Gambhir has amazing one-on-one player management approach: Skipper Shreyas Iyer
Asked about his captaincy philosophy Iyer said he doesn't believe in burdening players with specific roles rather he wants them to develop game awareness intrinsic to T20 format
Womens T20 Asia Cup final: India eye record-extending eighth title win against gritty Sri Lanka
Keeping aside Shafalis form and Mandhanas century two games ago, India would still need more from their other batters; fielding still remains a major concern
U.S. Open: Harrison and Skupski win men's doubles title
The reigning Australian Open champions took the first set after Harrison struck a two-handed backhand return winner to break for a 4-3 lead. The American-British duo held serve the rest of the way to take the set 6-4
Ottneil Baartman injury concern for South Africa
Seamer only bowled five overs and did not bat in second innings of Dolphins' four-day series defeat
England Back On Track After 'Chaos', Says Joe Root
Joe Root says England are back on track after descending into chaos in recent months as he celebrated a 3-0 series whitewash over Pakistan on Saturday. Root, who previously served as skipper for five years before standing down in 2022, returned to the role following the dramatic international retirement of Ben Stokes in June. Stokes announced his shock departure during the Trent Bridge decider against New Zealand, having been stood down from the previous match following a disciplinary probe into a nightclub trip with teammate Gus Atkinson. England lost the series 2-1 and head coach Brendon McCullum was subsequently stripped of his red-ball responsibilities. But Root's return, in concert with interim head coach Marcus Trescothick, has brought a hat-trick of comfortable wins over Pakistan at Headingley, Lord's and now Edgbaston, steadying the ship ahead of Stephen Fleming's arrival as McCullum's long-term successor. The New Zealander is expected to arrive in the coming days and Root believes he will find a team on an even keel. There's been a lot of chaos around this series before a ball was bowled, the skipper said after hitting an unbeaten 62 in Saturday's eight-wicket win at Edgbaston. I think the way we've handled it on and off the field, the way everyone understands what is expected of them, both as a player and how we want to carry ourselves, is a really good thing. It's been a very unusual summer, hasn't it? There's been a lot of different things happen. We had a resignation mid-series, there has been a few off-field incidents and we've got a new coach. Whether you call it chaos, whether you call it unusual, whether you call it unsettling, all of those are fair. But ultimately, the thing that I care about and the most important thing is what happens from that. I think the way that we've responded to that has been excellent. England have been accused of a lack of professionalism following several high-profile off-field incidents both overseas and at home. The build-up to the second Test against Pakistan was overshadowed by an incident involving bowler Brydon Carse outside a nightclub. He was removed from the squad and has not been picked since. Root said it would take time to change the team environment. When you're trying to build a culture it doesn't happen overnight and it doesn't happen over the course of three or four weeks, said the Yorkshireman. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories It's going to take time to keep working at that, living it day in and day out, and that's something we'll continue to keep working at. We've made some really good strides in the right direction.
Hollie Armitage ton signs off Durham's campaign with a win
She was well supported by half-centurion Bess Heath as Katie George's hundred goes in vain for Warwickshire
Harmanpreet Kaur: India must trust gut in Asia Cup final
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has called on her team to maintain simplicity and trust their inherent strengths as they prepare to face Sri Lanka in the Women's Asia Cup final, aiming to avenge their previous defeat.
Iyer: Game time crucial for Jasprit Bumrah's return
India T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer has highlighted the importance of regular game time and confidence for Jasprit Bumrah, who is returning from injury ahead of the Afghanistan T20I series, the Asian Games, and the ODI World Cup.
Kate Cross, Fi Morris bid farewell with Lancashire win
Retiring duo share five wickets in season-ending match against Yorkshire
England captain Joe Root credited former coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes for laying the foundation for the team's success after England completed a 3-0 Test series sweep against Pakistan at Edgbaston on Saturday.
We Have A Good Plan: Afghanistan Captain Fires Warning To Jasprit Bumrah Ahead Of 1st T20I vs India
Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran said his team has devised specific tactical plans to counter returning fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and hopes to handle him effectively in Sunday's opening T20I game.
Tess Flintoff, Milly Illingworth lead Australia A's rout of India A
India suffered a top order collapse that they never recovered from and Australia chased down a target of 118 with ease
Pakistan captain Babar Azam said the team needs to sit down, assess their mistakes and decide on their best playing XI after England completed a 3-0 Test series sweep with an eight-wicket victory at Edgbaston on Saturday.
Flintoff's 4-Wicket Burst Sinks India A in T20I Opener
Pacer Tess Flintoff's exceptional four-wicket haul dismantled India A's batting line-up, leading Australia A to a comfortable six-wicket victory in the opening match of the women's unofficial T20I series.
We Need To Sit Down And Analyse Our Mistakes: Babar After Pakistans 3-0 Test Whitewash
Babar Azam: Pakistan captain Babar Azam said the team needs to sit down, assess their mistakes and decide on their best playing XI after England completed a 3-0 Test series sweep with an eight-wicket victory at Edgbaston on Saturday. Babar admitted Pakistan need to make key decisions about their personnel and approach if they are to make their Test cricket competitive again after a difficult series in England. I think we need to sit down and reflect on our mistakes, decide what type of playing eleven, and decide our players. I think they are sitting, and the manager is coming, the selector is coming, and I sit back and then decide our best eleven, Babar said after the defeat. Pakistans batting showed greater resistance in the final Test, posting 449 in their second innings after being bowled out for under 200 in both innings of the opening two Tests. Debutant Razaullah provided the biggest spark, smashing 81 off 63 balls with nine sixes after claiming four wickets in Englands first innings. Shan Masood made 95, Babar scored 76 and opener Azam Awais contributed 59 as Pakistan gave England a target of 130. Mohammad Abbas then gave the visitors hope by removing two England batters in the opening over of the chase. Babar said Pakistan briefly believed they could pull off an unlikely victory after the fast start with the ball but praised Joe Root and Jordan Cox for their composed response. Yes. We took two wickets in the first over. So we believe high, always high. But I think Root and both batsmen playing are very good, he said. Root remained unbeaten on 62 while Cox scored 59 as the pair put together an unbeaten 128-run partnership to guide England to victory and complete the series sweep. Babar also backed Razaullah, who made an immediate impact on his Test debut despite having limited first-class experience. We enjoyed it. I think everyone is enjoying his innings and bowling, and he is a very good talent and raw. I think hes good for us. The way he played this match and hes giving confidence, Babar said. The Pakistan captain admitted the team had made several changes during the series after the first two defeats, as the visitors struggled with the conditions in England. Before we come here, we think about different things, and then we decide our team. And then unfortunately, we have a couple of changes after losing two matches because when we are coming to England, it is very difficult for the batsmen, and the first two pitches are very difficult, he said. Pakistan will now look to assess their selections and strategy, with Babar stressing the need to adapt to different conditions and make better use of their young players. Before we come here, we think about different things, and then we decide our team. And then unfortunately, we have a couple of changes after losing two matches because when we are coming to England, it is very difficult for the batsmen, and the first two pitches are very difficult, he said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories With this series loss, Pakistan have lost further ground in the WTC standings. They were already at the dead bottom ahead of the Birmingham loss, and their PCT has now gone further down from 16.67 per cent to 14.81 per cent, as they have just two wins and were also docked eight points for slow over-rate. Article Source: IANS
Big Change For Shreyas Iyer And Co: Asian Games Cricket Schedule Tweaked - Report
India will start the cricket event as defending champions in both the men's and women's categories.
Razaullah's heroics delay Saim Ayub's CPL return by a day
Ayub's CPL franchise Jamaica Kingsmen had initially booked him on a flight to Barbados on the night of the third day of the Edgbaston Test
Shreyas can't wait to meet top Indian athletes at Asiad
India's T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer expressed his excitement about participating in the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, highlighting the opportunity to interact with top athletes and understand their mindset, while also focusing on the team's immediate T20I challenges.
Have Made Plans For Countering Bumrah; Hopefully We Play Better Cricket Against Him, Says Zadran
Arun Jaitley Stadium: Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran said his team has devised specific tactical plans to counter returning fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and hopes to handle him effectively in Sunday's opening T20I game, to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Bumrah is set to return to international action following a layoff due to a left knee injury sustained while fielding in the second ODI against England in Cardiff in July. His return adds the much-needed cutting edge to the Indian bowling attack, but Zadran insisted his side is keeping their approach simple rather than overcomplicating the challenge posed by the ace fast bowler. If you look at Jasprit Bumrah, he is one of the best, and he is my favourite fast bowler. We as a group never think things in a complicated way for ourselves. So we have a very good plan for him, and we just thought about him, how to play against him, and hopefully we are going to play better cricket against Jasprit Bumrah or the Indian Cricket Team, Zadran told reporters in a press conference on Saturday. He also highlighted the research done on India's teenage batting prodigy, left-handed opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, by using IPL intelligence gathered from teammates who have faced him in IPL 2025 and 2026. He is an amazing talent. Recently, he played great cricket in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and he has been performing well at a different level in cricket events. We have thought about him, and we have gained that knowledge from those guys who have played against him in the IPL. We have already watched his videos, and we just try to keep it very simple for ourselves, just to execute the right plans at the right time against him. We are just trying to make things simple for us, not complicated, he stated. Addressing the overall squad preparation, which also involved preparing at the Yamuna Sports Complex, Zadran noted that maintaining physical fitness across continuous assignments has been a major strength for Afghanistan. If you look at the squad for the past couple of years, all are fit enough; we haven't got any injuries or issues. So all are fit guys - you can see and have watched them all the time in the different leagues or at international level. So far there is no issue with the fitness side of things. Zadran, who takes over the T20I leadership from premier leg-spinner Rashid Khan, was confident that their good relationship would help the team start afresh in the shortest format after making an early exit from this years T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. I would say, I was destined to have a captain like Rashid Khan. Alongside him, we had better communication, better understanding between us. When he was a captain, I was helping him as a vice-captain, and the understanding is there. Yes, we have played enough cricket here in India; we all know the conditions, how to play, how to adjust ourselves, and we have played a series here against India, and the T20 World Cup, and the 50-over World Cup as well. We know the conditions really well, and how to play. We just need to execute the plan really well, according to the opposition, and that's it. Targeting a historic first series victory against India, Zadran believes focusing on execution and process will yield positive results. Yes, we have played better cricket against India. In 2024, we had two super overs against them in the T20I series in Bengaluru. At the ICC events, we have played better cricket against them. As you mentioned, we have never beaten them. Hopefully, we are going to play a good series, win a game, and win a series from them. But it's all about execution of the plan and giving your 100 percent. Its about trying to make things easy for ourselves, not complicated. Yes, we just try to give 100 percent. Don't think about the result; just try to think about the process, and how we are going to deliver. I am sure we will have a better series. The soft-spoken and introverted Zadran further stated that coaching continuity under Richard Pybus has effectively carried forward the progress made under his predecessor Jonathan Trott. We have got lots of achievements under Jonathan Trott. The understanding was there. I would say about Richard Pybus, he is amazing. He has been helping and sharing his own experiences with us. We have just thought about the areas where we struggled in the past and where we need to improve to make the standard high at international level. He is also a very good coach. We are so happy with him so far. At the moment, we are just trying to play better cricket. Just to make things easy for ourselves and how we can play better cricket against the opposition at the highest level. We thought about the areas we have to improve, what to do and what not to do. Hosting an away T20I series against India in India sounds a bit unfamiliar, but Zadran felt it represents a historic milestone for Afghan cricket. I would say it's a great sign for us to host India in India in their home country for the first time. It's a great achievement for us and our cricket. I'm sure it will help a lot. I can't say anything about the pitch or the wicket. Yes, we have looked at the pitches and the wicket. As I have mentioned earlier, we have played better cricket. In India, we have played at many different venues. We have the understanding and the idea of how to play here. Yes, we will just try to make things easy for ourselves and not think over a lot. We know the wickets, how it's going to behave. We just need to execute our plans well and give 100 percent and show the energy. I can't say anything about the pitch or the wicket. Yes, we have looked at the pitches and the wicket. As I have mentioned earlier, we have played better cricket. In India, we have played at many different venues. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Like how to handle myself and how to handle my guys, especially during pressure situations. I would say challenges will be there. But how I'm going to improve myself, accept the challenges, and execute my plans according to the situation is going to be the key. Article Source: IANS
Important for Bumrah to get game time: Shreyas
India captain Shreyas Iyer faces a tight selection decision in the make-up of the top order ahead of Sunday's first T20I against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, adding that the depth of talent is more of a luxury for him rather than a headache.
CRICKET | Ibrahim Zadran keen to enjoy new responsibility as full-time skipper
Arun Jaitley Stadium: India captain Shreyas Iyer faces a tight selection decision in the make-up of the top order ahead of Sunday's first T20I against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, adding that the depth of talent is more of a luxury for him rather than a headache. India face a tight selection call for their top-order options between teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. After Samson had low scores in Ireland and England, Sooryavanshi opened the batting with Abhishek, including in three straight games against Zimbabwe in July. As you rightly said, all three of them, having them in the team is a luxury first of all, and they are flawless in their own departments. Well, it is going to be a tight call because they have been performing consistently. See, whoever gets the opportunity, definitely it's for the team's benefit, and for the player sitting outside, it's important that I have an interaction with him along with the coach and give them that confidence - that, no matter what, you will get your opportunity when the day comes, said Iyer in the pre-match press conference on Saturday. Addressing the fitness of Ishan Kishan, who pulled up his back at the practice session on Friday, Iyer said the wicketkeeper-batter should be fine. Well, I feel that he is comfortable at the moment. I interacted with him after the practice session. It was just a small niggle, and he has been playing continuous cricket. We all know the knock he played. So, definitely a bit fatigued. But today he got that rest, and I am sure that he will be fine for tomorrow, he said. Asked about his preferred playing eleven combination, especially in terms of all-rounders, Iyer revealed he likes players picked for performing roles at specific positions. Talking about what combination I love is that to be having a specific player in the right position, and each and every individual. Rather than knowing the role, it's important that they should have that awareness of what the team requires of you because when you say that this is your role in the team, that puts immense pressure on the player. If you could probably phrase it in a better way, saying that your team requires you in this particular role. You feel needed and wanted for the team. Iyer also touched upon the physical demands placed on international players, especially with the CoE becoming crowded with injured mens team personnel. See, I feel it's not frustrating. We need to understand, first of all, the number of matches a player is playing continuously, rigorously. Rather than knowing the role, it's important that they should have that awareness of what the team requires of you because when you say that this is your role in the team, that puts immense pressure on the player. If you could probably phrase it in a better way, saying that your team requires you in this particular role. You feel needed and wanted for the team. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories All you can control is who is available on that given day, and you need to give that sort of confidence to that particular player. Talking about the combination, I feel that it certainly impacts the combination. But we know how all the players are. Even if there is a backup, he is equally important for the team, and we know that they can deliver as well. Article Source: IANS
England V Pakistan Test Series: 3 Talking Points
Pakistan finally found some spark in the third Test against England at Edgbaston but it was too little, too late to avoid a 3-0 whitewash. Captain Joe Root led from the front on Saturday as England shrugged off the loss of two early wickets to win by eight wickets, following decisive victories at Headingley and Lord's. AFP Sport looks at three talking points after the end of a one-sided series. New Root era English cricket was at a low ebb just two months ago following a series loss to New Zealand and the exits of head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes. Joe Root was placed in charge again despite a modest record in his first spell, partly due to a lack of strong alternatives. The Yorkshireman, England's record Test runscorer, said he did not want to rip up the Bazball blueprint of ultra-attacking cricket played under McCullum and Stokes as he plotted how to turn the side's fortunes around. In truth, the skipper has had a gentle reintroduction to the job against a weak Pakistan team that have now lost 16 of their past 21 Tests. Root was often criticised for his tactics in his first spell as captain and questions were raised over his handling of the situation as Razaullah cut loose with the bat on Friday. Tougher tests lie ahead, beginning with a three-Test series against South Africa in December and January, but the captain at least has a platform to build on. Batting strength England, boosted by a powerful seam attack, have scored enough runs to see off weak opponents, but they will need their batsmen to step up in tougher tests ahead. The home team scored a total of 14 fifties in the three-match series but not one of those was converted into a century. Former England captain Alastair Cook said the lack of big scores was a concern. The lack of hundreds and whether that's down to the conditions they're facing and the fact that the ball is staying hard throughout the 80 overs the majority of the time, he said. I think it's just a little thing in that dressing room when you get into fifties because it's like a habit to all of them. So it gets broken by two people scoring hundreds and everyone reacts, but the minute until someone does it, it is a concern. England's pace attack has drawn favourable comparisons with the Fab Four who wrested back the Ashes in 2005. But Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson will know conditions will not always be so favourable. Pakistan chaos Pakistan are in desperate need of a reset after three heavy defeats left them rock bottom of the World Test Championship. Wholesale changes to the playing and coaching staff after the second Test at Lord's were deeply disruptive, even though the tourists showed some fight in Birmingham. Captain Babar Azam admitted his team would have to take stock after a miserable series. We need to sit down and look hard at our mistakes, decide our playing XI, he said. Debutant Razaullah showed there is abundant raw talent in Pakistan, taking four wickets and scoring an audacious 81 off 63 balls, but that talent has to be nurtured and channelled. Clear thinking, a process, and a plan that lasts for longer than the next weekend coming (is needed for Pakistan), former England batsman Mark Butcher told Sky Sports. He added: Until things are better at the top of the game, in terms of that decision-making, then the players are always going to be hung out to dry. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories It was only because of Razaullah and his play yesterday that there was anything to smile about for Pakistan at all.
Watch: India Stars Fail To Recognise AI-Generated Vaibhav Sooryavanshi In Viral 1980s Makeover
The popular photo-editing trend going viral has seen users turn ordinary selfies into retro portraits that look as though they were pulled straight from an old family album or a Bollywood studio shoot.
Shreyas Iyer Gives Big Verdict On Gautam Gambhir's Coaching Skills, Reveals His 'Amazing' Quality
Gautam Gambhir's working style has polarised opinion since he took over the reins of the Indian team but skipper Shreyas Iyer says the head coach is a fantastic man-manager, an attribute he admired while working with him at Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024.
'Continuation Of Stuff Happened Before': Joe Root Credits McCullum, Stokes After 3-0 Sweep
Joe Root: England captain Joe Root credited former coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes for laying the foundation for the teams success after England completed a 3-0 Test series sweep against Pakistan at Edgbaston on Saturday. Root, who returned to the captaincy for the series, said Englands dominant run was a continuation of the work done by McCullum and Stokes, who transformed the teams approach during their tenure. I dont think we would have been able to play in the manner that we have without the work that Brendon (McCullum) did as coach and Ben (Stokes) as captain. And I think its a continuation and a small evolution of all the stuff that happened before this, Root said after Englands eight-wicket win in Birmingham. So that has to continue forward, and well continue to keep trying to evolve that and improve on whats been a really good summer here, he added. England chased down 130 with ease in the final innings after Pakistan had put up their strongest batting performance of the series in the second innings, scoring 449. Root remained unbeaten on 62, and Jordan Cox made 59 as the pair shared an unbroken 128-run partnership to take England over the line after Mohammad Abbas had given Pakistan some hope with early wickets. Root said Englands ability to deal with pressure and uncertainty throughout the series was particularly pleasing. Weve had things go our own way a little bit throughout the series, and we had a little bit of pushback yesterday, which was, in a strange way, quite a good thing for the group, he said. But for us to come through it and be so convincing in the way that weve finished the series off, and throughout the whole three games really, has been really pleasing, he added. Pakistans second-innings fight was led by debutant Razaullah, who smashed 81 off 63 balls with nine sixes, while Shan Masood scored 95, Babar Azam made 76 and Azam Awais contributed 59. Root admitted England had little information about Razaullah before the match but praised the youngster for making life difficult for the hosts. He played some wonderful shots, made it quite difficult to set fields to, and struck the ball nicely. I dont know how hes not pulled a side really; hes swinging that hard. But fair play, he played nicely and made it difficult for us, Root said. The England captain also praised stand-in coach Marcus Trescothick for his contribution during the series, saying he had balanced his short-term role with preparing the team for the future. He played some wonderful shots, made it quite difficult to set fields to, and struck the ball nicely. I dont know how hes not pulled a side really; hes swinging that hard. But fair play, he played nicely and made it difficult for us, Root said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Roots comments came after England sealed their first-ever home Test series whitewash over Pakistan, ending the three-match series with a perfect 3-0 record. Article Source: IANS
Mike Hesson 'open' to taking on Pakistan Test head coach role
New Zealander was given interim control for Edgbaston Test and could be appointed across formats
Sher-E-Punjab T20: Amritsar Soormas Storm Into The Final With A 7-wicket Win Over Mohali Kings
Punjab T20 League: Amritsar Soormas marched into the final of the inaugural Sher-E-Punjab T20 League after registering a commanding seven-wicket win over Mohali Kings at the I.S. Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Saturday. The Soormas produced a strong all-round performance, with their bowlers restricting Mohali Kings to 169/7 before Naman Dhir took charge with the bat. His aggressive knock helped Amritsar chase down the target comfortably and book their place in the title clash. Batting first, Mohali Kings were restricted to 169/7 in their 20 overs. Amritsars bowlers kept things under control, especially during the later stages of the innings, preventing the Kings from finishing with a bigger total. Mohali lost a few early wickets before Anmolpreet Singh and Ramandeep Singh came together to steady the innings. The two added 55 runs for the fourth wicket, giving the Kings a much-needed platform. Ramandeep was eventually dismissed for 42 off 28 balls, while Anmolpreet followed soon after, scoring 43 off 26 balls. With Mohali needing another strong partnership, Harpreet Brar and Sohraab Dhaliwal joined hands and added 54 runs for the sixth wicket. Dhaliwal scored a quick 26 off 13 balls before being dismissed, while Brar stayed unbeaten on 33 off 27 balls. For Amritsar, Jaipratap was the most successful bowler, picking up three wickets, although he conceded 45 runs in his four overs. Akash Pandey also chipped in with two wickets for 33 runs in his four overs at the I.S. Bindra Stadium, which has hosted international matches in the past. Shubham Rana impressed with an economical spell, conceding just 21 runs from his three overs and helping keep the scoring under control. In the chase, Amritsar suffered an early setback as Sahaj Dhawan and Jashanpreet Singh were dismissed with only seven runs on the board. With the Soormas under early pressure, Naman Dhir and Abhay Choudhary took charge and began rebuilding the innings. Naman, in particular, took the attack to the Mohali bowlers. The right-hander found the boundary regularly and completely changed the momentum of the chase. His most damaging over came against Harshdeep Singh, when Naman smashed 30 runs, including five sixes, to put Amritsar firmly in control. Naman continued his attacking approach but was eventually dismissed after being trapped in front by Manpreet Singh. He made a brilliant 91 off just 37 balls, leaving Amritsar within touching distance of victory. His most damaging over came against Harshdeep Singh, when Naman smashed 30 runs, including five sixes, to put Amritsar firmly in control. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Abhay remained unbeaten on 48 off 38 balls, while Rahul contributed 26 not out off 16 balls as Amritsar completed a comfortable seven-wicket victory. Article Source: IANS
Joe Root Beats Sachin Tendulkar For Massive All-Time Test Record
England skipper Joe Root surpassed legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar's record for most fifties in Test cricket during England's eight-wicket win over Pakistan in the third and final Test at Edgbaston on Saturday.
Shreyas Iyer: 'Gambhir builds a lot of trust and confidence'
Gautam Gambhir builds a lot of trust and confidence within the team, and every player knows their role and has clarity, said Shreyas Iyer, praising his head coach's man-management skills.
Not Her Game: Smriti Mandhana Given Big Warning Ahead Of India's Women's Asia Cup Final vs Sri Lanka
Former India men's cricketer Vivek Razdan said that vice-captain Smriti Mandhana must anchor the innings and play to her natural strengths rather than trying to emulate the high-risk aggression of her partner Shafali Verma in the upcoming Women's Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka.
Gautam Gambhir Has Got A Very Aggressive Mindset; I Definitely Know How His Mind Works, Says Iyer
Arun Jaitley Stadium: India captain Shreyas Iyer said he hopes his strong working relationship with head coach Gautam Gambhir will drive clear communication and an aggressive approach in the shortest format in the coming times, starting with Sunday's T20I match against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Having previously won an Indian Premier League (IPL) title together as captain-mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2024, Iyer highlighted the head coach's aggressive mentality and individual player management as key factors in establishing clarity within the squad. The duo didnt get a great start as India lost series in Ireland and England, before Iyer got a 3-0 win over Zimbabwe in July, with CoE head of cricket VVS Laxman being the stand-in head coach. I feel that he has got a very aggressive mindset. He is someone who is always looking to win when he steps onto the field. He wants every individual to perform, which is pretty much given as a coach. So, he builds a lot of trust and confidence amongst the team, and every player knows what their role and clarity is. So, I think all these alignments are very much important when it comes to coaching skills, and he has got an amazing one-on-one player management approach. So, that is essential going forward in the tournament when you have that kind of relationship with every player because all of us are different in our own ways and you need to understand a certain player. Both of us, Gauti bhai and I, have been in this scenario where we need to know the players and how they can deliver for the team. The more matches we win, the more we would be getting to know each other closely. I have worked with him in the past in KKR. So, I definitely know how his mind works and how his approach is going to be, said Iyer in the pre-match press conference on Saturday. Looking at the immediate challenge posed by Afghanistan, who have a host of players well-aware of the Indian conditions due to playing in the IPL, Iyer stressed the importance of taking one step at a time to build momentum. See, we will go game by game. We don't have to think too much about the future. We are thinking about the first game. We know that Afghanistan is a nice team, and our preparation has also been promising for the last couple of days. Players are in great shape and mindset. So, we have to stay in the present and see to it that we deliver when the time comes. Leading up to the Asian Games, we have got a great opportunity to play against a very quality side. So, looking for a great competition and yes, fingers crossed. We will deliver to the best of our abilities. Iyer also expressed enthusiasm for participating in his first Asian Games, where he will lead Indias gold medal defence, and interact with athletes across different sports disciplines. It is definitely an exciting time for me and also for the team because it is going to be my first time, and there are a couple of players who have already been in the last Asian Games. So, we have to stay in the present and see to it that we deliver when the time comes. Leading up to the Asian Games, we have got a great opportunity to play against a very quality side. So, looking for a great competition and yes, fingers crossed. We will deliver to the best of our abilities. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Definitely would be a great interaction, and I would be eagerly waiting to go there and interact with them and know what their mindset is. Probably go to one of the games and cheer for them as well. So, yes, we are going as a whole nation and then definitely we want to see to it that we come back triumphant, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Injuries, Not Selection, Are India's Biggest Headache Ahead of Asian Games 2026
India's three-match series against Afghanistan, beginning in Delhi on September 13, comes at an important point in the calendar. The same group has the Asian Games in sight, with India looking to defend its gold medal.
AFG vs IND first T20I | Ahead of Asian Games, full-strength India aims to flex muscle
The Men in Blue will start as clear favourites in the three-match T20I series against host Afghanistan; pace ace Bumrahs presence will be a fillip for skipper Shreyas
England overcomes early scare to win Third Test against Pakistan, sweeps series
Captain Joe Root (62 not out) and Jordan Cox (59 not out) came to the hosts rescue at Edgbaston as England successfully chased down a winning target of 130 runs
Bumrah Needs Game Time To Build Confidence On Return From Knee Injury, Says Captain Shreyas Iyer
Arun Jaitley Stadium: India skipper Shreyas Iyer said returning fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah's focus is entirely on match readiness and winning championships as he prepares to return to international action in Sunday's T20I opener against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Bumrahs return after missing England's third ODI and the Sri Lanka Test series delivers a crucial boost for India, whose T20I form has faltered since June via defeats to Ireland and England, before winning the series in Zimbabwe. The two-time T20 World Cup winner boasts 121 wickets in 95 T20Is, a resume highlighted by his Player of the Tournament performance in 2024 and a Player of the Match display in this year's final against New Zealand. Iyer also noted that even established players require time on the field to regain match sharpness following a lay-off. See, as a player comes out of an injury, it's important that he gets game time and you need that sort of confidence when you are coming into the game. He has played so much cricket over the years. He is immensely experienced, but at the end of the day, if you would ask me as an individual who is coming out of an injury, I would want more game time and more confidence leading up to a certain tournament. Definitely, I interacted with him yesterday. He is in that mindset where he wants to come and perform for the team and see to it that we win championships, said Iyer in the pre-match press conference on Saturday. The right-handed batter was optimistic about the squads preparation overall, highlighting that high-intensity training sessions over the past two days have gone well despite ongoing workload management considerations. See, as I mentioned, we are just focusing on tomorrow's game at the moment. Looking at every individual who has come out of an injury, they are looking fit and fine. They are in great shape. We had two high-intensity sessions yesterday and the day before yesterday. So, I honestly can't tell you how we are going to manage it. But all I can assure you is that the team is looking promising. We are having great preparation. I want to be optimistic in terms of how we approach the game. Iyer praised the inclusion of fast bowler Yash Thakur, who was called up to the squad following a fresh thigh injury to Harshit Rana. Nagpur-based Thakur made his T20I debut in July against Zimbabwe and picked up two wickets in as many games. Thakur has also been with the Punjab Kings, a franchise Iyer captains in the IPL since 2025. As you see, Yash, he has been playing a lot of domestic cricket as well. He has performed consistently for his team, Vidarbha. They have won championships, and he has been someone who has been consistent throughout. So, he definitely deserves to be here. Leading up to the Asian Games, his name was already there as a backup. So, he is someone who is a quality bowler who has experience bowling in the domestic and also in the IPL. We have all seen him. He is a fantastic fielder as well. So, looking at all these qualities, I feel that he is the right match-up against a quality opponent and definitely, he has got the mindset of a champion, he said while replying to a query from IANS. As you see, Yash, he has been playing a lot of domestic cricket as well. He has performed consistently for his team, Vidarbha. They have won championships, and he has been someone who has been consistent throughout. So, he definitely deserves to be here. Leading up to the Asian Games, his name was already there as a backup. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories So, whoever gets the opportunity in place of them, they have to see to it that they seize their position and definitely help the team to victory. I am glad that Nitish is back from his injury, and he is looking in great shape, and the efforts that he put in yesterday, I saw the workload was pretty intense. Yes, looking forward to seeing him in this series and then all the games going forward. Article Source: IANS
Delhi weather will be in focus as Afghanistan host India for a three-match T20I series in the national capital from Sunday onwards.
England Register First Home Test Whitewash Of Pakistan After Birmingham Win
Joe Root: England overpowered the only fight from Pakistan's batters in the series after beating them in the third and final Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham, to seal their first-ever whitewash of Pakistan at home. Joe Root (62) and Jordan (59) scored half centuries as England chased down the 130-run target after Mohammad Abbas' early strikes put the hosts under pressure. But the unscathed 128-run partnership from the No.3 and No.4 sealed the deal for the Three Lions for an eight-wicket win, which saw them sweep Pakistan 3-0. Pakistan showed their only fight with the bat in the second innings of the third Test after smashing 449, following all of their previous totals being under 200. Debutant Razaullah was the star with the ball and the bat for Pakistan as he picked four wickets in the first innings before hitting 81 from 63 balls to give hope to the Men in Green of an improbable win. He smashed nine sixes, the most by any player on Test debut during his entertaining knock on Day 3. Shan Masood (95), captain Babar Azam (76) and opener Azam Awais (59) had earlier put in strong knocks to help the visitors stage a comeback. Abbas also had a good hand with the bat as he made 42 and put up 120 runs for the ninth wicket with Razaullah. These knocks came after Ollie Robinson removed Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique for ducks, with the former bagging a pair after his nought in the first innings too. England were made to do the hard work with the ball for the only time in the series as Gus Atkinson took three wickets and Robinson, Josh Tongue and Dan Lawrence scalped a couple each. England had opted to bowl first after winning the toss. Tongue, Archer and Robinson ran through the Pakistan batting line-up as they shared all the 10 wickets. There was nothing much from the visitors and barring Saud Shakeel (43), none of the other top eight batters entered the double digits. A bit of a fight came from Razaullah (11) and Abbas (21). These knocks came after Ollie Robinson removed Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique for ducks, with the former bagging a pair after his nought in the first innings too. England were made to do the hard work with the ball for the only time in the series as Gus Atkinson took three wickets and Robinson, Josh Tongue and Dan Lawrence scalped a couple each. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories In the end, Root and Cox did the work, with the England skipper ending the series from where he began: a half-century, as England won 3-0. Article Source: IANS
Root, Cox hit fifties as England cruise to 3-0
Cox and Root helm England's small chase after Abbas' double-strike
History-maker Root overtakes Tendulkar In Edgbaston Test
England captain Joe Root has surpassed Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most half-centuries in Test cricket, achieving his 69th fifty during England's eight-wicket victory over Pakistan.
England Whitewash Pakistan, First Series Win In 19 Months
Joe Root's unbeaten 62 guided England to a dominant eight-wicket victory in the third Test against Pakistan, securing a 3-0 series whitewash despite early batting jitters. This marks England's first series win in 19 months.
India face tough selection calls as Afghanistan play hosts in Delhi
Shreyas Iyer will have to make the unenviable selection of two openers out of Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma
Shreyas Iyer's Biggest Test Yet? Ex-Selector Highlights India's Key Challenge Against Afghanistan
Afghanistan could deploy veteran off-spin bowling all-rounder Mohammad Nabi with the new ball in Sunday's opening T20I to target India's heavily left-handed top order.
From Truck Loaders Brother To Test Hero: Razaullahs Fairytale Pakistan Debut
A young Razaullah arrived in the northern Pakistani city of Mardan with his two elder brothers, dreaming to make it big in cricket with his thunderbolt deliveries and powerful hitting. His brother Samiullah did not want his sibling to be a truck loader like him, and instead made sure the tall and strapping fast bowler went to the town's cricket academy on his way to play for his country. Razaullah dismissed one of the world's best batters Joe Root with his fourth ball on his Test debut before smashing nine sixes in a sensational innings of 81 against England at Edgbaston. The 21-year-old's fearless batting brought Pakistan from the brink of an innings defeat on Friday as he added a fighting 121 runs for the ninth wicket with Mohammad Abbas, who scored 42. His sensational hits -- some landing in the under-construction hotel adjacent to the stadium -- caused a sensation from England's Midlands to Mardan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa back home. This is the beauty of Pakistan's raw talent, said commentator Urooj Mumtaz, a former Pakistan women's captain. He batted fearlessly and entertained all those who were watching. It was sensational. Razaullah himself admitted he wanted to entertain others and enjoy himself. I just had to bat, you are the ones who get to enjoy it, he said in post-match comments on Sky. Just like his sensational Edgbaston knock, Razaullah's induction to the Pakistan team was as much out of the blue. Smarting from humiliating defeats in the first two Tests, Pakistan withdrew seven players in a shock reaction, drafting as many new ones -- with unheralded and uncapped Razaullah one of them. - Number 14 - Razaullah's coming of age at the international level will inspire the next generation of players. The unassuming young man left his remote village of Wari in the hilly parts of Upper Dir -- an area close to Lower Dir from where another fast bowler Naseem Shah emerged in 2019. He endeared himself to everyone at the Mardan academy for his obsession to bowl as fast as Shoaib Akhtar -- the former Pakistan express pacer -- and ability to clear the boundary off many deliveries bowled to him. He (Razaullah) came for Under-19 trials in 2023 wearing spikes bigger than his size and with his first delivery he sent the batter staggering with his speed, Mardan and Abbottabad coach Ahmed Said told AFP earlier this year. I asked him not to bowl another delivery for fear of causing injury to any young and inexperienced batter. Said recalled Razaullah always wanted the Number 14 shirt that Akhtar used to wear. Razaullah insisted he wanted a Number 14 shirt in the National Twenty20 Cup and was elated after he got it, albeit two sizes bigger, and we all started to call him Shobby. Former Pakistan coach Abdul Rehman spotted Razaullah in a Twenty20 tournament in Quetta and recruited him for the Rawalpindiz team in the Pakistan Super League, where he impressed with his speed. Pakistan selector Aaqib Javed helped his growth in the High Performance Center in Lahore, from where he jetted to England. Razaullah's idol Akhtar was impressed with his play. Look at his intent and fearless batting and this was the intent Pakistan players were missing in earlier matches, Akhtar said on television. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories He is a product of the Pakistan Cricket Board's pathway, and it's now the duty of the coaches to manage him properly so that he can progress further.
Nepal qualify for Asia Cup 2027 after winning Premier Cup final
Digital Desk | Kuala Lumpur, Sep 12 (IANS) Nepal have earned their place in the 2027 ODI Asia Cup after winning the ACC Men's Premier Cup on Saturday in Kuala Lumpur. Nepal defeated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 44 runs to win the Premier Cup for the second time, as opener Aasif Sheikh starred with a century before the bowlers backed him to register a comfortable win. This will be Nepal's second appearance in the Asia Cup, after they were also part of the 2023 ODI Asia Cup. The 2027 edition of the tournament is set to take place in Bangladesh in the middle of 2027. The winners of the Premier Cup are guaranteed a place in the Asia Cup. Nepal posted a strong total of 313/9 in their 50 overs against UAE in the final. Aasif was the star with the bat as he made 102 off 106 balls, with his knock laced with eight fours and four sixes. Nepal were off to a strong start when Aasif and Arjun Kumal put up 97 runs for the opening wicket before Kumal was run out on 43. Aasif then put up another strong stand of 68 runs for the third wicket with Rohit Paudel after Ishan Pandey was dismissed for just 13, as Paudel made an impressive 40. Gulsan Jha played a blistering knock of 52 from 38 balls and gave the fireworks needed for a strong target as he hit four sixes and three fours. Basir Ahamad gave the final touches with a four-ball 15 to push the target beyond 300. In reply, UAE lost early wickets in a heap as they were 56/3 in 8.3 overs. Rahul Chopra smashed an unbeaten century; Sohaib Khan also hit 52, opener Tanish Suri made 52, and captain Harpreet Singh scored 33, but there were not many big knocks to chase the target down. Karan KC was the pick of the bowlers as he scalped three wickets for 49 in his nine overs. Lalit Rajbanshi also picked up a couple of wickets, while Sandeep Lamichhane, Dipendra Singh Airee, Paudel, Jha and Ahamad all picked one wicket each in a strong victory.
Merlin Group Partners With Legend To Set Up Second Yuvraj Singh Centre Of Excellence In Kolkata
Saket Mohta of Merlin Group expressed his delight at joining hands with cricket icon Yuvraj Singh for the second time.
Updated WTC Points Table After England Complete 3-0 Whitewash Over Pakistan
England registered a 3-0 clean sweep over Pakistan with an eight-wicket win in the final game.
Ex-BCCI Selector Explains Why Jasprit Bumrah May Not Pick Wickets At The Start vs Afghanistan
T20I cricket returns to Delhi with the India vs Afghanistan match on Sunday
As long as Im scoring runs, Im happy: Padikkal
The left-hander stresses the importance of game time and feels that domestic cricket toughens a player
England defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the third and final Test at Edgbaston on Saturday, completing a 3-0 series sweep after chasing down a target of 130 on the fourth day. Joe Root and...
1st Time In 131 Years: India's Manav Suthar Scripts History On England Soil With Unique Record
India's rising star Manav Suthar is showcasing his spin brilliance on English soil.
Punjab Lions Bowler Takes Field After Grandfather's Death
Ludhiana Lions' Krish Bhagat played an important Sher-E-Punjab T20 League match against Amritsar Soormas, dedicating a crucial wicket to his late grandfather, Chunni Lal Bhagat, a former Cabinet Minister. Krish shared how his grandfather's journey from Pakistan inspired him and spoke about his own early start in cricket, his family's support, and his focus on team goals in the league.
Mohammed Siraj named new Hyderabad captain for upcoming Ranji Trophy season
Mohammed Siraj will captain Hyderabad in the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season. Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has confirmed the development. They also appointed fellow pacer Chama Milind as the vice-captain of the side. Currently, the team...
WCL Season 3 Could Set Up Another India-Pakistan Clash
The third season of the World Championship of Legends will be held in the UAE from October 3 to 18, featuring cricketing legends like Yuvraj Singh, Shahid Afridi, Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, and David Warner. This marks the tournament's first venture outside the UK, promising high-profile clashes and rekindled international rivalries across Dubai and Sharjah.
Afghanistan Could Start With Nabi To Put Indian Openers On Early Tight Leash, Warns Sarandeep
T20 World Cup: Afghanistan could deploy veteran off-spin bowling all-rounder Mohammad Nabi with the new ball in Sunday's opening T20I game to target India's heavy left-handed top order, warned former off-spinner and national selector Sarandeep Singh. A significant part of the build-up to the three-game series has been how the Indian batting line-up could counter the threat posed by Nabi, ace leg-spinner Rashid Khan and wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad, especially in the power play and middle overs. Bowling Nabi upfront also depends on whether India stick with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to bat alongside Abhishek Sharma or bring back Sanju Samson. I am saying that before Rashid Khan as well, if Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma play as openers, it is possible that Mohammad Nabi can be seen bowling in the first over. That can be a strategy or plan from them, as hes an off-spinner and he will definitely be given a chance. We saw in the T20 World Cup, which we won, Abhishek Sharma was having a tough time in the beginning, Sarandeep told IANS in a select virtual interaction organised by FanCode, the official digital broadcasters of the three-game series. He also reminded of how Abhishek had a rough time against off-spinners in this years T20 World Cup, something which Afghanistan can look to exploit via their crafty spin troika. Everyone began bowling off-spin to him and were able to get Abhishek Sharma out often. But I feel both of them will start hitting from the very first ball. Ishan Kishan will fare sensibly against them, but I think more than Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi will play a role, especially if he bowls with the new ball. We will have to see if Rashid Khan has a strategy or plan to counter them, as he has been playing IPL for so many years. He has played a lot on Indian soil and has shared the dressing room with the Indian players and has got to know each other very well. I think we will see them with a great bowling plan for him tomorrow. There is no doubt that Nabi will bowl the first over against both those openers. Sarandeep also believes that Afghanistan's extensive experience across global T20 leagues makes them a formidable opponent to take on the Shreyas Iyer-led Indian team. I said the same thing a while ago. Their spin bowling attack, 6-7 players in the middle order, pacers and batters play T20 cricket worldwide. They play in big leagues and have a great experience of playing T20s. Rashid Khan will definitely play a big role in bowling against the Indian middle order. Highlighting the conditions at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, Sarandeep expected high-scoring encounters could be the norm in three games, while adding that India should look to play Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel as their spin bowling combination. The way Delhi Premier League games happened sometime ago and how Arun Jaitley Stadium wickets usually behave, it supports a lot of batting. We have seen big runs coming off the pitches in the T20 World Cup and domestic season. As far as spinners are concerned, India always likes to go with the all-rounders. Ravi Bishnoi was in the scheme of things, but was not able to perform as well. Varun Chakaravarthy is a regular spinner; Washington Sundar and Axar Patel can bat and bowl as well. I feel it will be a good combination for India, as there should be variations as well. There should be a left-arm spinner and an off-spinner, and India will definitely go with them, he added. Turning to the fast bowling unit, Sarandeep recalled how he met Jasprit Bumrah during his recovery from a left knee injury at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, and the big boost the current T20 World Cup holders, India, get from his return. It is a big advantage for India to have Bumrah back because you get a confidence boost. I was taking a high-performance camp at the Centre of Excellence and was even there with the North Zone team as their coach in the Duleep Trophy games. I saw Bumrah doing his fitness work there. He was becoming fully fit and was bowling his heart out. Whenever he comes, he bowls his heart out. He never plays if he is not fit, as he comes back when he is fully fit. He fared well in the Centre of Excellence practice games and played well in the match simulations and looked fully fit. I was meeting him there every day. Bumrah being fully fit and his arrival in the Indian team is a big boost for us as other fast bowlers start looking better. Addressing pace additions following Harshit Rana's being ruled out due to a fresh thigh strain, Sarandeep highlighted Yash Thakur's earned progression through domestic and international shadow tours. Nagpur-based Thakur made his T20I debut in July against Zimbabwe and picked up two wickets in as many games. Yash Thakur had a very good time with Punjab Kings in the IPL, but when Vidarbha won the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he played really well. He has been performing well in domestic cricket over the past 2-3 years and has earned the opportunity as a result. He performed well in Sri Lanka in the A games and then in the Zimbabwe tour. He got a chance here because Harshit is currently unfit. Hopefully, he can make his place here in the Indian team. We have a lot of injury concerns. The advantage here is that the fast bowler who is fit will get more opportunities. Analysing Shreyas Iyer's task as Indias captain to get some winning momentum for his team after winning just three out of ten games, Sarandeep pointed to tactical adjustments and managing bowler workloads during fast-paced situations as key challenges for him. In T20, its really difficult to tell which areas he should improve because the game ends so soon that you don't know when it began. But there are some crucial points regarding the situation of the game like the bowling changes which are very important. Should the spinners be in the circle or not? Also, who will bowl your final bowlers as Harshit Rana is not there now to do that and Yash Thakur has come in. Nitish Reddy is coming back after injury and where he fits in is important. Then, making crucial bowling changes at the right time is very important. Your batting line-up is set and you have all the batting orders. But when you go to the field, you have to know who will bowl at what phase of the game. In T20, its really difficult to tell which areas he should improve because the game ends so soon that you don't know when it began. But there are some crucial points regarding the situation of the game like the bowling changes which are very important. Should the spinners be in the circle or not? Also Read: Special Cricket Stories So it might be possible that Jasprit Bumrah doesn't take wickets at the start, but your other bowlers should be ready and Yash Thakur should also do well. You already have Ashdeep Singh who always comes and takes wickets for you. The main thing is how you rotate Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel. They have so much experience and won so many matches for you. So how to rotate these three spinners will be a very big challenge for Shreyas Iyer, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Snubbed For First T20I vs Afghanistan In Big Verdict By Ex-India Star
The former India cricketer has backed T20I captain Shreyas Iyer to remain at number four and Sanju Samson to open the innings in the first T20I against Afghanistan.
Nine Years After Brain Fade, Cheteshwar Pujara Drops A Bombshell On Australia
Brain fade. Back in 2017, that was the term that had the cricket world buzzing. During a Test match between India and Australia in Bengaluru, after being given out LBW, Steve Smith was seen seeking an opinion from his dressing room
Delhi Police issues traffic advisory before India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I at Arun Jaitley Stadium
Afghanistan will host India for a three-match T20I series at Arun Jaitley Stadium, starting September 13. Since the opening match will clash with the ongoing BRICS summit in the capital, traffic movement around the stadium...
Big call on India's openers ahead of Afghanistan T20I
Former India cricketer Vivek Razdan has shared his preferred batting lineup for India's first T20I against Afghanistan, advocating for Shreyas Iyer to retain his number four spot and Sanju Samson to open the innings. Razdan emphasized performance over the left-right batting combination, highlighting Samson's recent T20 form. The series opener will also see a selection dilemma with multiple openers available and marks Iyer's first home series as captain.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Sunbbed For First T20I vs Afghanistan In Big Verdict By Ex-India Star
The former India cricketer has backed T20I captain Shreyas Iyer to remain at number four and Sanju Samson to open the innings in the first T20I against Afghanistan.
Mandhana Must Avoid Imitating Shafali In Asia Cup Final Against Sri Lanka, Says Razdan
Dubai International Stadium: Former India mens cricketer Vivek Razdan said that vice-captain Smriti Mandhana must anchor the innings and play to her natural strengths rather than trying to emulate the high-risk aggression of her partner Shafali Verma in the upcoming Women's Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka. Seven-time champions India enter Sunday's final to be played at the Dubai International Stadium as favourites to win the title, though they did lose to Sri Lanka in the 2024 edition final in Dambulla. Razdan warned against taking defending champions Sri Lanka lightly following their hard-fought victory over Pakistan in the semifinal on Friday. The Indian team is a very strong team. But you can't underestimate Sri Lanka, especially the way they played against Pakistan. After being 33/4, they chased down the required target. Despite Athapaththu being out early, you can see how much batting depth the team has, Razdan told IANS in a virtual interaction organised by Sony Sports Network. He also commended the recent form of India's bowling attack, noting key contributions from Sree Charni, Shafali Verma, Prema Rawat and Deepti Sharma, with the spinners taking 26 wickets in all. But Razdan highlighted that Smriti must play her own game rather than replicate what Shafali does. So far, Shafali (168 runs) and Smriti (154 runs) have done the bulk of the scoring, with the rest of the order misfiring so far. The Indian team bowling line-up is very strong. You can talk about N Sree Charni, Shafali, or Deepti. All of them have been very strong in these games. But there is one thing that needs to be worked on - how do you bat in powerplay? In the last game, Shafali scored a fifty against Bangladesh, but she survived three dropped catches and one run-out chance. Regarding Smriti Mandhana, it is very important for her to play for a long time. I don't know why, but I feel that Smriti sometimes tries to be Shafali. That's not her game. So far, Shafali (168 runs) and Smriti (154 runs) have done the bulk of the scoring, with the rest of the order misfiring so far. The Indian team bowling line-up is very strong. You can talk about N Sree Charni, Shafali, or Deepti. All of them have been very strong in these games. But there is one thing that needs to be worked on - how do you bat in powerplay? Also Read: Special Cricket Stories If you can play the powerplay without losing a wicket, you will be able to post a big score because all of this depends on the top four. We have some batters who can help you at the back end. But if you want to win the match and the final, I will have a special eye on someone to do it, and it will be Smriti Mandhana. Article Source: IANS
Delhi Traffic Police Issue Advisory Ahead Of 1st India vs Afghanistan T20I
Delhi Traffic Police on Saturday issued a traffic advisory ahead of the India-Afghanistan T20 cricket match at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on September 13
Team India's Hilarious Reactions to Their 1980s Avatars!
Indian cricketers were surprised with AI-generated 1980s avatars of themselves during a photo session before the Afghanistan T20I series, leading to humorous reactions from players like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Axar Patel, and Ishan Kishan.
T20Is Against Afghanistan Ideal For match Winner Bumrah's Return: Vivek Razdan
T20 World Cup: Returning to international cricket via the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan offers ace fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah a nice path to rebuilding his match fitness after recovering from left knee injury, believes former India pacer Vivek Razdan. Bumrah has picked 121 scalps in 95 T20Is and won the T20 World Cup twice, including being Player of the Tournament in the 2024 triumph and winning the Player of the Match award in the final against New Zealand earlier this year. Bumrah's return after missing the third ODI against England and Tests against Sri Lanka gives India a significant boost, considering their fortunes in T20Is havent been the best since June. Bumrah's return is very big news and will always be because you try to understand the player you are talking about. He is a match-winner and an impact player who has the capability to win a match on his own. So, it is very big news. When you come back to full fitness, it is better to choose the smallest format because you get time for achieving that. You have 4 overs and can bowl in 2 spells. So, it is easier for you to catch the rhythm again. If you come back from an injury and choose to return to play via the longest format, there are more chances of getting injured again. So, this shortest format series in which he is coming back from an injury, after being fully fit and healthy, I think it will be better for him in the long run. As I said, Jasprit Bumrah commands a very huge importance in this team, Razdan told IANS in a virtual interaction organised by Sony Sports Network on Saturday. Turning to Shreyas Iyer's fortunes as T20I captain, with a record of just three wins in 10 games since taking charge in June, Razdan cautioned that leading India comes with immense national expectations, particularly given the benchmark set by previous leaders. Regarding Shreyas Iyer's captaincy, I want to say that it can't be the case of not having pressure when you think about captaining India. These two things are totally different. If you want to captain the Indian team, you do carry expectations of more than 140 crore people in the country. That pressure will always be there on you, and you can't run away from it. One more thing to note is, he became captain after his predecessor Suryakumar Yadav won the T20 World Cup. So that comparison will always be there and no escaping it. Shreyas has already shown his capabilities of leading a team via the IPL. I feel, and hope, that some tactical changes will come from him as he progresses and becomes much better at it. When the team performs well, and every player performs according to his reputation and capabilities, the captain's job becomes easier. The captain's problems increase when the team doesn't perform well, and the players are out of touch. One more thing to note is, he became captain after his predecessor Suryakumar Yadav won the T20 World Cup. So that comparison will always be there and no escaping it. Shreyas has already shown his capabilities of leading a team via the IPL. I feel, and hope, that some tactical changes will come from him as he progresses and becomes much better at it. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Watch India tour of Afghanistan 2026 - Afghanistan vs India - 1st T20 on September 13, 2026, from 7:30 PM IST live on Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD. Article Source: IANS
AFG vs IND: Approaching Milestones and Records Ahead of 1st T20I, Afghanistan vs India series 2026
AFG vs IND 1st T20I,Approaching Milestones and Records :The much-awaited T20I series between Afghanistan and India is all set to kick off on Sunday, September 13, in Delhi. The Indian Cricket Team led by Shreyas Iyer will square off with the Afghanistan Cricket Team under Ibrahim Zadran. This match will be played at Arun Jaitley Stadium, starting at 7 PM IST. Shreyas has a chance to add a home series win under his belt as he is coming off a series win in Zimbabwe, after two poor outings in Ireland and England. Jasprit Bumrah is back, which will boost the Indian pace unit. All-rounders Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy are also back after injuries. India are looking very good with their combination. It will be interesting to see who will open for India among Abhishek, Suryavanshi, and Samson. Ibrahim Zadran will lead Afghanistan. He has been appointed as the new captain, replacing Rashid Khan. Afghanistan have not beaten India at the international level. Can they end this draught on Sunday? Here, we will talk about big records and milestones which are lined up and can be achieved in the AFG vs IND 1st T20I at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. AFG vs IND: Approaching Test Records and Cricket Milestones Ahead of the AFG vs IND 1st T20I at Arun Jaitley Stadium 68 - Sanju Samson has 1432 runs in T20Is, and he is just 68 runs away from completing 1500 T20I runs. 85 - Captain Shreyas Iyer needs 85 more runs to reach 1500 T20I runs in his career. 52 - Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi needs 52 more runs to become the first Afghan batter with 2500 T20I runs. 5 - Captain Ibrahim Zadran needs five more sixes to complete 50 T20I sixes. His teammate Gulbadin Naib needs one more six to reach this feat. 7 - Rashid Khan is approaching a big milestone in this series. He is just seven wickets away from becoming the first bowler with 200 T20I wickets. 1 - Nabi needs one more six to surpass the tally of Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli (124 each) on the list of most T20I sixes. 5 - Abhishek Sharma needs five more runs to complete 6000 runs in T20 cricket. 11 - Zadran needs 11 more runs to complete 4000 T20I runs. 14 - Ishan Kishan needs 14 runs to become the only second player after Harry Brook with 1000 international runs in 2026. One more six will help him become the second batter with 50 sixes in this calendar year. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories
Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra: Ludhiana Lions' medium pacer Krish Bhagat paid an emotional tribute to his grandfather, Bhagat Chunni Lal, after powering his team into the semifinals of the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League. Bhagat picked two wickets as the Lions defeated Amritsar Soormas by five wickets in a crucial clash at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali. He later dedicated his wickets to his late grandfather Chunni Lal, who was also a former Punjab minister. Dadu passed away last night. He inspired me a lot, so I dedicated this wicket to him. He came from Pakistan and when he arrived in India, he did not even have a place to stay. His journey has inspired me a lot, and that is why I dedicated the wicket to him, he said. Krish, who made his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians in 2026, began his journey in cricket at age 5. He comes from a family involved in the sports manufacturing business, as he developed an early interest in the game after seeing bats at the family factory. I was only five when I started playing cricket. Whenever I used to go to my familys sports manufacturing factory, there were bats there, and I used to get fascinated by them. I started insisting that I wanted to play cricket, so my family put me in an academy, and I kept playing, he said. The medium pacer further revealed that his family gave him complete backing to do whatever he chose and never put pressure on him to study. My family never put any pressure on me. They told me to commit 100 per cent to whatever I was doing, he said. Krish emphasised that, when he was growing up, his love was only for cricket, not for any other sport. I never really tried any other sport. There is such a big craze for cricket in India, and I enjoyed playing it with my friends. I used to go to the park and play cricket. As I started playing competitive cricket, I knew this was the sport I wanted to pursue, he added. The MI bowler then opened up on his experience of playing in the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League, revealing that the state league has given him valuable experience, especially when it comes to adapting to different conditions and match situations. I am learning how to adapt to different situations and conditions. We have back-to-back matches and the pitch is being used a lot, so its behaviour keeps changing. Learning how to adapt to the conditions has been one of my biggest takeaways from this league, he said. The MI bowler then opened up on his experience of playing in the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League, revealing that the state league has given him valuable experience, especially when it comes to adapting to different conditions and match situations. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The rising cricketer further revealed that India all-rounder Hardik Pandya and South Africa legend Jacques Kallis remain his idols. My idols are Hardik Pandya and Jacques Kallis. I continue to take inspiration from both of them, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Padikkal's captaincy move has a bigger goal
Top-order batter Devdutt Padikkal discusses his new role as India A captain, viewing it as a valuable learning experience that will positively influence his batting ahead of the upcoming New Zealand tour. He also reflects on his recent good form and the challenges of adapting to different playing conditions.
Samson or Sooryavanshi? India's Afghanistan dilemma
India is grappling with significant selection dilemmas ahead of their opening T20I match against Afghanistan, particularly concerning the choice between Sanju Samson and young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and the potential impact of Ishan Kishan's injury scare. The series also serves as crucial preparation for the Asian Games, with India needing to finalise their bowling attack against a strong Afghan side.
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Womens Asia Cup: When And Where To Watch IND Vs SL Final, Know All Details
T20 Asia Cup: Indias bid for an eighth Womens T20 Asia Cup title will face a stern examination from Sri Lanka when the two unbeaten sides meet in Sundays final at the Dubai International Stadium. India's standout performers throughout the tournament have been Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma. Shafali has scored 168 runs and tops the rankings, with two fifties demonstrating her consistent performance at the top of the order. Her resilience in difficult batting conditions has been especially important for India. Mandhanas 154 runs include a century, but her two low scores mean India will be keen for greater consistency from their batting group in the final. The middle order has produced starts without regularly converting them into major scores, while the teams boundary-hitting has also lacked consistency. Deepti, meanwhile, has provided India with control and breakthroughs. Her 11 wickets make her the joint-leading wicket-taker alongside Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu. She has contributed with the bat too, scoring 13 off six deliveries in the semifinal against Bangladesh to help India finish strongly. Sri Lanka will take heart from their semifinal fightback against Pakistan. Four wickets down for 33 while chasing 131, they could easily have lost their way. Instead, Harshitha Samarawickramas 36 and Kavisha Dilharis 33 rebuilt the innings before Nilakshika Silva and Kaushini Nuthyangana completed the chase. That resilience could be vital against India, especially given Sri Lankas recent history in this fixture. Athapaththu and Harshitha were instrumental in the 2024 final, where Sri Lanka defeated India by eight wickets after both batters made half-centuries. India, however, will know that they have another area to fix before the title clash: their fielding. Nine catches have been dropped across their four matches two against Thailand, three against Pakistan and four in the semifinal against Bangladesh. Against a Sri Lankan team that has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to recover from difficult positions, another lapse could prove costly. The final therefore brings together Indias tournament-leading batting and spin resources with a Sri Lankan side whose greatest strength has been its refusal to surrender under pressure. When: Sunday, September 13, 8:00 PM IST Where: Dubai International Stadium, Dubai Where to watch: The match will be broadcast on Sony Sports Network, with live-streaming available on the Sony LIV app and website. Squads: Where to watch: The match will be broadcast on Sony Sports Network, with live-streaming available on the Sony LIV app and website. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Harshitha Samarawickrama (vc), Imesha Dulani, Vishmi Gunaratne, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wk), Sanjana Kavindi, Hasini Perera, Nilakshika Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Mithali Ayodhya, Kawya Kavindi, Sugandika Kumari, Nimasha Meepage, Chamudi Praboda, Chethana Vimukhti Article Source: IANS
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Blind Cricket Asia Cup: Defending Champions India Name Probable Squad
Blind Cricket Asia Cup: The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) on Saturday named India's probable squad of 24 players for the 2026 Asia Cup in Dhaka as the defending champions look to bag a second title. The Men's Asia Cup 2026 for the Blind is the second edition of the tournament and returns after a decade-long gap due to logistical constraints. India's probable team of 24 will be reduced to a final 17-member squad after a national coaching and selection camp, which will include cricket training, fitness and conditioning sessions, tactical preparation, and practice matches. Meanwhile, the selection committee and coaching staff will analyse the 24 players on different aspects like performance, fitness, skills, and team combinations before a final squad list is announced. India won the inaugural Asia Cup in 2016 after defeating Pakistan in the final in Kochi, Kerala. Speaking on the return of the continental showpiece, CABI chairman Dr Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar emphasised that it is a 'significant moment'. The return of the Men's Blind Cricket Asia Cup after ten years is a significant moment for the entire blind cricket fraternity. We hold very special memories of the inaugural Asia Cup in Kochi in 2016, when India defeated Pakistan to become the first champions. Ten years later, we are excited to begin our title defence in Bangladesh. These 24 probables represent some of the finest blind cricketing talent from across India, and we look forward to selecting a strong, competitive team that will carry onto the field, he said. fraternity. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Naresh Tumda, Sanjay Kumar Shah, Debaraj Behera, Ashok Reddy, Praveen Kumar Sharma, Mukesh Kumar Rawat, Sayanth K B, Golu Kumar, Dunna Venkateshwarao, Rambir Singh, Lokesha, Manish Kumar, Nakula Badanayak, Deepak Singh Rawat, Snehith S Kumar, Irfan Diwan, Bhaskar K, Durga Rao Tompaki, Sunil Ramesh, Sukhram Majhi, A Ravi, Dinesh Rathva, Deepak, and Gambheer S Chauhan. Article Source: IANS
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It's spin vs spin as India and Sri Lanka do battle for Asia Cup title
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AFG vs IND: When and where to watch 1st T20I, know all details
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 12 (IANS) India will begin their three-match T20I series against Afghanistan with the opening match at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, as both sides look to fine-tune their preparations for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Afghanistan is serving as the host for the whole series. The remaining two matches will also be played in the same venue. India will enter the opening game with a strong record against Afghanistan in the shortest format. The two teams have faced each other nine times, with India winning eight matches, while one game ended without a result. The Indian side will be keen to begin the series on a positive note after an inconsistent start to the new T20 cycle. The team suffered defeats against Ireland and England and will now look to build momentum against a strong Afghanistan outfit. India have a mix of experienced players and young talent in the squad. Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah are among the key names, while 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is also expected to attract attention after making his international debut during Indias recent tour of England. Afghanistan, led by Ibrahim Zadran, have several proven match-winners in their ranks. Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi bring considerable international experience to the side. The first T20I will also give both teams a chance to assess their combinations ahead of the Asian Games. When: Sunday, September 13, 7:30 PM IST Where: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi Where to watch: The match will be shown live on Sony Sports Ten 3, 4 and 5 SD & HD channels on TV. Live-streaming will be available on the FanCode app and website. Squads India: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Yash Thakur Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Noor Rahman (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai and Naveen-ul-Haq.
'Hunger Remains The Same': Shami After Special 100 FC Matches As 'circle Comes Around'
New Delhi: India's veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami reflected on his recent accomplishment of competing in 100 first-class matches during the Duleep Trophy 2026 final for East Zone. Shami, who has been out of the Indian team for quite some time now, called playing 100 matches always special and highlighted that his hunger remains the same as before. 100th match is always special, whether you score a hundred and raise your bat for the first time or you play in 100 matches, it is a very long journey, a long sacrifice and a goal of your life, Shami said in a video shared by BCCI Domestic. It's a dream to play 100 first-class matches, make your state proud, play matches in different places, in different conditions and pick wickets; it's a big thing, it's a dream, he added. Shami's 100th FC game coincided with East Zone playing the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone, and East Zone went on to beat them. Shami was 21 when East won their maiden Duleep Trophy title in 2012, and he was a vital cog in their third title 14 years later. This is very special because it's your 100th match and you have the Duleep Trophy final, and if you win that, it's like a lifetime memory in your life. Last time the East Zone won, I was there, and now, after those years, I am still present here as the circle comes full. 100th match and the Duleep Trophy final win, it's really special for me. Hunger is the same, I think- the hunger for the wicket, the passion to run; it's the same as before. Now only one thing has changed; at that time I didn't know anything, now I know planning, plotting, and maturity is more, so that's the only difference, but I don't think anything else has changed, he said. The 36-year-old, who took 2/42 in his short spells in the final, reflected on the past struggles and pain in life, but emphasised that passion keeps one driving forward. Hunger is the same, I think- the hunger for the wicket, the passion to run; it's the same as before. Now only one thing has changed; at that time I didn't know anything, now I know planning, plotting, and maturity is more, so that's the only difference, but I don't think anything else has changed, he said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The same fight, the same passion, the same passion takes us forward and gives us the opportunity to perform for so many years, so I think you should be a good fighter, so I don't think it's very difficult, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
AFG vs IND 1st T20I Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI
AFG vs IND 1st T20I, Cricket Tips: The three-match T20I series between Afghanistan and India is all set to begin. These matches will be played at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The first T20I will kick off at 7 PM IST on Sunday, September 13. Ibrahim Zadran will lead Afghanistan. Shreyas Iyer will be leading India for the first time in a home series. So, it is an important assignment for him. Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy are back after injuries, and they will be in action. Interestingly, Afghanistan are the host of this series. Can they record their maiden win against India in T20I? AFG vs IND: Match Details Date : September 13, 2026 (Sunday) Time : 7:00 PM IST Venue : Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi AFG vs IND: Live Streaming Details The live action of the first T20I will be available on the Sony Sports Networks in India. Fans can watch the live stream on the FanCode mobile app or website. AFG vs IND: Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches: 9 India : 8 Afghanistan : 0 No-result : 1 AFG vs IND: Ground Pitch Report Arun Jaitley Stadium is a batting-friendly venue. It offers a pretty flat deck, and it is a high-scoring venue. The boundaries here are pretty short, and there is nothing in it for the fast bowlers. That will make it difficult for the bowlers. The chasing team has a good record at this venue. AFG vs IND: Possible XIs Afghanistan : Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran (c), Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Oramzai, Darwesh Rasooli, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan Mujeeb Ur Rahman/Noor Ahmed, Fazalhaq Farooqui, Naveen Ul Haq India : Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy AFG vs IND: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been in fantastic form, and he will be the batter to watch out for. From Afghanistan, if someone can put the Indian bowlers under pressure, it is Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who plays pretty freely at the top. Probable Best Bowler Jasprit Bumrah and Rashid Khan are two of the best T20 bowlers, and they will be a big challenge for the opposition.Today Match Prediction: Team India have never lost to Afghanistan, and we predict them to win this game, with the powerful batting lineup they have. AFG vs IND Match 1st T20I, Today Match AFG vs IND, AFG vs IND Prediction, AFG vs IND Predicted XIs, Injury Update for Afghanistan vs India Match Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.
Womens Asia Cup: India, Sri Lanka Face Off In Yet Another Summit Clash (preview)
T20 Asia Cup: An unbeaten campaign has taken India and Sri Lanka to the final of the 2026 Womens T20 Asia Cup, but the two sides arrive at Sundays summit clash with contrasting memories of their previous meeting in a title decider. India, the most successful team in the tournaments history with seven titles, will once again shoulder the weight of expectation. Yet Sri Lanka will take confidence from their eight-wicket victory over India in the 2024 final at Dambulla, a result that remains a reminder of their ability to deliver when the stakes are highest. For India, much of the attention will centre on Shafali Verma, whose consistency has been one of the defining features of their campaign. She has accumulated 168 runs, including two half-centuries, and currently sits at the top of the tournaments run-scoring charts. While Indias batters have struggled to consistently dominate on slow surfaces, Shafali has found ways to score without allowing the conditions to dictate her approach. Smriti Mandhana has also made a significant contribution with 154 runs, although her tournament has included both a century and two single-digit scores. India will want their middle order to provide greater support, particularly after several batters have failed to turn promising starts into substantial contributions. With the ball, Deepti Sharma has been central to Indias campaign. The senior all-rounder has claimed 11 wickets, matching Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu for the tournament lead. Deepti has also added useful runs, with her six-ball 13 against Bangladesh in the semifinal helping India push their score towards 150. The presence of Shree Charani and Prema Rawat has given India further options in the spin department, an area that could prove decisive on a surface where stroke-making has not always been straightforward. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have demonstrated that they are capable of absorbing pressure and finding a way out of difficult situations. Their semifinal against Pakistan was the clearest example. Chasing 131, they were reduced to 5/2, and then 33/4 before Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari steadied the innings with a crucial partnership. Harshitha made 36, while Kavisha contributed 33, before Nilakshika Silva and Kaushini Nuthyangana guided the side home. Athapaththus leadership and experience will again be crucial, while the skipper herself has taken 11 wickets during the tournament. Sri Lanka also have the memory of their 2024 triumph, when Athapaththu and Harshitha both struck half-centuries against India in the final. Indias biggest concern heading into the title clash remains their work in the field. They dropped four catches against Bangladesh in the semifinal, three against Pakistan, and two against Thailand in the opening match. That makes nine dropped catches across four games. Against a Sri Lankan side that has already shown its resilience, India cannot afford to offer second chances. When: Sunday, September 13, 8:00 PM IST Where: Dubai International Stadium, Dubai Where to watch: The match will be broadcast on Sony Sports Network, with live-streaming available on the Sony LIV app and website. Squads: Where to watch: The match will be broadcast on Sony Sports Network, with live-streaming available on the Sony LIV app and website. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Harshitha Samarawickrama (vc), Imesha Dulani, Vishmi Gunaratne, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wk), Sanjana Kavindi, Hasini Perera, Nilakshika Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Mithali Ayodhya, Kawya Kavindi, Sugandika Kumari, Nimasha Meepage, Chamudi Praboda, Chethana Vimukhti Article Source: IANS
'Leadership Is Something I Really Enjoy': Padikkal On India A Captaincy
New Delhi: Devdutt Padikkal is looking forward to taking the next step in his leadership journey after being named captain of India A for the upcoming four-day matches against Australia A in Puducherry. Padikkal will make his India A captaincy debut after gaining valuable experience while leading Karnataka in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season. He took over as Karnataka captain late in the league stage and went on to make a strong impact with both bat and ball. The left-handed batter said his time as Karnataka captain gave him an important learning experience, and he now wants to use that knowledge while leading India A. Definitely, its a wonderful opportunity to be the captain of India A side. Im excited for it. I think leadership is something that I really enjoy doing, especially starting off with Karnataka last year. It was a great learning curve for me, so Im really looking forward to carrying that experience to India A set-up as well, Padikkal was quoted as saying by Cricinfo. Padikkals appointment comes after a strong run in red-ball cricket. He recently returned to the India Test side and scored centuries in successive Tests against Sri Lanka. He also made a valuable contribution in the Duleep Trophy final, scoring 62 for South Zone. However, South Zone lost the final to East Zone on the basis of the first-innings lead after East Zone posted more than 1,000 runs across its two innings. Padikkals appointment comes after a strong run in red-ball cricket. He recently returned to the India Test side and scored centuries in successive Tests against Sri Lanka. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Captaincy is just an added responsibility to go out there and make sure that Im helping the side. Ive always played cricket that way. Ive always wanted to ensure that the team wins. As a captain, thats your sole focus. You want to make the team win. That just helps my batting even further, he said. Article Source: IANS
NAM vs SA 3rd ODI Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI
NAM vs SA 3rd ODI, Cricket Tips: Two matches and two dominating performances by South Africa in the ongoing ODI series against Namibia. The Proteas have won the ongoing series with one match left to play. The top order has done the bulk of scoring for South Africa so far. Jordan Hermann and Connor Esterhuizen scored centuries in either game. Tony de Zorzi scored 70+ in both innings. South Africa will look to make it 3-0. The third and final ODI between Namibia and South Africa will begin at 1 PM IST on Sunday at Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek. The hosts have been poor in both departments in the first two games and need a look at their batting and bowling plans. NAM vs SA: Match Details Date : September 13, 2026 (Sunday) Time : 1:00 PM IST Venue : Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek NAM vs SA: Live Streaming Details Indian fans can watch the live action of the final ODI on the FanCode mobile app or website. NAM vs SA: Head-to-Head in ODIs Total Matches : 2 Namibia : 0 South Africa: 2 No-result: 0 NAM vs SA: Ground Pitch Report The wicket in Windhoek is pretty good for batting. It offers a flat deck, and already 330 or more have been scored in both games. There is a little help for the fast bowlers with the new ball, whereas the spinners will get a little grip in the lateral stages. NAM vs SA: Possible XIs Namibia : Michael van Lingen, Malan Kruger, Jan Frylinck, Louren Steenkamp, Gerhard Erasmus (c), Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Jan Balt, Zane Green (wk), Ruben Trumpelmann, Waldo Smith, Jack Brassell South Africa: Jordan Hermann, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke, Jason Smith, Eathan Bosch, Duan Jansen, Prenelan Subrayen (c), Nqabayomzi Peter, Nqobani Mokoena NAM vs SA: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Tony de Zorzi has scored a century, but he has scored two 70+ in two ODIs, and he might get a century in the final game. For Namibia, Gerhard Erasmus has looked controlled with the bat, and he will be the one to watch out for. Probable Best Bowler Duan Jansen and Ruben Trumpelmann have been brilliant in two games, and they will be key pacers for their team. Today Match Prediction: South Africa have been dominating in both games, and they are expected to win the final ODI. NAM vs SA Match 3rd ODI, Today Match NAM vs SA, NAM vs SA Prediction, NAM vs SA Predicted XIs, Injury Update for Namibia vs South Africa Match Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.
How To Buy Tickets For India vs Afghanistan T20 Series 2026: Check Price, Match Dates
Cricket Fans in Delhi get ready to watch India taking on Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series starting at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The matches will start on September 13th, followed by the next match on September 15th and finally on
India's ODI World Cup 2025 winner joins Barbados Tridents for rest of WCPL 2026
Harleen Deol has joined Barbados Tridents for the remainder of the 2026 Womens Caribbean Premier League. The defending champions have penned a short-term deal with the India international till the end of the season. Following...
While Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was drafted in the playing eleven in England at the expense of Sanju Samson, it is only fair to mention that by the last match of the series, the 15-year-old had to make way for his senior partner's return.
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'Just Want To Play Freely' - Harleen Deol Readies Herself For Maiden WCPL Stint With Tridents
Caribbean Premier League: India batter Harleen Deol has joined the Barbados Tridents for the remainder of the Womens Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), and becomes the fifth Indian cricketer to feature in the ongoing competition. Harleen links up with compatriots Pooja Vastrakar and Kiran Navgire in the Tridents squad for her first stint in a global franchise T20 tournament. I'm with the Barbados Tridents and it's only been two days for me. Like, it was very last minute. So, I'm very excited and it's going to feel good to be here. Like, it's been amazing actually, because it's a very different experience and environment here. I've just attended one practice session and we went for a team bonding session on a cruise. So, that was a really nice experience, Harleen told IANS in a select virtual interaction organised by FanCode, the official broadcaster of WCPL in India. Harleen, a member of Indias 2025 ODI World Cup winning team, revealed her late arrival in the Caribbean came after a swift call from the franchise management. It was a very last minute call. I think Shashank sir, from the management team, approached me and asked, Are you interested in playing WCPL? I was like, Yeah, why not? Because obviously, different experiences, different wickets, and different people are here. Franchise cricket is a little different, but it's good for the experience and learning. So, I just said yes, and then I made it here. Harleen, who last played in a T20I for India in December 2025 against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram, insisted that she wants to play without extra pressure. So, what I want is that I should just look to play freely, that's it. I don't think there is much difference here. It's just like, I just want to enjoy cricket, that's it. I don't think much about these things. Wherever I am, I'm just playing cricket. So, it's all about playing cricket and enjoying it. I just want to say that, okay, if you're playing anywhere and whatever it is, you're giving your best and that is the only thing which I want to say. I just want to enjoy cricket and don't want to think about all those things. Ahead of the Tridents' upcoming match against Jamaica Empress, Harleen said potentially playing in the game will give her a better idea of local conditions. I will get to know only when I have played on the pitches because I haven't played yet. We have a match on Saturday. So, we'll play and see how it goes. Highlighting the advantages of playing in T20 leagues, based on her experiences in the Womens Premier League (WPL) and the now-defunct Womens T20 Challenge at home, Harleen felt that the value of testing oneself outside familiar environments is a key takeaway. Obviously, when you play in tournaments like WCPL, you also get the experience of playing with different players. Even if you are a domestic player, you get to learn from them as well. It is not necessary that you play outside or play something else, then you get the experience. I feel, when you play in a different team, you get to experience a different challenge because that is outside of your comfort zone. We get to learn these things, but when you play with different people, when you are in a different team or in WBBL, when you are at home, you are an overseas player - that is a different challenge itself. So, experiencing those things and playing with different people, seeing different mindsets, there is a lot to learn. Obviously, we are blessed that we got to play in this franchise cricket environment. On technical adjustments, Harleen believes franchise setups offer a platform for personal expression rather than major overhauls. I don't think as a player, there are a lot of things that you change in your technique. I would say that you can learn from someone what areas they are playing the ball in or what their mindset is. I don't think that you learn about your technique from another player - that is something which is very different. I have not changed too much. It's not that I have not done well in the international T20 circuit. It's just that the combinations which are fitting in (havent led to much playing opportunities). Obviously, when you play franchise cricket or play in WPL or here, it gives you more opportunities to express yourself. I am really grateful that I have got an opportunity here to play with different people. I will get exposure for everything. So, that is the only thing which I am looking forward to. Nothing else like I am looking forward to this and that. It's just that I am looking forward to playing cricket simply - that's it. The jovial Harleen added that staying grounded in her daily routine remains key to dealing with the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. While planning all these things, a person gets stuck later on Oh man, this happened, that happened. So, I am someone who just wants to enjoy one day at a time. Obviously, when you play franchise cricket or play in WPL or here, it gives you more opportunities to express yourself. I am really grateful that I have got an opportunity here to play with different people. I will get exposure for everything. So, that is the only thing which I am looking forward to. Nothing else like I am looking forward to this and that. It's just that I am looking forward to playing cricket simply - that's it. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories But like in T20 cricket, I am just focusing on my process, not too much on the result because sometimes, if you get too result-oriented, you don't understand things. You forget what your process was. So, for me, I am just focusing on the process and that's it - like not too much into the result-oriented things. Article Source: IANS
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