the timing was there. The strength was kind of... because he was still young and you knew that given an opportunity, given a look into the next 4-5 years, he has the skill set to develop into a quality player. I am sure no one is surprised from the lot that has been with him, including Rahul (Dravid). I am sure if you have a chat with Rahul, he would say the same thing - that we are not surprised that he is delivering at this stage, said Mhambrey in an exclusive conversation with IANS on Friday. Nothing illustrates Abhisheks dominance more than his ability to score quickly from the outset. He often charges down the wicket against pace from the very first ball, looking to create width and impose himself. Nearly half of his boundaries against pace in the powerplay since his debut have come through the point and cover regions, reflecting a stand-and-deliver style that has become his hallmark. Against spinners, Abhishek accelerates further, striking one maximum in every six balls. What stands out for me is just the free flow of his bat and just the timing bit. Again, the spinners and seamers and kind of... I feel if you just analyse his game a little bit, it looks like there is clarity in his game plan. It's not clouded anywhere - the decision-making is not clouded. It's very clear that this is the way he wants to play and very clear in terms of... and that shows in maybe your footwork. Maybe you are using the angles, using the crease, and he is so smartly doing it. I think those couple of things really stand out, added Mhambrey, who won the 2024 Mens T20 World Cup as Indias bowling coach. With wicketkeeper-batters Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson both vying to be Abhisheks opening partner, India face a selection challenge and Mhambrey described it as a happy headache to have. Kishan has been in great form and hit a whirlwind 103 against New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram, and smashed a quick-fire 53 in the warm-up game win over South Africa in Navi Mumbai. He is the frontrunner to don the gloves and open the batting ahead of Samson, who had a horrid series against New Zealand with just 46 runs in five innings. Well, it's always good to have options and the kind of option that you feel comes in and delivers as well. So it's always going to be a dilemma in the team - do we stick with Sanju or Ishan, who is getting runs right now, and just pursue that? It's always going to be the decision that thankfully is not mine or not ours anymore. I will leave it to the current staff for that. But I think what is also very healthy to see is that you have someone who comes in like Ishan, coming in and complimenting Abhishek. It's not about one guy playing a role or the second guy doing it. Out there on the field, both guys are playing in a similar template in terms of the batting - equally destructive from both ends. So that becomes a challenge for the fielding side, right? That's something which is so nice because it's just the way we've seen them using the powerplay. The first 6 overs, just the way we are using it - it's no longer about 8 and 9 or 10. It's always been 10 plus or 12 and 13. It's always going to be the decision that thankfully is not mine or not ours anymore. I will leave it to the current staff for that. But I think what is also very healthy to see is that you have someone who comes in like Ishan, coming in and complimenting Abhishek. It's not about one guy playing a role or the second guy doing it. Also Read: Live Cricket Score There's no way that I can say I can bowl a couple of balls to one batter and get away with it - because I'm not going to get away with it. Just the way it looks like, it's healthy and great for the Indian dressing room. But definitely not from the opposite side, so I'll be wary. I'll be a little tense in saying that I know what we are against now, concluded Mhambrey. Article Source: IANS

DC coach Jonathan Batty: If you keep putting yourself in finals, you will win one

The Delhi Capitals coach had high praise for Jemimah Rodrigues as captain and said Nandani Sharma was the bowler of the season

Mandhana: Bell bowled a match-winning spell, Voll's intent was spot-on

DC captain Jemimah Rodrigues captain praised her team's character as they went down in their fourth straight final

USA batters give New Zealand a scare in T20 World Cup warm-up

Matt Henry took five wickets, including two in the final over

WPL 2026: Dedicate This Win To Smriti As She Went Through A Lot In Last Few Months, Says Shreyanka

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru off-spin bowling all-rounder Shreyanka Patil said their Womens Premier League (WPL) 2026 triumph was very special and dedicated the victory to skipper Smriti Mandhana, citing challenges the skipper faced in the last few months. RCBs six-wicket win over Delhi Capitals at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara sealed their second WPL crown, with Smritis 87 and Georgia Volls 79 forming the backbone of the chase. Would love to mention three people - number one, Smriti, because she has gone through a lot in the last couple of months. Would love to dedicate this win to her. Malo and Anya. Today is Anya's son's birthday - first year. And again, Malo - first time he's the head coach and it's a special win for all of us, said Shreyanka to broadcasters after the title win was sealed. Shreyanka, who returned to the side this season after missing last year due to a shin injury, said the triumph was particularly meaningful. Very special for me. My comeback WPL season. Couldn't have asked for more. Lovely crowd here - supported us throughout, no matter what. 200 on the board, but they had that faith and belief in us. I thank each and every member who has come out and supported us. Also, the people watching us in Bangalore and Karnataka would like to say big thanks to you guys, she said. She added that the positive atmosphere in the dugout had been crucial in chasing down 204. After the first innings got over, me and Aru (Arundhati Reddy) and I were walking towards the dugout and were like 'we're going to pull this off'. We had that very positive environment in the dugout. That's how the dugout has been throughout the season. We win, we lose, we never stop smiling, said Shreyanka. Reflecting on the final moments, Shreyanka admitted she was stunned by the dramatic finish. I'm still in shock - the last ball, the bails fell, and the ball went to the boundary, and I'm like, what's happening. Is it a hit wicket, is it a boundary, what should I do? And I'm like 'Malo, what is it?' and he was like 'we won'. Left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Radha Yadav, who hit the winning runs, praised the managements role in supporting the players and preparing them for high-pressure situations. Everyone is very happy. This team has worked very hard. The management has backed the players and given us whatever we asked for. They've actually given us more than we asked for. This win is for them. As players, we put in the hard work - sometimes we get the result, sometimes we don't. But the hard work put in by the management - hats off to them. We used to do situational practice - trying to achieve a certain number of runs in a certain number of balls. Our management helped a lot. Whatever skills we had, how can we improve on those? They backed us to find those ways, she said. Left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Radha Yadav, who hit the winning runs, praised the managements role in supporting the players and preparing them for high-pressure situations. Everyone is very happy. This team has worked very hard. The management has backed the players and given us whatever we asked for. They've actually given us more than we asked for. This win is for them. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Was the management's decision to give us some time off so that we come back fresh and recharged. (wWheredoes this win rank for you?) My first IPL title. The World Cup is obviously first and above all. This comes second, she said. Article Source: IANS

Siddaramaiah, Kumaraswamy Congratulate RCB Women's Team For Lifting WPL Trophy

Ee Sala Nu Cup Namde: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Thursday congratulated the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) womens team for lifting their second Womens Premier League (WPL) trophy after defeating the Delhi Capitals by seven wickets. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated, Once again, the RCB womens team has lifted the WPL trophy. It was a joy to watch our RCB team, which delivered outstanding performances throughout the tournament, emerge as champions by defeating the Delhi team in todays final. Congratulations to our RCB women for winning the trophy through a united and determined fight. The performance of the Delhi team, which fought hard for victory till the very end, is also commendable. Ee Sala Cup Namdu, CM Siddaramaiah. Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has congratulated the RCB womens team for their spectacular victory over the Delhi team in the Womens Premier League. He said that the RCB women, by winning the 2026 Womens Premier League title, have written yet another proud chapter in womens cricket, and extended his heartfelt congratulations to the team. Under the inspirational leadership of Smriti Mandhana and with the excellent, collective performance of every team member, the RCB women delivered a top-class display to clinch their second championship, he said. This remarkable achievement, he added, has once again inscribed in golden letters the glorious legacy of dedication, discipline and excellence shown by women sportspersons in India, Kumaraswamy said. BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra stated, Ee Sala Nu Cup Namde! (The cup is ours this time as well). Congratulations to the RCB Women for lifting the WPL trophy for the second time and stamping their authority as the most dominant team of the season. A campaign filled with consistency, confidence, and champion spirit. Proud moment for every fan! Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their second Womens Premier League (WPL) title after beating Delhi Capitals by six wickets at the BCA Stadium at Kotambi in Vadodara on Thursday. After captain Jemimah Rodrigues top-scored with 57 to take DC to 203/4, RCB completed the highest successful chase in a WPL final in 19.4 overs with immaculate ease. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their second Womens Premier League (WPL) title after beating Delhi Capitals by six wickets at the BCA Stadium at Kotambi in Vadodara on Thursday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Captain Smriti Mandhana produced her finest WPL innings, scoring 87 off 41 balls, laced with 12 fours and three sixes. Article Source: IANS

Rew And Mhatre Look Ahead To U19 World Cup Final

U19 World Cup: India is one of the most successful teams in the ICC Men's U19 World Cup, having won multiple titles and reached the final on numerous occasions. As they get ready for another summit clash and the possibility of adding another title to their kitty, England Under-19s captain Thomas Rew is determined to treat Friday's final as just another game as his side takes on India in Harare. England have not won the tournament since 1998, coming closest four years ago when they were beaten by Fridays opponents in the final. Rews sparkling century was key to his sides 27-run victory over Australia in a thrilling semi-final on Tuesday, taking his tournament tally to 299 runs at 74.75. He hailed his top-order colleagues for laying the foundations during Englands unbeaten tournament so far Ben Mayes has impressed with 399 runs at a shade under 80 and believes his side have what it takes to clear the final hurdle. It means a lot, he said in the pre-match press conference in Harare on Thursday. We came into this tournament with one aspiration, and now there is one more game left. We have all had dreams of lifting the World Cup, but we have to treat it as just another game of cricket. It helps batting with our top order, every single person puts pressure back on the bowler, and that takes the pressure off you. All the credit has to go to them. The communication has been good among the squad, and Im just trying to play some strong shots and hope for the best, the England U19 captain added. Englands bowling attack has been key to their success. Nobody has more wickets in the competition than Manny Lumsden, whose 15 wickets have come at under 12 runs apiece, while Ralphie Albert and Sebastian Morgan have also made valuable contributions. Reflecting on their successful defence of 277 against Australia, Rew added: Its always nice batting first on a wicket that deteriorates. It wasnt as bad as previously, but we used it to our advantage with the ball; we bashed away at hard lengths. Our bowlers have done that all tournament, and thats why weve done really well. India were beaten finalists two years ago, having won the tournament in 2022, and their class of 2026 have made it through to the final unbeaten. Aaron Georges fantastic 115 led their successful pursuit of 311 against Afghanistan, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi set the tone with a 33-ball 68. Captain Ayush Mhatre, who contributed 62 himself with four sixes, is excited for the occasion and, like his opposite number, is urging his side to keep it simple and not get overawed. England are a fabulous team who are also playing really nicely in this tournament, he said. We will play our natural game, play each ball on its merits, and adapt to conditions and the wicket. We will try to play simple cricket. Captain Ayush Mhatre, who contributed 62 himself with four sixes, is excited for the occasion and, like his opposite number, is urging his side to keep it simple and not get overawed. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We had to look for ones and twos and find the boundary from loose balls. Nothing special, we just had to keep it simple. Our bowlers were very good, and Afghanistan batted very well. The bowlers have some pointers to improve, and they will try to do that, he added. Article Source: IANS

Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll lead RCB to second WPL title

They put on 165 off just 92 balls, the biggest partnership in WPL history, to boss a chase of 204

WPL 2026: Smriti, Georgia Lead RCB To Second Title Win With Six-wicket Victory Over DC

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their second Womens Premier League (WPL) title after beating Delhi Capitals by six wickets at the BCA Stadium at Kotambi in Vadodara on Thursday. After captain Jemimah Rodrigues top-scored with 57 to take DC to 203/4, RCB completed the highest successful chase in a WPL final in 19.4 overs with immaculate ease. The victory also made RCB the first team to win the title after finishing top of the group stage standings, and the first franchise to hold both IPL and WPL crowns simultaneously. Captain Smriti Mandhana produced her finest WPL innings, scoring 87 off 41 balls, laced with 12 fours and three sixes. She managed only six runs from her first five deliveries but accelerated spectacularly thereafter, striking boundaries almost every over. Her knock also made her the tournaments leading run-scorer. Smriti became the backbone of RCBs chase. Smriti shared a decisive 165-run partnership off 92 balls with Georgia Voll, who made 79 off 54 balls, studded with 14 boundaries. Every over of the chase featured at least one boundary, a statistic that underlined the dominance of their batting effort. Despite a little wobble at the end, Radha Yadav ensured RCB crossed the line with successive boundaries and triggered celebratory scenes in the dugout. DC, who were appearing in their fourth consecutive final, were left ruing missed chances and suffered yet another painful defeat, despite posting the highest total in a WPL final. Chasing 204, Grace Harris hit two early boundaries off a drive and inside edge against Marizanne Kapp in the opening over, before being beaten by movement and low bounce from Chinelle Henry to be castled through the gate for nine. Smriti got going with a stylish off-drive for four, while Georgia opened her account with a flick and drive off Marizanne, fetching her boundaries. Georgia continued her strokeplay by flicking Chinelle through midwicket and scooping her over short fine leg for boundaries, before cutting and driving Marizanne for back-to-back fours. Despite Nandni Sharmas introduction, there was no respite for DC as Georgia swiped her for four, before Smriti slogged and swept her for two boundaries. The duo took a boundary each off N Sree Charani Georgia, hitting her over mid-off, while Smriti pierced off-side field with precision, before the former and latter took a four off Minnu Mani and Shafali Verma respectively. Smriti pulled a short ball from Nandni over square leg for six, before dancing down the pitch to loft Charani over long-on. After Georgia raised her fifty, Smriti brought up her half-century by lofting Sneh Rana over extra cover for four. It also helped that DC fed them the lengths RCB needed Georgia cutting and pulling Sneh Rana for fours. Chinelle returned to be greeted with a sweep from Smriti that cleared backwards square leg, before Georgias powerful pull beat the deep fielder to get another boundary. Charanis return in the 13th over saw Smriti pull and punch off the back foot to get fours, while Georgia got low to pull for the third boundary of the over. Marizannes reintroduction in the 14th over was met with lofted drives from Smriti going straight down the ground and over mid-off. After Georgia hoicked Nandni over midwicket and Smriti again danced down the pitch to loft Minnu over mid-off to get more boundaries, RCB were cruising in the chase. Though Georgia and Richa Ghosh fell in quick succession after holing out to long-on off Minnu and Nandni respectively, Smritis dismissal for 87 after Chinelle uprooted her leg-stump left RCB on a tricky pitch. But Radhas consecutive boundaries off Charani lofting over cover-point and crunching over cover sealed the trophy win in RCBs favour. Marizannes reintroduction in the 14th over was met with lofted drives from Smriti going straight down the ground and over mid-off. After Georgia hoicked Nandni over midwicket and Smriti again danced down the pitch to loft Minnu over mid-off to get more boundaries, RCB were cruising in the chase. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Delhi Capitals 203/4 in 20 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 57, Laura Wolvaardt 44, Lizelle Lee 37, Chinelle Henry 35 not out; Arundhati Reddy 1-40, Sayali Satghare 1-46) lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru 204/4 in 19.4 overs (Smriti Mandhana 87, Georgia Voll 79; Chinelle Henry 2-34, Minnu Mani 1-19) by six wickets Article Source: IANS

T20 World Cup: Surya Downplays Impact Of Dew On Matches, Says They Will Continue To Go By Their Preparations And Plans

T20 World Cup: With just two days to go for the start of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at which India will be defending the title they won two years back, skipper Suryakumar Yadav said being the defending champion does not mean they are under pressure of expectations. As the captains of the participating teams faced the media at the pre-event media briefing, India's T20 captain was grilled on the pressure on his team, his recent run of form, and the impact of conditions on the performances, considering the conditions the team will be playing in. SKY said being the defending champion does not spell extra pressure for India, considering the team's recent form as they handed New Zealand a 4-1 defeat in a five-match T20I series. I think the way we've been playing, it looks like that. But on a given day, when you play a game, you have to bring your A game on. You have to play good cricket. But there are definitely good 19 teams in the competition, and I'm sure every game will be very important, Suryakumar Yadav said. Surya reiterated his recent assertion that he is not out of form but rather short of runs. The Indian captain has scored a couple of valuable half-centuries against New Zealand in the recent series. I had said the same thing sitting here - I remember, I'm not out of form, out of runs. But yeah, it's always good to be back amongst the runs, that too before a big tournament, said Suryakumar Yadav, considered one of the best batters in T20Is because of his 360-degree strokemaking. Suryakumar was also questioned over the concern raised by former India captain MS Dhoni, who said, considering the season and the venues, dew could be a major factor impacting the matches. In case of a copious amount of dew, bowling with the wet ball in the second innings has turned out to be a Herculean task. The Indian captain said dew was something not under their control, and therefore, he would rather focus on things that are in their hands. He said they would continue to do things that have worked for them in recent times -- like batting first -- without worrying about dew. All the matches are important, but at the same time, we'll see what our strong points are, what kind of cricket we want to play. Dew is not in our control. Sometimes, if you win the toss and do the fielding first and then do the batting, then you don't get dew. But it's not in our control. We want to see what's in our control. We're doing good batting first. And we're doing total chases too. So there's no problem with both those things. So whatever the situation will be on the day, be it a league game or a semifinal or final, we'll decide on the day. If we want to bat, we'll bat first. The runs on board have always been better. And if you've seen, when we're batting, making runs, and defending, we've played so many matches in dew. So we've got an idea. And so many people have been playing franchise cricket and international cricket for so many years in the team. So I think that's a factor that we should get out of the game and we should focus on playing some good cricket, he added. All the matches are important, but at the same time, we'll see what our strong points are, what kind of cricket we want to play. Dew is not in our control. Sometimes, if you win the toss and do the fielding first and then do the batting, then you don't get dew. But it's not in our control. We want to see what's in our control. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Everyone is playing their A-game. There's a day game in the tournament. But I feel it's a good challenge if dew comes. Because this game has become so advanced. You prepare anyway. If dew is going to happen, you prepare for it. So it boils down to how you're preparing. That is more important. And then when you go on the ground, it's all autopilot, said Suryakumar Yadav. Article Source: IANS

T20 World Cup: SLC Writes To PCB On Possible Losses Over Cancellation Of India-Pakistan Clash

The T20 World Cup: The Pakistan government's unilateral decision to not allow their team from playing against India in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup clash in Colombo on February 15 has thrown the finances of Sri Lanka Cricket in a lurch with the co-hosts now taking up the issue with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for their expected losses, reports said on Thursday. The T20 World Cup co-hosts, Sri Lanka Cricket, have now written to the PCB, highlighting major losses following Pakistans decision not to play India in Colombo, noting that all match arrangements were already completed. Massive hotel cancellations have also been reported in Colombo, impacting the tourism sector. The letter recalls Sri Lankas past support to Pakistan during difficult periods and urges reconsideration, the SLC wrote in its letter to PCB. However, a former Pakistan cricketer has dismissed the move by SLC and said the matter is in the ICC court. What difference would it make if Sri Lanka Cricket writes to the Pakistan Cricket Board? The issue now rests with the International Cricket Council, and the PCB has already been directed by the Government of Pakistan not to play India in Colombo. SLC requesting the PCB to play on February 15, citing financial losses, wont help, a former Pakistan cricketer said in a phone conversation with IANS. With the India versus Pakistan clash in the T20 World Cup in doldrums, the abandonment of the match will have a major impact on tourism in Sri Lanka, and SLC has decided to also take up the matter with the International Cricket Council (ICC). IANS had highlighted the impact on tourism in Sri Lanka if the India v Pakistan clash results in a forfeiture on February 15, as the clash between the two neighbours is traditionally one of the most anticipated fixtures in any global tournament, and a sure-shot money spinner attracting thousands of travelling fans, media personnel, and sponsors. While the sporting implications are significant, the immediate economic impact could be felt most strongly in Sri Lankas capital. An IndiaPakistan clash is traditionally one of the most anticipated fixtures in any global tournament, drawing thousands of travelling fans, media personnel, and sponsors. Hotels in Colombo had reportedly seen high occupancy rates due to advance bookings for the marquee encounter. With the match now in doubt, cancellations are expected to surge. Airlines, too, may feel the pressure as special travel plans made around the high-profile fixture are reconsidered. Tour operators and local businesses that had prepared for a spike in visitors now face potential losses. Industry observers warn that tourism a key sector in Sri Lankas recovering economy could take a noticeable hit if the situation remains unresolved. Hotels in Colombo had reportedly seen high occupancy rates due to advance bookings for the marquee encounter. With the match now in doubt, cancellations are expected to surge. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sri Lanka Cricket is therefore taking action, and the communique to PCB is the first step in this direction, as it wants PCB to share the burden. Article Source: IANS

Davis Cup | I have done whatever I could to make a comeback, says Sumit Nagal

WPL 2026: Rodrigues, Wolvaardt, Henry Propel Delhi Capitals To 203/4 In Decider Against RCB

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Skipper Jemimah Rodrigues struck a fluent 57 off 37 balls as Delhi Capitals posted a formidable 203/4 in their 20 overs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final of the 2026 Womens Premier League (WPL) at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara, on Thursday. Inserted to bat first, DC posted the highest-ever total in a WPL final and also the highest score in Vadodara. After Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma provided the early momentum, Jemimah took charge with a sparkling knock showcasing her sublime timing and ability to pick gaps with immaculate ease to get eight boundaries. Laura Wolvaardt chipped in with a useful 44 off 25 balls, where she accelerated towards the end, while Chinelle Henry played a blistering cameo of 35 off just 15 balls to power Delhi past the 200-run mark. Such was the effect of Chinelles finishing touch that DC plundered 55 runs in the last four overs to put themselves in prime position for a maiden WPL title. For RCB, Lauren Bell was the lone bright spot with the ball with her spell of 0-19 in four overs, but the rest of the attack struggled with their lines and lengths, offering scoring opportunities almost every over. RCB staged a brief comeback after Jemimahs dismissal in the 16th over, but Chinelles late fireworks dashed their hopes. DC began by making only nine runs in the first three overs before Lizelle broke free by walloping Sayali Satghare for two sixes and set the tone for what turned out to be one of their most complete batting performances in the competition. Shafali Verma opened up by striking successive boundaries off Arundhati Reddy before perishing to a sharp catch by Richa Ghosh for 20. But Lizelle continued to attack, hammering Shreyanka Patil for three fours and a six in the seventh over, but Nadine de Klerk provided the breakthrough by removing her for 37 miscuing slog to long-on. Jemimah came in and was fluent against both pace and spin from the get-go, striking boundaries through cover, extra cover, and point. With Laura settling in, the pair kept the scoreboard ticking. The 12th over proved to be pivotal, as Jemimah showcased her full range cover-driving, sweeping, and cutting Shreyanka for three boundaries, before slicing fiercely off Radha Yadav. Jemimah soon reached her half-century in the 15th over, before falling for 57, as she was caught by deep square leg off Sayali Satghare. But Laura and Chinelle unleashed a brutal assault in the death overs. Chinelle, in particular, tore into Nadine de Klerk in the 18th over, smashing four boundaries and a six to collect 24 runs. The duo took a boundary each off Sayali in the final over, yielding 15 runs, before Laura was run out while attempting a desperate second run, as DC put RCB on the path of a daunting chase. The 12th over proved to be pivotal, as Jemimah showcased her full range cover-driving, sweeping, and cutting Shreyanka for three boundaries, before slicing fiercely off Radha Yadav. Jemimah soon reached her half-century in the 15th over, before falling for 57, as she was caught by deep square leg off Sayali Satghare. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Delhi Capitals 203/4 in 20 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 57, Laura Wolvaardt 44; Arundhati Reddy 1-40, Sayali Satghare 1-46) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru Article Source: IANS

ICC-PCB in back-channel talks to resolve India boycott at T20 World Cup

The ICC's deputy chair is understood to be in contact with the PCB to try and find a resolution

Mumbai Open | Prozorova makes light of an injury to tame Sidorova

From Diplomacy To Dugout: How Bangladesh's Anti-India Turn Spilled Onto Cricket Field (IANS Analysis)

Indian High Commission: Dhaka: India-Bangladesh relationship has witnessed historic low since the 2024 July Uprising, a downward trend that is still continuing. With an uprising that forced Sheikh Hasina to flee Bangladesh, New Delhi woke up to a surprising wave of anti-India sentiments in its neighbourhood. The resurgence of Islamists and attacks on minorities, in addition to the country's social and cultural spaces, confirmed the main force behind such sentiments. The interim government under Muhammad Yunus took little time to gear Bangladesh's geopolitical shift away from India and towards Pakistan in name of recalibration. There was no doubt that the Islamists forces penetrated the present interim administration, prolonging the diplomatic lows between the two countries. For every domestic unrest engulfing Bangladesh, the interim government blamed India for harbouring anti-state activities. New Delhis concerns regarding the increasing atrocities on minorities have been repeatedly dismissed as Indian propaganda, despite international and Bangladeshs rights organisations reiterating the same. The prolonged winter in bilateral relations hit its lowest in December when Inqilab Mancha (an anti-India Islamist-led youth platform) leader Osman Hadi was assassinated, leading to a quick blame game on India, without any evidence. The month witnessed Islamist extremists attacking Bangladeshs significant cultural centers, as well as two of the most prominent media outlets, alleging them to be pro-India. The radical mob also organised protest marches outside Indian High Commission in Dhaka and assistant commissions in Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet and Chattogram, with the intention of launching similar violent attacks. Indian commissions security in Bangladesh, is compromised, which explains its recent decision to recall family members and dependents of Indian diplomats from the country as a precautionary measure, days before the 13th national election. The Islamist extremists onslaught on media freedom and cultural platform coincided with another horrifying incident the lynching of a Hindu garment worker Dipu Das, a lynching justified for Dass alleged blasphemous remarks and cheered and celebrated by onlookers as his naked corpse hung from a tree was burnt in public. Perhaps this was a signaling to New Delhi, of Bangladeshs own fate of minority Hindus shielded behind the curtain of non-communal framing. This incident prompted India summoning Bangladesh envoy, and for Bangladeshs tit-for-tat summons. A nasty political atmosphere brewing anti-India hatred also led India to temporarily suspend its visa operations at Visa Application Centers in Bangladesh, a move also reciprocated by Bangladesh with respect to its missions in India. Amidst this, New Delhi displayed its goodwill gesture and calibrated diplomatic protocol when India's External Affairs Minister visited Dhaka to attend the funeral of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Begum Khaleda Zia. Many in Bangladesh perceived this as a positive and stabilising reset of bilateral relations, a forward-looking direction before Bangladesh is to face the 13th national election in February. Then came the cricket fiasco early January. The Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI)'s direction to Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release (the only) Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman (auctioned for $1 million) from its 2026 squad, believed to be in line with recent developments in Bangladesh (no official reason cited) did not bode well with Bangladesh, that reciprocated with the decision to not broadcast IPL matches. Just a day after BCCI's direction to release Rahman, Bangladesh abruptly raised security concerns for its players to play in India and asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate its T20 World Cup matches to a neutral venue such as Sri Lanka. However, after repeated assessments, the ICC rejected such a request, citing lack of any credible security threats for Bangladeshi players, officials or fans and noted that such a sudden change would compromise ICC's integrity. Following weeks of discussion, ICC gave Bangladesh a 24-hour time on January 23 to communicate its final decision. It should be noted that of all board members present in this, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was the only full-time member that expressed support for Bangladeshs decision. In a formal letter sent before the ICC board meeting, Pakistan even assured Bangladesh to host its matches in Pakistan. PCB also threatened to boycott the T20 World Cup in apparent solidarity with Bangladesh to protest ICCs refusal for venue shift request. However, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief announced its final decision to be conveyed by January 30 or February 2. Meanwhile, Bangladesh gave no response within the 24 hours stipulated time, indicating its decision to not participate in the T20 World Cup, leaving way for Scotland to officially replace the country on January 24. This brings into question: why Bangladesh, despite assurances of no security threat by ICC, refused to change its decision? One obvious development in this fiasco points towards Pakistan the only one to back Bangladesh. It is believed that Pakistans influence has led to BCB taking such a hardline stance. PCB argued for its own agreement with BCCI last year to play ICC matches at a neutral venue until 2027. However, one cannot draw parallels as India has not shown any signs of animosity towards neighbouring Bangladesh, although the same cannot be said for the latter. Neither has Dhaka raised security concerns with the ICC before BCCIs decision to withdraw the only Bangladeshi player from playing in the IPL, leaving little doubt that security concerns are mere reciprocal actions. While one can debate on whether this was the right move on New Delhis part, the fact remains that Indias soil does not pose a security threat for Bangladesh. Rather, India has been a consistent support and played a pivotal role in building Bangladesh cricket. BCCIs role, especially in the 1990s, in hosting Bangladesh, providing training and infrastructural support to Bangladesh cricket via regular matches paved the way for its exposure and global recognition in the ICC. BCCI aided Bangladeshs entry into the ODI World Cup in 1999, leveraging the Asian bloc in cricket. Former BCCI chief Jagmohan Dalmiya's tenure as ICC President had also been instrumental behind Bangladesh being granted a full-time membership and Test status in June 2000, overcoming skepticism of Australia and South Africa while showcasing Indias successful cultural diplomacy. In contrast, Pakistan previously complicated Bangladeshs cricketing journey by asking for revenues from the Bangladesh team in Pakistans home series where Pakistan had hosted Bangladesh twice (2011/12-2015), despite the latters non-visit in the 2015 series. Also, Pakistan called off its own players from Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), postponing its tour indefinitely. This time, too, Pakistans strong political interference through boycott call under the garb of cricket diplomacy is believed to be behind Bangladesh Cricket Boards decision to not take part in this years World Cup. Rather, India has been a consistent support and played a pivotal role in building Bangladesh cricket. BCCIs role, especially in the 1990s, in hosting Bangladesh, providing training and infrastructural support to Bangladesh cricket via regular matches paved the way for its exposure and global recognition in the ICC. BCCI aided Bangladeshs entry into the ODI World Cup in 1999, leveraging the Asian bloc in cricket. Former BCCI chief Jagmohan Dalmiya's tenure as ICC President had also been instrumental behind Bangladesh being granted a full-time membership and Test status in June 2000, overcoming skepticism of Australia and South Africa while showcasing Indias successful cultural diplomacy. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Surely, the Bangladesh cricket team, which presently ranks ninth in ICC T20 rankings, did not agree to face such financial repercussions and is facing the consequence of the country's anti-India politics. Ironically, Bangladeshs security concerns vanished when it approved its shooting team to visit India to participate in the Asian Rifle and Pistol Championships. The cricket fiasco - having aggravated because of Pakistans instigation and Bangladeshs own volatile politics - now only leaves Bangladeshs vibrant cricket team to pay the price. Article Source: IANS

Gcuma, Haig Appointed On-field Umpires For U19 Mens WC Final Between India And England

Harare Sports Club: Lubabalo Gcuma and Shaun Haig have been appointed as on-field umpires for the final of the 2026 ICC U19 Mens Cricket World Cup to be played between India and England at the Harare Sports Club on Friday, said the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday. India, the five-time champions, have reached the decider after chasing down 311 to beat Afghanistan in the semifinal on Wednesday, while England overcame defending champions Australia by 27 runs to enter the title clash. Gcuma, hailing from South Africa, has already stood in Indias 18-run win against Bangladesh and their Super Six victory over Pakistan, as well as Englands seven-wicket triumph over Bangladesh, the ICC informed in a release on Thursday. New Zealands Haig officiated in Indias semifinal win against Afghanistan, but has yet to umpire in an England game in the tournament. Zahid Bassarath will serve as the third umpire, while Masudur Mukul will be the fourth umpire, and Graeme La Brooy is the match referee. Fridays game will be only the second India-England final in the competitions history. India won the previous meeting when they faced England in the 2022 U19 World Cup final in the West Indies. Both sides enter the decider as unbeaten sides - India are appearing in their 10th final and sixth in succession, while England are chasing their second Mens U19 World Cup crown and first since 1998. Fridays game will be only the second India-England final in the competitions history. India won the previous meeting when they faced England in the 2022 U19 World Cup final in the West Indies. Also Read: Live Cricket Score For England, Ben Mayes, with 399 runs, and captain Thomas Rew, with 299 runs, have led the sides batting charge, while pacer Manny Lumsden tops the tournaments wicket-taking charts with 15 scalps, and spinner Ralphie Albert has taken 10 wickets. Article Source: IANS

'Our flight is booked, we're going': Suryakumar on India vs Pakistan

India captain says they have their plans to fly to Colombo a the refusal to play came from Pakistan

WPL 2026: Maybe It's A Good Thing That We Got Into The Final The Hard Way, Says Delhi Capitals' Kapp

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Seam-bowling all-rounder Marizanne Kapp said Delhi Capitals (DC) have endured a more inconsistent campaign in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026, but believed the tougher route to the final could work in their favour. DC are in their fourth WPL final, where they take on RCB at the BCA Stadium, and enter the title clash on the back of edging Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator. We probably weren't as good this year. We had a bit of ups and downs, a lot more than in previous seasons. Probably, I believe that's maybe a good thing that we got into the final the hard way. Like previous years, everything just went our way; we played so well every single game and then bombed out in the final. Whereas this year, we really had to work for it. If you asked me after the first four games if I was going to be standing here, I probably would have said no. We worked really hard, and I still feel, up until today, we've not played our perfect game, Marizanne Kapp told broadcasters ahead of the title clash. The veteran South African player also praised Jemimah Rodrigues' leadership skills, noting her growth through the tournament. If you look at the way she started in the last game, there's a massive improvement. You could see she was still a bit new after the first few games. She's been very open to learning, and I feel like she's taken that on brilliantly. I've seen her personally improve so much every single game, added Marizanne. She signed off by reiterating that the teams path of entering the final through the Eliminator could prove to be decisive. It's probably a good thing. I mean, the record shows that every single team that's gone through the Eliminator has ended up winning the final. If you look at the way she started in the last game, there's a massive improvement. You could see she was still a bit new after the first few games. She's been very open to learning, and I feel like she's taken that on brilliantly. I've seen her personally improve so much every single game, added Marizanne. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Delhi Capitals have finished runners-up in the Women's Premier League (WPL) in three successive seasons and are hoping to turn the script around in the 2026 edition. Article Source: IANS

India chase sixth Under-19 World Cup title, England their first since 1998

India will be playing in their 11th final at the tournament, while England are on the lookout for their second title

WPL 2026: I'm Just Trying To Take It All In And Enjoy It, Says Lauren Bell On Title Clash

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fast bowler Lauren Bell said she is relishing her time in the 2026 Womens Premier League (WPL) and is eager to make an impact in the final against Delhi Capitals at the BCA Stadium at Kotambi in Vadodara on Thursday. Lauren has picked 12 wickets in eight games at an economy of 5.63, and holds the record for the most number of dot balls bowled in the competition 116. She will be the key for RCB to make an impact with the new ball yet again. I'm just trying to take it all in and just enjoy it. It's been very full on, but I've loved it, and I'm really excited for tonight. Playing in franchise cricket, I'd actually have to be pretty adaptable and flexible and do what the team needs of me. It's been really good for me, and it's a great experience playing with a different captain, different coach, Bell told broadcasters ahead of the final, where RCB are bowling first. The England pacer highlighted her satisfaction with her bowling in the Power-play overs. I think I'm just really glad that my Power-play stuff has been so good and I've been able to provide for the team and put in performances. I'm really happy with my control, which is something that I've worked really hard on over the last one or two years. So, I'm just really happy with it, she said. She added that RCB had used the long break between the group stage and the final to prepare thoroughly. It is a long break, but we've played a lot of cricket, and nothing has changed between our last game and now. The England pacer highlighted her satisfaction with her bowling in the Power-play overs. I think I'm just really glad that my Power-play stuff has been so good and I've been able to provide for the team and put in performances. I'm really happy with my control, which is something that I've worked really hard on over the last one or two years. So, I'm just really happy with it, she said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Looking ahead to performing in front of a packed BCA stadium, Lauren said she wanted to savour the moment. I think these opportunities, you don't get those in your career. So I'm just going to take it all in. Hopefully, I'm on the right side of the result. But I'm just going to enjoy playing in front of this crowd and hopefully put on a good show. Article Source: IANS

RCB bowl in WPL final, both teams unchanged

RCB are chasing their second title, DC their first