Category: Sports

Rahul Dravid, secured his services in the IPL auction, reportedly at Laxman’s suggestion. The rest, as they say, is history

During the 2023-24 season of the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, BCCI junior selection committee chairman Thilak Naidu was in Chandigarh to watch young talent. However, Naidu’s plans were disrupted when the match he was assigned to watch was delayed due to a wet outfield following overnight rain. As he chatted with local match officials while waiting, a name kept cropping up — a gifted youngster from Bihar who, they said, was worth keeping an eye on.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/how-suryavanshi-came-into-national-reckoning-3516660

The left-handed Suryavanshi brought up his triple figure mark off 35 balls against Gujarat Titans here as injured head coach Rahul Dravid literally forgot his crutches in excitement and stood without ay support cheered the teenager vociferously.

Jaipur: Rajasthan Royals’ history-making boy wonder Vaibhav Suryavanshi, on Monday, said he only watches the ball and not the one delivering it after stroking his way to a record 38-ball-101 to become IPL’s youngest centurion at 14 years and 32 days.

The left-handed Suryavanshi brought up his triple figure mark off 35 balls against Gujarat Titans here as injured head coach Rahul Dravid literally forgot his crutches in excitement and stood without ay support cheered the teenager vociferously.

Suryavanshi smacked 11 sixes and seven fours in his stunning onslaught against an array of international bowlers including India’s Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar and Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan and Karim Janat.

“I don’t see the name (of the bowler) much, I just see the ball and play,” he told the broadcaster after the match.

“It is a very good feeling, it is my first 100 in the IPL and in the third innings. It is a very good feeling, I had been practising for the IPL for the last three-four months and the results are now showing up.” “It was my dream to score a century in the IPL, as I said before I had been working hard for many days and the results were visible on the ground,” the soft-spoken Suryavanshi added.

Suryavanshi, who put on 166 runs inside 12 overs with Yashasvi Jaiswal (70 not out) credited the India player for his calming presence in the middle.

“I enjoy batting with him as he keeps talking positive things and keeps telling me what to do, so batting becomes easier,” he said.

RR’s stand-in skipper Riyan Parag said his side was able to execute with the bat better after felling short of targets in the last few games.

“It was incredible. We spent two months with him and seen what we can do and to do it against world-class bowlers against GT, words can’t express,” he said.

“We changed it from the last game, we were thinking how can we finish this a little earlier, bat with real intent. We practised a lot and we implemented it today (and) it came off.” “You can learn everyday watching the IPL. Learn how RCB do things, how Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) bhai does his stuff. (It is) a big one, we were searching for this win,” Riyan added.

Jaiswal termed Suryavanshi’s knock as “one of the best” he has ever seen.

“(It was an) incredible innings, one of the best I have seen. Hope he will do it for us for a long time. I was telling him to just keep going, incredible today,” he said.

“He just played amazing shots, he practises well, works hard in the hits. He has the game and temperament, wish him all the luck.” Talking about the game, Jaiswal said, “We were talking that somebody needs to stay and finish the game after the last three games, I was there luckily today and tried my best.” Gujarat Titans’ skipper Shubman Gill, who made a 50-ball 84 in the first half of the match said it was a day which belonged to Suryavanshi.

“It was Suryavanshi’s day, his hitting was tremendous and he made full use of it. I think they took the game away from us in the powerplay, credit to them for that,” Gill said.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/ipl-2025-i-just-saw-the-ball-not-bowlers-suryavanshi-on-his-record-breaking-ton-3515101

In a high-scoring spectacle at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Rajasthan Royals (RR) produced a stunning run chase to defeat Gujarat Titans (GT) by 8 wickets in their IPL 2025 clash. The Royals, led by a breathtaking century from Vaibhav Suryavanshi, overhauled a massive target with remarkable ease.

Gujarat Titans posted an imposing total of 209/4 in their 20 overs. Captain Shubman Gill led from the front with a commanding innings, scoring 84 runs off 50 balls, laced with five boundaries and four sixes. Jos Buttler, playing a key supporting role, contributed a quickfire 50 off just 26 balls, striking three boundaries and four maximums.

However, Rajasthan Royals’ bowlers kept their nerves intact. Mahesh Theekshana emerged as the standout performer, finishing with figures of 2 for 35 in his four overs, ensuring the Titans didn’t run away with an even bigger total.

Chasing 210, Rajasthan Royals made their intentions clear from the outset. Young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi stole the show with a sensational knock of 101 runs off just 38 deliveries. His innings, studded with seven boundaries and an astonishing eleven sixes, left the Gujarat bowlers helpless. He found an able partner in Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was equally aggressive, hammering 70 runs off 40 balls, including nine boundaries and two sixes.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/rr-vs-gt-ipl-2025-match-47-vaibhav-suryavanshis-blazing-century-powers-rajasthan-royals-to-record-chase-against-gujarat-titans

A SINGLE regular Cheeto is usually worth pennies, but a rare one shaped like Michael Jordan has fetched a massive amount in an auction.

The rare Flamin’ Hot Cheeto that resembles Jordan’s legendary Jumpman logo has been sold.

Any memorabilia of the Chicago Bulls icon Jordan has a track record of receiving jaw-dropping amounts at auction.

But special Cheetos can receive bids too, as one shaped like a Pokémon character recently went for $87,840.

While it might seem like a stretch to call a Cheeto a piece of memorabilia, an item combining the corn-cheese puff and MJ’s brand got major interest.

The small replica of the six-time NBA Finals MVP’s logo was put up for auction at Goldin Auctions.

The Air Jordan Jumpman Hot Cheeto’ final price was $8,113 on March 29.

There were 32 bids as the price jumped from a start of $250 to the final $8,113 in two weeks.

The final bidder will receive the so-called Jumpan Cheeto, which is three inches long.

The bite-sized item can’t be bitten, though, as it comes inside a small case to protect it.

Flip the case, and one will see Jordan’s main basketball stats and career highlights from his rookie season.

The Cheeto resembles Jordan leaping in the air with his legs spread apart as he tries to dunk a basketball into a hoop.

Nike has used the 1980s image of Jordan going for a dunk as a logo for its Air Jordan athletic wear.

While the Air Jordan Jumpman Cheeto fetched $8,113, that number is nothing for Jordan himself.

The NBA great reportedly has a net worth of close to $3.5 billion.

Among his lavish purchases is a heavily customized Gulfstream 650ER private jet for $70 million.

And his Jumpman logo is on the aircraft in the rear.

Other than the Jordan-shaped Cheeto, the basketball icon has a track record of fetching crazy amounts at auction.

Source : https://www.the-sun.com/sport/14097947/michael-jordan-cheeto-jumpan-logo/

J.B. Bickerstaff and the Pistons were apoplectic over a non-call on the final play of their crushing Game 4 loss Sunday to the Knicks.

Josh Hart appeared to make contact with Tim Hardaway Jr. while closing out on the former Knicks’ last-second 3-point heave from the left corner.

But no foul was called and the Knicks held on for a 94-93 victory for their second straight win in Detroit and a 3-1 series lead.

After the game, crew chief David Guthrie told a pool reporter that a foul should have been called on Hart.

“During live play, it was judged that Josh Hart made a legal defensive play,” the statement read. “After postgame review, we observed that Hart makes body contact that is more than marginal to Hardaway Jr. and a foul should have been called.”

After the buzzer sounded, Bickerstaff was livid and stormed onto the court to plead with the referees, who let a physical play go on both sides throughout the game, for a foul call.

Game 5 is Tuesday at the Garden.

Pistons guard Cade Cunningham came up short on a mid-range jump shot with 7.1 seconds left with a chance to take the lead, before the ball found its way to Hardaway in the corner following a loose-ball scramble beneath the basket.

A closing Hart appeared to bump Hardaway on the hip as he hoisted his double-clutch attempt.

Hart also looked like he was fouled under the basket while going for the initial rebound in that sequence.

Source : https://nypost.com/2025/04/27/sports/pistons-livid-over-no-call-as-ref-admits-knicks-fouled-on-final-game-4-shot/

Arnaldi beat fourth seed Djokovic 6-3 6-4 to reach the third round. The result condemned the 37-year-old, who received a bye in the opening round, to his third consecutive defeat.

Three-time champion Novak Djokovic may have played at the Madrid Open for the last time after crashing out in the second round to Italian Matteo Arnaldi on Saturday, with the Serbian admitting he did not know if he would return.

Arnaldi beat fourth seed Djokovic 6-3 6-4 to reach the third round. The result condemned the 37-year-old, who received a bye in the opening round, to his third consecutive defeat.

Djokovic, who has been chasing a 100th tour-level title, was handed a shock defeat in Miami Open final in late March before his second-round Monte Carlo exit earlier this month.

All three defeats came in straight sets.

“Obviously after you lose a match you don’t feel good, but I’ve had a few of these this year where I lose in the first round, unfortunately,” Djokovic told a press conference.

“I think the positive thing is that I really enjoyed myself more than I have in the Monte-Carlo or some other tournament, so that’s a good thing.

“But obviously still level of tennis is not where I would like it to be. But it is what it is. I lost to a better player.”

Djokovic, who made his Madrid debut in 2006 and won the tournament in 2011, 2016 and 2019, was looking for his first win on clay since defeating Carlos Alcaraz to win gold at the Paris Olympics.

Asked whether he just played his last match in Madrid, Djokovic said: “It could be. It could be. I’m not sure if I will come back. So, I don’t know, I don’t know what to say.

“I mean, I’ll come back, maybe not as a player. I hope it’s not, but it could be.”

Djokovic won three out of the four major titles in 2023 but has not been able to reproduce that kind of form since, being shut out of the game’s biggest tournaments last year as Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz claimed took majors apiece.

“(It’s) kind of new reality for me, I have to say. You know, trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament,” Djokovic added.

“It’s a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis, so it’s kind of a challenge for me mentally to really face these kind of sensations on the court, going out early now regularly in the tournaments.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/tennis/djokovic-hints-at-madrid-farewell-after-crashing-out-in-second-round-3512683

The Delhi Police has arrested a 21-year-old engineering student with alleged mental health issues for sending threat mails to the head coach of men’s cricket team and former BJP MP Gautam Gambhir, an official said on Saturday.

The accused, identified as Jigneshsinh Parmar from Gujarat, was arrested on Friday.

Police said Parmar sent threat mails to Gambhir on April 22 — the day terrorists gunned down 26 people in Kashmir’s Pahalgam — from a suspicious Gmail account.

In a statement, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) M Harsha Vardhan said, “Parmar is an engineering student. His family claims that he is suffering from mental health issues. Further investigation is in progress.” The police had earlier stated that they have been informed about an alleged threat mail received on an email ID associated with Gautam Gambhir.

An email complaint was filed with Rajinder Nagar police station along with screenshots of the threat mails.

Gambhir received two threat mails reading “I Kill You” from a sender identifying as “ISIS Kashmir”, police sources said.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/21-year-old-engineering-student-held-for-sending-threat-mails-to-gautam-gambhir-3512585

MS Dhoni, captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), expressed concerns about the team’s inability to adapt to the MA Chidambaram Stadium’s pitch conditions since its relaying in 2010. He clarified that his comments about the pitch do not solely indicate a preference for slower surfaces. In a recent match, CSK struggled with a total of 154 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, with Dewald Brevis contributing significantly. Harshal Patel’s impressive bowling for SRH helped secure their victory in this crucial match.

MS Dhoni, captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), candidly admitted that the franchise has not been able to read the wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium properly ever since the wicket was relayed in 2010. Stating that his team always wants the behaviour of pitches in Chennai, Dhoni added that his comment does not mean that CSK only wanted slower pitches.
“I’ve said that since 2010. Most people think that when I say I’m not sure about the wicket over here, we want a slower track, and we keep saying it. But that has been the case. Once the wicket was relayed after 2010, we returned to the Champions League, and it has not been the same. They’re trying their level best, but we are never sure this is how the wicket is,” Dhoni said during the toss.
“Sometimes batting first is a very good thing. Sometimes, batting second. So, the groundsmen are trying their best, but it’s a different science altogether. So I feel the old red soil wicket was very good. It suited the environment away,” he added.

Teams are often coined winners and losers after the 2025 NFL Draft, but what about the media personalities who covered the event?

Well, there seems to have been a clear-cut winner and loser from Thursday night’s draft coverage.

Many have raved about Peter Schrager, the former NFL Network star who was just hired by ESPN in the last month, for his analysis and coverage on Pat McAfee’s 2025 Draft Spectacular.

Meanwhile, on ESPN’s main stage, Mel Kiper Jr. ticked off just about every viewer aside from Shedeur Sanders and his friends and family.

“[Sanders is] my number one quarterback,” Kiper said before the draft.

Just before the Titans selected quarterback Cam Ward with the first pick, Kiper added, “Everything you want an NFL quarterback to be, [Sanders] has.”

He then went on to relentlessly compare Sanders to numerous legendary quarterbacks who had other quarterbacks, who turned out far less legendary, drafted ahead of them.

Sanders is set to be the next Tom Brady, Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Lamar Jackson, Johnny Unitas, Kurt Warner, Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre or Matt Ryan — if Kiper’s prediction holds true that the Colorado star is the next iconic quarterback who got wrongfully passed over.

The culmination of Kiper’s campaigning for Sanders came when tasked with analyzing quarterback Jaxson Dart after he was selected by the Giants with the 25th overall pick instead of Sanders.

Kiper’s first note on Dart heading to New York: “Well, I’m surprised he went ahead of Shedeur.”

He then added, “I like Jaxson Dart, I love Shedeur,” before continuing his parade of great quarterbacks who were passed in favor of others who turned out worse — insinuating this would wind up being the case with Dart and Sanders.

Source: https://nypost.com/2025/04/25/sports/nfl-media-had-its-own-winner-and-loser-on-day-1-of-the-draft/

New Zealand Cricket will invest in a new franchise that will join Major League Cricket in the United States from 2027.

Chief executive Scott Weenink on Thursday said NZC will partner with U.S.-based True North Sports Ventures to form the new team, which could be based in Toronto or Atlanta.

The partnership is the first of its kind between a full member nation of the International Cricket Council and a franchise in a leading professional cricket league, Weenink said.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India governs the lucrative Indian Premier League, which features players from all over the world, including stars from New Zealand, but the franchises are all independently owned.

New Zealand Cricket will provide financial equity and high-performance and operational support to the new MLC team, including coaching, management and support staff.

“It’s a reasonable investment but it’s fair to say we are still minority investors,” Weenink said. “Hopefully, we will also see a growth in capital but also dividends which will start to be spun out of that equity investment.

“We still see India as untapped from a New Zealand Cricket perspective so we are putting a significant amount of energy and resource into growing New Zealand Cricket and New Zealand cricket players’ brand in India and we see the same in the US. We see America as such a huge market from a sports perspective.”

Weenink said NZC sees cricket “really taking off” in the United States on the back of the T20 Cricket World Cup, which the U.S. co-hosted last year, as well as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“So we really want to tap into and jump on board the huge growth opportunity that Major League Cricket offers,” he said. “As franchise cricket grows globally, NZC needs to adapt to seize strategic opportunities that ensure the sustainability of our cricket network.

“This helps diversify our revenue streams, expands our global brand and fan base and creates new talent development and retention pathways for both our players and coaches.”

Several leading New Zealand players already have played in MLC and NZC hopes an association with the U.S. tournament will provide a new pathway for young and senior players.

Source : https://apnews.com/article/new-zealand-cricket-mlc-60279dfc49a178aa163a2cff4145fbc4

Ishan Kishan’s dismissal sparked controversy during the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Mumbai Indians (MI). Kishan’s poor run of form continued after being dismissed for a knock of one against MI as SRH’s top order collapsed. Kishan walked off despite no appeal from the MI players.

Ishan Kishan left the cricketing fraternity perplexed with a rather bizarre sequence of events in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Mumbai Indians (MI) on Thursday (April 23) in Hyderabad.
Kishan’s poor run of form continued as he was dismissed for a single-digit score for the second time in a row against his former side. However, his dismissal sparked controversy as the left-handed batter departed despite no appeal from the MI.
For those unversed, Kishan was dismissed after seemingly edging a delivery by Deepak Chahar after making one run in four balls. However, there was no appeal from Mumbai players apart from a slight enquiry with each other, after which the umpire declared him not out. However, Kishan walked off on his own and did not wait to see if MI took a review, which indicated that he had edged the delivery.

MI player rushed to Ishan to hail for his sporting gesture, but the replays shocked everyone around the ground as ultra-edge did not show a spike of Kishan’s bat.

This left many to question Kishan for his decision to walk off, especially during a tough phase on a personal front, while his team is also struggling for results.
Talking about the match, SRH made a disastrous start as Trent Boult dismissed Travis Head for a duck in the second over of the game. SRH found themselves at 14-4 after Kishan’s dismissal was followed by Abhishek Sharma (8) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (2) with Boult and Chahar getting two wickets each.
At the half-way, SRH had 52 runs after losing five wickets as Hardik Pandya dismissed Aniket Verma (12). Heinrich Klaasen is the only hope of the 2024 runners-up to get a respectable total on the board.
SRH are playing for survival in the tournament with just two wins in seven matches so far. Last week, MI beat the Pat Cummins-led side by four wickets at the Wankhede Stadium.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/ishan-kishan-sparks-major-controversy-walks-off-despite-no-appeal-ultra-edge-shows-he-was-not-out-watch-article-151480990

After the dismissal, which took place on the final ball of the innings at the Ekana Stadium on Tuesday, Rishabh Pant was subject to criticism on social media.

Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant did not have a favourable reunion with his former team, Delhi Capitals, as he was dismissed for a two-ball duck, thus adding to his woes in the ongoing IPL 2025 season. After the dismissal, which took place on the final ball of the innings at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday, Pant was subject to criticism on social media.

Amid his poor season, in which he managed just 106 runs in nine innings at 13.25, Pant delayed his batting against Delhi as he walked out at No. 7. This was the first time in nine years that Pant batted at No. 7 or lower in his T20 career, the last being in IPL 2016, when he had done it twice.

Pant was dismissed on the second ball of his knock when he went for an audacious switch hit against Mukesh Kumar, but the pacer followed him and dished out a fuller delivery around the leg stump. The ball deflected off his pads and hit the stumps.

Besides the failure, Pant was shown no mercy on social media as fans accused him of “hiding” behind uncapped players Abdul Samad and Ayush Badoni. However, a dugout picture showed that his right hand was heavily taped, indicating a concern for injury. It was also seen at the time of the toss.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/rishabh-pant-return-27-crore-duck-lsg-vs-dc-fans-accuse-hiding-dugout-pic-hints-at-reason-for-batting-at-no-7-101745337670694.html

Many promotions and demotions took place as the BCCI announced annual central contracts for the 2024-25 season.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the annual retainership contracts across 4 categories for Indian players on Monday. India’s Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma and batting talisman Virat Kohli retained their place in the A+ bracket, while the previously axed duo of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan returned to the fold in the list, consisting of a total of 34 players across categories. The A grade, which commands an annual retainership fee of Rs 7 crore, also features Ravindra Jadeja and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, much like the last few years.

India’s Champions Trophy hero Iyer has been a notable comeback in the list, inducted in group B, which comes with an annual remuneration of Rs 3 crore.

Iyer was dropped last season for allegedly ignoring domestic cricket for the  IPL. Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan. dropped for the same reason, also made a comeback in category C, which is worth Rs 1 crore annually.

Players Promoted or Handed First-Time Contract:

1. Rishabh Pant (Grade B to Grade A)
2. Shreyas Iyer (None to Grade B, but was part of BCCI contracts before the 2023-24 season)
3. Ishan Kishan (None to Grade C, but was part of BCCI contracts before the 2023-24 season)
4. Sarfaraz Khan (None to Grade C)
5. Nitish Kumar Reddy (None to Grade C)
6. Abhishek Sharma (None to Grade C)
7. Akash Deep (None to Grade C)
8. Varun Chakaravarthy (None to Grade C)
9. Harshit Rana (None to Grade C)

Players Demoted or Axed:

1. Shardul Thakur (From Grade C to None)
2. Jitesh Sharma (From Grade C to None)
3. KS Bharat (From Grade C to None)
4. Avesh Khan (From Grade C to None)

Rishabh Pant, who was demoted to group B during the 2023-24 season as he didn’t due to his recovery from a life-threatening accident, is back in the A category in place of the retired Ravichandran Ashwin. Category A comes with a retainer of Rs 5 crore annually.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/bcci-central-contracts-2024-25-full-list-of-players-promoted-and-demoted-8215865

For the sport to grow in the country, an entire ecosystem has to be created and this is the first step towards that

When Neeraj Chopra speaks about his Olympic medals, and giving back to the sport through Neeraj Chopra Classic, the big-ticket international event coming to India in Bengaluru next month, he speaks with a similar level of excitement and that is when you know how much the new project means to him. It is presumably as close to his heart as his two Olympic medal or the world title that made him a global athletics star.

Neeraj’s path-breaking moments on the field have put Indian athletics on the world map but he knows that for the sport to grow, an entire ecosystem has to be created and sustained. Bringing top-tier athletics events in India is the first step in that direction.

On May 24, he will be pumped up to compete in front of Indian fans at the Kanteerava Stadium and a full house to watch him and other international stars in action will be expected. There would be no shortage of stardust.

Two-time world champion Anderson Peters, American Curtis Thompson, the season leader (87.76m), 2016 Olympic champion Thomas Rohler of Germany, Rio Olympic silver medallist and 2015 world champion Julius Yego of Kenya, have all confirmed their participation. More big names are expected to be added in a few days. There will be more Indian names as well — four to five — who will get an opportunity to compete alongside global stars.

Undoubtedly, the biggest name in the elite field will be Neeraj Chopra himself. “Yes, count me in as well,” Neeraj said with a wide smile, having rattled off names of the participants with great pride.

An invitation has also gone out to Arshad Nadeem, the Paris Olympics champion from Pakistan, but he is yet to confirm participation. “I have spoken to Arshad and invited him as well, like other top throwers. He is in discussion with his coach. It will involve government (permission). Once it is confirmed, we will announce the final list,” said Neeraj during a video conference from his base in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

“I want parents to bring their children along to watch the world’s top athletes, see what it takes, how it feels to be there and see the world’s best stars competing. That experience is amazing. They need to have such experiences, only then athletics will grow in India,” he said. “There will be tickets but it will be kept to a minimum so that people can come and watch and have fun.”

Neeraj’s rising stature means World Athletics (WA) was prompt to mark it as a Gold level event and make it a qualifier for the world championships in September. The competition was earlier scheduled to take place in Neeraj’s home turf of Panchkula, Haryana, but had to shifted to Bengaluru due to some technical issue at the venue. WA recommended a change in venue.

“Though I wanted it to happen in Panchkula because it’s my native place, but the most important thing is that it’s happening in India. I have great memories of Bengaluru and it’s a very good venue to start this international competition. I am very excited to be part of this event and doing my bit (JSW and AFI are part of organisers) to bring a world class track and field event in India. It’s a dream come true for me,” said Neeraj.

Neeraj’s association with the project is at a personal level. He has reached out to the throwers, and convinced them to visit India. These days, he is on his toes. Not only during his training as he prepares for the Doha Diamond League (May 16), but he is in constant touch with his team taking every small detail to ensure smooth conduct of the tournament and to see that international athletes return with an experience to savour. He loves the city, having spent lot of time there training and competing in domestic meets. That makes his job easier.

“We are looking after everything — from the track to change rooms, seating arrangements. It should be a top-class facility and the participants should return with amazing experiences from here. We would want them to land in the new airport.”

“It is a new experience for me. Earlier it was all about getting up in the morning, going to train and then back to room. Now I have a responsibility, there is so much to look forward to and I am enjoying it.”

“I now know so many things need to fall in place and what it takes to organise an event. As competitors, we don’t get to know about these things”

At every step in his career, Neeraj has been a student. He has a vision for Indian athletics, much like he had for his career. There are several such events like Mondo Classic — after pole vault star Mondo Duplantis — at his home turf in Uppsala, Sweden — which allows international track and field stars to bring home big stars and top-quality action and popularise the sport in their country. Neeraj saw this when he was competing on the circuit and the idea stayed in his head.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/others/neeraj-chopra-classic-a-vision-for-indian-athletics-101745257316224.html

Mumbai Indians created history by defeating Chennai Super Kings by nine wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in the 2025 indian Premier League (IPL). The five-time champions won the game with 26 balls to spare and, as a result, shattered multiple records as they ended a four-match losing streak over their arch-rivals.

Mumbai Indians continued their upward curve in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) after thrashing arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by nine wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai to register their third win in a row after a poor start to the season.
This victory marked MI’s first win over CSK since 2022, ending a four-match losing streak. The result means that the MS Dhoni-led side have only two victories in eight matches and their chances of reaching the playoffs are now hanging by a thread.

Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants Highlights, IPL 2025: Avesh Khan weaved his magic with the ball as LSG edged past RR by 2 runs in a last-ball thriller at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur on Saturday. Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 74 off 52 for RR in the chase of 181 but Avesh’s 3 for 37 overshadowed it. Earlier, Aiden Markram scored 66 runs off 45 balls while Ayush Badoni hit 50 off 34 as LSG posted 180 for 5 after their captain Rishabh Pant won the toss and opted to bat first. Abdul Samad’s late blitzkrieg (30 not out off 10 balls) that included four sixes in the final over bowled by Sandeep Sharma also helped LSG’s cause. For RR, Wanindu Hasaranga was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 2 for 31 in his quota of four overs. This was RR’s fourth consecutive defeat in IPL 2025. (Scorecard)

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2025/rajasthan-royals-vs-lucknow-super-giants-live-score-ipl-2025-rr-vs-lsg-live-updates-sanju-samson-rishabh-pant-8203280

Delhi Capitals secured their fifth victory in IPL 2025, defeating Rajasthan Royals in a thrilling match that ended in a Super Over for the first time this season. This win allowed DC to set a record, achieving four Super Over victories, surpassing Punjab Kings.

Delhi Capitals went top of the table with their fifth win in the IPL 2025 against Rajasthan Royals. The match was one of the most thrilling encounters this season as it marked the first time in IPL 2025 that a game was decided by Super Overs. With this momentous vitory at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, DC have managed to create history by achieving a unique record.
Delhi Capitals have now won four games via Super Over in the IPL. This is the most number of times that Super Overs that a team has won in the competition’s history. They thus overtake Punjab Kings, who have three Super Over victories in IPL history. The Capitals are also the first team to play five tied matches in the history of the IPL.

Olympic surfing is ready to grab the spotlight at the 2028 LA Olympics with a pristine venue in the heart of modern surf culture after thriving in a far-flung location for the Paris Games.

Paris earned rave reviews for its Olympic surfing venue halfway around the world in 2024, with Teahupo’o, Tahiti, praised for its days of perfect surf in the sport’s ancestral home of Polynesia.

But the 2028 venue announced on Tuesday, Trestles Beach, could give competitors a greater experience of being an Olympian, just a stone’s throw from their fellow athletes in Los Angeles.

“Tahiti was great because the waves were great but we were removed from ‘ground zero’ of the Paris Games,” said Fernando Aguerre, the president of the International Surfing Association.

Aguerre told Reuters he was delighted with the selection of Trestles Beach, which beat out the other finalist Huntington Beach, with its consistent, quality waves and point break.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/surfing-olympians-ready-take-sports-epicenter-southern-california-5068261

MS Dhoni smashed an unbeaten 26 runs from 11 balls in an innings studded with 4 fours and 1 six. He stood tall at the end, stitching an unbeaten 58-run partnership with Shivam Dube, as they chased down 166 in the final over of the match. Dhoni earned the Player of the Match for his short but impactful knock.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) finally ended their disastrous five-match losing streak on Monday (April 14) as they secured a win against the Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium. Captain MS Dhoni was the star of the run chase as he turned back the clock, showing everyone why he is regarded as one of the greatest finishers in the history of the game. With his whirlwind knock, he managed to break a massive IPL record that was 11 years old.
MS Dhoni smashed an unbeaten 26 runs from 11 balls in an innings studded with 4 fours and 1 six. He stood tall at the end, stitching an unbeaten 58-run partnership with Shivam Dube, as they chased down 166 in the final over of the match. Dhoni earned the Player of the Match for his short but impactful knock.

The CSK captain now becomes the oldest player to pick up a Player of the Match award in IPL history at 43 years and 280 days. He broke the record of Pravin Tambe who won the Player of the Match award in IPL 2014 vs KKR at an age of 42 years and 208 days.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/ipl-2025-ms-dhoni-breaks-11-year-old-world-record-becomes-first-player-in-the-world-to-win-player-of-the-match-award-after-turning-43-article-151424407

Abhishek Sharma created history for Sunrisers Hyderabad and etched his name in history books en route to his century against Punjab Kings. Abhishek and Travis Head added 171 runs for the first wicket in the chase to the target of 246.

Abhishek Sharma slammed a magnificent 141 off just 55 balls as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) chased down a huge target of 246 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their sixth game of the season. Abhishek and Travis Head provided a dream start to SRH and added 171 runs for the first wicket in just 12.2 overs. Head departed for 66 off 37 balls while Abhishek continued to bat.
Abhishek, who hadn’t even hit one six in his first 5 outings of the ongoing season, cleared the ropes 10 times against PBKS. He batted with a strike rate of 256.36 and completed his century off just 40 balls.
Abhishek Sharma created history and etched his name in history books as he breached the 100-run mark. He now holds the record for being the quickest Indian centurion for SRH. He is followed by Ishan Kishan, who took 45 balls to score a century in his debut game for SRH earlier in the season.

Overall, the record belongs to Head, Abhishek’s opening partner. He slammed a 39-ball ton against Royal Challengers Bengaluru during IPL 2024. David Warner sits at the third spot. SRH’s only IPL-winning captain so far, Warner scored his fastest century for them during IPL 2017.

Abhishek returned to form at the right time and SRH will hope that he performs regularly. Courtesy of this win, SRH finally left the last spot in the points table and moved to the 8th position. They are followed by Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, respectively. With 4 wins from as many matches, Delhi Capitals sit at the top spot.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/abhishek-sharma-creates-history-for-sunrisers-hyderabad-becomes-fastest-indian-to-score-century-for-them-article-151407090

MS Dhoni has said that CSK need “a bit more partnerships, a bit more runs” and “a bit more application” to get turn around a dwindling season.

MS Dhoni’s return as captain couldn’t break Chennai Super Kings out of their nosedive as they suffered an eight-wicket hiding at home to Kolkata Knight Riders and thus fell to a fifth consecutive defeat in the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Never before have CSK lost these many matches in a row and the defeat on Friday also made it the first time the five-time champions lost three consecutive games at home.

Dhoni in his post-match comments urged his teammates to “look deep down inside”.

“I think it’s quite a few nights haven’t gone our way,” Dhoni told the broadcaster after the loss. “What’s important is to look deep down inside. I feel the challenge was there, but it’s important to accept that challenge, figure out ways how you’ll tackle the difficult deliveries and then look to get runs on the board. Today I felt we didn’t really have enough runs on the board.”

Dhoni didn’t have too many problems with the conditions on offer at the Chepauk Stadium and said that it is the lack of partnerships that hurt them. “Yes it did [stop] but it has been the case over here,” Dhoni said about the surface. “Whenever we bowled first, even in the second innings it stopped a bit. But today in the first innings also it was stopping. But also if you lose too many wickets, it looks very different because it puts pressure on the batsman who is going in, and with quality spinners it becomes slightly difficult and we never really got any kind of partnerships going. So that also makes it tough. I feel overall a bit more partnerships, a bit more runs, a bit more application and we’ll be on track.”

‘If we target 60 in powerplay, it gets tough’
CSK have been easily the worst team this season in terms of batting in the powerplay. On Friday, they were limping at 18/2 at the start of the sixth over. Dhoni stated that CSK will still be trying to score as many runs as they think is required and possible according to the conditions on offer.

“[Powerplay batting] It is important to see the conditions. A couple of conditions where we have done well. We don’t want to match somebody else or some other team. We have quality openers and it is important not to get desperate seeing the scoreboard. A few boundaries and the score keeps moving, if we target 60, it gets tough. If we lose wickets, the middle order needs do heavy-lifting and the slog never comes,” said Dhoni.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/ms-dhoni-urges-csk-teammates-to-look-deep-down-inside-in-urgent-call-to-action-after-kkr-drubbing-101744398479363.html

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson, was fined INR 24 lakh for slow over-rate offense against the Gujarat Titans. This was RR’s second offense, with the previous instance coming against the CSK when stand-in captain Riyan Parag was fined.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) suffered a crushing 58-run defeat to the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 23rd match of the IPL 2025. This was the team’s third defeat this season, as they slipped to seventh on the points table. Not a lot went right for RR in the match as the team ended up conceding 217-6 in 20 overs before getting bowled out for a mere 159.
To make matters worse, the team failed to finish their overs in time, and captain Sanju Samson was fined INR 24 lakh for slow over-rate. This was the second instance of RR being penalised for slow over-rate. Earlier, RR failed to finish their overs in time against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and their stand-in captain Riyan Parag was fined INR 12 lakh. Parag led the team in the first three games as Samson played as an impact player due to injury. The IPL media release confirmed that the remaining members of the playing XI will be fined 25 percent of their match fee or six lakh, whichever is less.
“The rest of the members of the Playing XI, including the Impact Player, will be fined either INR six lakhs or 25 percent of their respective match fees, whichever is lesser,” an IPL media release read.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/sanju-samson-guilty-of-breaching-ipl-code-of-conduct-loses-24-lakh-after-bcci-takes-strong-action-article-151382096

Shubman Gill set a massive record in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) after leading the Gujarat Titans (GT) to a seven-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The 25-year-old hit his 25th 50+ score in IPL history with a knock of 61 in 43 balls. Gill has made four centuries to his name in his career in the cash-rich league.

Shubman Gill was the star of the show as the Gujarat Titans (GT) continued their brilliant start to the 2025 Indian Premier League with a seven-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Sunday (April 6) at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad.
The 25-year-old made an unbeaten knock of 61 in 43 balls with nine boundaries at a strike-rate of 141.86. Gill put up valuable partnerships with Washington Sundar (49 of 29) and Sherfane Rutherford (35 in 16) to ensure the Titans chased down the target with 21 balls to spare.
This was Gill’s first half-century of the season, after some bright starts. The GT Skipper has 146 runs in four innings at an average of 48.66.

Both Kohli and Rohit have always spoken highly of each other, showing mutual respect for their cricketing skills and maintaining a strong professional relationship.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have always shared a strong bond. Over the years, they’ve formed successful partnerships for the Indian cricket team. There were occasionally rumors about a possible rift between them, often fueled by on-field decisions, team dynamics, and media reports.

However, both Kohli and Rohit have repeatedly denied these rumors, emphasizing that there is no truth to the claims. They have always spoken highly of each other, showing mutual respect for their cricketing skills and maintaining a strong professional relationship.

Virat Kohli on his bond with Rohit Sharma

Ahead of the IPL 2025 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians, Kohli spoke about his equation with Rohit Sharma, and how they’ve bonded over the years and created some wonderful memories.

Speaking on RCB channel he said, “Playing alongside someone for such a long time naturally leads to a strong bond, especially when you share so much of your understanding of the game. In the early years, we were constantly learning from each other and growing in our careers simultaneously. We often exchanged ideas, asked questions, and discussed various aspects of the game. Over time, we also worked closely together in leadership roles, where we regularly discussed strategies and ideas.”

He added,” More often than not, we found ourselves on the same page regarding the best approach to a particular situation or match. The trust we’ve built over the years is invaluable, knowing that we can rely on each other to get the job done for the team. Reflecting on our long careers, we are both grateful and proud of the journey we’ve shared. It wasn’t always certain that we would play for India for 15 years, but the consistency and memories we’ve built together have been incredibly fulfilling. It’s been a privilege to share these moments and continue to do so.”

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/ipl-2025-virat-kohli-talks-about-his-equation-with-rohit-sharma-ahead-of-mi-vs-rcb-match-video

The Gujarat Titans etched their name in the history books and broke a long-standing record set by the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 2011 season under Shane Warne’s captaincy. The Titans defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by eight wickets in their first away game of the 2025 IPL season. GT has won two and lost one match so far this season.

The Gujarat Titans etched their name in the history books after defeating Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday (April 2). The Shubman Gill-led side registered a thumping eight-wicket victory with eight balls to spare.
Talking about the match, GT won the toss and chose to bowl first. The decision was immediately justified as RCB lost four wickets in the powerplay. A half-century from Liam Livingstone, alongside useful cameos from Jitesh Sharma and Tim David, helped the hosts put a respectable total of 169 on the board. Mohammed Siraj was the star of the show against his former side with a three-wicket haul.
Despite Shubman Gill’s early departure, Jos Buttler’s unbeaten knock of 73 and a solid 49 by Sai Sudharsan helped GT register a comfortable win.

Gujarat Titans Create History
The Titans registered their 30th win in IPL history in just their 48th game. The 2022 champions hold the record for the having the best win/loss ratio in the league’s history (1.666). Hardik Pandya led the team in the first two seasons when they won the title and finished runners-up. Shubman Gill took charge of the team last season and has guided them to seven victories so far.

GT broke a long-standing record of the Rajasthan Royals, who set the record in the 2011 season under Shane Warne’s captaincy. Mumbai Indians (MI), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and Royal Challengers Bengaluru also completed the milestone in the fourth season of the league.

Interestingly, if RR’s Super-Over win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2009 is not counted, they fall to fourth place in the list as their 30th outright victory came in their 56th match in the world’s richest cricket league.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/gujarat-titans-creates-history-break-shane-warne-led-rrs-14-year-old-record-become-first-team-to-30-ipl-wins-in-less-than-50-matches-article-151337771

IPL 2025: Arshad Warsi faced the ‘wrath’ of Virat Kohli fans after Gujarat Titans’ bowler Arshad Khan picked up the pricy wicket of Royal Challengers Bangalore batter.

Royal Challengers Bangalore registered their first loss in the IPL 2025 after Gujarat Titans cruised to victory inside 18 overs and with 8 wickets in hand. Chasing a modest total of 169/8 put up by RCB, Shubman Gill’s side had no problems whatsoever as opening batter Sai Sudharsan (49) along with Jos Buttler’s brisk 73 off 39 meant the visitors at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru could secure an easy win on Wednesday. Mohammed Siraj, former RCB bowler, was the star performer of the night for Gujarat Titans as his three-wicket-haul at an impressive economy rate of 4.75 restricted RCB batters from scoring big in front of their home crowd. But their victory came at a price. Hundreds of “irked” Virat Kohli fans flocked to Instagram to give GT’s Arshad a mouthful for picking their star batter’s wicket. There was, however, a slight issue.

Arshad Khan Picks Up Virat Kohli

The 27-year-old left-arm pacer Arshad Khan took the blockbuster wicket of RCB veteran Virat Kohli in his first over of the contest. Bowling his third delivery of the over, Khan found success when Kohli pulled him towards the deep square leg region. Prasidh Krishna who was stationed there completed a routine catch. Kohli departed for 7 in 6 balls and RCB fans were stumped.

Arshad Warsi Blamed

Circuit of Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. Arshad Warsi’s Instagram was swiftly spammed with comments blaming the Bollywood actor for picking up Kohli’s wicket. Yep. Marching to his latest Instagram post with Ajay Devgn, the “angered” fans gave Warsi a piece of their mind.

“Kohli ko out kyun kiya! (Why did you dismiss Kohli?)”

“Ee circuit tu Kohli ka wicket kyu liya re (Circuit, why did you pick up Kohli’s wicket?)”

“Tera Kohli ne kya bigada tha (What did Kohli even do to you?)”

“Yeh lockdown kids yahan bhi aa gaye (These lockdown kids are here too).”

There were nearly 7000 comments like these.

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill shared a cryptic post on X after GT registered a commanding 8-wicket victory over RCB at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Is there tension between Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli? Did Gill take a swipe at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans? In the world of social media updates, it doesn’t take much time to create narratives; fan wars are a daily affair and nameless trolls form a large pool. All they need is a spark. And it came from Gill’s first post on X in IPL 2025 on April 2 (Wednesday). That it came after his side, Gujarat Titans, defeated RCB at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, perhaps carried an underlining message, with its coded nature being the real eye-catcher.

Gill broke his X hiatus with a cryptic or coded post after GT beat RCB by 8 wickets. “Eyes on the game, not the noise,” The GT captain wrote.

It was just a seven-word post from a captain whose team had just registered a dominating victory against an undefeated side on a roll in the tournament, right? Perhaps not, at least according to the fans. To be honest, the last three words of the post do have a cryptic tone. What noise was Gill talking about? Was it to silence the vociferous RCB crowd at the Chinnaswamy? Or a reply to Kohli’s animated celebration?

Needless to say, it did not take much time for the fans to draw conclusions, find inner meaning, and whatnot. It was not a surprise that the majority of the conclusions were related to Kohli.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/shubman-gills-coded-post-after-gt-crush-rcb-targets-virat-kohli-and-is-a-reply-to-sisters-online-abuse-claim-fans-101743645058260.html

The Lucknow Super Giants captain failed to make an impact, scoring just 2 runs off 5 balls in a match against Punjab Kings.

Rishabh Pant has become the target of relentless trolling on social media after another underwhelming performance in IPL 2025. The Lucknow Super Giants captain failed to make an impact, scoring just 2 runs off 5 balls in a match against Punjab Kings.

His poor run of form has sparked a flood of memes and harsh criticism online, with fans mocking his struggles and questioning his value, especially given his status as the most expensive player in IPL history.

Bought for a staggering INR 27 crore at the IPL mega auction, Pant was expected to lead LSG to success. However, his performance has fallen short of expectations, managing just 17 runs in three matches. The mounting pressure of his hefty price tag, combined with his inability to deliver on the field, has fueled the scrutiny surrounding him.

The trolling has extended beyond his batting, with questions raised about his leadership abilities as LSG’s captain. To make matters worse, old comments made by Pant about Punjab Kings resurfaced, where he had admitted to being nervous about their record auction purse, as he only wanted to be picked by LSG. These remarks have only added to the memes mocking his current struggles.

Here’s what fans had to say about Pant’s flop show

Mumbai Indians crushed defending champions the Kolkata Knight Riders by eight wickets to finally post a win in the Indian Premier League on Monday.

Five-time champion Mumbai lost its first two games and turned its fortunes around thanks to debutant Ashwani Kumar, a left-arm pacer.

Kumar grabbed the best IPL bowling figures on debut — 4-24 — as Kolkata was routed for 116 runs in 16.2 overs.

Opener Ryan Rickelton then scored 62 not out off 41 balls to lead Mumbai to 121-2 in 12.5 overs with 7.1 overs to spare.

Kolkata suffered a second loss in three games.

Made to bat, Kolkata’s top order was dismantled by Mumbai’s pacers. Deepak Chahar, who picked up 2-19 in two overs, first sent back Quinton de Kock for 1. At the other end, Trent Boult bowled Sunil Narine for a two-ball duck.

Kumar’s first wicket was Kolkata skipper and Mumbai local Ajinkya Rahane for 11. When Chahar dismissed Venkatesh Iyer for 3, Kolkata was 41-4 in 5.4 overs.

Angkrish Raghuvanshi tried to stem the rot with 26 off 16 balls but Kumar simply broke through the middle order.

Rinku Singh was caught in the deep for 17, and Manish Pandey was sent in as an impact substitute but Kumar sent him back for 19. Any chance of a Kolkata revival vanished when Kumar bowled Andre Russell for 5.

Allrounder Ramandeep Singh’s 22 off 12 pushed Kolkata past 100 but it was still a dismal total.

Star batter Rohit Sharma entered as an impact substitute for Mumbai but suffered another embarrassing stay at the crease. He scored only 13 off 12. Sharma has crossed 20 only once in his last 10 IPL innings.

Rickelton, though, was in fine form as he hit five sixes and four boundaries to steam to 50 off 33 balls, his maiden IPL half-century. He added 46 off 34 balls for the first wicket before Sharma was caught off Russell.

Source : https://apnews.com/article/mumbai-kolkata-ipl-56b51b8e7edf84413233c7af40d5f530

They were rivals in Guwahati on Sunday, but as the match ended, the packed Barsapara Stadium witnessed a legendary reunion as MS Dhoni checked on an injured Rahul Dravid after the latter made his way into the field on crutches. Rajasthan Royals won their first game in IPL 2025 on Sunday after beating Chennai Super Kings by six runs.

After the end of a tense clash, where Dhoni failed to get his team over the line despite walking out early, at No. 7, contrary to the much-criticised move in the previous game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he walked over to check on Dravid, who had injured his leg playing a cricket match in Bengaluru before the start of the IPL 2025.

The two shared a small chat before he quickly asked Chennai’s young crop of players to greet Dravid. The heartfelt reunion caught the attention of fans as it went viral on social media.

Riyan Parag secures first win as Rajasthan Royals captain

After a concerning start to the season under stand-in skipper Riyan Parag, Rajasthan secured their first win in the season after surviving a thriller against Chennai in their final game in Guwahati. Despite putting up 182/9 on the board, Parag felt his team fell short with the bat but made up for it with an excellent bowling and fielding display.

With 45 needed off the last three overs, where Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja were on duty for Chennai, a stunning over from former CSK bowler Maheesh Theekshana helped Rajasthan stay on top as the spinner conceded only six runs. Dhoni threatened to steal the game with a six and a four in the next over, but was dismissed by Sandeep Sharma in the final over.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/ms-dhoni-checks-on-injured-rahul-dravid-as-rr-coach-enters-field-on-crutches-tells-csk-youngsters-to-greet-legend-101743381617435.html

Riyan Parag finally justified Rajasthan Royals’ decision to appoint him as stand-in captain for Sanju Samson, leading them to their first win of the ongoing IPL 2025 season. Parag, who is Assamese, skippered RR in his hometown Guwahati, as they sealed a thrilling six-run win vs Chennai Super Kings. The match was action-packed as RR set a target of 183 runs for CSK, and Ruturaj Gaikwad played a captain’s knock. The CSK skipper smacked 63 runs off 44 balls, but lost his wicket to Wanindu Hasaranga in the fifth delivery of the 16th over, with his side at 129/5. In came MS Dhoni, much to the excitement of fans, and Ravindra Jadeja (13*) was at the non-striker’s end. The pair took some time to get going, and waited until the 19th over, and managed only six runs in the 18th over against Maheesh Theekshana. Fans were expecting Parag to send Jofra Archer, as RR looked to take the match away from CSK. But the all-rounder sent ex-CSK player Tushar Deshpande, and it looked like his plan backfired initially.

Dhoni took on his former teammate and smacked a four and two sixes as Deshpande leaked 19 runs, with CSK reaching 163/5, and needing 20 runs in the final over. To make it better for fans, Dhoni was on strike in the first all of the final over, and once again everyone expected Archer. But to everyone’s shock Parag decided to go with Sandeep Sharma. The veteran Indian bowler began with a wide and it looked Parag and RR were going to crumble to their third straight defeat. But then he struck gold in the next ball, removing Dhoni, courtesy of a sensational catch from Shimron Hetmyer. Dhoni departed for 16 off 11 balls, but CSK still had a chance.

Against new batter Jamie Overton, Sandeep began with a yorker, which was sent to long-off for a single, and then Jadeja took another single with CSK needing 3 sixes to win. It looked like they had it, as Overton smacked Sandeep for a six, with two balls remaining. But then the former India international came up with the perfect response, sending a slow bouncer as Overton could only take a double. The match ended with Sandeep sending a legal delivery as Overton once again took a double, with CSK reaching 176/6 in 20 overs.

Riyan Parag on not using Jofra Archer in death overs vs MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja

Explaining his death over planning against Dhoni, Jadeja, and not going for Archer, Parag credited his gut feeling to go with Deshpande and then Sandeep.

Speaking after the match, he said, “Luckily had a few options in this game, me and Nitish were also there. Just did what felt instinctive as a captain today. Fielding makes up for the 20 runs that we were short. We have been working with Dishant Yagnik, our fielding coach. So it shows.”

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/rahul-dravid-inspects-guwahati-pitch-despite-being-on-wheelchair-manjrekar-stunned-fans-recall-ms-dhonis-iconic-words-101743349886663.html

Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe struck twice to help his side come from behind to claim a hard-fought 3-2 home win over relegation-threatened Leganes on Saturday to move the second-placed reigning champions level on points with leaders Barcelona.
Real have 63 points from 29 matches along with Barca, who host Girona on Sunday. Third-placed Atletico Madrid dropped points in a 1-1 draw at Espanyol earlier on Saturday and are now six points off the pace with 57.

“It was difficult match. After the international break it’s always difficult,” Mbappe told RMTV.
The hosts made a dominant start and opened the scoring after 32 minutes when Mbappe coolly chipped in a penalty, awarded after Oscar Rodriguez brought down Arda Guler.
However, Leganes responded almost immediately as Diego Garcia tapped in a loose ball at the far post to equalise in the following minute before Rodriguez set up Dani Raba to slot past goalkeeper Andriy Lunin in the 41st.
Real midfielder Jude Bellingham brought the scores level two minutes after the break, sliding the ball into the net after a rebound off the crossbar. Mbappe then bagged the winner with a brilliant curled free kick in the 76th minute for his second.

“We know what we always have to do: win. We started well, in the opposition half, and we scored a goal. Then we didn’t play well for 20 minutes and conceded two goals,” said Mbappe.
“But we know that if we play well we’ll score and in the second half we scored two goals. We won the game and we’re very happy.
“We worked on (the set piece) a few weeks ago with the staff. I knew I could shoot this way, I saw the space. I asked the others to let me shoot and it worked out well.”
Leganes pushed for an equaliser but fell to a third consecutive defeat to sit 18th on 27 points, level with Alaves who are one place higher in the safety zone on goal difference.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/mbappe-bags-brace-real-beat-lowly-leganes-3-2-2025-03-29/

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered a 50-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) game at home. Chasing a target of 197, CSK could only score 146-8 in 20 overs and suffered a massive defeat. CSK lost the top order early and needed a special effort from the middle order to sail them through. Unfortunately, the team didn’t get any momentum and lost the game.
This was one game where MS Dhoni could have played a pivotal role with the bat for the team. Dhoni, who bats only a handful of balls and tries to tonk as many sixes as possible, could have promoted himself and got the innings back on track with a fast cameo. However, Dhoni came out to bat at number nine, even after R Ashwin. He scored 32 runs in 16 balls, with two sixes and three fours, but the game was already done and dusted.
The former CSK captain had earlier revealed why he bats so low in the batting order. In an interview with JioHotstar ahead of the IPL 2025, Dhoni revealed that he is not competing for a place in the national team so he wants to give other players a chance before him.

“So, if you see, there was a problem in my knee, but it was more manageable than anything else last year. Also, there was a selection for the T20 World Cup. If you look at our team, who were the contenders? Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) was among the contenders, and Shivam Dube was among the contenders, so you obviously want to give them a chance. I don’t want to get selected. I am not competing for that place,” said Dhoni.

Dhoni backed his decision to bat low in the order saying the players who are batting ahead of him are also doing well and the franchise is not getting harmed by his decision.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/ms-dhoni-lifts-lid-on-decision-to-bat-so-low-for-csk-there-was-a-problem-in-my-knee-article-119684603

In a high-octane match between the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and the fiery Sunrisers Hyderabad, pacer Shardul Thakur wreaked havoc by removing opener Abhishek Sharma and the in-form Ishan Kishan in two successive balls to put SRH on the backfoot.

In the very first bowl of the third over, Shardul Thakur removed Abhishek Sharma after the latter tried to go big but found Nicholas Pooran on the square-leg. Sharma looked set with Travis Head after scoring a boundary but went back to the pavilion with only 6 runs.

Ishan Kishan, who scored a majestic 106 not out in the last match against Rajasthan Royals that helped SRH post a record total of 286-6, was out for a golden duck after edging the ball to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant on the next delivery.

Although Nitish Kumar Reddy survived the hat-trick ball, Thakur had done the damage, earning praise from netizens. #Lord Shardul Thakur began trending on social media as the bowler punctured the in-form SRH’s innings with the two early wickets.

Notably, Shardul Thakur was named as a replacement for left-arm fast bowler Mohsin Khan, who has been ruled out of the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to injury. he went unsold at the mega auction last year.

Thakur ended up picking four wickets and conceding 34 runs in his four overs as LSG managed to restrict the Pat Cummins-led side to 190-9 in 20 overs, with Travis Head top scoring with a quick-fire 47 and Aniket Verma dominating bowlers with 36 from 13 balls. Cummins also hit three consecutive sixes before being caught on the next ball.

Source : https://www.news18.com/viral/ipl-2025-lsg-vs-srh-lord-shardul-thakur-breaks-internet-after-pacer-wreaks-havoc-with-two-wickets-ishan-kishan-abhishek-sharma-9277614.html

Novak Djokovic is two wins away from capturing a 100th career title after beating Sebastian Korda 6-3 7-6(4), and world number one Aryna Sabalenka cruised into her first Miami Open final with a 6-2 6-2 victory over Jasmine Paolini on Thursday.
Djokovic let out a triumphant roar after sending down an ace on match point as his former rival and now coach Andy Murray jumped out of his seat to do the same.

The Serbian 24-times Grand Slam champion trailed Korda 5-2 in the second set but broke the American as he served at 5-3 and his precise and powerful serving carried him to the finish.
“I’ve been serving great the entire tournament but particularly today I needed it in the second to try to come back,” Djokovic told Tennis Channel.
“In the tiebreak, a couple of points really decided the winner, 5-4 service winner, ace at 6-4 to finish off the match. So I’ll take that as the highlight.”
The match was originally scheduled for Wednesday but postponed under ATP rules aimed at avoiding matches dragging on into the early hours of the morning.

Fourth seed Djokovic, gunning for a record seventh Miami Open title and 100th overall, will face 14th-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in the semi-finals on Friday.
Unseeded Czech Jakub Mensik was a 7-6(5) 6-1 winner over 17th-seeded Frenchman Arthur Fils and will meet American Taylor Fritz in the semis after he outlasted Italian 29th seed Matteo Berrettini 7-5 6-7(7) 7-5.
Third seeded Fritz saw six match points come and go in the second set but converted on his seventh opportunity in the decider to put away Berrettini.
“There’s two options, get frustrated about it, lose and then be even more frustrated about all the chances I blew, or regroup and get the win,” Fritz said.

“Now I can sleep tonight.”
On the women’s side, Sabalenka won 77% of her first-serve points, fired down six aces, saved all four break points she faced and converted four of her five break point chances against Italian sixth seed Paolini during the 71-minute match.
The Belarusian top seed, who resides in South Florida and arrived in Miami fresh off a runner-up finish at Indian Wells, has not dropped a set in her five matches.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/sports/tennis/sabalenka-breezes-past-paolini-book-miami-final-spot-2025-03-27/

Five-time major champion Iga Swiatek was on the end of a monumental shock as Filipina teenager Alexandra Eala continued her dream run to reach the Miami Open semi-finals.

Second seed Swiatek, playing with increased security in Miami after being verbally abused by an “aggressive and taunting” fan, was completely out of sorts as she lost 6-2 7-5 to the world number 140.

The 23-year-old’s serve was broken eight times as she continually struggled to hold serve, while her baseline game was shaky and led to a host of forehand errors.

Eala, 19, remained composed and focused as she completed the biggest win of her career.

“It might be one of the biggest upsets I’ve been on the side of the court for,” said former British number one Tim Henman, who was watching in his role as a Sky Sports analyst.

Poland’s Swiatek recently spoke out about the emotional toll she has faced in recent months, having served a one-month ban for a doping offence and not wanting to “step on the court” as a result.

This defeat means she has not reached a final since winning the French Open in June.

Eala, who was given a wildcard to play in Miami, will face Britain’s Emma Raducanu or American fourth seed Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals.

Next week she will break into the world’s top 100 for the first time.

“My mind is really blank, I don’t think I’ve processed what I’ve just done,” Eala told Sky Sports afterwards.

“In the end I’m still the same player I was two weeks ago.”

Ahmedabad: Shreyas Iyer shone with an unbeaten 97 as Punjab Kings beat Gujarat Titans by 11 runs in their Indian Premier League match here on Tuesday.

Chasing 244 to win, Gujarat Titans fought hard to make 232 for 5 but the target proved to be beyond their batters despite Sai Sudharsan making 74, Shubman Gill hitting a quick 33 and Jos Buttler scoring 54.

Sherfane Rutherford also played a quick knock of 46 but his effort was not enough.Earlier in the first innings, Shreyas Iyer missed out on a maiden IPL century but his 97 not out off 42 balls (9 sixes, 5 fours) and Shashank Singh’s 44 not out off 16 balls (6 fours, 2 sixes) helped Punjab Kings post 243 for 5.

Sai Kishore was the pick of the bowlers for Gujarat Titans with 3/40 but the home team bowlers generally struggled to keep the run flow in check.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/ipl-2025-punjab-kings-beat-gujarat-giants-by-11-runs-in-high-scoring-ipl-match-3462580

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were stunned by Delhi Capitals (DC) in an unbelievable comeback in the fourth game of the IPL 2025. LSG were in a dominant position while batting first as they raced to 161-3 in the 14th over, however, they lost control of the innings and could only make 211-9 in 20 overs.
LSG were again in the driving seat after DC lost six wickets for 113 in the 13th over, however, a magnificent innings of 66 in 31 by Ashutosh Sharma and 39 of 15 by Vipraj Nigam took DC over the line by one wicket.
Rishabh Pant was captaining DC for the first time, however, he did not have a great game. He was dismissed for a six-ball duck in the first innings while he missed a crucial stumping in the final over that could have sealed the game for LSG. With Mohit Sharma at strike, and DC nine wicket down, Pant missed a stumping on the first ball of the 20th over. Sharma was able to rotate the strike on the second ball and Ahustosh Sharma hit a six on the third ball to win the game for Delhi Capitals.

After the defeat, pictures of LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka having a chat with Rishabh Pant went viral. The fans were quick to link the discussion with his animated chat with KL Rahul last year. For the unversed, Goenka had a tense chat with then-skipper KL Rahul after LSG’s defeat to SRH. Many feel Goenka’s behaviour towards Rahul was one of the reasons why KL decided to part ways with the franchise.

Reflecting on the defeat, Rishabh Pant credited Ashutosh Sharma and Vipraj Nigam for DC’s comeback.
“I think our top-order batters played really well and I think it was a pretty good score on this wicket. As a team we are looking to take positives from every match and as a team we are looking to learn from it (every match.) The more basics we do right, the more it is going to be better for us in the future. We got early wickets, but we knew it was a good wicket to bat on. We had to keep doing the basics right more often than not. I think they had a couple of good partnerships. One with Stubbs, with Ashutosh and one with one other guy (Vipraj Nigam.) I think he (Nigam) did a pretty good job and took the game away from us,” Pant said at post match presentation.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/rishabh-pant-sanjiv-goenkas-intense-chat-after-lsgs-shock-defeat-to-dc-reminds-fans-of-kl-rahul-controversy-article-119450973

Never before have this many supporters attended a women’s football club match in Germany. A record-breaking 57,000 fans watched visitors Bremen beat Hamburg to seal a ticket to the women’s German Cup final.

“These are the games that make you start playing football as a child,” said Bremen captain Lina Hausicke. “I don’t know how many years’ worth of emotions I’ve felt today.”

The match rose to the occasion in the second half. Despite having Saskia Matheis sent off, Bremen managed to snatch an opener, as Sophie Weidauer pounced on a mistake by the home side’s goalkeeper. But the underdogs rewarded their home crowd with drama, with Sarah Stöckmann grabbing a late equalizer to send the game into extra time. However, last-gasp goals from Weidauer and Verena Wieder sealed a 3-1 victory for the visitors.

Even though Hamburg missed out on the final, their captain Sarah Stöckmann will remember this match fondly.

“It fills me with pride that we were the first in Germany to play in front of a crowd of this size. It won’t be the last time, and it was amazing what we were able to experience here today. It was a football festival for Germany.”

Surge in ticket sales for the final

The match at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion was already guaranteed to draw a bigger crowd than Bremen’s final against Bayern, which will be held at a smaller stadium in Cologne. That was the venue of the previous record crowd, set during the 2023 cup final with 44,808 in attendance.

Hamburg’s women’s team usually plays its home matches at a training ground within the stadium’s complex called “Platz 6” (literally: pitch six). Up to 630 fans can stand on the sidelines there, with the Volksparkstadion looming in the background. Meters away from the venue but miles away from today’s big stage energy.

Asked what it would be like to play on their usual ground again, Stöckmann told DW, “It’s the reality, I think we all know how to contextualize this. We’ll still be drawing inspiration from this when we’re back on Platz 6.”

For many of the 57,000 in attendance, it was the first taste of the women’s professional game. The Volksparkstadion is usually the setting for the men’s Bundesliga 2 matches and has only hosted the women’s team once before, when 16,529 attended their quarterfinal victory in February this year.

The astonishing surge of ticket sales for this match can be partly explained by the men’s international break, which means no professional men’s club sides were in action this weekend. With tickets starting at €9, the stadium was sold out over two weeks before kickoff.

A local grudge match

Another factor is the regional rivalry between the clubs and cities of hosts Hamburg and visitors Bremen. The Nordderby between HSV and Werder is one of the oldest derbies in German football, also colored by the historic rivalry between the cities dating back to the Middle Ages.

“What’s really positive today is that it’s not dangerous at all,” says Hamburg supporter Alexandra, who regularly attends men’s matches. “Usually when Bremen faces Hamburg there’s lots of police. This is much nicer. It’s peaceful and festive today.”

Johannes, a Werder Bremen supporter, arrived with his wife and son in tow. “It’s my first ever women’s football match. To come to a Nordderby with my family is a dream. And to show the women they can do it too. I think it’s great.”

With the teams for both gender categories currently not playing in the same league divisions, fans have been starved of competitive clashes. While there was a familial feeling outside the ground, the atmosphere inside the stadium was that of a fiercely contested derby, with both sets of fans raucously urging on their charges.

Bremen’s Larissa Mühlhaus, who was born in Hamburg and grew up watching games at the Volksparkstadion, even said she and other teammates were experiencing earache.

Moving to the big stage

Moving to the big stage In the past few years, clubs have routinely used big matches to stage games at their main stadium. The world record attendance of a women’s football match stands at 91,648, set during a UEFA Women’s Champions League match between Barcelona Femení and Wolfsburg at the Camp Nou in April 2022.

“The atmosphere makes all the difference,” says Hamburg supporter Moritz. “If the women’s team played here more often, then I’d be well up for going. I don’t think it’d be my thing watching it with 300 people because I like going to the stadium for the atmosphere and to be part of a crowd.”

Decisions to hoist women’s matches onto a bigger stage have largely been vindicated but still remain the exception to the rule. The cup competition’s other semifinal was held at the FC Bayern Campus, in front of a sell-out crowd of just 2,500, despite the fact that the men’s Allianz Arena was vacant on the day.

The state of the women’s game

So does this milestone rank as a one-off or sign of things to come?

Since the start of the decade, women’s football has surged in popularity. Euro 2022 in England saw over half a million fans stream to stadiums, doubling the previous tournament’s numbers. Almost two million fans attended the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, an increase of more than 600,000 from the previous record.

Germany’s Frauen-Bundesliga is expanding, stocking up from 12 to 14 teams in the 2025/26 season, which could well see HSV join the top flight.

And yet, the game’s finances still lag far behind those of their male counterparts. Through a survey including 669 clubs from around the world, FIFA found the average salary for players is $10,900, meaning the vast majority of players cannot rely solely on their income from football. Average global attendances have risen to 1,713 but matchday revenues remain low, also due to an average ticket price of $9.30 for adults.

Source : https://www.dw.com/en/new-record-as-57000-fans-attend-womens-german-cup-semifinal/a-71999409

Ajinkya Rahane, who has transformed his T20 game, dazzled on his Kolkata Knight Riders captaincy debut with a 25-ball fifty, but it was Krunal’s 3/29 that ensured that the defending champions fell well short of the 200-mark, managing a below-par 174/8. Kohli and Phil Salt then scored half-centuries as they scored a win by 7 wickets.

‘Chase master’ Virat Kohli once again showcased his class with a sublime unbeaten half-century as Royal Challengers Bengaluru, backed by Krunal Pandya’s game-changing triple strike crushed defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets in the IPL opener on Saturday.
Ajinkya Rahane, who has transformed his T20 game, dazzled on his Kolkata Knight Riders captaincy debut with a 25-ball fifty, but it was Krunal’s 3/29 that ensured that the defending champions fell well short of the 200-mark, managing a below-par 174/8.
During chase, Phil Salt, rubbing salt into his former franchise’s wounds, gave RCB an explosive start with a 31-ball 56 laced with nine fours and two sixes. His whirlwind knock, in a 95-run opening stand with Kohli, set the tone for the chase.

Kohli then raced to a 30-ball fifty, raising his bat to deafening chants of his name in a signature 36-ball knock studded with three sixes and four fours as they sealed the chase in just 16.2 overs.

Moments after he reached fifty, the frenzy peaked when a pitch invader ran onto the field and fell at Kohli’s feet, summing up the adulation he commands across all venues.
Earlier Salt came out swinging against India’s in-form spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who was fresh from his Champions Trophy heroics.
He smashed him for 4-6-4-4 in succession in a brutal 21-run over- first over mid-off, then a six tonked over the same region, followed by a powerful drive over mid-on, before finishing with a slog-swept boundary to deep square leg.
Kohli soon joined the six-fest, taking on Spencer Johnson with effortless strokeplay.A length ball outside off saw Kohli shuffle across and launch it straight over the bowl was an action replay, only this time the ball soared 75 meters into the stands.
RCB raced to 80/0 in the powerplay, firmly in command.
KKR finally found a breakthrough in the ninth over when Salt, was dismissed by Varun.
But Kohli was in no mood to relent. In the much-anticipated matchup against Chakravarthy, he showcased his class, slog-sweeping the leg-spinner over long-on before raising his bat to the dugout and pumping his fists. In the process, Kohli also surpassed 1,000 IPL runs against KKR.
With the chase well under control, skipper Rajat Patidar (34 from 16 balls; 5×4, 1×6) joined Kohli and ensured there were no hiccups.
He took Rana apart in the 15th over, smashing four boundaries in five balls, virtually sealing the contest as RCB required just 18 runs from the final 30 balls.
The 36-year-old veteran, who last played a T20I for India in 2016 and replaced Shreyas Iyer at the helm, played a fearless knock of 56 off 31 balls.
Sunil Narine contributed 44 off 26, in a 103-run third wicket partnership off 55 balls to lay a solid platform scoring at 10 plus an over.
But their efforts were undone by left-arm spinner Krunal’s brilliant 3/29 in the middle overs where he dismissed a well-set Rahane, and the two KKR heavyweights duo of Venkatesh Iyer (6) and Rinku Singh (12) in successive overs.
The inability of KKR’s lower middle order featuring their most expensive INR 23.75 crore signing Venkatesh, a horribly out of form Rinku Singh, and Russell to fire cost them dearly as they managed just 23 runs and lost two wickets in the last four overs.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/chase-master-virat-kohli-stands-tall-as-rcb-crush-kkr-by-7-wickets-in-ipl-2025-opening-match-article-119352191

Lewis Hamilton has won his first race for Ferrari, securing Saturday’s Sprint victory from pole position following an early duel Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen at the Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Hamilton got a great start to take the lead into turn one, and managed the gap to Verstappen, until the Dutchman was passed for second on lap 15 by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri into the back straight’s hairpin.

Ferrari’s new recruit was then able to stretch his legs all the way to his maiden Sprint win, with the Brit coming home almost 6.9 seconds ahead of Piastri – for eight points (nine overall) and a three-place jump to seventh in the standings.

“The last like five laps or something I was in a really pretty comfortable position. It’s hard to put into words what it feels like,” Hamilton said.

“Obviously it’s a Sprint race, is not the main race, but even just think to get that – it’s just a good stepping stone to where I’m working towards.”

Hamilton is still enjoying every new moment with the Scuderia, despite having secured a record-equaling seven titles and 104 wins, with the Chinese Sprint – and his romp to the win – all about managing the tire wear.

“I got in the car extra early because I just wanted to be present and enjoy it, because I hadn’t been there for a while,” he said.

“(I got a) good start and challenging race. It is generally really close between all of us. But the tire degradation today was pretty huge I think for everybody, so I think for me it was just try to manage that early on.”

Hamilton arrived in Shanghai after a disappointing season-opening race last weekend in Australia, where he finished 10th in his debut race for Ferrari.

Piastri was happy to jump Verstappen and take second, but disappointed to not be the one to take the win from pole position – given McLaren’s pace advantage.

“(It was) Tough,” Piastri said. “(It was) probably one of the more difficult ones in terms of tire degradation, so I knew I had to try and be patient.”

McLaren eyeing strong qualifying pace

The pressure is now on McLaren to recover in Saturday afternoon’s qualifying to what it hopes is its rightful place at the front of the grid.

“The difference between qualifying and the race, in terms of what you want from the car and what the tires need, seems to be quite big,” Piastri said.

“I think the pace we had in the car yesterday was good. I think we just in hindsight would have done a few things a bit differently in qualifying. But I think the pace is there and there’s plenty of conference going this afternoon.”

Verstappen was again happy to finish in the top three, with the reigning World Champion picking up seven points to take his total haul to 24 – two behind leader, McLaren’s Lando Norris, who had a scrappy race to finish eighth.

“Midway, (I) really started to feel that the deg(radation) was kicking in,” Verstappen said. “It just seemed a little bit more aggressive for us than maybe the cars around us. But I think that just comes from maybe not having the base pace, you try to hang in there, and you naturally just destroy your tires a bit more.

“To be in the top-three I think is still a good result for us. And maybe we started a bit more ahead than I think we should have anyway so pretty pleased.”

During the meeting, representatives from all 10 IPL teams provided feedback and opinions on various aspects of the playing conditions

A day before the start of the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) introduced modifications in the playing conditions for IPL 2025. There were four new rules in place after captains, coaches and managers meeting at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on March 20.
During the meeting, representatives from all 10 IPL teams provided feedback and opinions on various aspects of the playing conditions. Based on a common consensus, the following updates were incorporated.

1) Use of saliva to shine the ball
Effective from the IPL 2025 season, bowlers will be permitted to use saliva to shine the ball. This decision follows consultations with all 10 teams and marks a return to traditional ball maintenance practices. The ban on the use of saliva, which was originally imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, has now been lifted.

2) Replacement of wet ball to counter dew
To address challenges posed by dew during evening matches, the team bowling second will now have the option to request a ball change once after the 10th over.

· The bowling captain can make this request, regardless of whether there is visible dew or not. Once the request is made, the umpires will mandatorily replace the ball with another one of similar wear and tear. The bowling team will not have the liberty to choose the replacement ball.

· Additionally, the umpires retain the authority to change the ball at any time before the 10th over if it is deemed too wet, out of shape, lost, or damaged. If a captain requests a ball change in the 11th over due to it being out of shape, the umpires will evaluate the request and approve it if deemed necessary.

· If a subsequent request is made after a few overs solely due to dew, the umpires will be required to replace the ball mandatorily as stated earlier.

3) New Code of Conduct
Effective this season, a new Code of Conduct will be implemented from the TATA IPL 2025 season, introducing a demerit points system and suspension points which will remain valid for 36 months.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/bcci-announces-four-new-rules-in-ipl-2025-full-details-of-saliva-usage-new-ball-in-mid-innings-and-drs-expansion-101742574368960.html

England’s kabaddi captain Hardeep Singh believes his team can reach the final of the sport’s world cup and even compete with India, the red-hot favourites.

Kabaddi, where seven-player teams earn points by crossing into their opponent’s territory to tag them and return safely, all the while chanting “kabaddi”, is the second most watched sport in India behind cricket and often pulls in TV audiences of over 200 million.

Unsurprisingly India has dominated every international tournament to date, and their men’s team are set to extend that run.

But Singh and his colleagues have home advantage, as this year’s tournament is taking place in the West Midlands and he believes they have a chance of making history – and bringing new fans to the sport at the same time.

Singh, who is from Wolverhampton, which, along with Birmingham, Coventry, and Walsall, is one of the venues for the first world cup held outside Asia, said his squad thinks “we can get to the final and give India a good game”.

“They [India] are seen as invincible because it’s their national sport and they have so much heritage. But we will be ready to have that fight.

“When I started playing kabaddi I never thought it would get this far, and hosting a world cup in my hometown makes it particularly special,” he added.

Some in the UK will remember the fast, intense, and often very loud sport from Trans World Sport, Channel Four’s popular mid-1990s Saturday morning show.

For anyone new to it, Singh says kabaddi is “crazy” and has “got everything”.

He sees the tournament as a huge opportunity, as he believes there’s “so much potential for kabaddi in this country, provided there is enough support and funding at grass-roots level”.

England, who play in the British Kabaddi League, which was founded in 2022, thumped Hungary by a record-breaking 101-25 on the tournament’s opening day.

England’s women’s team also made a winning start in the initial round-robin phase on Tuesday, beating Hungary 85-15. Men’s and women’s teams from Scotland and Wales are also taking part.

The BCCI’s decision to limit the presence of family on tours has created a ripple effect on Indian cricketers. When the news first broke after India’s disastrous tour of Australia, players were genuinely worried. Even captain Rohit Sharma, while announcing India’s squad for the Champions Trophy, accidentally spilled confidential information on the same when he said ‘ I will have to sit down with the secretary to discuss a few things. About the family and other stuff.”

As per the new protocols, a cricketer’s family is no longer allowed to travel with them on tours that are less than 15 days. Hence, for the Champions Trophy, certain family members, such as Virat Kohli’s wife Anushka Sharma, was in town to witness India’s matches against Pakistan, Australia and of course, New Zealand. While players have remained tight-lipped about BCCI’s fresh set of protocols, Kohli took a swipe at the board for not allowing family on tours. Kohli’s point of view was simple: It’s difficult to explain the impact of having family around when the going gets tough. While players are obviously around to help each other, family’s love and support during difficult times are unmatched.

India’s legendary World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev has weighed in on the ongoing debate, advocating for a balanced approach that caters to both personal well-being and team responsibilities.

“Well, I don’t know, that’s individual. I think it’s the cricket board’s call,” Kapil Dev said on the sidelines of the ‘Kapil Dev Grant Thornton Invitational’ event.

“My view is, yes, you need family. But you also need a team, all the time.”

Kapil, who steered India to their first World Cup victory in 1983, reflected on his playing days and how cricketers of his era managed the balance between professional commitments and personal lives.

“In our time, we used to say to ourselves – not by the cricket board – that the first half of the tour should be cricket, and in the second half, the family should come and enjoy it too. It should be a blend,” said Kapil.

The debate

The family diktat has divided opinions within the Indian cricketing fraternity, particularly after Virat Kohli was vocal in supporting family presence on tours. Kohli emphasised the role of loved ones in maintaining a sense of normalcy and emotional stability amid the rigors of international cricket.

During the recently concluded Champions Trophy, Kohli, along with Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami, had their families with them in Dubai. However, they opted not to stay at the team hotel, covering their accommodation expenses personally.

Kohli spoke in great detail about the importance of families, stating that the value of family presence is often undermined.

“It is very difficult to explain to people how grounding it is to just come back to your family every time you have something intense, which happens on the outside,” he said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/kapil-dev-reacts-after-virat-kohli-takes-a-dig-at-bcci-over-no-family-rule-we-didnt-wait-for-board-to-tell-us-101742345761662.html

Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil over the next eight days because of an injury to his adductor.

The 37-year-old Messi was not included in the 25-man squad announced on Monday by coach Lionel Scaloni. Later Monday, Inter Miami said Messi — the reigning Major League Soccer MVP — underwent an MRI “to assess the extent of the discomfort in his adductor region,” an injury that the team said occurred in Sunday’s win over Atlanta United.

“The examination’s findings confirmed the presence of a low-grade injury in the adductor muscle,” Inter Miami said. “His clinical progress and response to treatment will determine his availability for competition.”

Argentine media initially reported Messi suffered a sore left thigh on Sunday during Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory.

Argentina, which leads South America, will visit second-placed Uruguay on Friday and host fifth-placed Brazil four days later at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.

Messi was not the only absentee for the two matches that could seal Argentina’s qualification. Also ruled out were Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Montiel and Giovani Lo Celso.

Scaloni also dropped Alejandro Garnacho and Claudio Echeverri from the larger squad announced on March 2.

Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner who captained and led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, has been sidelined several times by Inter Miami this season because of injury concerns.

This month, Messi missed three games but returned on Thursday for the second leg of the round-of-16 CONCACAF Champions Cup tie against Cavalier SC.

Source : https://apnews.com/article/messi-out-argentina-world-cup-qualifying-49454e97d6d241ed97758039abd88190

Newcastle United made history after beating Liverpool in the EFL Cup final. The Magpies deserved the win, as they played the game with aplomb right from the start.

Generations of Newcastle United fans have waited for silverware but that finally came to an end on Sunday when the Magpies beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final to win their first major domestic trophy in 70 years.
After Dan Burn opened the score in the first half, Alexander Isak made it 2-0 in the second half.
Isak has now scored 27 goals in 37 appearances for club and country this season, equalling his best-ever single-season tally he set in 2023/24 (27 goals in 46 apps).

Newcastle last won silverware in the 1954–55 FA Cup. The Toons beat Manchester City 3–1 in the final at Wembley, with goals from Jackie Milburn, Bobby Mitchell, and George Hannah.

Kohli will be brimming with confidence after two tournament-defining performances in India’s recent successful Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.

Team India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batting star Virat Kohli was seen performing some hilarious dance moves during a practice session ahead of the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League, beginning on March 22. A video of the same surfaced on social media as the right-handed batter was seen wearing a pad while doing some hilarious dance moves.

Kohli will be brimming with confidence after two tournament-defining performances in India’s recent successful Champions Trophy 2025 campaign. The 36-year-old finished with 218 runs as the Men in Blue clinched their third title and remained undefeated throughout.

Below is the video posted on X of Kohli dancing

Kohli, meanwhile, who is the highest run-getter in the tournament history, also won the Orange Cap last year for aggregating 741 runs and it proved to be the second time in history he achieved that feat.

While Kohli was one of the contenders to captain the Royal Challengers, the think tank decided to give the responsibility to Rajat Patidar. Nevertheless, the veteran has shown himself to be fully behind the decision and equally urged the fans to give Patidar all the support. The 36-year-old said in a video posted earlier on social media:

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/video-virat-kohli-spotted-dancing-hilariously-amid-rcbs-practice-session-ahead-of-ipl-2025

After a slow start to his Real Madrid career, Kylian Mbappé has already surpassed one of the club greats.

Mbappé scored twice in Madrid’s 2-1 comeback win over Villarreal on Saturday to take his tally to 31 goals in all competitions this season — one more than Brazil striker Ronaldo managed in his first campaign at the club. It also helped Madrid open up a three-point lead atop the Spanish league over Barcelona, which has played two games less.

Long gone are the scoring troubles Mbappé endured in his first months at Madrid.

Having surpassed Ronaldo’s tally from 2002-03, the former Paris Saint-Germain player is now closing in on the 33 goals that Cristiano Ronaldo scored in his first season with Madrid in 2009-10.

“They are legends who marked eras with the club,” Mbappé said about the two Ronaldos. “If I score more goals than Ronaldo and Cristiano it doesn’t mean that I am better, just that my first season is better. Scoring goals is important, but it is even more so if we win La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.”

His double at fifth-placed Villarreal took Mbappe’s La Liga tally to 20 goals, only one fewer than Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski in the domestic competition.

Leading the comeback

Villarreal made it a pulsating game as it attacked in waves with Alex Baena and Nicolas Pepe helping create a series of chances. Thibaut Courtois made three good stops for Madrid to deny Pepe, Ayoze Pérez, and Pape Gueye in the first half.

But Villarreal paid at the other end where Mbappé ruthlessly exploited the holes in the Yellow Submarine’s defense.

“Mbappé didn’t participate much, but he was lethal,” Villarreal coach Marcelino Toral said.

A one-handed save by Courtois to deny Ayoze led to a corner kick that resulted in Villarreal’s eight-minute opener. Juan Foyth swept home a ball that fell to him inside the six-yard box after it had ricocheted off players in a packed area.

Source : https://apnews.com/article/mbappe-real-madrid-villarreal-898df7b01429fa635d53f845c45dbfc5

Kohli said he no longer aspires to achieve milestones, but he is playing cricket for the ‘pure joy’ of it.

Bengaluru: Champion batter Virat Kohli on Saturday emphatically said he is not mulling retirement at the moment as he has been enjoying the game, and the “competitive streak” inside him is very much intact.

Kohli displayed the old spark while playing an important hand in India’s recent Champions Trophy victory in Dubai, after which skipper Rohit Sharma too dismissed the retirement talks surrounding him.

“Don’t get nervous. I’m not making any announcements. As of now everything is fine. I still love playing the game,” Kohli said during a talk session at the RCB Innovation Lab.

Kohli said he no longer aspires to achieve milestones, but he is playing cricket for the “pure joy” of it.

“It’s pretty much come down to just the pure joy, enjoyment, competitive streak, and love for the game. And as long as that is there I will continue to play. As I said today I am not playing for any achievement,” he said.

Kohli said that innate “competitive streak” makes it tougher for a sportsperson to find the right time to move away from the game.

“You know the competitive streak doesn’t allow you to find the answer (for the retirement question). I had a very interesting conversation about this with Rahul Dravid. He said you always have to stay in touch with yourself.

“Figure out where you are placed in your life and the answer is not that easy. You might be going through a lean phase and you feel like this is it. But it might not be. But then when it is time my competitive streak would not allow me to accept it. Maybe one more month.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/dont-get-nervous-im-not-making-any-announcements-kohli-rubbishes-retirement-rumours-3447990

The woman accused six people, including her brother, of a ₹5.7 crore investment scam that promised high returns but led to major financial losses for her.

A 60-year-old Hyderabad businesswoman was allegedly duped of ₹2.8 crore by six people, including her brother, through a fake coffee powder company, with fraudsters falsely claiming West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle as a promoter to attract investments, The Times of India reported.

In her criminal complaint, the woman accused six individuals, including her brother, of orchestrating the scam. The fraudulent investment scheme, valued at ₹5.7 crore and promising high returns, resulted in significant financial losses for her and others involved.

Scam dates back to 2019
In 2019, the businesswoman was approached by her brother and his wife, who convinced her to invest in a coffee powder manufacturing company by promising a 4% monthly return. They claimed the company was based in Kenya and expanding to the US, The Times of India report added.

To build trust, the accused allegedly showed her photos and videos of West Indian cricketer Chris Gayle, falsely claiming he was the company’s promoter. According to central crime station officials quoted by The TOI, they also told her the company’s owner was known to them and that one of the accused was set to become a partner.

Believing her brother, the woman invested ₹2.8 crore and encouraged family and friends to invest another ₹2.2 crore. Additional investors put in ₹70 lakh, bringing the total investment to ₹5.7 crore. Initially, the accused paid returns, making the business seem legitimate.

However, payments eventually stopped. When the woman confronted her brother, he insisted their children had verified the US unit’s operations. Despite repeated requests for updates, the accused dodged questions, and when pressed further, the woman’s brother allegedly verbally abused her. Out of the ₹5.7 crore invested, the victims received only ₹90 lakh in returns.

Pune woman reportedly scammed of ₹3.16 crore in fake marriage fraud
In another similar case, a 45-year-old woman from Pune, Maharashtra, working in a corporate firm, was allegedly cheated of ₹3.16 crore by cyber fraudsters on a matrimonial site, The Indian Express reported. The fraudsters lured her with false promises of marriage.

The victim filed an FIR at the Cyber Police Station in Pimpri Chinchwad. According to a police press release, the woman, a resident of Wakad, connected with the fraudster in June 2023 through a well-known matrimonial website. Posing as an overseas businessman, he built an online rapport with her and later assured her of marriage.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hyderabad-woman-scammed-of-2-8-crore-by-brother-using-chris-gayle-s-name-report-101742093269219.html

Indian athlete Vispy Kharadi set a Guinness World Record by holding Hercules pillars for over two minutes.

Indian athlete Vispy Kharadi has etched his name in the Guinness World Records by achieving the longest Hercules pillar hold. The record-breaking feat took place in Surat, Gujarat, where Kharadi demonstrated his exceptional strength by holding the massive pillars for an astonishing 2 minutes and 10.75 seconds.

The pillars, inspired by Greek architecture, stood at 123 inches in height and had a diameter of 20.5 inches. Weighing 166.7 kg and 168.9 kg, they pushed the limits of human endurance and raw power. The Guinness World Records officially recognized and documented his incredible achievement.

Kharadi took to X to note that his feat gained further recognition when tech billionaire Elon Musk reshared a video of his performance. The video was originally posted by the Guinness World Records’ official X account. Overwhelmed by the recognition, Kharadi took to X, writing, “It was indeed a good surprise when I got to know that @elonmusk shared my Guinness World Record Video on X. Feeling so happy and on cloud 9. Moreover, it gives me immense pride that an Indian is being praised worldwide in the field of strength.”

Take a look at the post:

Kharadi’s X bio highlights his extensive accomplishments, including multiple black belts and 13 Guinness World Records. In addition to being a fitness expert, he trains Border Security Force (BSF) commandos in unarmed combat. Some of his past records include crushing the most drink cans by hand in one minute and bending the most iron bars with his head.

The video clocked over 10 million views and more than 74,000 likes. Social media users flooded the comments with admiration. One person wrote, “Wow, congratulations, what an achievement,” while another commented, “He looks like a video game character brought to life. Kudos to this guy.”

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/indian-athlete-vispy-kharadi-sets-guinness-world-record-for-hercules-pillar-hold-101742008407253.html

Harry Brook pulled out at the last minute from the IPL 2025, owing to commitments with the England National team. Hence, according to the new policy of the BCCI, the England batter has been banned from entering the auction for the next 2 years in the IPL, according to a report by The Indian Express.

Delhi Capitals will be gunning for their first IPL title as they take the field with a fresh squad in the 18th season of the competition in 2025. However, just days before the start of their first game on March 24 (Monday) against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the team have been dealt with a big blow, as on of their players Harry Brook has received a ban from the BCCI for 2 years from the league.

Harry Brook pulled out at the last minute from the IPL 2025, owing to commitments with the England National team. Hence, according to the new policy of the BCCI, the England batter has been banned from entering the auction for the next 2 years in the IPL, according to a report by The Indian Express. The BCCI have officially sent a communication to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Brook himself.

“An official communication has been sent to ECB and Brook about BCCI banning him for two years as per its policy which was informed to each player before they registered their name for the IPL auction last year. It’s a policy set by the board and each player has to oblige to it,” a BCCI source told the publication.

Why Harry Brook Pulled Out Of IPL 2025?

In a statement, Harry Brook apologized to Delhi Capitals for pulling out of the IPL 2025. He did so because he wanted to fully commit to the England national side for the upcoming series- three ODI vs West Indies, and an important five-match Test series against India.

“I have made the very difficult decision to pull out of the upcoming IPL. I apologise unreservedly to the Delhi Capitals and their supporters,” Brook said.

“I love cricket. Ever since I was a young boy, I have dreamt of playing for my country, and I am extremely thankful to have the opportunity to play the game I love at this level. With the guidance of people I trust, I have taken the time to seriously consider this decision. It is a really important time for England cricket, and I want to fully commit to preparing for the upcoming series. In order to do this, I need time to recharge after the busiest period in my career to date,” he added.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/days-before-start-of-ipl-2025-delhi-capitals-rs-6-25-cr-star-harry-brook-recieves-2-year-ban-report-article-118983893

‘I say this with sadness that for two years we struggled in the streets… we were fighting to save the sport of wrestling. And now, two days ago, your party (BJP) has given the sport in his hands again,’ the Congress MLA from Julana said in the Haryana Assembly without naming Brij Bhushan.

The grand ceremony occurred at the luxurious ITC Hotel, The Savoy, and was attended by close family, friends, and cricketing stars, making it a truly unforgettable event.

Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant’s sister, Sakshi Pant married London-based businessman Ankit Chaudhary in a lavish wedding set against the scenic beauty of Mussoorie. The grand ceremony occurred at the luxurious ITC Hotel, The Savoy, and was attended by close family, friends, and cricketing stars, making it a truly unforgettable event.

Sakshi looked stunning in a traditional red and gold lehenga adorned with intricate embroidery, complemented by statement jewellery, a classic bridal bun, and fresh flowers, exuding elegance and grace. Ankit, on the other hand, opted for an ivory sherwani with delicate gold embroidery, a regal turban, and a statement brooch, perfectly complementing his bride.

The wedding festivities were a mix of tradition and celebration, with a vibrant mehendi ceremony, a joyful haldi event, and a glamorous sangeet night where Rishabh Pant himself joined the celebrations. Sakshi had earlier shared photos and videos of the ceremonies on her Instagram stories. Videos of family members and friends enjoying different wedding rituals have gone viral.

The likes of MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Nitish Rana, Prithvi Shaw and Actor Sunny Singh were among the people who attended Pant’s sisters’ wedding Fresh off India’s Champions Trophy triumph in Dubai, Rishabh made sure to be part of his sister’s big day, adding an emotional and celebratory touch to the occasion.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/rishabh-pants-sister-sakshi-marries-ankit-chaudhary-in-lavish-wedding-pics-go-viral

Indian cricket team stars are likely to gather in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand to attend the wedding of wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant’s sister Sakshi Pant. The wedding ceremonies will take place at a secret location in Mussoorie on Tuesday and Wednesday. India skipper Rohit Sharma, star batter Virat Kohli and former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni are expected to attend the wedding. Sakshi Pant is getting married to businessman Ankit Chaudhary. The duo got engaged last year after dating for almost nine years. Former Indian captain MS Dhoni was among the attendees at the couple’s engagement ceremony in London in January 2024.

Sakshi, who studied in the UK, enjoys a large following on social media courtesy of her travel pictures and trendy outfits.

Pant was part of the Champions Trophy-winning squad in which India defeated New Zealand in the final to clinch their third title.

The wicketkeeper-batter survived a near-fatal car crash in December 2022. After undergoing multiple surgeries and extended rehabilitation, he made a comeback to cricket after more than a year and helped India win the T20 World Cup.

On his comeback in Test, he scored a match-winning century against Bangladesh in September 2024, equalling Dhoni’s record for the most Test hundreds by an Indian wicketkeeper.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2025/virat-kohli-ms-dhoni-and-rohit-sharma-reunion-in-mussoorie-ahead-of-ipl-2025-report-makes-big-claim-7897517

India held its nerve and beat New Zealand in a game that went right down to the wire, winning the Champions Trophy for a record third time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in congratulating Team India, calling it an “exceptional game, exceptional result”.

“An exceptional game and an exceptional result! Proud of our cricket team for bringing home the ICC Champions Trophy. They’ve played wonderfully through the tournament. Congratulations to our team for the splendid all around display,” PM Modi posted on X, moments after the big win.

Chasing 252 to win, India got off to a fast start through their captain Rohit Sharma’s first half-century of the tournament before KL Rahul hit an unbeaten 34 to help seal victory with six balls to spare in the final in Dubai.

India added to their trophies in 2002 and 2013 to go past Australia, who have two titles.

The world number one ODI team, India, finished unbeaten in the eight-nation tournament played in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

In a battle of spin on a sluggish Dubai pitch, New Zealand’s bowlers put India in trouble at 203-5 with Rohit and Shreyas Iyer, who hit 48, back in the pavilion.

But Rahul kept calm and along with Hardik Pandya (18) and Ravindra Jadeja, who hit the winning boundary, steered the team home to loud cheers from a largely Indian crowd in a sea of blue.

New Zealand missed their pace spearhead Matt Henry after he was forced out of the final due to a shoulder injury.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/exceptional-game-exceptional-result-pm-modi-on-indias-champion-trophy-win-7885963

The 2025 edition of the Champions Trophy will culminate with Team India facing New Zealand in the final on March 9, Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium. While there is zero rain prediction for the tournament-decider, it’s worth wondering whether there is a reserve day for the high-voltage encounter.

Battle-hardened India, led by Rohit Sharma, start as favourites by some margin, not only due to the familiarity of the conditions in Dubai but also because they have outmuscled all the opponents in their way. Their last two matches against New Zealand and Australia have them primed to win the final on Sunday. Rohit and co. defended 249 against New Zealand and triumphed over Australia by chasing down a stiff 265.

New Zealand, meanwhile, can only be taken lightly at their peril. The Black Caps have suffered their only loss to India when Varun Chakrvarthy’s fifer consigned them to a 44-run defeat. Hence, they will be better prepared to take on the Indian spinners in the finale.

Is there a reserve day for IND vs NZ Champions Trophy 2025 final?

The result of the Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand on Sunday could have far-reaching consequences for Indian cricket. At the center of these, according to a report from Times of India, is captain Rohit Sharma, whose future in leadership roles could be determined in the coming weeks.

According to the report, the BCCI is keen on having a stable captain to plan for the next two years. There could be tough conversations about moving on from Rohit as captain in ODIs and Tests, with the board holding off on announcing new central contracts until after the final against New Zealand.

As per the report, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir have spoken with the BCCI and Rohit regarding the future course of action after returning from India’s tour of Australia earlier this year.

“Rohit still believes there is some cricket left in him. He has been told to communicate his plans going forward. Retiring is his call but there will be another discussion around continuing with captaincy. Rohit himself understands the need to have a stable captain if the team wants to prepare for a World Cup. There have been talks with Kohli too, but there doesn’t seem to be much anxiety around him,” a BCCI source told the newspaper.

The board reportedly wanted to assess the team’s performance in the Champions Trophy following a difficult Test season. This has led to a reevaluation of Grade A+ contracts, currently held by Rohit, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja.

With BCCI’s policy favoring players who perform across all three formats for A+ contracts, concerns have emerged regarding Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja, who have all retired from T20Is and faced a challenging red-ball season. However, a strong showing in the Champions Trophy could also keep their positions intact.

“The board will wait for Rohit’s decision after the Champions Trophy. If by any chance he chooses to retire, then the board will see what needs to be done. One can’t discount the fact that he won the T20 World Cup in July and has led well in the Champions Trophy as well,” the source added.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/rohit-sharma-walking-on-tightrope-as-champions-trophy-final-set-to-decide-his-india-future-if-he-chooses-to-retire-101741316966789.html

New Zealand cruised past South Africa in the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final in Lahore by 50 runs, as the Proteas suffered their first defeat in the competition and were knocked out. David Miller was the sole shining light in the South Africa batting innings as he scored the fastest century in Champions Trophy history, but his herculean effort went in vain. After being knocked out, Miller took a dig at the scheduling of the tournament, especially with India playing all their games in Dubai.
Before the final group game between India and New Zealand on March 2 (Sunday), the two qualified teams from Group B, i.e. Australia and South Africa, had to travel to Dubai to see who would win. With India winning the game and setting up a semi-final clash with Australia, South Africa had to travel back the next day to Lahore where they would take on New Zealand in the second semi-final.

Speaking after the semi-final loss, David Miller revealed that they had to fly to Dubai the day after their final group game against England in Karachi. They reached Dubai at 4 PM and then had to travel back the next day to Lahore at 7.30 AM. He said that even though they had enough time to recover, it was not an ideal situation.

“It’s only an hour and 40 minute flight, but the fact that we had to do that was not ideal. It’s early morning, it’s after a game, and we had to fly. Then we got to Dubai at 4:00 pm. And at 7.30 am we had to come back. It doesn’t make it nice. It’s not like we flew five hours, and we had enough time to recover and recuperate, but it was not an ideal situation still,” Miller said.

New Zealand booked their place in the final of the Champions Trophy against India after sparkling hundreds by Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson helped them earn a 50-run victory over South Africa in the second semi-final on Wednesday.
Electing to bat, New Zealand racked up a tournament record 362-6 on the back of a 164-run stand between Ravindra and Williamson.
David Miller smashed an unbeaten 100 off 67 balls while Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma struck half-centuries but South Africa managed 312-9 in reply.

Mitchell Santner, captaining New Zealand in a global tournament for the first time, used seven bowlers and led by example with a match-turning 3-43.
“It’s a cool feeling (to make the final). We were challenged by a good side,” Santner said after the runfest at the Gaddafi Stadium.
“We were pretty happy with 360 obviously but we know with the power South Africa have, it was going to be a challenge.”
New Zealand lost opener Will Young in the eighth over after Santner elected to bat.
Ravindra and Williamson combined in a mammoth second-wicket stand in what looked like the coming together of the present and future of New Zealand’s batting.

The curly-haired Ravindra and the cool-as-a-cucumber Williamson scored over a run-a-ball rate to deflate South Africa.
Williamson got a reprieve after completing his fifty when Heinrich Klaasen dived to his right but could not hold on to the catch.
Ravindra was flawless at the other end and raced to a 93-ball hundred before Kagiso Rabada dismissed him for 108, which included 13 fours and a six.
All of Ravindra’s five hundreds in one-day internationals have come in International Cricket Council (ICC) events.
Williamson played two ramp shots in Wiaan Mulder’s sixth over – the first brought up his 15th ODI hundred and the second his downfall. Williamson’s 102 was studded with 10 fours and two sixes.

Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips chipped in with brisk 49s as New Zealand eclipsed Australia’s 356-5 against England last month as the highest team total in the tournament’s history.
New Zealand began their defence well as Kyle Jamieson started with a maiden over and Matt Henry got rid of Ryan Rickelton in his third.
Bavuma (56) and Van der Dussen (69) revived South Africa with a run-a-ball stand of 105 before Santner hollowed out their middle order.
The spinner removed both the set batters and dismissed Heinrich Klaasen to put New Zealand on top.
Player of the match Ravindra dismissed Aiden Markram (31) but Miller would not go down without a fight.
He smacked four sixes and 10 fours in his blistering knock that proved South Africa could have done better with enough wickets in hand.
“363 was always going to be tough,” Bavuma said.

“We needed someone to play well. David did that but we needed someone else.”
“Credit to their batters, they put us under pressure.”
New Zealand will fly to Dubai for Sunday’s final against India, who prevailed when the sides faced each other in a group match.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-beat-s-africa-meet-india-champions-trophy-final-2025-03-05/

Virat Kohli anchored India’s innings with 84 runs off 98 balls, leading the team to a four-wicket victory over Australia on Tuesday, securing a spot in the Champions Trophy final.

Kohli’s 74th ODI half-century contributed to India’s successful chase, reaching 267/6 in response to Australia’s total of 264 all out in the first semi-final.

Pacer Mohammed Shami was the standout in India’s bowling attack, claiming 3 wickets for 48 runs in his 10 overs on a sluggish pitch.

For Australia, Steve Smith was the top performer, scoring 73 runs off 96 balls. Indian spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja each took two wickets, further limiting the Australian score.

Shreyas Iyer played a crucial role in the chase, contributing with 91 runs off 111 balls for the third wicket partnership alongside Kohli.

KL Rahul sealed the victory with an unbeaten 42 runs off 34 balls, marking India’s highest successful chase against Australia in an ICC event.

With this win, India have secured a place in the final, which will take place in Dubai, where they will face either South Africa or New Zealand, who are set to compete on Wednesday in Lahore.

Later, there were celebrations all around in the Indian dressing room, on the ground and even as the team returned to the hotel. Just as KL Rahul struck the winning runs, the Indian dressing room erupted to celebrate what many believe to be revenge for the 2023 ODI World Cup loss.

At the team hotel, the staff welcomed the players back with music and applause. Arshdeep Singh, who has not been used so far in the tournament, danced and played the drums in celebration.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Australia faced an early setback as Shami dismissed opener Cooper Connolly for a nine-ball duck.

Steve Smith steadied the innings with a measured half-century, forming a 50-run partnership off 32 balls with Travis Head, who, despite a slow start, managed to score 39 runs off 33 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes before being caught by Shubman Gill in the deep, off Chakravarthy’s bowling.

Marnus Labuschagne contributed 29 runs, adding another 56 with Smith for the third wicket, but India’s spinners took control during the middle overs after Rohit Sharma shuffled his bowlers. Jadeja trapped Labuschagne lbw in the 23rd over, and four overs later, Josh Inglis was caught out.

This brought Carey to the crease, where he and Smith added 54 runs off 58 balls before Shami struck again, bowling Smith for a crucial wicket in the 37th over. The situation worsened for Australia as Axar Patel bowled Glenn Maxwell for just 7 runs in the following over.

At 205-6, Carey stepped up, scoring eight fours and a six to guide Australia through the third powerplay, reaching 50 runs off 48 balls. After Carey was run out, Australia managed to cross the 250-run mark in the 48th over. Ben Dwarshuis contributed 19 runs, including a four and a six, but the total still fell short by about 20-30 runs.

Chasing a target of 265, Rohit started strong with three fours and a six, scoring 28 runs off 29 balls, but Shubman Gill was bowled out for just eight. Connolly then trapped Sharma lbw in the eighth over, bringing Kohli and Iyer together, a partnership that proved crucial.

Kohli hit five fours and reached his half-century off 53 balls, ensuring the required run rate remained manageable as India took control of the chase. Zampa missed a return catch off Kohli but redeemed himself by bowling Iyer. However, India did not falter; Axar Patel scored a steady 27 runs off 30 balls.

Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/icc-champions-trophy-2025/hugs-bhangra-drums-pats-on-the-back-how-india-celebrated-champions-trophy-semi-final-win-against-australia/articleshow/118726176.cms 

The 2026 World Cup final will stage a Super Bowl-style half-time show for the first time, with Coldplay helping to pick a “list of artists” to perform.

The tournament, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, concludes with the final on 19 July 2026 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Though pre-match performances at showpiece occasions such as the Champions League final have become commonplace, there has never been a half-time show at a World Cup final.

Half-times in the regular NFL season last around 15 minutes but they are extended up to 30 minutes at the Super Bowl in order to accommodate a half-time show.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino says Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin and band manager Phil Harvey will help to establish a set of artists to perform in the 15-minute break at next year’s final.

“I can confirm the first ever half-time show at a Fifa World Cup final in New York New Jersey,” Infantino wrote on Instagram.

“This will be a historic moment for the Fifa World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.”

Rap artist Kendrick Lamar headlined this year’s Super Bowl half-time show in New Orleans, which drew record audience figures of 133.5m across the United States.

The performance surpassed the long-standing record set by Michael Jackson in 1993.

The likes of Rihanna, Beyonce and Lady Gaga have also performed in recent years, while Coldplay headlined in 2016.

Source : https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cge1q41np7go

India reached the final of the Champions Trophy with a tense four-wicket victory over Australia in the first semi-final on Tuesday after Virat Kohli starred in yet another successful chase.
The outcome means Dubai will host Sunday’s final in which India will meet the winner of the other semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand in Lahore on Wednesday.
Australia rode half-centuries by skipper Steve Smith (73) and Alex Carey (61) to post a competitive 264 all out at a venue which has typically produced low-scoring contests in the tournament.

Player of the match Kohli (84) anchored India’s chase but could not complete it. KL Rahul chipped in with an unbeaten 42 down the order as India won with 11 balls to spare.
“We were very, very clinical with the bat,” India captain Rohit Sharma said.
“Yes, we got the runs at the 48th over but I thought we were very calm and composed in our chase.”
Leading an injury-depleted Australia side with a second-string attack, Steve Smith elected to bat after winning the toss.
Mohammed Shami spilled a return catch from Travis Head in the first over but dismissed Cooper Connolly for a nine-ball duck in his second.

Varun Chakravarthy, part of the team’s four-pronged spin attack, brought relief for his teammates, dismissing India’s nemesis Head for 39.
Smith got a reprieve when he defended an Axar Patel delivery and the ball rolled on to hit the stumps but could not dislodge the bails. He got another ‘life’ when Shami spilled a second return catch.
Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis and Shami returned to flatten Smith’s off-stump with a full toss after the batter had charged out.
Carey was run out just when Australia looked set for a late acceleration and they eventually collapsed with three deliveries left in their innings.

Smith’s counterpart Rohit (28) proved equally lucky when India began their chase and was dropped twice though he could not quite capitalise on it.
Shubman Gill was less lucky though and dragged a wide Ben Dwarshuis delivery on to his stumps.
Shreyas Iyer (45) combined with Kohli to put India’s chase back on track.
Glenn Maxwell dropped Kohli soon after the batter completed his fifty but Adam Zampa broke the 91-run stand when he bowled Iyer.
Kohli, an architect of India’s countless successful chases, holed out in the deep in the 43rd over, injecting fresh excitement into the contest.
Hardik Pandya (28) hit three sixes to ease the pressure on India and Rahul sealed their victory hitting Maxwell over the ropes.
“I thought the bowlers did a really good job,” Smith, who led Australia in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins, said.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/sports/cricket/india-beat-australia-by-four-wickets-reach-champions-trophy-final-2025-03-04/

With Team India winning the first semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2025 against Australia on Tuesday at the Dubai International Stadium, the final will also be hosted by the same venue despite the tournament being staged by Pakistan. As a result, fans have taken massive jibes at the PCB as the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will not get to host the decider due to the BCCI refusing to send the men’s team to Pakistan.

Team India had lost a record 14th toss in the massive semi-final clash against Australia on Tuesday in Dubai. Fifties from Steve Smith and Alex Carey lifted their side to a competitive total of 264 in 49.3 overs while Mohammed Shami starred with the ball with figures of 10-0-48-3. Despite missing their first-choice pacers, Australia took the game quite deep but lost in the end by four wickets

Steve Smith and co. dismissed the Indian openers cheaply inside the first ten overs but Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer roared back with a risk-free 91-run stand. Adam Zampa pegged the Men in Blue back with Iyer’s wicket. However, KL Rahul took the initiative and brought India close to victory. Although Kohli fell for 84 at the doorstep of the run-chase, heroics from Hardik Pandya and Rahul hit a winning six to drag their side over the line.

Meanwhile, here’s how the netizens trolled PCB, with Dubai set to host the CT 2025 final instead of Lahore

Team India will take on Australia in the first semi-final of the Champions Trophy in Dubai on Tuesday. However, experts have taken an exception to India staying in Dubai for the entire duration of the ICC showpiece, saying the move allowed them better chance to acclimatise to the conditions than other teams in the tournament. However, ahead of the final, it was revealed that the semi-final between India and Australia will be played on a fresh track to even the playing conditions a little bit.

For the unversed, India were asked to play on three different pitches during their three group games.

Sharing his views on the pitch ahead of the match, former India batter Aakash Chopra has advised India captain Rohit Sharma to bat first if he wins the toss.

“A fresh pitch for #IndvAus semifinal. We Shall find out the real meaning of ‘The more we change, the more we remain the same’. Whole square at the Dubai International Stadium is bone-dry and bereft of grass. Going a little bit of left or right won’t make any difference. Mast hoke so jao. Just wish for Rohit to win the toss-and bat first. That will be Game. Set. Match,” Chopra posted on X.

On the eve of the match, Rohit insisted that Dubai is not their “home venue” and the pitches here have thrown up “different challenges” to his side.

“Every time, the pitch is giving you different challenges. The three matches that we played here, the pitch has behaved differently. This is not our home, this is Dubai. We don’t play so many matches here, and this is new for us too,” Rohit said during the pre-match press meet ahead of the semifinal against Australia.

“There are four or five surfaces that are being used here. See, I don’t know which pitch is going to be played in the semifinals. But whatever happens, we will have to adapt and see what is happening and what is not. And we will play on that,” he added.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/icc-champions-trophy-2025/dubai-pitch-report-for-india-vs-australia-ct-2025-semi-final-bone-dry-rohit-sharma-to-win-toss-and-7842970

Mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy vindicated his selection with a maiden five-wicket haul, which helped India beat New Zealand by 44 runs in a Group A clash between two sides that had already made the last four of the Champions Trophy. Even former India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar was blown away by Varun’s bowling, but there was one other performance, that did not go unnoticed, but not for the India legend.

Electing to field, New Zealand restricted India to 249/9, with Matt Henry (5/42) leading their superb bowling display, which was backed up by their characteristic sharp catching.

In response from the Kiwi batters, New Zealand did back themselves for the win, especially amid a classy 81 from Kane Williamson. But the spinners choked the run-scoring through the middle overs on a tired Dubai track, with Varun dictating the terms with his 5 for 42, as the tweakers collectively picked up nine of the 10 wickets in India’s third-straight win in the 2025 Champions Trophy.

However, for Sachin, there was one other performance that mattered. In his social media post on Sunday night, the former India opener did not forget to compliment Shreyas Iyer’s valiant knock of 79, which saw India bounce back from a top-order collapse, en route to posting the target of 250.

“Shreyas Iyer played an important innings, and Varun Chakaravarthy’s spell made sure India stayed ahead. A good team win!

‘I did feel nervous in the initial stages…’

On a slow, low Dubai surface, India took the call of substituting pacer Harshit Rana with Varun, and the spinner made an immediate impact in his first match of the tournament that earned him the player-of-the-match award. His 5 for 42 was the second-best bowling figure by an Indian in the Champions Trophy and also the second-best figure on debut in the ICC tournament. Having picked up a five-wicket haul in just his second appearance in the format, it became the quickest by an Indian bowler in ODIs. The previous instance was Stuart Binny, who picked 6/4 against Bangladesh in Mirpur in 2014 in his third appearance.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/sachin-tendulkar-gives-shoutout-to-two-special-contributions-in-india-s-convincing-champions-trophy-win-over-new-zealand-101740967218813.html

Team India skipper captain Rohit Sharma became the subject of a political controversy after Congress spokesperson Dr. Shama Mohamed called him “overweight” and “the most unimpressive captain India has ever had.”

The former journalist and TV news anchor made comments after Rohit scored just 15 runs off 17 balls in India’s Champions Trophy match against New Zealand, which India won by 44 runs.

Shama took to social media and wrote: “Rohit Sharma is fat for a sportsman! Need to lose weight! And of course the most unimpressive Captain India has ever had!”

While replying to one of the X user she further wrote,” What is so world class about him when compared to his predecessors like Ganguly, Tendulkar, Dravid, Dhoni, Kohli , Kapil dev, Shastri & the rest! He is a mediocre captain as well as a mediocre player who got lucky to be the Captain of India.”

The comments did not go down well with former Congress leader Radhika Khera who is currently part of BJP. Taking to social media she slammed her former party and accused Congress of disrespecting athletes.

She wrote “This is the same Congress that humiliated athletes for decades, denied them recognition, and now dares to mock a cricketing legend? The party that thrives on nepotism is lecturing a self-made champion?”

While taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, Khera added, “Rohit Sharma led India to a World Cup victory, while Rahul Gandhi can’t even lead his own party without sinking it into chaos!”

Noted journalist, Rajdeep Sardesai also countered Mohamed’s criticism by claiming that Rohit has won multiple IPL titles as a captain and leads the best white-ball team in the world.

Mohamed countered Sardesai’s statement by stating that Rohit’s decision to open in the MCG Test against Australia in December “backfired totally” and India also lost the 2023 World Cup final under his leadership.

Can Rohit Sharma silence the critics by winning Champions Trophy?

Rohit Sharma will be aiming to silence critics with his performance in the upcoming Champions Trophy semifinal against Australia. The Men in Blue who remained unbeaten during the group stage so far and are aiming to send Australia packing.

This contest will be a grudge match for India after Australia broke their hearts at home by lifting the 2023 World Cup trophy. After winning the T20 World Cup, Rohit would want to win back-to-back ICC trophies and for that he has to guide his team past two matches.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/rohit-sharma-is-fat-unimpressive-captain-congress-leader-shama-mohamed-takes-dig-at-team-india-skipper-bjp-reacts

Spinner Varun Chakravarthy did most of the damage as India beat New Zealand by 44 runs on Sunday to win Group A and set up a Champions Trophy semifinal match against Australia.

Chakravarthy took 5-42 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, his first five-wicket haul in only his second one-day international.

“The senior players helped me and, as the game went on, I felt better,” Chakravarthy said. “I am not a big turner (of the ball) but if you bowled in the right areas, there was help from the surface.”

Kuldeep Yadav took 2-56, while Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel took a wicket each, as India’s four-spinner attack shared nine wickets between them. New Zealand was bowled out for 205 runs in 45.3 overs after Shreyas Iyer earlier scored 79 runs off 98 balls to anchor India to a competitive 249-9 in 50 overs.

“It spun a little more than we thought (under lights) and they squeezed us with four quality spinners,” said New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner.

India won all three group games and will play Australia in the first semifinal on Tuesday, also in Dubai.

New Zealand faces Group B winner South Africa in the second semifinal on Wednesday in Lahore, Pakistan.

Both India and New Zealand had already qualified for the semifinals.

Star batter Virat Kohli took the field for his 300th one-day international. Kohli became only the seventh cricketer to represent India in 300 or more ODIs. Sachin Tendulkar leads the way with 463 ODIs – the most by any player in world cricket.

Sensational catch ends Kohli knock

New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl. Both sides had made a solitary change to their playing elevens.

India got off to a poor start – Rohit Sharma was out caught for 15, while Matt Henry trapped in-form Shubman Gill lbw for two.

It became 30-3 as Kohli was caught at backward point for 11 when Glenn Phillips took a sensational one-handed flying catch.

Iyer came to India’s rescue as he put on 98 runs off 136 balls for the fourth wicket with Patel.

Patel scored a calm 42 off 61 balls, further strengthening his position as a reliable middle-order batter. He hit three fours and a six.

At the other end, Iyer batted in a different style, biding his time and curbing his naturally aggressive instinct. He reached 50 off 75 with four fours. He hit two sixes after that and started taking more risks which led to his downfall. He was caught off a short delivery from Will O’Rourke in the 37th over.

Patel had earlier fallen to another great catch – this time Kane Williamson flying to dismiss him off Rachin Ravindra.

Hardik Pandya scored a run-a-ball 45 – including four fours and two sixes – to push India to the brink of 250.

Spin show

New Zealand’s chase was anchored by Williamson. The former skipper top-scored with 81 off 120 balls, hitting seven fours.

But the Indian spin on a slow, two-paced pitch was too much to handle for the Black Caps. Pandya got rid of Ravindra early – for just six.

Chakravarthy picked up his first wicket when he bowled Will Young for 22 runs.

Williamson put on 44 with Daryl Mitchell (17), and then another 40 with Tom Latham (14).

Former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq challenged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), saying if the Indian cricket team is really that good, then the side should not hesitate to play 10 Tests, 10 ODIs, and 10 T20Is against Pakistan. He also added that if this happens, reality will come to the forefront regarding which side is better between the two.

India recently thrashed Pakistan by six wickets in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. The no-contest led to several fans saying that the rivalry between India and Pakistan is overrated, as Pakistan keeps failing to pose a challenge in front of a star-studded Indian lineup.

However, Saqlain Mushtaq added that if the Pakistan side manages to get its house in order, nothing can stop the side from proving its metal in the cricket landscape.

Speaking on the 24 News HD channel, Saqlain Mushtaq said, “If we keep political things aside, their players are very good, and they have been playing good cricket.”

“If you are really a good team, I think let’s play 10 Tests, 10 ODIs and 10 T20Is against Pakistan, then everything would become clear,” he added.

‘If we get our preparation right…’

Mushtaq, who has 496 wickets in international cricket, said that if Pakistan gets preparations right, then the side could become a force to be reckoned with in international cricket.

“If we get our preparation right and sort out things in the right direction, then we will be in a situation where we can give solid answers to the world and India as well,” said Mushtaq.

Recently, Pakistan were eliminated from the group stage of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy after the hosts failed to win a single match in Group A.

Pakistan suffered losses against New Zealand and India, while their last group-stage match against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain in Rawalpindi.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/if-you-truly-are-a-good-team-play-10-tests-10-odis-10-t20is-against-pakistan-saqlain-mushtaq-challenges-bcci-101740848812063.html

Afghanistan managed to avoid defeat to Australia after the match at Lahore was washed out as 20 overs were not completed in the second innings. Australia has qualified for the semi-finals while Afghanistan’s destiny lies in the hands of England, who will face South Africa in Karachi on Saturday (March 1).

Afghanistan were handed a lifeline in the 2025 Champions Trophy after their clash against Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore was washed out due to rain meaning both teams took one point each. This result has secured the Steve Smith-led side’s place in the semi-final alongside India and New Zealand.
Australia were on course for a comfortable victory as they found themselves at 109-1 in 12.5 overs with Travis Head scoring a quick-fire half-century while chasing a total of 274. However, a spell of 30 minutes of rain ensured the match was washed out as the ground staff failed to ensure the ground was dry and safe to start play. Play was called off with more than an hour left for the cut-off time for a 20-over match. It is worth noting Australia would have needed just 14 runs in 7.1 overs had the match started again and reduced to only 20 overs.
How Can Afghanistan Still Qualify For Champions Trophy 2025 SF?
The result has all but ensured that Afghanistan still have a slimmer of hope as they now have three points on the board. They are equal on points with South Africa, who will face England at the National Stadium in Karachi on Saturday (March 1). Had Afghanistan lost the match, the Proteas would have been guaranteed a spot in the knockouts.

If England wins Jos Buttler’s last match as captain, the two teams will be level on points after the end of the league stage. However, Afghanistan’s Net Run Rate (-0.990) is far behind South Africa (+2.145).

Hence, Afghanistan need England to beat South Africa by at least 207 runs if they bat first. If England are bowling first, they will need to chase down the target in 11.1 overs. If South Africa loses by a lesser margin, they will qualify. If the South Africa-England match is also washed out, the Temba Bavuma-led will advance to the knockout stages.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/explained-how-can-afghanistan-qualify-for-champions-trophy-2025-sf-after-australia-washout-and-what-it-means-for-south-africa-article-118633226

Hosts Pakistan’s campaign in the marquee tournament ended prematurely with big defeats to New Zealand (by 60 runs) and India (by six wickets).

A senior Pakistan government official has said that he will request Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take up the matter of the country’s cricket team’s disappointing performance in the Champions Trophy in Parliament and the Federal Cabinet. “The (Pakistan) Cricket Board is an independent institution. They can do as they please, which they have. And what they’ve done, I will request the Prime Minister to discuss the matter in the Cabinet and Parliament,” Rana Sanaullah, the advisor to the PM on Political and Public Affairs, told Geo TV channel.

Hosts Pakistan’s campaign in the marquee tournament ended prematurely with big defeats to New Zealand (by 60 runs) and India (by six wickets). Their inconsequential last group match against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi was called off without a ball being bowled due to incessant rain.

Sanaullah, a former federal and provincial minister, and a senior member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (N) party, made it clear that the caretaker government before the general elections last year had completely detached the PCB from the Federal Government’s control.

“The problem is we have been facing ups and downs in cricket and changes in the Board for the past decade now,” said Sanaullah, while also highlighting the dismal condition of the sport at the club, university and district level.

He said there was a need to make PCB accountable for the money spent at a time when conditions at the grassroots and club level remained dismal.

“The expenditure happening at a higher level (PCB) should be brought in front of the country and Parliament. Mentors are being paid five million rupees and they have been heard admitting in the media that they are unaware of their responsibilities… so they’ve been taking money for not working,” he claimed.

“If you see the perks and privileges of the PCB to players and officials, you’ll wonder if this is Pakistan or some progressive European nation. These are things that the Prime Minister himself will take notice of.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/will-request-pm-sharif-to-take-up-pak-team-debacle-in-parliament-senior-govt-official-7809972

After a gender controversy at the Paris Olympics, boxing’s newest organization says an imminent policy will address “significant welfare concerns” in the sport.

World Boxing, the body hoping to be in charge of the sport at the next Summer Olympics, has vowed to make boxer safety “absolutely paramount,” telling DW it will announce a policy on transgender and difference of sexual development (DSD) competitors in the “coming weeks.”

On Wednesday, the organization, which was formed in April 2023, received provisional recognition as an international sports federation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the most significant step so far in a process that would safeguard boxing’s place at the Los Angeles Games in 2028.

The IOC has run the boxing competition at the past two editions of the Olympics amid a governance dispute with the International Boxing Association (IBA), which, until World Boxing came along, was amateur boxing’s only global governing body. The IOC withdrew its recognition of the IBA in June 2023.

However, the competition at last summer’s Paris Olympics was overshadowed by a controversy surrounding the eligibility of two female boxers, Imane Khelif of Algeria and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, whom the IBA said had failed unspecified gender tests at its world championships in 2022 and 2023.

Khelif and Lin won the gold medal in their respective categories, with critics calling their participation unfair and dangerous.

Asked what its gender policy would be given the controversy in Paris, a spokesperson for World Boxing told DW: “We put boxers first and the safety of athletes is absolutely paramount. We have recognized for some time that gender clarity is an extremely complex issue with significant welfare concerns.”

The IOC has repeatedly defended allowing Khelif and Lin to compete in Paris, dismissing the IBA’s tests as “illegitimate” and pointing to its own rules for the boxing competition, which stated that eligibility was determined by the sex listed on an athlete’s passport. The IOC said that both boxers were born and raised as female.

While there is currently no mention of the words “transgender” and “DSD” in World Boxing’s 50-page competition rules, the spokesperson said that the organization’s medical committee was in the process of developing a policy on “sex, age and weight.”

A working group of the medical committee has “examined data and medical evidence from a wide range of sources and experts across the world to develop an updated policy that will be designed to deliver a fair, competitive level playing field for men and women that ensures the safety of all participants,” the spokesperson said.

“There will be an announcement on this in the coming weeks.”

Khelif and Lin are yet to appear at a World Boxing competition, with the Taiwanese fighter withdrawing from a World Boxing Cup event in England last year over concerns about her eligibility.

The IOC has repeatedly made clear that it isn’t prepared to organize the Olympic boxing competition for a third time, and, as such, the sport hasn’t yet been included on the program for the Los Angeles Games.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/aiming-for-la-olympics-world-boxing-promises-fair-playing-field-for-women/a-71765202

The seesaw contest at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday night was eventually decided after Azmatullah Omarzai cleverly varied the length to outsmart a rampaging Joe Root, putting Afghanistan within touching distance of another epic win. Afghanistan’s fate was eventually confirmed in the penultimate ball of the match as England succumbed to an eight-run loss and suffered a humiliating Champions Trophy exit.

Afghanistan, who made their debut in the Champions Trophy last week, where they lost their opener against South Africa, once again reinstated their status as a giant slayer as they beat former ODI world champions to send them crashing out of the tournament. With a game in hand, the win kept Afghanistan alive in the Champions Trophy.

Group B semifinal scenario:

While the teams for the semifinals have been decided from Group A, the battle has been reduced to three teams in the second group following England’s elimination. In the final round of the group stage, Afghanistan will face Australia in Lahore on Friday, while South Africa will take on England on Saturday in Karachi.

If Australia beat Afghanistan, Steve Smith’s men and the Proteas will make the semifinal. However, if Hashmatullah Shahidi’s men pull off a second successive stunner in the match against Australia, Afghanistan will qualify for the semifinal. Australia’s fate would then depend not only on an England victory but also on the margin of the win. Given South Africa’s superior net run rate of +2.140, only an emphatic England win could help Australia (+0.475) to win the NRR battle and qualify for the knockout stage.

Who could India face?

India were the first team in the 2025 Champions Trophy to make the semifinal. New Zealand joined them a day later after beating Bangladesh in their second game. Group A, too, has two matches left in the competition. While the game between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be inconsequential, India-New Zealand clash on Sunday in Dubai will decide who will finish at the top of the table. The result will also likely hint at their respective semifinal opponent.

According to the format, the winner of each group will face the second-placed side of the other group. Hence, if Australia and South Africa win their respective group games and India get the better of the Black Caps, the Men in Blue could take on the Aussies in Dubai next Tuesday. However, if they finish second in Group B, they will face South Africa in the semifinal.

Afghanistan eliminated ragged England from the Champions Trophy with a stunning eight-run victory on Wednesday.

Opening batter Ibrahim Zadran smashed the tournament’s highest-ever individual score of 177 off 146 balls with 12 fours and six sixes and led Afghanistan to 325-7.

England was bowled out for 317 with Joe Root’s 120 off 111 balls going in vain.

Root had kept England in the hunt, but once he gloved fast bowler Azmat Omarzai (5-58) behind the wickets in the 46th over, Afghanistan kept its nerve despite a few fumbles in the field to record a memorable win with one ball to spare.

It was Afghanistan’s second win against England in a major 50-over ICC tournament; it recorded a 69-run victory in the 2023 World Cup in India.

“As a team we are happy and I’m sure the whole nation will be happy with this win,” Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said.

“The beauty of our team is we have talented youngsters and at the same time we have senior guys who are at the top level. Hopefully we take this momentum with us for the next game against Australia.”

Afghanistan must beat two-time champion Australia in its last Group B match at the same venue Friday to seal its second straight semifinal in an ICC tournament after playing last year’s T20 World Cup playoffs.

England, which lost a high-scoring game to Australia at the same venue, will wrap up its disappointing run in the tournament with the match against semifinal contender South Africa at Karachi on Saturday.

Root’s century in vain

Root held the chase together after England lost Phil Salt (12) and newly promoted No. 3 Jamie Smith (9) in a wobbly start to a tall chase.

Omarzai knocked back the top of Salt’s stumps in his second over and England’s experiment with Smith at No. 3 didn’t work for second straight game when he skied Mohammad Nabi’s (2-57) first ball to Omarzai at backward point.

Ben Duckett, who hit 165 against Australia last Saturday, couldn’t capitalize on a dropped catch at 30 before Rashid Khan (1-66) had won a leg before wicket through television review, but captain Jos Buttler (38) put the chase back on track with 83-run partnership with Root.

Omarzai broke the threatening stand in his return spell when Buttler top-edged the fast bowler just after Root had raised his century off 98 balls with 10 fours.

Afghanistan was sloppy in the field for a while but Omarzai’s dismissals of Root and Jamie Overton (32) sealed the win. Omarzai completed his five-wicket haul when Zadran caught No. 10 Adil Rashid.

“Another fantastic game of cricket, but disappointing to come out on the wrong side,” Buttler said. “He (Root) played an unbelievable innings tonight (but) he needed one of the other top six batters to stay in with him and take the game deeper.”

Zadran leads the way

The 23-year-old Zadran absorbed the pressure of losing three wickets inside the batting powerplay and anchored Afghanistan to a strong total with his sixth ODI hundred.

Jofra Archer’s (3-64) triple strike in his first five overs had reduced Afghanistan to 39-3 with fast bowler Mark Wood (0-50) also squeezing the runs in his tidy four-over spell for 14 runs before struggling in his return spell with his left knee heavily strapped.

Zadran, who returned to international cricket in this tournament after ankle surgery in September, and Shahidi (40) revived Afghanistan with a 103-run partnership. But Shahidi misjudged the length of leg-spinner Rashid while going for a reverse sweep and was clean bowled.

Zadran pushed up the scoring rate with better than run-a-ball 72-run partnership with Omarzai, who made 41 off 31 balls.

Zadran continued to bat with lot of determination and charged against Archer and Wood in the final 10 overs once he completed his century off 106 balls.

He smashed Archer for 20 runs in one over with a straight six and followed it up with three cracking boundaries behind point as Afghanistan notched 113 runs off the final 60 balls.

Nabi scored 40 with three sixes and two fours and Zadran smashed Archer for 20 runs in one over that featured straight six and three crisp boundaries behind point.

Zadran surpassed Duckett’s record of 165 made against Australia last Saturday with another attractive straight six against Archer as the fast bowler was smashed for 43 runs off his final five overs.

Source : https://apnews.com/article/england-afghanistan-champions-trophy-6e72ae5134ed439210df809823c71460

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has been fined an undisclosed amount for grabbing one of New York City FC’s coaching staff on the neck after Saturday’s MLS opener, the league said.
Video footage showed Messi approach the coach and grab the back of his neck, causing him to pull away from the eight-times Ballon d’Or winner after the 2-2 draw in Miami.
The fine was imposed by the MLS’ Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday.

The top-flight North American league also fined Messi’s teammate Luis Suarez on Tuesday for violating the same “face/head/neck of an opponent policy” during halftime, when he pinched the back of Norwegian defender Birk Risa’s neck.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/inter-miamis-messi-fined-grabbing-new-york-city-coach-by-neck-2025-02-25/

Former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu is convinced that Virat Kohli will still play for two-three years more after he scored a magnificent century against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025 Group A match in Dubai on Sunday (February 23). Kohli roared back in form in the crucial clash and helped India easily chase down the 242-run target. Kohli breached the triple-digit mark with a boundary, which also sealed India’s win and a semi-final spot.

Kohli, who had been going through a rough patch in the past few games, took charge over the Pakistan bowlers early in the game with a couple of cover drives, which instilled confidence in him.

Sidhu lauded Kohli’s character and said his brilliant knock against Pakistan convinced him that the batter would surely add 10 to 15 tons more to his tally.

“Character is not made in a crisis, it is exhibited. This is a man (Virat Kohli) with pedigree, with passion. And after this 100, I can say it with conviction that this man is playing for the next 2 or 3 years and he is getting another 10 to 15 hundreds. That, you take it from me. Because, you see, the ultimate litmus test for anyone is how he goes through the adverse times, how he embraces adversity. Last six months, there has been so much going on that he chose his moment. When he scored runs against Pakistan, people are not going to forget it for 10 years,” Sidhu said on JioStar Network.

Kohli hit 7 boundaries during his 111-ball 100* and relied heavily on rotating strikes to put pressure on the Pakistan fielders throughout the chase. En route to his 51st ODI ton, Kohli also became the third batter in international cricket to score 14000 ODI runs.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/virat-kohli-is-getting-another-10-to-15-hundreds-navjot-singh-sidhu-backs-king-rule-for-next-2-3-years-champions-trophy-101740418623925.html

India superstar Virat Kohli on Sunday created history as he became the quickest batter to score 14,000 runs in One-Day Internationals, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s previous record, during the Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan here.

Kohli is now only the third batter in ODI cricket to have scored 14,000 runs, after the legendary Indian Sachin Tendulkar (18,246 runs) and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara (14,234 runs).

Kohli is the quickest-ever to the milestone, having completed his 14,000 ODI runs in 287 innings. Before him, Tendulkar had taken 350 innings to reach the feat while Sangakkara took 378 outings.

Coincidentally, both Kohli and Tendulkar scored their 14,000th ODI run against Pakistan.

The India No. 3 needed only 15 runs on Sunday to reach the milestone, which he did with a four through covers off Haris Rauf in the 13th over of the run chase.

The 36-year-old modern day great was also the fastest to 13,000 runs, which he had completed in September 2023 against Pakistan in Colombo during the Asia Cup.

Kohli already holds the record for scoring most ODI centuries (50), having gone past Tendulkar during the 2023 World Cup semifinal against New Zealand in Mumbai.

Earlier in the game against Pakistan, Kohli had gone past former captain Mohammad Azharuddin’s record of most catches by any Indian fielder when he took his 157th catch in his 299th ODI.

Azharuddin had taken 156 catches in his 334 ODIs for India between 1985-2000.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/virat-kohli-becomes-quickest-batter-to-score-14000-runs-in-odi-cricket-breaks-sachins-record-3418283

Liverpool took another step towards the Premier League title with a 2-0 win at Manchester City after talisman Mohamed Salah scored their first goal and set up Dominik Szoboszlai for the second as they went 11 points clear at the top on Sunday.
Arne Slot’s side have 64 points from 27 matches ahead of second-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand.
City are 20 points adrift of Liverpool in fourth spot on 44 as their early-season quest for a fifth consecutive title has unravelled into a chase for a Champions League berth.

Salah struck his league-leading 25th goal of the season in the 14th minute following a corner with a blistering shot from near the top of the box that deflected off the outstretched foot of City defender Nathan Ake past goalkeeper Ederson.
Szoboszlai took advantage of City’s atrocious defending to double the lead in the 37th. Salah found the unmarked Hungarian in the box for an easy pass into the net to the dismay of City supporters, whose dismal mood was matched by the driving rain.
Thousands were gone before the final whistle, while the Liverpool fans gleefully sang: “We’re going to win the league.”

SALAH SHINES

Australia began their campaign in the Champions Trophy with a historic win against England in an encounter for the ages at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 22 (Saturday). The Aussies were not given any chance before coming into the tournament after a number of their key players were injured or unavailable for the mega tournament. They also came into the tournament on the back of a 0-2 ODI series loss against Sri Lanka. However, they proved their dominance in ICC tournaments in their opening game when they became the first team in history to achieve a massive feat.

England batted first and scored a massive 351/7 at the end of their 50 overs, courtesy Ben Duckett, who slammed the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history (165). Australia pulled off a miraculous chase thanks to Josh Inglis, who slammed 120 from 86 balls. The Aussies now become the first team in history to complete a successful run chase of more than 350 runs in any ICC tournament.
The previous highest successful run chase in ICC tournament history was held by Pakistan when they scored 345 against Sri Lanka in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Sri Lanka on the other hand, held the record for the highest successful run chase in Champions Trophy history, when they chased down 322 vs India in 2017.

Here are the highest successful run chases in ICC tournament history:

352- Australia vs England (Champions Trophy 2025)
345- Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (ODI World Cup 2023)
328- Ireland vs England (ODI World Cup 2011)
322- Sri Lanka Vs India (Champions Trophy 2017)
322- Bangladesh vs West Indies (ODI World Cup 2019)

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/champions-trophy-2025-australia-create-history-vs-england-becomes-first-team-in-the-world-to-successfully-chase-more-than-350-runs-in-an-icc-tournament-article-118494557

Former cricketer Atul Wassan took everyone by surprise by revealing that he wants Pakistan to win against India in the upcoming blockbuster clash in the Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday. In the clash of the heavyweights, Pakistan will fight to keep its title defence alive by facing bitter rival India. Pakistan found themselves in this position after surrendering to a 60-run defeat against New Zealand in the tournament opener. If the Men in Green continue their shambolic run against India on Sunday, they will need plenty of permutations and combinations to work in its favour and keep its campaign alive. Wassan believes the tournament will become much more exciting if Pakistan emerges victorious in the high-stakes encounter.

“I want Pakistan to win because it will be fun, tournament-wise. If you don’t let Pakistan win, then what will you do? If Pakistan wins, then it becomes a contest. There should be an equal fight,” Wassan told ANI.

Wassan analysed India’s squad for the ongoing Champions Trophy and lavished praise on the country’s batting depth in the playing XI. Given the conditions, he backed India’s strategy of going with a spin-laden attack in Dubai and felt that it was the best team.

“You have a lot of good batters: Shubman (Gill), Rohit (Sharma), Virat (Kohli). You are batting until number eight in Axar Patel. Rohit has picked five spinners, and this team is best for Dubai. Have faith in what you have and move ahead,” he added.

While Pakistan kicked off its campaign on a losing note, India sailed to a comfortable six-wicket win against Bangladesh to open its win account.

India squad for Champions Trophy: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/icc-champions-trophy-2025/ex-india-star-wants-pakistan-to-beat-india-in-champions-trophy-clash-explains-why-7765523

Ryan Rickelton scored his first ODI century, leading South Africa to a commanding total of 315-6 against Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy. The South African bowlers, led by Kagiso Rabada, restricted Afghanistan to 208 runs, securing a convincing 107-run victory in the Group B match.

Ryan Rickelton achieved his first ODI century as South Africa defeated Afghanistan by 107 runs in the Champions Trophy at Karachi on Friday.

Rickelton scored 103 from 106 balls, including seven fours and a six, leading South Africa to a substantial total of 315-6 in the Group B encounter at the National Stadium.

The South African pace bowlers Kagiso Rabada (3-36), Wiaan Mulder (2-36) and Lungi Ngidi (2-56) restricted Afghanistan to 208 runs, bowling them out in 43.3 overs.

Afghanistan’s renowned spinners struggled, with Rashid Khan failing to take any wickets whilst conceding 59 runs in his allocated 10 overs.

Rahmat Shah led Afghanistan’s batting with a valiant 90 from 92 deliveries, including nine fours and a six, before being dismissed as the final wicket.

Afghanistan’s run chase faltered early as they lost openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (10) and Ibrahim Zadran (17) within the first 10 overs.

The situation worsened when Sediqullah Atal (16) and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (0) departed, leaving Afghanistan struggling at 50-4.

Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai (18) advanced the score to 89 before Rabada and Marco Jansen, who dismissed Mohammad Nabi, effectively ended Afghanistan’s chances.

Rashid Khan provided brief entertainment with 18 runs from 13 balls, including a six and three fours.

Earlier, Rickelton received support from captain Temba Bavuma (58), Rassie van der Dussen (52) and Aiden Markram (52 not out) in building South Africa’s impressive total after winning the toss.

Nabi, who finished with 2-51, struck early by dismissing Tony de Zorzi for 11, caught at mid-on.

A 129-run partnership between Rickelton and Bavuma followed as Afghanistan struggled in the field.

Bavuma’s 76-ball innings included five fours before he was caught off Nabi’s bowling, providing some cheer to the Afghan supporters in the sparse crowd.

Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/icc-champions-trophy-2025/champions-trophy-ton-up-ryan-rickelton-pacers-shine-in-south-africas-clinical-win-over-afghanistan-in-karachi/articleshow/118458064.cms

The last time India and Pakistan clashed in a major ICC 50-over contest was in 2023, at the highly anticipated World Cup league match in Ahmedabad.

As a contest, it turned out to be a bit of an anti-climax – India, in dominant form, comfortably chased down a subpar Pakistan target, securing a resounding victory.

And as Pakistani fans didn’t get visas to travel to India, aside from the cricket team, the country’s only notable presence was in the media centre.

Sunday’s ICC Champions Trophy clash between the arch-rivals at Dubai International Stadium promises a vastly different atmosphere.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) reported that tickets sold out within minutes – and with the UAE hosting more than 3.7 million Indians and nearly 1.7 million Pakistanis, a vibrant and well-represented crowd from both nations is all but guaranteed.

But can a sea of green flags in the stands inspire Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan’s men to defy the odds in this must-win clash against Rohit Sharma’s India?

Pakistan can take comfort in their strong head-to-head record in UAE – 19 wins in 28 ODIs, plus a lone T20I victory in the 2021 World Cup in Dubai.

Most of Pakistan’s wins against India came at Sharjah during their dominant run in the 1980s and ’90s, winning 18 of 24 games there.

In Dubai, India beat them twice in the 2018 Asia Cup, while both teams won a game each in a 2006 Abu Dhabi series.

Since Pakistan’s glory days in Sharjah, the tide has shifted – apart from the occasional T20I win, India has largely dominated in the new millennium.

Veteran cricket writer Ayaz Memon feels there is no reason to look at India-Pakistan clashes in the UAE through the prism of the past.

”There is no doubt that Pakistan enjoyed tremendous crowd support in the Sharjah days, with the local Pathan population making up the numbers. However, the team then boasted of the likes of Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Saeed Anwar, Aamer Sohail and the two Ws [Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis],” Memon says.

“Compare that to the state of the current team, which comes up with some exceptional results from time to time but lacks any form of consistency.”

The glitzy, ever-expanding United Arab Emirates city-state of Dubai offers little sign of a major cricket event – there are no welcome banners at the airport.

Instead, hoardings of Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek and company dominate, as the city is in full swing for the annual Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Head south, and the ‘Ring of Fire’ at Dubai International Stadium emerges from the highway, signalling cricket’s presence.

Towering images of all eight captains line the arena, but for the next two days, all eyes will be on Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Rizwan’s teams as fans worldwide await their fate.

It’s no secret that catering to broadcasters and marketing demands, the ICC consistently places India and Pakistan in the same group for major tournaments. This ensures at least one high-stakes league clash, with the potential for a blockbuster rematch in the knockouts.

At a time when cricket faces overexposure and its international structure is threatened by the rise of T20 franchise leagues, the India-Pakistan rivalry remains its biggest box-office draw.

A big plus about the tight, top-eight team format of the ICC Champions Trophy is that a little slip-up can cost even the heavyweights dear.

”The 50-over World Cup gives you a chance to pull back even if you stumble in the odd game as there are 10 games in the fray. It’s much different here where all three of your group matches are important to proceed to the semi-finals,” India captain Sharma said on the eve of their opening match against Bangladesh.

India cleared their first hurdle with a six-wicket win against Bangladesh on Thursday, powered by Shubman Gill’s classy century (cementing his status as a future ODI captain), Mohammed Shami’s five-wicket haul and a quickfire cameo from skipper Sharma, who crossed the 11,000-run mark in the format.

Jasprit Bumrah’s absence – expected as he recovers from a back spasm sustained in the final Test in Australia – remains a talking point. However, on this wicket, the spotlight is set to shift to the spinners.

Pakistan’s lead-up to the tournament has been a rollercoaster – both unpredictable and vulnerable. Their last three ODIs paint the picture perfectly.

Ten days ago, Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha’s stunning 260-run stand powered Pakistan to a record 353-run chase against South Africa in Karachi, securing a spot in the Tri-series final.

But just two days later, they faltered, looking ordinary as New Zealand cruised to a five-wicket win, denying them a confidence boosting title ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Then on Wednesday, after their bowlers made early inroads, they let the Kiwis off the hook, eventually crashing to a 60-run defeat in their tournament opener.

Source : https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly3llmg140o

Canada’s men’s hockey team defeated the USA 3-2 in overtime Thursday to capture the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off Championship as the NHL put on a show in the first edition of this midseason international tournament.

The overtime period opened up with end-to-end action and both teams having chances to put the game away as tension filled Boston’s TD Garden. Eventually it was Team Canada’s Connor McDavid scoring the game-winning goal, giving the Canadian superstar his biggest moment on the international stage and echoing teammate Sidney Crosby’s overtime winner against the USA in the 2010 Winter Olympics.

During the pre-game festivities of the highly-anticipated final, Team USA hockey icon Mike Eruzione honored the late Johnny Gaudreau. Serving as an honorary captain alongside Wayne Gretzky, the “Miracle on Ice” captain wore Gaudreau’s No. 13 Team USA jersey as he skated out to the ice.

Nathan MacKinnon opened the scoring for Team Canada, getting the puck on a pass from Thomas Harley before whipping the wrist shot from the top of the slot, sending it through traffic and past Connor Hellebuyck for the 1-0 score.

Team USA answered back with just over three minutes left in the first period. Captain Auston Matthews attempted a wraparound shot, but Canada’s goalie Jordan Binnington made the stop. However, left winger Brady Tkachuk was there to capitalize, tapping in the deflected puck to even the score at 1-1.

“I’ve never experienced anything like that,” Tkachuk told the ESPN broadcast after the 1st period.

Tkachuk was questionable to play entering Thursday night’s final, after leaving the team’s game against Sweden early on Monday, and missing the team’s practice on Wednesday due to illness.

“I wouldn’t miss the game for the world,” Tkachuk said. “This is basically, I mean guys are talking as much as you can emulate a Game 7 or even bigger than that so there’s not a chance in hell that I was missing this one.”

Just like in their first matchup on Saturday, where they initially fell behind 1-0, Team USA once again found themselves trailing before seizing the lead in the second period.

With over 12 minutes left in the second period, Zach Werenski fired a shot from near the blue line, but Canada’s Binnington was there for the stop. Matthews though quickly gathered the rebound and as he attempted to pass it to Brady Tkachuk, the puck was deflected, landing by Jake Sanderson, who buried it into the back of the net for the 2-1 lead.

However, Canada flipped the script six minutes later, when Mitchell Marner dished a pass to Sam Bennett, who skated through the left circle before going top shelf from close range to tie the game 2-2.

With “U-S-A! U-S-A!” chants filling the TD Garden throughout the tension-filled third period, neither side was able to find the back of the net and the game went into overtime.

After 60 minutes of regulation, it was only right that a game of this magnitude headed into overtime. For some Team USA fans, it stirred memories of the 2010 gold medal game between the two sides, when Crosby’s iconic “golden goal” in overtime secured Canada’s triumph at the Vancouver Olympics.

During the round-robin stage of those Olympics, Team USA had defeated Canada, only to fall short in the championship rematch. That victory remained their last against Canada until their win on Saturday.

In the sudden death overtime, Canada’s Jordan Binnington came up with multiple game-saving stops, robbing Brady Tkachuk and Auston Matthews a couple times before McDavid’s game-winner. Binnington’s heroics late in the game answered some criticisms that the St. Louis Blues netminder had allowed some soft goals earlier in the tournament.

“Just to see the reaction, just to know what it means to us,” McDavid told the ESPN broadcast after the game on what the win meant to Team Canada.

“I know it’s just a quick tournament, it’s not an Olympic gold medal or anything like that but it means the world to our group as you can see, everybody battled so hard all week so it was special.”

MacKinnon was named MVP of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament after scoring four goals, including Thursday’s goal.

The intensity surrounding the title game and the inaugural 4 Nations Face-off tournament itself soared after these two historic rivals met Saturday in Montreal.

In that round-robin matchup, three on-ice fights broke out in the game’s first nine seconds, sending the crowd at the Bell Centre into a frenzy and leaving most of the hockey world yearning for a rematch.

The rivalry had added spice thanks to the political clashes between the two nations over the last several weeks sparked by President Donald Trump’s return to office. Trump has repeatedly stated his desire to see Canada become the US’ 51st state, jabbed at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and threatened massive tariffs that would have a devastating effect on Canada’s economy.

That political dynamic has led to “The Star-Spangled Banner” being booed at rinks across Canada in recent weeks, including on Saturday in Montreal before the first clash between the two teams. “O Canada” was booed briefly on Thursday in Boston, but it appeared much of the crowd was singing the Canadian anthem together by its conclusion.

The anthem’s singer Chantal Kreviazuk changed a lyric in her rendition, changing “in all of us command” to “that only us command” as a response to Trump’s 51st state comments, she confirmed in a post on Instagram.

Trudeau emphasized the recent bad blood in a post on X after the game: “You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game.”

“I just hope Canada is proud because every player in that room is proud to be Canadian,” Canada’s head coach Jon Cooper said. “And yeah, did we need a win, not only like our team but Canada needed a win. The players beared that on their shoulders and they took it seriously. This one was different, this wasn’t a win for themselves, this was a win for 40+ million people and they guys knew it and they delivered.”

Source : https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/20/sport/4-nations-face-off-championship-spt/index.html

Players on both sides of this USA-Canada rivalry who will square off in the 4 Nations Face-off final Thursday have agreed on one thing.

This is the biggest game of their lives.

The ever-growing animosity between the two countries as sovereignties has given the rematch some political charge.

The chaotic first nine seconds of their round-robin meeting, when it looked more like the UFC than the NHL before a 3-1 USA win, piqued the interest of new fans.

For the players who will actually take the ice in the most high-profile hockey game in a decade and a half, however, it’s only ever been about the colors and the crest on their jerseys.

“Admittedly, I was thinking about this game when I woke up from my nap before the Sweden game [Monday], knowing that [Canada] already clinched their spot and we were going to play them,” Dylan Larkin said after Team USA’s practice at TD Garden on Wednesday. “You get nervous. You get the nervous energy. Each guy has their own way of dealing with that. I’ll try and treat as much as possible like a normal game, even though it’s going to be really hard tonight and tomorrow pregame.”

Larkin and everyone else in the hockey sphere has been thinking about this not only since the tournament began, but for almost a decade, wondering what a gold medal game between this generation’s American and Canadian hockey superstars would look like.

The first glimpse of it Saturday night at Bell Centre in Montreal was so spectacular it has captured the attention of those who otherwise have not given hockey a second look.

This tournament has become something else entirely, and the history between these two nations on the ice is only going to make for the grandest of finales.

The United States has won only one best-on-best tournament, the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, in which they defeated Canada 2-1 in a best-of-three final.

Canada, on the other hand, has won nine of the 13 best-on-best tournaments ever played, including five of the past six, as well as the past three.

“There’s a certain pride that both Canada and the United States have representing their country,” USA head coach Mike Sullivan said. “And what this means to all the players, my observation of watching this tournament with all the four nations, is that these players care an awful lot. They have a lot of pride for the jersey that they’re putting over their heads.

“My feeling from being around this American team is that this group has an awful lot of pride for being an American first and foremost, but also being a part of American hockey, which has developed and grown exponentially over their lifetime. These guys that represent that, these are our very best.

“They feel a certain responsibility to put their best game on the ice. These players are invested and I think because of that, you’re seeing the emotionally charged games that you’re seeing out there.”

The only comparable the players can muster is Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Some feel it’s bigger than that, like USA’s Jack Eichel. Others disagree, like Canada’s Connor McDavid, who lost one just last season to American Matthew Tkachuk and the Panthers.

While it’s obvious this game is not like the others, the only option, the players say, is to treat it like one.

The Canadian roster has certainly had a lot more practice, combining for 20 Stanley Cups compared to the Americans’ three. That no doubt has factored into Team USA’s initiative to prove itself.

Source : https://nypost.com/2025/02/19/sports/usa-canada-4-nations-finale-is-about-pride-and-so-much-more/

As the two team are going to clash, the cricket fans can expect a high-intensity match with plenty of exciting moments.

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is heating up, and the upcoming match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI) on February 21 is expected to be a thrilling encounter.

The match, scheduled to start at 7:30 pm IST, will be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. RCB, who have set the pace early on in this season’s WPL, will be looking to continue their winning momentum. They have proven why they are considered one of the top teams in the league, and it will be interesting to see how they fare against a strong MI side.

On the other hand, MI will be eager to bounce back from their previous performance and make a statement in this match. With a talented squad at their disposal, they will be looking to exploit any weaknesses in the RCB lineup and come out on top.

When & Where To Watch Royal Challengers Bengaluru Vs Mumbai Indians match live in India, US & UK

An all left-hander top-three of Bangladesh is set to prompt India head coach Gautam Gambhir to drop Ravindra Jadeja for Champions Trophy match vs Bangladesh.

Washington Sundar is set to play in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 opener against Bangladesh in Dubai on Thursday as India are likely to drop either Ravindra Jadeja or Axar Patel. As per visuals aired on Star Sports on the eve of the match, it appears that the axe will fall on Jadeja. India head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen having an animated chat with Jadeja, which Star Sports experts Abhinav Mukund, Piyush Chawla and Mike Hesson felt had a lot to do with Gambhir informing Jadeja that he was not going to be a part of India’s XI against Bangladesh. At the same time, India captain Rohit Sharma talked to Axar Patel.

India have gone in with two specialist spinners and three spin-bowling all-rounders in the Champions Trophy. Jadeja and Axar, cricketers with identical skill sets, played in the first two matches against England in the bilateral series, but India is unlikely to go in with the same combination against Bangladesh, a side which has a lot of left-handers in their top seven. In fact, Bangladesh’s top three – openers Tanzid Hasan and Soumya Sarkar and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto are left-handers.

“There are a lot of left-handers in the Bangladesh playing XI. But these two cricketers have done really well for India. But I think in the first game, they should have gone in with Jadeja and Axar because Kuldeep can take the ball away from the left-handers,” said former India leg-spinner Piyush Chawla.

Former New Zealand and Royal Challengers Bengaluru head coach Mike Hesson analysed Gambhir’s body language further and said he was telling Jadeja that he has made up his mind of picking Washington Sundar ahead of him in the XI.

“He’s (Jadeja) not playing,” said Hesson when asked to share his thoughts on visuals of Gambhir talking to Jadeja, where the visual ended with the coach tapping on the all-rounder’s shoulders. “You can tell from the body language that he’s being told he’s not playing. (Gambhir is saying), ‘That’s my decision. I’ve made it. You may not agree with it but thank you very much. You may go on to play the next one but for the first match, we’re playing the off-spinner,” Hesson added.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/ive-made-my-decision-youre-not-playing-gambhir-to-drop-indian-superstar-from-champions-trophy-clash-vs-bangladesh-101739988537077.html

Skipper Meg Lanning struck 69 off 49 balls as Delhi Capitals produced a solid batting effort to beat UP Warriorz by seven wickets and register their second win in the Women’s Premier League here on Wednesday.

Sent into bat, UP Warriorz rode on opener Kiran Navgire’s quick-fire half-century to post 166 for seven.

But the total was not enough as besides Lanning, Annabel Sutherland played a crucial 35-ball 41-run knock and was ably supported by Marizanne Kapp (19 not off 17) and opener Shafali Verma (16 off 16). Delhi completed the chase with a ball to spare.

DC were off to a brisk start with Shafali and Lanning sharing 65 runs in just 41 balls for the opening stand.

Shafali was going great guns before she was caught by Chinelle Henry off Deepti Sharma in the seventh over.

Jemimah Rodrigues too didn’t last long as she departed in the next over without opening her account, trying to paddle sweep Sophie Eccestone but only managing to get a top edge and Rajeshwari Gayakwad did the rest.

Sutherland and Kapp then shared 48 runs for the fourth wicket to take DC home.

With 32 needed from the last three overs, Kapp brought the equation down by hitting Ecclestone for two consecutive boundaries.

With 11 required off the last over, Sutherland struck two boundaries off Tahila McGrath to take her side home.

Earlier, sent into bat, Navgire (51 off 27 balls) and Dinesh Vrinda (16 off 15) shared 66 runs in 5.5 overs to give a great start to UP Warriorz innings.

Thereafter, UP Warriorz lost five wickets for 52 runs.

Sheweta Sehrawat (37 off 33) and Grace Harris (12) added 36 runs for the fifth wicket before the latter spooned a straightforward catch to Shafali Verma at mid-off off the bowling of pacer Arundhati Reddy.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/lanning-sutherland-hand-dc-seven-wicket-win-over-up-warriorz-in-wpl-3413167

Emma Raducanu has said she will “be okay” after being approached by a man displaying “fixated behaviour”.

The British tennis star was later visibly upset during a game at the Dubai Tennis Championships after the man was among the crowds in the first few rows.

On Instagram on Wednesday, she wrote: “Thank you for the messages of support. Difficult experience yesterday but I’ll be okay and proud of how I came back and competed despite what happened at the start of the match.

“Thank you to Karolina [Muchova] for being a great sport and best of luck to her for the rest of the tournament.”

Along with her message she posted an image of the Jane Austen novel Emma and a cup of coffee.

The 22-year-old was in tears as she went to the umpire’s chair after the second game of her rain-delayed second-round match on Tuesday.

The man was subsequently removed from the tennis court by security.

Raducanu went on to lose 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 to 14th seed Karolina Muchova.

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) statement said: “On Monday, February 17, Emma Raducanu was approached in a public area by a man who exhibited fixated behaviour.

“This same individual was identified in the first few rows during Emma’s match on Tuesday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and subsequently ejected.

“He will be banned from all WTA events pending a threat assessment.

“Player safety is our top priority, and tournaments are advised on security best practices for international sporting events.”

The WTA added it was “actively working” with Raducanu to ensure her well-being and will provide any “necessary support”.

In 2022, a 35-year-old man was handed a five-year restraining order – after a court heard Raducanu was “constantly looking over her shoulder” and no longer felt “safe in her own home”.

Amrit Magar had walked 23 miles to Emma’s home and had stolen her father’s shoe as a souvenir.

Bromley Magistrates’ Court heard how Magar went to Raducanu’s home on three separate occasions, loitered outside, left unwanted gifts and cards, and stole property from their porch.

Source : https://news.sky.com/story/emma-raducanu-posts-update-after-becoming-visibly-upset-during-tennis-match-13312406

Three-times defending champion Iga Swiatek will face Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko in the Qatar Open semi-finals on Friday after the Pole overcame Elena Rybakina 6-2 7-5.
Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova, who defeated American sixth seed Jessica Pegula, will face another American Amanda Anisimova in the other semi-final.
In a repeat of last year’s final, second seed Swiatek swept through the opening set, breaking Kazakhstan fifth seed Ryabkina’s first service game to lead 2-0 and again to wrap up the set.

Rybakina, who discovered on Wednesday that the WTA had decided to uphold a ban against her former coach Stefano Vukov following an investigation into a potential breach of its code of conduct, recovered to break in the opening game of the second set.
Swiatek, playing with real intensity, hit back to level at 4-4 and with Rybakina serving to force a tiebreaker, the Pole made the decisive break.
“I’m super happy and super proud of myself because playing against Elena is never easy,” Swiatek said.

“At the beginning of the second set, I felt like she increased her levels. I needed to do that too in order to come back.”
Rybakina came into the match with a 4-3 lead in their head-to-head record, but Swiatek will face Ostapenko after the Latvian beat Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur 6-2 6-2 later on Thursday.
Pegula, U.S. Open finalist last year, won the opening set, but in-form Alexandrova, who had beaten top seed and world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the second round, stormed back to win 4-6 6-1 6-1.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/sports/tennis/swiatek-beats-rybakina-move-into-qatar-open-semi-finals-2025-02-13/

Zero women cracked the list of the world’s 100 highest-paid athletes released on Wednesday by Sportico.
U.S. tennis star Coco Gauff was the top-earning female athlete in 2024 with $30.4 million, but that was more than $7 million short of the minimum $37.5 million cutoff to make the top 100.
Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo sits atop the global rankings for the second straight year with $260 million in earnings, including $215 million from his Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr and $45 million off the field.

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is a distant second at $153.8 million, with boxer Tyson Fury ($147 million), Inter Miami soccer great Lionel Messi ($135 million) and Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James ($133.2 million) rounding out the top five.
The $100 million club also includes boxer Oleksandr Usyk, soccer players Neymar, Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe, golfers Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler, and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/sports/no-women-among-worlds-top-100-highest-paid-athletes-2025-02-12/

Former India captain Kapil Dev has said that it doesn’t look good at all if players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma turn up once in 12 years to play domestic cricket and the system should be strong enough to make them play often. Kohli and Rohit played their first Ranji Trophy matches in 12 and nine years in January after BCCI issued a fresh mandate on domestic cricket participation.
In the wake of a poor run in Tests from India’s mainstay batters, BCCI, once again, mandated domestic cricket participation, making it mandatory for all contracted players to stay in contention for a place in the national team.
Kapil remained unbothered over Kohli and Rohit’s poor return to the Ranji Trophy and called for a stricter system from BCCI so that every person plays domestic cricket.

“If you are talking about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, playing Ranji Trophy after 12 years, how is that right? It does not look good at all. It’s not because they did not perform. Whether they score runs or not, you have to score runs in domestic cricket,” Kapil said while speaking on the YouTube show Cricket Adda.

“So yes, certain strong measures have to be taken. But my point is, had we won or had Rohit or Kohli scored runs, would they have played Ranji Trophy? Don’t look at the performances, make the system strong. Whether you score zero or lakhs of runs, play cricket by staying within the system,” Kapil said.
In the wake of the series defeat in Australia, BCCI put forward several rules which included a mandate that families will only be able to stay for a while and not for the entire duration of long tours.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/how-is-playing-ranji-after-12-years-right-kapil-dev-lambasts-virat-kohli-for-one-time-domestic-comeback-article-118160350

India has made two changes to their squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy with star pacer Jasprit Bumrah set to miss the tournament. Harshit Rana has been named in the Indian team for the major tournament. Varun Chakravarthy has also been added to the squad in place of batter Yashasvi Jaiswal.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made the decision minutes before the deadline for all teams to submit their final squad. After Tuesday (February 11), teams were allowed to make changes to the team if approved by the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) technical committee.
BCCI revealed that Bumrah is suffering from a lower back injury. He suffered the injury during the fifth Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) at Sydney last month.

Chakravarthy’s inclusion means that the Indian team now have five spinners in the team including two wrist spinner and three all-rounders. India has only one reserve batter which will be one of the two wicket-keeper batters between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. There is no specialist opener in the squad apart from the first-choice pair of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, who are the team’s captain and vice-captain.

The BCCI also announced that Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj, and Shivam Dube as the reserve players but they will not travel to Dubai unless required.
The decision to include Harshit over Siraj is a bold call as the youngster made his ODI debut last week while Siraj was not ranked World No.1 in the format only 18 months ago.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/jasprit-bumrah-ruled-out-of-2025-champions-trophy-varun-chakravarthy-added-to-squad-in-place-of-yashasvi-jaiswal-report-article-118154102

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly assigned a dedicated three-member team of the Centre of Excellence (CoE, previously, the National Cricket Academy) in Bengaluru to look after the recovery process of vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy.

According to PTI, Bumrah has only recently completed his five-week offloading — i.e. complete rest, even from any gym work — after suffering a back injury in the Sydney Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year. He’s now in rehabilitation at the CoE and is racing against time to be fit for the ICC tournament.

“Strength and Conditioning (S&C) coach Rajnikanth Sivagnanam and physio Thulasi Ram Yuvraj are currently working on Bumrah’s rehabilitation with the Head of Sports Science, Dr Nitin Patel, personally monitoring the whole process. Obviously, the national team S&C coach Soham Desai and physio Kamlesh Jain are also kept in the loop,” PTI quoted a senior BCCI official as saying.

The report said that it’s part of the CoE’s rules that one strength-and-conditioning coach, one physio for injury monitoring and a bowling or batting coach to monitor the skills part are allotted to navigate the recovery process. It added that Desai isn’t working with Bumrah currently and is traveling with the Indian team for the ongoing home series against England.

The agency’s report further added that if and when Bumrah is allowed to bowl, it is expected that the CoE fast-bowling coach Troy Cooley will be monitoring that part.

The final medical detail from Patel about Bumrah’s availability will be sent to BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar while head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Rohit Sharma will also be notified.

The report concluded by saying that the BCCI would wait until the last moment to make a final call on Bumrah.

Source : https://www.news18.com/cricket/bcci-dedicate-3-member-team-for-jasprit-bumrahs-recovery-ahead-of-2025-champions-trophy-report-9222543.html

Fuelled by a sparkling hundred by skipper Rohit Sharma, India defeated England by six wickets in the second ODI to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series here on Sunday.

Rohit (119, 90b, 12×4, 7×6), who struck his 32nd hundred in ODIs, helped India mow down the target of 305. The hosts made 308 for six in 44.3 overs. This is India’s seventh successive bilateral ODI series win against England.

During the knock, Rohit also reached 49 international centuries to move past Rahul Dravid’s count of 48.

Rohit was also involved in a deflating 136-run stand with his opening partner Shubman Gill (60, 52, 9×4, 1×6), the sixth such occasion of them engaging a 100-plus alliance.

Earlier, veteran batter Joe Root (69, 72b, 6×4) and opener Ben Duckett (65, 56b, 10×4) scored fifties to lead England made 304 all out.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/rohit-sharmas-ton-powers-india-to-4-wicket-win-over-england-in-2nd-odi-3397557