Raghuvanshi looks to build on recent good form
'We Play Him Exceptionally Well': New Zealand Great Offers Shocking Tests Stat Of Jasprit Bumrah
India's squads for the ODI and Test series against New Zealand were announced on Friday. Before those assignments, the two teams will face off in a five-match T20I series, beginning on October 22.
Shreyas Critical of Bowling After India-WI T20I Series Ends 2-2
India captain Shreyas Iyer reflected on the drawn five-match T20I series against the West Indies, suggesting India could have performed better with the ball in their lost games. West Indies captain Shai Hope expressed satisfaction with his team's progress despite missing a series win. India is now set to tour New Zealand for another five-match series.
5th T20I: Could Have Been Different Had We Bowled Better, Says Iyer After India Share Series With WI
Shreyas Iyer: India captain Shreyas Iyer on Saturday conceded that the scoreline of the T20I series against the West Indies could have been different if his bowlers had bowled better in two games. The series ended in a 2-2 scoreline after the decider here was washed out due to rain at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Rain forced the fifth and final match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium to be called off with India on 118/5 in 7.4 overs in a 9-overs-a-side contest. It could have been different considering we would have bowled better in the second and fourth game. Credit where it is due, they batted well. The way Hope batted throughout the series. The ability to bounce back even after a loss. We have that aggressive mindset the way we play, said Iyer at the conclusion of the series. On teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has had to wait for his chance with India's opening slots locked down, Iyer said the youngster needed to stay patient and stick to his processes. I just keep telling him you will get the opportunity; if you are consistent about your processes, you have to wait sometimes. We have got two fantastic openers; that's the conversations we have been having with Vaibhav. With India heading straight to New Zealand for a T20I series beginning on Thursday, Iyer brushed aside concerns over the packed schedule. It is just like another day, even constantly travelling in India. We have been doing that pretty well. The washout denied the West Indies a chance to get their first series win in India since 2002, after they had lost the ODI series 2-1. Hope, who was named Player of the Series after hammering two centuries in four games, said his side had come agonisingly close to achieving a series win. Not enough at this point. We were very close. Something that we haven't done in 20+ years. We are certainly progressing. The success does not mean a series win. I can (see) quite a few positives. The washout denied the West Indies a chance to get their first series win in India since 2002, after they had lost the ODI series 2-1. Hope, who was named Player of the Series after hammering two centuries in four games, said his side had come agonisingly close to achieving a series win. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Sanju Samson Reveals How World Cup Success Changed His Mindset
India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson on Saturday said the confidence he gained from his World Cup performances had helped him understand his own game better, adding that he now wishes to be grounded and continue playing fearless cricket.
Shaheen Afridi Sends Strong Message Ahead Of Pakistan's ODI Tri-Series
Shaheen Shah Afridi on Saturday said the three straight days of training his side managed ahead of the ODI tri-series would serve them well, with the hosts set to face Sri Lanka and England in quick...
IND-W vs ZIM-W 2nd T20I Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI
IND-W vs ZIM-W 2nd T20I , Cricket Tips :Smriti Mandhana has a winning start to his captaincy tenure for India's women's team. Team India beat Zimbabwe Women by four wickets in the first game in Raipur and have taken a lead in the series. Though many expected India to roll over, but it was a hard-fought win. The Indian bowlers did a great job to restrict the visitors to 114, with Nandani Sharma (2/11) bowling well. But the Indian top order failed miserably, and they were at 19/4 at one stage. But an 82-run stand between Niki Prasad (39* off 35) and Deepti Sharma (49 off 37) put India back. The second game will begin at 7 PM IST on Sunday in Raipur. IND-W vs ZIM-W: Match Details Date : October 18, 2026 (Sunday) Time : 7:00 PM IST Venue : Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur IND-W vs ZIM-W: Live Streaming DetailsI ndian fans can tune onto Star Sports Networks for the live telecast of the game. Fans can also watch the game through the Jio Hotstar app or website. IND-W vs ZIM-W: Head-to-Head in T20I Total Matches : 1 Zimbabwe Women: 0 India Women : 1 No Result: 0 IND-W vs ZIM-W: Ground Pitch Report The wicket in Raipur played a little slow in the first game. It offered swing and seam with the new ball, and spinners were effective in the lateral stages. The toss will be key because batting second will an advantage. IND-W vs ZIM-W: Possible XIs India Women: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana (c), Harmanpreet Kaur, Anushka Sharma, Niki Prasad, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Shree Charani, Arundhati Reddy, Nandani Sharma, Kranti Gaud Zimbabwe Women : Beloved Biza, Kelis Ndhlovu, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Sharne Mayers, Michelle Mavunga, Francisca Chipare, Nyasha Gwanzura, Modester Mupachikwa (wk), Josephine Nkomo (c), Olinder Chare, Tendai Makusha IND-W vs ZIM-W: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Shafali Verma failed in the first game, but she is one of the best openers going around. For Zimbabwe, Beloved Biza at the top is very important. Probable Best Bowler Shree Charani and Nyasha Gwanzura had an excellent first game, and they will be confident to do well in this contest. Today Match Prediction: Zimbabwe Women fought well in the first game, but matching India will be difficult. Hence, we predict India Women to win the second game. IND-W vs ZIM-W Match 2nd T20I, Today Match IND-W vs ZIM-W, IND-W vs ZIM-W Prediction, IND-W vs ZIM-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for IND-W vs ZIM-W Match Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.
India's fifth T20I against the West Indies gets abandoned as rain plays spoilsport, series ends 2-2
The Indian team took on the West Indies in the fifth and final T20I of the ongoing series. The two sides met at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 17th. The clash was marred by bad weather due to heavy rain at the venue, and the toss was delayed as both sides looked to play some good cricket .
DelhiHCasksAITA, original petitioners to file replies
PAK vs SL 1st ODI Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XIs
PAK vs SL 1st ODI, Cricket Tips: Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and England will be involved in an ODI tri-series starting on Sunday. These three teams will play four games each in the league stage, and the two teams finished at the top will make it to the final. Pakistan and Sri Lanka are scheduled to play in the first game. This contest will start at 1:30 PM IST on Sunday at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Both teams were involved in the T20I series last week, which Pakistan won. But Pakistan will have a different captain and team for this format. Babar Azam, along with Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Salman Agha, will be back. PAK vs SL: Match Details Date : October 18, 2026 (Sunday) Time : 1:30 PM IST Venue : Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi PAK vs SL: Live Streaming Details To watch the upcoming game in India, fans can switch to the FanCode mobile app or website. PAK vs SL: Head-to-Head in ODIs Total Matches: 160 Pakistan : 96 Sri Lanka : 59 No-result : 5 PAK vs SL: Ground Pitch Report Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has been good for the batters. But there will be seam movement with the new ball. The wicket will get dry, and spinners will get a good turn and grip. There will be dew in the second innings, which is why chasing will be a good option. PAK vs SL: Possible XIs Pakistan : Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Ghazi Ghori (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi (c), Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf Sri Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanaka PAK vs SL: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Kusal Mendis and Babar Azam are two top Asian batters and will be challenging for the opposition. Probable Best Bowler Asitha Fernando and Naseem Shah will get good help from the wicket and will be the ones to watch out for. Today Match Prediction: Pakistan have the home conditions, and they have their full-strength side. That is why they will start this game as favorites. PAK vs SL Match 1st ODI, Today Match PAK vs SL, PAK vs SL Prediction, PAK vs SL Predicted XIs, Injury Update for Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Match Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.
Kishan and Dhir impress but rain forces series to end 2-2
The no-result meant India's 12-series winning streak at home came to an end
Rain-Marred 5th T20I Called Off, India-West Indies Share Five-Match Series 2-2
India and the West Indies fittingly shared a closely-fought T20 series 2-2 after the rain-marred fifth and final match was called off 7.4 overs into the hosts' innings in Bengaluru on Saturday.
No result in Bengaluru! India, Windies split T20I series
The fifth and final T20 International between India and the West Indies was abandoned due to persistent rain on Saturday, resulting in the series being drawn 2-2. India had scored 118 for five in 7.4 overs in the rain-shortened match before play was called off.
5th T20I: Rain Washes Out Decider As India, West Indies Share Series 2-2 (Ld)
Nitish Kumar Reddy: The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium's long wait for staging international cricket after two years ended in an anticlimax as rain forced the series-deciding fifth and final T20I between India and the West Indies to be called off in Bengaluru on Saturday, with the five-match series ending at 2-2. The match was abandoned at 10:16 pm after India had made 118 for 5 in 7.4 overs. But with no possibility of a five-over chase of 84 for the West Indies before the 10:21 pm cut-off, the players soon exchanged hugs and handshakes in the dressing rooms. The washout denied the West Indies a chance to get their first series win in India since 2002. The visitors, however, could take heart from how they fiercely competed over the last three weeks, first in the ODIs and then in the shortest format. It was always going to be a close call for a full game to happen given the forecast, though there was some hope in the morning when the probability of rain fell from 70 to 30 per cent. But persistent drizzle through the evening, however, kept the ground staff away from getting the venue ready, leading to a delay in the scheduled toss at 6:30 pm. The rain finally relented around 8:30 pm, allowing the toss to take place and the match to be reduced to nine overs a side with a 9:15 pm start time. The crowd, which waited patiently for hours, was treated to only a brief burst of action, led by Ishan Kishan's blistering 30 off 10 balls, laced with three fours and two sixes, and some late hitting from Naman Dhir, who hit an unbeaten 24, before the rain had the final say. The drizzle, which had resumed midway through Indias innings, grew heavier soon after Shamar Springer cleaned up Tilak Varma in the eighth over, thus forcing the umpires to call for covers to be put on the pitch and square area. Put into batting first, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar making a return after 1437 days and Shivam Dube included in place of Mayank Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was ruled out due to an illness, India were made to work hard early on as Keemo Paul extracted movement with the new ball. The all-rounder, though, lost his radar briefly, overstepping and then conceding five wides down the leg side in the same over. Abhishek Sharma swung and missed at the free hit, but sent the next ball sailing over deep mid-wicket for six. His stay, however, ended when he flicked the following delivery straight to Shamar Joseph at mid-wicket to depart for six. Top-ranked T20I batter Kishan then took charge by plundering 24 runs off a wayward Romario Shepherd's first over, including a breathtaking scoop on one knee over fine leg that cleared the Chinnaswamy roof. Shamar Joseph had Kishan (30 off just 10 balls) caught at mid-on off a cleverly disguised slower ball, but Sanju Samson kept the momentum going, his boundary bringing up India's fastest team fifty in T20Is in just 2.5 overs, before he uppercut a wide ball for six. Springer, however, sent the off-stump of Samson (16) on a cartwheel ride with his very first delivery, while Shreyas Iyer laboured to 22 off 14 balls, surviving a run-out chance and a dropped catch by Sherfane Rutherford before Paul had him caught at deep mid-wicket on a miscue. Dhir then provided the late fireworks by smashing 16 off his first three balls via whipping and lofting Paul for sixes, while thumping him over mid-off for four. He remained unbeaten on 24 off six balls. Paul had figures of 2-34, while Springer returned with 2-17, before rain came again to interrupt the proceedings and eventually had the final say. Brief scores: Dhir then provided the late fireworks by smashing 16 off his first three balls via whipping and lofting Paul for sixes, while thumping him over mid-off for four. He remained unbeaten on 24 off six balls. Paul had figures of 2-34, while Springer returned with 2-17, before rain came again to interrupt the proceedings and eventually had the final say. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
These are dark times for WI cricket, but I stay loyal: Roach
Ranji Trophy: Hamstring injury rules Mhatre out for six weeks
Mhatre sustained the injury while batting on the opening day against Chandigarh
Root and Tendulkar: Two great players and their motto that has enriched the sport
Joe Root needs 1,644 runs to overtake Sachin Tendulkars Test run record. An interesting catch-me-if-you-can is guaranteed between the greatest batters their respective countries have produced
5th T20I: Rain Cuts Short India's Innings At 118/5 In Decider Against The West Indies
The West Indies: India's innings in the rain-hit T20I series decider against the West Indies was cut short at 118/5 in 7.4 overs after the showers returned at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Saturday. The visitors' target will be worked out depending on the number of overs they get to bat, with 10.21 pm set as the cut-off time for a five-over chase. The West Indies will need 84 runs in five overs if the game restarts at the aforementioned time. The fifth and final T20I had already been reduced to nine overs a side due to an earlier delay caused by persistent rain. The drizzle, which had resumed midway through the innings, grew heavier soon after Shamar Springer cleaned up Tilak Varma in the eighth over, thus forcing the umpires to call for covers to be put on the pitch and square area. Put into batting first, India were made to work hard early on as Keemo Paul extracted movement with the new ball. The all-rounder, though, lost his radar briefly, overstepping and then conceding five wides down the leg side in the same over. Abhishek Sharma swung and missed at the free hit, but sent the next ball sailing over deep mid-wicket for six. His stay, however, ended when he flicked the following delivery straight to Shamar Joseph at mid-wicket to depart for six. Top-ranked T20I batter Ishan Kishan then took charge by plundering 24 runs off Romario Shepherd's first over, including a breathtaking scoop on one knee over fine leg that cleared the Chinnaswamy roof. Shamar Joseph had Kishan (30 off just 10 balls) caught at mid-on off a cleverly disguised slower ball, but Sanju Samson kept the momentum going, his boundary bringing up India's fastest team fifty in T20Is in just 2.5 overs, before he uppercut a wide ball for six. Springer, however, sent the off-stump of Samson (16) on a cartwheel ride with his very first delivery, while Shreyas Iyer laboured to 22 off 14 balls, surviving a run-out chance and a dropped catch by Sherfane Rutherford before Paul had him caught at deep mid-wicket on a miscue. Naman Dhir then provided the late fireworks by smashing 16 off his first three balls via whipping and lofting Paul for sixes, while thumping him over mid-off for four. He remained unbeaten on 24 off six balls. Paul had figures of 2-34, while Springer returned with 2-17, before rain came again to interrupt the proceedings. Brief scores: Naman Dhir then provided the late fireworks by smashing 16 off his first three balls via whipping and lofting Paul for sixes, while thumping him over mid-off for four. He remained unbeaten on 24 off six balls. Paul had figures of 2-34, while Springer returned with 2-17, before rain came again to interrupt the proceedings. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Ranji Trophy | Accuracy was the best thing for me: Kukna
Ranji Trophy | Steely Karun stands between Andhra and an outright win
Ranji Trophy | Kukna inflicts damage, hands Rajasthan the lead
Ranji Trophy 2026-27 | Abhishek slams a century but Kerala not yet out of the woods
The openers maiden ton the highlight of day three even as the visitor struggles at 269 for six; Jharkhand will look to make the touring team bat again
Ranji Trophy | Abhishek makes it count in Kerala colours
IND vs WI fourth T20I | You cant go from the first ball in T20s: Tilak
Local lad Tilak Varma is aware of Uppals flat surfaces that have seen gargantuan T20 scores
Abhishek Sharma's Weakness Exposed Again by Windies
Abhishek Sharma, India's explosive opener, failed to deliver in a crucial series decider in Bengaluru, falling cheaply to Keemo Paul. Commentator Ian Bishop highlighted Sharma's recurring weakness against straight balls targeted at his body, a tactic West Indies bowlers have successfully exploited in recent matches.
TN coach Yo Mahesh wants the players to be more ruthless
TN looks to maximise home advantage against Uttarakhand
Three Days Of Training Will Hold Us In Good Stead, Says Shaheen Ahead Of ODI Tri-series
Shaheen Shah Afridi: Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi on Saturday said the three straight days of training his side managed ahead of the ODI tri-series would serve them well, with the hosts set to face Sri Lanka and England in quick succession here before the action shifts to Lahore. Pakistan open the seven-match tri-series against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, and take on England at the same venue on October 20. We are excited to begin a busy One-Day Cricket season at our home and against two very good teams. The tri-series will be highly competitive given the presence of a number of skillful and talented cricketers across the three teams. As captain I'm looking forward to give my players enough backing and support to get the best out on the field. We had the opportunity to train for three consecutive days and that will hold us in good stead when we take on both Sri Lanka and England in a space of three days before moving to Lahore, Shaheen said in a statement by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The Pakistan squad assembled in Islamabad on Wednesday and has trained every day since then. Sri Lanka got an even longer run-in they arrived on October 12 and held their first training session two days later. England, who landed on Friday, will have three training sessions before their opening game. Shaheen, who has captained Pakistan in 11 ODIs and won seven games, said the balance in his squad would give the side options through different phases of a match. Our squad comprises of young and exciting players along with some really experienced ones and that will allow us to challenge the opposition in various phases of a 50-over game eventually turning them into positive results overall for Pakistan. The hosts go into the tournament in good form, having won three of their last four ODI series against South Africa (2-1), Sri Lanka (3-0) and Australia (2-1). Their only defeat in that run was a 1-2 loss away to Bangladesh. Razaullah and Saad Baig are the two uncapped players in the Pakistan squad. England, led by Harry Brook, meet Sri Lanka on October 22 before the last four matches, including the October 31 final between the top two sides, are played in Lahore. Brook said adapting to unfamiliar conditions would be the key test for his side. This will be a massive challenge to play against two really good teams in different conditions to what we are used to at home and in front of great fans in Pakistan. We want to be a team that adapts to conditions and can find different ways to win and this series provides a perfect opportunity to try and do that. We've been able to do that in our past few series where we won in Sri Lanka and then the pitches were very different when we beat both India and Sri Lanka at home. Both of those series went to a deciding game, and we won, which is a good habit to get into. To have a chance to potentially play in a final in this series gives us another opportunity to test ourselves in that sort of situation, but we know we'll have to play extremely well to get there, he said. England arrive on the back of three successive ODI series wins against Sri Lanka and India, while Sri Lanka beat the West Indies 1-0 in a three-match series before losing to England. Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis said his team was eager to test itself. To have a chance to potentially play in a final in this series gives us another opportunity to test ourselves in that sort of situation, but we know we'll have to play extremely well to get there, he said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Taylor and Ervine lift Zimbabwe to 271 after top-order collapse
Taskin took three to dent Zimbabwe early but the pair added 150 runs to revive the team
Ranji Trophy 2026-27 | Ton-up Vihaan keeps Punjab in the hunt against Assam
With the second new ball just two overs old, Assam will walk out on the fourth morning with its tails up, hoping to find a crack in the nagging sixth-wicket partnership between Salil and Emanjot
West Indies elect to bowl in the series-deciding fifth T20
The match has been reduced to nine overs per side after two hours were lost to rain and a wet outfield
WI bowl in rain-reduced game; India bring in Bhuvneshwar
India also boosted their batting with the return of Shivam Dube for Nitish Kumar Reddy
Ranji Trophy: Gill, Prabhsimran boost for Punjab against Chhattisgarh
The former will be keen to make it count before leaving for New Zealand while the latter is back from India-A duty; the top-order needs to fire for the visiting side
Ticket ballot for WC 2027 receives 1.5 crore applications: ICC
The ICC said 1.5 crore ticket applications have come in from 142 countries since the ballot opened 12 days ago, ahead of the tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia
5th T20I: Rain-hit Series Decider To Begin At 9:15 Pm, Reduced To A Nine-overs-a-side Affair
T20 World Cup: The rain-hit fifth and final T20I between India and the West Indies at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Saturday has been reduced to a nine-overs-a-side contest, with the toss to happen at 9 pm and play set to begin 15 minutes later. The Power-play in the truncated game will last just 2.4 overs. The toss was originally scheduled for 6:30 pm, but steady rain kept the covers on and both teams in their dressing rooms. The breakthrough came around 8:30 pm, when the ground staff rushed out and began peeling off the covers. The sheet over the square came off to loud cheers from the crowd, who were waiting patiently. Reserve umpire Virender Sharma then walked out to the middle, where KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad and vice-president Sujith Somasundar were inspecting the pitch and conditions. On-field umpires Nitin Menon and Rohan Pandit soon joined them. The game will be played on the central strip, which looked dry once uncovered. The covers on the bowlers' run-ups were also cleared, while a super sopper got to work on the outfield. The surface looks dry enough, but I can't see what's underneath. Bound to be some moisture, which will mean there could be some hold on the surface thanks to the rain, said former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop on the broadcast. India's throwdown specialist Raghu was the first out with the kit bag, followed by veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, whose appearance drew a huge roar from the stands. The shortened contest will decide the winner of the series currently locked at 2-2. India, the reigning T20 World Cup champions, will be keen to avoid a second straight bilateral series defeat to the West Indies after their 2-3 loss in August 2023. West Indies skipper Shai Hope has been the standout batter of the series with 261 runs, including two hundreds in winning causes. India's throwdown specialist Raghu was the first out with the kit bag, followed by veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, whose appearance drew a huge roar from the stands. The shortened contest will decide the winner of the series currently locked at 2-2. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Samson opens up on India's race against time for NZ
India opener Sanju Samson discusses the challenges of a tight schedule and differing conditions ahead of the T20I series against New Zealand, emphasising reliance on experience over extensive preparation.
IPL 2027 auction date announced, Goa to host event
The BCCI has announced that the 2027 Indian Premier League auction will take place in Goa on December 16, marking its return to India after three seasons abroad.
Bowlers a fraternity that has been on a hiding
There is much to be said of the advantages of chasing in India at this time of the year, when the dew is quite pronounced and gripping the ball in the second half of a match, especially for the spinners, is practically impossible
IPL 2027 auction to be held on December 16, franchises told to prepare for event in Goa: Report
In a major development, a recent report from Cricbuzz has suggested that the highly anticipated IPL (Indian Premier League) 2027 auction is slated to be held on December 16th in Goa. It is worth noting...
Indias Demographic Advantage Can Produce World-class Golfers, Says PGTI Board Member Amitabh Kant
PGTI Board Member Amitabh Kant: Making golf accessible in tier-two and tier-three cities can build Indias next generation of golfing talent, and the country can produce world-class players in the next decade, says Amitabh Kant, Board Member of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), on Saturday. Driven by its young population, wider access to the sport, stronger grassroots infrastructure and greater international exposure for Indian players, India has the potential to produce world-class golfers over the next decade, said leaders of PGTI at a media interaction on the sidelines of the India Championship at Delhi Golf Club. Amitabh Kant (IAS), Board Member, PGTI, Ex-G20 Sherpa, Govt of India & Former CEO of NITI Aayog; Atul Chaturvedi (IAS), Member, NCLT and Former Secretary, Govt of India; and Amandeep Johl, CEO, PGTI, highlighted the opportunities to expand golfs reach across India, strengthen the countrys presence in international competition and establish India as a destination for golf tourism. Drawing parallels with Indias journey in cricket, Amitabh Kant, Board Member, DP World PGTI, said, India has established itself in world cricket, and we are now beginning a similar journey in golf. Golf is entering an exciting phase in the country. This is a rare opportunity. The crowds coming to watch some of the worlds best golfers will inspire young Indians to take up the game. Our demographics are in our favour, and I believe the next decade can produce Indian golfers who will compete and win on the world stage. Stressing the need to make the game more accessible, Kant added, Golf has often been seen as an elitist sport, but that perception is changing. Tier-two and tier-three cities can produce some of our best golfers. He pointed to a strong response from Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, and cited the Chhattisgarh Governments efforts to promote golf and develop facilities for young players. If young boys and girls from tribal communities get those opportunities, there is no reason they cannot become exceptional golfers. Over the next 10 years, we want to see the game flourish across India and our players win global tournaments, he further added. Kant urged large enterprises to follow DP Worlds lead in supporting golf. He also suggested that 25 per cent of college and university admissions be based on sporting merit, using clear criteria such as state representation, so that athletes can continue their education while competing. Highlighting Indias potential to attract international golf tourists, Atul Chaturvedi, Member, NCLT and Former Secretary, Govt of India, said, I believe India has excellent golf courses and supporting infrastructure. What we need is stronger branding. India offers exceptional value as a golfing destination, both in terms of its courses and the cost of playing. Just as India has developed as a destination for health tourism, there is an opportunity to build golf tourism. Amandeep Johl outlined the tours efforts to strengthen international competition. These include inviting players from the Sunshine, Korean, Thai and Japan Tours, adding more co-sanctioned events with the Asian Tour and the HotelPlanner Tour, and funding Indian players to compete at overseas qualifying schools. Referring to Indias 1983 Cricket World Cup triumph, Amandeep Johl, CEO, DP World PGTI, said, The 1983 Cricket World Cup changed what India believed it could achieve. We are working towards a similar moment in golf. It could happen at the DP World India Championship, the Indian Open or somewhere else. We cannot predict it, but we can keep creating opportunities. Amandeep Johl outlined the tours efforts to strengthen international competition. These include inviting players from the Sunshine, Korean, Thai and Japan Tours, adding more co-sanctioned events with the Asian Tour and the HotelPlanner Tour, and funding Indian players to compete at overseas qualifying schools. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Fans on social media claimed that Anirudh Ravichander, who is set to marry Sunrisers Hyderabad owner Kavya, is a die-hard fan of another IPL team, Chennai Super Kings.
IPL Auction Returns To India After Four Years, Goa Likely Venue: Sources
The IPL 2027 auction marks the return of the event to India after four years, with the previous editions being held in Dubai, Jeddah (mega auction) and Abu Dhabi.
5th T20I: Stay Grounded, Keep Playing Fearless Cricket, Says Samson On Carrying WC Form Forward
T20 World Cup: India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson on Saturday said the confidence he gained from his World Cup performances had helped him understand his own game better, adding that he now wishes to be grounded and continue playing fearless cricket. Samson was the Player of the Tournament in this years T20 World Cup triumph, and though his form has been up and down in recent times, the Indian team has persisted with him in the shortest format. It definitely gives you a lot of confidence. After that, you start understanding your own patterns. You focus on your process, reduce the outside noise, and figure out your own way of creating the best environment in your mind to go out there and perform. Sometimes you score runs, and sometimes you don't. So, I try to understand that, stay grounded, and continue playing fearless cricket, Samson said to former India teammate Yuzvendra Chahal in the Hindi broadcast feed, as rain held up the start of the fifth and final T20I against the West Indies at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. Asked what goes through a player's mind when the rain refuses to relent, Samson had a light-hearted message for Chahal. We're missing someone like you (Chahal) in the dressing room! Someone who can keep the atmosphere light. When it's raining, there's not much point in thinking too much about cricket at that moment. (Ravi) Bishnoi and Arshdeep (Singh) are keeping themselves occupied, so you know how things go in the dressing room. Looking ahead to the five-match T20I series against New Zealand starting on October 22, Samson said a packed calendar left little room for preparation, and that experience would have to make up for it. To be very honest, with the way the schedule is structured these days, you don't get much time to practice or prepare. That's where your experience comes in. You try to stay in a good mental space and make the most of whatever time you get. We have just one day of batting practice. We'll reach there on the 20th, practice on the 21st, and play the match on the 22nd. So, we'll try to carry forward the good things we've done here. To be very honest, with the way the schedule is structured these days, you don't get much time to practice or prepare. That's where your experience comes in. You try to stay in a good mental space and make the most of whatever time you get. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Why AB de Villiers Initially Found Kohli 'Arrogant and Cocky'
AB de Villiers recently discussed his initial impressions of Virat Kohli during a podcast, admitting he found Kohli arrogant and cocky early in his career. De Villiers clarified that this perception stemmed from Kohli's high level of confidence as a young player, which he believes is essential for success. He also noted how Kohli's attitude matured over the years as he became more balanced.
'West Indies Now Believe They Can Win Anywhere'
Former West Indies skipper Shivnarine Chanderpaul believes the team's strong performance against India in white-ball cricket will significantly boost their confidence. He hopes this momentum translates into success in Test cricket, acknowledging their recent struggles but seeing a spark. Chanderpaul praised Shai Hope's leadership and batting, and discussed the balance between T20 freelancing and the enduring challenge of Test cricket.
Ahead Of New Zealand Tour, Shubman Gill To Turn Out For Punjab In Ranji Trophy Second Round
The Ranji Trophy: India's Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill will turn out for Punjab in their Ranji Trophy second round match against Chhattisgarh in New Chandigarh, starting on Sunday. The development comes at a time when Gill is eyeing to get some red-ball game time under his belt before departing for the New Zealand tour. Gill, 27, has been drafted into the squad at the eleventh hour, with Uday Saharan to continue to lead the side. India's ODI series in New Zealand runs from November 4 to 15, but Gill will play only the first three matches. He will then hand the 50-over captaincy to Shreyas Iyer and shift his focus to the two-game Test series that follows. An India A side will be touring New Zealand at the same time for three unofficial Tests against New Zealand A. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul have been named for all three games. Gill, however, will not be a part of it, as he was originally expected to turn out in one of those India A. But that plan has fallen through as the third four-day game, scheduled from November 7 to 10 in Lincoln, clashes with the second and third ODIs. The Ranji Trophy outing, therefore, offers Gill a timely chance at long-format practice before the Tests. Gill is likely to bat at number four for Punjab, which could see Jashanpreet Sidhu left out of the playing eleven. Punjabs batting will be further bolstered by the return of wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh, who missed the season opener against Assam last week due to India A duty, where he made 39 and 17 against Australia A in the 2-1 50-over series defeat in Puducherry. Punjab began their campaign on a positive note by collecting three points from that game against Assam courtesy of a first-innings lead. Vihaan Malhotra, Emanjot Chahal and Salil Arora all struck hundreds in the contest. The match was also significant for veteran India pacer Umesh Yadav, who made his first-class comeback after a gap of more than two years. Umesh, who switched from Vidarbha to Punjab ahead of the domestic season, marked his return with figures of 5-70, his 16th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. With Gill, Prabhsimran and the three centurions from the opening game, Punjab will field a formidable batting line-up as they look to build on their early points against Chhattisgarh in front of their home crowd at the New PCA Stadium. The Punjab-Chhattisgarh match will be broadcasted on JioHotstar and Star Sports Khel, while Karnataka-Saurashtra and Kerala-Odisha clashes will be live-streamed on JioHotstar. With Gill, Prabhsimran and the three centurions from the opening game, Punjab will field a formidable batting line-up as they look to build on their early points against Chhattisgarh in front of their home crowd at the New PCA Stadium. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Chaminda Vaas unveiled as Delhi Capitals' fast-bowling coach
Delhi Capitals recently announced Ganguly as their head coach and Yuvraj as the assistant and batting coach, and are set to bring in Mishra as spin-bowling coach
Litton Das Ruled Out Of ODI Tri-series Due To Hip Injury
Bayjedul Islam Khan: Bangladesh captain Litton Das has been ruled out of the ODI tri-series involving Afghanistan and Zimbabwe in the UAE due to a hip injury, with middle-order batter Towhid Hridoy set to take charge of the side for the first time in his career. Litton, who was appointed Bangladeshs full-time ODI captain in July, experienced discomfort in his right hip joint and failed to clear the required fitness test, team physiotherapist Bayjedul Islam Khan confirmed. Litton Das complained of right hip joint discomfort yesterday, so we had an MRI done. The MRI report shows a slight issue in his right hip joint, Bayjedul said in a video message as quoted by Cricinfo. Litton still attempted a fitness test today to see if he could play, but he is not available. He could not clear the required benchmark. So, he is not available for this series, he added. The injury means Litton will miss what was scheduled to be his first ODI series as Bangladeshs full-time captain. He has previously led the national team in seven ODIs. Hridoys appointment makes him the 18th player to captain Bangladesh in mens ODIs. The 25-year-old will take over leadership duties as the team continues its preparations for next years ICC Mens Cricket World Cup. Bangladesh also suffered another setback ahead of their opening match against Zimbabwe, with senior all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz ruled out of the contest due to fever. Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first in the opening match of the tri-series in Abu Dhabi on Friday. The three-team tournament will feature Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, with each side competing in the league stage before the top two teams meet in the final. Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first in the opening match of the tri-series in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
I am a red-ball cricketer and played my natural game today: Rahul
Ranji Trophy: Karnataka takes on strong challenger Saurashtra
The southern giant has not beaten the West India outfit in the competition since 2009; stand-in captain Shreyas will be eager to prove his worth; the home side will be hoping the rain stays away
Gharami, Porel hammer tons to put Bengal ahead
Rahul and Revanth send Karnataka on a leather hunt
The duos 202-run partnership ensured the hosts finished on pole position exposing the inadequacies of the bowling attack after being in a spot of bother
Hyderabad on the cusp of victory as Tripura batters slip up in second innings
Ranji Trophy | DebutantDeepeshsquick strikes restrict Rajasthan to 363 against Tamil Nadu
The right-arm medium pacer picks up three wickets in eight deliveries to trigger the hosts collapse; Jagadeesan and Pradosh hit half-centuries as TN reaches 167 for four
5th T20I: Rain Delays Toss In India-West Indies Series Decider In Bengaluru
Cricket West Indies: Persistent rain has led to the toss being delayed in the fifth and final T20I between India and the West Indies at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Saturday. The covers remained firmly in place as the scheduled 6.30 pm toss time approached, and match officials soon confirmed the delay. The drizzle grew heavier shortly after and threatens to cause a washout in the venue staging its first international game in two years. The toss has been delayed for the fifth and final T20I between the West Indies & India in Bengaluru due to rain, said an update from Cricket West Indies (CWI). Both teams had reached the ground as per the usual scheduled, but have been forced to stay off the field without beginning their warm-ups, and are instead seated in the dressing rooms. The stands were about half full, with the DJ keeping the fans entertained. The city has been lashed by showers over the past few days with the North-East monsoon setting in, and more rain is forecasted for the night. But the stadiums much-vaunted SubAir drainage system, which helped rescue the India-New Zealand Test in October 2024, offers hope of a quick resumption once the rain relents. The game also marks Bengaluru's return to the international cricket calendar after a long hiatus. The venue had been sidelined since the deadly stampede in June 2025 during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL title celebrations, which led to 11 people losing their lives. There is plenty riding on the contest, with the series currently locked at 2-2. India, the current Mens T20 World Cup holders, would be keen to avoid a second successive bilateral series defeat to the West Indies, after having lost 2-3 to them away from home in August 2023. Skipper Shai Hope has spearheaded the visitors batting by topping the run charts with 261 runs, including two hundreds coming in victories. India, on the other hand, have relied on a collective batting effort. But the returns have been uneven, with the batters blowing hot and cold through the first four games. There is plenty riding on the contest, with the series currently locked at 2-2. India, the current Mens T20 World Cup holders, would be keen to avoid a second successive bilateral series defeat to the West Indies, after having lost 2-3 to them away from home in August 2023. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Im just staying in the present, says a pragmatic Smaran
Smriti Mandhana opens up after India edge out close victory against Zimbabwe in Raipur
India women got off to a good start to the series against Zimbabwe women. The two sides met at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur, on October 16th. The clash began with Zimbabwe coming in to bat first, and the side posted a total of 114 runs in the first innings, playing decent cricket .
Ranji Trophy 2026-27 | Jharkhands Virat and Aditya make merry on a batting paradise
They both score hundreds to take the host to 587 at the end of day two; Kerala seamer Edhen doesnt take the field after getting injured; Vaisakh puts in a shift to scalp five wickets
Ranji Trophy 2026-27 | Deshpande hat-trick floors Chandigarh as Mumbai takes complete control
Chasing the hosts daunting 429, the visitor gets bowled out for a paltry 78 in just 115 balls; the seamer takes one more wicket in the only over of the second innings
Ranji Trophy: Leaner and fitter Karun eager to carry Karnataka forward
Pragyan Ojha Wins Race For Top Selection Job, Ex-India Star To Join Panel: Sources
Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha is set to become the full-time chairman of the Indian senior men's cricket team's selection committee, sources told NDTV on Saturday.
Gill to feature for Punjab in second round of Ranji Trophy
Gill is understood to be keen to get some match practice in the red-ball format ahead of his departure to New Zealand for the ODI series in November
Ishan Kishan: India's wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan on Saturday brushed aside talk of his status as the world's top-ranked T20I batter, saying he would rather keep the numbers out of his head and simply savour the pressure of playing the series decider against the West Indies at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. With the five-match series locked at 2-2, the left-hander said he had little interest in where he stood on any list at this stage of his career. Both teams are yet to commence warm-up due to persistent rain in what is also the first international game in Bengaluru after two years. Nah, I mean, at this early stage in my life, I don't want to look into stats where I stand, if I'm a number 1 batter or I'm a number 100 batter. It's just one game at a time you take, and you just try to play your best cricket. I personally love to keep all these stats aside because I don't want to get into any thought where I'm thinking about, okay, I am number one and I need to play in a certain way. It's not that - you just need to go in the middle and you need to enjoy as much as you can. And especially in these situations where it's a decider game, where pressure is there, you need to enjoy those moments, leave everything aside, and that's how we prepare here, Kishan said in a pre-game chat with the broadcasters. Kishan, who will be Indias vice-captain in 4th and 5th ODI against New Zealand next month, described the team's build-up to the series decider as neither too tense nor too relaxed, and said the side was relishing a high-stakes contest after a while. No, its like somewhere in the middle of both. But I know it's a decider game. We have not been in this situation recently, and so happy to be in this situation because always a decider match, it comes up with pressure. It comes up with expectations and everything, and this is what we want when we go into bat. You don't want to be, like, in a situation where it doesn't matter so much. So very much happy to be in this situation. But the most important thing is we all look in good frame of mind, which is the most important thing for each player, and we look to just play good cricket. The message in the dressing room, Kishan said, was to shut out thoughts of the result. I mean, looking at this situation, it's just about playing your best game and not thinking about what's gonna happen. Like, not gonna think about the result. The message is simple: to just play your game, have that aggression in the field, have that intent, have that winning attitude, and just play your best game. India's bowlers have had a tough time against the West Indies batters in the series, but Kishan refused to hide behind the batting-friendly surfaces or single out individuals for the shortcomings and called for them to click as a cohesive unit in Bengaluru. I mean, to be very honest, I feel the wickets also have been very good here. But at the same time there's always room for improvement. We cannot always give it to wickets or everything. But at the same time, I feel we all as a team, we need to work together. It's not like someone had a bad day, and we'll be like, whatever happened, has happened because of that particular guy or something. It's our preparation, it's the team preparation we look into, and all of us need to be together at any point of time. I mean, to be very honest, I feel the wickets also have been very good here. But at the same time there's always room for improvement. We cannot always give it to wickets or everything. But at the same time, I feel we all as a team, we need to work together. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
SA vs AUS 2nd Test Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XIs
SA vs AUS 2nd Test, Cricket Tips: The first Test between Australia and South Africa saw a complete domination by the visitors. Matt Renshaw led the foundation and played a crucial hand in the win for his team. He scored 272 runs and took two wickets. South Africa had a great start and they were ahead in the game for the first two sessions. But after that they lost the momentum and eventually the match. Trailing by 0-1, South Africa will take on Australia in the second test, starting on Sunday at 1:30 PM IST. The last defeat was the first ever defeat for Temba Bavuma as captain. South Africa need a better display to avoid the series defeat, and the crucial WTC points are also on the line. SA vs AUS: Match Details Date : October 17-21, 2026 (Saturday-Wednesday) Time : 1 PM IST Venue : St Georges Park, Gqeberha SA vs AUS: Live Streaming Details The live action of the second test between South Africa and Australia will be live on the FanCode app or website. The live action will be televised on the Eurosport network in India. SA vs AUS: Head-to-Head in Tests Total Matches : 102 South Africa: 26 Australia : 55 No-result: 21 SA vs AUS: Ground Pitch Report St. Georges Park is considered an all-round venue, which has help for fast bowlers early on. The overcast conditions and possible rain will aid the pacers. Spinners will be effective in the lateral stages, and batting conditions will be challenging. SA vs AUS: Possible XIs South Africa : Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj Australia : Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nic Maddinson, Steven Smith, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood SA vs AUS: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Aiden Markram and Matt Renshaw showed good form in the first game, and they will be the opens to watch out for. Probable Best Bowler Kagiso Rabada and Josh Hazlewood will have a key role in this game in these conditions. Today Match Prediction : Australia have a brilliant combination, and they provided it in the first game. Hence, Australia will start the second game as the favorite. SA vs AUS Match 2nd T20I, Today Match SA vs AUS, SA vs AUS Prediction, SA vs AUS Predicted XIs, Injury Update for South Africa vs Australia Match Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.
England, Pakistan And Sri Lanka Build Up To World Cup With ODI Tri-Series
England, Sri Lanka and hosts Pakistan meet in a one-day international tri-series starting in Rawalpindi from Sunday as they build up to next year's 50-over World Cup. With the global tournament -- co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia -- a little under a year away, Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi described the series as vital. It will be important we do well as the focus will be on the World Cup and we need to get good preparations, Shaheen said ahead of his team's opener, against Sri Lanka on Sunday. While all three sides are former World Cup champions, their recent results are less encouraging. Pakistan, champions in 1992, have not qualified for the ODI World Cup semi-finals since 2011 and finished fifth at the last World Cup in India three years ago. England won the title at home in 2019 but fared miserably in 2023, coming seventh. The 1996 champions Sri Lanka were no better. Pakistan will see the return of ace batsman Babar Azam after he was not selected for the Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka which finished last week with Pakistan winning 2-1. England skipper Harry Brook said: It's a great opportunity against two very strong sides and will hold us in good stead, and if we play the final it will show us where we stand, said Brook, whose team meet Pakistan on Tuesday. All teams play each other twice before the top two clash in the October 31 final in Lahore. England are without star batter Jos Buttler (injured) and fast bowler Jofra Archer (rested). But they are on the back of three successive ODI series wins -- two against Sri Lanka and one over India. Sri Lankan skipper Kusal Mendis was in positive mood. We have plans in place (towards the World Cup) and I hope the team shows some good progress, said Mendis. Tri-series schedule: Oct 18: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka - Rawalpindi Oct 20: Pakistan vs England - Rawalpindi Oct 22: England vs Sri Lanka - Rawalpindi Oct 25: Pakistan vs England - Lahore Oct 27: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka - Lahore Oct 29: England vs Sri Lanka - Lahore Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Oct 31: Final - Lahore
Ranji Trophy | Aveshand Aryan skittle out J&K for 120 to giveM.P. the edge
The two speedsters maintain a disciplined line and length to scalp three wickets each to help the visitor take 76-run lead; Nabis late strikes helps the champion get a foothold
Ranji Trophy: Close contest on the cards as Andhra meets Hyderabad
Rahul andRevanthsform augurs well for the home side;Sirajwill be keen to lead from the front and make it two out of two for the visitor
Ranji Trophy 2026-27 | Denish and Sibsankars centuries propel Assam to 373
The duo rescues the visitor from a precarious 23 for three with a 168-run stand; Sarupam chips in a with a half-century; Umesh scalps five wickets for Punjab
Onus on Delhi to raise standards against Gujarat
'Become Indian Citizen': Court Responds As OCI Cricketers Challenge BCCI Rule
The Bombay High Court has urged young cricketers holding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards to consider acquiring Indian citizenship if they wish to represent India, a report said.
In-form Hope Doesnt Throw His Bat Away, Plays Proper Cricket Shots, Says Chanderpaul
West Indies T20I: West Indies skipper Shai Hope's recent run of big scores in the ongoing white-ball series against India has come without him sacrificing the orthodox method that defines his batting, said legendary batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul on Saturday. Chanderpaul, currently playing and coaching the West Indies champions in the World Championship of Legends, described Hope as a more mature and confident player who finds the gaps rather than swinging wildly. Hope has been in stellar form, scoring four centuries across three ODIs and four T20Is against India. With the T20I series locked at 2-2 ahead of Saturday's decider in Bengaluru, it will be critical for India to dismiss Hope quickly. Look, his all-round cricket has developed. You can see, he is scoring much freer. He is more confident now. He can go out and express himself early on. Yes, he is not going to go as a crazy guy out there and throw his bat away. He played proper cricket shots, and he hit proper boundaries. He hit them in the good areas. What you call proper cricket shots is that he just doesn't go out there and swipe - he hits it well. He hits it into the gaps and finds his boundaries. Whenever it is pitched up and he can hit it over the top, he hits it over the fielders. But he has developed over the years. He is much more mature now. He is more confident in going out and playing his game, Chanderpaul said to IANS in a virtual interaction facilitated by Cricketaaa on Saturday. According to Chanderpaul, much of the evolution of Hopes batting, especially in the shortest format, was shaped by honing his skills on the slow, spin-friendly pitches of Providence Stadium, where Hope turned out for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League. Look, Shai Hope has played a lot of cricket in Guyana. He played for Guyana Amazon Warriors. He has learned how to bat on those wickets. If anybody could score runs in Providence, Guyana, they could score runs anywhere. He learned how to play spinners there, how to score and bat really, really well. Mostly against any bowlers, right? Because if you can score runs in Guyana, you can score runs anywhere. He developed his cricket really well. There are a few other guys who came from Guyana Hetmyer, Rutherford, Shepherd, Motie and Shamar Joseph are there. All of them are from Guyana, right? So, these guys know how to play on those sorts of wickets. The pacer will bowl one over, and then the spinner will take over. So, you learn to bat against spin from those sorts of wickets. Even as he praised Hope, Chanderpaul stressed that the West Indies could not afford to lean on one or two players, and pointed to the depth of match-winners in the current side. But then, the West Indies team also have other players there. You have Rovman Powell, and all the other guys who are in the team right now who also are match winners. So, at any given point, these guys can win you matches. As much as you call on two names, yes, who's performing now, yes, Shai Hope is doing well and helping his team to get over the line, which is really good. But you have other guys in the team also who are match winners. So, we can't overlook those guys either. They are there, and they will contribute, and they can win matches by themselves anytime also. On the spread of franchise T20 leagues around the world and the future of the all-format cricketer looking bleak, Chanderpaul said the leagues had become a valuable platform for spotting talent. It's good that we have T20 formats all around the world because this is how you get a chance to see all the cricketers. Like in the past, we didn't need our country to put us out there. Now we have so many different leagues opening in every part of the world. So, now you get a chance to see more players. Players are still active, playing cricket, and that's what you want to see. You want them out there being active, playing cricket, and then you can pick up your players to play for your country. If you think they are good enough to play and represent their country, yes, definitely, you will get a chance to grab them. But if you don't have all these leagues out there, then it's difficult to see all these players. I mean, everybody around the world is watching cricket, and there are a lot of teams who are keeping their eyes on talented players that they can grab for their teams also, and these leagues are also helping to do these things, he elaborated. Chanderpaul, who played in the early seasons of the IPL and in three T20 World Cups, said the format had changed beyond recognition since the days when teams had little data to work with. Look, T20 cricket has definitely gone a long way from when I first started in the IPL. At that time, we were just trying to figure out what would have been a normal score, what could be a par score, or a winning score. You're trying to work out everything here and there. There's not much stats out there to tell you that this is a par score on this or that ground. There are no stats from that time there. Yes, I played three T20 World Cups. But there were not many stats that tell you what would be a winning score on whichever ground you play on. But now there's a lot of information out there, and players are now developing way more shots than we played back then, and they've been successful doing it. Scores have been changing from 150 as a winning score to 250 sometimes. Still, people try to knock off those big scores also. So, it shows that the game definitely for batters has gone a long way. T20 cricket is all about playing shots and making big scores. Players have really been doing well playing this format. So, look, it's gone a long way. It's changed a long way, and it's really exciting for everyone, all the fans out there and everyone who's watching. In Sharjah, Chanderpaul himself had a vintage batting display when his unbeaten 41 off 27 balls, with three sixes, carried West Indies Champions past Australia Champions in the semi-final of the World Championship of Legends and will face England in the final on Sunday. Chanderpaul, who has been doubling up as player and coach, said he had not planned on batting, but injuries left the side short. I came in, and we didn't have much batting. So, we have a few guys who are injured and end up playing the rest of the guys who are on the bench. I made up the numbers, and I didn't expect much from myself out there. But I am thankful that I was able to give the team what they needed at that point of time when in a crucial game like this one. West Indies Champions franchise owner Ajay Sethi said the team's progress over three seasons reflected the hunger of its veterans, and compared Chanderpaul's strokeplay against Australia to that of a young Sachin Tendulkar. I came in, and we didn't have much batting. So, we have a few guys who are injured and end up playing the rest of the guys who are on the bench. I made up the numbers, and I didn't expect much from myself out there. But I am thankful that I was able to give the team what they needed at that point of time when in a crucial game like this one. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
India vs West Indies 5th T20I Bengaluru Weather Report: 80% Rain Chance Threatens Final Clash
Rain could play spoilsport as India and the West Indies prepare for the decisive fifth T20I at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 17. With the five-match series tied at 2-2, weather conditions could become a major factor in
Rabada's back to bolster South Africa as Australia chase series win
South Africa given huge boost by fitness of their leading quick but both sides wait to name their XIs with uncertainty over conditions and the weather
IND vs WI 5th T20I LIVE score: India look to clinch T20I series against in-form West Indies
India and the West Indies take on each other in the fifth and final T20I of the ongoing series. The two sides meet at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru for the clash, and both...
Why Pakistan Players Feel Pressure to Bring Home ODI World Cup
Pakistan's experienced batter Fakhar Zaman believes the team can end its long wait for an ICC trophy at the 50-overs World Cup next year. He highlighted the team's serious approach, extensive discussions, and preparations, including an upcoming tri-series, to build a winning combination. Zaman also distinguished white-ball plans from recent Test struggles.
For Royal Desert Champions: Royal Desert Champions owner Amit Narang has ruled out looking at additional cricket franchise investments in India in the immediate future, saying the focus remains on establishing the UAE-based team and building a sustainable sporting property over the next three to five years. Narang, a former international banker with over 17 years of experience in banking and fintech, said the franchises entry into the Abu Dhabi T10 coincides with a significant transition for the competition, which is entering a new phase under Abu Dhabi Sports and Tourism Management. Narang, whose investment in Royal Desert Champions marks his first venture into sports franchise ownership, believes the T10 format offers a distinct opportunity in an increasingly crowded franchise cricket market. He said the leagues established history, international player pool and shorter tournament window were among the factors that influenced the decision to invest. Its a new version of T10 Abu Dhabi. This is the 10th year of the league, so youre entering into a league which is well-oiled and has been running for a while. Its not new; people know about it. Its always good to come into a league which is already running and has a background, but its a new version of the T10 league because Abu Dhabi Sports and Tourism has taken it over this year, and thats why our entry this year is, in a large way, linked to that milestone. We want to be a part of this league going forward, Narang told IANS in an exclusive interaction, explaining why he chose the Abu Dhabi T10 at this stage of his career. Why T10? I think its the fastest format. Youve seen how the world has changed from ODIs to T20S, and there are more matches that are played today for T20 versus ODI. I think, therefore, at the same time, there is a space for an even faster format, and weve entered into a league which is T10, which is the oldest T10 league. So it makes sense to build our franchise along with Abu Dhabi Sports and Tourism as we go along. There are common objectives to achieve, so thats why this entry now, at this time, and why not other leagues? I think, frankly speaking, there are a lot of T20 leagues now, including a lot of domestic leagues in India and beyond India. I think its good to be in a T10 league which is attracting the right quality of players. A league is as successful as the quality of players who come in and who play. If you look at our team and most of the teams that have been announced in this league, theyre extremely good players. Theyre all international players, and the fact that this is a 14-day league and its a shorter duration, youre able to get commitments from players to come in. The larger the league, sometimes it may be a challenge for player availability as well. So youre able to attract good talent, good players, good coaches, and good team directors, and thats what this whole thing is about, he added. The change in the leagues management has also raised expectations around its commercial development. Narang believes the competition already occupies a strong position within the T10 landscape and could build on that standing in the coming years, although he said the precise direction of its expansion would depend on the plans of its new management. As I said, this is the most premium T10 league, even today, having been in play for nine years. If you look around and see the T10 landscape, you will see that Abu Dhabi T10 is the most premium league already, and now with Abu Dhabi Sports and Tourism taking this over, you can only expect bigger things coming through. Whichever sports assets they have had to date are all big in their own right. So I dont know the exact plans that they have for the league in terms of how they will build this up from here, but Abu Dhabi, being what they are, will build this up into a larger league. The way weve done the draft this year has been the best that theyve done over the last 10 years. So I think its gonna be a take-off time. Well have to wait and watch how we go the next three to five years, but all of us are very excited about the journey going forward, Narang detailed. For Narang, the immediate priority is to establish the first franchise before considering opportunities in other competitions, including Indias established franchise cricket ecosystem. He said the team would need sustained attention and investment before any decision on further expansion could be made. Too early to really even look at. I think we are focused on this league. We want to build over the next three to five years and see how well we do here. Too early to really look beyond this. This is the first time that we are entering into sports management. So we want to kind of build on this, put a lot of effort behind this and see where we go from there. The owner also stressed that long-term franchise value cannot be separated from on-field performance, arguing that a competitive team is essential to building a credible sporting brand. Royal Desert Champions, he said, would pursue commercial growth alongside consistent performances rather than treating the two as separate objectives. I think its a mix of all. Its not either or. To be honest, its eventually sports management. So you want to build a brand. You want to build the IP. You want a competitive team because if you dont have a competitive team and you dont play well, you dont play the basic game well, then anyway, your brand takes a beating. So you need to have a good competitive team, play hard cricket, play good fast cricket, and win more matches than you lose. And thats also the morale of the team, then, right? If you lose a lot, then the morale goes down. And the morale of the whole management team, the whole coaching team, and the players is in winning. So, you need to be competitive. Yes, we put up a competitive team. Win or loss depends on the day as well. But if you win more and lose less, its what you are aiming for. You want to build a brand. You want to build IP. So I think its a mix of all of these that you said. You have very, very, very relevant points. And all of them are important for a sustainable long-term league ownership, he mentioned. I think its a mix of all. Its not either or. To be honest, its eventually sports management. So you want to build a brand. You want to build the IP. You want a competitive team because if you dont have a competitive team and you dont play well, you dont play the basic game well, then anyway, your brand takes a beating. So you need to have a good competitive team, play hard cricket, play good fast cricket, and win more matches than you lose. And thats also the morale of the team, then, right? If you lose a lot, then the morale goes down. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
RANJI TROPHY | Lad to the fore as Mumbai weathers early inroads by Chandigarh
CRICKET | The skippers unbeaten 80 and a fighting half-century by Musheer negates the visitors decision to bowl first on a pitch with a greenish tinge while Mhatre chips in with a useful contribution
Hip injury rules Litton Das out of UAE tri-series
Mehidy Hasan Miraz also missed Bangladesh's first game of the tri-series, against Zimbabwe, because of a fever
Kavya Maran, Anirudh to Wed! What We Know So Far
Sunrisers Hyderabad co-owner Kavya Maran and music composer Anirudh Ravichander are reportedly set to hold their wedding reception in Chennai on November 21. The event is expected to draw prominent political figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Ministers from Telangana and Tamil Nadu, who have been personally invited by the Maran family. While the reception date is confirmed, reports of a Greece wedding on November 11 remain unconfirmed.
Hong Kong Sixes: Krunal Replaces Bhuvi as India Captain
Krunal Pandya has been appointed captain of the seven-member India squad for the Hong Kong Sixes, replacing Bhuvneshwar Kumar who was recalled to the national team. Kulwant Khejroliya will join the squad as Bhuvneshwar's replacement for the tournament scheduled from October 30 to November 1.
Royal Desert Champions: Royal Desert Champions owner Amit Narang believes the Abu Dhabi T10 can broaden its appeal by offering spectators a compact, high-intensity cricket experience while bringing together leading international players in a single tournament. As the franchise prepares to enter the competition, Narang said the formats short duration, the presence of cricket-following communities in the UAE, and the prospect of attracting more Indian players could strengthen the leagues connection with audiences. Narang, a UAE-based entrepreneur and former international banker, said the T10 format can offer spectators a full evening of cricket within a limited time, with two matches scheduled on a typical day. He drew a comparison with football to explain why a shorter contest need not come at the expense of the live viewing experience. It is based on the soccer format. Soccer is 90 minutes. This is 90 minutes. Soccer is a very popular game as well, right, and there are two matches a day. So actually the crowd is coming in, and people are watching this for exactly 40 overs a day, and some days therell be three. So, you know, its that kind of a format where you can have two matches in the same time, and the crowd is excited as well and watching 44 great players coming in the field and playing instead of 22, Narang told IANS in an exclusive interaction. The franchises immediate task, according to Narang, is to establish a competitive team and develop a clear identity before expanding its commercial activities. He said Royal Desert Champions had prioritised its sporting structure in its debut season, bringing in experienced leadership and an international group of players. So you know we have milestones. Theres a year one milestone, theres a year two milestone, and so on. Weve done extremely well on our year one milestone. We have Robin Singh, whos come in as our team director. Hes also been a head coach and a team director for the T10 league for four years in the past, and he won it three times. If you look at our plan for year one, we have the best team director that anybody could have had. We have a great set of people under him as coaching staff. We have the best T10 player whos played T10 over the last few years, Nicholas Pooran, as our captain. We have some very good players in Phil Salt, in Rutherford, and so on and so forth. So were building a very nice competitive team. Whats also interesting is that the other teams have also gotten very, very competitive players because a league is as good as how many competitive matches happen. People come and watch good matches and close matches. So year one milestone for us is to have a smooth tournament and build our basic hygiene in terms of the quality of players and the quality of staff that comes in for us and delivers for us. Obviously, this is a very fast-tracked year, like I said earlier. So going forward, we build our brand. Weve started the journey this year, but the focus this year is to have a smooth tournament. Next year will be a year when we start getting into more digital assets, into building the brand. Our journey over the next few years is to build a good, sound franchise with great players and good competitive games and start building on that as we go along in terms of our basic ethos that we want to bring in. We want to play fearless cricket. We want to play fair cricket. We want to play fast cricket. Thats really what we stand for, he explained. Narang also sees the UAEs diverse population as an important factor in the leagues audience potential. With cricket followed across several South Asian communities in the country, he believes the tournament can draw support from beyond a single national fan base. The leagues broadcast presence in India is another avenue through which it expects to reach viewers familiar with its international players. India continues to be the largest cricketing market. Couple it with the fact that we are in the UAE and this league is in Abu Dhabi. And the largest population in the United Arab Emirates is of Indians. There are more Indians than UAE nationals. Therefore, its not only the attractiveness back home in India, but also within the UAE; the largest attraction is for Indians. But as the demographics allow, there are Indians, Pakistanis, Afghans, Bangladeshis, and Sri Lankans- all kinds of nationalities that are available in the UAE. And cricket is attractive for all Asian countries. So thats one part where, you know, the crowds come in because the players come from all these countries and are very excited about it. As far as back home in India is concerned, the tournament is going live on Geostar this year for the first time and also on Star Sports. So there will be; there was always an audience in India, and it will continue to be a large audience in India. Right. Because the quality of players are such that theyre all players who are watched across IPL, other leagues, and people who watch them. People like watching them. On the possibility of more Indian cricketers featuring in the competition, Narang acknowledged the appeal such participation could have for fans, particularly in the UAE. He noted that Indian players who have represented the country in the past, including those who have retired or play only in leagues, have featured in the tournament over the years, Narang mentioned. With its initial focus on assembling a strong squad and establishing its identity, Royal Desert Champions will look to build its presence in the competition before setting more ambitious targets. Narangs stated priorities are to deliver competitive cricket, develop the franchises brand and explore opportunities to bring more established international talent into the tournament in future seasons. This league has been very successful in terms of what it has attracted over the years. Including Indian fans. That speaks highly of the calibre of people whove played here or the cricketers whove played here. Indian players have also played here. But clearly, like you rightly said, Indian players whove either retired or who are playing league cricket have only come in and played. And theyre obviously welcome, and there is attraction towards Indian players. Theres no running away from that. And we hope to have more players come and play. There are players available, very good players available, and have played the league as well. If you look at all the large big names over the last 10 years whove played for India in the past, they have also come and played the league. So we look forward to obviously playing and working with some of them as well, Narang stated. Asked whether he had any particular Indian players in mind for future editions, Narang said the franchise had not had sufficient time to consider specific names for its inaugural campaign. He added that player selection would depend on the team managements assessment of the roles required within the squad. There are players available, very good players available, and have played the league as well. If you look at all the large big names over the last 10 years whove played for India in the past, they have also come and played the league. So we look forward to obviously playing and working with some of them as well, Narang stated. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Zimbabwe opt to bat; Litton out of tri-series with hip injury
Bangladesh are also without Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who has been down with fever, while Zimbabwe handed debut to Tafadzwa Tsiga
Focus on my game and consistency helped me make a comeback, says Karan
Focus on my game and consistency helped me make a comeback, says Karan
Shami happy to see Bhuvneshwar back in the Indian team
IND vs WI weather report: How will weather in Bengaluru fare for the fifth T20I?
The stage is set for the fifth and final T20I of the ongoing series between India and the West Indies. The two sides are slated to take on each other at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium...
India vs West Indies LIVE Score, IND vs WI 5th T20I Cricket Match Updates: With the series on the line, India will take on West Indies in the fifth and final T20I at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Shami shines as Bengal bowls out Delhi for 240
RANJI TROPHY | Tripuras batting wilts after a game fight, Hyderabad a mere 13 behind
CRICKET | The hosts gamble of playing two pacers and three spinners pays off handsomely, with the spin duo of Tanay and Aniketh ripping through the visitors line-up; offie Sarkar sparks a mini riposte with four wickets
RANJI TROPHY | Shikhar notches up this editions first ton as Jharkhand wins the initial exchanges
Kerala works its way back in to the contest thanks to fine spells of off-spin by Jalaj and Vaisakh as the visitor puts a brake on the hosts march
