T20 WC: How Pakistan Can Still Qualify For Semis -- Scenarios Explained
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium: The qualification situation for Pakistan in the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 is clear, direct, and completely within their control after Englands four-wicket win against New Zealand has completely changed the Group 2 standings in Colombo. After winning against New Zealand at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Harry Brooks England completed the Super 8 stage unbeaten in Group 2 and have made what looked like a slim chance for qualification into a straightforward equation for Pakistan going into their last match. The result from Fridays Super 8 Group 2 match has confirmed Englands position at the top of Group 2 as they secured six points from their three matches. Despite the loss on Friday to England, New Zealand sit second in Group 2 with three points and a strong net run rate of +1.390. Pakistan are currently in third place with one point from two matches and have a net run rate of -0.461. Pakistan need to defeat Sri Lanka by 64 runs batting first, or successfully chase down the target in 13.1 overs if they bowl first. Pakistan and Sri Lanka will meet on Saturday at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in what will be a virtual knockout match for Pakistan. Pakistan will knock New Zealand out of the tournament if they meet either of these requirements; otherwise, New Zealand will proceed as the second-placed team from Group 2. If New Zealand makes it through the group, they will play the first semifinal in Kolkata (but only if South Africa loses to Zimbabwe and India finishes first in Group 1, which would change the venue situation). Pakistan will knock New Zealand out of the tournament if they meet either of these requirements; otherwise, New Zealand will proceed as the second-placed team from Group 2. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Kicking off the chase of 160, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson bowled brilliantly, taking wickets within the first eight balls for New Zealand. Phil Salt and Jos Buttler got out early, leaving England with just two runs on the board. New Zealand had a great chance to take control during the first six overs. However, captain Harry Brook steadied the chase. He and Jacob Bethell formed an unbeaten 45-run partnership for the third wicket at the end of the mandatory powerplay. Article Source: IANS
T20 World Cup: After a close four-wicket defeat against England in the Super 8s of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner dwelled on the fine margins that swung the contest in Colombo. Good match, a tight match. The way England kind of paced that chase and then obviously the way Will Jacks and Rehan kind of put the finishing touches, it was good batting, Santner said after the loss at the R. Premadasa Stadium. Chasing 160, England recovered from early blows to seal the game with three balls remaining, thanks largely to a late surge from Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks. Santner admitted there were moments New Zealand could look back on. We made our lives easy if we won, but again we played a pretty good game. There were moments both with the bat and the ball that you could probably look back on that kind of turned the game on us a little bit, but credit to England the way they played. New Zealand had earlier posted 159/7 after being asked to bat. They powered to 54 without loss in the Power-play, with Finn Allen and Tim Seifert putting Englands attack under pressure. But wickets through the middle overs stalled momentum. We set up a good platform to target the last few overs, then lost a few there, and we only kind of scraped to 160. Could have easily been 170, and then I guess at the end you needed 40 off the last three, and the way they were able to take down the offie, and at the end it was good batting, Santner reflected. On the approach with the bat, he added: The other innings we lost the wickets throughout and managed to get to a score through the last 4 overs but today we kind of set a platform, got to the second timeout in a pretty good spot and then some tough options straight up after the timeout but you need to kind of get runs and we were thinking at that stage 170-175 would have been a good score. Santner reserved special praise for Ahmeds finishing act. Rehan showed his class with the bat in the last couple of years. A very good player of spin. He wasn't really fazed on that wicket. His partnership with Jacks, but also set up well by Banton and Curran after losing a few at the start. Earlier in the chase, New Zealand had struck twice in the first eight balls through Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson to reduce England to 2/2. But England captain Harry Brook felt belief in his middle order made the difference. (On the partnership between Rehan and Jacks) We have seen what Reh can do in the nets, and he has gone out there and played beautifully there. Jacksy played brilliantly too, who has won his 4th Man of the Match award in the -- the most he has got, he just told me. He is pretty happy with that performance. Brook said Ahmeds inclusion was a tactical call. There are conversations to be had. We said to the group that we are going to select the team on the basis of the conditions. We thought that today was the perfect opportunity to bring him in, and he did an amazing job. On facing an unbeaten New Zealand side, Brook added: Well, we know that they (NZ) are a strong side. I think he was unbeaten until now. We played against them before Christmas, and we knew how strong they were. They do the little things really well. They have got some extreme power with the batting and are very skilful with their bowling. He also threw his weight behind Jos Buttler amid scrutiny over form. Well, I think that there has been a lot of talk about Jos. I said the other day that he has played 150 games for England, and people need to probably take a step back from that. He is probably the best white ball player to ever play the game. He is in a little bit of a poor run now, but that's something everyone goes through. We know what he can produce in the next couple of games. He knows what he can do. He averages 34, striking at 145 in 150 games. He is a phenomenal player, and I have no doubts about that. On facing an unbeaten New Zealand side, Brook added: Well, we know that they (NZ) are a strong side. I think he was unbeaten until now. We played against them before Christmas, and we knew how strong they were. They do the little things really well. They have got some extreme power with the batting and are very skilful with their bowling. Also Read: Live Cricket Score As for a preferred semifinal opponent in Mumbai, Brook made Englands stance clear: We are not bothered. We just want to go out there and Article Source: IANS
T20 WC: 'I Reckon, This Is The Best One,' Says Jacks On Claiming Fourth POTM Award Vs NZ
T20 World Cup: After claiming his fourth Player of the Match (POTM) award in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, composed Will Jacks credited his 32 off 18 deliveries innings as best as England beat New Zealand by four wickets with three balls to spare in their Group 2 Super 8 clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium. Jacks composed 32 off 18 deliveries, coupled with Rehan Ahmeds unbeaten 19 off just seven balls, helped England chase down 160 in a contest that swung wildly until the final over. Reflecting on the award, Jacks said: I reckon this is the best one. Im absolutely buzzing with that, especially with how tight the finish was. When I went out there, the game was on a knife-edge, so Im really happy. Chasing 160, England were rocked early by Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson, who struck within the first eight balls. Phil Salt and Jos Buttler fell with just two runs on the board, handing New Zealand early control. Captain Harry Brook responded with composure, stitching an unbeaten 45-run stand with Jacob Bethell by the end of the powerplay to steady the chase. But Phillips turned the tide again, dismissing Brook for 26 with his first ball of the match and then producing a stunning diving catch to remove Bethell (21), leaving England in fresh trouble. Jacks admitted clarity of thought was crucial in the tense finish. Its about keeping it simple. Rehan Ahmed played a brilliant innings, and everyone who went out there took a bit of time to adjust to how slow the surface was. That six off Glenn Phillips really shifted momentum and put them under pressure. From there, I just tried to play off that and stick to the plan. He revealed the pair had targeted a specific phase. We spoke about taking a calculated risk in that 15th over and identified it as our matchup. For the other overs, it was about hitting into the gaps and running hard. Its a big ground and a slow surface, so youre not always clearing the ropes. The twos we picked up were really important. Earlier, New Zealand had posted 159/7 after being asked to bat. Despite a tidy opening partnership of Finn Allen and Tim Seifert and a counterattack of Glenn Philips, New Zealand's innings was restricted in the end. With 43 needed off 18 balls, the game hung in the balance. Phillips conceded 22 in an over under heavy assault, and Mitchell Santner was struck for 16 in the penultimate over, including a boundary first ball and a maximum off the last by Ahmed. Earlier, New Zealand had posted 159/7 after being asked to bat. Despite a tidy opening partnership of Finn Allen and Tim Seifert and a counterattack of Glenn Philips, New Zealand's innings was restricted in the end. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Its been a great night personally, but finishing the game like that is what you want as a player, Jacks said. On Englands form surge, he added: Yeah, I feel really confident and calm in the middle right now. That calmness probably helps more than anything. As a team, were heading in the right direction - three wins in the Super 8 against strong sides, so were very happy going into the semi-finals. Article Source: IANS
Semifinal Qualification Scenarios For Pakistan: (27 ) -20 2026 8 7 159 19.3 6 8 2 , 2 +1.390 8 (28 ) -0.461 , Also Read: Live Cricket Score 160 64 160 40 Can Pakistan Pull This Off? #T20WorldCup #PAKvsSL pic.twitter.com/yyq52rBFHK CRICKETNMORE (@cricketnmore) February 27, 2026
T20 WC: Rehan Ahmeds Late Cameo Helps England Beat NZ By Four Wickets
T20 World Cup: Rehan Ahmed's late cameo of unbeaten 19 off 7 deliveries and Will Jacks stable 32 off 18 deliveries helped England beat New Zealand by four wickets in the Group 2 Super 8s clash of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Friday. Kicking off the chase of 160, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson bowled brilliantly, taking wickets within the first eight balls for New Zealand. Phil Salt and Jos Buttler got out early, leaving England with just two runs on the board. New Zealand had a great chance to take control during the first six overs. However, captain Harry Brook steadied the chase. He and Jacob Bethell formed an unbeaten 45-run partnership for the third wicket at the end of the mandatory powerplay. Glenn Phillips made an immediate impact by taking a wicket with his first ball in the match, dismissing Brook for 26, giving New Zealand an important third wicket. Phillips then produced an amazing catch to dismiss Bethell (21) diving forward. England lost two wickets in two overs and suddenly faced serious trouble as the pressure increased. Earlier, electing to bat first, New Zealand began their innings strongly. Jofra Archer delivered a solid first over but soon lost his control. Both Finn Allen and Tim Seifert settled in and countered some great bowling from Sam Curran and Liam Dawson. They put pressure on the English bowlers after the first over yielded no runs. New Zealand scored 54 runs in the next five overs to complete the mandatory batting powerplay. This was the first time in seven games that the English bowlers did not take a wicket during this period. Adil Rashid broke the opening partnership of 64 runs with a brave, teasing delivery that drew Tim Seifert (35) out of his crease. With 41 wickets in T20 World Cups under his name, Rashid moved closer to catching the record for most wickets (Shakib Al Hasan) and also moved ahead of Wanindu Hasaranga on the all-time list. Currently, only Adam Zampa (44) and Rashid Khan (43) are ahead of him. Will Jacks struck in his very first over as Finn Allen (29) holed out in the deep, finding Jacob Bethell to end his stay. It was a lapse in judgment from Allen, and with that dismissal, both set batters were back in the hut in quick succession, halting New Zealands flying start. After the openers departed, all-rounder Glenn Philips was the lone batter to show some resistance against Englands quality spin and stitched a partnership of 31 runs with Rachin Ravindra (11), who mistimed a pull shot to mid-wicket off Rehan Ahmed. Mark Chapman (15) then added 26 runs with Philips, but soon he too departed as the Kiwis continued to lose wickets. Will Jacks ended a remarkable performance for England by taking his second wicket of the night. He dismissed Phillips, who scored a solid 39 off 28 balls, as England continued to apply pressure at the end of the innings. With New Zealand losing their sixth wicket, their inning started to fall apart. The Kiwis' innings never recovered as they lost the last four wickets for just 36 runs, with Rashid, Jacks, and Ahmed picking up two wickets each to reduce New Zealand to 159/7. All-rounder Sam Curran and Tom Banton then showed resistance with the bat and stitched a partnership of 42 off 35 deliveries. In his 50th T20I appearance, Ravindra took his second wicket of the match, the important wicket of Sam Curran (24), to give New Zealand more control. Bowling from slightly back of a length, Ravindra tempted Curran to hit the ball in the air. After a great game against Sri Lanka, Ravindra once again shone under the lights against England. With two sharp catches, a wicket of his own, and the top score for the Black Caps, Phillips showed he was the X-factor as New Zealand moved closer to victory. With 43 required off 18, Philips got the belt treatment as he was smashed for two maximums and as many boundaries and went for 22 runs. Santner, bowling the penultimate over, was smashed for a boundary on the first delivery by Rehan Ahmed and a maximum on the last delivery for 16 runs over. Henry, bowling the last over, could not defend much as England defeated the Kiwis by four wickets and three balls remaining. With 43 required off 18, Philips got the belt treatment as he was smashed for two maximums and as many boundaries and went for 22 runs. Santner, bowling the penultimate over, was smashed for a boundary on the first delivery by Rehan Ahmed and a maximum on the last delivery for 16 runs over. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New Zealand 159/7 in 20 overs (Glenn Philips 39, Tim Seifert 35; Will Jacks 2-23, Adil Rashid 2-28) lost to England 161/6 in 19.3 overs (Tom Banton 33, Harry Brook 26; Rachin Ravindra 3-19, Lockie Ferguson 1-14) by four wickets. Article Source: IANS
The MCA Apex Council: The Apex Council of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), at its meeting held on Friday, approved significant resolutions to honour distinguished former Mumbai and India cricketers for their invaluable contribution to the game by naming gates and stands in the Wankhede Stadium after them. These include naming the stand below the press box after Ravi Shastri, Gate No. into the stadium as Dilip Sardesai Gate, Gate No. 6 as Eknath Solkar Gate, and Gate No. 5 as Diana Edulji Gate. Gates and stands at the Wankhede are already named after Vinoo Mankad, Polly Umrigar, Sachin Tendulkar, Ajit Wadekar, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Rohit Sharma, among others. The MCA Apex Council approved a proposal to name Level 1 Stand below the Press Box at the iconic Wankhede Stadium after former India Captain and renowned commentator Ravi Shastri, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Mumbai and Indian cricket, both as a player and as a coach. In another significant decision, the Apex Council approved the naming of the following gates at Wankhede Stadium after former Mumbai and India stalwarts: Gate No. 3 Dilip Sardesai Gate Gate No. 6 Eknath Solkar Gate Gate No. 5 Diana Edulji Gate These legends have played a pivotal role in strengthening Mumbais rich cricketing legacy and have made immense contributions to Indian cricket at the highest level. The initiative aims to permanently commemorate their achievements and inspire future generations of cricketers and fans visiting the stadium, the MCA said in a statement on Friday. Gate No. 5 Diana Edulji Gate Also Read: Live Cricket Score The Mumbai Cricket Association remains committed to preserving and celebrating its glorious heritage while continuing to build a strong future for the sport, the statement added. Article Source: IANS
MCA to name a stand after Ravi Shastri at Wankhede Stadium
Three gates at the stadium to be named after Dilip Sardesai, Eknath Solkar and Diana Edulji
T20 WC: Rinku Singh Will Join Team On Saturday In Kolkata, Says BCCI Secy Saikia
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that left-handed Rinku Singh, who returned home after his father's demise on Thursday night due to liver cancer, will join Team India in Kolkata on Saturday ahead of their clash against West Indies in the Super 8s clash of the T20 World Cup. Rinku Singh will join the team tomorrow in Kolkata, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia told IANS. Rinku, who is part of India's T20 World Cup squad, left Chennai at 5:00 am to rush to New Delhi for the last rites of Khanchand. Khanchand had been admitted to Yatharth Hospital in Greater Noida on February 21 after his condition deteriorated significantly. He was placed on ventilator support before passing away in the early hours of Friday. Rinku had previously been by his father's side when his condition worsened, but rejoined the squad ahead of India's match against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday, though he did not feature in the playing eleven as Sanju Samson got the nod to play and open the batting alongside Abhishek Sharma. Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) chief Prem Manohar Gupta also condoled the demise of the cricketer's father. Really disheartened to hear about the demise of Rinku Singhs father. Happiness had just begun to come into the family, and Rinkus wedding had recently been fixed. At such a time, this loss feels even more painful. The entire UPCA stands firmly with Rinku Singh and his family, he told IANS. The BCCI president, Mithun Manhas, also extended his heartfelt condolences via X post, Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Rinku Singhs father. My heartfelt condolences to Rinku and his family in this difficult time. May lord Shiva give him the strength to stay strong. Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) chief Prem Manohar Gupta also condoled the demise of the cricketer's father. Really disheartened to hear about the demise of Rinku Singhs father. Happiness had just begun to come into the family, and Rinkus wedding had recently been fixed. At such a time, this loss feels even more painful. The entire UPCA stands firmly with Rinku Singh and his family, he told IANS. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Defending champions India face the West Indies in a virtual knockout clash on Sunday, with a semi-final berth on the line. The winner of Sundays match will join South Africa for the semi-finals from Group 1. Article Source: IANS
Adani Group Measures Growth Through Inclusion, Not Scale: Jeet Adani At GreenX Talks
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani: Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) Director Jeet Adani said on Friday that GreenX Talks is more than just a forum, as the Adani Group measures growth through inclusion, not scale. Green represents something everlasting, and the X stands for the extraordinary human spirit, Jeet Adani said, calling it a celebration of possibility, dignity and human excellence. Inaugurating the fifth edition of GreenX Talks at Adani Corporate House (ACH) in Ahmedabad, he added: Power is temporary. Character is permanent, emphasising that individuals are masters of their own destiny. The fifth edition of GreenX Talks reaffirmed a defining principle of the Adani Group growth is never measured by scale alone, but by inclusion. Diva Adani, his wife, expanded on the philosophy, noting that GreenX recognises talent not through sympathy but merit. Inclusion, she said, is about creating spaces where people belong because they have earned their place. In this spirit of institutional inclusion, the Chief Guest for the event was V. Vidyavathi, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Her presence underscored the Central government's continued commitment to strengthening rights-based frameworks, expanding accessibility and creating livelihood, skilling and social security pathways for persons with disabilities across the country. Acclaimed classical dancer and actor Sudha Chandran spoke about resilience and reinvention, urging individuals never to let circumstance define identity. When life challenges you, respond not with limitation but with conviction, she said, reinforcing the programmes message that dignity and determination shape destiny. Visually-impaired entrepreneur Srikant Bolla, the Founder of Bollant Industries, delivered one of the most resonant lines of the event. If you dont dream the impossible, you cannot achieve it. I am not a man of yesterday, I am a man of tomorrow, he said, underscoring that hardship can become fuel for purpose and that every no can be turned into a yes. The programme also featured the Adani Ability Awards, presented by Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani. Ajay Kumar Reddy, former captain of the Indian Blind Cricket Team and a celebrated para-sports leader, was honoured in the Adaptive Sports Excellence category. Ayushi Dabas, IAS officer and public policy professional, received the Excellence in Public Service award. Lt Col C. Dwarkesh, Indian Army officer and advocate for adaptive sports, was recognised for Service Courage in Adaptive Sports Excellence. Malvika Iyer, a disability rights activist and international speaker, was awarded for Outstanding Disability Advocacy. Sheela Sharma, artist and creative practitioner, received the Excellence for Creative Expression award. Bolla was honoured for Excellence in Inclusive Entrepreneurship, and Chandran for Excellence in Cultural Contribution. Malvika Iyer, a disability rights activist and international speaker, was awarded for Outstanding Disability Advocacy. Sheela Sharma, artist and creative practitioner, received the Excellence for Creative Expression award. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Over five editions, GreenX Talks has evolved into a distinctive platform within the Adani Group ecosystem, spotlighting individuals who redefine strength and merit. Article Source: IANS
T20 WC: Rashid, Jacks, And Ahmed Help England Restrict New Zealand To 159/7
T20 World Cup: Adil Rashid, Will Jacks, and Rehan Ahmed picked two wickets each as England reduced New Zealand to 159/7 in 20 overs in the Group 2 Super 8s clash of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday. Electing to bat first, New Zealand began their innings strongly. Jofra Archer delivered a solid first over but soon lost his control. Both Finn Allen and Tim Seifert settled in and countered some great bowling from Sam Curran and Liam Dawson. They put pressure on the English bowlers after the first over yielded no runs. Starting with a zero run in their first over, New Zealand scored 54 runs in the next five overs to complete the mandatory batting Power-play. This was the first time in seven games that the English bowlers did not take a wicket during this period. Adil Rashid broke the opening partnership of 64 runs with a brave, teasing delivery that drew Tim Seifert (35) out of his crease. With 41 wickets in the ICC Men's T20 World Cups under his name, Rashid moved closer to catching the record for most wickets (Shakib Al Hasan) and also moved ahead of Wanindu Hasaranga on the all-time list. Currently, only Adam Zampa (44) and Rashid Khan (43) are ahead of him. Will Jacks struck in his very first over as Finn Allen (29) holed out in the deep, finding Jacob Bethell to end his stay. It was a lapse in judgment from Allen, and with that dismissal, both set batters were back in the hut in quick succession, halting New Zealands flying start. After the openers departed, all-rounder Glenn Philips was the lone batter to show some resistance against Englands quality spin and stitched a partnership of 31 runs with Rachin Ravindra (11), who mistimed a pull shot to mid-wicket off Rehan Ahmed. Mark Chapman (15) then added 26 runs with Philips, but soon he too departed as the Kiwis continued to lose wickets. Will Jacks ended a remarkable performance for England by taking his second wicket of the night. He dismissed Phillips, who scored a solid 39 off 28 balls, as England continued to apply pressure at the end of the innings. With New Zealand losing their sixth wicket, their inning started to fall apart. The Kiwis' innings never recovered as they lost the last four wickets for mere 36 runs as Rashid, Jacks, and Ahmed picked two wickets each to reduce New Zealand to 159/7. Will Jacks ended a remarkable performance for England by taking his second wicket of the night. He dismissed Phillips, who scored a solid 39 off 28 balls, as England continued to apply pressure at the end of the innings. With New Zealand losing their sixth wicket, their inning started to fall apart. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New Zealand 159/7 in 20 overs (Glenn Philips 39, Tim Seifert 35; Will Jacks 2-23, Adil Rashid 2-28) against England. Article Source: IANS
Unchanged New Zealand bat first in Colombo
Rehan Ahmed in for England
IPL 2026 to begin on March 28, final scheduled for May 31
The delay in the announcement of the schedule is because of the assembly elections in Assam, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal
T20 WC: Unchanged New Zealand Elect To Bat Against England In Must-win Clash
Unchanged New Zealand: New Zealand elected to bat first against England in their Group 2 Super 8s clash in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Friday. England have made one change to their playing XI, bringing in Rehan Ahmed in place of Jamie Overton as they tweaked their combination for the contest. Meanwhile, New Zealand have opted for stability, naming an unchanged XI. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said, We will bat first. Youve got to win games if you want to win a World Cup. So first things first, weve got to try and get that win on the board. We know what might happen if the pitch plays the same as the other night, but were ready for the challenge. It looks pretty good, to be fair. Last game, it probably played better than we expected. If it does something similar, its the same group of players, but you still have to adjust your plans accordingly. Were used to playing on grounds where one side of the field might be shorter or where the wind plays a factor. It can make things a bit simpler tactically. You try to use the dimensions to your advantage with the bat, and when youre bowling, you try to make them hit to the longer side. Weve got the same team. England captain Harry Brook said, We would have batted as well. We watched the game the other night, and there was a bit of spin there. We've spoken about adapting to the conditions as much as possible. It'll be a good challenge. They are an amazing side. If we can beat them and try to knock them out and put them under pressure, that'll be awesome for us. The main message is to go out there, play with freedom, and look to take it to them. Playing XIs: England captain Harry Brook said, We would have batted as well. We watched the game the other night, and there was a bit of spin there. We've spoken about adapting to the conditions as much as possible. It'll be a good challenge. They are an amazing side. If we can beat them and try to knock them out and put them under pressure, that'll be awesome for us. The main message is to go out there, play with freedom, and look to take it to them. Also Read: Live Cricket Score England: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Harry Brook (c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid Article Source: IANS
T20 WC: Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka Head-to-head Record And Last Five Matches Performance
T20 World Cup: Pakistan will face co-hosts Sri Lanka in their last match of the Super 8s stage of the T20 World Cup 2026 to be played at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy on Saturday. Pakistan is coming to the contest after suffering a close defeat against the two-time champions, England, on Tuesday. While on the other side, Sri Lanka have been eliminated from the tournament after suffering back-to-back defeats against England and New Zealand in their first two Super 8s matches. This will be the 30th time that both sides will face each other in T20Is. Salman Agha's team has a clear edge in the head-to-head record between the two subcontinent teams. Salman Agha's side has won 17 out of the 29 matches played between them, while Sri Lanka have come victorious on just 12 occasions. However, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have a neck-and-neck fight in the T20 World Cup history. Both teams have faced each other four times in the multi-national tournament, in which Pakistan have won two matches, while Sri Lanka also won two encounters. Pakistan and Sri Lanka last met each other in the shortest format in January 2026, where the three-match series in Sri Lanka finished in a 1-1 draw. Head-to-head record between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in T20Is Total Matches Played: 29 Pakistan Won: 17 Sri Lanka Won: 12 Performance of both teams in their last 5 matches Pakistan: W, L, W, Ab, L Sri Lanka: W, W, L, L, L Squads: Sri Lanka: W, W, L, L, L Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga. Article Source: IANS
Reyneke gets maiden ODI call-up; Khaka, Klaas and van Niekerk return
Kapp will miss the tour of five T20Is and three ODIs to continue her rehab after she picked up an illness against Pakistan recently
Ranji Trophy Final: J&K Reach 186/4, Extend Lead To 477 Runs Against Karnataka At The End Of Day 4
Hubli Cricket Ground: Opener Qamran Iqbal remained unbeaten on 94 as Jammu and Kashmir reached 186/4 at stumps on Day 4 of the Ranji Trophy final at the Hubli Cricket Ground on Friday, stretching their overall lead to 477 runs against eight-time champions Karnataka. Sahil Lotra was batting on 16 at the end of play, giving Qamran valuable support as J&K moved closer to a historic victory. J&K resumed the final session at 89/3 and showed positive intent. Abdul Samad and Qamran scored quickly, hitting four boundaries in the first three overs of the session. Qamran brought up his half-century in the 33rd over with a boundary off Vidyadhar Patil. He reached his fifty in 89 balls and then increased the scoring rate, regularly finding the boundary to put Karnataka under pressure. Karnataka got a breakthrough in the 44th over when Shreyas Gopal dismissed Samad for 32 off 70 balls. Samad hit four fours and one six during his innings. After Samads dismissal, Qamran took responsibility and faced more deliveries to protect the new batter, Sahil. There was also a brief exchange between Qamran and Vijay Kumar Vyshak after a sharp bouncer in the 49th over, but Qamran stayed focused. He remained unbeaten on 94 at the end of the day, just six runs short of a century, as J&K tightened their grip on the match. Earlier in the day, Karnataka bowled well in the morning session and reduced J&K to 11/2 by Lunch. Prasidh Krishna and Vijay Kumar Vyshak bowled disciplined spells, while the fielders maintained pressure. Qamran and captain Paras Dogra then steadied the innings with a 61-run partnership. However, Krishna bowled Dogra with a sharp delivery. Qamran then built another partnership with Abdul Samad as J&K reached 89/3 at Tea. J&K started the day strongly by breaking the partnership between Karnataka's batters Mayank Agarwal and Kruthik Krishna. Sahil dismissed Kruthik in the 78th over. Sushil Kumar then removed Vidyadhar Patil in the 84th over to leave Karnataka at 256/7. Mayank Agarwal continued to fight despite wickets falling at the other end. He scored 160 off 266 balls, hitting 21 fours. He survived a few chances before being dismissed in the 91st over by Auqib Nabi. Auqib completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Shikhar Shetty, while Yudhvir Singh took the final wicket as Karnataka were bowled out for 293. J&K secured a massive 291-run first-innings lead. With one day remaining, Jammu and Kashmir hold a strong advantage and are within touching distance of their maiden Ranji Trophy title. Auqib completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Shikhar Shetty, while Yudhvir Singh took the final wicket as Karnataka were bowled out for 293. J&K secured a massive 291-run first-innings lead. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Jammu & Kashmir 584 all out & 186/4 in 57 overs (Qamran Iqbal 94 not out, Abdul Samad 32, Sahil Lotra 16 not out; Prasidh Krishna 2-42) lead Karnataka 293 all out in 93.3 overs (Mayank Agarwal 160, Kruthik Krishna 36; Auqib Nabi Dar 5-54, Sushil Kumar 2-51, Yudhwir Singh Charak 2-55) by 477 runs Article Source: IANS
Nabi five-for, Qamran 94* take J&K close to maiden Ranji title
J&K got a 291-run first-innings lead despite Mayank Agarwal's 160, and ended the day 477 ahead
SL vs PAK Match 50 Prediction, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Match Preview And Expected Playing XI
SL vs PAK, Match 50, Super 8, Cricket Tips :The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 has proved to be a tough competition for the Asian sides. The defending champion, India, are fighting for a place in the semis, while Sri Lanka have been out and Pakistan are on the verge of getting eliminated. Now, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will face each other in the next Super 8 clash. This contest will begin at 7 PM IST at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on February 28. Both sides have been poor in their performance, and they have not been able to deliver good performances. But can they end the tournament with a win? SL vs PAK: Match Details Date: February 28, 2026 (Saturday) Time: 7:00 PM IST Venue: Pallekele International Stadium, Pallekele SL vs PAK Live Streaming Details Fans can watch the live action of the SL vs PAK on TV through the Star Sports networks. Fans can also watch the game on their mobile or PC through the Jio Hotstar streaming platform. SL vs PAK Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 29 Sri Lanka : 12 Pakistan : 17 No-Result : 00 SL vs PAK: Ground Pitch Report Pallekele International Stadium is a good wicket for the bowlers. Seamers have found movement here, while spinners have been more effective. It is not a venue where batters can play free-flowing shots and the ball is expected to grip as well. SL vs PAK Possible XIs Sri Lanka : Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka Pakistan : Salman Agha (c), Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Shaheen Afridi, Md. Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq SL vs PAK: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Sahibzada Farhan is the leading scorer in this tournament, and he is the only Pakistani batter who has shown good form. For Sri Lanka, Pathum Nissanka is a big wicket. His runs are crucial for them to do well. Probable Best Bowler Usman Tariq has proved to be the mystery bowler, and batters have found it hard to pick him. For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana has done this role and has taken wickets in the middle. Today Match Prediction : Sri Lanka have been horrible with the bat, and they are looking clueless in this unit. Pakistan have also lost matches, but overall, they have been better than Sri Lanka. Hence, we predict Pakistan to beat Sri Lanka in this game. SL vs PAK Match 50, ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Today SL vs PAK Match, SL vs PAK Prediction, SL vs PAK Predicted XIs, Injury Update for SL vs PAK 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 WC: What Will Happen If The India Vs West Indies Super 8s Clash Is Washed Out? Know Rules
West Indies Super: Defending champions India will face West Indies in a virtual quarterfinal at the Eden Gardens on Sunday. The semifinal equation is quite simple for both teams; the winner of the encounter will reach the next round along with South Africa from Group A. However, things can get complicated if the match gets washed out or abandoned. Unlike actual quarterfinals, the reserve day is not available for the match. So if rain or any other calamity affects the match, then the teams will share one point each and will finish at the same points. According to the rules, in that case, the semifinal berth will be decided based on Net Run Rate (NRR). If that happens, West Indies will move to the semifinal on the virtue of their superior net run rate of +1.791, compared to Indias -0.100, and the hosts will be eliminated. So, the Men in Blue need to win this match at any cost and cant afford to see it abandoned. However, the weather forecast has brought some good news for the fans as there is no rain prediction in Kolkata on Sunday. Temperatures will hit 34C during the day. They will drop to a comfortable 25-26C by match time. According to the rules, in that case, the semifinal berth will be decided based on Net Run Rate (NRR). If that happens, West Indies will move to the semifinal on the virtue of their superior net run rate of +1.791, compared to Indias -0.100, and the hosts will be eliminated. So, the Men in Blue need to win this match at any cost and cant afford to see it abandoned. Also Read: Live Cricket Score While the West Indies is coming to the do-or-die match after suffering a nine-wicket defeat against the T20 World Cup 2024 runner-ups, South Africa, in their second Super 8s match played at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday. Shai Hope's team registered a big win in their first Super 8s match vs Zimbabwe. The Caribbean side also has two points in two matches. Article Source: IANS
DY Patil T20 Cup: Tripathi, Iyer Efforts Go In Vain As BPCL Suffers Narrow Loss
DY Patil T20 Cup: India batters Rahul Tripathi and Shreyas Iyers efforts went in vain as they could not prevent BPCL from suffering a narrow two-wicket defeat at the hands of Income Tax in the DY Patil T20 Cup at DY Patil Stadium in Nerul on Friday. After being put into batting first, BPCL posted 151/8 in their 20 overs. Tripathi top-scored with 48 off 37 balls with four boundaries and two sixes. He also shared a 62 run fifth wicket stand with left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Anukul Roy. The other big contributor with the bat for BPCL was their skipper Shreyas Iyer (32). For Income Tax, the best bowlers were Saurabh Dubey (4-26) and Pankaj Jaiswal (2-28). In reply, Income Tax were taken to victory by wicketkeeper-batters Anuj Rawat and Harvik Desai, as they put on a partnership of 55 runs for the second wicket. Indias left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed played a vital hand of 24 runs, as Income Tax overhauled the target with two wickets to spare. Anukul chipped in with 2-19 for BPCL while Akhil Herwadkar ended up with figures of 2-31. At the DY Patil University ground, thanks to Kunal Singh Rathores 93 not out, Nirlon upstaged the Indian Navy by a massive 105 runs. The tournament will now be on a break on the weekend, with the final round of Group matches slated to be staged on Monday. Brief Scores: At the DY Patil University ground, thanks to Kunal Singh Rathores 93 not out, Nirlon upstaged the Indian Navy by a massive 105 runs. The tournament will now be on a break on the weekend, with the final round of Group matches slated to be staged on Monday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score At DY Patil University - Group C: Nirlon 227-6 in 20 overs (Kunal Singh Rathore 93 not out, Amogh Bhatkal 44) beat Indian Navy 122 in 14.5 overs (Nakul Sharma 40 not out, Shubham Rohilla 29; Varun Rao 4-22, Dhrumil Matkar 2-18) by 105 runs Article Source: IANS
J&K Ranji Team: A Sense Of Pride & Unity
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is on his way to Hubballi in Karnataka to witness the historic cricket match as the J&K cricket team maintained its hold over Karnataka in the finals of the Ranji Trophy. J&K stormed into the Ranji finals and maintained a lead of 291 runs over Karnataka in the first innings. People in both Srinagar and Jammu have been watching the growth of their team closely, and the smile on their faces says it loudly that the joy is much beyond the game. I have neither played cricket nor watched it keenly, but when my grandson told me that J&K has reached the finals of the Ranji Trophy, I feel a sense of pride. I am looking forward to our victory in the final match, said Abdul Rashid (74) of Old City Srinagar. Others, who know the game, are equally joyous, though their joy has moorings in the understanding of the game. I have closely watched our players right since I was in the engineering college. We had good batsmen like Rouf and good bowlers like Qayoom in the past, but the much-needed training, practice, encouragement and coaching werent there, said Khwaja Nisar Hussain, a retired chief engineer. J&K cricket team's historic qualification for their first-ever Ranji Trophy final in 67 years has garnered widespread praise across the political spectrum, with leaders highlighting it as a victory for the region's spirit and a step towards normalcy. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah congratulated the team on the floor of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, stating the victory belongs to the entire team and support staff. Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha hailed the win as a new golden chapter in J&K's sporting history, praising the team's grit and courage. PDP leader, Iltija Mufti, greeted the team while using the moment to urge youth to focus on sports and avoid drug abuse, and criticising the lack of local sports infrastructure. BJP Leader Altaf Thakur praised the achievement as a testament to improved infrastructure and peace in the region, encouraging society to support the players. The J&K Legislative Assembly applauded the achievement, with the Congress leader Nizam Ud Din Bhat and others acknowledging the historic milestone. MLA Tanvir Sadiq and spokesperson of the ruling NC said, the need is to keep politics out of sports. The J&K Legislative Assembly applauded the achievement, with the Congress leader Nizam Ud Din Bhat and others acknowledging the historic milestone. Also Read: Live Cricket Score J&K Ranji team led by Paras Dogra and guided by coach Ajay Sharma is staring at victory in the final match as Karnataka trail by 291 run lead in the first innings. Article Source: IANS
2nd ODI: Voll, Litchfield Help Australia Take ODI Series With Five-wicket Win Over India (ld)
After Jemimah Rodrigues: Georgia Voll struck a magnificent 101 to power Australia to a commanding five-wicket victory over India in the second ODI at the Bellerive Oval on Friday. The result also meant Australia secured the ODI series and took a 6-4 lead in the multi-format series. India's total of 251/9, built on composed half-centuries by Pratika Rawal and Harmanpreet Kaur, always appeared a few runs short of what would be required to truly test Australia on a surface and outfield that offered little assistance to the bowlers, and thats exactly what happened. Chasing 252, Australia lost captain Alyssa Healy to Kashvee Gautam in the third over. But that proved to be the only early alarm in an otherwise clinical and dominant run chase that was wrapped up with a staggering 83 balls to spare. Georgias 101 came off 83 balls and was laced with 13 fours and a six. She also shared a commanding 119-run partnership for the second wicket with Phoebe Litchfield, who hit a 62-ball 80 studded with 11 fours and a six. It was something that shifted the momentum decisively in Australia's favour, as India lacked penetration with the ball and imagination in field settings. Australia did lose a few wickets towards the end of the chase, but managed to get over the line. Australia didnt have the best of starts as Alyssa, who hit a fifty in the first ODI in Brisbane, was castled early by Kashvee, who got her first international wicket. But after that, Phoebe launched a stunning barrage of boundaries, including three on the trot off Kranti Gaud. Against spinners N. Sree Charani and debutant Vaishnavi Sharma, Phoebe was in imperious form, bringing up her half-century off just 42 balls and along the way became the second youngest Australian batter to reach 2,000 international runs, behind only the great Meg Lanning. But her innings came to an abrupt end when she attempted a lap off Kranti Gaud, but was castled. Georgia, however, had no intention of letting the momentum slip. Having survived a scare on 19 when Kranti put down a tough chance at long-on, the young right-hander shifted through the gears with remarkable ease and composure, with her leg-side shots and boundaries over extra cover catching everyones attention. She brought up her half-century off 44 balls before accelerating further, piercing gaps at will and clearing the ropes with increasing authority, including being dropped on 53 by Smriti. Her century came off just 80 balls in the 31st over, though in a bizarrely nervy fashion - an edge off Kashvee that wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh nearly pouched, with Georgia scrambling for a single to bring up the milestone. Georgia smiled cheekily as she removed her helmet to acknowledge the applause, knowing full well how close it had come to ending differently. Her innings ended one ball later, caught off a mishit off Kashvee for exactly 101 -- her second ODI century, and also the second one against India. In doing so, she became only the third Australian women's player to record multiple ODI centuries before turning 23, joining Meg, who achieved the feat five times, and Phoebe, who has done it three times. Beth Mooney provided steady and assured support during her partnership with Georgia, before being dismissed via a successful India review for being caught behind for 31. Annabel Sutherland fell shortly after for 10, holing out off Deepti, who claimed her second wicket of the innings, but by then the match was long beyond India's reach. Previously, Harmanpreet top-scored with 54 off 70 balls, while Pratika made 52 off 81 deliveries, though the final total was below-par on a benign surface that offered little assistance to bowlers. For Australia, Annabel Sutherland, Alana King, and Ashleigh Gardner claimed two wickets apiece while keeping the scoring rate firmly in check and never allowing India's batters to fully cut loose. The innings followed a familiar pattern of promise and frustration for India Pratika and Smriti Mandhana laid a solid foundation by putting on 78 runs in the first 16 overs before the middle order wobbled. A late flourish of 73 runs off the final 10 overs, driven largely by Harmanpreet's composed fifty and a blistering cameo from debutant Vaishnavi Sharma, helped India cross the 250-mark. Electing to bat first, Pratika and Smriti were eye-catching with their boundaries in the first five overs. Though the last five overs of the Power-play didnt get any boundary, India ensured to make it a fifth instance in the last seven meetings that Australia failed to take a wicket in the mandatory powerplay. Smriti Mandhana never looked settled at the crease and was even dropped thrice. But she fell for 31 after she missed an ambitious paddle off Ashleigh Gardner and saw her stumps being shattered, as her 16th fifty-plus stand with Pratika in ODIs came to an end. After Jemimah Rodrigues edged behind off Annabel, Pratika Rawal looked composed to bring up a well-crafted half-century off 76 balls before being run out in a horrible mix-up with Harmanpreet at the strikers end. It proved to be a pivotal moment as Australia clawed back Amanjot Kaur nicked behind off Nicola Carey, Deepti Sharma holed out to deep mid-wicket, and Richa Ghosh was trapped lbw by Alana, leaving Harmanpreet to carry the innings almost single-handedly. She found good support in bringing Indias innings on track via a 55-run stand with Kashvee, who made 25 off 34 balls, before being castled by Ashleigh. The India captain rose to the occasion to bring up her half-century off 66 balls before falling for 54 off 70 deliveries, caught by cover-point off Megan Schutt with just an over remaining. Vaishnavi then provided the late impetus India needed by launching a series of two boundaries in the final over to lift the total past 250, which was easily hunted down by Georgia and Phoebe. It proved to be a pivotal moment as Australia clawed back Amanjot Kaur nicked behind off Nicola Carey, Deepti Sharma holed out to deep mid-wicket, and Richa Ghosh was trapped lbw by Alana, leaving Harmanpreet to carry the innings almost single-handedly. She found good support in bringing Indias innings on track via a 55-run stand with Kashvee, who made 25 off 34 balls, before being castled by Ashleigh. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India 251/9 in 50 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 54, Pratika Rawal 52; Ashleigh Gardner 2-39, Alana King 2-41) lost to Australia 252/5 in 36.1 overs (Georgia Voll 101, Phoebe Litchfield 80; Deepti Sharma 2-32, Kashvee Gautam 2-47) by five wickets Article Source: IANS
2nd ODI: Voll's Ton Helps Australia Seal ODI Series With 5-wicket Win Over India
Georgia Voll: Georgia Voll struck a magnificent 101 to power Australia to a commanding five-wicket victory over India in the second ODI at the Bellerive Oval on Friday. The result also meant Australia secured the ODI series and took a 6-4 lead in the multi-format series. India's total of 251/9, built on composed half-centuries from Pratika Rawal and Harmanpreet Kaur, always appeared a few runs short of what would be required to truly test Australia on a surface and outfield that offered little assistance to the bowlers and thats exactly what happened. Chasing 252, Australia lost captain Alyssa Healy to Kashvee Gautam in the third over. But that proved to be the only early alarm in an otherwise clinical and dominant run chase that was wrapped up with a staggering 83 balls to spare. Georgias 101 came off 83 balls and was laced with 13 fours and a six. She also shared a commanding 119-run second-wicket partnership with Phoebe Litchfield, who hit a 62-ball 80 studded with 11 fours and a six. It was something that shifted the momentum decisively in Australia's favour, as India lacked penetration with the ball and imagination in field settings. Australia did lose a few wickets towards the end of the chase, but managed to get over the line. Australia didnt have the best of the starts as Alyssa, who hit a fifty in the first ODI in Brisbane, was castled early by Kashvee, who got her first international wicket. But after that, Phoebe launched a stunning barrage of boundaries, including three on the trot off Kranti Gaud. Against spinners N Sree Charani and debutant Vaishnavi Sharma, Phoebe was in imperious form, bringing up her half-century off just 42 balls and along the way became the second youngest Australian batter to reach 2,000 international runs, behind only the great Meg Lanning. But her innings came to an abrupt end when she attempted a lap off Kranti Gaud but was castled. Georgia, however, had no intention of letting the momentum slip. Having survived a scare on 19 when Kranti put down a tough chance at long-on, the young right-hander shifted through the gears with remarkable ease and composure, with her leg-side shots and boundaries over extra cover catching everyones attention. She brought up her half-century off 44 balls before accelerating further, piercing gaps at will and clearing the ropes with increasing authority. The century arrived off just 80 balls in the 31st over, though in bizarrely nervy fashion - an edge off Kashvee that wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh nearly pouched, with Georgia scrambling for a single to bring up the milestone. Her innings ended one ball later, caught off a mishit off Kashvee for exactly 101 - her second ODI century, and also the second one against India. In doing so, she became only the third Australian women's player to record multiple ODI centuries before turning 23, joining Meg, who achieved the feat five times, and Phoebe, who has done it three times. She brought up her half-century off 44 balls before accelerating further, piercing gaps at will and clearing the ropes with increasing authority. The century arrived off just 80 balls in the 31st over, though in bizarrely nervy fashion - an edge off Kashvee that wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh nearly pouched, with Georgia scrambling for a single to bring up the milestone. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: India 251/9 in 50 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 54, Pratika Rawal 52; Ashleigh Gardner 2-39, Alana King 2-41) lost to Australia 252/5 in 36.1 overs (Georgia Voll 101, Phoebe Litchfield 80; Deepti Sharma 2-32, Kashvee Gautam 2-47) by five wickets Article Source: IANS
Over 3500 Players Register As DDCA Conducts Open Bowling Trials Across Age Groups
DDCA Secretary Ashok Sharma: Over 3,500 players filled registration forms for Delhi & District Cricket Association phased open bowling trials across multiple age groups and skill categories. The trials are being held in a structured, age-wise format, with separate assessment sessions for fast bowlers and spinners to ensure focused evaluation, transparency and fairness. The primary objective of this initiative is to identify and nurture promising bowling talent, particularly players who do not get adequate opportunities to feature in DDCA League matches and showcase their abilities. A key highlight of the programme is that registrations were kept completely free of cost. By removing financial barriers, DDCA aimed to maximise participation and ensure that talented players from all backgrounds had equal access to the platform. Following the initial phase of trials, shortlisted players will now be called for further rounds, forming the core of a structured development camp designed to provide technical guidance, performance assessment and long-term grooming. Speaking about the trials, DDCA president Rohan Jaitley said, Delhi has historically produced some of Indias finest bowlers who have not only represented the state with distinction but have gone on to bring laurels to the country. Delhi has a deep reservoir of bowling talent, but many players do not always get the exposure required at the right stage of their development. Through this phased and transparent process, we are attempting to widen the identification base and create a structured pathway that supports genuine merit. The emphasis is on long-term grooming and providing the right ecosystem for bowlers to progress, he added. Speaking about the impact of the initiative on young cricketers, DDCA vice president Shikha Kumar said, For many young bowlers, opportunity is not just about selection; it is about feeling noticed and knowing that their effort matters. As an association, our role goes beyond identifying talent. It is about creating an atmosphere where serious cricketers feel encouraged to commit, improve and see a future for themselves in the game. Speaking about the response and long-term vision, DDCA Secretary Ashok Sharma said, By keeping the trials free of cost and open across age groups, we wanted to ensure that opportunity is never restricted by circumstance. Our focus is on building depth in the bowling department and creating a strong pipeline that can consistently serve Delhi cricket in the coming seasons. The camp is being led by former India cricketer and Delhi captain Vijay Dahiya, along with experienced coaches and former international players including Sanjeev Sharma, Gurusharan Singh and Parvinder Awana, as well as accomplished domestic professionals such as Sumeet Dogra and Bantu Singh. Speaking about the initiative and the opportunity it presents for bowlers across age groups, Vijay Dahiya said, It gives us the time to properly identify bowlers, spend time with them and work on their overall development. If you want to build winning teams, whether at junior or senior level, you need a strong pool of bowlers, and that is exactly what we are trying to create through these open trials. As part of the next stage, DDCA has also formally invited leading cricket clubs across Delhi to conduct their own internal assessments and nominate their top five bowlers. The best performers from this club pool will be merged with those shortlisted from the open trials to create a combined high-potential group. This integrated pool will undergo further evaluation and skill-specific sessions, with a focus on strengthening key bowling areas such as pace development, control, variations, fitness standards and match temperament. The aim is to provide these players with the right guidance, structured mentoring and competitive exposure at an early stage. As part of the next stage, DDCA has also formally invited leading cricket clubs across Delhi to conduct their own internal assessments and nominate their top five bowlers. The best performers from this club pool will be merged with those shortlisted from the open trials to create a combined high-potential group. Also Read: Live Cricket Score DDCA intends to facilitate exposure opportunities for standout performers, including referrals to competitive T20 platforms such as the Delhi Premier League and other tournaments organised by the association. Article Source: IANS
Molineux out of India series with back soreness, West Indies tour in doubt
The allrounder, who captained the T20I series, has had an injury-hit career
'Cricket Was Never The Plan': Jitesh Sharma Opens Up On His Unplanned Journey
Indian Armed Forces: India wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma has opened up about his unconventional journey into professional cricket, revealing that the sport was never part of his original life plan and that a chance decision at school trials set him on the path to international cricket. Speaking on a podcast hosted by former South Africa captain AB de Villiers, Jitesh traced his journey from manifesting dreams of joining the Indian Armed Forces to becoming one of the Indian Premier Leagues trusted finishers. Jitesh revealed that his entry into cricket was purely accidental, driven by a state government incentive rather than ambition. Growing up, cricket was never part of the plan. I always wanted to go into defence. I was very fascinated and fond of the Army, Air Force. It was a state government rule, offering students 25 extra marks for representing their state in sport, that nudged a few of my friends and me into attending school trials. Spotting only one name listed under the wicketkeeper column, I picked up the gloves on the spot. At that moment, I wore those gloves for the first time. And it came naturally to me, he recalled. Reflecting on the mentors who played a defining role in his development, the Indian cricketer credited local coach Pritam Gandhi and senior India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik for shaping both his mindset and skills. I think in the beginning, it was Pritam Gandhi, who was the local coach, who played a very big role in my life, because he was ahead of his time. He told me that I have to evolve. Because the place from where I belong its a typical red ball cricket environment here. Elbow, shoulders, head and everything. That time was very crucial in my life, I feel. And after that, I met Dinesh Kartik. I think these two people played a huge role in my life. Jitesh recalled. Speaking candidly about his strengths and weaknesses, Jitesh highlighted his constant desire to learn as both a virtue and a potential drawback. My biggest strength is that I always ask for new things. Im always ready to learn. Im not stubborn about it. And that same quality is my weakness. Sometimes in the process of learning, I cross that line. Sometimes you should know that this is enough. You can do much better in this skill, also. Sometimes I push myself so much that I cross the line, added Jitesh Sharma. Jitesh also spoke about his growth during his time with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he believes the managements backing unlocked his fighting instinct. The fighting instinct was always there; it was the franchises belief in me that gave it room to flourish. I had the skill, but before RCB, no one had faith in me. In RCB, the management spoke about it and showed belief. Sometimes, one statement that you can do and weve got your back is enough for a cricketer. That changed everything, he said. Jitesh also revealed the mindset that allows him to thrive under pressure in high-stakes situations. I always want to create something magical. I always visualise playing such innings in my life. Im that kind of person, but at the same time, I believe in staying present and focusing on my breathing. I look at the scoreboard and assess whats required and whats not. I keep calculating the situation. Jitesh also revealed the mindset that allows him to thrive under pressure in high-stakes situations. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Jitesh was excluded from India's T20 World Cup 2026 squad, and the batter will now play for the champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Article Source: IANS
Amelia Kerr and Isabella Gaze power New Zealand to series win
Amelia Kerr and Isabella Gaze followed their record partnership from the first game as they added 163 for the opening wicket, the second-highest for New Zealand in T20Is
My Heartfelt Prayers Are With You: Kohli Offers Condolences After Rinku Singhs Father Demise
Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association: India batting stalwart Virat Kohli mourned the passing of batter Rinku Singh's father, Khanchand, who passed away on Friday following a prolonged battle with liver cancer. Khanchand had been admitted to Yatharth Hospital in Greater Noida on February 21 after his condition deteriorated significantly and was placed on ventilator support before he passed away in the raly hours on Friday. Deeply saddened by the news of Rinkus fathers demise. My heartfelt prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. May you always find strength in his eternal blessings. Om Shanti, Kohli shared on X. The mortal remains of Khanchand Singh were brought to Aligarh from Greater Noida this afternoon, where Rinku gave a shoulder to the mortal remains of his father in his funeral procession. Rinku, who left Chennai at 5:00 am to rush to New Delhi, had previously been by his father's side when his condition worsened but rejoined the T20 World Cup squad ahead of India's match against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday, though he did not feature in the playing eleven as Sanju Samson got the nod to play and open the batting alongside Abhishek Sharma. Earlier, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told IANS that Rinku will not travel with the team to Kolkata for their next Super Eights fixture against the West Indies, to be played on Sunday. Rinku, who left Chennai at 5:00 am to rush to New Delhi, had previously been by his father's side when his condition worsened but rejoined the T20 World Cup squad ahead of India's match against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday, though he did not feature in the playing eleven as Sanju Samson got the nod to play and open the batting alongside Abhishek Sharma. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The BCCI president Mithun Manhas extended his heartfelt condolences via X post, Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Rinku Singhs father. My heartfelt condolences to Rinku and his family in this difficult time. May lord Shiva give him the strength to stay strong. Article Source: IANS
Ranji Trophy Final: J&K Reach 89/3 At Tea On Day 4, Extend Lead To 380 Runs Vs Karnataka
Ranji Trophy Final: Opener Qamran Iqbal stood tall as Jammu & Kashmir recovered from early setbacks to reach tea on Day 4 of the Ranji Trophy Final against eight-time champions Karnataka at Hubli Cricket Ground on Friday. Resuming at 11/2 after lunch to increase the first innings lead of 291 runs further, J&K batters opted for a cautious approach as Karnataka's pacers Prasidh Krishna and Vijay Kumar Vyshak bowled good lengths with fielders also building pressure through their efforts. Dogra and Qamran handled the pressure and didn't let Karnataka make use of the early momentum as they rotated the strike and took quick singles to put pressure on the opposition. The duo forged a 61-run partnership and were looking to extend the lead before Krishna dismantled Dogra's stumps through a ripper as the crowd cheered loudly for their home team. Dogra scored 16 runs off 59 balls. After losing the skipper, Qamran continued to steer the innings with the help of in-form batter Abdul Samad, who started his innings with a four on the third ball he faced. Qamran is just seven runs away from his half-century while Samad is unbeaten on 8 runs at the end of the second session. While J&K has extended their lead to 380 runs against Karnataka. After losing the skipper, Qamran continued to steer the innings with the help of in-form batter Abdul Samad, who started his innings with a four on the third ball he faced. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: Jammu & Kashmir 584 all out & 89/3 (Shubham Pundir 121, Yawer Hassan 88, Sahil Lotra 72, Kanhaiya Wadhawan 70, Paras Dogra 70; Prasidh Krishna 5-98) lead Karnataka 293 all out in 93.3 overs (Mayank Agarwal 160, Kruthik Krishna 36; Auqib Nabi Dar 5-54, Sushil Kumar 2-51, Yudhwir Singh Charak 2-55) by 380 runs at Tea on Day 4. Article Source: IANS
Lanning Joins Australia's Coaching Staff For U19 Womens Tri-series
The Youth Selection Panel: The legendary Meg Lanning will be joining the Australian support staff for the Under-19 women's tri-series in Queensland next month, said Cricket Australia (CA) on Friday. Lanning, who retired from international cricket in 2023 but continues to play domestic and franchise cricket, will serve as a development coach for the tri-series, which will also feature England and Sri Lanka to be played in Brisbane and Gold Coast from March 30 to April 18. She will work alongside head coach Kristen Beams, assistant coaches Lisa Keightley and Clive Rose. The appointment marks Lanning's second foray into coaching, having previously taken on an assisting role at last year's Lanning v Perry series. CA also named a 14-player squad for the series, which includes several players who have already made their senior domestic debuts. The players are eligible for selection at the next ICC Under 19 Womens World Cup, which will be held in 2027 in Bangladesh and Nepal. The Youth Selection Panel has assembled a strong, well-balanced squad as we head into the Tri-Series against Sri Lanka and England. All fourteen players have played incredible cricket so far this summer, and it was important for us also to select players who will be eligible for selection for next years Under 19 World Cup campaign. The Tri-Series will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase the talent coming through Australias cricket pathways against two strong opponents in Sri Lanka and England, said Kristen in a statement. After making the semi-finals of the first two editions of the Women's U19 T20 World Cup, Australia will be eyeing winning the trophy for the first time in 2027. Were excited to see the next wave of talent representing Australia at Under 19 level in the upcoming Tri-Series. The Tri-Series will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase the talent coming through Australias cricket pathways against two strong opponents in Sri Lanka and England, said Kristen in a statement. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Australia U19 squad: Ira Aery, Eva Baird, Mia Barwick, Alyssa Dermody, Ava Drury, Ayla Johnson, Shiloh Julien, Aurora Mavros, Indira Panelli, Emily Powell, Chelsea Sonter, Ayaka Stafford, Filippa Suesee and Tegan Williamson Article Source: IANS
T20 WC: Right-left Opening Combo Working In India's Favour, Says Karthik Ahead Of Crunch WI Clash
Also Read: Live Cricket Score Article Source: IANS
2nd ODI: Harmanpreet, Pratika Fifties Carry India To 251/9 Against Australia
After Jemimah Rodrigues: Half-centuries from captain Harmanpreet Kaur and opener Pratika Rawal carried India to 251/9 in their 50 overs against Australia in the second ODI of the womens multi-format series at the Bellerive Oval on Friday. The total, though, may prove to be below-par on a benign surface that offered little assistance to the bowlers. While Harmanpreet top-scored with 54 off 70 balls, Pratika made 52 off 81 deliveries. For Australia, Annabel Sutherland, Alana Kings and Ashleigh Gardner claimed two wickets apiece while keeping the scoring rate firmly in check and never allowing India's batters to fully cut loose. The innings followed a familiar pattern of promise and frustration for India Pratika and Smriti Mandhana laid a solid foundation by putting on 78 runs in the first 16 overs before the middle order wobbled. A late flourish of 73 runs off the final 10 overs, driven largely by Harmanpreet's composed fifty and a blistering cameo from debutant Vaishnavi Sharma helped India cross the 250-mark. Electing to bat first, Pratika and Smriti were eye-catchy with their boundaries in the first five overs. Though the last five overs of the power-play didnt get any boundary, India ensured to make it a fifth instance in last seven meetings that Australia failed to take a wicket in the mandatory powerplay. Smriti never looked settled at the crease and was even dropped thrice. But she fell for 31 after she missed an ambitious paddle off Ashleigh Gardner and saw her stumps being shattered, as her 16th fifty-plus stand with Pratika in ODIs came to an end. After Jemimah Rodrigues edged behind off Annabel, Pratika Rawal looked composed to bring up a well-crafted half-century off 76 balls before being run out in a horrible mix-up with Harmanpreet at the strikers end. It proved to be a pivotal moment as Australia clawed back Amanjot Kaur nicked behind off Nicola Carey, Deepti Sharma holed out to deep mid-wicket and Richa Ghosh was trapped lbw by Alana, leaving Harmanpreet to carry the innings almost single-handedly. She found good support in bringing Indias innings on track via a 55-run stand with Kashvee Gautam, who made 25 off 34 balls, before being castled by Ashleigh. After Jemimah Rodrigues edged behind off Annabel, Pratika Rawal looked composed to bring up a well-crafted half-century off 76 balls before being run out in a horrible mix-up with Harmanpreet at the strikers end. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: India 251/9 in 50 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 54, Pratika Rawal 52; Ashleigh Gardner 2-39, Alana King 2-41) against Australia Article Source: IANS
Ranji Trophy Final: Krishna Strikes Early As J&K Reach 11/2 At Lunch On Day 4
Ranji Trophy Final: Karnataka made a strong start with the ball in the second innings, taking two early wickets as Jammu and Kashmir were reduced to 11/2 at Lunch on Day 4 of the Ranji Trophy final. Qamran Iqbal remained unbeaten on 6. After taking a big 291-run lead, Jammu and Kashmir had a poor start in their second innings. Prasidh Krishna carried his form from the first innings and dismissed Yawer Hassan in the second over. First-innings centurion Shubham Pundir followed soon after. Vijaykumar Vyashak bowled a good-length delivery that took the edge, and KL Shrijith completed the catch in the slips. Shubham managed just 4 runs. Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir began the day well by breaking the partnership between Mayank Agarwal and Kruthik Krishna, who were building pressure with regular singles. Kruthik was dismissed by Sahil Lotra in the 78th over. Sushil Kumar then removed Vidyadhar Patil in the 84th over, leaving Karnataka at 256/7. After taking a big 291-run lead, Jammu and Kashmir had a poor start in their second innings. Prasidh Krishna carried his form from the first innings and dismissed Yawer Hassan in the second over. First-innings centurion Shubham Pundir followed soon after. Vijaykumar Vyashak bowled a good-length delivery that took the edge, and KL Shrijith completed the catch in the slips. Shubham managed just 4 runs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: Jammu & Kashmir 584 all out & 11/2 (Shubham Pundir 121, Yawer Hassan 88, Sahil Lotra 72, Kanhaiya Wadhawan 70, Paras Dogra 70; Prasidh Krishna 5-98) lead Karnataka 293 all out in 93.3 overs (Mayank Agarwal 160, Kruthik Krishna 36; Auqib Nabi Dar 5-54, Sushil Kumar 2-51, Yudhwir Singh Charak 2-55) by 302 runs at Lunch on Day 4. Article Source: IANS
Ranji Trophy Final: Nabi Takes Fifer As J&K Bowl Out Karnataka For 293, Take 291-run Lead
Ranji Trophy Final: Right-arm pacer Auqib Nabi picked up his seventh five-wicket haul of the season as Jammu & Kashmir bowled out Karnataka for 293 in 93.3 overs, taking a massive 291-run first-innings lead in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 Final at the Hubli Cricket Ground on Friday. Karnataka began cautiously in reply to Jammu and Kashmirs first-innings total of 584, scoring just 27 runs in the first ten overs. Auqib kept things tight with a series of maiden overs and got the breakthrough in the 12th over, inducing a faint edge from Rahul that wicketkeeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan safely collected. The visitors increased the pressure when Sunil Kumar dismissed Devdutt Padikkal. Soon after, Nabi struck twice in two balls, removing Karun Nair and Smaran Ravichandran to leave Karnataka struggling at 57/4. In the middle of the trouble, Mayank played a fighting knock and built a 105-run partnership with Shreyas Gopal. The former Karnataka captain reached his century in 153 balls. However, Jammu and Kashmir struck back at an important moment when Yudhvir Singh Charak trapped Gopal lbw for 27 with a sharp delivery. Mayank continued to hold one end firmly and got good support from Kruthik Krishna. The pair batted with patience and did not lose a wicket for the rest of Day 3. J&K broke the stand early on Day 4 when Sahil Lotra bowled Krishna for 36 in the 77th over. Sushil Kumar then removed Vidyadhar Patil in the 84th over, reducing Karnataka to 256/7. Despite losing partners, Mayank kept attacking loose deliveries and found the boundary regularly. After surviving a few dropped chances, he was finally dismissed in the 91st over when Auqib trapped him with a good-length ball. Mayank scored 160 off 266 balls, hitting 21 fours. J&K broke the stand early on Day 4 when Sahil Lotra bowled Krishna for 36 in the 77th over. Sushil Kumar then removed Vidyadhar Patil in the 84th over, reducing Karnataka to 256/7. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: Jammu & Kashmir 584 all out (Shubham Pundir 121, Yawer Hassan 88, Sahil Lotra 72, Kanhaiya Wadhawan 70, Paras Dogra 70; Prasidh Krishna 5-98) lead Karnataka 293 all out in 93.3 overs (Mayank Agarwal 160, Kruthik Krishna 36; Auqib Nabi Dar 5-54, Sushil Kumar 2-51, Yudhwir Singh Charak 2-55) by 291 runs. Article Source: IANS
T20 World Cup: Defending champions India registering a comfortable 72-run win over Zimbabwe may have steadied nerves in the camp, but legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar stated that they cannot afford to take two-time champions West Indies lightly and the Men in Blue need to come up with smart plans to tackle the Windies batting threat when the two teams meet in a cracking winner-takes-it-all Super Eights showdown in Kolkata on Sunday. As they say, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'. But India were broken against South Africa. They realised they needed a right-left combination at the top. Learning from the previous game was very important. Now the West Indies is a completely different challenge. They cannot be taken for granted. Their batters are in top form. Their bowlers are doing well. They punish opposition mistakes and strike at the right time. India will need a good plan to handle the West Indies batting threat. Their batters start playing shots from ball one. They do not wait to see if the delivery needs respect. Their way of respecting the ball is by hitting it over the ropes. So India will have to play smart, come up with plans, and outfox the West Indies in a way they do not expect. Sunday's match is surely going to be a cracking one, Gavaskar said on JioStar. He also applauded the manner in which India regrouped after suffering a 76-run setback against South Africa in Ahmedabad, especially the batting changes and an improved bowling display. India bounced back strongly from the South Africa loss with a dominant win over Zimbabwe. The margin of that defeat against South Africa would have shaken the players, but they used it positively versus Sikandar Razas team and made a strong comeback. After the match against South Africa, there was debate about whether India should make changes in the playing XI or not and they made two changes and both worked out quite well. Sanju Samson didn't get a fifty, but gave India a flying start. Earlier, openers were getting ducks, with Abhishek Sharma getting out for zero runs in three games, while Ishan Kishan got out without scoring runs against South Africa. Against Zimbabwe, Samson scored 24 runs in quick fashion. He and Abhishek scored at over 10 runs an over in the powerplay, which was fantastic. The bowling improved too. Axar Patel kept things tight and picked a wicket, which was missing against South Africa. Scoring 256 with most batters getting time in the middle is great. It builds confidence. But India cannot take the West Indies lightly. Sunday's match decides if they go to the semis or wait for the 2028 T20 World Cup, he elaborated. Gavaskar pointed out Sanju Samson's brisk cameo of 24 as the innings' defining moment, adding that it set the tone for India making a gigantic 256/4. That six which Sanju Samson hit off the back foot straight over long off was amazing. It is not an easy shot to play off the back foot. You usually play towards mid-wicket or thereabouts. Then he hit another six over long on. Wonderful shots. It tells you the class of the man. In the interest of the team, he went for a big hit and got out. That is fine because he got India off to a flying start. In a tournament like the T20 World Cup, that is important. A flying start gives a nice platform for the other batters to come in and smash the ball around. Gavaskar also hailed Abhishek Sharma's measured 55 as a sign of significant maturity from the young left-handed opener, who had struggled for runs in earlier matches, including bagging three ducks. We know how good Abhishek Sharma is as a batter. He silenced his doubters with this knock of 55 runs against Zimbabwe. He took that extra time to start his innings. There was a method to his batting. He respected the off spinner, didnt take any kind of risks and played in a calm & composed manner. Gavaskar also hailed Abhishek Sharma's measured 55 as a sign of significant maturity from the young left-handed opener, who had struggled for runs in earlier matches, including bagging three ducks. Also Read: Live Cricket Score It is about how much you learn from it. I feel Abhishek has learned a lot and this will augur well for him going forward, in the next couple of games and the all-important clash against West Indies in Kolkata, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
T20 WC: Abhishek Getting His Runs By Playing In Vis A Welcome Change In Approach, Says Pathan
T20 World Cup: Abhishek Sharma's disciplined batting through the 'V' to top-score with 55, his first fifty in the Mens T20 World Cup, was a welcome shift in approach from a batter who likes to play square, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan said after the side defeated Zimbabwe by 72 runs in their Super Eights clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. What I liked about Abhishek Sharmas batting was the way he played in the V (mid-on to mid-off section of the field). 68 per cent of his runs came in front, which was a welcome change in approach, especially from a player who likes to play square. The pitch also helped. There was some poor bowling from Zimbabwe as well, said Pathan on JioStar. Pathan also backed Indias decision to field a left-right combination at the top of the order, though he had reservations about Ishan Kishan moving to number three. I am interested to see how this left-right combination pans out for Team India. Yes, I would not have preferred Ishan Kishan to bat at number three, but you understand what the Indian team was trying to do. I was actually a little surprised that Sikandar Raza didnt come on to bowl early. I think he was waiting for the powerplay to finish, but he should have come in as soon as Ishan Kishan came in to bat. That would have been the right way to go about it. This is what the Indian team management wanted to do, to avoid having three left-handers coming in one after another, so it worked out for them, he added. On Arshdeep Singhs spell of 3-24, Pathan said he was pleased with how the left-arm pacer constantly bowled on a stump to stump line. The first ball Arshdeep bowled was slightly short of a length. Chennais pitch doesnt have much grass and it doesnt offer a lot of swing, so what he did was show the batsman that he could bowl short of a length. After that, he kept hitting the stumps. It was all about the setup. He sets up batters really well. We have spoken about Jasprit Bumrahs ability to read the pitch brilliantly, and Arshdeep is not far behind. He came around the wicket with the old ball and made sure he targeted the stumps regularly. He kept bowling Yorkers because there will be times, like against the West Indies, when he might have to bowl defensively. I was really pleased with what I saw from Arshdeep in this game, he elaborated. Tilak Varma, who hit an unbeaten 44, told the broadcasters about his batting approach after being demoted to middle order. I wasnt overthinking my batting. I was just focused on following my basics. I sat in my room and didnt speak to anyone apart from my family and one of my friends. I watched my old videos because I knew it was just a matter of one innings. I knew I would get that confidence and my batting form back. I told my family the same thing, that if Im able to get that one good innings, I would go on to win games for the team from then on. Tilak also talked about the batters meeting, where they got the positivity to back their ultra-aggressive batting approach. Before the game, Hardik bhai, Surya bhai and all the batters had a chat that we would play according to what the team needs and the match situation. There was no discussion about positions in the batting order. We are all flexible and can bat wherever the team requires. Everyone has the freedom to express themselves and be fearless in taking the best option while in the middle. The idea was to keep a smile on your face and enjoy the game. At most, you might get out, but the fear in the bowlers eyes should be visible, that we are ready to hit every ball. That was the only mindset we played with, he elaborated. Sanjay Bangar, former India batting coach, heaped praise on Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett, who hit an impressive 97 and carried his bat throughout the innings. One thing I noticed about Brian Bennett is that he seems like a batter who simply does not want to get out. He just wants to keep batting. It reminds me a little of how Pujara used to play. He loved to bat for long hours. The idea was to keep a smile on your face and enjoy the game. At most, you might get out, but the fear in the bowlers eyes should be visible, that we are ready to hit every ball. That was the only mindset we played with, he elaborated. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He eventually came within touching distance of what would have been a wonderful hundred. Overall, if Zimbabwe cricket, which is on the rise again, wants to move in that direction, Brian Bennett is going to be their batting mainstay, he added. Article Source: IANS
T20 WC: Abhishek, Tilak Bag Impact Player Of The Match Titles, BCCI Shares Video Of Dressing Room
T20 World Cup: India batters Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma have been jointly named the Impact Player of the Match after an impressive batting display in the second match of the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s against Zimbabwe, which helped the team register a 72-run win at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday. After a poor start in the tournament, Abhishek made a great comeback against Zimbabwe and scored his first half-century of the tournament. He played an excellent knock of 55 runs off 30 balls. While Tilak, who was also struggling in the middle throughout the tournament, broke the barrier scored 44 runs off just 16 balls. Team India's doctor, Rizwan Khan, announced the names of the winners. He also explained the reason behind naming two players as the Impact Player of the Match. So, big day, big game. I think it all started when Hardik addressed everyone in the huddle, and it was a very passionate speech, and it was great to see everyone come out punching. Punch after punch, punch after punch, I thought that was a great performance by everyone. Everyone did so well that we are actually spoiled for choice, and we have not one but two impact players for today, he said in a video released by BCCI. Our first impact player started the tournament with a gut issue, and when things were not going great, I felt everyone in this room always had that gut feeling, 'ki sab theek ho jayega' and today what you did takes a lot of guts. Our second impact player also had an issue before the tournament. The innings which I saw today, I can only describe as all guns blazing. It was literally the knockout punch of the day, he added. After receiving the Impact Player of the match medal, Abhishek thanked the coaching staff and the skipper for trusting him. I know I've spent a lot of time with the doctor in the first few days, but finally coming back and doing something and contributing for the team, it's really special, and I think one thing I want to mention is that all these days I was feeling that the team has more belief than me when I wasn't doing so well, but getting all that from the players, captain, coach, everyone, it was really special, and it actually made me think that I'm going to do really well in one of the matches, and finally it happened, Abhishek said. After receiving the Impact Player of the match medal, Abhishek thanked the coaching staff and the skipper for trusting him. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Meanwhile, India will face the West Indies in a must-win encounter at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday. Article Source: IANS
T20 World Cup: India batter Tilak Varma said he wanted the team's batters to instil fear in Zimbabwes bowlers by attacking on every delivery, which led to them getting a huge 72-run win to keep their semifinal hopes alive in the 2026 Mens T20 World Cup. At the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Indian batters had a field day as everyone had a strike-rate above 150 and posted 254/6, which was enough to get a campaign-resurrecting victory, as Zimbabwe finished at 184/6. We were just looking for this. When the openers give a good start, the same confidence (went) to numbers 3, 4 and 5. (Sanju) Samson started brilliantly, and everyone followed (in the same direction). We wanted to continue hitting even if we had lost three or four wickets in the powerplay. We wanted to put fear in the opposition bowlers that these guys were ready to hit each and every ball, said Tilak at the conclusion of the game. With Indias ultra-aggressive brand of batting coming back after a blip against South Africa, Tilak said how the batting unit got the positivity from the backroom staff. We discussed just before the game, that we will go with a good mindset. We have seen our past year of T20 cricket, and how we played. After seeing that video, everyone got our confidence, and that's what we discussed as a team, as we will just enjoy and put the smile on and go all out, he said. Asked about being pushed down the order after making an unbeaten 44, Tilak said, I always say that whatever the team needs, I am up for it. Ive done the same role for the Mumbai Indians, and Ive done it in a few games for the Indian team, too. If a wicket falls, I will hit a six next ball, and then I will see it for a four. But at the same point, we want to play the fearless cricket. The brand of cricket we played today and since last year, the same intent we want to keep in the next game as well. So if the wicket is not good, then we'll adjust, and we'll keep that intensity on but I would not say we want to score more than 250 but if the team is permitting, if we get a good start, then of course we'll go for it. Asked about being pushed down the order after making an unbeaten 44, Tilak said, I always say that whatever the team needs, I am up for it. Ive done the same role for the Mumbai Indians, and Ive done it in a few games for the Indian team, too. If a wicket falls, I will hit a six next ball, and then I will see it for a four. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So, in that, we had a little mindset (change). So, we were discussing that we will enjoy our game. If the first ball is there, then we will hit and put fear in the minds of bowlers. That is what we wanted today, and thankfully, Sanju gave us a good start. We want to carry forward the intensity to the next game. Article Source: IANS
2nd ODI: Molineux Ruled Out Of Series Against India, To Be Monitored Ahead Of WI Tour
ODI World Cup: Left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux has been ruled out of the remainder of the multi-format series against India after experiencing lower back pain, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Friday. Sophie Molineux has experienced some lower back pain and will not be available for the remainder of the series. She will continue to be monitored ahead of the upcoming tour to the West Indies, CA said in a statement shortly after the second ODI toss happened at the Bellerive Oval on Friday. In place of Sophie, seam-bowling all-rounder Nicola Carey gets to play in front of her home crowd for her 24th ODI game. She last played in ODI during the triumphant 2022 ODI World Cup in New Zealand, where she played against Pakistan in Mount Maunganui. Sophie is due to lead Australia across formats once Alyssa Healy retires from international cricket at the end of the series against India. She had captained the side in the T20I series, where Australia won the second game while losing first and third matches. Despite being injury prone, the Australian selectors backed her cricketing nous and leadership skills. But the lower back injury comes as a latest setback for Sophie after enduring repeated injury struggles over the past four years, including a stress fracture in her foot that ruled her out of the 2022 Ashes, ODI World Cup and Commonwealth Games, followed by a ruptured ACL later that year. She returned to the national side in early 2024 but suffered another knee injury in December, sidelining her for most of 2025. Even at last years ODI World Cup, she featured in only four of Australias seven matches due to ongoing management of her knee. As of now, Sophie now joins Ellyse Perry and Kim Garth on Australias growing injury list. The Sophie Molineux news today was a bit of a shock for everyone and a disappointing one for her. Hopefully we can rally around those three and give them the love they need moving forward, said Alyssa, who added that decisions on Ellyse and Kims quad injuries would be made early next week. She returned to the national side in early 2024 but suffered another knee injury in December, sidelining her for most of 2025. Even at last years ODI World Cup, she featured in only four of Australias seven matches due to ongoing management of her knee. As of now, Sophie now joins Ellyse Perry and Kim Garth on Australias growing injury list. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Most people thought 'fantastic' in terms of the culture build, shes got an amazing cricket brain, but the big question was shes been in and out of the team for so long because of the injuries, can she remain fit to stay in the team? Thats the biggest concern now for the Australian team and management. Article Source: IANS
IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal Expresses Condolences On Rinku Singhs Fathers Demise
BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla: Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Arun Dhumal expressed grief over the passing of cricketer Rinku Singhs father Khanchand Singh and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the cricketers and his family during this difficult time. Rinku's father, was undergoing treatment at at the Yatharth Hospital in Greater Noida, passed away on Friday after battling a stage 4 liver cancer. Unfortunate to hear about the untimely demise of Rinku Singhs father. My heartfelt condolences to Rinku and his entire family. May Rinku fulfil all the dreams his father had for him and continue making India proud, Dhumal told IANS. Rinku's father was on ventilator support at a hospital in Greater Noida and was in serious condition, which prompted the batter to fly back home this week. However, the batter rejoined the squad in time ahead of the Super Eight clash against Zimbabwe, but he was not given a chance in the playing XI. However, he did take part in the match as a substitute fielder. Earlier, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla condoled the demise of cricketer's father vis social media post. The news of the passing of cricketer Rinku Singhs father, Shri Khanchand Singh, is deeply saddening. In this difficult time, my heartfelt condolences are with Rinku Singh and his entire family. May God give strength to the bereaved family to bear this immense loss, Shukla shared on X. Rinku's father was on ventilator support at a hospital in Greater Noida and was in serious condition, which prompted the batter to fly back home this week. However, the batter rejoined the squad in time ahead of the Super Eight clash against Zimbabwe, but he was not given a chance in the playing XI. However, he did take part in the match as a substitute fielder. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rinku, who has represented India in white-ball cricket and plays domestic cricket for Uttar Pradesh, is one of the promising finishers in the shorter formats of the game. Article Source: IANS
Molineux out of the series, India bat with Verma and Renuka rested
Molineux ruled out of the rest of the multiformat series with back soreness
Shri Khanchand Singh Ji: India middle-order batter Rinku Singh's father, Khanchand Singh, died after battling stage-4 liver cancer, former spinner Harbhajan Singh confirmed the news via a social media post on Friday. Pained to learn about the demise of Shri Khanchand Singh Ji, father of Rinku Singh. This must be an especially difficult time for Rinku and his family, even as he remains committed to his responsibilities during the T20 World Cup, Harbhajan wrote on X. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with him and his loved ones. May Waheguru grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give strength and courage to the bereaved family, he added. Rinku's father was on ventilator support at a hospital in Greater Noida and was in serious condition, which prompted the batter to fly back home this week. However, Rinku rejoined the squad in time ahead of the Super Eight clash against Zimbabwe, but he was not given a chance in the playing XI as Sanju Samson was preferred ahead of him. However, he did take part in the match as a substitute fielder. Rinku, who was a last-minute addition to the World Cup squad, has yet to live up to expectations. He scored just 24 runs in five innings thus far, which include a dismissal for a duck against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium. However, Rinku rejoined the squad in time ahead of the Super Eight clash against Zimbabwe, but he was not given a chance in the playing XI as Sanju Samson was preferred ahead of him. However, he did take part in the match as a substitute fielder. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The match against the West Indies will be a virtual quarterfinal, with the winner entering the semifinals after India defeated Zimbabwe and the West Indies slumped to a heavy loss against South Africa. Article Source: IANS
2nd ODI: Vaishnavi Handed Debut As India Elect To Bat Against Australia, Molineux Ruled Out
Allan Border Field: India have won the toss and elected to bat first against Australia in the second ODI at the Bellerive Oval on Friday. The multi-format scoreline is currently tied at 4-4 after Australia won the first ODI at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane. India have opted to rest Shafali Verma and Renuka Singh Thakur, with Amanjot Kaur included and left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma handed her ODI debut in a bid to bolster their bowling stocks. For India, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who won her fifth straight toss in ODIs is fit to take the field after sitting out for India's entire fielding innings in Brisbane due to a left knee issue. I'm fine now, my left knee...while playing I just got a niggle, she said. Australia made one change - bringing in Nicola Carey, who is based in Hobart, for Sophie Molineux, who has been ruled out of the series due to a lower back injury. A statement from Cricket Australia (CA) said Sophie will be monitored ahead of Australia's tour of the West Indies next month. It comes as a worrying aspect for Australia, as the injury-prone Sophie is set to take over as full-time skipper across all formats in the West Indies. Getting first crack with the ball on a wicket with a little bit of live grass might help us out. We know if we get it right we can restrict them and its not an easy place to defend scores, said skipper Alyssa Healy. Playing XIs It comes as a worrying aspect for Australia, as the injury-prone Sophie is set to take over as full-time skipper across all formats in the West Indies. Getting first crack with the ball on a wicket with a little bit of live grass might help us out. We know if we get it right we can restrict them and its not an easy place to defend scores, said skipper Alyssa Healy. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Australia: Alyssa Healy (captain), Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney (wk), Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Nicola Carey, Alana King, Megan Schutt, and Darcie Brown Article Source: IANS
India in a West Indies frame of mind
The brand of cricket we played today and since last year, the same intent, we want to keep - Tilak Varma
T20 WC: Chepauk Crowd Turns Up In Huge Numbers For Indias Comfortable Win Over Zimbabwe
T20 World Cup: A raucous crowd of 28,247 fans witnessed Indias emphatic 72-run victory over Zimbabwe in their Super Eights clash of the 2026 Mens T20 World Cup at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday. The turnout reinforced Chennais reputation as one of the most passionate cricket venues in the country. The high attendance continued a trend of strong turnouts for the tournaments games at Chepauk, which has averaged nearly 20,000 spectators per game. The highest turnout figure came in the New Zealand-Afghanistan match, when 24,991 fans were at the ground for high-octane action. The citys cricket lovers have long been admired for their sporting appreciation, with Pakistan in 1999 and Afghanistan in 2023 offering lap of honour tributes to the faithful cricket fans at Chepauk. This edition of the T20 World Cup has been no different, with teams such as New Zealand, Afghanistan, the Netherlands, and the USA receiving loud cheers from the knowledgeable cricket fans in Chennai. On the field, Indias batters produced a run-fest for Chennais cricket fans, who were treated to a soulful musical performance by singer-composer Anirudh Ravichander, by smashing 17 sixes a new tournament record to post 256/4, their highest score in the tournaments history. Abhishek Sharma signalled a return to form by striking a 30-ball 55, while Hardik Pandya blasted an unbeaten 50 off 23 balls, and Tilak Varma added a rapid 44 from 16 deliveries. Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Razas decision to bowl first backfired as his bowlers were sent chasing leather for most of the innings. Zimbabwe never looked likely to chase down the imposing target, but Brian Bennett ensured the contest retained some dignity with a fighting 97 not out off 59 balls, laced with eight fours and four sixes. His lone resistance carried Zimbabwe to 184/6, though he fell just three runs short of a well-deserved century. Abhishek Sharma signalled a return to form by striking a 30-ball 55, while Hardik Pandya blasted an unbeaten 50 off 23 balls, and Tilak Varma added a rapid 44 from 16 deliveries. Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Razas decision to bowl first backfired as his bowlers were sent chasing leather for most of the innings. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The win also sets up Indias virtual knockout clash against fellow two-time champions West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 1. But for now, Chepauk once again left its mark as a venue where cricket is celebrated passionately by its fans. Article Source: IANS
T20 WC: Zimbabwe Bowlers Could Have Executed Defensive Plans Better, Admits Captain Raza
T20 World Cup: Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza admitted his bowlers had failed to execute their defensive plans, which led to them suffering a 72-run loss to India in the Super Eights clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday. Zimbabwe didnt have the discipline with the ball as India slammed their way to making 256/4. Certainly, I think we could have executed our defensive play slightly better as well. I think we ended up going at them with hammer and tongs, and unfortunately, there was a lot of mixed execution when we were bowling from all the bowlers, and they ended up getting a lot of those runs. Once the train gets going at that, it's hard to bring it back. So I thought, if one thing I would say is, I think we could have executed our defensive plans better. That would have given us a better chance to restrict them to maybe 210, 220, and you never know from there, said Raza in the post-match presentation ceremony. India's batters had feasted on that wayward execution throughout their innings as Abhishek Sharma struck 55 off 30 balls, Hardik Pandya blazed his way to an unbeaten 50 off 23, and Tilak Varma hammered 44 off just 16 deliveries as India posted the second-highest total in T20 World Cup history, laced with a record 17 sixes. Zimbabwe's reply, anchored by Brian Bennett's defiant unbeaten 97, reached 184/6 - creditable in the circumstances, but never threatening to complete the chase. I'm a guy who looked at a lot of positives. I think for me, the positive from today is that the last game, it was 250, and I felt there was a bit of panic and rush in our batting lineup. I always say that you cannot win the game in the first six overs, but you certainly can lose it if you're chasing a big total. Today, I thought we were a lot more composed in the first six overs. We were trying to give ourselves a chance as well. I thought the way the boys batted compared to the last game is certainly to take a lot of positives and heart from it, and that's what I'll do, added Raza. Asked about his broader assessment of where his side stood, now that they are out of reckoning for the semi-finals, Raza said, Yes, batting was there, but I think bowling and fielding, no, I think we could have done better there as well. I think, as I said, the last game sort of taught us how to go on about your business when you're chasing a big total. So certainly I saw that today. Listen, we are also a work in progress. A lot of youngsters, most of them are playing their first World Cup, first time in India for us. Not that I want to use that as an excuse, but certainly the lessons from the last game, from a batting point of view, I thought we took them really well. You can see how quickly these boys are willing to improve, and they showed up today. Eliminated from the competition, Zimbabwe will now face South Africa in their final Super Eight fixture at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday afternoon with nothing but pride left to play for. Raza said he sees it as an opportunity to finally bring all three departments together in the manner his side managed during the qualifying stages and left no doubt about the standards he would demand from them. A lot of youngsters, most of them are playing their first World Cup, first time in India for us. Not that I want to use that as an excuse, but certainly the lessons from the last game, from a batting point of view, I thought we took them really well. You can see how quickly these boys are willing to improve, and they showed up today. Also Read: Live Cricket Score At the World Cup against the best teams, you need all three departments to be working hard. Unfortunately, if one lacks, then the game runs away from you. So hopefully in the last game, leave everything on the park, and we try and sort out all our three departments, and hopefully that gives us the best chance to win the game. Article Source: IANS
South Africa book semi-final spot after India beat Zimbabwe
Match between India and West Indies on March 1 is a knockout for a place in the semi-finals
T20 World Cup: India captain Suryakumar Yadav said a presentation from the teams video analyst helped the side reset and approach their latest T20 World Cup fixture with renewed confidence, which was evident in their 72-run win over Zimbabwe in a crucial Super Eights clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday. Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya led a power-packed batting effort by hitting blazing half-centuries as India posted a massive 256/4, their highest score in the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026. It was enough for them to get a big win and set their clash against West Indies in Kolkata on Sunday as a virtual knockout clash. I think we wanted to leave everything behind. We didnt think too much about what we did in the league stage or in the last game in Ahmedabad. Our video analyst had prepared a slide for all the batters and bowlers, highlighting what weve done well over the past year. We looked at that, took a lot of positivity from it, and came here with clarity. With contributions from the top order right down to number seven, I think there was hardly anything missing in our performance, said Suryakumar in the post-match presentation ceremony. At the same time, Suryakumar acknowledged areas for further improvement with the ball. To be very honest, we could have been a little more clinical with the ball. But at the end of the day, a win is a win, and well take it as we move forward. Well definitely tighten a few screws when we go and play the West Indies cricket team. He also praised Zimbabwes batting approach despite the result not going in their favour. I dont want to take any credit away from the Zimbabwean batters. I think they batted beautifully. Yes, the wicket was good, but the way they approached the innings - taking their time in the powerplay and then accelerating smartly was impressive. Credit goes to them as well. From a bowling point of view, though, we could have been a little smarter with certain options at key moments. In situations like this, we need to be courageous with our decisions. Theres no option other than taking the positive route. He added that they want to relax for now, before turning their focus to the important clash in Kolkata. Once we reach Kolkata, well sit down and plan properly for that game. For now, its about taking a day off, travelling, and relaxing. All-rounder Hardik Pandya, named Player of the Match, said he was happy with how his knock with the bat turned out to be: Pretty happy. I mean, it sounds 23-ball 50, but I think I had to reassess the situation as well. What I meant by that was that I felt I was trying to hit too hard. Just in the game, I realised, I think I can time the ball and hit sixes as well. So I think for me, it was a good game to continue the rhythm because I feel that a couple of games I had, I could not do what I wanted to do. So pretty satisfied. All-rounder Hardik Pandya, named Player of the Match, said he was happy with how his knock with the bat turned out to be: Pretty happy. I mean, it sounds 23-ball 50, but I think I had to reassess the situation as well. What I meant by that was that I felt I was trying to hit too hard. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Talking about his bowling, Pandya said, Pretty good. I think I like bowling with the new ball. It swings. I mean, God has been kind. I have the skillset of bowling inswing and outswing. So I really enjoy. I think it gives me the opportunity to take wickets as well. It challenges the batter as well. So, pretty satisfied. I still have to bowl my one over, which Im going to go after this. Article Source: IANS
T20 World Cup: Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya struck blazing half-centuries while Arshdeep Singh claimed 3-24 as defending champions India secured a 72-run victory over Zimbabwe in their Super Eights clash in the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday. The result meant Zimbabwe are eliminated from the competition while confirming South Africa's place in the semifinals. The big win in Chennai puts India's campaign firmly back on track after an earlier 76-run stumble against South Africa, but it makes their clash against fellow two-time champions West Indies at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 1 a virtual knockout clash. Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and elected to bowl due to sensing moisture in the pitch that might assist his seamers. But his gamble backfired spectacularly as India's batters attacked from the word go, sent Zimbabwe's bowlers for the better part of twenty overs chasing leather, as the defending champions hit an astonishing 17 sixes, also a new record in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Sanju Samson began the fireworks with a 15-ball 24, before Abhishek Sharma showed signs of coming back to his best self by hitting a 30-ball 55. Pandya applied great finishing touches by smashing an unbeaten 23-ball 50, while Tilak Varma also played his part fantastically by hitting an unbeaten 44 off 16 balls. Zimbabwe were never truly in the hunt to chase down an imposing 257. Yet Brian Bennett ensured the contest retained some dignity, as he struck an impressive 97 not out off 59 balls laced with eight fours and four sixes. His lone act of defiance took Zimbabwe to a creditable 184/6, though Bennett fell three runs short of a landmark century. From the very first over, Samson brought in place of Rinku Singh to break the left-handed monotony at the top and deter Zimbabwe from bowling a spinner in the power-play - signalled intent. He flat-batted a hard length ball from Richard Ngarava to six, before thwacking Blessing Muzarabani for another maximum. Abhishek began more cautiously before a no-ball boundary off Tinotenda Maposa woke him up. A driven four through the line was followed by a pulled six off a slower ball that signalled that Abhishek was ready to get going. But Muzarabani struck back in the fourth over when Samson miscued an offcutter to deep midwicket. But Abhishek was unfazed - he launched Brad Evans over cow corner and got a thick edge for four. Ishan Kishan joined in by lapping Ngarava over fine leg and pulling with authority, before being given a reprieve by Musekiwa. The middle overs saw Abhishek continue his assault. He danced down to Bennett for a six over long-on and brought up his fifty off just 26 balls with a pull off Raza. Kishan too found rhythm, striking Raza for four and six in consecutive balls. But Raza had the last laugh as Kishan slashed and was caught by the short third man. Suryakumar Yadav walked in and immediately unfurled his trademark stroke sweeping Raza for four, carving Evans over short third, and then hitting Maposa for a six and four. Abhishek, meanwhile, continued to pepper boundaries until he fell for a sparkling 55, toe-ending a slower ball to long-on. Pandya entered to rapturous applause and wasted no time in hitting the ground running by smashing Ryan Burl for a massive 89m six over long-on. Suryakumar kept the tempo going before slicing to deep cover off Ngarava. After that, Pandya and Varma hit 11 breathtaking boundaries between themselves, including the former reaching his fifty on the final ball, to ensure India have the record for the highest score in this competition so far. Zimbabwe's chase never gained the foothold it needed, though, to their credit, they had a wicket-less power-play. Opener Tadiwanashe Marumani struggled early and was even dropped on 17 by Ishan Kishan. But Marumani couldnt capitalise and fell for 20 when he sliced to cover-point off Axar Patels second ball of the game. Though Bennett continued to strike fantastic boundaries via loft, inside-out shot, and slog-sweep, before getting his fifty with a flat six over long-on, India continued to keep things tight local lad Varun Chakaravarthy had Dion Myers holing out to deep mid-wicket. By the time Sikandar Raza joined Bennett in the middle to provide some momentum, the asking rate had long since climbed to insurmountable levels. Despite that, the duo continued to plunder boundaries, especially with Shivam Dube being wayward with his bowling and conceding 26 runs in his first over. Arshdeep then returned to have Raza hole out to long-on, before trapping Ryan Burl lbw for a two-ball duck and castling Tony Monyonga with a sharp yorker. Though Dube had Tashinga Musekiwa out in the final over, Bennett damaged his figures by hitting a six and four on the last two balls to carry his bat throughout the innings. Though India got the win, which improves their net run rate hugely, Dube's bowling returns will concern the think-tank. He conceded 46 runs in just two overs - the most expensive two-over spell by any bowler in T20 World Cup history - while Chakaravarthy went for 35 in his four overs. Arshdeep then returned to have Raza hole out to long-on, before trapping Ryan Burl lbw for a two-ball duck and castling Tony Monyonga with a sharp yorker. Though Dube had Tashinga Musekiwa out in the final over, Bennett damaged his figures by hitting a six and four on the last two balls to carry his bat throughout the innings. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief scores: India 256/4 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 55, Hardik Pandya 50 not out; Sikandar Raza 1-29, Tinotenda Maposa 1-40) beat Zimbabwe 184/6 in 20 overs (Brian Bennett 97 not out, Sikandar Raza 31; Arshdeep Singh 3-24) by 72 runs Article Source: IANS
Ponting pleaded to keep Abhishek at Delhi Capitals in 2018
The India opener's first IPL coach is backing him to be the top run-getter at the T20 World Cup
India win big to set up knockout clash with West Indies
India's batting muscle powered them to 256, and despite a valiant 97 from Brian Bennett, Zimbabwe were never really in the chase
T20 WC: New Zealand Eye Semis Berth In Crucial Super 8s Clash Against England (Preview)
T20 World Cup: New Zealand will look to seal the semifinal spot when they face two-time champions England in their last match of the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s to be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday. Two-time champions England have already booked their semifinal berth by winning both games in the Super 8s, while New Zealand will confirm their spot if they beat Harry Brook's team. New Zealand are coming into the contest after registering a dominant victory against co-hosts Sri Lanka. Batting first in the game, the Black Caps recovered from a shaky start to post 168/7 in 20 overs. Mitchell Santner's team then restricted Sri Lanka to just 107/8 in 20 overs to register a 61-run win. Their first match against Pakistan was abandoned due to rain, and they currently sit on three points from two games. A win against England would take them to five points, which would confirm their spot in the semifinal, but a loss would complicate matters as they would have to maintain a good net run rate and hope that Pakistan lose their last match against Sri Lanka. Even if Salman Agha's team win their last match, the Blackcaps can still qualify if their net run rate is higher than Pakistan's. On the other hand, England are coming into the contest after a close win against Pakistan. They restricted Salman Agha's side to 164/7 and then, with the help of a magnificent century from skipper Harry Brook, chased the target in 19.1 overs. England previously beat Sri Lanka by 51 runs in the Super 8s. Despite the wins and confirmation of a semi-final spot, England's openers have struggled, and the team will hope that former captain Jos Buttler returns to form against New Zealand as they look to enter the semi-finals with a hat-trick of wins. Head-to-head record between England and New Zealand in T20Is Total Matches Played: 30 England won: 17 New Zealand won: 10 No Result: 3 Performance of both teams in their last 5 matches England: L, W, W, W, W New Zealand: W, L, W, Ab, W When: Friday, 26 February, Time 7:00 PM IST Where: R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo Where to Watch: Star Sports Network for Live TV broadcast and JioHotstar for live streaming. Squads: Where to Watch: Star Sports Network for Live TV broadcast and JioHotstar for live streaming. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New Zealand Squad: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, James Neesham, Jacob Duffy, Kyle Jamieson, Devon Conway Article Source: IANS
T20 WC: 'We Haven't Played A Perfect Game,' Says Bowling Coach Southee, Despite England's Semi-berth
T20 World Cup: England may have sealed a semifinal spot in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 with a Super 8s game to spare, but bowling coach Tim Southee believes the team is yet to produce a perfect game in the multi-national tournament. Despite a strong run in the subcontinent, including a T20 series win over Sri Lanka followed by a dominant group-stage and Super 8s campaign, Southee said England still have room for improvement. I think everyone wants to go out and do well. I think it's a great sign on this side. We've only dropped one game in the last however many games, and we've won in different ways. We haven't played the perfect game or played a complete performance across all three formats, but we've still found ways to win. If it does come off and we do have the perfect game, then it should be a great one to witness. Southee said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. Southee praised the contributions of players who may not always grab headlines. Different players have stood up in every match to help England win. All-rounder Will Jacks has emerged as a key performer, claiming 3 for 22 with his off-spin against Sri Lanka in the Super Eights and scoring a crucial 21 at the death. He also struck a 21-ball fifty against Italy, the fastest by an England player in T20 World Cup history. While Liam Dawson has also added control with the ball, including figures of 3 for 24 against Pakistan. It's been brilliant how we've been able to win in different ways and different guys stepping up. To sit here being already qualified with a game to go is only a good thing, Southee said. Southee reserved special praise for fast bowler Jofra Archer, who is regaining rhythm after injury. He's obviously a class bowler, I think the last few games he's sort of kicked into another gear. The good sign is that we've seen over the last few games he looks like he's getting better and better, so that bodes well for the next few games. It's been brilliant how we've been able to win in different ways and different guys stepping up. To sit here being already qualified with a game to go is only a good thing, Southee said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Two-time champions England will play their last Super 8s clash against New Zealand at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday, before travelling back to India for the semi-final match. Article Source: IANS
Calls For Heads To Roll After Feeble Sri Lanka T20 World Cup Exit
Pressure is mounting on Sri Lanka's captain, coach and the selection panel to step down after the co-hosts' feeble exit from the T20 World Cup with a match to spare. A second Super Eights defeat, where Sri Lanka never threatened to get near their 169 target against New Zealand ended their hopes of reaching the semi-finals. It also provoked unprecedented booing from the 35,000-strong crowd in Colombo and calls for heads to roll. The group win over Australia had hopes high for a run to at least the semi-finals, but it is now a distant memory after Sri Lanka's batting was exposed time and again on turning pitches. Sri Lanka head coach Sanath Jayasuriya had already informed the board that he would step down after the World Cup. Now captain Dasun Shanaka and the selectors seem likely to follow or be axed after an embarrassing campaign. We have one more game in the competition and we will address what went wrong during the World Cup after that game and take the necessary steps, a Sri Lanka Cricket spokesperson told AFP. Former captain Marvan Atapattu was scathing about Sri Lanka's preparations. Most teams have moved on with the times playing T20 cricket, but we have stagnated and made little progress, Atapattu told AFP. You need to identify your core players and stick with them. In Sri Lanka's case, they had no idea what their team was going to be even a week before the tournament. It doesn't work that way in international sport. Sri Lanka lost three front-line bowlers to injury in the first week of the tournament, with fingers being pointed at the amount of lucrative franchise cricket being played. Also Read: Live Cricket Score When your players are involved in league cricket all over the world, there is a good chance that they break down just before a crucial campaign and that's what happened to Sri Lanka, Atapattu added.
Kagiso Rabada would 'have taken it quite heavily' if South Africa had lost to Afghanistan
The South African fast bowler said Lungi Ngidi's slower ball is extremely tough to bowl
T20 WC: Was Waiting For This Moment For Quite A Long Time Now, Says Abhishek Sharma
T20 World Cup: After hitting a blazing 55 as India posted a massive 256/4 against Zimbabwe in their Super Eight clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma said he was waiting to have this moment in the tournament for quite a long time now and felt elated on making big runs for the defending champions. Abhishek had made three ducks in the league stage and even missed the clash against Namibia due to a stomach infection needing hospitalisation in New Delhi. But his making a fifty off 26 his first half-century in the T20 World Cup - will do him a world of good in Indias quest to enter the semi-finals. Its always great when you contribute to the team, and I was waiting for this moment for quite a long time now, so finally its happening. Im really happy. I would say it wasnt that intentional (about slowing down), but I just wanted to spend some time at the pitch because if you see, I havent even played 10-12 balls in the whole tournament yet, he told the broadcasters in the mid-innings chat. He also credited the Indian team for backing him to come good. So I just wanted to spend some time and make a special mention to the team, the way theyve treated me so far. It was like, at the end, you wouldnt feel that I wasnt scoring runs for the team. I mean, in the practice sessions and hotels as well, they all were just waiting for this moment, and they all were just reminding me that, You have done this before as well, and your time is not so far. You just keep believing. So thats happened, added Abhishek. He also credited the Indian team for backing him to come good. So I just wanted to spend some time and make a special mention to the team, the way theyve treated me so far. It was like, at the end, you wouldnt feel that I wasnt scoring runs for the team. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I mean, it wasnt going so far that well, but that was the plan we had yesterday and the day before as well at the practice sessions. As a batter and a batting unit, we have to go and express ourselves. Thats how we were playing the whole year, and thats how were going to back each other, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Can resourceful New Zealand lock in semi-final spot against already-qualified England?
Victory in Colombo would secure last-four berth but narrow defeat might also be enough
T20 WC: Abhishek, Hardik Fifties Power India To Their Highest Tournament Score Against Zimbabwe
T20 World Cup: Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya struck blazing half-centuries as India posted a massive 256/4 against Zimbabwe in their crucial Super Eight clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday. It is also Indias highest total in this tournament and the second-highest score in Mens T20 World Cup history. Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and elected to bowl due to sensing moisture in the pitch that might assist his seamers. But his gamble backfired spectacularly as India's batters attacked from the word go, sent Zimbabwe's bowlers for the better part of 20 overs chasing leather, as the defending champions hit an astonishing 17 sixes, also a new record in the T20 World Cup. Sanju Samson began the fireworks with a 15-ball 24, before Abhishek Sharma showed signs of coming back to his best self by hitting a 30-ball 55. Pandya applied great finishing touches by smashing an unbeaten 23-ball 50, while Tilak Varma also played his part fantastically by hitting an unbeaten 44 off 16 balls. Onus is now on Indias bowlers to bowl out Zimbabwe quickly and get a big net run rate boost after it was left in tatters post a 76-run loss to South Africa in Ahmedabad. From the very first over, Samson, brought in place of Rinku Singh to break the left-handed monotony at the top, signalled intent - flat-batting a hard length ball from Richard Ngarava to six, before thwacking Blessing Muzarabani for another maximum. Abhishek began more cautiously before a no-ball boundary off Tinotenda Maposa woke him up. A driven four through the line was followed by a pulled six off a slower ball that signalled that Abhishek was ready to get going. But Muzarabani struck back in the fourth over when Samson miscued an offcutter to deep midwicket. But Abhishek was unfazed - he launched Brad Evans over cow corner and got a thick edge for four. Ishan Kishan joined in by lapping Ngarava over fine leg and pulling with authority, before being given a reprieve by Musekiwa. The middle overs saw Abhishek continue his assault. He danced down to Bennett for a six over long-on and brought up his fifty off just 26 balls with a pull off Raza. Kishan too found rhythm, striking Raza for four and six in consecutive balls. But Raza had the last laugh as Kishan slashed and was caught by the short third man. Suryakumar Yadav walked in and immediately unfurled his trademark stroke sweeping Raza for four, carving Evans over short third, and then hitting Maposa for a six and four. Abhishek, meanwhile, continued to pepper boundaries until he fell for a sparkling 55, toe-ending a slower ball to long-on. Pandya entered to rapturous applause and wasted no time in hitting the ground running by smashing Ryan Burl for a massive 89m six over long-on. Suryakumar kept the tempo going before slicing to deep cover off Ngarava. After that, Pandya and Varma hit 11 breathtaking boundaries between themselves, including the former reaching his fifty on the final ball, to ensure India have the record for the highest score in this competition so far. Suryakumar Yadav walked in and immediately unfurled his trademark stroke sweeping Raza for four, carving Evans over short third, and then hitting Maposa for a six and four. Abhishek, meanwhile, continued to pepper boundaries until he fell for a sparkling 55, toe-ending a slower ball to long-on. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India 256/4 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 55, Hardik Pandya 50 not out; Sikandar Raza 1-29, Tinotenda Maposa 1-40) against Zimbabwe Article Source: IANS
Jonathan Batty, Hemang Badani set for Southern Brave coaching jobs
All change on south coast as new owners extend links with Delhi WPL/IPL franchises
DY Patil T20 Cup: Sooryavanshi, Tendulkar Lead DY Patil Blue To Thrilling Win Over Indian Navy
DY Patil T20 Cup: Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and seam-bowling all-rounder Arjun Tendulkar produced blistering knocks to steer DY Patil Blue to a successful chase against Indian Navy on day four of the 20th DY Patil T20 Cup in Navi Mumbai on Thursday. Sooryavanshi, who starred in Indias Under-19 World Cup triumph earlier this month and took home Player of the Match in the final and Player of the Tournament awards, smashed 63 off just 19 balls, including hitting seven fours and five sixes at an astonishing strike rate of 331.58. Tendulkar also held the innings together with an unbeaten 55 off 29 deliveries, striking seven boundaries and two sixes. India batter Sarfaraz Khan chipped in with 27 to keep the chase on track. The Indian Navy had set a stiff target after posting an imposing 219/4 in their 20 overs, with their top order firing in unison, as Kuwar Pathak top-scored with a 53-ball 87. But thanks to Sooryavanshi and Tendulkar, DY Patil Blue responded with aggression, overhauling the total with five wickets in hand and five balls to spare. Meanwhile, Route Mobile chased down CAGs total of 172/9 with five wickets to spare at the DY Patil Stadium, thanks to Virat Singh hitting 85 while Vipraj Nigam slammed 38 not out. At the University Ground, Canara Bank overhauled the target of 216/5 set by Nirlon with one over and four wickets to spare, as Atharva Taide top-scored with 60. Brief scores: At DY Patil Ground, Talegaon - Group C: Indian Navy 219/4 in 20 overs (Kuwar Pathak 87, Nitin Tanwar 57 not out) lost to DY Patil Blue 225/5 in 19.1 overs (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 63, Arjun Tendulkar 55 not out; Vishal Gaur 3-41) by five wickets At DY Patil Stadium - Group B: CAG 172/9 in 20 overs (Prerak Mankad 43, Aman Mokhade 34; Mohit Awasthi 2-36) lost to Route Mobile 177/5 in 17.2 overs (Virat Singh 85, Vipraj Nigam 38 not out; Ajay Singh Kookna 2-38) by five wickets At DY Patil University - Group C: Nirlon 216/5 in 20 overs (Ishan Mulchandani 52, Aarya Desai 51, Bhupen Lalwani 40) lost to Canara Bank 221/6 in 19 overs (Atharva Taide 60, MG Naveen 49, KV Siddharth 37 not out; Saurabh Singh 3-34) by four wickets Fridays fixture: At DY Patil University - Group C: Nirlon 216/5 in 20 overs (Ishan Mulchandani 52, Aarya Desai 51, Bhupen Lalwani 40) lost to Canara Bank 221/6 in 19 overs (Atharva Taide 60, MG Naveen 49, KV Siddharth 37 not out; Saurabh Singh 3-34) by four wickets Also Read: Live Cricket Score At DY Patil University - 11 am: Group C: Nirlon v Indian Navy; 4 pm: Group B: Jain Irrigation v Route Mobile Article Source: IANS
T20 WC: All The Stats From South Africa's Nine-wicket Win Over West Indies In Super 8s
ICC T20 World Cup: Skipper Aiden Markram led from the front with an unbeaten 82 as South Africa chased down a challenging target of 177 runs in just 16.1 overs for the loss of one wicket to beat the West Indies by nine wickets in their second match of the Super 8 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday. With this win, the Proteas remain unbeaten and are close to sealing a semifinal berth, while West Indies will face India in a must-win game. Earlier, the West Indies recovered from 52/4 in the Power-play to post 176/8, thanks to an 89-run stand between Romario Shepherd (52*) and Jason Holder (49). Lungi Ngidi (3-30) and Kagiso Rabada (2-22) led South Africas bowling effort. In reply, Markram and Quinton de Kock (47 off 24) powered South Africa to 69 for no loss in six overs. After de Kocks dismissal, Markram continued the assault, reaching his fifty in 27 balls. Ryan Rickelton remained unbeaten on 45 as South Africa completed the chase with 23 balls to spare. All the stats from the West Indies vs South Africa match: 17 - Keshav Maharaj conceded 17 runs off the very first over of the match. These runs are the joint-most scored by the Caribbeans in the first over of an innings in the T20 World Cup. In the 2014 edition, they also got the same number of runs in the semifinal match off the bowling of Nuwan Kulasekara. 89 - Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder added (89) runs for the 8th wicket. This is a new partnership record for the 8th wicket for the West Indies inT20Is.The previous record was in the name of Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer, who added 78 runs for the same wicket vs New Zealand at Nelson in 2025. 6 - West Indies have six 50-plus partnerships for the 8th wicket or lower in T20Is. Romario Shepherd is involved in all six. 4 - Romario Shepherd (52*) became the 4th batter to hit a 50-plus score along with a No.9 or lower batter in T20Is, second from a full member side after Tanzim Hasan Sakib of Bangladesh, who scored 50 against Pakistan in Lahore in 2025. 52* - Playing in his 78th T20I, Romario Shepherd (52*) recorded his highest score in T20Is, erasing his previous best of 49 v New Zealand in Nelson in 2025. 95 - The number of runs (95) added by Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock for the first wicket. This is the second-highest opening-wicket partnership for South Africa in a T20 World Cup, only behind 96 between de Kock and Hashim Amla against England in Mumbai in 2016. 14 - The number of half-centuries recorded by Aiden Markram (82*) in 75 matches. It was his 3rd 50-plus score in the current T20 World Cup. 95 - The number of runs (95) added by Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock for the first wicket. This is the second-highest opening-wicket partnership for South Africa in a T20 World Cup, only behind 96 between de Kock and Hashim Amla against England in Mumbai in 2016. Also Read: Live Cricket Score 264 - The number of runs (264) scored by Aiden Markram at an avg of 66. After Babar Azam (303) of Pakistan, he is now the second most successful captain to score the maximum runs in an edition of the T20 World Cup. Babar scored 303 runs at an avg of 60.60 in the 2021 edition. Article Source: IANS
T20 World Cup: South Africa captain Aiden Markram credited his bowlers for executing plans to perfection in the Power-play and making full use of the conditions after his side registered a commanding nine-wicket win over West Indies in a Super 8s clash of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Reflecting on the early phase with the ball, Markram said, Yeah, I thought we actually bowled quite nicely. It seemed like the West Indies were going to take the game to you and a few might squirt off, a few clean as well, but we thought it was quite tacky, he said after the match. It was a little bit stoppy and with that extra bounce, new ball, a little bit of nip, we wanted to keep really trying to bowl good lengths and with a lot of energy on it. With only two outs, the ball can travel, but if you keep taking wickets, you're sort of staying in the game. And yeah, we were impressed with our performance in the Power-play, he added. He also spoke about the approach during the innings break after restricting West Indies to 176/8. Yeah, I felt like while we were bowling, the wickets kept getting better and better. So it was about how often you keep using the wickets and when you sort of take the wicket out of the game. So that was sort of the thing we were trying to balance while we were out there. But towards the back end, I think, when we went full and went yorkers and the off change the pace, I think it worked really well. South Africa then chased down 177 in just 16.1 overs, powered by Markrams unbeaten 82, Quinton de Kocks 47, and Ryan Rickeltons unbeaten 45. Praising his top-order, Markram said, Yeah, I mean, I have been with Quinny for years now, and Rick's really come in and made that number three his home, which has been fantastic to see and a massive plus for us as a side. So, all the guys through the middle have had to bail us out on the last couple of occasions, and hopefully we can start getting the team off the field and make it a success. With the Proteas unbeaten in the Super 8s and on the brink of a semifinal berth, Markram remained cautious and said that the team will focus on the next match first. That would be great. No step at this comp is easy, so getting out of the group was quite tough. Super 8 group is tough as well, so hopefully we can get through, but if not, then we take a game on in a couple of days and push for that semifinal. Praising his top-order, Markram said, Yeah, I mean, I have been with Quinny for years now, and Rick's really come in and made that number three his home, which has been fantastic to see and a massive plus for us as a side. So, all the guys through the middle have had to bail us out on the last couple of occasions, and hopefully we can start getting the team off the field and make it a success. Also Read: Live Cricket Score South Africa will play their last match in the Super 8s against Zimbabwe at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday. Article Source: IANS
Southee targets England's 'perfect game' in emotional New Zealand face-off
Bowling coach believes England have more to give, but the most encouraging sign for him isn't the margin of victory but the method
ENG vs NZ Match 49 Prediction, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Match Preview And Expected Playing XI
ENG vs NZ, Match 49, Super 8, Cricket Tips :England have slowly but strongly made it to the semifinal of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. They beat Pakistan in the previous game, courtesy of a blistering century from captain Harry Brook. England will aim to carry on the winning momentum as they head into their final Super 8 clash. England will lock horns with New Zealand on Friday. This contest has a scheduled start of 7 PM IST at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. New Zealand had a great last game, where their lower order pulled things for them. Rachin Ravindra came as a surprise and ran through Sri Lanka's batting order. They are also in good form and will challenge New Zealand. ENG vs NZ: Match Details Date: February 27, 2026 (Friday) Time: 7:00 PM IST Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo ENG vs NZ Live Streaming Details To watch the ENG vs NZ game in India, fans can tune into the Star Sports Networks on cable TV networks. Fans can also catch the live stream on the Jio Hotstar streaming platform. ENG vs NZ Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 30 England : 16 New Zealand : 10 No-Result : 04 ENG vs NZ: Ground Pitch Report R. Premadasa Stadium has been a great venue for the bowlers. Six games have been completed here, and in five matches, the team that batted first has won. It is because the wicket is expected to get slow over time. That will make the timing more difficult. Hence, both captains will look to bat first here. ENG vs NZ Possible XIs England : Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Sam Curran, Harry Brook (c), Will Jacks, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid New Zealand : Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitch Santner (c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson ENG vs NZ: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Harry Brook showed a great form in the previous game, and he will be the one to watch out for. For New Zealand, Tim Seifert has been the best batter and will be a big wicket. Probable Best Bowler Jofra Archer is steaming in hard and bowling at a good pace. That is when he is almost unplayble for any batter. For New Zealand, Matt Henry does the job with the new ball and takes wickets. Today Match Prediction : Both teams are in good form, and it will be a close game. But New Zealand look more settled as a unit with bat and ball. Hence, we predict them to beat England in this game. ENG vs NZ Match 49, ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Today ENG vs NZ Match, ENG vs NZ Prediction, ENG vs NZ Predicted XIs, Injury Update for ENG vs NZ 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 WC: MarkRam Builds Indias Setu Of Hope With Win Over West Indies!
T20 World Cup: In a twist few Indian fans would have expected, South Africa captain Aiden Markram ended up playing a key role in keeping India's hopes alive in the semifinal race at the ICC Mens T20 World Cup. Markram produced a skippers knock of 82 off 46 balls and led from the front as South Africa defeated West Indies by nine wickets in a crucial encounter on Thursday. His composed innings anchored the Proteas chase and ensured they stayed firmly in control of the contest. While the victory strengthened South Africas own campaign, its impact was felt strongly in the Indian camp. A West Indies win would have complicated Indias qualification equation, but South Africas emphatic triumph ensured that Indias hopes remain very much alive. The equation is now straightforward for India: win the remaining matches. Victories against Zimbabwe and the West Indies would secure a place in the semifinals. For Indian fans following the game closely, the South AfricaWest Indies clash had become almost as important as the home side's own fixtures. When the Proteas sealed the win, social media quickly erupted with appreciation for Markram and his team. Many supporters celebrated the moment with clever wordplay inspired by Ram Setu, the legendary bridge built by Lord Rama in the epic Ramayana. MarkRam Setu built for India, wrote one fan, suggesting that Markram had effectively built a bridge keeping Indias semifinal hopes alive. Many supporters celebrated the moment with clever wordplay inspired by Ram Setu, the legendary bridge built by Lord Rama in the epic Ramayana. Also Read: Live Cricket Score For India, the message is clear. Markram may have built the bridge the MarkRam Setu but it is now up to them to cross it. If Suryakumar Yadav and his men seize the opportunity and win their remaining matches, the bridge of hope built by South Africas captain could lead India straight into the semifinals. Article Source: IANS
Zimbabwe opt to bowl, include Maposa; Samson, Axar back for India
It is practically a must-win match for both sides. But while India need to just win Zimbabwe need to win big
T20 WC: India Include Axar, Samson As Zimbabwe Elect To Bowl First, Maposa Replaces Cremer
T20 World Cup: India have included spin-bowling all-rounder Axar Patel and wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson in the playing eleven as Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bowl first in a crucial Super Eights clash of the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday. Both India and Zimbabwe need to win the match after suffering heavy defeats to South Africa and the West Indies, respectively. With South Africa beating West Indies in Ahmedabad, India need to win their two matches if they are to enter the semi-finals. For defending champions India, Axar comes in for Washington Sundar, while Samson, who will also be on keeping duties, comes in for Rinku Singh. Samson coming in also means Ishan Kishan has been pushed to number three, in a bid by India to break the left-handed dominating top-order, while Tilak Varma is slotted at number five. There was a massive roar from the Chepauk crowd when India captain Suryakumar Yadav said Samson was playing. Happy with the decision, we're looking to bat first. Boys are ready. Mood in the camp is relaxed. The way he spoke in the huddle (Hardik), an experienced player, he knows what he brings to the table. Team required that, and I think we'll have a good day tonight. Even if you win or lose, you learn something out of it. Just forget what happened in the last game. Play the same way as you've been playing the whole last year. Enjoy the game and forget everything. Be fearless, he said. Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza said Tinotenda Maposa replaces Graeme Cremer in the playing eleven as a tactical change. Not your usual Chennai wicket. Looks moist, want to give the best chance to the seamers. If we can restrict India to a low total, it will go a long way. As much as we're feeling the heat, our opposition will be feeling the same. It's holding on alright, he said. Playing XIs: Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza said Tinotenda Maposa replaces Graeme Cremer in the playing eleven as a tactical change. Not your usual Chennai wicket. Looks moist, want to give the best chance to the seamers. If we can restrict India to a low total, it will go a long way. As much as we're feeling the heat, our opposition will be feeling the same. It's holding on alright, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Zimbabwe: Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (captain), Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava Article Source: IANS
Markram, bowlers lead South Africa's rout of West Indies
Ngidi and Rabada set the tone early with the ball and picked up five wickets between them to restrict West Indies
T20 WC: Markram Leads From Front As South Africa Beat West Indies By Nine Wickets In Super 8s Clash
ICC T20 World Cup: Skipper Aiden Markram led from the front with an unbeaten 82 as South Africa chased down a challenging target of 177 runs in just 16.1 overs for the loss of only one wicket and secured a nine-wicket win over the West Indies in their second match in Super 8s stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday. With this win, the Proteas remain unbeaten in the ongoing tournament and have inched closer to officially confirming their semifinal berth. West Indies will have to face India in a do-or-die clash on Sunday to proceed to the next stage. Earlier, former captain Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd helped the team make a strong comeback from a disastrous start as West Indies posted 176/8 in 20 overs. Coming to chase a challenging total against a quality bowling attack, South Africa started the innings on a high note as both the openers, Markram and De Kock, scored 11 runs in the first over. South Africa's prime batters were looking in great touch and made good use of the powerplay by smashing the West Indies bowlers all around the ground. The team was 69 for no loss at the end of the power play. West Indies finally got the breakthrough in the eighth over when Roston Chase trapped De Kock with a slower ball. De Kock scored 47 runs off just 24 balls and hammered four boundaries and four sixes during his magnificent innings. De Kock's wicket didn't bring any relief to the two-time champions as Markram continued the attack. The skipper completed his fifty in just 27 balls and remained unbeaten at 82 with seven fours and four sixes to his name. Ryan Rickleton also played a brilliant knock of 45 and remained unbeaten as South Africa completed the chase with balls remaining. West Indies came to bat in the first innings after losing the toss. Their captain, Shai Hope, led the charge in the first over and hit 16 runs off just four balls against leg spinner Keshav Maharaj. The momentum continued in the second over as Brandon King smashed three consecutive fours against Marco Jansen. However, the situation took a 360-degree turn in the third over as Africa's prime bowler Rabada dismissed skipper Shai Hope (16) and in-form batter Shimron Hetmyer (2). Ngidi also followed with two wickets in the next over as West Indies reached 52/4 at the end of the powerplay. Things didn't change for the team after the powerplay as Corbin Bosch dismissed Sherfane Rutherford and Matthew Forde, while Ngidi sent captain Rovman Powell to the pavilion. After a poor start, former captain Holder stood tall with Shepherd to take the team to a challenging total. The duo rescued the team with a magnificent partnership of 89 runs. Shepherd completed his fifty in 37 balls. He remained unbeaten at 52. While Holder missed a well-deserved half-century. He got out on 49 in just 31 balls. Holder hit four boundaries and three sixes against South Africa. After a poor start, former captain Holder stood tall with Shepherd to take the team to a challenging total. The duo rescued the team with a magnificent partnership of 89 runs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score West Indies 176/8 in 20 overs (Romario Shepherd 52*, Jason Holder 49; Lungi Ngidi 3-30, Kagiso Rabada 2-22, Corbin Bosch 2-31) lost to South Africa 177/1 in 16.1 overs (Aiden Markram 82*, Quinton De Kock 47, Ryan Rickleton 45*; Roston Chase 1-46) by 9 wickets. Article Source: IANS
AUS-W vs IND-W 2nd ODI Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI
AUS-W vs IND-W 2nd ODI , Cricket Tips :India Women had a tough time with the bat in the first ODI against Australia Women, and they suffered a 6-wicket loss. The visitors missed major contributions with the bat and paid the price. Beth Mooney and Ash Gardner played a crucial role in the win for Australia and helped them take a 1-0 lead. Australia Women and India Women will be up against each other in the second ODI. This contest will be held at Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Friday at 9:20 AM IST. India Women need big knocks from their top order; only then can they challenge this Australian side. The hosts will be keen to get another win to seal the series win. AUS-W vs IND-W: Match Details Date : February 27, 2026 (Friday) Time : 9:20 AM IST Venue : Bellerive Oval, Hobart AUS-W vs IND-W: Live Streaming Details Fans can switch to the Star Sports networks to watch the live telecast of the second ODI. The live stream of the game will be available on the Jio Hotstar streaming platform. AUS-W vs IND-W: Head-to-Head in ODI Total Matches : 62 Australia Women : 50 India Women : 12 No result/Tied: 0 AUS-W vs IND-W: Ground Pitch Report Bellerive Oval is a good wicket to bat on. There were some high scores recorded here in the BBL 2025-26. The wicket has good bounce and pace, where batters can play shots. There will be overcast conditions for this game; there will be enough moisture to exploit for the bowling side. AUS-W vs IND-W: Possible XIs Australia Women : Georgia Voll, Alyssa Healy (c), Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney (wk), Ash Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux, Tahlia McGrath, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown India Women : Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Shree Charani, Kashvee Gautam, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur AUS-W vs IND-W: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Beth Mooney has been in good form, and she played well in the first ODI. Hence, she will be a big wicket. For India, all hopes will be on Smriti Mandhana, who has scored consecutive half-centuries already. Probable Best Bowler Ash Gardner is a very smart operator, and she has a knack for picking up wickets, like she did in the first game. For India, the role of Renuka Thakur will be crucial. She can swing the ball and take wickets in the powerplay. Today Match Prediction : India will be under pressure, and they have an inexperienced bowling unit. Hence, we predict Australia Women will win this game. AUS-W vs IND-W Match 2nd ODI, Today Match AUS-W vs IND-W, AUS-W vs IND-W Prediction, AUS-W vs IND-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for AUS-W vs IND-W 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.
Ranji Trophy Final: Mayanks Defiant 130* Takes Karnataka To 220/5 At Stumps Against J&K On Day 3
Hubli Cricket Ground: Opening batter Mayank Agarwal produced a magnificent rearguard century to anchor Karnatakas resistance, but Jammu and Kashmir retained firm control on the proceedings at stumps on Day 3 of the Ranji Trophy final at the Hubli Cricket Cround, the home side closing at 220/5 in response to the visitors imposing first-innings total of 584. Resuming the day with Jammu and Kashmirs lower-order at the crease, Karnataka struck early through Prasidh Krishna, who completed a superb five-wicket haul as the visitors added 57 runs to their overnight tally. Valuable contributions from Sahil Lotra (72), Abid Mushtaq (28), and Yudhvir Singh Charak (30) helped push Jammu and Kashmir to a commanding 584, establishing a dominant platform in the summit clash. Facing a daunting deficit, Karnataka began cautiously but suffered an early setback when Auqib Nabi Dar removed KL Rahul before lunch, leaving the hosts at 35/1. Nabis disciplined seam bowling and probing lines set the tone for Jammu and Kashmirs relentless pressure. The visitors tightened their grip further in a devastating post-lunch spell. Sunil Kumar struck soon after the interval, dismissing Devdutt Padikkal, before Nabi produced a sensational burst that turned the game decisively. The seamer removed Karun Nair and Smaran Ravichandran off successive deliveries, reducing Karnataka to a precarious 57/4 and threatening to trigger a collapse. Amid the crisis, Mayank stood tall with an innings of immense character and composure. Initially watchful against the moving ball, he gradually asserted himself, rotating the strike efficiently and punishing loose deliveries. His calm presence at the crease helped Karnataka regain some stability as he stitched together a crucial 105-run partnership with Shreyas Gopal. Mayank brought up a resilient century in the final session, raising his bat to a warm reception from the home crowd, reaching the milestone with a single off Sahil Lotra. The landmark knock underlined his resolve on a surface on which bowlers bending their backs were achieving a lot. Jammu and Kashmir, however, struck back at a crucial juncture when Yudhvir Singh Charak trapped Gopal lbw for 27 with a sharp nip-backer, breaking the threatening stand and restoring momentum to the visitors. Undeterred, Mayank continued to anchor the innings and found valuable support in Kruthik Krishna. The duo showed determination and discipline against a probing attack, ensuring Karnataka avoided further damage in the closing stages. Mayank survived a tense moment late in the day when wicketkeeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan dropped a chance off Abid Mushtaq with the Karnataka opener on 124. Mayank remained unbeaten on a superb 130 off 207 deliveries at stumps, while Kruthik Krishna provided steady support with an unbeaten 27. Their unbroken stand carried Karnataka to 220/5, though the hosts still trail by 364 runs and face the immediate challenge of avoiding the follow-on. Auqib was the standout bowler for J&K, finishing with three key wickets, while Sunil Kumar and Yudhvir chipped in with one apiece. Despite Mayanks heroic effort, Jammu and Kashmir remain firmly in command of the contest after three days. Karnatakas hopes now hinge heavily on the opener, whose resilience will be crucial as they attempt to erase the deficit and keep their ambitions alive heading into Day 4. Auqib was the standout bowler for J&K, finishing with three key wickets, while Sunil Kumar and Yudhvir chipped in with one apiece. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Jammu & Kashmir 584 all out (Shubham Pundir 121, Yawer Hassan 88, Sahil Lotra 72, Kanhaiya Wadhawan 70, Paras Dogra 70; Prasidh Krishna 5-98) lead Karnataka 220/5 in 69 overs (Mayank Agarwal 130 not out, Kruthik Krishna 27 not out; Auqib Nabi Dar 3-32) by 364 runs. Article Source: IANS
NZ coach Walter banks on his side's 'great' problem-solving ability
Despite taking the least wickets in this tournament, he is not worried as long as they are restricting teams
She Is Fit And Fine: Deepti Confirms Skipper Harmanpreets Availability For 2nd ODI
Deepti Sharma: India all-rounder Deepti Sharma has all but confirmed the availability of captain Harmanpreet Kaur for the second ODI against Australia, offering reassurance after the skippers knee scare in the series opener. Harmanpreet had injured her left knee while batting against Megan Schutt during the first ODI in Brisbane, a match India eventually lost after clinching the preceding T20I series 2-1. With the three-match ODI contest now on the line, Deepti delivered an encouraging update on the captains condition ahead of Fridays clash. I can say that she is fit and fine, Deepti stated during the pre-match press conference, signalling that Indias leader is ready to return as the series shifts to Hobart. While addressing the narrow defeat in the opener, Deepti underlined that the teams focus remains on execution rather than dwelling on the result. I think its good. As a team, we played really well. But, obviously, the result has not come our way. But, obviously, we are looking forward as a team, and we will come back stronger in the next game, she said. The experienced all-rounder also stressed belief within the group heading into the crucial encounter, saying, Yeah, obviously, as a team. Personally, Im always confident with them whenever we play. We want to play our best cricket in the next game. I think its good. As a team, we played really well. But, obviously, the result has not come our way. But, obviously, we are looking forward as a team, and we will come back stronger in the next game, she said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score On Indias bowling combinations and tactical approach, Deepti kept the message simple as she stated, We will do it as simply as we are doing in the previous games also. We are not thinking that much. Not in my hand, actually. But, yes, it always depends on the team management on what they will do. I am focusing on myself and how I can contribute to the team. Article Source: IANS
T20 WC: Holder, Shepherd Lead Fightback As Windies Post 176/8 Against SA
ICC T20 World Cup: Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd carried the team to make a strong comeback from a disastrous start as West Indies posted 176/8 in 20 overs against South Africa in their second Super 8s match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 here at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday. Batting first, West Indies captain Shai Hope led the charge in the first over and hit 16 runs off just four balls against leg spinner Keshav Maharaj. The momentum continued in the second over as Brandon King smashed three consecutive fours against Marco Jansen. However, the situation took a 360-degree turn in the third over as Rabada dismissed skipper Shai Hope (16) and in-form batter Shimron Hetmyer (2) in a single over. In the process, Rabada became the second-highest wicket-taker for the Proteas in the T20 World Cup with 32 wickets to his name. Ngidi continued the momentum in the next over as he first took out King, who departed after scoring 21 runs off 11 balls. He also hammered five fours. The South African pacer castled Roston Chase in the same over, leaving West Indies reeling at 52/4 at the end of the powerplay. Things didn't change for the team after the powerplay as Corbin Bosch made a great comeback after going for a six and edged out Sherfane Rutherford in his first over of the innings. Ngidi claimed his when he sent captain Rovman Powell to the pavilion in the ninth over. Team were reeling at 82/6 at the midway stage. The 2024 T20 World Cup runner-ups further extended their dominance when Corbin Bosch removed Matthew Forde in the 11th over. After a poor start, former captain Holder stood tall with Shepherd to take the team to a challenging total. The duo rescued the team with a magnificent partnership of 89 runs. Shepherd completed his fifty in 37 balls and remained unbeaten at 52. Shepherd hammered three fours and four sixes during his innings, while Holder missed a well deserved half-century after getting dismissed for 49. After a poor start, former captain Holder stood tall with Shepherd to take the team to a challenging total. The duo rescued the team with a magnificent partnership of 89 runs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: West Indies 176/8 in 20 overs (Romario Shepherd 52*, Jason Holder 49; Lungi Ngidi 3-30, Kagiso Rabada 2-22, Corbin Bosch 2-31) against South Africa. Article Source: IANS
George Munsey joins Notts for Vitality Blast campaign
Scotland batter signs as local player and will be available throughout competition
Gardner Backs Australia To Build Momentum In Series After perfect Performance In 1st ODI
Allan Border Field: Australia are aiming to carry forward the momentum from their dominant opening ODI win and regain control of the tightly contested multi-format series against India, with allrounder Ashleigh Gardner describing the previous outing as a near-flawless display. The multi-format contest remains evenly poised at four points each, reflecting the back-and-forth nature of the rivalry so far. While India had earlier seized the advantage by winning the T20I series 2-1, Australia responded strongly in the ODI leg, producing a clinical six-wicket win at Allan Border Field to level the series and restore confidence within the squad. Reflecting on Australias performances, Gardner acknowledged both the highs and inconsistencies but emphasised the significance of their recent showing. We have played some good cricket along the way and have played some not-so-good cricket in patches as well. So being able for us to string that together, I felt like that last game was kind of a perfect performance. I thought the bowlers really set the tone and then we chased down that total pretty convincingly, Gardner told reporters in Hobart There was certainly disappointment within the camp to lose that T20 series, but we knew that when we focus on ourselves and we play really good cricket, that we are the best team, and I think we need to take a lot of confidence in that, she added. Australias resurgence came despite being without key players Ellyse Perry and Kim Garth, both sidelined due to quad injuries. Gardner, however, expressed confidence in the squads depth, noting that replacements were ready to step up when required. Looking ahead to the remaining ODIs at Bellerive Oval, Gardner highlighted adaptability as Australias central focus, especially with conditions expected to differ from those in Brisbane. Going into the one-day series, I still feel like that's probably one of our best formats and then getting the win up in Brisbane, we've got a very good record up there, and I think what we did really well was just focus on ourselves and make sure to keep our game plan really simple (we adapted) when it was necessary, and that's what we're going to have to do tomorrow as well, she said. We can read into conditions before we actually get out there, but making sure that what we see is what we're playing rather than having this preconceived idea of what this ground is going to (do). If we look at what Bellerive's got to offer, it generally is a bit of a flatter track. We know that (India) want to take the game on, and we certainly saw that throughout the World Cup (but) here in Australia there's a little bit more bounce, and it's a little bit more conducive to bowling at times. I think just being able to adapt, full stop, is our MO going forward, she added. We can read into conditions before we actually get out there, but making sure that what we see is what we're playing rather than having this preconceived idea of what this ground is going to (do). If we look at what Bellerive's got to offer, it generally is a bit of a flatter track. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Australia may retain the core of their winning combination but could consider local allrounder Nicola Carey for her familiarity with conditions, while uncapped left-arm pacer Lucy Hamilton remains another option as the hosts look to strengthen their bowling arsenal. Article Source: IANS
Ranji Trophy: DK Hails J&K Pacer Auqib Nabi As 'an Absolute Champion'
Auqib Nabi Dar: Former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has heaped praise on Jammu and Kashmir's pacer Auqib Nabi Dar after his excellent performance in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 Final, where the right-arm pacer has dismantled Karnataka's top order by taking three wickets so far at the Hubli Cricket Ground on Thursday. Karthik loved the determination of Aaqib, who played all the matches in the ongoing tournament, weathered different conditions and has taken 58 wickets so far. He is one wicket away from becoming the highest wicket-taker in the current season. Watching this Ranji Trophy campaign and following it closely, one thing I can say for certain, for all the young boys and girls out there playing this sport and wanting to represent the country, do it the AAQIB NABI way. I can't think of any pacer/player in a long time doing what he's done, he wrote on X. Karthik also feels that Auqib's focus and hard work in the domestic league can take him to the national team, adding that Aaqib is a champion and shared his best regards for the future. Domination from start to end and almost single-handedly winning the domestic tournament that matters the most to get into the national side, he wrote. Fitness across the whole campaign, bowling those long spells and across different soils, weather conditions and whether there's been any help for a pacer or not, he's been there for his team with the belief every time he's had the ball to STRIKE for his team. Karthik also feels that Auqib's focus and hard work in the domestic league can take him to the national team, adding that Aaqib is a champion and shared his best regards for the future. Domination from start to end and almost single-handedly winning the domestic tournament that matters the most to get into the national side, he wrote. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Meanwhile, J&K have scored 584 runs in their historic Ranji Trophy Final against Karnataka after winning the toss. Article Source: IANS
Truck Driver's Daughter Renu Danu Saw Snow For The First Time At 24, By 26 She Owned KIWG 2026
Central Reserve Police Force: The first time Renu Danu saw snow, she didn't touch it. She studied it as she stood on the slopes of Gulmarg, the silence broken only by the crunch of skis slicing across frozen earth. The snow was not soft like in films. It did not care that she was 26, she was a constable in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and had grown up in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, where winters were cold but never white. Two years later, Renu stood on the podium with three silver medals around her neck at the Khelo India Winter Games 2026. Her's is not just a story about winning. It is a story about arrival. Back home, her father drives trucks for a living. Renus mother keeps the house steady. One brother serves in the Air Force. Another runs a business. They understand sacrifice. They understand discipline. But they did not understand skiing. They know cricket, football, volleyball, Renu says with a smile. They dont understand what Nordic skiing is. They don't understand what ski mountaineering is. They only see videos of me. In Haldwani, there were no ski tracks, no winter sport academies, no dreams shaped like mountains. There were only dusty grounds, where she ran races and played kabaddi, unknowingly building the endurance that would one day carry her across frozen valleys. Sports was always there but opportunity was not. For her studies came first, life came first, and sport had to wait. In 2021, Renu joined the CRPF as a Constable General Duty. It was supposed to be a job, stability, and security. It became something else. In 2024, Renu was posted to Srinagar. Kashmir introduced her to a new geography. And then, Gulmarg introduced her to herself. She trained for just one month before competing at the Khelo India Winter Games 2024. She did not win. She did not even come close. But she finished. For most athletes, finishing is routine. For Renu, finishing was defiance. I was new, she says. I didnt know the techniques but I completed the races. In 2025, Renu returned stronger and finished fourth in a Nordic event. However, she won silver in Ski Mountaineering relay. The same year, she won gold at the National Winter Biathlon Championship in Gulmarg, racing through exhaustion, balancing speed with precision shooting. Each year, she moved forward, each year, the mountain gave her more. This year, it gave her three silvers in womens Nordic 15-km, womens Nordic 1.5-km Sprint, and womens Ski Mountaineering Relay. Three medals, three affirmations. This is proof that she belonged. The Armys High Altitude Warfare School became her classroom. Olympian coach Nadeem Iqbal taught her technique and CRPF coach K Shukla and team manager Magesh K gave her something equally valuable - belief. When she came, she knew nothing about winter sports, Shukla says. But she worked harder than anyone. Her future is bright. I see her at the World Championships, even the Olympics. Discipline Renu already had, endurance she had built unknowingly, in childhood games. What she needed was exposure and now she has it. But she also sees whats missing. We only get to train two months a year, Renu says. Imagine if we could train all year. Imagine how good we could be. Artificial snow tracks, better gyms, year-round training facilities, Renu wants not just for her, for everyone who comes after. Her ambitions now stretch beyond Gulmarg, beyond India. She wants to compete in FIS races, World Championships, and the Olympics. The journey from Haldwani to Gulmarg once seemed unimaginable. Now, Gulmarg is just the beginning. What makes her story powerful is not how fast she became good, it is how late she began. In just two years, she went from never seeing snow to standing on the podium. Some girls think winter sports needs too much endurance, she says. But if I can do this, anyone can. This is not motivational rhetoric; it is lived truth. The journey from Haldwani to Gulmarg once seemed unimaginable. Now, Gulmarg is just the beginning. What makes her story powerful is not how fast she became good, it is how late she began. In just two years, she went from never seeing snow to standing on the podium. Also Read: Live Cricket Score And perhaps, somewhere in the near future, when she stands on a different mountain, under the Indian flag, those silver medals will no longer represent arrival; they will represent the beginning. Article Source: IANS
Unchanged South Africa opt to bowl, West Indies pick Chase for Hosein
This is the first 3pm local time game in Ahmedabad in this T20 World Cup
Imran Tahir to make Dolphins comeback at 46 for CSA One Day Cup
Dolphins are going to be without a number of their first-choice players, who will travel to New Zealand with South Africa's T20I squad, for the domestic one-day tournament
T20 WC: Unchanged South Africa Elect To Bowl Against Windies In Super 8s Clash
ICC T20 World Cup: South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl against West Indies in their second Super 8s clash of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 here at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday. While South Africa are unchanged, the West Indies have brought Roston Chase in place of spinner Akeal Hosein. The West Indies are coming to the contest by registering a dominating 107-run win against Zimbabwe, while on the other hand, South Africa also beat the defending champions, India, by 76 runs in their first Super 8s match. Both teams are unbeaten in the tournament and would look to come close to the semi-final berth by continuing their streak. After winning the toss, South Africa captain Aiden Markram said, We're going to bowl first. Looks like a pretty good wicket; we've played a couple of games here; it looks a bit tacky, and we'll look to make the most of it. We've been lucky to have played a few games here; the conditions have been different, and we're looking forward to it. Same team. He's leading the team from the front, gives some inputs, and he's played IPL at this venue. While after losing the toss, West Indies captain Shai Hope said, Just put the runs on the board again. We would have bowled first as well. One change: Roston Chase replaces Akeal Hosein. It's just a tactical change; he hasn't been dropped, as he's played very well. We've played some good cricket so far, and the boys are up for this game. Playing XIs While after losing the toss, West Indies captain Shai Hope said, Just put the runs on the board again. We would have bowled first as well. One change: Roston Chase replaces Akeal Hosein. It's just a tactical change; he hasn't been dropped, as he's played very well. We've played some good cricket so far, and the boys are up for this game. Also Read: Live Cricket Score South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi Article Source: IANS
Explained: Who Will Win Ranji Trophy Final In Case Of A Draw
The Ranji Trophy: The Ranji Trophy final often produces marathon contests, and the ongoing summit clash between Jammu and Kashmir and Karnataka is shaping up similarly. After J&K posted a formidable 584 in their first innings, Karnataka reached a cautious 35 for one at lunch on Day 3 before being reduced to 98/4 in the second session. With time still remaining, but the deficit substantial, the possibility of a draw remains real. However, unlike league matches, the Ranji Trophy final cannot be shared; a winner must be declared. One key rule that remains, however, is that a first-innings lead decides the winner. If the Ranji Trophy final ends without an outright result, meaning neither team wins by bowling the other out twice or chasing a target, the team with the first-innings lead is declared the champion. This rule exists to reward the side that performs better over the longer stretch of the match, especially in multi-day contests where weather or pitch conditions can prevent a decisive finish. Based on the current match situation, here is how the result will be determined: Scenario 1: Karnataka win if they take a first-innings lead If Karnataka scores 585 or more, surpassing Jammu and Kashmirs total of 584, they will gain the crucial first-innings lead. Even if the match ends in a draw, Karnataka will be crowned Ranji Trophy champions. This is the most straightforward route to the title for Karnataka, but it requires overcoming a massive deficit. Scenario 2: Jammu & Kashmir win if Karnataka fail to reach 584 If Karnataka are bowled out for less than 584, Jammu and Kashmir will retain the first-innings lead. In that case, regardless of whether there is time left or the match ends in a draw, Jammu and Kashmir will be declared the winner. Given their dominant batting display and early control with the ball, Jammu & Kashmir currently find themselves in a strong position. Scenario 3: Rain or time prevents completion of Karnatakas innings advantage Karnataka (based on group-stage points). Given their dominant batting display and early control with the ball, Jammu & Kashmir currently find themselves in a strong position. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Jammu and Kashmirs total of 584, built through discipline, partnerships, and lower-order resistance, has given them a commanding platform and a major advantage. Their bowlers have also maintained tight control early in Karnatakas reply, removing KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Smaran Ravichandran and Karun Nair. Article Source: IANS
Maharoof expects 'some hard decisions' after Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup exit
It's hurtful, it's painful and it's shameful, Farveez Maharoof says after yet another abject batting performance from Sri Lanka at the T20 World Cup
T20 World Cup: Former captain Kumar Sangakkara admitted there was a lot of hurt all round after co-hosts Sri Lanka were knocked out of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 following a heavy 61-run defeat to New Zealand in Colombo on Wednesday. Reacting publicly after the elimination, Sangakkara acknowledged the emotional toll on players and supporters while warning that Sri Lanka must urgently evolve to remain competitive in modern cricket. There is a lot of hurt all round. The fans are devastated, disappointed, and angry. The players are hurting badly too. I have been in similar dressing rooms. Its not easy. But this responsibility comes with the turf. Its a burden and a great privilege to represent your country and your people, Sangakkara wrote on X. His remarks came after Sri Lankas campaign ended in front of their home crowd at the R Premadasa Stadium, where they failed to recover from a middle-order collapse while chasing 169. Despite reducing New Zealand to 84/6 earlier, Sri Lanka lost control as Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie rebuilt the innings before Rachin Ravindras match-defining 4-27 dismantled the hosts chase. Reflecting on the broader implications, Sangakkara stressed that Sri Lankas struggles were not limited to a single match or tournament, pointing to deeper structural concerns. There is a lot of work to be done at all levels to course correct. We cant do the same things over and over and expect different results when the cricket world around us has evolved so quickly. We havent adapted, and the danger is irrelevance, he wrote further. Reflecting on the broader implications, Sangakkara stressed that Sri Lankas struggles were not limited to a single match or tournament, pointing to deeper structural concerns. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With Sri Lanka, one of the co-hosting nations, out of contention, attention will now shift to the other host, India, who are also in a crucial position in their race to the semi-finals after losing their Super Eights opener to South Africa by 76 runs. Article Source: IANS
Purani Dilli 6 Trials For Delhi Premier League 2026 On March 5 & 6
Delhi Premier League: Purani Dilli 6 have announced open trials ahead of the upcoming Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2026. The trials will be conducted on March 5 and March 6 at St Stephens Ground, Mori Gate. After an impressive showing in Season 1, Purani Dilli 6 experienced a challenging Season 2. Determined to bounce back stronger, the franchise is now focused on identifying fresh talent and rebuilding momentum for DPL 2026. The trials are open to aspiring cricketers aiming to showcase their abilities and earn a chance to represent Purani Dilli 6 in the Delhi Premier League 2026. The reporting time is 8:00 AM. Trials are the foundation of every successful team. We are looking for players with skill, discipline, and the hunger to perform under pressure. Purani Dilli 6 is committed to providing a platform where talent meets opportunity, said head coach Vijay Dahiya. The trials are open to aspiring cricketers aiming to showcase their abilities and earn a chance to represent Purani Dilli 6 in the Delhi Premier League 2026. The reporting time is 8:00 AM. Also Read: Live Cricket Score This trial will be conducted under the guidance of Vijay Dahiya, a veteran coach (who is an IPL franchise coach too) and former Indian cricketer, whose experience and leadership continue to inspire young talents. Article Source: IANS
Ranji Trophy Final: Karnataka Reach 35/1 At Lunch On Day 3 After Nabi's Early Strike
Rani Trophy Final: Karnataka made a cautious start in response to Jammu and Kashmirs imposing first-innings total to reach 35/1 in 13 overs at Lunch on Day 3, with skipper Mayank Agarwal unbeaten on 16 and Devdutt Padikkal on 4. Jammu and Kashmirs new-ball pair of Auqib Nabi Dar and Sunil Kumar maintained excellent discipline early, bowling tight lines and extracting movement to keep KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal under constant pressure. Both openers were forced to adopt a watchful approach, with runs coming sparingly as Auqib delivered consecutive maidens and consistently beat Rahul outside the off stump. Rahul eventually found a couple of crisp boundaries off Sunil Kumar to ease some pressure, but Auqib produced the breakthrough J&K needed. Bowling a skiddy back-of-a-length delivery that straightened after pitching, he induced a faint edge from Rahul, which was safely taken by wicketkeeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan. The decision was confirmed after a successful review, handing Auqib his 56th wicket of the season and reducing Karnataka to 27/1 in 11.2 overs. Padikkal got off the mark with a boundary off a full toss, while Agarwal also found the fence with controlled strokes through the off side. Yudhvir Singh Charak bowled probing spells with good pace and movement but remained wicketless. Despite Rahul's dismissal, Karnataka batters showed patience against a disciplined Jammu & Kashmir attack and managed to score 35 runs before Lunch on Day 3. Earlier in the session, Karnataka pacer Prasidh Krishna led a determined bowling effort with a five-wicket haul as Jammu and Kashmir were bowled out for a massive 584 on Day 3 of the Ranji Trophy final at the Hubli Cricket Ground on Thursday. Despite the late breakthroughs, Jammu and Kashmir retained firm control after a dominant batting display that stretched across nearly three days. Resuming with their lower order at the crease, Jammu and Kashmir aimed to extend their commanding total. Sahil Lotra and Abid Mushtaq built a patient partnership, negotiating the second new ball with composure. The breakthrough came when Prasidh dismissed Abid Mushtaq for 28 via a sharp short delivery caught at mid-on. He completed his five-wicket haul when Auqib Nabi Dar edged a fuller ball to Kruthik Krishna, showing his persistence on a tough surface. Lotra scored 72, anchoring the innings for Jammu and Kashmir before falling to Vyshak while trying an aggressive pull, securing over 570 runs and strengthening their position. Yudhvir Singh Charak added late momentum with a brisk 30, striking boundaries and a six but was run out after a mix-up, ending the innings. Prasidh took 5 for 98, standout among Karnatakas bowlers. Resuming with their lower order at the crease, Jammu and Kashmir aimed to extend their commanding total. Sahil Lotra and Abid Mushtaq built a patient partnership, negotiating the second new ball with composure. The breakthrough came when Prasidh dismissed Abid Mushtaq for 28 via a sharp short delivery caught at mid-on. He completed his five-wicket haul when Auqib Nabi Dar edged a fuller ball to Kruthik Krishna, showing his persistence on a tough surface. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: Karnataka 35/1 in 13 ov (Mayank Agarwal 16*, Devdutt Padikkal 4*; Auqib Nabi Dar 1-8) trail Jammu & Kashmir 584/10 in 173.1 ov (Shubham Pundir 121, Yawer Hassan 88, Sahil Lotra 72, Kanhaiya Wadhawan 70, Paras Dogra 70; Prasidh Krishna 5-98) by 549 runs Article Source: IANS
From Personal Loss To Injury Battle: Beauty Dungdungs Inspiring Struggle Beyond The Hockey Field
Hero Hockey India League: At only 22, Beauty Dungdung bears a heavy burden. Currently, she is training intensely at the Indian Womens Hockey Team's national camp in Bengaluru. However, returning to the turf has been the toughest challenge she has faced. Beauty recalls, It took me around two years to rebound, reflecting on her serious knee injury in 2023. She spent months in rehab, questioning whether she would return to play for India. However, the physical pain was minor compared to the heartbreak off the field. During her difficult recovery, she also lost her father. My father passed away during my injury period. I was going back and forth between home and the camp, and so much was happening at once, she shares. There were times when I really doubted if a comeback would even happen. Her father was her greatest hero and support system. Growing up in a small Jharkhand village, they faced constant financial struggles. At age five, her father handcrafted her first hockey stick from bamboo since they couldn't buy a proper one. Later, he travelled to different states to work as a daily wage labourer, all to support her athletic ambitions. When Papa was here, I had a lot of support, Beauty says quietly. Now, I have to do everything myself. Today, Beauty is the central support of her family. Through her job at Indian Oil, she manages household responsibilities, supports her brother's family, and finances her young niece and nephews' education. Most heartbreaking, she cares for her mother, who is partially paralyzed and suffers from memory loss. It gets stressful sometimes because Mummy is partially paralysed, and her memory is fading. She forgets things easily, Beauty admits. I explain things to her again and again, but she still asks me, When will you come home? My mind naturally goes to her when I am away. Balancing the intense pressure of international hockey with the emotional sadness at home is not easy. But Beauty refuses to give up. If I think too much, I will be the one in trouble, so I put all my focus into the game. It feels good to be able to help my family financially. I just try to manage it from both sides, she explains. When she feels overwhelmed by sadness, she finds support in her hockey family. I have friends in the team, so I share my feelings with them. Even before a match, if I am feeling low, I tell them honestly that my mood isn't great today, so please motivate me. The team really helps. If I think too much, I will be the one in trouble, so I put all my focus into the game. It feels good to be able to help my family financially. I just try to manage it from both sides, she explains. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Beauty Dungdung is now more than just a young girl having fun with hockey. Each time she picks up her stick, she plays for her mother's support, her family's future, and to honour her father, who carved her first bamboo hockey stick. Article Source: IANS
India Need To Play Their Natural, Aggressive Brand Of Cricket Against Zimbabwe: Kumble
T20 World Cup: Ahead of India's must-win Super 8 fixture against Zimbabwe, former India spinner Anil Kumble suggested the Suryakumar Yadav-led side not take the African nation lightly and play their natural, aggressive brand of cricket. With the defeat to South Africa in their first Super 8 game, India found themselves in a tricky situation. They will be looking to beat West Indies and Zimbabwe to have some control over their chances of making the knockouts. India need to play their natural, aggressive brand of cricket against Zimbabwe. But Zimbabwe are going to be a tough opponent, and they must be respected. They have delivered some strong performances. They beat Australia. They chased down 179 against Sri Lanka on Sri Lankan soil. They have convincingly beaten Australia. Their top four batters have been in excellent form. Their tall fast bowlers, Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans, have been outstanding with the ball, especially in the powerplay, Kumble said on JioHotstar. India need to play their natural, aggressive brand of cricket against Zimbabwe. But Zimbabwe are going to be a tough opponent, and they must be respected. They have delivered some strong performances. They beat Australia. They chased down 179 against Sri Lanka on Sri Lankan soil. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India cannot take them lightly. They need to be at the top of their game. Any individual who gets going must make it count. You cannot assume the next batter will do the job. In the T20 World Cup, there are no ifs and buts. You have to go out and deliver as an individual. So yes, you hope for the right result, but India must focus on doing what they need to do, he added. Article Source: IANS
Blitzer joins bidding war for IPL teams, sources say
The talks value Royal Challengers Bengaluru, last year's IPL champions, at around $1.8 billion
Ranji Trophy Final: Pundirs Historic Ton, Middle-order Prowess Fire J&K To 584 Against Karnataka
Ranji Trophy Final: A historic century from Shubham Pundir and half-centuries from Yawer Hassan, captain Paras Dogra, Abdul Samad, Kanhaiya Wadhawan, Sahil Lotra powered Jammu and Kashmir to a commanding first-innings total of 584 against Karnataka on the third morning of the Ranji Trophy final at the Hubli Cricket Ground on Thursday. Resuming from their overnight score of 527/6, Jammu and Kashmir extended their dominance through valuable lower-order contributions, with Sahil Lotra top-scoring with 72 and Yudhvir Singh Charak adding a brisk 30 before the innings ended in the 174th over. Karnataka pacer Prasidh Krishna was the standout bowler, finishing with an impressive five-wicket haul, but received little assistance from an unresponsive surface that favoured the batters. Jammu and Kashmirs dominance was built on a strong foundation laid on Day 1 after electing to bat. Opener Yawer Hassan set the tone with a fluent 88, forging a crucial partnership with Pundir, who went on to script history by becoming the first batter from Jammu and Kashmir to score a century in a Ranji Trophy final. His patient 121 anchored the innings and ensured Karnataka were kept on the defensive for most of the contest. After Karnataka struck early on Day 2 to remove Pundir and Abdul Samad in quick succession, captain Dogra stepped in to stabilise the innings. The experienced skipper displayed composure and resilience, scoring a crucial 50 off 150 balls while guiding the middle order through a testing phase. He shared a valuable partnership with Kanhaiya Wadhawan, who contributed a fluent 70, as Jammu and Kashmir crossed the 450-run mark and tightened their grip on the final. The lower order then ensured Karnataka were denied any late momentum. Lotra played a key hand with a patient 72, while Abid Mushtaq (28) and Yudhvir chipped in with useful runs, stretching the total beyond 580. Multiple fifty-plus scores across the lineup and consistent partnerships throughout the innings prevented Karnataka from applying sustained pressure. After Karnataka struck early on Day 2 to remove Pundir and Abdul Samad in quick succession, captain Dogra stepped in to stabilise the innings. The experienced skipper displayed composure and resilience, scoring a crucial 50 off 150 balls while guiding the middle order through a testing phase. He shared a valuable partnership with Kanhaiya Wadhawan, who contributed a fluent 70, as Jammu and Kashmir crossed the 450-run mark and tightened their grip on the final. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: Jammu & Kashmir 584 (Shubham Pundir 121, Yawer Hassan 88, Sahil Lotra 72, Kanhaiya Wadhawan 70, Paras Dogra 70; Prasidh Krishna 5-98) vs Karnataka. Article Source: IANS
