Cricket

Raina Backs Pant To Return To White-ball Setup, Urges Him To Play With Freedom

ODI World Cup: Former India batter Suresh Raina believes wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant possesses the required talent to replicate his stellar Test cricket form in white-ball formats, provided he plays without hesitation and navigates through mental blockages. Despite being a match-winner for India in Tests, Pant has been unable to establish himself in the white-ball setup. Though hes played 31 ODIs and 76 T20Is, Pant last played both white-ball formats for India in 2024. He was an unused member of the 2025 Mens Champions Trophy-winning Indian team, before being left out of the ODI team from the series against Afghanistan in June. He is my favourite player. I think what Rishabh has done is that hes playing well and scoring tremendously in the Test matches. No, no, he is working hard. Dhruv Jurel is doing well; Sanju Samson is there. But Rishabh has that x-factor. What I feel and think is that hes slowly maturing. You are talking about the white ball side of things, but its even true in the case of IPL, Raina said to Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel. Despite Pants established pedigree in the longest format of the game, his consistency in white-ball international cricket has drawn scrutiny. I think he has done really well, as everyone knows, as far as Test matches are concerned. But why is the same not happening in T20Is or ODIs? Is he looking for something in his mind? What is it? I think he needs to figure out how to pace an innings there. In the Test matches, he used to play without any hesitation. Now if he has to hit a six there, he will hit on the very first ball, noted Raina. The former left-handed batter, who was a member of the teams that won the 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy, suggested that being free in his batting style can help Pant, who didnt have memorable IPL 2025 and 2026 campaigns with Lucknow Super Giants before moving back to Delhi Capitals right after this years tournament. Is he looking for something in his mind? What is it? I think he needs to figure out how to pace an innings there. In the Test matches, he used to play without any hesitation. Now if he has to hit a six there, he will hit on the very first ball, noted Raina. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories He needs to be free in his style. He can achieve a lot. In the future, I think, God willing, he will do well because he has gone through so much - his setback and all. He will do it one day his time will come, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

Callum Parkinson six-for helps shoot out Northants for 50

Durham stretch lead at top of Divison Two with crushing win

Siraj, Padikkal add star power as South Zone and East Zone clash for Duleep Trophy title

Rahul unavailable for South Zone while Kishan, Sooryavanshi and Shami will again hold key for East Zone

Slightly Challenging': Tilak, Ishan Call Turnaround Between Duleep Trophy Final And Afghanistan T20Is 'difficult'

Afghanistan T20Is: Tilak Varma and Ishan Kishan admitted that the short turnaround between the end of the Duleep Trophy final and the start of the Afghanistan T20I series is difficult but that it is their job to adapt as the two players gear up for a quick switch between formats. Tilak and Ishan will be leading the South Zone and East Zone, respectively, in the Duleep Trophy final, which gets underway on Sunday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The scheduled end of the final is on September 10, three days before the T20I series against Afghanistan commences from September 13 onwards. Not only is the gap between the two events short, but also the complete change of formats and the playing approach stands different, as Ishan, Tilak, along with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, gear up for the red-ball and the T20I challenge in the next few days. Speaking during the pre-match press conference, the two cricketers spoke on the short turnaround. I don't know. How do I tell you? It's just about knowing what format you are playing, Ishan said on the eve of the final. Sometimes it gets difficult when you are playing a Test match, and suddenly you have to go and start hitting from ball one, and suddenly you have to go back to your domestic team, and you have to play a whole different role. But at the same time, I feel, as professionals, it's our job to adapt; we cannot be coming up with excuses after knowing this is like your routine for the next few days. So, it is better not to be in a situation where we have to make excuses, but at the same time be aware and be just mindful of what is going to happen, and I will be playing T20 after this. So my job will be different [in T20Is], but still I feel we are getting two days of practice before the Afghanistan first game, so it will be more than enough, I feel, he added. Meanwhile, Tilak agreed with Ishan's remarks, calling the turnaround slightly challenging but felt the two-day gap between is enough. But it will be slightly challenging playing five days here and again joining the [T20I] team. But from here we are going to Delhi; there will be two days of break, so we can practice there and we have enough time as well, but it will be slightly challenging. We know how to change our mindsets and maintain our body with good fluids and everything, so we have played back-to-back games before in the domestic as well as international, so we are quite used to it, Tilak said. Meanwhile, Tilak agreed with Ishan's remarks, calling the turnaround slightly challenging but felt the two-day gap between is enough. But it will be slightly challenging playing five days here and again joining the [T20I] team. But from here we are going to Delhi; there will be two days of break, so we can practice there and we have enough time as well, but it will be slightly challenging. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories East Zone are looking for their first Duleep Trophy title since 2012-13, when they defeated Central Zone in the final to lift their second trophy, while South have been far more successful, having won 12 titles, with their last coming in 2023. Article Source: IANS

Smriti Mandhana needs 74 runs against Pakistan to break Suzie Bates' world record

Star India opener Smriti Mandhana broke two world records in the previous encounter against Hong Kong, China in the ongoing Asia Cup. First, she surpassed Meg Lanning to become the woman with the most centuries...

Tilak, Ishan Open Up on Rapid Red-Ball to T20 Format Switch

Indian cricketers Tilak Varma and Ishan Kishan discuss the challenges of transitioning directly from the Duleep Trophy final to the T20I series against Afghanistan. Both players emphasise the importance of adaptability and professionalism in managing the demanding schedule and format changes, while also highlighting key player additions to their respective Duleep Trophy teams.

Critchley 96 in vain as Sussex seal victory

Karvelas, Crocombe and Coles pick off last three wickets to seal points for visitors

BCCI To Send Team To Dubai FTP Workshop, Seeks Wider Gap Between Internationals

T20I Nidahas Trophy: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will send its operations team to a workshop on the Future Tours Programme (FTP) as part of its bid to widen the gap between international matches. The Indian Board recently confirmed that it has instructed its FTP personnel to schedule matches so that players can get proper rest after several players suffered injuries due to gruelling schedules. According to a Cricbuzz report, a workshop on the FTP is scheduled to take place in Dubai on 22 and 23 September, and the BCCI will send its operations team to the meeting to discuss the international FTP matches for 2027-31. Meanwhile, operations teams from all other boards are expected to attend the meeting, and representatives from the top eight Associate members will be invited. Speaking after a meeting with the BCCI CoE head VVS Laxman, India head coach Gautam Gambhir and captains Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the instruction given to the FTP personnel. We have instructed our FTP personnel, who will be meeting very soon in various international forums, that our FTP should be scheduled in such a way that it should be scheduled that there is proper rest for the players as well as some kind of acclimatisation through friendly matches before any major series in SENA countries, Saikia said after the meeting on Thursday. The recent injuries to Indian players have sparked this debate. Players such as Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, and B. Sai Sudharsan missed recent tours despite initial conditional selections due to various injuries. For the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan, the BCCI has named a full-strength squad; however, the participation of players such as Bumrah, Sundar, Reddy and Harshit Rana is 'subject to fitness' due to fitness concerns. Saikia noted the injuries, highlighting the short turnarounds between tournaments as a key factor. Individual players are having injuries because they have to play a lot of matches. If you look at their schedule, in England, we had a 15-player team go for the ODIs, and out of that, three or four players got injured during the match. We have to think that they had played two months of IPL before that. So all this takes a toll on the health of the players. To avoid those kinds of situations under the present window and FTPs, we are trying to find out some ways to tackle it, Saikia added. Meanwhile, the report also noted that the next international calendar could see more multilateral games, a tradition that has become far less common. India's last multilateral series came in 2018, when they played in the T20I Nidahas Trophy. So all this takes a toll on the health of the players. To avoid those kinds of situations under the present window and FTPs, we are trying to find out some ways to tackle it, Saikia added. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories This is to attract more eyeballs, as the importance of bilateral series has been declining. Article Source: IANS

SA vs ZIM Final Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI

SA vs ZIM Final, Cricket Tips: The ongoing T20I tri-series in Namibia has come to its final round. The hosts, Namibia, started the tri-series with a win over the Proteas. But they lost the next three games and have been out. It has left South Africa and Zimbabwe to face each other in the final. This final is scheduled to start at 5:30 PM IST on September 6 (Sunday) at Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek. South Africa beat Zimbabwe in consecutive matches in this tri-series and are in excellent form. They will be confident for a win. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe have been below-average with the bat, which they need to focus on to win this final. SA vs ZIM: Match Details Date : September 06, 2026 (Sunday) Time : 5:30 PM IST Venue : Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek SA vs ZIM: Live Streaming Details Indian fans can watch the tri-series final on the FanCode mobile app or website with a nominal fee. SA vs ZIM: Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 11 Zimbabwe : 0 South Africa: 10 No-result: 1 SA vs ZIM: Ground Pitch Report The wicket in Windhoek has played well for the batting teams. In the last game only, 445 runs were scored in 40 overs. In the last 8-9 days, six matches have been played on this wicket, which has surely played in favor of the batters. However, it is not totally flat and will have some help for the bowling sides as well. SA vs ZIM: Possible XIs Zimbabwe : Brian Bennett, Innocent Kaia, Ben Curran, Wesley Madhavere, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, T. Marumani (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Blessing Muzarabani, Kundai Matigimu. South Africa: Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Jordan Hermann, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Rubin Hermann, Eathan Bosch, Duan Jansen, Bjorn Fortuin (c), Nqobani Mokoena, Kwena Maphaka, Nqabayomzi Peter SA vs ZIM: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius has scored 101 and 94 in the last two innings, and he is the one to watch out for. For Zimbabwe, Brian Bennett is someone who can play long with a good strike rate. Probable Best Bowler Duan Jansen and Blessing Muzarabani are two tall bowlers in this game, and they will enjoy bowling at this deck. Today Match Prediction: Zimbabwe can surprise the Proteas. But the current form and momentum are with South Africa. Hence, we predict South Africa to win the final against Zimbabwe. SA vs ZIM Match Final, Today Match SA vs ZIM, SA vs ZIM Prediction, SA vs ZIM Predicted XIs, Injury Update for South Africa vs Zimbabwe Match Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.

Cricketer Runs 100km To Bowl First Ball, Attempts Guinness World Record

Sam Bodoano took 14 hours to complete the run, raising 6,000 pounds for the Ruth Strauss Foundation, the cancer charity founded in memory of former England captain Andrew Strauss's late wife, Ruth.

Rohit Sharma's 'Garden Se Reporting Live' Viral Remark On TV Debut Breaks The Internet

With uncertainty still surrounding his place in India's 2027 World Cup plans, Rohit Sharma has stepped into the role of host for the show, which is set to premiere on September 19.

Made It Worse: England Great Accuses Mohsin Naqvi's PCB Of Making Pakistan A 'Laughing Stock'

The PCB offloaded seven players and some members of the team management, including head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed, following the 194-run loss to England in the Lord's Test last week.

KL Rahul named in South Zone squad for Duleep Trophy final; will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi play?

India Test opener KL Rahul has been named in the South Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy final, slated to begin on September 6 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The 34-year-old recently featured...

'Shami has hunger and motivation for India Comeback'

East Zone skipper Ishan Kishan has lauded veteran pacer Mohammed Shami's unwavering hunger and motivation to make a comeback to the Indian cricket team. Shami's impressive performance in the Duleep Trophy semifinal, where he took five wickets, has convinced Kishan that age is just a number when it comes to the 36-year-old's drive to succeed.

Former India cricketer opens up on Rohit Sharma's chances ahead of ODI World Cup 2027

The Indian team is gearing up for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2027. The marquee tournament is all set to be held in South Africa, and there is no doubt that the Indian team is being revered as one of the biggest favourites for the title.

Sachin honours late father, announces Professor Ramesh Tendulkar Memorial Fellowship on Teachers' Day

New Delhi, Sep 5 (IANS) Former India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar on Teachers Day honoured the memory of his late father, Ramesh Tendulkar, by announcing the Professor Ramesh Tendulkar Memorial Fellowship, an initiative aimed at supporting young doctors specialising in cleft and craniofacial care in Srinagar. Under the initiative, one Doctor of Medicine (MD) will receive financial support each year for a year-long opportunity to specialise in cleft and craniofacial care in Srinagar. The fellow will also receive a certificate from the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation after completing the programme. Announcing the fellowship on Teachers Day, Tendulkar reflected on the influence his father had on his life and career, saying his journey was shaped at home long before he became known as a cricketer. When I think about the people who shaped my journey, I do not begin with a cricket ground or a coach. I begin at home, Tendulkar said in a statement released by STF. Ramesh Tendulkar was a professor, writer, and poet, but his son remembered him primarily as a mentor who allowed him to choose his own path while ensuring that he understood the importance of character. My father, Ramesh Tendulkar, was a writer, poet, and professor, but more a mentor, a guide to many, including me. He gave me the freedom to pursue cricket while reminding me that success should never come at the cost of character, he said. Tendulkar recalled one of the lessons his father gave him during his childhood. Failure is okay, but cheating is not. Never take shortcuts, he recalled. The former India batter said his father recognised his passion and potential but never tried to dictate what he should become. I was simply a boy who loved playing cricket. My father saw something more. He did not try to decide what I should become. Instead, he gave me the space and support to discover it for myself, Tendulkar said. He said this experience shaped his belief in the importance of teachers and mentors in helping young people recognise their abilities. That, in many ways, is what a great teacher or mentor does. They recognise a possibility in you before you can recognise it yourself, he said. Tendulkar said the fellowship was an extension of the values his father stood for and an effort to create opportunities for others. For me, this is more than a fellowship. It is a way of carrying forward something my father deeply believed in, that education creates opportunity, and that opportunity becomes truly meaningful when it is used to serve others, he said. According to the 53-year-old, talent is widespread in the country, but many youngsters do not get access to the right coaches, mentors, learning environments, or healthcare support needed to develop their potential. My father gave me the confidence to find my own path. He dedicated his life to educating and guiding others, and I hope we can create that same sense of possibility for others, he said. Through the fellowship, Tendulkar hopes to carry his fathers legacy beyond his own life and provide young healthcare professionals with an opportunity to develop specialised skills that can benefit others. The lessons of a teacher may begin with one student, but their influence can travel much further, from one life to another and from one generation to the next, he said. Ramesh Tendulkar played a big role in shaping Sachin's career, giving him freedom to choose his path. He suffered a fatal heart attack and died at his home in Mumbai in 1999, aged 68 years old.

KL Rahul To Miss Duleep Trophy Final Against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's East Zone

India batter KL Rahul will miss the final of the Duleep Trophy against East Zone, South Zone captain Tilak Varma confirmed during a press conference in Chennai.

'Always Special Feeling At Chepauk': Tilak Varma Excited For Duleep Trophy Final

MA Chidambaram Stadium: South Zone captain Tilak Varma is feeling eally special to be at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai for the Duleep Trophy final against East Zone as he looks to guide his team to the title. Tilak heaped praise on the crowd at Chepauk, highlighting the good memories at the venue. We have got great memories here, and the ground has been very historic. When you come to Chennai, the first thing that always comes to mind is Mahibhai. And at the same time, I have got very good memories here, Tilak said in a video posted by BCCI Domestic. The Chennai crowd, they really support me well. Whether I was playing for Mumbai Indians or for India, the crowd has shown me great love. So that is a good sign for me, he added. Tilak can look back at the Chepauk with good memories. It was this very ground where he scored a blistering 16-ball 44 in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eight clash against Zimbabwe, which rejuvenated his campaign. And I have got good memories here in the World Cup against Zimbabwe. I think I would say that is my comeback match. From there, I was feeling slightly low in the first two games. But from here, when I charged up against Zimbabwe, I was on a different level in my batting and in my confidence as well. In one India match, my jersey number is 72, and I have scored 72 here, and I have won the game. It was against England, he added. He highlighted that playing the Duleep Trophy final in front of an expected strong crowd would be really special, as the teams played their previous match without the fans at BCCI CoE ground in Bengaluru. So I have got a few memories here. It always feels special to me when I am in Chepauk. It is really special playing in the Delhi Trophy final. We have missed playing in front of the crowd in the last game. But again, now playing finals in Chepauk with the two, I am expecting that there will be a lot of a crowd. So it will be really special because I always wait for that crowd when I come to Chennai. I love that crowd. They give that love to me as well. I am really waiting for that, he concluded. We have missed playing in front of the crowd in the last game. But again, now playing finals in Chepauk with the two, I am expecting that there will be a lot of a crowd. So it will be really special because I always wait for that crowd when I come to Chennai. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories East Zone are looking for their first Duleep Trophy title since 2012-13, when they defeated Central Zone in the final to lift their second trophy, while South have been far more successful, having won 12 titles, with their last coming in 2023. Article Source: IANS

Tracing Smriti Mandhanas journey to the top with a record 18 centuries

With her record breaking century against Hong Kong at the 2026 Asia Cup, Smriti not only surpassed her former captain Mithali Raj to become the highest run scorer, but managed to do so in fewer innings and a higher strike rate

Sachin Tendulkar Reveals Father's Advice That Stayed With Him

Sachin Tendulkar remembered his father Ramesh's timeless lessons on honesty, character and avoiding shortcuts, while launching a fellowship to honour his legacy and expand opportunities for young professionals.

Former India cricketer hails Rishabh Pant after India's Test series win over Sri Lanka

The Indian team recently got back to winning ways after defeating Sri Lanka in a two-game Test series. The two sides took on each other in Galle and Colombo across two Test matches, and led...

Pakistan Coach Breaks Silence On Dropping 3 Senior Players During England Test Series: 'Really Don't Know'

Pakistan's interim red-ball head coach Mike Hesson on Friday distanced himself from the decision to drop senior players Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha and Imam-ul-Haq from the Test squad following a disastrous tour of England.

Duleep Trophy Final: Devdutt Padikkal, Tilak Varma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Eye Red-Ball Gain

Devdutt Padikkal exploited his fortuitous entry into the Indian team, courtesy an injury to Sai Sudharsan, for the recent Test series against Sri Lanka to the hilt.

Duleep Trophy: East Zone face South in battle for glory (Preview)

Duleep Final: India Stars, Next-Gen Talent Chase Red-Ball Glory

The Duleep Trophy final between East Zone and South Zone will feature a mix of rising talents like Devdutt Padikkal, Tilak Varma, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, alongside established players like Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, and Mohammed Shami. Players will be looking to impress selectors for upcoming national assignments, with Padikkal aiming to continue his red-ball form and Siraj seeking to regain rhythm. The match also marks Shami's 100th first-class game.

Accept Or Make Own Arrangements: Athletes' Body Draws Line On BCCI's Asian Games Concern

The report added that the BCCI will send an advance team next week to inspect the facilities in Aichi-Nagoya before taking a final call.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mavendra Dindyal Power Guyana Warriors To Comfortable Win Over Jamaica

Guyana Amazon Warriors brushed aside Jamaica Kingsmen by eight wickets at Providence Stadium in their match in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) , chasing down 160 with 16 balls to spare as Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Mavendra Dindyal put the game away inside the PowerPlay. Put in to bat, Kingsmen never quite found fluency against a disciplined Warriors attack. Dwaine Pretorius struck twice in his three overs, removing Kirk McKenzie for 1 and Keacy Carty for 18, both lbw, while Khary Pierre also picked up two, bowling Usman Khan and later having Maaz Sadaqat caught for 35 off 34. Wickets fell steadily through the middle overs, with Keemo Paul (15) and Rovman Powell, out for a golden duck to Mohammad Nabi, both departing inside the space of two balls as Kingsmen slipped to 83 for 5 in the 13th over. Hassan Khan rescued the innings almost single-handedly, striking an unbeaten 62 off just 29 balls with six sixes to drag Kingsmen to 159 for 7. Odean Smiths 13 supported the surge before he was run out in the penaltimate over, and Vitel Lawes saw out the innings at the non-strikers end. The target never looked in danger once Gurbaz got going. He and Dindyal added 46 in under five overs before Dindyal fell to Hunain Shah for 33 off just 17 balls, an innings built around four sixes. Gurbaz continued on, reaching 54 off 35 balls with five fours and three sixes before holing out to Powell off Sadaqat with the score on 114 in the 13th over. That left the finish to captain Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer, and neither needed long to close it out. Hope anchored with an unbeaten 39 off 35, while Hetmyer accelerated to 30 not out off just 17 deliveries, the pair sealing victory in the 18th over with the required rate never troubling them. Only Hunain Shah and Sadaqat managed a wicket apiece for Kingsmen, whose bowlers leaked at nearly nine an over as the Warriors chase raced along at a rate of 9.23. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The result extends Guyana Amazon Warriors unbeaten run at home this season, while Jamaica Kingsmen will need to regroup quickly to keep their playoff push on track.

India, Japan set for historic T20I clash ahead of Asian Games

The Indian mens cricket team will face Japan in their first-ever T20 International on September 22 in Sano, Japan, as part of celebrations marking 75 years of India-Japan diplomatic relations.

India vs Pakistan Women Asia Cup 2026 Preview: Head-to-Head, Pitch Report and Squads

India Women and Pakistan Women will face off against each other in one of the most eagerly awaited matches of the Women's Asia Cup 2026 on Saturday, September 5. The big clash will take place in the Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Rohit Sharma, AB De Villiers Snubbed As Rajat Patidar Picks Best T20 Batter Of All Time

Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar recently shared his pick for the greatest T20 batter of all time. Under Patidar's captaincy, RCB finally ended their title drought by winning the IPL in 2025.

Did India Pick Star-studded Squad for Afghan Series Out of Fear?

Kris Srikkanth questioned whether India's star-studded Afghanistan squad was picked out of fear after recent defeats, arguing the series offered an ideal chance to blood promising youngsters.

India vs Pakistan, Women's Asia Cup 2026 Pitch Report, how will surface in Dubai play?

The stage is set for one of the most anticipated games of the ongoing Womens Asia Cup 2026. India will take on Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 5, and both sides will look to put in their best performance in the game.

Interim Head Coach Mike Hesson Says Pakistan Players Used To 'Chaos' After Shake-Up

Interim Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson hopes his drastically revamped squad can come through some all too familiar chaos with a much-improved showing against England in next week's third and final Test in Birmingham. Pakistan suffered an innings and 103-run loss in the series opener at Headingley before going down by 194 runs at Lord's on Sunday as England took an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match campaign. The Pakistan Cricket Board responded to those defeats in dramatic fashion, taking the extraordinary step of sending seven players home, calling up another seven and replacing sacked Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed with Hesson, already Pakistan's white-ball boss. Senior players Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha -- Pakistan's captain at Headingley when Babar Azam was injured -- were among those told to leave. Left-arm spin bowler Ali Usman, who claimed a five-wicket haul at Headingley, and seamer Khurram Shahzad were also sent home. Of the seven replacements, only batsmen Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have Test experience. Hesson, however, feels the whole squad can now unite and give a better account of themselves when the third Test at Edgbaston starts on September 9. The New Zealander had recently been in Japan preparing for the Asian Games and was only due to travel to the UK for the squad's audience with King Charles, which took place Wednesday. I was heading over to see the King and be part of a nice occasion. That got expedited, Hesson told reporters at Edgbaston on Friday, as quoted by the BBC. The last couple of days have been challenging for being in a hotel with some players coming, some players going and then the arrival of everyone. The guys are probably more used to a little bit of chaos than I am. There is no doubt they have been disappointed, incredibly disappointed. We have had to park that and go 'righto, where to from here?' They have been really good over the past couple of days. Hesson added: I don't think anyone wants this to happen in the middle of a series. From my perspective, it is about putting a balanced squad together, not only for this Test, so we actually have some variety in our attack. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Pakistan is known for the pace, unusual actions, mystery spin - we haven't really been able to present any of that.

India Selectors Picked Full-strength Squad For Afghanistan Out Of Fear: Kris Srikkanth

Nitish Kumar Reddy: Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan should have been used to expand Indias pool of young players rather than rely on established names, arguing that recent defeats may have influenced the selectors to prioritise results over experimentation. India are scheduled to face Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series in Delhi from September 13, with the squad also set to form the core of the team for the Asian Games in Japan later this month. The selection has brought Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar back into the mix despite questions surrounding their match fitness. For Srikkanth, the bigger concern is not the quality of the players picked but what their selection indicates about Indias approach to a series that could have offered opportunities to youngsters. After the series losses in Ireland and England, the selectors have decided not to take a chance and picked a full-strength squad for Afghanistan. They are going all guns blazing, but this is a mistake. Its against teams like Afghanistan that you should try out youngsters. Instead, youve picked a full-strength squad out of fear, Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel. Indias recent T20I results appear to have shaped that thinking. The side endured a difficult overseas stretch under Shreyas Iyer, losing all six completed matches in Ireland and England. A second-string Indian team subsequently responded with a 3-0 series sweep of Zimbabwe in July. Srikkanth feels the response to those setbacks has been excessive, with the Afghanistan squad resembling the group selected for the England assignment. It feels like a desperation move after the Ireland and England losses. But this squad is almost the same as the one they picked for England. The former captain also turned his attention to the fitness status of four returning players. Rather than questioning their credentials, he argued that competitive readiness cannot be established solely through training at the Bengaluru Centre of Excellence. These four have not proved match-fitness. So on what basis are they subject to fitness? Just because you prove your fitness at the Bengaluru CoE, are you fit? Thats how Harshit Rana went to England, and then what happened to him there? So match-fitness is important, opined Srikkanth. The former captain also turned his attention to the fitness status of four returning players. Rather than questioning their credentials, he argued that competitive readiness cannot be established solely through training at the Bengaluru Centre of Excellence. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories This is not a question of ability. Harshit Rana has proved to be a very good bowler in T20s, and Nitish Kumar Reddy is brilliant in the short format. But why pick them without match-fitness being proven is the question, Srikkanth said. Article Source: IANS

Rohit Speculation Raises Agarkar Questions

Why should the Hitman of Indian cricket walk into every ODI carrying a retirement question on his shoulders? He should be carrying only his bat to the crease, not a suitcase full of speculation about his future, asserts K R Nayar.

US Open: Aryna Sabalenka Makes Unusual Complaint:

Aryna Sabalenka's US Open campaign briefly took an unexpected turn when the world No. 1 stopped play to complain about a strong cannabis smell inside Louis Armstrong Stadium. Sabalenka was already in control of her third-round clash against Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova,

India Star's Selection For Afghanistan Series Blasted By 1983 World Cup Winner: 'Doctor's Certificate'

Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth questioned Washington Sundar's match fitness and selection in the upcoming three-match Afghanistan T20 series.

PCB look to release Aaqib Javed as part of clean-up process after 'chaotic' results

In a major development, the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) is set to remove former cricketer and now senior selector Aaqib Javed from their national selection committee. According to a report by PTI, Javeds reported removal will come as part of the board cleanup that the PCB is looking to do .

Williams sisters U.S. Open comeback ends in first-round defeat

The Williams sisters return to the U.S. Open ended in a first-round defeat, but their comeback became a celebration of their enduring legacy as fans welcomed the tennis icons back to Flushing Meadows.

'He is Going to Rule World Cricket in All Formats'

Kris Srikkanth backs 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to become a world cricket superstar, citing his fearless batting, Duleep Trophy heroics, IPL dominance and potential across all three formats.

Suresh Raina Reveals MS Dhoni's Reaction After He Announced Retirement On Same Day

Having shared the dressing room in the Indian team, as well as at Chennai Super Kings (CSK), for over a decade, both Dhoni and Raina retired from international cricket on August 15, 2020.

Pretorius and Gurbaz lead all-star Amazon Warriors to fifth win in a row

It was largely one-way traffic in the season's first game in Providence, with defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors strolling to an eight-wicket win

Competition For Vaibhav Sooryavanshi As Rajasthan Royals Teammate Slams Record Breaking Century

The chief architect of South Africa's victory over Namibia was young batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who smashed his maiden T20I century

Pakistan Star Makes Stunning Remark On Women's Asia Cup 2026 Clash Against India: 'Just Another Match'

Pakistan opener Ayesha Zafar said that the upcoming Women's Asia Cup 2026 clash against India is just another game and made it clear that her team will look to continue their momentum after a big win over Thailand.

Harmanpreet Kaur set to script history ahead of crucial Pakistan clash in Women's Asia Cup; Check details

The ongoing Womens Asia Cup 2026 sees India take on Pakistan. The two arch-rivals will meet at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 5, and both sides will aim to deliver their best performance....

England Drop Brydon Carse For Sri Lanka Series Despite Availability; ECB Explains Decision

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has opted not to select seamer Brydon Carse for the upcoming Sri Lanka series, despite him being available for selection.

Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-Ul-Haq Dropped Over Behaviour Issue? Report Makes Huge Claim

The PCB on Monday decided to send seven members, including Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-Ul-Haq, of its touring Test squad home and replace them with a fresh set of players ahead of the third and final match against England.

PICS: Mbappe misses penalty; Real Madrid stunned by Betis

Real Madrid's flawless start to the LaLiga season concluded with a 1-0 defeat against Real Betis. Substitute Troy Parrott scored the decisive goal, and goalkeeper Alvaro Valles saved a late penalty from Kylian Mbappe, securing a significant victory for Betis. Madrid manager Jose Mourinho expressed pride in his team's performance despite the loss.

US Open PIX: Navarro sends seventh seed Muchova packing

Emma Navarro, the 26th seed, achieved her third top-10 victory of the year by defeating seventh seed Karolina Muchova 6-3, 7-5 at the U.S. Open. Navarro's strong baseline play and Muchova's struggles with unforced errors contributed to the upset, propelling Navarro into the fourth round.

US Open PIX: Former champion Medvedev breezes into Round 4

Daniil Medvedev defeated Arthur Rinderknech 6-4 6-4 6-4 to reach the fourth round of the US Open. The former champion overcame an early break in the first set to secure a dominant victory, extending his strong form and avenging a previous loss to Rinderknech. He now looks to make a deep run in the tournament.

Pretorius Makes History as South Africa Break Namibia Hoodoo

Lhuan-dre Pretorius smashed a maiden T20I century off 53 balls, while Connor Esterhuizen added 88, powering South Africa to an 11-run win over Namibia and a final berth.

Mohammed Shami To Be Felicitated By Cricket Association Of Bengal On 100th First-Class Appearance

India's pace-bowling stalwart Mohammed Shami will be felicitated by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) on Saturday for reaching the milestone of 100 first-class appearances.

Blake, Surrey's unlikely hero, seizes his chance to shine

Availability crisis allows squad member to fell Yorkshire in one-wicket epic

Northants seize control as Procter does for Stokes

Durham lose three late in evening to set up tantalising final day in promotion battle

UAE keep semi-final hopes alive after convincing win over Indonesia

They now have to beat Bangladesh on September 8 and also hope other results go their way

Women's Asia Cup: India favourites against arch-foes Pakistan

Ahead of the game, both India openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma looked at the top of their game.

Proteas edge Namibia to secure final clash against Zimbabwe in tri-series

Ex-Pakistan Coach Slams Aaqib Javed, Says Players Are 'Playing With Fear'

Former Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie said Friday chairman of selectors Aaqib Javed needs to look at himself in the mirror with the national team playing with fear.

Hull holds Leicestershire's fort with heroic 97 as Notts are frustrated

Pennington chips away with four wickets but time running out to force victory for title contenders

Price rises for Gloucestershire to leave Derbyshire hopes deflated

Part-time spinner takes career-best six-for to raise hopes of final-day victory push

Kent tighten grip as Northeast century leaves Worcestershire on the ropes

Visitors lose three wickets with a day to come, and need a further 296 for victory

Phil Salt, Sam Curran out, Jamie Overton returns as England announce ODI, T20I squad for Sri Lanka series

England have named 16-player squads for their upcoming limited-overs series against Sri Lanka , starting September 15 in Southampton. Jamie Overton, who has been out injured for long time now, will mark his return in both ODIs and T20Is. On the other hand, Aneurin Donald has received his first T20I call-up, while Henry Crocombe has been included in an England ODI squad for the first time.

Hesson keeps his head down as Pakistan try to pick up the pieces

Interim coach stresses he was not privy to squad upheaval, before being drafted in at short notice

Helm to the fore as Middlesex condemn Lancashire to three-day defeat

Seamer claims four second-innings wickets to wreck visitors' victory hopes after promising start

England tell Carse to 'work through' off-field issues

Carse was briefly arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly outside a bar while celebrating a win in the County Championship

Lhuan-dre Pretorious set new record with century against Namibia, South Africa win by 11 runs

South Africa opener Lhuan-dre Pretorius set a new record with a charismatic century against Namibia in the ongoing tri-series that also features Zimbabwe . He reached the milestone in 52 deliveries and with that, Pretorius became the youngest player to score a T20I century among a full-member nation. He achieved the feat at the age of 20 years and 161 days and, with that, surpassed the previous record held by Afghanistans Hazratullah Zazai, who hit his maiden T20I century at the age of 20 years and 337 days.

'Absolute Legend...': Mohammed Shami Joins Elite 100-Game Club

Indian pace bowler Mohammed Shami will be felicitated by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) for completing 100 first-class matches. The felicitation will take place in Chennai ahead of the Duleep Trophy final, recognising his significant domestic career achievements and his ongoing efforts to return to the national team.

Pretorius 101, Esterhuizen 88 eliminate heartbroken Namibia

South Africa posted 228, and will meet Zimbabwe in the tri-series final after Namibia fell only 11 short

Suthar stars as Hampshire slump to innings rout

Warwickshire maintain their title challenge with clinical defeat of rock-bottom opponents

England call up new faces Donald and Crocombe for SL white-ball series

England white-ball regulars Salt (quadriceps), Bethell (knee) and Curran (groin) will miss the three T20Is and three ODIs

Hat-Trick Hero Henry Crocombe Earns First England ODI Call-Up

Uncapped seamer Henry Crocombe has been called into England's squad for this month's one-day international series at home to Sri Lanka after taking hat-tricks in successive County Championship matches. The 24-year-old Sussex bowler ran through Somerset's tail at Hove last week as he took three wickets in as many balls. He then repeated the feat against Essex at Chelmsford on Thursday during a return of 5-39, collecting a second hat-trick in eight days. It has been a breakthrough season for Crocombe, who was briefly added to England's squad for June's second Test against New Zealand, when now retired former captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were dropped for disciplinary reasons. Uncapped Derbyshire batsman Aneurin Donald has been included in England's squad for a preceding T20 series against Sri Lanka. Donald, 29, scored 489 runs in 12 matches for Derbyshire in the T20 Blast this season. All-rounder Jacob Bethell continues his recovery from a right knee injury suffered during the white-ball series against India which saw him miss The Hundred, with an England spokesman saying Friday he remains on course in his rehabilitation. England management hope to see Bethell return during the white-ball series in Australia in November. Ben Duckett is back in the T20 squad after being left out earlier this year but fellow opener Phil Salt is unavailable due to a right quad problem. Aneurin Donald and Henry Crocombe are two promising players who have earned their places on the back of impressive performances in domestic cricket, said England men's national selector Marcus North. Aneurin has had an exceptional season for Derbyshire in the Vitality Blast and also with Trent Rockets in The Hundred while Henry is a player we have had an eye on all summer. A three-match T20 series starts at Southampton on September 15, with the first of three ODIs at Chester-le-Street on September 22. England T20I squad Harry Brook (capt), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jos Buttler (wkt), James Coles, Jordan Cox, Liam Dawson, Aneurin Donald, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue England ODI squad Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Brook (capt), Rehan Ahmed, Archer, Atkinson, Banton, Baker, Buttler (wkt), Cox, Henry Crocombe, Dawson, Duckett, Jacks, Overton, Rashid, Joe Root, Tongue

'How Is He Fit in Two Weeks?' Sundar's India Recall Questioned

Kris Srikkanth has questioned Washington Sundar's inclusion for India's Afghanistan T20Is, saying the all-rounder must prove match fitness through competitive cricket after recurring injuries.

'India always one step ahead' - Deepti Sharma confident ahead of Pakistan clash in Women's Asia Cup

India are set to take on Pakistan on September 5 in their final group game in the ongoing Womens Asia Cup 2026. Ahead of the blockbuster clash, all-rounder Deepti Sharma has backed the teams overall balance. She noted that the side has performed well in both batting and bowling department and is confident of their chances against the arch-rivals.

KCL | Anands late-game heroics put Titans in final

The medium-pacer smashes 16 runs from three balls in the last over to leave Royals stunned

Mike Hesson believes Pakistan players 'used to chaos' after PCB shakes up squad for Edgbaston Test

Pakistans interim red-ball coach Mike Hesson has acknowledged the disruption surrounding the Test squad after seven of the players were released after the Lords Test. However, he believes the players have dealt with the upheaval positively and will compete hard in the third Test at Edgbaston.

'Virat the best-ever I've seen in ODIs'

Glenn Maxwell has named Virat Kohli the best-ever ODI batter, praising his exceptional timing, control and gap-finding ability while highlighting his remarkable record in successful run-chases.

Womens Asia Cup: Mandhana Reveals Pre-match Chat With Rodrigues Before Hitting Record Century

Dubai International Cricket Stadium: India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana revealed details of a light-hearted pre-match conversation with injured teammate Jemimah Rodrigues that helped ease her nerves before she smashed a record-breaking century against Hong Kong in the 2026 Womens Asia Cup. At the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Smriti struck a brilliant 124 off 64 balls to power India to a massive 137-run victory over Hong Kong China, which also sealed their spot in the semi-finals. The innings made Smriti the leading century-maker in womens international cricket with 18 hundreds and go past Meg Lanning, while also surpassing Mithali Raj as the all-time leading run-scorer in the women's game. Speaking in a video published by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on their social media accounts on Friday, Smriti was shown a supportive message posted by Jemimah on Instagram after she hit her epic century. Oh Jemi! We miss Jemi for sure, unfortunate for her to pick up that injury. I remember I was on a video call yesterday and she actually wished me all the best. She was like, This is going to be an extremely tough match. Knowing me and my batting, she was like, I know it's going to be an extremely tough match, let's see how much runs you get, recalled Smriti. The off-field camaraderie between Smriti and Jemimah, affectionately dubbed the Wrong Sisters by fans, has picked a mainstream cult despite the latter missing the ongoing continental event due to a hamstring injury picked while playing The Hundred in England. She was like, This is going to be an extremely tough match. Knowing me and my batting, she was like, I know it's going to be an extremely tough match, let's see how much runs you get, recalled Smriti. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Following her Player of the Match-winning performance, Smriti and India, the seven-time winners, will turn their attention to their final Group A against arch-rivals Pakistan on Saturday. Article Source: IANS

Aaqib Javed Faces Exit in PCB's Major 'Clean-Up' Drive

The Pakistan Cricket Board is reportedly undertaking a major clean-up operation, which could see senior selector Aaqib Javed removed and a new selection committee formed. This follows the controversial return of players Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, and Salman Ali Agha from England, with concerns raised over their form and behaviour. The PCB is also reviewing coaching staff and player conduct.

India's batting depth faces Pakistan examination in Asia Cup fixture

Pakistan have beaten India only once in seven meetings at the T20 Asia Cup - in 2022

CAB pledges strict age verification protocols following two-year ban for Rohit Yadav

Hesson breaks silence on Pakistan's Rizwan, Agha, Imam axe

Pakistan's interim red-ball head coach Mike Hesson has distanced himself from the decision to drop senior players Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, and Imam-ul-Haq from the Test squad, stating they were already released when he took charge.

Duleep Trophy Final: Padikkal, Siraj Add Firepower to South Zone

Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammed Siraj have joined South Zone for the Duleep Trophy final, while Tilak Varma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ishan Kishan could feature before India's Afghanistan series.

RCB And KKR Stars Picked As Net Bowlers For Shreyas Iyer And Co. At Asian Games 2026: Report

The Indian men's and women's teams will aim to defend their gold medals when they start their Asian Games 2026 campaign later this month.

India to Play Japan in Historic First-Ever T20I as Nations Celebrate 75 Years of Diplomatic Relations

Indian men's cricket team will play Japan in T20 international match on 22 September to mark the 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations. India is also going to compete in Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan from 19 September to

CAB underlines commitment to age group regulations

Devdutt Padikkal, Mohammed Siraj To Play In Duleep Trophy Final For South Zone

India internationals Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammed Siraj are set to play in the Duleep Trophy final after being named in the South Zone squad for the showdown against East Zone that begins on September 6.

Mandhana's Record-breaking Feats A Result Of 'relentless Discipline', Says RCB Coach Rangarajan

Dubai International Cricket Stadium: India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana becoming the leading run-scorer and century hitter in women's international cricket is the direct result of her relentless discipline and unwavering standards, said Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) head coach Malolan Rangarajan on Friday. While playing a knock of 124 in the Womens Asia Cup game against Hong Kong China at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Smriti surpassed former national captain Mithali Raj's career mark of 10,868 runs across all formats to become the leading run-getter in womens international cricket. She also went past Meg Lanning for the record for the most centuries hit in women's international cricket. Smriti, 30, also leads RCB in the Women's Premier League (WPL), having captained the franchise to two titles while scoring 1,023 runs in 35 innings. What stands out about Smriti isnt just the runs - its the sheer consistency of showing up, series after series, at the very top of her game for so many years. Ive watched her understanding of the sport deepen year on year; shes never stood still as a batter or as a leader. Reaching this milestone doesnt happen by accident - its the product of relentless discipline and the standards she holds herself to, day in and day out. Rangarajan said in a statement by the franchise. Teammates echoed Rangarajan's sentiment, pointing to Smriti's leadership and preparation as key factors behind her record-breaking achievement. Smriti has always been someone you can look up to, both as a player and as a captain. The way she prepares, the way she handles pressure and the confidence she gives everyone around her makes such a difference to the team. This record is a huge achievement, but for us, it is also a reflection of the person and leader we get to have in our dressing room, said Indias seam-bowling all-rounder Arundhati Reddy. Teammates echoed Rangarajan's sentiment, pointing to Smriti's leadership and preparation as key factors behind her record-breaking achievement. Smriti has always been someone you can look up to, both as a player and as a captain. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories She brings so much calmness and clarity to the team, and she leads by example with the way she approaches the game. To see her become the leading run-scorer in international cricket is a very proud moment for all of us at RCB and Indian cricket. Article Source: IANS

India and Japan to play historic men's T20I on September 22

The one-off game will launch the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations

India, Japan to Play Historic T20I in Togichi

India and Japan will play their first-ever men's T20 International cricket match on September 22 at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture, marking the 75th anniversary of India-Japan Diplomatic Relations.

Always One Step Ahead: Deepti Sharma's Big Message To Pakistan Ahead Of Women's Asia Cup Clash

Deepti Sharma on Friday said that India have always been one step ahead of Pakistan in their recent meetings and would look to continue just like that when they face each other in the Women's Asia Cup.