Cricket

ICC ODI Rankings: Hayley Matthews Leads West Indies Surge After Ireland ODI Clean Sweep

Captain Gaby Lewis: West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews and several of her teammates have made significant gains in the latest Womens ODI Rankings after their side completed a 3-0 series sweep over Ireland in the ongoing ICC Womens Championship. Matthews once again led from the front with outstanding performances with both bat and ball, earning the Player of the Series award. She amassed a series-best 265 runs across the three ODIs and also claimed seven wickets, further strengthening her position inside the top 10 across all three ODI rankings categories. The latest rankings update also brought rewards for experienced batter Stafanie Taylor, all-rounder Aaliyah Alleyne, spinner Afy Fletcher and all-rounder Deandra Dottin following their contributions during the series. Taylor climbed one place to 22nd in the ODI batting rankings after scoring a superb century in the third and final ODI against Ireland. Alleyne also made progress, moving up four places to 73rd among ODI batters after contributing an innings of 33 in the same match. In the ODI bowling rankings, Fletcher gained one spot to move into equal 21st after finishing the series with eight wickets, the highest tally by any bowler across the three matches. Dottin also enjoyed a notable rise in the bowling rankings, climbing six places to 75th following her performances during the series. The clean sweep lifts the Caribbean side to fourth in the ICC Women's Championship standings with eight points. Despite suffering a 3-0 series defeat, Ireland had a number of positives in the latest rankings update. Dottin also enjoyed a notable rise in the bowling rankings, climbing six places to 75th following her performances during the series. The clean sweep lifts the Caribbean side to fourth in the ICC Women's Championship standings with eight points. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Irelands bowling unit received further recognition as Jane Maguire rose four places to 47th among ODI bowlers, while Aimee Maguire jumped five positions to move into equal 71st. Article Source: IANS

ML vs SUL Match 1, The Hundred Mens 2026 Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI

MLvs SULMatch 1 , Cricket Tips :The Hundred Men's Competition 2026 will begin with a blockbuster contest between Sunrisers Leeds and the current champion, MI London. This contest will kick off at 11 PM IST on Tuesday (July 22) at Kennington Oval, London. MI London (formerly known as Oval Invincibles) have won three consecutive seasons. They will defend their title in this edition and will look to win a fourth championship in a row. Star English all-rounder Sam Curran will lead the reigning champion. Sunrisers Leeds made it to the playoffs last edition, but the rain scrapped the chance to feature in the final for them. Zak Crawley has the responsibility to lead this team to their maiden title. ML vs SUL: Match Details Date : July 21, 2026 (Tuesday) Time : 11 PM IST Venue : Kennington Oval, London ML vs SUL: Live Streaming Details Indian fans need to switch to the Sony Sports Networks to watch the live action of the game. The live stream of the match will be available on Sony LIV and FanCode platforms. ML vs SUL: Head-to-Head in The Hundred Total Matches : 5 MI London: 2 Sunrisers Leeds : 3 No-result: 0 MLvs SUL: Ground Pitch Report This is the second game on this wicket on Tuesday. Hence, the conditions are expected to be good for batting. However, fast bowlers will get swing and pace early on and batters can use the bounce to good effect. The chasing team has been pretty effective at this venue in shorter format. MLvs SUL: Possible XIs MI London: Jason Roy, Ollie Pope (wk), Nicholas Pooran, James Vince, Will Jacks, Sam Curran (C), Tom Curran, Trent Boult, Rashid Khan, Richard Gleeson, Olly Stone Sunrisers Leeds: Ryan Rickelton (wk), Mitchell Marsh, Harry Brook, Tom Alsop, Zak Crawley (C), Benny Howell, Dan Lawrence, Brydon Carse, Nathan Ellis, Abrar Ahmed, Matthew Potts MLvs SUL: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Nicholas Pooran has been in good form and scored well in MLC 2026. Ryan Rickelton has been in excellent batting form at the top and can give flying starts. These two will be the ones to watch out for. Probable Best Bowler Nathan Ellis is one of the best white-ball bowlers, who comes with different variations to deceive the batters. Captain Sam Curran ended the ODI series against India as the leading wicket-taker and will be the key bowler for MI London. Today Match Prediction : Both sides are looking good with their combination. But MI London will start as favorites because of the good combination they have with bat and ball. ML vs SUL Match 1, The Hundred Women's Competition 2026, Today Match ML vs SUL, ML vs SUL Prediction, ML vs SUL Predicted XIs, Injury Update for ML vs SUL Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.

'Siraj Bhaiya Taught Me How To Handle Pressure And Set Up Batters: Ashok Sharma

Ashok Sharma: India pacer Ashok Sharma has credited senior fast bowler Mohammed Siraj for playing an important role in his development, saying the experienced seamer patiently answered his questions and helped him understand the finer aspects of fast bowling during their time together at Gujarat Titans. Ashok, who earned his maiden India call-up for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe, said he made full use of the opportunity to learn from Siraj whenever they trained or spent time together in the dressing room. I had a lot of talks with Siraj bhaiya as well. Whenever we were in the dressing room or bowling together in the nets, I would keep asking him questions throughout the day. I would ask him, 'Bhaiya, when you play a match, how much pressure do you feel? What do you think before bowling a delivery? If I have to bowl to someone, how should I set him up?' I would discuss all these things with him, he told JioStar. According to Ashok, Siraj never hesitated to share his knowledge and even analysed his bowling during practice sessions. Siraj bhaiya would explain everything to me very well. He would stand with me and watch two or three of my deliveries. Then he would tell me, 'Do this, make this change, try this.' So I learned a lot from him. I have carried all those learnings with me. Whenever I get time to practice in Jaipur, I focus on those things and try to do them even better, he added. Ashok was purchased by Gujarat Titans for Rs 90 lakh in the 2025 IPL auction. He finally made his IPL debut against Punjab, where he immediately grabbed attention by clocking 154.2 kmph, underlining his ability to generate genuine pace. The young fast bowler featured in six matches during IPL 2026 and picked up six wickets, with his best figures being 2 for 32, performances that strengthened his case for higher honours. Ashok also recalled a valuable piece of advice from veteran India fast bowler Ishant Sharma during his early days with Gujarat Titans, saying the conversation changed the way he looked at his bowling. Ashok was purchased by Gujarat Titans for Rs 90 lakh in the 2025 IPL auction. He finally made his IPL debut against Punjab, where he immediately grabbed attention by clocking 154.2 kmph, underlining his ability to generate genuine pace. The young fast bowler featured in six matches during IPL 2026 and picked up six wickets, with his best figures being 2 for 32, performances that strengthened his case for higher honours. Also Read: Live Cricket Score That was a big moment for me. Ishant bhai has played Test cricket for India and has taken more than 300 wickets. He has bowled to the best batters in the world. If he gave me that advice, he must have said it after watching me closely. That advice stayed with me. It reminded me that small improvements in the right areas can make a big difference, he added. Article Source: IANS

'My First Target Will Be To Wear India Jersey': Ashok Sharma Eyes Debut In Zimbabwe T20Is

Zimbabwe T20Is: Fast bowler Ashok Sharma opened up about the emotions of earning his maiden India call-up and stated that wearing the national jersey has been a long-cherished dream as he is targetting an international debut after earning his maiden senior team call-up for the T20I series against Zimbabwe, starting Thursday. The three-match series will be played in Harare from July 23 to 26, with the fast bowler in line to make his first appearance for India. Speaking about his immediate goals ahead of the series, Ashok said representing the country remains his biggest motivation. My first target will be to wear the India jersey. I am waiting for that moment to wear that jersey and represent my nation. I have waited for this for a long time. So that will be the first thing. The second thing is that I will keep doing what I know best. Whatever I have done till now- the hard work in domestic cricket, the preparation and the routines- I will just keep following that. I will stick to my strengths and not try anything extra, he told Jio Star. Ashok also outlined his ambitions for the Zimbabwe tour, saying he wants to make the most of the opportunity if he gets a chance to play. Now that I am in the squad for the series against Zimbabwe, my next target will be to take as many wickets as possible and try to play as many matches as I can. I want to make this opportunity count. My next goal after that will be to play red-ball cricket for India as soon as possible, he added. Before receiving his maiden senior India call-up, Ashok had also been drafted into the India A squad during the tour of Sri Lanka in June. He joined the side after pacer Yudhvir Singh suffered an injury while fielding, earning an opportunity to train and travel with the developmental squad. The young quick also spoke about the fast bowler who has had the biggest influence on his game, naming former South Africa great Dale Steyn as his role model. Before receiving his maiden senior India call-up, Ashok had also been drafted into the India A squad during the tour of Sri Lanka in June. He joined the side after pacer Yudhvir Singh suffered an injury while fielding, earning an opportunity to train and travel with the developmental squad. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I follow him in terms of his aggression, his run-up, his intensity and the way he used to set up batters. Everything about him is inspiring. He is someone I look up to as a fast bowler, he added. Article Source: IANS

ML-W vs SUL-W Match 1, The Hundred Womens 2026 Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI

ML-W vs SUL-W Match 1 , Cricket Tips :The sixth edition of the Hundred Women's Competition will begin on July 22 (Tuesday). Sunrisers Leeds won the last edition, beating Southern Brave in the final, and they will put their title on the line. The first game of the sixth edition will be played between MI London Women and Sunrisers Leeds Women. This contest will kick off at 7:15 PM IST at Kennington Oval in London. Each team will play 8 group games, and the top sides will make it to the final, while the other two will face each other in the eliminator. Hence, every game is important. Both sides have several superstars, and it will be an exciting contest to start the new season. ML-W vs SUL-W: Match Details Date : July 21, 2026 (Tuesday) Time : 7:15 PM IST Venue : Kennington Oval, London ML-W vs SUL-W: Live Streaming Details The live action of the upcoming game will be on Sony Sports Networks. Fans can also watch the live stream on Sony LIV and FanCode mobile apps or websites. ML-W vs SUL-W: Head-to-Head in The Hundred Total Matches : 4 MI London: 0 Sunrisers Leeds : 4 No-result : 0 ML-W vs SUL-W: Ground Pitch Report The wicket in London is expected to be good for batting. There will be good bounce and pace in the wicket, and batters can use the conditions to their best effect. The new ball will do well, whereas the batting conditions will get better with time. ML-W vs SUL-W: Possible XIs MI London Women : Hayley Matthews, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Francesca Sweet, Hollie Armitage (C), Amelia Kerr, Kira Chathli (wk), Nicola Carey, Tara Norris, Alice Davidson-Richards, Kirstie Gordon, Alexa Stonehouse Sunrisers Leeds Women : Lauren Winfield-Hill (wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Bryony Smith, Deepti Sharma, Annabel Sutherland, Jess Jonassen, Kate Cross, Danielle Gibson (C), Hannah Baker, Rachel Slater, Cassidy McCarthy ML-W vs SUL-W: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Hayley Matthews and Phoebe Litchfield are two dangerous batters from either side. They did well in the recent Women's T20 World Cup on these pitches. Probable Best Bowler Nicola Carey is coming into this tournament with good international form, and she can work well at different stages of the game. Kate Cross brings her experience into play, and she is a wicket-taker with the new ball. Today Match Prediction: Both teams have a good squad on paper. But Sunrisers Leeds Women look more settled in both aspects of the game. Hence, we predict Sunrisers Leeds Women will win this game. ML-W vs SUL-W Match 1, The Hundred Women's Competition 2026, Today Match ML-W vs SUL-W, ML-W vs SUL-W Prediction, ML-W vs SUL-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for ML-W vs SUL-W Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.

CPL: Ayub, Sadaqat headline strong Pakistani contingent at Jamaica Kingsmen

Jamaica Kingsmen's seven overseas signings all have links to their parent franchise Hyderabad Kingsmen in the PSL

Sanju Samson Reveals How Rohit Sharma's Faith Helped Him Script T20 World Cup Redemption

India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has revealed that he initially struggled to believe Rohit Sharma's reassurance that he would still have a role to play in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 after missing out on the playing XI during the latter stage of the campaign before rediscovering his confidence and producing one of the defining innings of India's campaign against the West Indies. Looking back on the difficult period following the New Zealand T20I series, Samson admitted he was mentally drained and could not see the path that Rohit envisioned for him. To be honest, I didn't believe him at that time. Sorry. He might have spoken from his heart or from his experience, but that day I wasn't able to see what he was seeing. You could see it on my face; I was a bit off that day, Samson told JioStar. Samson explained that the disappointment of missing out lingered into the early stages of the World Cup, making it difficult for him to move on immediately. Our World Cup campaign started two days after the New Zealand series, and it takes me at least a week to recover. I don't like to bottle things up, so it shows on my face if I'm not feeling 100 per cent. I went through that phase for four or five days before getting myself back on track, he added. The Kerala batter said the setback eventually became an opportunity for self-reflection, prompting him to reassess both his mindset and the reasons that drove him to play the game. You know you've failed, so what's next? You're at the bottom, so from there, you can only go up. I started working on myself mentally. I started asking myself questions, why do I play cricket? What's my purpose? It was like I was rediscovering myself while the World Cup was going on. And then everything just came back, Samson said. That renewed perspective laid the foundation for Samson's match-winning innings in the virtual quarter-final against the West Indies, a knock he described as one of those rare days when everything clicked, as he said, I prepared much better for that game after the Zimbabwe one. There are days I've played in the IPL and for India, and I've scored those centuries, when everything just feels right. It was one of those days. You just enjoy, stay in the moment, stay in the process, and things start happening automatically. Although his natural instinct is to accelerate after the Powerplay, Samson said the match situation demanded a different approach as wickets kept falling at the other end. I also knew it was a very big game for India. After the powerplay, I usually go into fifth gear. I'm an opener, if I get through the Powerplay, and we bat till No. 8, my game plan is to take on the bowling. But in that game, every time I felt it was time to attack, a wicket would fall at the other end. That's when I realised the game is the biggest teacher. The game tells you what to do, he stated. Samson also opened up on the emotional celebration that followed the innings, saying it was an expression of gratitude rather than personal triumph, saying, It's a very private celebration, but it became very public. I'm a very strong believer. I believe in my God, and I know it wasn't me. I also knew it was a very big game for India. After the powerplay, I usually go into fifth gear. I'm an opener, if I get through the Powerplay, and we bat till No. 8, my game plan is to take on the bowling. But in that game, every time I felt it was time to attack, a wicket would fall at the other end. That's when I realised the game is the biggest teacher. The game tells you what to do, he stated. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I've played enough innings to know which shots I hit, and then there are some where I wonder, 'How did I hit that one?' I'm just very grateful that it happened through me, that I was able to help the team. That moment will stay with me till my last breath. It was very special, he mentioned. Article Source: IANS

'Both Teams Will Have Equal Chance Of Winning,' Says Sikandar Raza Ahead Of T20Is Against India

T20 World Cup: Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza has dismissed the thought of the 2026 T20 World Cup champions India being favourites in the upcoming three-match T20I series, saying the contest will not be one-sided and both teams will have an equal chance of emerging victorious. Zimbabwe are hosting the Shreyas Iyer-led side, with all three matches of the series to be held at the Harare Sports Club. The first match will be played on Thursday. India is coming to the contest after a poor show against Ireland and England. Under the new captain, Iyer, the team endured a 0-2 T20I series defeat to Ireland in Belfast before going down 0-4 in the five-match T20I series against England. India didn't impress in ODIs either as they lost the series by 2-1 under the captaincy of Shubman Gill. Both countries will have an equal chance in this series. But one thing I am very sure about is that because Zimbabwe has been playing very consistent and very entertaining cricket, I can say this for sure that this series will be very entertaining. I think, as far as winning or losing is concerned, which is important for both countries, I think both countries have an equal chance to win the series. Raza told Star Sports. According to Raza, just like India, Zimbabwe is also going through a transition phase, which will make the series interesting. Both countries will have an equal chance in this series. But one thing I am very sure about is that because Zimbabwe has been playing very consistent and very entertaining cricket, I can say this for sure that this series will be very entertaining. I think, as far as winning or losing is concerned, which is important for both countries, I think both countries have an equal chance to win the series. Raza told Star Sports. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India and Zimbabwe have played each other ten times in T20Is. India leads the head-to-head record with 7 wins. Zimbabwe has won 3 matches. The last T20I encounter between the two teams took place on February 26, 2026, during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, where India defeated Zimbabwe by 72 runs. Article Source: IANS

'Gambhir And Team Management Have To Be Accountable': Srikkanth After India's ODI Series Defeat

T20 World Cup: Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has called for accountability from head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management following India's 2-1 ODI series defeat to England, questioning the side's preparation for the 2027 World Cup and criticising the frequent changes to the playing XI. Speaking after England clinched the series with a 27-run win in the third ODI at Lord's, Srikkanth said India's performances against stronger opposition should be the benchmark rather than victories over lower-ranked teams. Theyll win a T20 World Cup in between, theyll win a Champions Trophy, and then lavish praise on Gambhir. Whereas, Gambhir has to be held accountable. The team management has to be accountable. Theyll beat Zimbabwe, then beat Sri Lanka and the West Indies and then they will start saying that India is back in form. If you consider Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and West Indies games as crucial series, theres no scope for the team. Unfortunately, theyll keep doing this, Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel. Srikkanth also expressed concern over India's ODI planning, pointing out that the limited number of matches before the next World Cup leaves little room for experimentation. After this, there arent many one-day matches. There are only a handful of one-day matches. After that, there will be the Australia series, IPL and the World Cup. Honestly speaking, this is not the way to prepare by chopping and changing. Shubman Gill himself gave a statement saying what can we do if there are so many constant injuries. Every now and then the players are injured, he added. The former opener was equally critical of India's batting order during the Lord's chase, arguing that KL Rahul should have been promoted instead of being pushed down to No. 6. Will anyone send KL Rahul at No. 6 when chasing such a huge total? That guy has won you so many matches for you. Just like you screwed up Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, now you are screwing up KL Rahul. Is Rahul a No.6 or 7 batter? This is gross injustice. His body language also looked like someone nervous yesterday, the former India captain opined. Srikkanth believed Rahul's experience made him the ideal candidate to partner Virat Kohli after Rohit Sharma's dismissal, rather than arriving at the crease when the required rate had already gone beyond reach. Will anyone send KL Rahul at No. 6 when chasing such a huge total? That guy has won you so many matches for you. Just like you screwed up Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, now you are screwing up KL Rahul. Is Rahul a No.6 or 7 batter? This is gross injustice. His body language also looked like someone nervous yesterday, the former India captain opined. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India fell 27 runs short while chasing 388 at Lord's despite Rohit Sharma's brilliant 138, handing England the three-match ODI series 2-1. Article Source: IANS

They Cannot Touch Virat, Rohit If They Want To Play: Ashwin Backs Senior Stars For 2027 WC

ODI World Cup: Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has thrown his weight behind Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli amid renewed debate over their future, insisting the veteran duo have earned the right to decide when they step away from the game. Speaking after Rohit's 138 in the series decider at Lord's against England, Ashwin said the two batting stalwarts remain untouchable as long as they are willing to continue representing India. They cannot touch Virat and Rohit if they want to play. It is because of their credentials. Rohit has scored almost 12,000 runs; they cannot touch him. The other thing is that they are batters, and if you touch them, they have an army. People come to see them. If you drop them, it will just break the roof down, Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. Praising the former India captain's approach, Ashwin said Rohit looked in complete control once he settled into his innings and believed an even bigger score was within reach. This is a phenomenal knock. He was set after hitting that pull to Josh Tongue. I feel that this is Rohit's road to a comeback after an injury. If he were in a slightly better state or were more confident, he could have scored 180 and won the match for the team. I felt like Rohit was in really good form, he added. Ashwin also suggested that Rohit's motivation now stems from his own desire to feature at the next ODI World Cup rather than from any need to answer critics or prove his credentials. Praising the former India captain's approach, Ashwin said Rohit looked in complete control once he settled into his innings and believed an even bigger score was within reach. This is a phenomenal knock. He was set after hitting that pull to Josh Tongue. I feel that this is Rohit's road to a comeback after an injury. If he were in a slightly better state or were more confident, he could have scored 180 and won the match for the team. I felt like Rohit was in really good form, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Despite Rohit's masterful 138, India were restricted to 360/7 as England held their nerve in the closing overs to register a 27-run victory at Lord's and clinch the three-match ODI series 2-1. Article Source: IANS

'All I Care About Is Winning': Hurdler Tejas Shirse Guns For CWG And Asiad Glory

Hurdler Tejas Shirse: In an era of elite sport where athletes often retreat behind soft platitudes about enjoying the process or gaining valuable exposure on participating in multi-sport events, Tejas Shirse comes across as a refreshingly honest sportsperson. Shirse, 23, the national record holder in the 110-metre hurdles does not run merely to participate, nor is he content with moral victories his sole focus is to just win the competition. Definitely winning is the only goal. I don't want to be there and say that the process is part of it. The process is very important, but that is for me. But for the world, it's winning. All I care about is winning. The world will care about winning. How am I going to get there is my process... but I want to be the best in the world. I want to be the best in what I compete in. If I don't have that mindset, I will never achieve that. I just want to go out there in the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games and just win - that is the only goal, recalls Shirse in an exclusive free-wheeling chat with IANS ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. That singular, unapologetic focus on victory comes at a pivotal moment. Having shattered the Indian national record with a blistering 13.27 seconds performance to lock in his CWG spot at the Indian Athletics Series in Ludhiana and then book his ticket to the Asian Games via clocking 13.43 seconds at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Bhubaneshwar. With an aim to make the whole of India fall in love with hurdles, Shirses laser focus has been forged in the fires of immense adversity. Just as he was building peak momentum last year, disaster struck when a severe impact with a hurdle left his ankle injured in multiple places. Because of that, my ankle was almost broken from three-four places... it was just hanging by a thread basically. After that, I was feeling so depressed... despite doing everything right, even though I didn't do anything wrong, something like this has happened to me. Being sidelined for four months during a crucial CWG qualification cycle could have broken a lesser athletes spirit. Coming to terms with it, Shirse poured his raw emotion into a late-night Instagram post - not for public sympathy, but as a mental marker for the mountain he vowed to climb. His recovery became a collaborative masterpiece led by the Reliance Foundation sports science team, including coach James Hillier, physiotherapist Nilesh Makwana, and strength and conditioning coach Kshitij Bhoite. Initially, the goal was merely to get him running pain-free. The Commonwealth Games were deemed an unrealistic target, but then Shirse took a chance at it. When we had a meeting, we thought that we would not plan for the Commonwealth Games. We will just plan to stay and become healthy. I started training in the middle of April and qualification was due at the end of May and the start of June. Qualifying in such a short time and reducing the timing was not realistic. So, we said that we will not do it, but in my mind, it was like if it happens, it is going to be nothing less of a miracle. So, I gave it the name of Mission Miracle - just to keep myself motivated and it happened. Instead of succumbing to panic, Shirse stripped away all external expectations in Ludhiana, especially after clocking 13.67s and 13.50s at the Federation Cup in Ranchi. It was a do or die situation. I don't know, but I just dug deep into my mindset. I told myself that even if I lose from here, I can't go any lower than this. So, why not just give yourself an opportunity to perform at your own level and at your best? I just thought that this was a free hit and told myself, You know what, just do what you are capable of... Don't put pressure on yourself. When he crossed the finish line in Ludhiana, a quick glance at the trackside clock showed 13.27 seconds - well past the required standard of 13.39 seconds. The surge of emotion was instantaneous and a visceral reaction to months of gruelling rehabilitation and self-doubt. Yet, despite the euphoric high of breaking the national record, Shirse has cultivated a steady internal compass to survive the emotional volatility of elite sports. You expect that if I feel good here, I will qualify and then you make dreams for that. I think this is a very mental framing athletes take it in a very wrong way. When you don't perform well, you think everything is over. If you perform very well, it feels like now I am the best. But I have found that I have gone through a lot of turmoil - up and down, then again up and down. Of course, I was happy after that race. But after two-three hours, I was in the same condition. So, I am not very happy and I am not very sad if I win or lose and I think that is helping me perform better at my sport. Shirses hunger for podium finishes stems from humble origins. Growing up in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, facilities were sparse, forcing him to learn the sport through sheer improvisation and internet tutorials. When I used to train, we used to make wooden hurdles. We didn't have those hurdles which are there now. We made wooden hurdles, used to jump to overcome it and then run. It actually represents life as well. There are some obstacles that you have to overcome and then you just keep going. Growing up, I had a lot of issues - financial issues, home and family problems... Hurdles chose me, not me (choosing it). While flat sprints and field events like the javelin throw have historically commanded the spotlight in Indian athletics, Shirse believes the technical brilliance of the 110m hurdles is ripe for a cultural transformation in the country. In layman's terms, people think that 100 meters is the fastest, which is an interesting event. But the 110-meter hurdles is a very technical and interesting event as well. If you see, people didn't even know about javelin throw before. But since Neeraj Chopra has done huge throws and won an Olympics gold as well, then people came to know that there is a game called javelin throw. This thing motivates me - that if I can do something extraordinary for India, then people are going to recognize hurdles as well and that is my goal and mission - that people in India get to know that there is such a sport, which is really interesting. It's not something layman like any other sport. I don't want to compare, but it's a really interesting sport to watch. If you see people in stands, they really love watching 100 meters and hurdles as well. That motivates me to make a name for myself in that game. Cricket wasn't that famous in India before the World Cup was won in 1983. In India, I think we need heroes to worship. We need that person whom we can see and think that he has done it and we will follow him as he has come out of us. So we take really big pride in that situation. I think unless and until somebody goes out there and performs and gives their heart and soul to something for India or for these people who are from your place or from your country, they really love it and I think they will see soon that somebody has been working so hard to represent their country at the world stage, he elaborated. To achieve his dream of standing on the podium at the Commonwealth and Asian Games, Shirse will have to overcome formidable global competition right from the heats to the final race. The Commonwealth lineup features powerhouse hurdlers from Jamaica and the Caribbean, especially Demario Prince, while Asian giants like Japan and China present formidable challenges of their own. Rather than being intimidated by world-class rivals, Shirse relies on a simple tactical principle to manage the environment. The main challenge for me will be to focus more on myself. When I go on the track, I shut down myself - what is he or she doing, I just focus on myself... The more I focus on myself, the less pressure I will take. Pressure is a good thing - I have a quote that Pressure is good when diluted with process. So if I can dilute that pressure that there are so many good athletes here with the process, I think medal-winning chances are as high as they can be. Daily training in a high-performance bubble alongside top sprinters like Jyothi Yarraji, Gurindervir Singh, and Animesh Kujur keeps his competitive edge razor-sharp. You are a product of five people you surround yourself most with. So if you surround yourself with five champions, you become the sixth champion. As the major multi-sport events approach, Shirse is refusing to temper his ambitions or settle for mere participation. The goals are set, the national record is in his keeping, and the focus remains absolute winning and being on the podium. Daily training in a high-performance bubble alongside top sprinters like Jyothi Yarraji, Gurindervir Singh, and Animesh Kujur keeps his competitive edge razor-sharp. You are a product of five people you surround yourself most with. So if you surround yourself with five champions, you become the sixth champion. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Whatever it is, but you have to try and become your best self and to achieve your best performance and then think that nobody else runs faster than you. You have to run the fastest and win - that's the only thing you can control. I really hope it turns out to be exciting and I learn a lot from it, signed off Shirse. Article Source: IANS

Gaikwad to lead West Zone in 2026-27 domestic season-opening Duleep Trophy

Shams Mulani to be the team's vice-captain, while Prithvi Shaw and Musheer Khan have both been included in the squad

Cummins, Hazlewood, Lyon Return For Bangladesh Tests

Great Barrier Reef Arena: Australia have named a full-strength Test side for the first time in a year after captain Pat Cummins, along with Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, were all named in the 13-strong squad for the two-game series against Bangladesh. This will be Bangladesh's first Test tour of Australia since 2003 with the first match scheduled to take place August 13-17, Marrara Stadium Darwin, followed by the second from August 22-26, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay. Cummins is in line to play his first Test match since December last year. Spinner Lyon is set for his return after he missed much of the backend of Ashes tour against England due to a hamstring issue, with back-up pacer Scott Boland joined by all-rounders Beau Webster and Cameron Green. Hazlewood has missed significant time in recent years due to injuries. Hamstring and Achilles issues have been his latest concerns. Selectors will have to face an agonising call over which of Hazlewood, Lyon or Boland to leave out for the series opener at Marrara Stadium. Selection chief George Bailey said Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon had worked extremely hard, individually and with the (sports science) teams, over the past few months to return from their respective injuries. The NSP (National Selection Panel) look forward to the return of Pat, Josh and Nathan. They have worked extremely hard, individually and with the SSSM (sports science and sports medicine) teams, over the past few months to return from their respective injuries, Bailey said. While this is a 13-player squad, we have players prepared and available should any adjustments be required in the lead up to these matches. As previously stated, the volume of cricket and schedule across the next 12 months are likely to present further opportunities across all formats for many players, he added. Selectors will also be on the lookout for Usman Khawaja's replacement inside the top six following his retirement at the start of the year, with Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Jake Weatherald all included as batting options. Michael Neser, Todd Murphy and Brendan Doggett are the players to drop out of the squad that featured in Australia's most recent Test series against England at the start of the year. Selectors will also be on the lookout for Usman Khawaja's replacement inside the top six following his retirement at the start of the year, with Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Jake Weatherald all included as batting options. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Australia squad for Bangladesh Tests: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster. Article Source: IANS

Boland 'big three' debate reignites with full set of quicks available

Australia chair of selectors says there has been a discussion about the pecking order but the enormous Test workload ahead means the full depth will be needed

England fightback falls short as fluctuating Youth Test ends in draw

England stutter to 144 for 5 in reply to 460 at end of second day in Hove

Katherine Sciver-Brunt joins Trent Rockets as assistant coach

Former England seamer will work alongside wife Nat in first cricket role since retirement

UP T20 League Season 4 Promises Biggest-ever Opening Ceremony

Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari: The fourth season of the UP T20 League was officially launched on Monday at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, with the tickets for the leagues grand opening ceremony unveiled on the occasion. The opening ceremony, scheduled for August 14 at the Ekana Stadium, will feature performances by renowned sitar maestro Rishab Rikhiram Sharma and celebrated singer Jasmine Sandlas. A drone show and grand fireworks display, promising a visual experience never seen before in Uttar Pradesh, will be among the key highlights of the evening. On the occasion, 4,000 discounted tickets for the opening ceremony were also launched. Tickets for the Upper Block are priced at 349, while Lower Wing tickets are available for 499. The tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and will also be available on the e-District App. Speaking at the event, Chief Guest Avanish Awasthi, Advisor to the Honble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, praised the UP T20 League and said that Uttar Pradesh continues to achieve new milestones not only in cricket but across various sports. He noted that six teams will participate in this years league, providing another excellent platform for the states young cricketers to showcase their talent. Highlighting the Uttar Pradesh Governments commitment to sports development, he said that sports infrastructure in the state is expanding rapidly. After the conclusion of the league, the historic Green Park Stadium in Kanpur will undergo renovation. He also mentioned that the new international-standard cricket stadium in Varanasi will soon be dedicated to the people of the state, while the foundation stone for the international cricket stadium in Gorakhpur has already been laid. He added that Uttar Pradesh will witness the development of several world-class sports facilities in the coming years. Awasthi also emphasised the importance of promoting womens cricket and suggested that a UP Womens T20 League should be launched on the lines of the mens competition, initially featuring at least four teams. He further said that if a Kanpur franchise is included, he would extend his full support to the initiative. Responding to the suggestion, Dr. Sanjay Kapoor, Chairman of the UP T20 League Governing Council, assured that the proposal would be seriously considered. During his address, Awasthi also highlighted the inspiring journey of para archer Sheetal Devi, praising her extraordinary courage and achievements. He noted that the Paralympic bronze medallist and World Championship gold medallist has brought immense pride to the country by winning medals while shooting with her feet, making her a source of inspiration for athletes across India. Responding to the suggestion, Dr. Sanjay Kapoor, Chairman of the UP T20 League Governing Council, assured that the proposal would be seriously considered. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The second phase will begin on August 28 at the Green Park Stadium, Kanpur, which will host 12 matches. The tournament will conclude with the grand final and a closing ceremony on September 6 in Kanpur. He added that the opening ceremony will feature vibrant cultural performances. The opening ceremony will be hosted by sports anchor Jatin Sapru. Article Source: IANS

Stokes return adds intrigue as counties assemble for One-Day Cup

All the runners and riders as the domestic 50-over tournament gets underway in the Hundred's shadow

Roach To Be Honoured For Historic 300-Test Wicket Milestone At Kensington Oval

Cricket West Indies: Cricket West Indies (CWI) said on Monday that it will formally honour veteran fast bowler Kemar Roach for his historic achievement of claiming 300 Test wickets during the innings break of the fifth ODI against New Zealand, to be played at the Kensington Oval on Tuesday. The special on-field presentation will take place during the innings break, where CWI will be joined by representatives from the Government of Barbados and the Barbados Cricket Association to celebrate Roachs achievement. Roach recently became only the fifth West Indies and the second player from Barbados to reach the coveted 300-wicket landmark. He achieved the feat during the team's victory over Sri Lanka in Antigua and joined an elite club of Caribbean bowling greats that includes Courtney Walsh (519), Sir Curtly Ambrose (405), Malcolm Marshall (376), and Lance Gibbs (305). For the better part of two decades, Kemar has represented the West Indies with distinction, displaying extraordinary skill, heart and determination every time he has worn the maroon cap. He has been an outstanding ambassador for Caribbean cricket, and an inspiration to generations of young fast bowlers. I am personally heartened to witness a player of this generation whose unwavering commitment and exceptional contributions have earned him a rightful place among the legends of our game. On behalf of Cricket West Indies, I once again extend heartfelt congratulations to Kemar on this remarkable achievement. It is a richly deserved honour, and one that reflects the profound impact he has made on West Indies cricket, said CWI President Dr. Kishore Shallow in a statement. For the better part of two decades, Kemar has represented the West Indies with distinction, displaying extraordinary skill, heart and determination every time he has worn the maroon cap. He has been an outstanding ambassador for Caribbean cricket, and an inspiration to generations of young fast bowlers. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With free admission already announced at the venue in honour of the legendary late Sir Garfield Sobers, CWI has urged fans to fill the stands and join in saluting the premier fast bowler during the innings interval. Article Source: IANS

ECB relief as last-minute Hundred deals swerve gambling shirt-sponsors

Tournament MD blames 'challenging market' as outright ban on betting sponsorship is deferred

Ojha's Century, Fifties From Yashbardhan And Manal Rescue India U-19 On Day One

Sri Lanka Under: An unbeaten century from Kushagra Ojha, along with half-centuries from skipper Yashbardhan Chauhan and Manal Chauhan, helped India Under-19 recover from a disastrous start to reach a commanding 253/3 in 85 overs against Sri Lanka Under-19 on the opening day of the second Youth Test here on Monday. Electing to bowl first, Sri Lanka Under-19 enjoyed early success by reducing the visitors to a precarious 0/2 within the first six overs. New-ball bowlers Sethmika Seneviratne and Gimhan Mendis removed Indian openers Lakshya Raichandani and Sagar Virk respectively, without troubling the scorers. But a 122-run third-wicket partnership between Ojha and skipper Yashbardhan rescued the visitors from the early jitters. Only 65 overs of play was possible on day one due to interruptions caused by rain and subsequent bad light. At stumps, Ojha was unbeaten on a well-compiled 103, while Manal remained unconquered on 55, as the duo stitched an unbroken 131-run stand for the fourth wicket to put India U19 in the driver's seat. Earlier, India got their first runs off the bat only in the eighth over when Yashbardhan got off the mark. While Ojha anchored the innings with a patient approach, the skipper took the counter-attacking route, reaching his half-century off just 51 balls in the 21st over. At stumps, Ojha was unbeaten on a well-compiled 103, while Manal remained unconquered on 55, as the duo stitched an unbroken 131-run stand for the fourth wicket to put India U19 in the driver's seat. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: India Under-19 253/3 in 65 overs (Kushagra Ojha 103 not out, Yashbardhan Chauhan 78; Gimhan Mendis 2-42, Sethmika Seneviratne 1-46) against Sri Lanka Under-19 Article Source: IANS

Cricketer And DSP Mohammed Siraj Calls On Telangana DGP

DSP Mohammed Siraj: Indian cricketer and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mohammed Siraj paid a courtesy call on Telangana Director General of Police C.V. Anand here on Monday. This was Sirajs first meeting with Anand after the latter took charge as the DGP in May. Inspector General (P&l) Gajarao Bhupal and DSP ( Sports) Ramarao were also present during the meeting at the DGP Office. In October 2024, the India pacer officially took over as the DSP. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had announced a government job and a house site for Siraj after India won the ICC T-20 World Cup-2024. In August 2024, the State cabinet resolved to offer Group-1 posts of DSP cadre to Siraj and champion boxer Nikhat Zareen. The state government had amended the Telangana (Regulation of appointments to public services and rationalisation of staff pattern and pay structure) Act, 1994, to facilitate the appointments. The government also allotted 600 square yards of land to Siraj at Road Number 78, Jubilee Hills. Meanwhile, DGP Anand reviewed the functioning of the Police Welfare Society and Arogya Bhadratha (Health Protection) wings at the DGP Office and reaffirmed that the welfare of police personnel and their families remains one of the highest priorities of the Telangana Police. The meeting extensively reviewed the implementation of welfare schemes, their progress and future course of action. Addressing the officers, the DGP said the department has been implementing a wide range of welfare initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of police personnel and their families. He stated that the department has been encouraging meritorious children of police personnel through Merit Scholarships and Meritorious Scholarships. Financial assistance is also being extended to students preparing for JEE, NEET and other national and state-level competitive examinations, thereby promoting higher education and academic excellence. Addressing the officers, the DGP said the department has been implementing a wide range of welfare initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of police personnel and their families. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Reviewing the Health Protection Scheme, the DGP noted that 33,126 police personnel and their family members availed treatment under the scheme during 2025, while 12,392 beneficiaries received treatment up to June 2026. Expenditure under the scheme stood at Rs 181.74 crore during 2025 and Rs 73.61 crore up to June 2026, reflecting the department's continued commitment to employee healthcare. Article Source: IANS

India To Play Four-day Warm-up Game In Colombo Ahead Of Tests Against Sri Lanka

Galle International Cricket Stadium: The Indian mens cricket team will play a four-day warm-up game in Colombo starting on August 7 ahead of facing Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series starting on August 15. The Shubman Gill-led visitors are scheduled to land in Colombo on August 4 and will go through some practice sessions before playing the warm-up game at the Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC). Yes, the Indian team will have its practice game from August 7 to 10 at NCC, Colombo. It will help all players to adjust to the local conditions on offer before the main series gets underway, said a source familiar with the development to IANS on Monday. Following the conclusion of the four-day tour game, the Indian team will travel to Galle, where the opening Test match will be played at the picturesque Galle International Cricket Stadium (GICS) from August 15 to 19. The second and final Test is scheduled to be held at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo from August 23 to 27. Both matches are scheduled to commence at 10 am local time. The series is crucial for both teams as they look to climb the WTC standings. Following the conclusion of the four-day tour game, the Indian team will travel to Galle, where the opening Test match will be played at the picturesque Galle International Cricket Stadium (GICS) from August 15 to 19. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The tour will also mark India's return to Sri Lanka for playing Tests after 2017, when, under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, they managed to get a 3-0 victory. Indias last Test assignment saw them get an emphatic innings victory over Afghanistan in June, while Sri Lanka suffered a 2-0 series defeat to the West Indies. Article Source: IANS

Ojha century, and Yashbardhan and Manal fifties rescue India Under-19

Sri Lanka had reduced the visitors to 0 for 2, before Ojha and Yashbardhan added 122 for the third wicket

Will Work Collaboratively With Englands Next Test Coach, Says Brendon McCullum

Wales Cricket Board: England's white-ball head coach Brendon McCullum has expressed confidence in working collaboratively with the country's next Test head coach so that the side delivers good results in all three formats. McCullum bounced back remarkably from losing his Test coaching job with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) earlier this month to guide the side to twin white-ball series wins over India. The 2-1 ODI series triumph was sealed with a thrilling 27-run win in a dramatic finale at Lords, where England posted a record List A total at the venue of 387/3, courtesy Ben Duckett's 141 and half-centuries from Jacob Bethell and Joe Root. With the ECB expected to interview candidates for the Test coach vacancy this week, McCullum said, Collaboratively, I think once the new coach is put in place, well have a good conversation around everything. I think ultimately as long as everyone wants what is right for English cricket, there will be some give and take on certain things. That is the way it is. There will be situations where you do have to give and there will be situations where the Test coach will give as well and fundamentally you are trying to get what is right for English cricket. I look forward to those conversations when the time comes, he said in a press conference at the conclusion of the series. McCullum also revealed he will have no involvement in picking his replacement ahead of next months three-Test series against Pakistan. No, I have enough on my plate trying to work out the white-ball stuff. Ill respectfully stay in my lane there. I think weve seen some growth in the side over the last couple of series and there is some more growth to come (with the white-ball teams), which is exciting and where my focus is on. Former Australia head coach Justin Langer and former England batter Jonathan Trott are among the front-runners for the job after Andy Flower ruled himself out of it. McCullum also confirmed he will stay in England to watch the 100-ball tournament. I think weve seen some growth in the side over the last couple of series and there is some more growth to come (with the white-ball teams), which is exciting and where my focus is on. Also Read: Live Cricket Score It will be good to be able to see that up close over the next four weeks or so. Ill look to try and get around to those games to see that and hopefully we see some more talent, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

Series gone, but plenty at stake yet for deflated West Indies

West Indies are currently 10th in the ICC men's ODI team rankings and run the risk of having to play the Qualifier for the 2027 World Cup, should they not finish ninth at the very least

McCullum pledges to 'be around for the Hundred' in wake of Test sacking

White-ball coach says he will watch 'next talent' under 'brightest lights' during four-week tournament

Ashutosh Sharma joins Hampshire for One-Day Cup 2026

Ashutosh joins a Hampshire side that will look to go one better than their runners-up finish from last season's One-Day Cup

Rohit Answered All Questions With His Bat, Reminded Why Hes One Of Worlds Best: Akmal

The Game Plan: Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal believes Rohit Sharma delivered the perfect response to speculation surrounding his future with a sublime century in the third ODI against England at Lord's, saying the veteran opener reminded the cricketing world why he remains among the finest batters in the 50-over format despite India's 27-run defeat and 2-1 series loss. Akmal described Rohit's 138 as the defining moment of the series decider, arguing that the innings silenced questions over the former India captain's place in the national team's future plans. Overall, England deserved to win the series, but Rohit Sharma's century was the biggest story of the day. It was a statement innings from a player who reminded everyone why he is still one of the world's best ODI batters. There was so much speculation about his future. Rumours were being spread that he was no longer part of India's plans and wouldn't make it to the 2027 World Cup. Today, Rohit answered all of those questions with his bat, Akmal said on The Game Plan podcast. Akmal also said players of Rohit's stature should be assessed by their performances rather than external conversations, adding that both Rohit and Virat Kohli have earned the right to decide when to walk away from the game. Today's innings was his answer. There was talk that he should be moved aside, but performances like this show why great players should be judged by what they produce on the field. Players like Rohit and Virat don't leave because someone pushes them out. They leave when they feel the time is right. Both have sacrificed plenty for Indian cricket over the years. They have rested when required, put the team first and continued to perform. That's why they remain superstars, he stated. While praising India's batting effort, Akmal felt the visitors were ultimately let down by their bowling, pointing to the lack of control in the pace attack and the absence of wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI. Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh are experienced bowlers, but they both went for plenty. Gurnoor Brar conceded 97 runs. When your main bowlers are leaking 70 to 100 runs, it becomes very difficult to defend or restrict the opposition. India also missed Kuldeep Yadav. With only one frontline spinner, Axar Patel, they lacked variety. I thought Kuldeep should have played. His wicket-taking ability could have made a difference, he added. The former Pakistan international further argued that India's inexperienced bowling unit struggled to close out England's innings, allowing the hosts to build the platform that eventually proved decisive. Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh are experienced bowlers, but they both went for plenty. Gurnoor Brar conceded 97 runs. When your main bowlers are leaking 70 to 100 runs, it becomes very difficult to defend or restrict the opposition. India also missed Kuldeep Yadav. With only one frontline spinner, Axar Patel, they lacked variety. I thought Kuldeep should have played. His wicket-taking ability could have made a difference, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score England piled up 387/5 after a blistering finish at Lord's before restricting India to 360/7, with Rohit's landmark century emerging as the standout individual performance despite the visitors falling short by 27 runs in the series decider. Article Source: IANS

Nathan Smith Clinches ICC Men's Player Of The Month Award For June 2026

Nathan Smith: New Zealand seamer Nathan Smith was on Monday named the ICC Men's Player of the Month for June 2026 following his superb performances during the 2-1 Test series victory over England. Smith, 27, played a pivotal role in New Zealands historic Test series triumph on English soil by picking 16 scalps at an average of 23. With several frontline New Zealand quicks sidelined due to injuries, Smith remarkably stepped up to lead a depleted bowling attack and delivered under pressure. The Kiwi pacer claimed the prestigious monthly honour ahead of fellow nominees, India captain Shubman Gill and Bangladesh all-rounder Mossadek Hossain. This is really special. It was a great tour of England for the boys, and this is pretty cool. I dont usually play for individual awards, but its nice to receive this recognition and, more importantly, to have contributed to a series win. Personally, it was really satisfying to contribute to the win. Thats all I want to do for New Zealand - try as hard as I can and contribute in whatever way I can. Unfortunately, we had a few injuries during the series, so I had to step up and open the bowling. Its something Ive done in domestic cricket and a little bit for New Zealand before, but it was nice to shoulder the responsibility and bowl a few overs with the new ball, Smith said in an ICC statement on Monday. His standout performance came during the opening Test at Lords, where he dismantled the hosts with a brilliant return of 6-70 in the second innings, concluding a memorable match with nine wickets. Its something Ive done in domestic cricket and a little bit for New Zealand before, but it was nice to shoulder the responsibility and bowl a few overs with the new ball, Smith said in an ICC statement on Monday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score In the crucial series decider, Smith's impressive haul of 4-91 in the first innings handed New Zealand a vital 82-run lead. He followed it up by claiming two more wickets in the second innings to guide the visitors to a memorable series triumph. Article Source: IANS

Uncapped All-rounder Ashutosh Sharma Signs Up With Hampshire For The One-Day Cup

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Uncapped India batting all-rounder Ashutosh Sharma has signed up to represent Hampshire for the upcoming edition of the mens One-Day Cup, the English county club announced. Ashutosh, 27, represents Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), a franchise co-owned by GMR Group, which also owns Hampshire. Across the last two IPL seasons, he has scored over 350 runs for DC, with an impressive strike rate of 170 and an average of 31.25. Were really pleased to sign Ashutosh for the One-Day Cup. He is a player of great potential and has done well for Delhi Capitals in the IPL recently, so he knows what its like to perform to a high standard. We look forward to welcoming him into the group and seeing what he can do in a Hampshire shirt as we look to go one step further than last year in the competition, said Giles White, Hampshire's Director of Cricket, in a statement on Monday. Ashutosh shot to prominence in Indian domestic cricket when he smashed the fastest T20 fifty by an Indian player - reaching the milestone in just 11 balls for Railways against Arunachal Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Ashutosh, who started his domestic career with Madhya Pradesh in 2017 before switching to Railways, has featured in 92 matches across all formats. In the 50-over format, he has scored 458 runs and claimed two wickets in 21 List A matches. Ashutosh shot to prominence in Indian domestic cricket when he smashed the fastest T20 fifty by an Indian player - reaching the milestone in just 11 balls for Railways against Arunachal Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Apart from Ashutosh, senior India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is expected to be seen in action in the one-day cup after Northamptonshire posted a picture on X of him joining their practice session. Article Source: IANS

Brian Lara Calls For Celebration Of 'Father Figure' Garry Sobers

Brian Lara has urged the whole of the Caribbean to celebrate Garry Sobers following the death of the West Indies legend. Sobers, widely regarded as cricket's most outstanding all-rounder, died aged 89 on Friday, sparking a flood of tributes from all over the world. Among his many achievements, Sobers's 365 not out against Pakistan in 1958 stood as the highest individual innings in Test cricket for 36 years. That record was eventually broken by fellow West Indies left-hander Lara, who made 375 against England in 1994, with Sobers walking on to the ground to congratulate him after he had gone past 365. Lara, who first met Sobers as a boy while taking part in a youth cricket competition set up by the Barbados national hero, told Sky Sports: He was a father figure, a general, a mentor in my life, so even though I am sad, 89 is a great score. I want to tell the whole of the Caribbean that we need to celebrate his life. He added: In each era of West Indies cricket there is a different motivational factor. Sir Clive Lloyd and Sir Vivian Richards wanted to be the best team in the world. But I read that in the 1950s and 60s it was about making ourselves independent of English rule and Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Wes Hall fought for a different purpose. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sir Garfield is the most amazing person I have ever met. Just unbelievable.

Rohit Has Earned The Right To Decide On His Retirement On His Own Terms, Says Kaif

ODI World Cup: Strongly backing veteran opener Rohit Sharma as he quashed all speculation over his international future with a sublime 138 at Lords, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif on Monday asserted that the 39-year-old has earned the right to decide on his retirement on his own terms. Coming into the ODI series decider with speculation over his international career ending and him missing out on playing the 2027 Mens ODI World Cup, Rohit was at his vintage best to hit the first ODI century by an Indian batter at Lords and set aside all speculations emphatically. He also shared stands of 147 and 113 with skipper Shubman Gill (77) and Virat Kohli (74), though it went in vain as India lost by 27 runs and suffered a 2-1 defeat in the ODI series. Rohit Sharma's retirement will be decided by Rohit Sharma himself. He has the right. He has worked so hard for India. He has the right to retire of his own will. 12,000 runs, 34 centuries - till the time he was the captain, he never let India lose. Not even today was anyone able to defeat India in the white ball, and what a captain he was. Now, understand, there is so much pressure on him, like, 'Rohit Sharma, brother, you are done, now go take retirement, take retirement.' Under that pressure, he is the highest run-getter as a batsman at Lord's. No one else scored a century; I am talking about Indian batsmen. The century came from his bat in this match at Lord's, said Kaif in a video posted on his X account on Monday. Kaif further suggested that Rohit is currently battling a perception of isolation, with critics seemingly waiting for a failure to push him out, making his resolute century at Lord's even more remarkable. Now imagine, suppose Shubman Gill says this, Shubman Gill as a captain, 'Rohit bhai, I need you in the 2027 World Cup'. If he comes and gives such a statement, speaks openly in the media, and if the BCCI says that no one should raise a finger at Rohit Sharma, and that no harm should come to him, we stand with him, and he will play for as long as he wants. Kaif further suggested that Rohit is currently battling a perception of isolation, with critics seemingly waiting for a failure to push him out, making his resolute century at Lord's even more remarkable. Also Read: Live Cricket Score When he realises that his team, captain, and coach are standing with him, he will even scale the Himalayas and give it all his might for India. I think I have got the answer. I hope that from now on, all of you will keep calm and will let Rohit Sharma play in peace for India, concluded Kaif. Article Source: IANS

Rayudu, Yusuf, Dilshan Headline Asian Legends League Lineup, Season 2 To Begin From July 30 In Zambia

The Asian Legends League: The highly anticipated second edition of the Asian Legends League (ALL) is scheduled to captivate cricket fans worldwide, taking place in Lusaka, Zambia, from July 30 to August 10, 2026. Following its highly successful first edition, the league returns to a larger stage, featuring six competitive teams, legendary former international cricketers, and a thrilling T20 format that guarantees unforgettable cricketing action. Chetan Sharma, League Commissioner, Asian Legends League, said, The second season of the Asian Legends League marks a significant milestone in our journey. The Asian Legends League has always been envisioned as a celebration of Asian cricket, and our long-term goal is to stage the tournament across different Asian nations. However, due to the prevailing geopolitical tensions in parts of the Middle East and the resulting logistical challenges, we have decided to host Season 2 in Zambia. This is the first and only time the tournament is being held outside Asia. From next season onwards, we intend to bring the league back to Asia, where it truly belongs. Season 2 promises to be bigger, more competitive, and more entertaining. The teams will be led by renowned Asian cricket figures. Yusuf Pathan will head the Indian Royals, Thisara Perera will play for the Sri Lankan Lions, Shakib Al Hasan will represent the Bangladesh Tigers, Asghar Afghan will captain the Afghanistan Pathans, Mohammad Hafeez will play for the Pakistan Panthers, and Tillakaratne (TM) Dilshan will lead the Rest of Asian Stars. The tournament will feature additional star power from several renowned former international cricketers, such as Ambati Rayudu, Naman Ojha, Rishi Dhawan, Upul Tharanga, Isuru Udana, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dilshan Munaweera, Asela Gunaratne, Imran Nazir, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Akmal, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Irfan, Alok Kapali, and Malinda Siriwardana. More marquee names are expected to be announced soon. The league will maintain its distinctive country-based franchise format, uniting legendary players from across Asia and honouring the region's rich cricketing history, intense rivalries, and the camaraderie that characterise the sport locally. Known to fans as the Retired Players Asia Cup, this tournament has quickly become one of the top legends-cricket events globally. The tournament will feature additional star power from several renowned former international cricketers, such as Ambati Rayudu, Naman Ojha, Rishi Dhawan, Upul Tharanga, Isuru Udana, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dilshan Munaweera, Asela Gunaratne, Imran Nazir, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Akmal, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Irfan, Alok Kapali, and Malinda Siriwardana. More marquee names are expected to be announced soon. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The tournament will showcase six country-based franchises representing major cricketing nations across Asia. The teams include Indian Royals, Sri Lankan Lions, Bangladesh Tigers, Afghanistan Pathans, Pakistan Panthers, and Rest of Asian Stars. Article Source: IANS

'No noise, no fun' - Rohit shrugs off retirement chatter after Lord's 138

There's not been any discussion like that in the team, Shubman Gill says when asked about Rohit Sharma's international future

Duleep Trophy: Gaikwad To Lead Star-studded West Zone Squad; Mulani Named Vice-captain

Chennai Super Kings: India opener Ruturaj Gaikwad has been appointed captain of a star-studded West Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, with seasoned left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Shams Mulani named as his vice-captain. The squad was announced on Monday following a meeting between the zonal selection committee for the competition to be played from August 23 to September 10 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) grounds in Bengaluru. Last year, Indias seam-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur led West Zone, who reached semi-finals of the competition, but didnt go to final as Central Zone grabbed the first-innings lead. Now, for the upcoming competition, the captaincy baton has gone from Thakur to Gaikwad, who also leads Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL and was recently in India A squad for 50-over tri-series and red-ball games against Sri Lanka A. The team features two specialist wicket-keepers in Harvik Desai and Urvil Patel, ensuring strong options behind the stumps. Apart from Gaikwad, Prithvi Shaw and the prolific Khan brothers - Sarfaraz and Musheer have been included. They are joined by Jaymeet Patel and Shivalik Sharma to complete a solid batting department. Spin bowling duties will be spearheaded by vice-captain Mulani, off-spin bowling all-rounder Tanush Kotian, and left-arm spinner Siddharth Desai. The fast-bowling department features Thakur, alongside speedsters Tushar Deshpande, Mukesh Chaudhary, and all-rounder Atit Sheth. The selectors have also named a six-member standby list to cover any injury contingencies. The standby players include Jay Gohil, Aarya Desai, Arshin Kulkarni, Mahesh Pithiya, Vishal Jayswal and Rajvardhan Hangargekar. Spin bowling duties will be spearheaded by vice-captain Mulani, off-spin bowling all-rounder Tanush Kotian, and left-arm spinner Siddharth Desai. The fast-bowling department features Thakur, alongside speedsters Tushar Deshpande, Mukesh Chaudhary, and all-rounder Atit Sheth. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Reserve players: Jay Gohil, Aarya Desai, Arshin Kulkarni, Mahesh Pithiya, Vishal Jayswal, and Rajvardhan Hangargekar. Article Source: IANS

India Need To Dive Deeper Into Their Planning: Saba Karim Outlines Priorities After England ODI Series

Saba Karim: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Saba Karim believes India's batting unit emerged with plenty of positives from the ODI series against England, but says the team's immediate priority should be settling on a pace attack capable of delivering in Jasprit Bumrah's absence and fine-tuning combinations ahead of future assignments. Assessing India's performance after England claimed the three-match series 2-1, Karim said the top order had answered several important questions, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill both making significant contributions. India have ticked several boxes. Rohit's century put an end to all the speculation surrounding him. Shubman Gill scored runs, batted with great positivity and showed impressive leadership. So, I don't see any major issues with the batting, Karim told JioStar. While expressing confidence in the batting group, Karim said India's bowling department still requires greater clarity, particularly regarding the pace attack if Bumrah is unavailable. India's focus now should be on identifying the pace bowling attack if Jasprit Bumrah isn't available. In these conditions, our young and inexperienced pace bowlers struggled a bit. That's why the upcoming five-match ODI tour of New Zealand will be a real test to evaluate these combinations, he added. Karim also stressed the importance of having a wicket-taking wrist spinner in the side and urged the team management to adopt a more conditions-based approach while selecting the playing XI. India's focus now should be on identifying the pace bowling attack if Jasprit Bumrah isn't available. In these conditions, our young and inexperienced pace bowlers struggled a bit. That's why the upcoming five-match ODI tour of New Zealand will be a real test to evaluate these combinations, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India's bowling attack came under pressure throughout the deciding ODI at Lord's as England amassed 387/5 before defending the total to seal the series. Article Source: IANS

Rohit Sharma 'shut Everyone Up' By Hitting Century At Lords, Says Ravi Shastri

Rohit Sharma: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has lauded Rohit Sharma for his brilliant century against England in the third and final ODI at Lord's, stating that the opener has shut everyone up on speculations about his future in the 50-over format. Rohit made a sublime 138 the first ODI century hit by an Indian batter at Lords and quashed speculations about the end of his 50-over set-up. He shared stands of 147 and 113 with skipper Shubman Gill (77) and Virat Kohli (74), though it went in vain as India lost by 27 runs and suffered a 2-1 series defeat. He didn't need to do so, but he shut up everybody, because when you get those kinds of rumours floating around, it's sometimes irritating. When a player has done that much, you don't have to prove anything to anyone. If he has the desire to play and work hard at his game and he's still enjoying it, I think he should be given the opportunity for as long as he wants. The day will come when he'll feel that he'll go, but when you have that kind of quality, you're thinking of dropping him and then he produces anything like this - first time ever, it was a special innings, said Shastri on Sky Sports at the conclusion of the series. He also noted that while the top-order fired, India's bowling and fielding left a lot to be desired. Absolutely - these guys (Rohit and Virat) are converters. Once they get 40-50, they smell the coffee. They know how to make that big score now for India to stay in the hunt. They needed that 130-140 from someone - it came from Rohit, good support from Shubman and Virat kept them in the game. But 380 was always a little too much, but a lot of food for thought for India, especially when it comes to fielding and the bowling department. Speaking for Kohli, who hit his first fifty in an international game at Lords, Shastri praised his sheer determination and the intangible value he brings to the squad. He was looking to muscle the ball a little too much. It wasn't easy once the ball got a little older as we found out with the other batsmen, but then again that hunger, that desire, that passion for the sport, the energy he brings onto the ground and in the dressing room, there's no substitute for that. Looking ahead, Shastri believes the team management must address the death-bowling concerns, pointing out that the absence of a seasoned campaigner like Jasprit Bumrah cost India dearly in the final overs against a rampant Jos Buttler. It wasn't easy once the ball got a little older as we found out with the other batsmen, but then again that hunger, that desire, that passion for the sport, the energy he brings onto the ground and in the dressing room, there's no substitute for that. Also Read: Live Cricket Score They've given Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav and others chances - you've got to give them more exposure and then learn from experience. That's what India lacked in those final overs when Jos Buttler took them apart. It was lack of experience - someone like Bumrah there with three or four overs might have made all the difference. Article Source: IANS

Needed Buttler Kind Of Finish Which England Got: Parthiv Patel On India's Failed Chase At Lord's

Needed Buttler: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel believes the decisive difference in the third ODI at Lord's was England's explosive finish with the bat, saying India paced their record chase admirably for most of the innings before falling short in the closing stages as England sealed a 2-1 series victory. Analysing India's chase, Parthiv said the target was always going to test the visitors, but felt the top order had laid a strong platform through a well-constructed chase led by Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli. It was always going to be difficult. 388 was a huge total. I thought India's openers, along with Virat Kohli, paced the innings really well. But you needed that Jos Buttler kind of finish, which England got, Parthiv told JioStar. England had blasted 82 runs in the final five overs of their innings, with Buttler's late assault proving crucial in taking the hosts to 387/5. India, despite being in contention deep into the chase, could not replicate a similar surge and eventually finished on 360/7. Parthiv pointed out that the contest remained evenly poised for much of the chase and suggested that the closing overs ultimately decided the outcome. Until the 47th over, India was actually ahead of England in the run chase. Those last three overs changed the game completely, he added. The former India cricketer also said the match offered valuable lessons for India's relatively inexperienced bowling unit, particularly on the importance of executing plans under pressure at the death. That's the lesson young Indian bowlers will take away from this game, you have to finish well. Even if you're getting hit for a couple of sixes, you need to know how to close out the over, Parthiv stated. Parthiv reserved special praise for Rohit Sharma, whose 138 at Lord's kept India firmly in the hunt and briefly raised hopes of a record chase. He highlighted the veteran batter's measured approach in the early stages, then accelerated once he assessed the conditions. That's the lesson young Indian bowlers will take away from this game, you have to finish well. Even if you're getting hit for a couple of sixes, you need to know how to close out the over, Parthiv stated. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rohit's innings, the first ODI century by an Indian batter at Lord's, formed the backbone of India's chase, but England's superior finishing with both bat and ball ultimately proved enough to secure victory in the series decider. Article Source: IANS

Team Is In Transition, Time To Rethink And Bounce Back: Yuvraj On India's UK Tour Debacle

T20 World Cups: Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh believes India's recent struggles on the tour of the United Kingdom should be viewed in the context of a team undergoing transition, urging patience while also calling for introspection after a disappointing run of results. Reflecting on India's campaign, Yuvraj said phases of inconsistency are inevitable when a side is rebuilding, but stressed that the team must now regroup and respond strongly. When things aren't going well, you start getting confused about whether to play fast bowlers or spinners. It would have been good to play a spinner, but at the end of the day, it's the team's call, Yuvraj told JioStar. His comments came in the wake of India's decision to leave out left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav from the third ODI against England at Lord's, where the visitors were beaten by 27 runs to concede the three-match series 2-1. While acknowledging that criticism is a natural consequence of poor performances, Yuvraj reminded fans of the success India have enjoyed in recent years and cautioned against overlooking those achievements because of a difficult phase. You've won the Champions Trophy, you've won back-to-back T20 World Cups, and now you've lost six T20Is in a row. Somewhere down the line, the game levels everyone, and nobody is bigger than the game. That's how the game reminds us of that. We need to understand it and accept the criticism, he added. While acknowledging that criticism is a natural consequence of poor performances, Yuvraj reminded fans of the success India have enjoyed in recent years and cautioned against overlooking those achievements because of a difficult phase. Also Read: Live Cricket Score At the same time, people shouldn't forget what this Indian team has achieved over the last couple of years, winning three major titles. The team is in transition, new players are coming in, and phases like these are bound to happen. Now it's time to rethink and bounce back, the former all-rounder stated. Article Source: IANS

Jaiswal Needs More Game Time Before WC If He Is In The Plans: Yuvraj

Cricket World Cup: Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has urged the team management to give Yashasvi Jaiswal a longer run in the ODI setup ahead of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, warning that a lack of match practice could leave the young opener under immense pressure if called upon during the tournament. Speaking amid discussions around India's squad composition following the ODI series against England, Yuvraj said his biggest concern was not the absence of senior players but the limited opportunities being given to Jaiswal despite his recent performances. From a player's point of view, it hurts when you're not there. From another perspective, you can understand that maybe they wanted younger players. At that time, there were Dhoni and I, both 36 or 37, going into the World Cup, and the team management had to make a decision, Yuvraj told JioStar. Drawing from his own experience ahead of the 2019 World Cup cycle, Yuvraj said difficult selection calls are part of international cricket, but stressed that India's planning for the next global event must ensure that reserve players are adequately prepared. More than Virat and Rohit, my concern is that Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has scored two hundreds in the last four games, is not starting. If the World Cup comes and he hasn't had enough game time, he's suddenly going to feel the pressure. Somewhere down the line, he needs more game time before the World Cup if he is in the plans, he added. Yuvraj noted that unforeseen injuries can force teams to make last-minute changes, exposing inexperienced players to the biggest stage. More than Virat and Rohit, my concern is that Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has scored two hundreds in the last four games, is not starting. If the World Cup comes and he hasn't had enough game time, he's suddenly going to feel the pressure. Somewhere down the line, he needs more game time before the World Cup if he is in the plans, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Jaiswal has impressed whenever given opportunities in recent ODIs, but has not been a regular starter as India continue to finalise combinations ahead of the World Cup. Article Source: IANS

'If There's No Noise, There's No Fun': Rohit Unfazed By Retirement Talk

New Delhi: Former India captain Rohit Sharma brushed aside speculation surrounding his future after England clinched the three-match ODI series 2-1 with a 27-run victory in the deciding third ODI at Lord's, insisting that external noises have never distracted him from contributing to the team's success. Reflecting on the constant scrutiny that has followed him throughout his career, Rohit made it clear that his focus remains unchanged despite the conversations surrounding his future. My job is with the bat. Come and play, represent my country, represent the team. And that's what I've been told to do since I made my debut. So, that's what I'm going to do. You know, the noise since I made my debut was there. And till the time I'm going to stay here, it's always going to be there. So, it doesn't really matter too much. What matters is what I do on the field. Try and contribute to the success of the team. That's all my focus is right now. And let the noise be there. You know, if there's no noise, there's no fun. My job is inside; their job is outside. So, that's how I look at it, Rohit said in a video shared by BCCI. Rohit's remarks came after he produced a magnificent 138 at Lord's, the first ODI century by an Indian batter at the iconic venue, but his effort was not enough to prevent England from defending 387 and sealing the series. Despite the personal milestone, he admitted that the outcome left him dissatisfied as India failed to complete what would have been a record chase. A little disappointed with the result because I thought we were playing really good cricket. You know, how we started in Birmingham, we played some really good cricket. We fell a little short at Cardiff with the bat, actually. It was not enough score on the board. And then here, again, there was a massive total to chase. We tried everything we could with the bat, but again fell 20-25 runs short with the bat. When it comes to bowling, you've got to understand these guys haven't played a lot of ODI cricket. You've got to give them some time. But yeah, hopefully we can learn from this game. Take it into our stride. Make sure when we come across a situation like that, we try and better ourselves, he stated. While acknowledging that India's relatively inexperienced bowling attack endured a difficult outing, Rohit urged patience and stressed that the series should serve as a learning experience for the group rather than a setback. The 39-year-old also spoke about his long-standing batting partnership with Virat Kohli after the duo once again shared a crucial stand during India's chase. Rohit and Kohli have scored more than 8,000 runs together in ODIs, making them the second most successful duo in century partnerships in ODI history. They achieved their 21st century partnership on Sunday Lord's, second in the all-time list below Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly (26). Additionally, they became the first Indian pair to play 400 international matches together. Having spent nearly two decades together in international cricket, Rohit said their understanding continues to be one of the team's strengths. We played our entire career together. So, you know, it was nice to have him in the middle. We've had a lot of partnerships. It's always fun batting together. We understand each other so much. And yeah, it's always nice in the middle, bouncing off ideas, try and see what we can do. So, there was a lot of conversation that was going around in between when we were batting, Rohit expressed. Although the series ended in disappointment, the top-order batter reiterated his affection for playing in English conditions, describing the challenge of touring England as one of the most rewarding experiences for any cricketer. We played our entire career together. So, you know, it was nice to have him in the middle. We've had a lot of partnerships. It's always fun batting together. We understand each other so much. And yeah, it's always nice in the middle, bouncing off ideas, try and see what we can do. So, there was a lot of conversation that was going around in between when we were batting, Rohit expressed. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We couldn't finish off the game and get the result in our favour. But yeah, we have to move on from this and try and see how we can get better. And see what better we can do as a group. Not just individuals. It's about the group. The collective effort from the group is needed. And that's what I think the team should be focusing on, the 39-year-old mentioned. Article Source: IANS

Hridoy pleased with T20I series win despite 'injuries and limited options'

Bangladesh were without Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam for the entire series, and lost Nahid Rana for the decider, which they won by four wickets

Donald Trump refuses to leave podium in awkward moment as Spain lift World Cup

US President Donald Trump was briefly asked to move aside during Spain's World Cup trophy celebrations after presenting the trophy to captain Rodri. The moment quickly went viral as officials cleared the stage for Spain's players to lift the football

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli save reputation but IND lose series with loss at Lord's

Rohit Sharma became the first Indian batter to score an ODI century at Lord's. The experienced opener reached his hundred in only 84 balls during the third ODI against England. Chasing a huge target of 388, Rohit gave India a strong start with a brilliant innings and hit 17 fours and five sixes at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground.

Were Missing A Trick: Gill Sounds Alarm Over Squad Fitness Concerns

ODI World Cup: India captain Shubman Gill has called for a major overhaul in the squad's fitness levels, expressing frustration over players failing to last even a three-match series. He stressed that the side cannot afford frequent injuries if they wish to remain serious contenders for the 2027 ODI World Cup. India's campaign was severely dented by a string of fitness setbacks, with key players sidelined due to injuries. Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah missed the third ODI following an impact injury sustained in Cardiff, while Washington Sundar also suffered a hamstring injury during the same match. Additionally, Harshit Rana was ruled out with a hamstring issue picked up during the England T20I series, and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy missed the tour altogether after suffering a quadriceps injury during June's home ODI series against Afghanistan. If you look at the first squad that we announced, at least five of the players did not play today, Gill said after the Lord's ODI. When one player gets injured, you have to play a different combination. If two are injured, you play a different combination. I think if a player is missing after every match (due to injury), somewhere we are missing a trick. Keeping the World Cup in mind, we have to play eleven matches in a row. And here the players are unable to finish a series of two or three matches. So something is missing somewhere. They play one or two matches, there's a niggle and then we're forced to play a different combination which we don't think of playing. So all those things make it difficult if one morning you find out that a player has a niggle. And then it's almost like, 'do you want to take a chance?' Someone is 80 per cent fit, you're playing with five bowlers and if he bowls five overs and goes off the field, then who will you bowl? It is difficult. But somewhere as a group, we need to improve our fitness, he said. Gill also mentioned the reason behind India opting to go with just one spinner in Axar Patel was because the pitches in Birmingham and Cardiff were not favourable for spinners. Whenever spinners came on to bowl, we felt like we kind of had to go into a defensive route. Whenever the fast bowlers were bowling, it felt like something was happening, Gill said. That was the thought process behind not playing an extra spinner, maybe play a fast bowler because in the middle overs, you obviously want to create pressure and see if the chances get created, he added. Gill also mentioned the reason behind India opting to go with just one spinner in Axar Patel was because the pitches in Birmingham and Cardiff were not favourable for spinners. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Both the matches that we have lost, we were in the game for the majority of the game, Gill said. And I think it's all about how long we can stay consistently in the game. It almost feels like we are in the game for about 80 per cent of the game, he said. Article Source: IANS

Jangoo: West Indies 'don't deserve' to be in World Cup qualifiers

A one-wicket defeat in Barbados was West Indies' third loss in a row and a difficult pill to swallow, as Amir Jangoo put it

Harry Brook Hails England Coach Brendon Mccullum's Impact In Series Win Over India

Harry Brook lauded coach Brendon McCullum for his role in England's first one-day international series victory over India since 2018 following an entertaining 27-run win at Lord's on Sunday. McCullum was sacked as Test coach following England's recent 2-1 home defeat by New Zealand that culminated in the international retirement of red-ball captain Ben Stokes. But the former New Zealand skipper remained in charge of England's white-ball teams and has overseen a 4-0 T20 series whitewash of world champions India, which was followed Sunday by a win that secured a 2-1 success in a three-match ODI series. Ben Duckett's dominant 141 was the cornerstone of England's 387-3, a new record for the highest total in an ODI at Lord's, with fellow opener Jacob Bethell making 91. Joe Root's 74 not out was his third fifty of the series, with Jos Buttler's dashing unbeaten 41 off just 13 balls making a crucial difference to the outcome. Rohit Sharma, amid speculation this could be his last match before retiring from international duty kept the tourists in the game with a brilliant 138 -- the first ODI century by an India batsman at Lord's -- and Virat Kohli weighed in with 74. - 'Quick chat' - But England captain Brook's decision to turn to Bethell's part-time spin proved inspired with the Barbados-born youngster bowling Sharma on a day of tributes to his mentor Garry Sobers, the outstanding West Indies' all-rounder who died on Friday. That was a tough little period, they (India) were obviously getting ahead of the game and playing really well, said Brook, who praised the much-criticised McCullum's tactical input. I decided to go off for an over and have a quick chat with Baz to gather his thoughts. Again, it comes back to the communication which has been outstanding throughout the T20s, throughout the ODIs. They have a slightly different view from up there, with the TVs and analytic work and going up there to have a quick chat to see what we could do. He said, 'have a go with Beth, a slightly different spinner to what we've got with him driving it into the pitch,' and thankfully it came off. Brook has previously said he would have no qualms about succeeding Stokes as Test captain, although he accepted Sunday it would be tough to lead in all three international formats ahead of a 2027 when a home Ashes series is followed by an ODI World Cup in South Africa. He added: That's not my decision. Whoever is the new coach will have that decision to make. It would be tough to do it, but I'm not saying it is impossible. If I get asked, we'll see where it takes us. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India captain Shubman Gill rued Buttler's blistering late assault but swerved questions about Sharma's international future by saying: He has not told us anything. I think it is all out in the media, but there has not been any discussions internally.

Tanzid Hasan's Unbeaten 66 Powers Bangladesh to T20I Series Win Over Zimbabwe

Opener Tanzid Hasan struck an unbeaten 66 for Bangladesh in a four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe on Sunday that clinched the three-match Twenty20 series 2-1 in Bulawayo. Success at Queens Sports Club was a welcome relief for the visitors after suffering an innings defeat in a one-off Test, then a 2-1 loss in a one-day international series on an all-formats tour. Full Scorecard Zimbabwe won the toss and posted 143-7 thanks to Dion Myers (73) and Brian Bennett (47), with no other batter reaching double figures. Bangladesh then reached 144-6 with two balls to spare. Tanzid Hasan received valuable support from Parvez Hossain Emon and captain Towhid Hridoy. Emon and Hridoy contributed 24 runs each before becoming victims of off-spinner Sikandar Raza, the 40-year-old Zimbabwe captain and all-rounder. After winning the player of the match and series awards, Tanzid Hasan said: My approach was not to play too hard. Rather, watch the ball and play on merit. Raza said: I feared our total was about 10 runs short of what we needed to win the match and the series. I also believe we could have fielded a little better. Batting at No. 3, Myers struck two sixes and seven fours before flicking a ball to mid-wicket and calling for a second run. The decision backfired when Rishad Hossain swiftly threw the ball to wicket-keeper Emon and Myers was run out. After the early loss of opener Saif Hassan (4) in Bangladesh's response, left-hand batter Hasan took control to claim his 13th T20 half-century. His unbeaten 58-ball knock included four sixes and a single four. Brief scores Zimbabwe 143-7 in 20 overs (D. Myers 73, B. Bennett 47) v Bangladesh 144-6 in 19.4 overs (Tanzid Hasan 66 not out) Result: Bangladesh won by four wickets Series: Bangladesh won 2-1 Also Read: Live Cricket Score Toss: Zimbabwe

Gill puts spotlight on India's fitness record

India's captain said the squad will need greater resilience for when next year's World Cup comes around

Frances Kylian Mbapp secures second World Cup Golden Boot with 10 goals

Kylian Mbapp became the first player to finish as the top scorer at multiple World Cups, while Lionel Messi missed out after Argentinas 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the final

Chapman, Santner star in low-scoring thriller as NZ take series

The visitors just about held their nerve in a chase of 189 to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the ODI series

Spain win the World Cup, beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time on Ferran Torres goal

Spain dominated throughout before Ferran Torres struck in extra time to beat 10-man Argentina 1-0, becoming the first nation to simultaneously hold both the mens and womens FIFA World Cup titles

3rd ODI: Duckett's 141 Edges Rohit's 138 As England Beat India By 27 Runs, Win Series 2-1 (Ld)

Sir Garfield Sobers: Ben Duckett's sensational 141-run knock eclipsed a magnificent 138 from Rohit Sharma as a clinical England defeated India by 27 runs in a high-scoring thriller at Lord's on Sunday to clinch the three-match ODI series 2-1. Chasing a whopping target of 388, India mounted a spirited challenge but ultimately finished at 360 for seven as the hosts executed a disciplined death-bowling display to seal a well-earned victory. Earlier in the day, England's batting line-up produced a relentless display of batsmanship that left India's bowlers bruised as they posted a mammoth 387/3, registering the highest List A score at the 'Home of Cricket.' The primary difference between the two sides lay in England's explosive finish with the bat, where they plundered a decisive 82 runs from the final five overs, and a game-changing post-30th-over spell from young Jacob Bethell. With his part-time left-arm spin, Bethell turned the match on its head by delivering an economical seven-over spell, conceding just 49 runs and claiming the prized scalp of Rohit, which triggered an Indian batting collapse from a commanding 260 for one to a precarious 329 for seven. Apart from Bethell, Sam Curran stood out with his clever slower balls to strangle India's charge and end up with figures of 4-75. Opting to bat, England's charge was led by a brilliant Ben Duckett hitting 141 off 135 balls, laced with 18 fours and one six. He was well-supported in a 192-run stand with Bethell, who hit a 93-ball 91, studded with 11 fours and two sixes. India endured a grueling day in the field as their depleted bowling attack failed to contain England. With pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah injured, the Indian team management elected to field only five frontline bowlers, a tactical move that backfired as they failed to wrest any control after Duckett and Bethell laid a solid foundation. Bethell, despite his struggles in between, batted with flair and confidence to get his first ODI fifty as an opener with a top-edge pull off Arshdeep Singh. His knock carried emotional resonance, coming days after the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, whom Bethell credited as a formative influence in his quest to play for England. He eventually fell for 91 to Prasidh, but not before stitching a monumental 192-run opening stand with Duckett - the highest for any wicket by England against India in ODIs. Duckett, meanwhile, was in imperious touch as he showcased a masterclass in timing and placement. He reached his fourth ODI hundred with a blistering pull off Gurnoor Brar, and then marched past Viv Richards' iconic 138 not out from the 1979 World Cup final to set a new record for most runs hit by a batter in an ODI game at Lord's. When Prince Yadav's slower bouncer finally accounted for him, the crowd rose in unison to salute a knock that will be etched in Lord's folklore. Joe Root's arrival only deepened India's woes. In the form of his life, Root notched his sixth consecutive ODI fifty - an unprecedented feat in the format. Harry Brook's cameo of 14 ended when he holed out to Virat Kohli at long-on, giving Krishna his second wicket. But that dismissal only set the stage for Jos Buttler's pyrotechnics. Walking in with just 19 balls left, Buttler launched a brutal assault, including three consecutive sixes down the ground, a reverse-scoop, and a yorker drilled past deep third man. His 63-run stand with Root came off just 20 balls, propelling England past 380 and ensuring the innings closed with a bang. Buttler's blitz, an unbeaten 41 off just 13 balls, was the killer blow as England amassed 126 runs in the last ten overs, 82 of which came in the final five overs. India's inexperienced bowling attack was wayward and ineffective, as they conceded 26 extras. Gurnoor Brar's 0-97 became the most expensive ODI figures at Lord's, surpassing Karsan Ghavri conceding 81 runs in 1975, as Sunday afternoon was a chastening reminder of their lack of bowling depth. Facing a daunting task to chase 388, India's chase began with Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson testing both Gill and Rohit. Rohit took time to settle before breaking the shackles in the sixth over with a streaky boundary over slip off Atkinson. Gill looked in sublime touch, reaching his half-century in 53 balls. After the first drinks break, Rohit and Gill brought up India's century of the opening partnership in the 19th over off Rashid, marking the first instance of both teams recording a century-run opening stand in an ODI at this venue. The formidable 147-run opening stand was finally broken in the 25th over when Gill missed a slider while trying to sweep Rashid and was trapped lbw, as he departed after a well-made 77 off 84 balls. With a century in sight, Rohit turned ferocious in the 29th over against Josh Tongue, smoking a slower delivery straight down the ground into the stands for back-to-back maximums. Rohit answered his critics in emphatic fashion by slog-sweeping Rashid for four to bring up his 34th ODI century off just 85 balls - quashing intense end-of-career speculations. It marked the first ODI hundred by an Indian batter at Lord's. Rohit's 138, laced with 17 fours and five sixes, became the highest individual ODI score by an Indian batsman against England in their own backyard. The spectacular 70-run second-wicket partnership was finally broken in the 39th over when Rohit, after launching Bethell for a towering six, attempted a sweep against a straight arm ball, but missed it completely and was clean bowled. While walking back, he got a standing ovation from the Lord's crowd. Kohli eventually compiled a 42-ball 74. However, Curran got England firmly ahead in the game by having Kishan and Shreyas Iyer caught out in the space of four balls. Once Kohli miscued to cover on a slower ball from Curran and fell for 74, the result was a foregone conclusion in England's favour as India finished 27 runs short of the target to end their tour with eighth defeat. Rohit's 138, laced with 17 fours and five sixes, became the highest individual ODI score by an Indian batsman against England in their own backyard. The spectacular 70-run second-wicket partnership was finally broken in the 39th over when Rohit, after launching Bethell for a towering six, attempted a sweep against a straight arm ball, but missed it completely and was clean bowled. While walking back, he got a standing ovation from the Lord's crowd. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: England 387/3 in 50 overs (Ben Duckett 141, Jacob Bethell 91; Prasidh Krishna 2-69, Prince Yadav 1-79) beat India 360/7 in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 138, Shubman Gill 77; Sam Curran 4-75, Jacob Bethell 1-49) by 27 runs Article Source: IANS

3rd ODI: Be Upfront With Rohit And Virat Regarding World Cup Plans, Says Yuvraj Singh

ODI World Cup: Amid recent unprecedented speculation surrounding Rohit Sharmas international future, former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has urged head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar to provide absolute clarity to senior stalwarts like him and Virat Kohli regarding their roles for the 2027 Mens ODI World Cup. The buildup to the ongoing series-deciding third ODI against England at Lord's was dominated by reports saying the match could be Rohits last for the Indian team, as the selectors were keen to look past him for the mega event in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. Although the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia recently denied these rumours, the future of the veteran duo has remained a constant talking point. It's up to the management who they want to stick with. Ideally, you need experience in the team. You can't just go with young guys, or you just can't go with only experience in the team. You have to match it and I believe that if they have to play the World Cup, they have to be secured now. The media is always going to bring up the moment they don't perform, age and form, and all this is going to come. Whatever noise is outside, let it be outside, Yuvraj said to JioHotstar during the mid-innings break at the Lords Cricket Ground on Sunday. Yuvraj, Player of the Tournament in the 2011 Mens ODI World Cup triumph, also stated that the team management needs to make hard calls directly rather than letting speculation linger. Whatever your plans are, if you want these guys to go for the World Cup, you tell them now, and you secure them now. That's great, you are going to the World Cup, don't worry about anything. Or if you feel that someone is not fitting, tell them, it's going to look bad, it's going to be a hard call, but eventually the guy will appreciate that you said it on his face. Yuvraj, Player of the Tournament in the 2011 Mens ODI World Cup triumph, also stated that the team management needs to make hard calls directly rather than letting speculation linger. Also Read: Live Cricket Score It's unbelievable the number of hundreds they have scored, the games they have won for India, what they have contributed to the field as players, as captains, it's unmatched. But you need to have clarity with your seniors. Article Source: IANS

Bangladesh win dramatic finale to clinch T20I series against Zimbabwe

Tanzid Hasan anchored the chase with a half-century as Bangladesh won with two balls to spare

Duckett 141 headlines England rampage to 387

It is the highest List A total at Lord's, built by a new highest individual ODI score at the venue, in the highest partnership for any wicket against India thanks to Duckett and Bethell

3rd ODI: India Will Need One Of Gill, Kohli Or Rohit To Get A Hundred, Says Broad

Sir Garfield Sobers: Former England pacer Stuart Broad believes India will require a monumental century from either skipper Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, or Rohit Sharma if they are to successfully chase down England's mammoth 387/3 in the series-deciding third ODI here at Lords on Sunday. England have set India 388 to win the ODI decider at Lord's, thanks to Ben Ducketts 141, Jacob Bethells 91, Joe Roots unbeaten 48-ball 71 and Jos Buttler applying finishing touches with 41 not out off just 13 balls. It will be entertaining if India get anywhere near. They will need one of Gill, Kohli or Rohit to get a hundred but it is a belting hot day, a quick outfield and a decent batting pitch. Let's be honest, England's score looks over-par as India didn't bowl very well, said Broad in the mid-innings break. Ex-England captain Nasser Hussain said India looked 'shell-shocked' in the absence of ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah. That was some incredible batting - but in a funny kind of way, they needed that bit of momentum from Buttler late on. It looked like England were going to get the score they did, then it looked like they were going to get a bit underneath it before 'Jos the Boss' came in and put the icing on the cake. That is pretty much how you want to go about setting a score in what is effectively a final. This game is important because England historically dont put on their best performance in knockout games but they have with the bat today. India looked shell-shocked without star man Bumrah. India went straight, straight, straight and then wide, wide, wide to Duckett. They just couldn't get their lines right. They were poor. Hussain also lauded the team's selectors for picking Bethell as opener and highlighted the role of senior batter Joe Root. England do select well. Bethell came in and hadn't played in the positions they asked him to bat in but he now has a hundred across every format. They move him up to open the batting in ODIs and he then goes and bats like that. Duckett came back in to the team in 2022 and has done really well. He had a difficult Ashes, yes, but is he a good multi-format player? Yes. All the talent is held together by Root. The day was also marked by emotional tributes for the late West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers. Paying homage to him, Broad said, Legend, icon - all the words that have been said about him already ring true. He inspired people all around the world to play the game. They move him up to open the batting in ODIs and he then goes and bats like that. Duckett came back in to the team in 2022 and has done really well. He had a difficult Ashes, yes, but is he a good multi-format player? Yes. All the talent is held together by Root. Also Read: Live Cricket Score West Indies batting maestro Sir Brian Lara also remembered him deeply. He was a father figure, a general, a mentor in my life, so even though I am sad, 89 is a great score. I want to tell the whole of the Caribbean that we need to celebrate his life. He is the most amazing person I have ever met. Article Source: IANS

New Zealand bowl with Mitchell injured; West Indies make four changes

Greaves, Jangoo, Forde, and Seales replaced Campbell, Hetmyer, Paul and Pierre

3rd ODI: Duckett, Bethell Unleash Carnage As England Post 387/3 Against India

Sir Garfield Sobers: Englands batting line-up produced a relentless display of batsmanship that left Indias bowlers bruised and the crowd enthralled as they posted a mammoth 387/3 in their 50 overs in the ODI series decider at the Lords Cricket Ground on Sunday. Englands batting charge was led by a brilliant Ben Duckett hitting 141 off 135 balls, laced with 18 fours and one six. He was well-supported in a 192-run stand with Jacob Bethell, who hit a 93-ball 91, studded with 11 fours and two sixes. The innings got more momentum with Joe Root smashing an unbeaten 48-ball 71 and Jos Buttler applying finishing touches with 41 not out off just 13 balls, as England posted the highest List A score at the Home of Cricket. India endured a grueling day in the field as their depleted bowling attack failed to contain England. With pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah injured, the Indian team management elected to field only five frontline bowlers - a tactical move that backfired as they failed to wrest any control after Duckett and Bethell laid a solid foundation. India now face a daunting task to chase 388 on a surface that continues to offer assistance to the seamers. History is also against them, as each of the last five ODIs at this iconic venue has been won by the team batting first. It will take an extraordinary effort from the Indian batting line-up to pull off a record chase and secure the 2-1 series win. Duckett began his show by carting Prasidh Krishna for two fours in the second over, while Bethell hit one boundary off him. From there, the boundaries began to flow easily as the Indian bowlers were never settled in their lines and lengths. Bethell, despite his struggles in between, batted with flair and confidence to get his first ODI fifty as an opener with a top-edge pull off Arshdeep Singh. His knock carried emotional resonance, coming days after the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, whom Bethell credited as a formative influence in his quest to play for England. He eventually fell for 91 to Prasidh, but not before stitching a monumental 192-run opening stand with Duckett - the highest for any wicket by England against India in ODIs. Duckett, meanwhile, was in imperious touch as he showcased a masterclass in timing and placement. He reached his fourth ODI hundred with a blistering pull off Gurnoor Brar, and then marched past Viv Richards iconic 138 not out from the 1979 World Cup final to set a new record for most runs hit by a batter in an ODI game in Lords. When Prince Yadavs slower bouncer finally accounted for him, the crowd rose in unison to salute a knock that will be etched in Lords folklore. Roots arrival only deepened Indias woes. In the form of his life, Root notched his sixth consecutive ODI fifty - an unprecedented feat in mens ODI cricket. His 39-ball half-century was marked by reverse scoops, deft nudges, and immaculate control. His calm assurance provided the perfect foil to the fireworks unleashed by his batting counterparts around him. Harry Brooks cameo of 14 ended when he holed out to Virat Kohli at long-on, giving Krishna his second wicket. But that dismissal only set the stage for Buttlers pyrotechnics. Walking in with just 19 balls left, Buttler launched a brutal assault, including three consecutive sixes down the ground, a reverse-scoop, and a yorker drilled past deep third man. His 63-run stand with Root came off just 20 balls, propelling England past 380 and ensuring the innings closed with a bang. Buttlers blitz was the killer blow, as England amassed 126 runs in the last ten overs, 82 of which came in the final five overs. Harry Brooks cameo of 14 ended when he holed out to Virat Kohli at long-on, giving Krishna his second wicket. But that dismissal only set the stage for Buttlers pyrotechnics. Walking in with just 19 balls left, Buttler launched a brutal assault, including three consecutive sixes down the ground, a reverse-scoop, and a yorker drilled past deep third man. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: England 387/3 in 50 overs (Ben Duckett 141, Jacob Bethell 91; Prasidh Krishna 2-69, Prince Yadav 1-79) against India Article Source: IANS

3rd ODI: Exclusion From Playing Eleven Can Affect Kuldeep's Rhythm And Confidence, Says Ashwin

Lucknow Super Giants: Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Sunday questioned the team management's decision to repeatedly bench premier left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, warning that such frequent exclusions could severely damage a bowler's confidence. In the absence of injured pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar being ruled out due to hamstring injury, Kuldeep was still overlooked for Sundays ongoing ODI series decider at Lords. It meant that India are playing four pacers and a lone spinner in left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel, with no sixth bowling option in their line-up. The only defense for not playing Kuldeep usually is that the batting finishes at number 7, wonder how it feels to have Arshdeep at number 8 today! Adding Bumrahs absence to that, one can only feel bad for Kuldeep. Trust me, this can affect the rhythm and confidence of a bowler, Ashwin stated on his X account on Sunday. Kuldeep has now sat out three of India's all ODIs in England after being rested from the T20I leg of the tour. Even during the preceding home ODI series against Afghanistan, Kuldeep featured in just one game, returning figures of 0-42 in Lucknow. The only defense for not playing Kuldeep usually is that the batting finishes at number 7, wonder how it feels to have Arshdeep at number 8 today! Adding Bumrahs absence to that, one can only feel bad for Kuldeep. Trust me, this can affect the rhythm and confidence of a bowler, Ashwin stated on his X account on Sunday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The left-arm wrist-spinner has endured a tough run lately after having a challenging IPL 2026 campaign for Delhi Capitals. Post the tournaments end, Kuldeep made a switch to Lucknow Super Giants via a trade deal which saw Rishabh Pant moving back to Delhi Capitals. While Kuldeep boasts an incredibly impressive career record of 194 wickets in 121 ODIs, his continuous non-selection still leaves many people curious. Article Source: IANS

3rd ODI: MS Dhoni, Bollywood Stars And Cricket Legends Grace India-England Series Decider

Saif Ali Khan: The historic Lords Cricket Ground is currently witnessing a spectacular convergence of celebrities as legendary former India captain MS Dhoni, top Bollywood celebrities, and a galaxy of cricketing greats are in attendance for the high-stakes ODI series decider between India and England. Broadcast visuals showed Dhoni alongside his wife Sakshi in the premium enclosures of the iconic cricket ground in the company of prominent Bollywood actors Saif Ali Khan, who is present along with his son, and Kriti Sanon. This marks Dhonis third appearance in the stadium during Indias ongoing tour of England. He previously saw India's third T20I against England at Trent Bridge on his birthday and was also in attendance during the first ODI at Edgbaston. Former India wicketkeeper-batter Farokh Engineer is also in attendance at Lord's, even as the hospitality boxes at the 'Home of Cricket' saw a frame that took social media by storm. Legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar, West Indian legends Brian Lara and Sir Clive Lloyd, Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara, and former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who also rang the five-minute bell earlier in the day, were all captured together in a single picture. Former India wicketkeeper-batter Farokh Engineer is also in attendance at Lord's, even as the hospitality boxes at the 'Home of Cricket' saw a frame that took social media by storm. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Jacob Bethell and Ben Duckett had a 192-run opening partnership to keep England steady in their quest to win the series currently locked at 1-1. India, meanwhile, havent been at their penetrative best with the ball, especially with fast bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of the decider due to a knee injury picked in the second ODI in Cardiff. Article Source: IANS

FIFA World Cup final: Kerala declares holiday for all educational institutions on Monday

Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the decision was made after students expressed concerns about attending classes after staying up late for the World Cup match.

Zimbabwe opt to bat in series decider

Bangladesh were without Nahid Rana, who suffered a side strain on Friday

3rd ODI: Consistently Hitting Lengths Is The Real Discipline, Says England Spearhead Archer

Jofra Archer: England speedster Jofra Archer has expressed immense satisfaction with his current bowling rhythm, adding that consistently hitting his favourable lengths has been the key to his good showings in the ongoing ODI series against India. Very pleased with how it's coming. Sometimes the wickets don't always come there, but I think this has probably been the best I've bowled consistently. I don't think I've bowled one bad ball. If it goes for four, that's fine, but I put it where I want to put it. Probably just the lengths, to be honest, because some days you're going to bowl faster than some. So as long as you're consistently hitting the length, you can be tired, you can be excited, but as long as you're hitting the same length, then I think that's the real discipline, Archer said in a pre-game chat with the broadcasters. He also highlighted the tactical importance of dismissing India's premier top-order batters, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill, to contain the visitors' scoring rate. He's (Kohli) the key, it's stopping them from getting 300. You get him, you get Rohit, you get Shubman. The others probably will still take them to 300, but I think if you get them out, you significantly stop the chances of that happening. Embracing his senior role alongside younger bowlers like Josh Tongue in the England setup, Archer, who picked a three-for in the second ODI win in Cardiff, downplayed the complexities of leading the attack, adding that having good communication is of utmost importance. He also highlighted the tactical importance of dismissing India's premier top-order batters, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill, to contain the visitors' scoring rate. He's (Kohli) the key, it's stopping them from getting 300. You get him, you get Rohit, you get Shubman. The others probably will still take them to 300, but I think if you get them out, you significantly stop the chances of that happening. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I've played a few 50-over games, and it's not that complicated. You just hit the length, and then it just depends if you go straight or if you just go a bit on fourth stump. It's just realising that quickly and then just passing the information on to the other guys. Article Source: IANS

3rd ODI: Yuvraj Singh Rings Iconic Five-minute Bell At Lord's Ahead Of Series-decider

ODI World Cup: Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh on Sunday added a touch of elegance and nostalgia to the historic Lord's Cricket Ground as he rang the venue's iconic five-minute bell to signal the start of play for the crucial series-deciding third ODI between India and England. Looking dapper in a well-tailored suit, Yuvraj, the Player of the Tournament in Indias 2011 ODI World Cup victory, stood next to the famous bell located outside the Bowlers Writing Room in the Pavilion and performed the honorary ritual to the delight of an enthusiastic crowd. Standing behind him was Yuvrajs wife, actor Hazel Keech, and other officials and members of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). West Indies greats Brian Lara and Clive Lloyd are also in attendance for the ODI series decider India won the first game in Birmingham, before England bounced back in the second match in Cardiff. The MCC had advised spectators to stay tuned for the moment. The five-minute bell will be rung by the former India international Yuvraj Singh, the MCC had stated in an official pre-match announcement. The tradition of ringing the Lords bell was introduced in 2007, with an international cricketer, administrator, or a well-known enthusiast of the sport invited to ring it to indicate that five minutes remain before the day's play commences. The MCC had advised spectators to stay tuned for the moment. The five-minute bell will be rung by the former India international Yuvraj Singh, the MCC had stated in an official pre-match announcement. Also Read: Live Cricket Score In 2023, Yuvraj, whos mentoring young India opener Abhishek Sharma and had mentored current ODI and Test skipper Shubman Gill, received the Honorary Life Membership of the MCC. Article Source: IANS

Holiday Declared In Kerala On Monday As Football Fever Peaks Ahead Of FIFA World Cup Final

Higher Education Minister Roji: Keralas passion for football reached a new high on Sunday as the state government declared a holiday on Monday for all educational institutions, allowing students to stay up and watch the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina without worrying about attending classes the next morning. The holiday covers schools under the General Education Department as well as colleges, universities and professional institutions under the Higher Education Department. The decision was taken following directions from Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan after thousands of football enthusiasts, particularly students, appealed through social media for a holiday. The final is scheduled to kick off at 12.30 a.m. IST on Monday, making it difficult for students to attend classes after a late-night match. Football enjoys an unmatched following in Kerala, where the sport is often celebrated with a passion rivalled only by cricket in other parts of the country. In the days leading up to the final, towns and villages across the state have been transformed into football arenas, with giant cut-outs of international stars towering over roadsides, junctions and playgrounds. Supporters of Spain and Argentina have erected massive banners, flags and decorative arches, while local fan clubs have organised public screenings, rallies and celebrations, creating a festive atmosphere across Kerala. The overwhelming response from football fans played a key role in the governments decision. Several schools in Ernakulam had already announced a holiday on their own after receiving requests from students and parents. The state governments announcement brought uniformity to the decision, ensuring that students across Kerala could enjoy the championship match. Higher Education Minister Roji M. John announced that all higher education institutions, including professional colleges, would remain closed on Monday. He said the decision would enable students to watch one of world footballs biggest sporting events without the inconvenience of travelling to campuses after a sleepless night. General Education Minister N. Samsudheen also confirmed a holiday for schools under his department through a social media post, opening his message with the playful words, Happy now, kids? Higher Education Minister Roji M. John announced that all higher education institutions, including professional colleges, would remain closed on Monday. He said the decision would enable students to watch one of world footballs biggest sporting events without the inconvenience of travelling to campuses after a sleepless night. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With public viewing centres, giant screens and football-themed celebrations planned across the state, Kerala is set to witness another unforgettable night as lakhs of fans unite to cheer their favourite teams in the FIFA World Cup final. Article Source: IANS

Manjot Kalra denies fixing allegations in LPL 2026

Former India Under-19 player Manjot Kalra has been remanded until July 31 in Colombo

3rd ODI: India, England Players Wear Black Armbands In Memory Of Sir Garfield Sobers

Sir Garfield Sobers: Players from both the Indian and English teams, along with match officials, wore black armbands and observed a minute's silence at Lord's on Sunday to pay a poignant tribute to the legendary Sir Garfield Sobers, who passed away on Friday at the age of 89. Before the start of the series-deciding match, players from both competing teams, alongside the match officials, lined up on the ground to observe a minute's silence in honour of Sobers, widely regarded as the sport's greatest-ever all-rounder. The perfectly observed minute's silence drew deep respect from the packed Lord's crowd, thus evoking a wave of nostalgia and respect for Sobers. Born in Barbados, Sobers was an unparalleled titan of the game whose international career ran from 1954 to 1974. He amassed 8,032 runs in 93 Tests at a staggering average of 57.78, while also claiming 235 wickets and holding 109 catches. He was also famously the first batter in first-class cricket history to smash six sixes in an over, a feat achieved in 1968. To the community of West Indies cricket, he is a legend - one of the greatest all-rounders ever. I saw him a couple of months ago when I was at home in Barbados and he said he was moving well for his age. I was very sad to hear the news (of his passing), England pacer Jofra Archer had said to broadcasters ahead of the third ODI. Apart from captaining West Indies in 39 Tests, Sobers is also one of only two players, alongside Jacques Kallis, to achieve the double of 8,000 runs and 200 wickets in Tests. Young batting all-rounder Jacob Bethell, talking to the broadcasters, remembered Sobers as a 'larger than life' figure and recalled how he helped him play for England. To the community of West Indies cricket, he is a legend - one of the greatest all-rounders ever. I saw him a couple of months ago when I was at home in Barbados and he said he was moving well for his age. I was very sad to hear the news (of his passing), England pacer Jofra Archer had said to broadcasters ahead of the third ODI. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Every time he walked into anywhere, the place would come alive. It was unbelievable to be able to spend a bit of time with him and be around someone of that calibre. The major helping point for me personally was helping me get over to England. (The reference he wrote) helped me a lot to get over here and do what I'm doing now. Article Source: IANS

Bumrah misses Lord's decider with injury; England bring in Tongue and bat

KL Rahul, Arshdeep Singh and Prince Yadav come in for India; England leave out Saqib Mahmood in favour of Josh Tongue

3rd ODI: Bumrah Misses Out As England Opt To Bat First In Series Decider

Cricket Ground: England have won the toss and elected to bat first against India in the series-deciding third ODI at the Lords Cricket Ground on Sunday, with the visitors being dealt a major blow as premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah missed out due to knee swelling. Bumrah was seen taking a fitness test ahead of the coin toss at Lords, but after failing it, he was ruled out of the clash. With Bumrah and Washington Sundar, who was ruled out due to hamstring strain, unavailable, India have brought in Prince Yadav and Arshdeep Singh. Wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul is fit again after missing the second ODI in Cardiff due to illness and replaces Shivam Dube. We were in a great position in Cardiff but then lost too many wickets in the middle overs so hopefully we can get good runs today. We're not the one who rely on stats so much. We think he's (Arshdeep) a great bowler, and we were looking for four seamers on this ground. We have seen in the middle overs, spinners don't really offer much as compared to the fast bowlers, said India skipper Shubman Gill. England, meanwhile, have brought Josh Tongue in place of Saqib Mahmood in their playing eleven. It looks a good surface so hopefully we can get runs on the board and put India under pressure. I thought we did really well in the middle overs (in the second ODI) to restrict India, while the way Joe Root batted set a great template. It would be beautiful to win and lift the trophy at the end of the day but we have to assess conditions and adapt, he said. Playing XIs I thought we did really well in the middle overs (in the second ODI) to restrict India, while the way Joe Root batted set a great template. It would be beautiful to win and lift the trophy at the end of the day but we have to assess conditions and adapt, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score England: Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook (captain), Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, and Josh Tongue Article Source: IANS

Team India Visit High Commission Of India In London Ahead Of Lords Decider

President Mr Rajeev Shukla: The Indian men's cricket team took a brief break from its on-field preparations to attend a special reception and dinner hosted by the High Commission of India at India House in London on Saturday. Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Kumaran Periasamy, welcomed the players and support staff, while BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla also addressed the gathering. Sharing pictures from the event, the BCCI wrote on X, A memorable evening in London as #TeamIndia visited the High Commission. The players and support staff were welcomed by the High Commissioner of India to the UK, Mr Kumaran Periasamy, and members of the Indian diaspora in the UK. BCCI Vice-President Mr Rajeev Shukla also addressed the gathering, revisiting fond memories of some of India's celebrated teams. The players also interacted with members of the Indian diaspora and posed for photographs with Periasamy, officials from the High Commission and their families during the event. The reception came midway through India's ODI series against England. The three-match ODI series between the two sides is finely poised at 1-1 heading into the decider at Lord's after the two teams shared contrasting victories in the opening two matches. India made a winning start to the series with a composed chase, led by captain Shubman Gill, who took the attack to England's new-ball bowlers to set the tone at the top before retiring hurt at 80. The visitors controlled the contest for most of the match, with their bowlers bowling England out for 258 in 47.5 overs before the batters completed the chase in 45.2 overs to take a 1-0 lead. The reception came midway through India's ODI series against England. The three-match ODI series between the two sides is finely poised at 1-1 heading into the decider at Lord's after the two teams shared contrasting victories in the opening two matches. Also Read: Live Cricket Score England's chase was anchored by Joe Root, who once again produced a measured innings and remained unbeaten on 99, guiding the hosts home. Article Source: IANS

'It's Not Rocket Science': Shaji Prabhakaran Outlines India's World Cup Roadmap

The FIFA World Cup: The FIFA World Cup has once again demonstrated football's unmatched ability to unite billions across the globe, delivering unforgettable moments on and off the pitch. As the world gears up for the final between Argentina and Spain, the spotlight has also returned to a question that continues to haunt Indian football: why has a nation of more than 1.4 billion people still not qualified for the sport's biggest event? For Shaji Prabhakaran, the answer is neither complicated nor unattainable. The former All India Football Federation (AIFF) general secretary believes India possesses the resources, talent and passion to reach the FIFA World Cup, but insists that sustained hard work, transparent governance, grassroots development and collective effort, not miracles, will determine whether that dream becomes a reality. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Prabhakaran shares his blueprint for transforming Indian football, explaining why qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is ot rocket science if the country's football ecosystem commits to a long-term vision. He also discusses the significance of the FIFA World Cup final, Lionel Messi's enduring influence on Argentina, the criticism surrounding the defending champions, and why he believes football can emerge as one of India's greatest soft powers. From India's long-term World Cup aspirations to football's growing global impact, Prabhakaran offers an expansive assessment of where the game stands today and what it will take for India to finally earn its place on football's grandest stage. Here are the excerpts from the conversation: IANS: We're heading into the FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain. Beyond the result, what do you think this final says about where world football is heading tactically and structurally? SP: This World Cup has been remarkable with the expansion to 48 teams, the way the competition has unfolded, and the top-class performances we have witnessed. The final between Spain and Argentina is huge. Economically, it has been a massive success. Reports suggest it has contributed around 20 billion to the US economy and another 20 billion globally, creating an overall impact of more than 40 billion. Beyond economics, football brings immense value to the world. It helps lift the spirits of people who are suffering, giving them joy, satisfaction and hope. Football brings people and nations together, becoming the biggest celebration and the largest assembly of cultures. Its impact goes far beyond sporting success, delivering economic and social benefits while touching not only hardcore fans but also ordinary citizens. Football has the biggest global reach, and tomorrow's final is expected to be watched by around 2 billion people. That is humongous, and it reflects football's unique power to unite the world. IANS: Messi is ready to play the final, and he continues to thrive on the field. We all know Argentina's success and growth story thanks to Messi. Has Argentina, by any means, become bigger than the Messi era or is that the greatest legacy that he would leave behind? SP: With Messi, Argentina only gets bigger because the country already has a great football legacy, having won three World Cups, with one coming under Messi, while Maradona was one of its biggest legacies previously. Now, with Messi playing in his third final and having the chance to win a second consecutive World Cup for Argentina, that legacy will be unmatched. Today, Messi is the dominating factor for Argentina. He is dictating the game and making the biggest influence. He has scored eight goals, but more than those goals, he has made the difference through his overall impact on matches. Against England, his two assists helped Argentina win the semi-final and reach a second consecutive World Cup final. Messi is definitely the biggest aspect for Argentina because he unites the team like never before. He brings everyone together with one energy, one goal and one vision. Messi alone cannot win the game, but he is the driving and uniting force. Seeing what he is capable of doing motivates his teammates to give more than 100 per cent, and that is why they go all out to make Argentina win. IANS: This year, Messi and Argentina have faced a lot of criticismsome constructive and some negative. So, what are your thoughts on everything that has been happening around Argentina, whether it's the way they've been forging victories, the allegations of cheating, or the labels they've been given, including being called 'bullies', which some feel is a bit extreme? What is your opinion on the entire debate? SP: It's the social media era; this is what happens. Everyone's success is followed by people, and they get jealous of it. I don't read much into it because football is a game that is a complete open book. This is all rivalry amplified by social media, where things that are not even facts get exaggerated. At the end of the day, you still have to score a goal and work hard to win. Nobody else can come and put the ball into the goal for you. It is unnecessary to create something out of nowhere, and those are more fiction than reality. That is what my experience suggests. Some people want Messi and Argentina to succeed, while others don't, and therefore stories are created with hardly any truth in them. IANS: India has over a billion people but still hasn't qualified for a FIFA World Cup. In your view, what is the single biggest obstacle todaygrassroots, governance, coaching, infrastructure, or football culture? SP: It's sad that people question why a 1.4 billion population hasn't qualified for the World Cup. The truth is, we're not working hard enough. We have everything, but success requires consistent effort, unity, and honesty. While we lack in many areas, these are simple challenges, not complex science. We must unite, work together, and use our potential to bring change. The Indian government is committed to growing sports and supports football. However, its now up to football leaders to make the right decisions and unite everyone. We need to improve governance, grassroots programs, youth competitions, and the elite level, all aimed at a common goal with a drive to succeed. During the World Cup, football is widely discussed, showing it's one of India's top sports after cricket, even loved by cricketers. If we take the right steps, people will unite behind the game. Focusing on what we can do to improve is keyblaming past failures isn't helpful. By working harder and involving more organizations, India can reach the World Cup and make football a major soft power. This would allow us to showcase our culture globally and connect with people. Improving is achievable; it's not impossible. IANS: Smaller nations with far fewer resources regularly qualify for the World Cup. We even saw Cape Verde put up tough, neck-and-neck competition against some of the strongest teams this season. What is the one thing they consistently do better than India? SP: In the end, we have to understand that sporting success has nothing to do with the size of a country, its population, or its economic power. It is about the will to achieve something, the passion to drive change, putting all your effort into one direction and getting there. These nations want their countries to be in the World Cup, so, within their means, they put in their best effort, even attracting their diaspora to be part of the team because they believe it is important not only for the players but for the nation as a whole. They work collectively toward one goal and one vision, and resources do not become a problem. Whether it is Curaao or Cape Verde, these small nations have attracted global attention with their performances. What we need is a project approach, to optimise all our resources, and to work towards one goal. That is what India has to do. These are inspiring stories for us, and we have to learn from them, be encouraged by them, and believe that if we work together with one vision, we can also achieve what they have achieved. IANS: If you were given complete control of Indian football for the next 10 years, what are the first three decisions you would make to put India on a genuine World Cup qualification path? SP: Change requires collective effort, not just one person. Whether I am there or someone else is, the goal is to elevate our nation's reputation and share that joy with 1.4 billion people, especially football fans. Making the right decisions, improving the national team, and creating pathways for children are crucial. Unity among many organisations is essential because collective action can bring real change. It is not just about football's success. It is about how football can add value to every citizen in the country. We cannot think only about football when making decisions; we have to consider how those decisions impact more people. The results on the field will take time, but every decision should build belief and trust in the system. When people believe in your vision, they will support your projects and programmes, creating the positive environment the game needs. We have to think from a much bigger perspective because the country should always come first. It is not about the self but about serving the game and the nation. When you work with that mindset, you empower people to act for the benefit of football. They become ambassadors of the game, and that is the kind of environment we need to create if we want India to one day play in the World Cup and achieve even bigger things. IANS: Has Indian football become too dependent on the professional league, while neglecting grassroots and youth development? How do we strike the right balance? SP: Absolutely, because the grassroots is the foundation. We really need to put the right support, nurturing, funding and structure there. If you look at football as a pyramid, every levelfrom the base to the topneeds the energy and vibrancy to grow. It has to be both a bottom-up and a top-down approach because we need to prioritise every level. The players are already doing their level best, whether they are playing for their clubs or representing the country. But we require a more competitive league with more matches, better players, and clubs that focus on developing more elite players. We need more elite academies, and for that we have to strengthen the grassroots. Greater participation at the grassroots level will help us identify better talent, allowing clubs to scout, train and nurture players to reach their full potential and eventually play in the professional league. We also need our players to compete outside India in more competitive environments. Every aspect needs attention, and it depends on how we invest our resources. Football is a sport in which effecting a generational shift takes 12 to 15 years, so we cannot afford to relax at any level of the pyramid. We also need to invest in the senior team and push them to their limits because they inspire players at the lower levels to reach that stage. It is a complex situation that requires different approaches. Most importantly, we need to bring all the stakeholders together and push very hard to strengthen every level of Indian football. IANS: Looking ahead to 2040, do you genuinely believe India can qualify for a FIFA World Cup on merit? And if yes, what absolutely has to change starting today? SP: We can qualify for the World Cup; it's our hope. One of my biggest goals before leaving this universe is to see India play at the FIFA World Cup. That would be a great joy for those of us devoted to the game. It's not rocket science. If we want our team in the World Cup in 10 or 15 years, it's possible. We must develop our structure from grassroots to top, unite people, and create a clear project plan with investments. We need transparency so fans see how we are working, where the money comes from, and where it goes. IANS: Looking ahead to 2040, do you genuinely believe India can qualify for a FIFA World Cup on merit? And if yes, what absolutely has to change starting today? Also Read: Live Cricket Score Based on my experience with successful nations worldwide, I believe we can achieve it too. We need to go beyond comfort zones, actively engage people, gain government trust, and partner with major industries for football. Government support is unique and essential, and we haven't attained it yet. Article Source: IANS

PV Sindhu stuns Yamaguchi to win maiden Japan Open title

Sindhu raced to a 3-0 lead before a few unforced errors, coupled with some brilliant shot-making from Yamaguchi, allowed the Japanese to draw level at 3-3

The peerless Sobers A treasure trove of memories

That feline walk, the upturned collar, the easy gap-toothed smile, that trademark endearing habit of throwing his head back while laughing the unforgettable personality of Sir Garfield Sobers

Denish Das Tops Marquee Player Buys At Assam Premier League Player Auction At Rs 12.60 Lakh

Assam Premier League Player Auction: Denish Das emerged as the most expensive buy during the marquee player round of the Assam Premier League (APL) Player Auction, with Barpeta Braves securing his services for Rs 12.60 lakh following an exciting round of bidding here on Sunday. Sumit Ghadigaonkar was the second-highest buy among the marquee players, joining Charaideo Sunrisers for Rsr 12.20 lakh, while experienced Assam batter Sibsankar Roy was acquired by Barak Legends for INR 12 lakh. Ayushman Malakar and Swarupam Purkayastha completed the top five marquee buys, with Tezpur Titans and Jorhat Stallions securing them, respectively, for INR 11.80 lakh each. The marquee player round saw the franchises compete for some of Assam's leading domestic cricketers as they began assembling their squads for the upcoming edition of the Assam Premier League. Among the other notable acquisitions from the marquee player pool, Barak Legends added Abdul Ajij Kuraishi for Rs 8.40 lakh and Bhargab Lakhar for Rs 5.20 lakh. Barpeta Braves secured Saurav Dihingia for Rs 7.80 lakh, while Dibrugarh Warriors added Saahil Jain for INR 7.20 lakh and Jitumoni Kalita for Rs 6.20 lakh. With the marquee player round setting the tone for the day, the Assam Premier League Player Auction will continue with franchises looking to build balanced squads from the wider pool of players going under the hammer. Among the other notable acquisitions from the marquee player pool, Barak Legends added Abdul Ajij Kuraishi for Rs 8.40 lakh and Bhargab Lakhar for Rs 5.20 lakh. Barpeta Braves secured Saurav Dihingia for Rs 7.80 lakh, while Dibrugarh Warriors added Saahil Jain for INR 7.20 lakh and Jitumoni Kalita for Rs 6.20 lakh. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Assam possesses immense cricketing potential, and a platform of this nature will help talented players gain valuable competitive exposure, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had said at the launch of the league. Article Source: IANS

History In Tokyo; Richly Deserved Reward For Resilience: National Celebrates Sindhu's Japan Open Triumph

Andhra Pradesh Pawan Kalyan: Former world champion and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu's maiden Japan Open title which ended her two-year wait for a BWF World Tour crown, triggered an avalanche of praise from fans, leaders, and sporting legends nationwide. Sindhu registered a 21-17, 21-17 win over four-time champion Yamaguchi here at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium and became the first Indian to win a Japan Open. This was her biggest Tour title after the World Tour Finals and China Open she won back in 2018 and 2016, respectively. This is the former world champion's first BWF World Tour title after winning Syed Modi in December 2024. Moreover, the title triumph ended Sindhu's seven-year wait to win the Super 750 or above title. Former national chief coach Vimal Kumar called it a richly deserved reward for Sindhu for her resilience, and belief and a much-needed confidence booster for the upcoming BWF World Chmapionships at home. This title was long overdue and is a richly deserved reward for your perseverance, resilience, and belief. A perfect confidence booster ahead of the BWF World Championships in Delhi next month. It's wonderful to see Sindhu back in the worlds Top 8, which should earn her a crucial seeding a significant advantage at the biggest event of the year, Vimal posted on X. It was always a matter of getting the tactics right, playing with patience and discipline, and cutting down on unforced errors. Todays performance reflected exactly that. Delighted for the entire coaching and support team as well. They have continued to believe, work hard, and this success is a well-deserved reward for their efforts. Wishing Sindhu and Team India the very best for the World Championships. The momentum has begunkeep it going! he added. The Badminton Federation of India (BAI) also lavished praise on Sindhu for her victory. HISTORY IN TOKYO! Super Sindhu is the Japan Open Champion! Absolutely legendary! @pvsindhu1 stands tall as the first Indian to ever win the Japan Open title! A flawless campaign capped off by pure dominance in the final. The queen of Indian badminton has rewritten the history books once again! Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Pawan Kalyan shared his hheartiest congratulations to @Pvsindhu1 on her magnificent triumph at the Japan Open Super 750. Your fearless performance against Akane Yamaguchi on her home court was a true display of grit, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of an Indian champion. Rising stronger, overcoming challenges, and reclaiming the top podium makes this victory even more special. You have once again made every Indian proud by becoming the first Indian to win this prestigious title in Japan. Your journey continues to inspire millions of young sportspersons to dream big, work hard, and never give up. May this remarkable achievement be the beginning of many more historic victories as you continue to bring glory to our Tricolour on the world stage. The entire nation celebrates with you. Wishing you continued success in the journey ahead, he shared on X. You have once again made every Indian proud by becoming the first Indian to win this prestigious title in Japan. Your journey continues to inspire millions of young sportspersons to dream big, work hard, and never give up. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also expresses his Hearty congratulations to India's darling @Pvsindhu1 on winning the Japan Open !! You have made India proud again! Well done, he posted on X. Article Source: IANS

PV Sindhu ends title drought with maiden Japan Open crown, beats Yamaguchi in final

PV Sindhu ended her two-year BWF World Tour title drought by defeating Japan's Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 to win the Japan Open Super 750 on Sunday. The victory marked Sindhu's maiden Japan Open title, making her the first Indian to win the prestigious tournament.

Root Is Batting With Great Thought Against Bumrah: Nayar

New Delhi: With the ODI series between India and England set to be decided at Lord's, former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar believes the spotlight will once again fall on the gripping battle between Jasprit Bumrah and Joe Root. Speaking ahead of the series decider, Nayar praised Root's approach against India's premier fast bowler, backed Bumrah's methods despite the England batter's success, and said India's think tank would inevitably discuss fresh plans to dismiss the in-form right-hander. He felt there was little for Bumrah to change despite Root having enjoyed the upper hand in their duel so far, crediting the England veteran for the clarity with which he has approached the contest. Honestly, I don't see anything Jasprit Bumrah could do better. He has bowled in the right areas, hit the right lengths, and challenged Joe Root with his outswingers. But Root has been brilliant. In home conditions, you expect that from a player of his quality. He is batting with great thought against Bumrah, picking and choosing his battles, Nayar told JioStar. The chase of 234 didn't put Root under pressure. When you are chasing a modest total, you don't have to take risks against the best bowler. But if the target was 250, 300, or 350, Bumrah could have created more opportunities, he added. Honestly, I don't see anything Jasprit Bumrah could do better. He has bowled in the right areas, hit the right lengths, and challenged Joe Root with his outswingers. But Root has been brilliant. In home conditions, you expect that from a player of his quality. He is batting with great thought against Bumrah, picking and choosing his battles, Nayar told JioStar. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Nayar expects India's management to spend considerable time discussing ways to break Root's consistency, with team selection likely to be influenced by the conditions at Lord's. There will definitely be discussions about how to get Joe Root out. The team will look for a solution. It will depend on the conditions. Will they bring back Kuldeep Yadav? Or could KL Rahul return? Ishan Kishan will stay in the XI, but Prince Yadav might replace Shivam Dube. India could also go with a fourth specialist fast bowler, similar to what England did in the second ODI. England played four genuine pacers, and it worked well for them. So that is something India can consider. But the final decision will depend on the conditions, the former India cricketer expressed. Article Source: IANS

'Rohit Will Have To Come Up With A Plan To Counter Curran,' Says Nayar Ahead Of Lord's Decider

New Delhi: With the three-match ODI series between India and England locked at 1-1, former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has backed Rohit Sharma to make tactical adjustments against pace all-rounder Sam Curran in the series decider at Lord's while insisting that the Indian captain's strike rate is not a cause for concern. Speaking ahead of the final ODI, Nayar analysed Rohit's approach in English conditions, the challenge posed by Curran, and the importance of adapting to the demands of the surface rather than chasing scoring rates. He believes the contest between Rohit and Curran could once again shape the early phase of India's innings after the left-arm seamer kept the opener under pressure in the previous match. Rohit Sharma will 100 per cent have to come up with a plan to counter Sam Curran. In the first ODI, he stepped out and tried to attack him. In the last match, he played a maiden over against Curran, which is very unlike Rohit. So, you will see a tactical change. Maybe he will play deep in the crease or stand outside the off stump. In the last game, he was expecting the ball to come in, but it kept moving away. So, he will definitely have a strategy in place. I'm not sure if Sam Curran will trouble him with pace, seam, or swing. He will trouble him with consistency. The conditions are helping him a bit. But I think Lord's will probably be a better pitch with shorter boundaries, so Rohit may find it easier to score, Nayar told JioStar. The former India support staff member also argued that batting in England requires players to first assess the surface before worrying about scoring quickly. According to him, the second ODI demanded patience because of the movement on offer for the seamers. Conditions are the most important thing. You have to respect them and in the second ODI, the ball was seaming and stopping, so batters had to take time. Rohit Sharma had to take responsibility, especially with Shubman Gill getting out early. There was a moment during Sam Curran's over when Rohit felt pressure, but overall his tempo was fine. Joe Root scored at a strike rate of 65-67, which was the required rate on this pitch. Big shots were difficult because of the extra bounce from a good length. Openers need to provide stability and give the middle order time to score later, he added. While Rohit's scoring rate has been under scrutiny during the series, Nayar maintained that the bigger issue lies elsewhere. He pointed to the captain's inability to convert starts into substantial scores despite looking comfortable at the crease. Conditions are the most important thing. You have to respect them and in the second ODI, the ball was seaming and stopping, so batters had to take time. Rohit Sharma had to take responsibility, especially with Shubman Gill getting out early. There was a moment during Sam Curran's over when Rohit felt pressure, but overall his tempo was fine. Joe Root scored at a strike rate of 65-67, which was the required rate on this pitch. Big shots were difficult because of the extra bounce from a good length. Openers need to provide stability and give the middle order time to score later, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India and England will face off at Lord's for the deciding ODI on Sunday, with the visitors aiming to finish the tour on a winning note after the T20I series debacle. Article Source: IANS

Hope wants West Indies to get 'the results we really want' to honour Sobers

West Indies are 2-1 down in the five-match series against New Zealand, and need more wins to ensure direct qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup

Los Angeles Knight Riders pull off last-ball win for first MLC title

The see-sawing match went down to the final over, bowled by Shadley van Schalkwyk, and then to the last ball, before a run out gave Los Angeles Knight Riders a one-run win

Lehmann cool on England job, suggests ECB has identified McCullum successor

Australian says he has had no contact from ECB about Test vacancy

Vasconcelos leads the fight as Northants scrap for thrilling third T20 Blast title

Willey's never-say-die team see off Hampshire despite Baker's five-for and Weatherley runs record

Rowles 201 crushes England U19s before Basson wreaks havoc

England stutter to 144 for 5 in reply to 460 at end of second day in Hove

WI vs NZ 4th ODI: Preview, Predicted XIs, Player Tips & Match Prediction

WI vs NZ 4th ODI, Cricket Tips :After a defeat in the first ODI, New Zealand have bounced back pretty well to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. They have not let West Indies cross the 140-run mark in the next two matches. There is not even a single half-century in the two games for the hosts. Jayden Lennox has been unplayable and has taken nine wickets in the last two games. West Indies are playing reckless cricket and are paying the price. The fourth ODI will be played at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Sunday at 7:30 PM IST. A win here will give the series to the visitors. WI vs NZ: Match Details Date : July 19, 2026 (Sunday) Time : 7:30 PM IST Venue : Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados WI vs NZ: Live Streaming Details To watch the fourth ODI between West Indies and New Zealand, Indian fans can switch to the FanCode streaming platform. WI vs NZ: Head-to-Head in ODIs Total Matches : 71 West Indies : 32 New Zealand : 32 No-result : 07 WI vs NZ: Ground Pitch Report Kensington Oval is known for offering a slow and low wicket. The bounce can be tricky at times, and the ball will stick to the surface in the lateral stages. Spinners are expected to dominate the game, and batting will be a difficult aspect. WI vs NZ: Possible XIs West Indies : Ackeem Auguste, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope (c & wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Shimron Hetmyer, Jayden Seales, Keemo Paul, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Vitel Lawes New Zealand : Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Tom Latham (wk), Mitchell Santner (c), Dean Foxcroft, Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy, Jayden Lennox WI vs NZ: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Shai Hope and Daryl Mitchell are two key batters from either side. They are in good form and can perform on this tough wicket. Probable Best Bowler Jayden Lennox has taken nine wickets in two matches, and West Indian batters are finding it hard to play. Vitel Lawes is another effective bowler who has done well on this tour. West Indies will have high hopes for him. Today Match Prediction: The way the last two games have been played, West Indies will be under pressure. Hence, we predict New Zealand to win the fourth game. WI vs NZ Match 4th ODI, Today Match WI vs NZ, WI vs NZ Prediction, WI vs NZ Predicted XIs, Injury Update for West Indies vs New Zealand Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.

ZIM vs BAN 3rd T20I Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI

ZIM vs BAN 3rd T20I , Cricket Tips :Bangladesh have produced an improved performance in the second game of the three-match T20I series, which has helped them to level the series at 1-1. Zimbabwe failed to carry on the form and had 7-8 dropped catches on the field. That allowed Bangladesh to add a 120-run opening stand. Mohammad Saifuddin then launched the attack and scored an unbeaten 31 off 10 balls, scoring 28 runs in the final over. That changed the game. Now, the third T20I is scheduled to begin at 4 PM IST on Sunday at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. Zimbabwe need to work on their fielding and come prepared to make it a complete domination over Bangladesh on this tour. ZIM vs BAN: Match Details Date : July 19, 2026 (Sunday) Time : 4:00 PM IST Venue : Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo ZIM vs BAN: Live Streaming Details Indian fans can watch the game on the FanCode mobile app or website with active users. ZIM vs BAN: Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches: 27 Zimbabwe : 09 Bangladesh : 16 No-result: 00 ZIM vs BAN: Ground Pitch Report The wicket in Bulawayo is a balanced one. It has good carry and bounce early on with the new ball, which will get slower, and spinners will be effective in the latter stages. Batters will find it tough to go as the game progresses on. The team that bats first will have a better chance. ZIM vs BAN: Possible XIs Zimbabwe : Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Sikandar Raza (c), Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Milton Shumba, Clive Madande, Brad Evans, Tashinga Musekiwa, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani Bangladesh : Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain, Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy (c), Yasir Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Nurul Hasan (wk), Md. Saifuddin, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam ZIM vs BAN: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Brian Bennett missed in the last game, but he is currently their top batter going into this game. Tanzid Hassan showed his class with a game-changing half-century in the last game. Probable Best Bowler Rishad Hossain bowled a match-winning spell in the second game, and he will be a tough bowler to face. For Zimbabwe, Richard Ngarava has been a consistent wicket-taker across formats. Today Match Prediction : Zimbabwe missed a trick to win the series. They were rusty on the field, but overall they have been the better side and are expected to win this game. ZIM vs BAN Match 3rd T20I, Today Match ZIM vs BAN, ZIM vs BAN Prediction, ZIM vs BAN Predicted XIs, Injury Update for Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.

Weatherley 88* sets standard as Hampshire sweep past Notts

Partnership of 126 with captain Vince helps put three-time champions out of reach

Pressure On Senior Stars Because India Has Immense Bench Strength, Says Dinesh Karthik

ODI World Cup: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has weighed in on the intense selection pressures in Indian cricket ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, stating that the senior players are under pressure because the national set-up is full of quality bench strength. Karthik's remarks come amid intense speculation surrounding veteran India opener Rohit Sharma's future in the 50-over format, with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia firmly quashing the suggestion that the third and final ODI against England at Lords will be his final international game. Right now, India is at a place where no other cricketing nation is. The number of cricketers that could fill up spots across the XI for any player is obviously the highest it has ever been, and it is definitely the highest right now among any cricketing nation. So, there is going to be pressure for every player involved, and that's what makes playing for the country right now so much more difficult. As a selector as well, it's not easy. If you're sitting in Ajit Agarkar's chair, to weigh the possibility of having a current superstar or one that could be a superstar in a few years, we're talking about some of the greatest that have played the game, Karthik said on The Scoop by Wisden. Reflecting on Rohit's legacy, Karthik hailed the current skipper as a titan of limited-overs cricket. Irrespective of when he finishes, I do feel he's been one of India's greatest white-ball cricketers. The kind of attitude he's brought to the table, and the kind of memories he's created on and off the field with so many players, is what will keep him smiling for the rest of his life. With Rohit set to be over 40 by the time the 2027 ODI World Cup arrives, Karthik stated that navigating this transition period will require transparent communication from the management, acknowledging that while legends deserve a respectful exit, fairytale endings are rare in professional sport. Reflecting on Rohit's legacy, Karthik hailed the current skipper as a titan of limited-overs cricket. Irrespective of when he finishes, I do feel he's been one of India's greatest white-ball cricketers. The kind of attitude he's brought to the table, and the kind of memories he's created on and off the field with so many players, is what will keep him smiling for the rest of his life. Also Read: Live Cricket Score But having said all of that, there is a way in which some of the seniors will want to finish, and I do wish they were given that opportunity because of what they've achieved for the country. But in saying that, it is not the easiest thing to achieve because sometimes not all fairy tales have a happy ending, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

Justin Langer Would Be A Really Good Test Coach For England, Says Darren Lehmann

The England Test: Former Australia head coach Darren Lehmann has backed his compatriot Justin Langer to clinch the vacant position of England's men's Test head coach, while revealing that he himself has not been approached for the high-profile job. The England Test coaching role fell vacant following the sacking of Brendon McCullum last week. Former England coach Andy Flower has already ruled out a return to the post due to his franchise commitments with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and London Spirit in The Hundred. All of this makes Langer the apparent frontrunner to get the top job. Lehmann, who currently coaches Northamptonshire in the English county circuit, presided over Australia's 5-0 Ashes whitewash win in 2013-14 before stepping down in 2018. Asked whether he would consider crossing the Ashes divide to coach England, Lehmann told Sky Sports, I'm very happy coaching Northants and I haven't had any phone calls. You'd certainly listen to it. I'm sure there are so many applicants. He also felt that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) might already have a replacement lined up. My feeling is they've already made up their mind. If you remove someone mid-summer, you've got somebody in mind, Lehmann said. Langer had succeeded Lehmann as the Australian coach in 2018. Under his guidance, Australia retained the Ashes in England in 2019 after a drawn series, and later secured a comprehensive 4-0 triumph at home in 2021/22. However, Langer resigned in February 2022 amid reports of a fallout with senior players. He also felt that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) might already have a replacement lined up. My feeling is they've already made up their mind. If you remove someone mid-summer, you've got somebody in mind, Lehmann said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score If given the role, Langer faces a scheduling conflict hes currently the head coach with Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL and Manchester Super Giants in The Hundred. Taking up the top job will mean he will have to relinquish his franchise T20 cricket coaching roles. Article Source: IANS