Category: Sports

During the tri-series match between Pakistan and New Zealand, all-rounder Rachin Ravindra suffered a head injury after being struck by the ball. The incident silenced the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore as medics rushed to help him.

It happened in the 38th over of Pakistan’s innings when Khushdil Shah swept a delivery from Michael Bracewell. Ravindra, fielding at deep mid-wicket, attempted a catch, but the ball slipped through his hands and hit his head. He immediately fell to the ground but was able to walk off the field after medical attention.

Earlier, Pakistan also faced a setback when fast bowler Haris Rauf left the field after bowling 6.2 overs. He appeared uncomfortable, touching his hip before walking off.

Reports suggest he may have twisted his ankle, but the exact injury is unclear. With the Champions Trophy just two weeks away, Pakistani fans hope it isn’t serious. Rauf had a strong start, dismissing Tom Latham for a duck and conceding only 23 runs before leaving.

Pakistan relies on its pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah due to a lack of quality spinners in their squad. Losing Rauf for the tournament would be a big blow.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/rachin-ravindra-carried-off-bleeding-after-severe-head-injury-in-tri-series-opener-against-pakistan-video

Vice-captain Shubman Gill orchestrated India’s chase with grace, while debutant Harshit Rana dazzled with the ball as the hosts registered a four-wicket win against England in the series opener here on n Thursday.

Gill (87), Shreyas Iyer (59), and Axar Patel (52) rose to the occasion, guiding India to a commanding chase after Rana (3/53 from 7 overs) and the seasoned left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (3/26 from 9) shared six wickets between them, dismantling England for a below-par 248.

Rana’s fourth over, which claimed the twin wickets of Ben Duckett and Harry Brook, decisively stifled the England innings, putting India firmly in control as the visitors never managed to rebuild despite fifties by skipper Jos Buttler (52) and Jack Bethell (51).

Chasing a below 250 score, Gill anchored the innings, forging key partnerships with Iyer and Axar that became the backbone of India’s chase.

He adapted perfectly to the match situation, playing the perfect foil to Iyer when the Mumbai batter was in full flow, then stepping up as the mainstay, steering India towards victory.

Iyer, walking in at 19/2, unleashed a counter-attacking knock, filled with sizzling shots, including back-to-back sixes — one a pull shot over deep mid-wicket off Jofra Archer and the other a reverse switch-hit four off Adil Rashid.

On the back of a stellar domestic season, Iyer played with confidence, finding gaps effortlessly and taking on the aggressor’s role, with Gill remaining steady at the other end.

But once Iyer, trapped LBW by Bethell after being struck flush on the front pad, was dismissed, Gill seamlessly took charge, with an able ally in Axar, who was promoted up the order.

Gill continued to exude confidence, as he smashed 14 fours, while Axar too brought up a memorable fifty.

England took a flurry of wickets, causing some nervous moments for the hosts but India managed the win with 68 balls remaining.

Earlier, England blazed out of the blocks with electrifying intent after opting to bat, but India’s disciplined bowling and razor-sharp fielding orchestrated a remarkable fightback.

Making his ODI debut, Rana endured a baptism by fire. His first over proved costly, as the explosive Phil Salt (43) feasted on his deliveries, plundering 26 runs in a ruthless display of power-hitting.

Three sixes and two fours rained down upon the young pacer, prompting Rohit Sharma to swiftly turn to spin, summoning Axar Patel (1/38) in an attempt to stem the flow of runs.

However, England’s charge remained relentless, with Ben Duckett (32) unfurling an array of strokes, including a beautifully executed reverse sweep, to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Just when the visitors seemed poised for an onslaught, India struck back in sensational fashion. Shreyas Iyer produced a moment of brilliance in the field, running out the dangerous Salt with a bullet throw to KL Rahul following a mix-up between the two openers.

While Rana’s 26-run over gave England the momentum, his fourth over which yielded two wickets changed the complexion of the innings, putting India in control. First, India’s two debutants — Rana and Yashasvi Jaiswal — combined to get rid of Duckett. Jaiswal, stationed at midwicket, ran back 21 meters before executing a breathtaking full-stretch dive to pouch a stunning catch off Rana’s bowling.

Rana, now in rhythm, struck again just two balls later, forcing Harry Brook to edge behind to Rahul as England, once in cruise control, suddenly found themselves reeling, having lost three wickets, leaving their two most experienced batters — Joe Root and Buttler — with the responsibility of rebuilding the innings.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/gill-anchors-india-to-4-wicket-win-over-england-harshit-impresses-on-debut-3393471

Medal winners from world and continental championships of mallakhamb, e-sports and even the much-criticised break-dancing have been made eligible for cash incentives by the sports ministry, which has decided to end such rewards for junior and sub-junior athletes in even Olympic disciplines.

The ministry has come out with a list of 51 sports that will be eligible for cash rewards, including all those which are a part of the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and the World University Games roster.

Also included in this list are kho-kho, which had its maiden World Cup in Delhi last month, Kurash (a form of wrestling practised in central Asia), and Ju-Jitsu (a martial art discipline which has its origins in Japan).

The ministry continues to have cash rewards for para-athletes and has decided to hike prize money for medal winners of events featuring deaf, blind and intellectually-challenged athletes. From a maximum of Rs 10 lakh earlier, these athletes can now earn Rs 20 lakh for a gold at a world event.

However, no explanation has been offered by the ministry for doing away with the reward system for age group athletes, who have relied heavily on these incentives to finance their formative years’ nutrition, coaching and equipment needs.

A junior athlete was earlier entitled to a little over Rs 13 lakh for winning gold at a quadrennial world championship, which was one-third of the prize money set aside for a similar achievement at the senior level. A sub-junior athlete could earn about Rs 6.66 lakh for a top finish at a quadrennial world competition.

In its circular, it said that the revision of the policy has been done “to simplify the disbursement of cash incentive to the medal winners in international sports events and their coaches”. The new policy came into effect on February 1.

Yogasana, mallakhamb (a combination of gymnastic and yoga poses on a pole or rope while using wrestling grips), and kho-kho are among the indigenous sports that the government is pushing for inclusion at international events.

Break-dancing made its Olympic debut at the Paris Olympics and was met with mixed response with some of the performances becoming a subject of international ridicule. The newly-designated sport will not be there in the 2028 Olympic roster.

E-sports, which is competitive video-gaming, made its debut as an exhibition sport in the Asian Games in 2023.

Till recently, the policy, which was last amended in 2020, only offered cash rewards for disciplines in Olympic Games, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games along with chess and cue sports (billiards & snooker).

While the allocated prize money for medal-winners remains largely unchanged with an Olympic gold-winner eligible for the highest reward (Rs 75 lakh), the ministry has made it clear that it would not give any prize money for medals won at world or continental events where “the number of teams in any event is less than four.” Continuing with the earlier policy, full prize money would be given if the participating countries are at least 16 in individual and 12 in team events.

The reward would be halved in case the participation numbers do not touch at least eight in individual and six in team events.

“In any international sports event, if a sportsperson secures multiple medals in either individual or team categories, they shall be entitled to receive the cash incentive only for the highest-ranking medal won in that event,” the ministry further stated.

“However, in the case of the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games, and Para-Asian Games, a sportsperson who wins multiple medals in either individual or team categories shall be eligible to receive the cash incentive for each medal won,” it added.

The ministry has also decided to rework the distribution of prize money to coaches, specifying three different categories. Coaches are entitled to 50 per cent of the cash incentive that is paid to the athlete.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/other-sports/e-sports-break-dancing-made-eligible-but-sports-ministry-ends-cash-prizes-for-junior-athletes-3396104

Virat Kohli may not have been part of the playing XI, but that did not stop him from celebrating India’s emphatic four-wicket victory over England in the first ODI at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. The 36-year-old batting maestro, ruled out due to a knee issue on his right leg, was seen beaming alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya as India took a crucial 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

With Team India kicking off their 2025 Champions Trophy preparations on a high, the camaraderie between Kohli, Jadeja, and Pandya was a welcome sight. The scenes were reminiscent of Indian youngsters sharing similar light-hearted moments on the field, which led to Rohit Sharma hilariously labelling them as ‘garden me ghoomne waale ladke’.

Watch as Kohli joined the celebrations following the side’s win, sharing a funny moment with Hardik and Jadeja as the duo walked back unbeaten to secure an Indian win.

While Kohli’s absence was felt, India’s newly-appointed vice-captain Shubman Gill ensured the chase remained on track with a composed 87 off 96 balls.

After India found themselves in early trouble at 19/2 while chasing 249, Gill steadied the ship with two vital partnerships. He first combined with Shreyas Iyer (59) before stitching another crucial stand with Axar Patel (52), leading India to victory with 11.2 overs to spare.

Despite England’s early breakthroughs, India’s batting depth proved decisive, and the side will be hoping for Kohli’s quick recovery to further bolster their batting order in the second ODI, which takes place on Sunday. It will, however, be interesting to see who Kohli replaces; Shreyas Iyer stated following the match on Thursday that he played in the first ODI because Kohli was ruled out – a revelation that drew surprising reactions from experts and fans alike.

Harshit Rana shines on debut

India’s bowling unit set the tone for the win, collectively restricting England to a modest 248. Debutant Harshit Rana had a dream start to his ODI career, picking up three crucial wickets – Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, and Liam Livingstone – showcasing his ability to trouble top-tier batters on the big stage.

Mohammed Shami, returning to the ODI setup, dismissed Brydon Carse, while spinners Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with a wicket each. However, the standout performance came from the ever-reliable Ravindra Jadeja, who dismantled England’s middle order with a brilliant 3/26 in his nine-over spell.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/virat-kohli-hardik-pandya-ravindra-jadeja-join-rohit-sharma-s-brigade-of-garden-waale-ladke-after-india-beat-england-101738892973183.html

Form and fitness of seasoned stars is under the scanner as India enter the final phase of their Champions Trophy preparations with the three-match ODI series against England starting here on Thursday, aiming to find the right balance for some specific slots in the line-up.

The likes of skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been under tremendous scrutiny after their dismal run in red-ball cricket.

The two stars, after making hyped but disappointing appearances in Ranji Trophy last month, will be eyeing strong performances in a format that they have dominated for several years.

They were the top two run-getters of the 2023 World Cup with Kohli scoring 765 and Rohit smashing 597.

Since that World Cup, which India let slip in the final after going unbeaten throughout, the two have only featured in a three-match ODI series loss to Sri Lanka where Rohit scored two fifties while Kohli didn’t have a great run.

The slump intensified in Tests and in the last three months, the two heroes of India’s most recent T20 World Cup triumph have faced numerous calls to decide on their future.

The ODI series against England is India’s only tune-up tournament for the Champions Trophy, to be held in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19. The eight-team competition could be a make-or-break event for the two stalwarts who have already retired from T20Is.

However, their form is not the solitary concern for the outfit.

One of the grey areas is the wicket-keeper’s slot. Who among KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant should get the nod for the playing XI? With skipper Rohit and his deputy Shubman Gill likely to open, followed by Kohli Shreyas Iyer and Hardik Pandya, the wicketkeeper-batter is likely to slot in at number five.

Rahul, who kept wickets in Pant’s absence during the 2023 World Cup, performed admirably, scoring 452 runs and proving to be one of India’s most consistent middle-order batters.

His stability has been instrumental in creating a formidable ODI setup, but his strike rotation in the middle overs remains a concern.

On the other hand, the left-handed Pant offers variety in India’s right-hand dominated top order. Additionally, his unpredictability, raw power, and ability to clear with breathtaking ease make him the X-factor.

The Indian think tank could always go with both but that would likely come at the expense of Iyer, who despite under-performing in the Sri Lanka series, has been a prolific contributor. His exploits in the domestic season are hard to ignore.

The series will also test the preparedness of veteran pacer Mohammed Shami and wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, both of whom had been laid low by injuries and could be key to India’s success in the Champions Trophy.

While Shami played two T20s against England in the recently-concluded series, Kuldeep hasn’t donned the India colours since the first Test against New Zealand in October.

Spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was never in contention for this series due to a back problem.

In-form mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy is expected to get a debut to strengthen his case for inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad.

He troubled the England batters in the T20Is after bamboozling Bangladesh in another home series last October.

The team management also have to make a tough choice for the spin all-rounder’s position. Ravindra Jadeja, who hasn’t played an ODI since the 2023 ODI World Cup final, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are all in contention and it is not yet clear how this will be settled.

England too will look to iron out the chinks in their armour and present a stronger challenge. But the task is easier said than done given that they have lost back-to-back 50-over series against Australia (in September) and West Indies (in November).

Joe Root is the only addition to the team to their batting line-up which will largely be the same as the one that struggled in the T20s.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/combination-concerns-india-look-for-balance-against-england-in-last-ct-tune-up-3390329

On Tuesday, former Team India coach Rahul Dravid was seen having a verbal altercation with an auto driver in Bengaluru. Generally known for his calm and composed demeanour, Dravid was seen in an animated discussion after his vehicle was rear-ended by a goods auto. Fortunately, no injuries or formal complaints were recorded. However, the video has since circulated widely online.

While the exact words exchanged remain unclear since the conversation happened in Kannada an Indiatimes report stated that witnesses reported that the auto driver had applied sudden brakes, leaving Dravid with little time to react, resulting in a minor crash.

It was further reported that Dravid took the auto driver’s number and left. The incident has reignited the “Indiranagar ka gunda” references, a throwback to Dravid’s uncharacteristically aggressive avatar in a past advertisement with Cred.

Rahul Dravid back in IPL 2025

The Gaddafi Stadium is set to host at least four matches during the ICC Champions Trophy, and the recent renovations have brought it up to international standards.

Lahore’s historic Gaddafi Stadium has undergone a major renovation, making it fully prepared to host matches for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. One of the most notable upgrades is the construction of a 10-foot-wide and 10-foot-deep moat around the ground, replacing the traditional steel barriers.

This addition serves a dual purpose—enhancing security by preventing unauthorized pitch invasions and improving the stadium’s drainage system. To ensure smooth gameplay, a protective net will be installed over the moat to keep the ball in play.

The Gaddafi Stadium is set to host at least four matches during the prestigious tournament, and the recent renovations have brought it up to international standards. This is also stadium’s most significant transformation since it last received major updates for the 1996 World Cup, which Pakistan co-hosted alongside India and Sri Lanka.

The stadium now also boasts modern LED floodlights, high-resolution SMD screens, and enhanced seating arrangements, creating a better experience for spectators. Additionally, two new VVIP enclosures, named after Pakistan cricket legends Zaheer Abbas and Majid Khan, have been introduced to honor their contributions to the sport.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/dher-saara-paani-aur-magarmach-fans-troll-pcb-for-creating-moat-at-gadaffi-stadium-to-prevent-pitch-invasion-during-champions-trophy-2025

The 22-year-old Chouksey, who won a silver in 50m rifle 3 positions and a silver in 10m air rifle team event at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023, scored an exceptional 598, breaking the previous record of 594 set by Sift Kaur Samra in 2023.

Dehradun: Asian Games bronze-winning shooter Ashi Chouksey of Madhya Pradesh broke the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions national record on her way to the gold medal at the 38th National Games here on Sunday.

The 22-year-old Chouksey, who won a silver in 50m rifle 3 positions and a silver in 10m air rifle team event at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023, scored an exceptional 598, breaking the previous record of 594 set by Sift Kaur Samra in 2023.

“I worked very hard for this, and I believe the credit goes to everyone who has supported me including my coach, sponsors, family, and friends,” Chouksey said after her win.

“Each one of them has played a role in my victory today. This is a moment of pride for me, especially because there was no one from my sport before, and here I am, achieving this milestone.”

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/ashi-chouksey-smashes-national-record-in-50m-rifle-3-positions-at-national-games-3385491

Wijk Aan Zee, The Netherlands: Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa beat Alexey Sarana of Serbia to register his third straight victory and take his tally to a commendable 8.5 points after the end of the 12th and penultimate round of Tata Steel Masters here on Saturday.

On a day when D Gukesh looked poised to retain his sole lead on nine points as he was close to winning against Dutchman Jorden van Foreest, Arjun Erigaisi ended the hopes of Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan by scoring a fine victory with white pieces.

If Gukesh wins, he will move to nine points and will stay ahead of Praggnanandhaa while Abdusattorov slipped to third spot on 7.5 points.

Praggnanandhaa was involved in another Queen’s gambit declined opening. Only this time, he was playing with white pieces.

It was quite a contrast from his previous round game against Caruana as Sarana went for an early advance of king side pawns and then castled on the queen side. It was time to launch an attack against the black king and Praggnanandhaa did not disappoint.

In tactical complications, Praggnanandhaa was at his best as he sacrificed a piece to rip-apart the black’s king position and what followed thereafter was a pleasure to watch. The game ended through a queen sacrifice resulting in force checkmate.

Arjun Erigaisi finally proved his mettle against Abdusattorov whose ambitions of the top place ended. It was a Nimzo Indian wherein Erigaisi had white pieces and his choice of Capablanca variation gave little chances for Abdusattorov to disturb the balance.

In the early middle game, Abdusattorov went for unwarranted complications and ended up blundering on the kingside. Erigaisi won a pawn first and later won two bishops for a rook. With precise calculations, he wrapped up the issue in 46 moves.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/other-sports/praggnanandhaa-crushes-sarana-in-tata-steel-masters-chess-tournament-3385050

Bindyarani, a Commonwealth Games silver medallist, overcame an initial setback in her first attempt at 83kg in the snatch category.

Manipur’s star weightlifter S Bindyarani Devi set a national record in snatch en route to her gold medal-winning effort in the women’s 55kg category at the ongoing National Games here on Friday.

Bindyarani, a Commonwealth Games silver medallist, overcame an initial setback in her first attempt at 83kg in the snatch category.

She displayed remarkable resilience, lifting 88kg in her final attempt to break the national record.

She broke the record of 86kg held by Mirabai Chanu.

But Mirabai’s pet event is 49kg. She competed in 55kg only for a brief period.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/bindyarani-devi-wins-gold-manipur-lifters-bag-2-medals-at-national-games-3382321

Amid rising concerns over the readiness of Champions Trophy venues in the country, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said that the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore would be handed over to the ICC on February 11, a little over a week before the start of the ODI showpiece. The PCB posted a video of the new-look stadium on ‘X’ and wrote, “Under the lights, it’s a sight to behold!…We can’t wait to welcome fans, officials and teams for the tri-nation series and Champions Trophy.” The mega-event begins on February 19. A Board source told PTI that the stadium will be handed over to the International Cricket Council (ICC), “for branding and other stuff on February 11” after Pakistan’s tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa.

The ICC had set January 31 as the deadline for the handover of all three stadiums — Gaddafi Stadium (Lahore), National Stadium (Karachi) and the Rawalpindi Stadium — which will host the global event in Pakistan.

The source added that “final touches” were being given to the Gaddafi Stadium.

“…this has been a construction site and there will be some rubble, which will be removed shortly. This stadium has taken shape after six months of work,” said the source.

The eight-team Champions Trophy is being held in Pakistan but India will play all its matches in Dubai owing to security concerns.

Pakistan’s leading english daily ‘Dawn’ had recently carried a story which stated that “it seems absolutely impossible to contemplate the renovation work being completed within the deadline, but the personnel handed the responsibility are beaming with confidence.” The PCB has also insisted that the National Stadium in Karachi will be ready in time as well. The venue will host the opening match of event between Pakistan and New Zealand on February 19.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/icc-champions-trophy-2025/pcb-to-hand-over-champions-trophy-2025-stadium-way-past-icc-deadline-report-makes-big-claim-7593008

World champion D Gukesh defeated Dutch Grandmaster Max Warmerdam to stay in sole lead on 7.5 points at the end of the 10th round of Tata Steel Chess tournament here. It was another eventful day for Gukesh who is now closing in on the 2800-rating barrier. The victory with black came easily when Warmerdam missed the line after being level for quite some time. It was a closed Sicilian where Gukesh knocked down a couple of pawns to force resignation in 34 moves.

The youngest world champion is a half point ahead of nearest rival Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan. Holding the sole third spot is R Praggnanandhaa on 6.5 points after a finely crafted victory over Vladimir Fedoseev of Slovenia.

Arjun Erigaisi’s hunt for an elusive victory continued for the 10th day running as he drew with Vincent Keymer of Germany.

P Harikrishna defended a slightly worse rook endgame to hold his fort against top seed Fabiano Caruana of the United States, while Leon Luke Mendonca played out a draw with Anish Giri.

Praggnanandhaa came up with a dominating performance against Fedoseev who chose the Tarrasch defense as black. The opening saw Praggnanandhaa getting a structural advantage and he nurtured it quite well in the middle game.

The game was devoid of drama towards the end as Praggnanandhaa sacrificed all his pawns to make a new queen on board. The calculation was perfect and it was all over in 48 moves.

Keymer showcased his opening preparation to hold Erigaisi easily. The closed Ruy Lopez did not put up enough challenge and Keymer sacrificed a pawn early to maintain parity. Erigaisi had to give the pawn back in the middle game and the position just petered out to be level.

Harikrishna had to face some stiff resistance against Caruana who played black. Down a pawn in the rook and pawns endgame, Harikrishna made use of his remaining resources and drew after 68 moves.

In the Challengers’ section, R Vaishali went down fighting against tournament leader Nguyen Thai Van Dai of the Czech Republic while Divya Deshmukh lost another game in the event against Frederik Svane of Germany. Vaishali, on five points, shares the ninth spot and Divya, on two, is on 13th spot in the 14-players round-robin tournament.

Just three rounds remain in the first major of the year.

Results: Round 10: Masters: Leon Luke Mendonca (Ind, 3) drew with Anish Giri (Ned, 5); R Praggnanandhaa (Ind, 6.5) beat Vladimir Fedoseev (6); Max Warmerdam (Ned, 3.5) lost to D Gukesh (Ind, 7.5); P Harikrishna (4.5) drew with Fabiano Caruana (USA, 5.5); Wei Yi (Chn, 5.5) drew with Jorden van Foreest (Ned, 4); Arjun Erigaisi (Ind, 3) drew with Vincent Keymer (Ger, 4); Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzb, 7) beat Alexey Sarana (Srb, 5).

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/chess/d-gukesh-maintains-sole-lead-after-round-10-of-tata-steel-chess-tournament-praggnanandhaa-3rd-7592242

Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy continued his solid run of form in international cricket, breaking Kuldeep Yadav’s record for most wickets by an Indian spinner in a stretch of T20I matches. Chakravarthy has been a revelation for the T20I side since his return to the set-up last year, having last played for India in 2021 before that. During the third T20I, Chakravarthy shined with figures of 5/24 in four overs, getting wickets of skipper Jos Buttler, Jamie Smith, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer, which completely derailed England from 83/1 to 127/8.

Now since his return to T20Is last year, Varun has played 10 matches, taking 27 wickets at an average of 10.96, an economy rate of 7.40 and best bowling figures of 5/17. After 16 overall games, he has taken 29 wickets at an average of 14.65, with an economy rate of 6.84, which is also impressive.

With his five-wicket haul, Varun Chakravarthy reached 10 wickets in the series. Chakravarthy is now the first player to take 10 wickets in a single bilateral T20I series between India and England.

Now, he has overtaken Kuldeep Yadav (25 wickets) for most wickets by an Indian spinner in the 10-match stretch in T20Is. Globally, he stands at number three, next to Syazrul Idrus (Malaysia, 28 wickets) and Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan (Afghanistan, 30 wickets).

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/england-vs-india-2025/varun-chakravarthy-picks-five-wicket-haul-vs-england-becomes-first-ever-player-to-7581455

Harvinder Singh, a trailblazing para-archer, has been conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri award. Singh holds a unique place in history as the first Indian para archer to win a Paralympic gold medal. The 33-year-old defeated Poland’s Lukasz Ciszek in a commanding 6-0 victory during the final, etching his name into the record books.

Harvinder made history at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics by winning a bronze medal, the first-ever Paralympic archery medal for India. Four years later, at the 2024 Paralympics, he raised the bar even higher, securing a gold medal

Who is Harvinder Singh?

Born in Ajit Nagar village in Haryana’s Kaithal district, Harvinder Singh comes from a humble farming family. His life took a challenging turn early onat just 18 months old, he contracted dengue and underwent treatment that led to severe side effects, resulting in the loss of function in his legs.

Final: India Beat England in Cliffhanger

Tilak Verma’s terrific batting display in a pressure situation helped Team India beat England by 2 wickets in a nail-biting match at Chepauk. The left-hander smashed an unbeaten 72 runs off 55 balls with Ravi Bishnoi remaining unbeaten on 9 runs.

Chasing 166 runs for victory, Abhishek Sharma started with three boundaries off Jofra Archer. However, England bounced back with the dismissal of openers Sharma and Sanju Samson. Wood removed Samson, while Archer dismissed Samson. India was reduced to 78-5 at one stage with Suryakumar Yadav, Dhruv Jurel and Hardik Pandya failing to make runs with the beat.

The Buffalo Bills’ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs was the most-watched National Football League (NFL) regular season game since 2007 outside of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day fixtures.

Confirmed:

• Average audience of 31.2 million viewers watched CBS’s broadcast of the Bills’ 30-21 win, making it the most-watched game of the 2024 NFL season so far
• Matchup is the fourth most-watched game in a national broadcast window on record, dating back to 1988
• Game ranks among ten most-watched NFL games on record in any window, excluding Thanksgiving

Context:

Excluding holiday games, the Bills v Chiefs was the most-watched NFL regular season game since Tom Brady’s New England Patriots faced Peyton Manning’s Indianapolis Colts in 2007.

The game also topped this season’s previous high delivered during the Chiefs’ game against the Baltimore Ravens, which averaged 29.2 million viewers on NBC. The Chiefs have now featured in the three most-watched matches this season, including 27.9 million viewers on CBS for their win over the Cincinnati Bengals in week two.

Similarly to what drove the audience for the Patriots-Colts matchup in 2007, the significant viewership can in part be attributed to the star power of the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes, who recently ranked 12th and 36th respectively on SportsPro’s list of the world’s 50 Most Marketable Athletes (50MM), as well as Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

Source : https://www.sportspro.com/news/buffalo-bills-kansas-city-chiefs-tv-ratings-viewership-record-november-2024/

Opener Abhishek Sharma’s sensational power-hitting secured India’s comprehensive seven-wicket victory against England in the opening T20 International at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday.
The left-hander clobbered eight sixes and five fours in his scintillating 79 off 34 balls as India chased down a modest 133-run target in 12.5 overs.
The visitors’ skipper Jos Buttler struck 68 off 44 balls but England were all out for 132 in exactly 20 overs, which was never going to test the explosive batting lineup of T20 world champions India.

Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh gave India a strong start removing both England openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett inside three overs after the home side elected to field.
Buttler counter-attacked, hitting Hardik Pandya for four fours in an over, throwing him out of the attack after the seamer’s two expensive overs.
Varun Chakravarthy (3-23) was pressed into service instead and the lanky spinner dismissed Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone in the same over as England limped to 74-4 at the halfway stage of their innings.

Buttler raced to a 34-ball fifty before Chakravarthy dismissed him caught in the deep by a diving Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Left-arm spinner Axar Patel and seamer Pandya claimed two wickets apiece.
India looked in a hurry when they began their chase.
Sanju Samson milked 22 runs including four fours and a six off Gus Atkinson’s first over, prompting Buttler to withdraw the bowler.
Jofra Archer dismissed Samson for 26 runs and India captain Suryakumar Yadav in the same over but boundaries kept flowing.

Abhishek hit Mark Wood for back-to-back sixes and meted out the same treatment to England spinner Adil Rashid en route to a 20-ball fifty.
Rashid spilled a return catch when Abhishek was on 29 and it proved costly as the opener stepped on the gas immediately after the reprieve.
Rashid eventually dismissed the opener in the 12th over but India comfortably prevailed in a match that marked the beginning of England’s white-ball era under coach Brendon McCullum.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/sports/cricket/india-blitz-england-led-by-abhisheks-superb-hitting-2025-01-22/

Team India beat England by 7 wickets to take 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series. Abhishek Sharma top scored with 79 runs. The Men in Blue chased down the target of 132 runs with 43 balls to spare. Openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma provided brisk start putting on 41 runs for the opening stand. Samson was aggressive between the two smashing Gus Atkinson for 22 runs in a single over. However, Archer brought England back in the match first by removing Samson followed by the wicket of skipper Suryakumar Yadav for a duck.

However, Abhishek Sharma continued the onslaught smashing a half-century of just 20 balls as he stitched a partnership of 84 runs with Tilak Verma to keep India on course for victory. Abhishek was eventually dismissed for 79 Runs Off 34 Balls before Tilak Verma finished the innings with an unbeaten 19 runs of 16 balls.

Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma give India brisk start before Jofra Archer not only broke 41 run oopening stand but also dismissed Suryakumar Yadav for a duck.

Team India spinners dominated England’s batting lineup and restricted them to during the IND vs ENG 1st T20I at Eden Gardens on Wednesday. Arshdeep Singh’s early strike put England on the backfoot as he dismissed Ben Duckett and Phil Salt. The left-arm seamer also became India’s leading wicket-taker in the shortest format of the game.

Varun Chakravarthy was the next to inflict more damage when he dismissed well-set Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone in his first over. Brook and Buttler had steadied the innings after 48 run stand for the third wicket.

Jos Buttler held the first at one end, while the rest of the England batters failed to get going. The pressure eventually got to Buttler who was dismissed by Chakravarthy for 68 off 44 balls while trying to accelerate the innings.

For India Varun Chakravarthy finished with figures of 3/23, while Arshdeep SIngh, Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya picked up two wickets apiece.

Varun Chakravarthy picks two wickets in a space of three balls and that leaves England reeling in Kolkata. They have now lost 4 wickets inside the first 10 overs.

Arshdeep Singh surpasses Yuzvendra Chahal to becomes India’s leading wicket taker in T20 International. The left arm pacer is now getting close to 100 wicket milestone

IND vs ENG 1st T20I playing XI

India: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi.

England: Phil Salt (wk), Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler (c), Harry Brook (vc), Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

Toss

Team India to bowl first after Suryakumar Yadav wins toss

India vs England 1st T20I Preview

India will be entering the match at Eden Gardens on the back of solid form in the past. The Men in Blue have played seven T20Is at this iconic venue, including six wins and one loss which came against the English team back in 2011.

This will be the first time both teams will be facing each other since the Men in Blue edged out England in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2024. Currently, India is the top-ranked tea in the shortest format of the game, while Jos Buttler-led England finds itself in the third position.

The biggest talking point of the series is the return of star pacer Mohammed Shami after a 14-month gap. Shami will lead the pace bowling unit alongside Arshdeep Singh. Axar Patel has been given the vice-captaincy dutries despite presence of all-rounder Hardik Pandya. For England, head coach Brendon McCullum confirmed that Buttler will focus on captaincy and will relinquish the wicketkeeping duties.

Team India will begin their white ball season against England in the T20I format. The world champions will face the English lions at Eden Gardens in the 1st T20I on Wednesday. With just couple of hours left before the opening game we take look at the pitch and weather conditions for the opening encounter.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/ind-vs-eng-1st-t20i-check-out-the-pitch-weather-forecast-at-eden-gardens-in-kolkata

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has finally broken its long silence over Indian cricket team’s jersey for the Champions Trophy 2025, after reports claimed that the side won’t use the logo of ‘Pakistan’ – the designated hosts – on its jersey. Generally, the norm is that the official logo of any ICC event will have the host country’s name. When Pakistan came to India in 2023 for the 50-over ICC World Cup, Babar Azam and his men duly sported the host country’s name on their jerseys as part of the tournament protocol.

The Champions Trophy 2025 was scheduled to be held in Pakistan singularly, but after India’s refusal to travel to the country, Rohit Sharma and co’s matches were shifted to Dubai.

Media reports suggested that the BCCI isn’t keen to have ‘Pakistan’ written on the team kit as part of the ‘host nation regulation’, saying that the Indian team will be playing its Champions Trophy matches in Dubai. However, the ICC reportedly asked the Indian board that the Indian team is obligated to have ‘Pakistan’ written on the kit as the nation is the original host for the tournament.

However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia rejected speculation that the Board had objected to host Pakistan’s name on the official jersey for the side. The Indian cricket team will adhere to dress code set by the International Cricket Council (ICC) during the upcoming Champions Trophy, the top official said. The Champions Trophy will be held from February 19 and India will play its share of matches in Dubai after citing security concerns as the reason for refusing to travel to Pakistan.

“BCCI will follow every uniform-related ICC rule during Champions Trophy,” Saikia told PTI.

“Whatever the other teams will do regarding the logo and dress code, we are going to follow in true letter and spirit,” he added.

The last few months have been quite tensed between the BCCI and the PCB, especially after the Indian board refused to send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. In the end, a compromise was reached over the matter, though the BCCI might also have to pay a huge fee for it in the near future when India will host a couple of ICC events.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/icc-champions-trophy-2025/bcci-breaks-silence-on-reported-refusal-to-sport-pakistan-logo-on-champions-trophy-jersey-7533143

It wasn’t an easy game for D Gukesh, but the reigning world chess champion came out on top in a nerve-wracking 72-move battle against Vincent Keymer on Wednesday. It also turned out to be the longest game of Round 5 in the Masters section of the ongoing Tata Steel Chess tournament in Wijk aan Zee, on Wednesday. The result also sees Gukesh become the new India No. 1, overtaking Arjun Erigaisi in the live ratings, which are updated real-time.

It is worth noting that Keymer was part of Gukesh’s team in Singapore during the World Chess Championship in December last year. On Wednesday, Gukesh was once again out in a grey hoodie, and played with white pieces. He began with some errors, giving the German early control. But soon Gukesh’s reading of the game overcame Keymer’s strategy of trying to tire the Indian out, and the German resigned.

Gukesh has gained seven Elo points to get his live rating up to 2784, and Erigaisi, who was India no. 1 before this tournament, has lost 21.5 points and is at 2779. Before this event, Erigaisi was in the 2800-club, but has been in poor form lately. In Wijk aan Zee, he has lost three games and has drawn twice. He is positioned at joint-bottom with Leon Luke Mendonca.

Meanwhile, Gukesh is currently unbeaten in the tournament, bagging two wins and three draws, He drew against Vladimir Fedoseev and Alexey Sarana, but got wins vs Anish Giri and Vincent Keymer.

The live ratings are expected to change, and if Erigaisi makes a comeback, he could take his position back from Gukesh again. There are eight more swiss rounds to go, and potential playoffs.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/others/d-gukesh-becomes-new-india-no-1-overtakes-arjun-erigaisi-r-praggnanandhaa-pips-viswanathan-anand-to-third-position-101737593967678.html

Coldplay Mumbai concert has been making it to the headlines for multiple reasons. Many Bollywood celebs attended it, and Chris Martin’s video of him giving him a shoutot to Shah Rukh Khan has gone viral on social media. Now, Indian cricketer, Jasprit Bumrah has shared a video on Instagram in which Chris has mentioned him.

In the video shared by Jasprit, Chris says, “With respect and love to Jasprit, number one in the world. We hope that we can send love to Jasprit by showing you the small clip of India’s tour in England.”

Jasprit shared the video and captioned the post as, “This made me smile! Incredible vibe at the @coldplay concert in Mumbai (from what I’ve seen here) and even more special to be mentioned.”

Fans of Jasprit are showring love on him on social media. A fan commented on the post, “After this statement, Chris played a video on full screen of Jassi bhai destroying England and the crowd went crazy.” Another fan wrote, “Coldplay india me famous hone ke Jassi bhai ka use krr rha hai.” One more fan commented, “Finally Bowlers getting recognition, I am very Happy for this. The Greatest Of All Time Bumrah.”

Coldplay is loved for their songs, but clearly, with their concerts in India, they are winning the hearts of the Indian people. Earlier, a video had gone viral on social media in which Chris was seen saying Jai Shree Ram. Later, in one of the videos, we could see him speaking in Hindi, ‘Bahot khushi ho rahi hai’, and then of course, just a few hours ago, came the video in which he is seen saying ‘Shah Rukh Khan Forever’.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/coldplay-mumbai-concert-chris-martin-mentions-jasprit-bumrah-cricketer-says-this-made-me-smile-watch-video

Former India cricketer Sourav Ganguly lavished praise on Virat Kohli despite his nightmare run of form in Test cricket over the last few months and labelled him a once-in-a-lifetime cricketer. Ganguly compared the Indian cricketer superstar to Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami.
The ex-Indian captain delivered the ultimate praise on the 36-year-old and labelled him as the greatest white-ball cricketer to ever play the game. Ganguly made the comments during an event organised by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) to feliciate state players in Kolkata on Tuesday (January 20). Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, and Mohammed Shami were also in attendance.
“Virat Kohli is a once-in-a-lifetime cricketer. Like Jhulan (Goswami) and Mithali (Raj) are, in men’s cricket Virat Kohli is a once-in-a-lifetime player. To score 80 international centuries in a career is something unbelievable. For me, he’s probably the greatest white-ball player the world has seen,” said Ganguly.

Kohli has the most centuries in ODI cricket history with 50 tons to his name, which is one more than Sachin Tendulkar (49). He is the third-highest run-getter in both ODI and T20I cricket history.

However, Ganguly was surprised by Kohli’s poor returns in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy despite starting the series with a ton in India’s victory in the Perth Test. The ex-Indian captain made just 190 runs in nine innings at an average of 23.75.
“I was really surprised by the way he batted after getting a hundred in Perth. He struggled before that here, but after that hundred in Perth, I thought it’d be a big series for him, but it happens. Every player in the world has his weaknesses and strengths. There’s no player in the world who won’t have that. It’s [about] how you adapt your weaknesses as you play great bowlers over a period of time,” said Ganguly.
Ganguly expressed confidence that Kohli still has a lot of cricket left in him but warned the tour of England from June will be a big challenge.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/not-sachin-tendulkar-sourav-ganguly-names-virat-kohli-as-greatest-white-ball-player-world-has-ever-seen-article-117410762

Kolkata: The implementation of the 10-point policy guidelines for the Indian cricket team has begun with the BCCI communicating to the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) that no separate vehicle should be arranged for any player as all are required to travel by the team bus.

The Indian team is in Kolkata for the T20I series-opener against England at the Eden Gardens on January 22.

After the Australia series debacle, the BCCI has come out with a 10-point SOP.

As per the SOP, “all players are required to stay for the entire duration of scheduled practice sessions and travel together to and from the venue. This rule ensures commitment and fosters a strong work ethic within the team.”

India skipper Rohit Sharma has already expressed his reservations on certain clauses but it is understood that BCCI has already put at least one of the 10 clauses in force.

The 10-point ‘policy document’ outlining the new guidelines was shared with all state cricket boards, hosting the India-England matches, including the CAB.

CAB president Snehasish Ganguly confirmed the arrangements and expressed the association’s commitment to adhering to the policies.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/bcci-to-state-units-no-separate-vehicle-for-anyone-all-players-to-travel-by-team-bus-3362927

Ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has tied the knot with Himani Mor. The two-time Olympic medalist shared the happy news on Instagram with a heartfelt post. Neeraj, known for keeping his personal life private, surprised fans with this announcement.

In his post, he said, जीवन के नए अध्याय की शुरुआत अपने परिवार के साथ की। (Starting a new chapter of life with my family) Grateful for every blessing that brought us to this moment together. Bound by love, happily ever after.

Neeraj had kept the details about his wedding under wraps,. The first photo shows the bride and groom surrounded by their family during the celebrations, while another captures a touching moment between Neeraj and his mother. Fans are thrilled for the sporting icon as he begins this new journey.

Who is Himani Mor?

According to Sportsstar report, Himani Mor is a tennis player with an education from Southeastern Louisiana University. She worked as a part-time Volunteer Assistant coach in tennis at Franklin Pierce University. A graduate assistant at Amherst College, Himani manages the college’s women’s tennis team. She oversees training, scheduling, recruitment and budgets with the outfit. She is also pursuing her Masters in Science in sports management and administation from McCormack Isenberg School of Management.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/bound-by-loveolympic-gold-medallist-neeraj-chopra-ties-knot-with-himani-shares-post-on-instagram

In the men’s final, India dominated all four turns. They started strong, taking a 26-0 lead in the first turn and keeping Nepal under control while defending. By the halfway mark, India led 26-18.

India won the inagural Kho-Kho World Cup in style, with both the men’s and women’s teams defeating Nepal in their respective finals. The men’s team secured the trophy with a convincing 54-36 victory, while the women triumphed 78-40.

The Indian men’s team remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, defeating Nepal, Brazil, Peru, Bhutan, and South Africa in earlier matches.

Nepal won the toss and decided to defend first, just like their women’s team did earlier in the evening, giving India the chance to attack right away. India didn’t waste any time, as Waikar and his teammates quickly took out Nepal’s key players—Hem, Janak, and Suraj—in just under 90 seconds to score their first points.

Nepal managed to regain some ground during their next turn, with defender Rajan Bal holding off India’s attackers for about two minutes before being run out.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/kho-kho-world-cup-2025-india-defeat-nepal-by-54-26-to-crown-as-inagural-champions

In a moment of unparalleled pride, India claimed the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup titles in both the men’s and women’s categories at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. The women’s team triumphed over Nepal with a commanding 78-40 victory, showcasing their agility and teamwork. Meanwhile, the men’s team made history by defeating Nepal 54-36 in a gripping final to secure their first-ever title. This monumental achievement cements India’s dominance in the sport, inspiring generations to embrace the rich heritage of Kho Kho. Congratulations to the champions!

Cricket fans and experts were left shocked on Saturday as exiled batter Karun Nair failed to find a spot in Team India’s 2025 Champions Trophy and England ODI series squad. Nair has been in sizzling form in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, and is currently in action in the final against Karnataka.

The veteran batter has surprised fans with his sudden surge in form in the domestic circuit, and he recently bagged four consecutive tons at the ongoing Vijay Hazare trophy. He is also the tournament’s highest-run scorer this season, with 752 runs in eight matches, with an average of 752.

Explaining his decision to not pick Nair in the squad, chief selector Ajit Agarkar said, “Averaging 750-plus is simply insane, but it’s a squad of 15, so we can’t fit everyone.”

Ajit Agarkar torn to shreds

Reacting to Nair’s bizarre exclusion, former RCB and KKR player Shreevats Goswami mocked Agarkar and BCCI for the decision. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, he wrote, “Karun nair not getting picked is like going against your own rule of making domestic cricket mandatory. Gutted for him! #ChampionsTrophy2025”

The most heartwarming moment of the ceremony was when India’s first Paralympic gold-medallist Murlikant Petkar walked up to the President Draupadi Murmu on crutches to receive the Arjuna award (lifetime).

The 80-year-old war hero, who was disabled waist down due to bullet wounds sustained during the 1965 battle against Pakistan, was originally a boxer but turned to para-swimming. He persevered to win a historic gold medal in the 1972 Paralympics in Heidelberg.

The veteran was welcomed with a rapturous applause that did not stop till he was seated back after collecting the award from the President. One among those clapping for him at the Durbar Hall was actor Kartik Aryan, who played Petkar in a recent biopic titled ‘Chandu Champion’.

Dignitaries, including sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya, parliamentary and minority affairs minister Kiren Rijuju, sports secretary Sujata Chaturvedi, were among those who attended the ceremony that lasted a little over an hour. While the Khel Ratna comes with a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh, the Arjuna and Dronacharya awards include a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh.

The Arjuna Awards are given to sportspersons who have demonstrated good performance over the past four years and have shown qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, and discipline. The annual honours are decided by a points system in which the maximum emphasis is on performances delivered at the Olympics and the World Championships

Rohit Sharma cannot be judged as a captain only on the basis of India’s poor run of results since the 2024 T20 World Cup, former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has said. The 43-year-old has defended his ex-teammate Rohit in the recent past as well with the latter, and India head coach Gautam Gambhir, under fire due to India’s India’s 3-1 defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

That marked the first time in a decade that India conceded the Trophy to Australia. However, the fact that it cost India a spot in the World Test Championship finals and came after a couple of stunning series defeats, including an embarassing 3-0 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand at home, left Rohit with a lot of questions hanging over him at the end of a year in which he led India to T20 World Cup glory.

“I always look at the team graph over a five-year period or three years. Gautam has just come into the system, he needs more time. Rohit Sharma has won the T20 World Cup as captain, he was captain when India played the ODI World Cup final. He led MI (Mumbai Indians) to five IPL titles,” Yuvraj told the press at an event.

Talk about the good performances more, says Yuvraj

Yuvraj also pointed out that Rohit stepped down from the team for the last Test against Australia after a string of low scores. “The guy has stepped down from the last match and given somebody else a chance. How many captains have done that in the past? Please tell me,” he asked.

Yuvraj reiterated that the 3-0 defeat to New Zealand at home is the more shocking result than the loss to Australia. “That is a tougher pill to swallow,” said Yuvraj. India lost the series Down Under but standout performances came from opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and rookie Nitish Reddy, who made a memorable hundred in the Melbourne Test.

Fresh from their historic 175-18 demolition of South Korea, the Indian women’s Kho Kho team secured their quarter-final berth with another commanding performance, overwhelming Iran by 84 points at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

The Women in Blue, demonstrating their tournament favorite’s status, dominated proceedings from the opening seconds to cement their position atop their group, as they scored 100-16 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Wednesday night, according to a release from Kho Kho World Cup.

The match began with India’s trademark aggressive start, as they eliminated Iran’s first batch within 33 seconds. Ashwini spearheaded the attack, while Meenu continued her brilliant form with multiple touchpoints, helping India amass an impressive 50 points in Turn 1.

The onslaught continued through all four Turns, highlighted by a remarkable 6-minute-8-second Dream Run in Turn 3, which effectively sealed the match.

Led by Wazir Nirmala’s tactical brilliance and contributions from skipper Priyanka Ingle, Nirmala Bhati and Nasreen, Team India demonstrated their championship credentials with another emphatic victory, establishing themselves as the team to beat in the tournament.

The best attacker of the match was Mobina and the best defender was Meenu. The best player was awarded to the captain, Priyanka Ingle
Before Iran, they demolished South Korea in a dominant display, the Indian women’s Kho Kho team delivered a masterclass against them, securing a commanding 175-18 victory.

Women in Blue showcased their prowess with exceptional dream runs and remarkable defensive strategies that left their opponents struggling at the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 being held at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, in what was their opening match of the tournament.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/kho-kho-world-cup-2025-india-women-storm-into-quarter-finals-with-an-emphatic-win-over-iran

A football fan who mocked a dead player at a derby match has been banned and fined.

During a game between Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United, Brandon Pedryc typed out “Where’s Baldock” in large letters on his phone and waved it at rival fans during the Championship game at Bramall Lane on 11 November last year.

The message was a reference to the death of a former United player George Baldock, who died in Greece a month earlier at the age of 31, Sheffield Magistrates’ Court was told on Monday.

The 23-year-old, a Wednesday fan, said he was responding to being pelted by coins and a bottle, as well as being spat on by rival fans – a claim district judge Marcus Waite accepted.

But Judge Waite described his actions as a “moment of madness” and said they had caused “upset” to fans as well as “enormous distress to the family and friends” of the deceased player.

Pedryc has been fined £300, ordered to pay £205 in costs and surcharges, and given a football banning order for three years.

Speaking to the defendant, the judge said: “You may have been provoked but you reacted by raising the stakes”, adding he had “risked greater disorder” in the highly charged environment of the derby.

Judge Waite went on to say Pedryc had done the right thing, approaching a police officer in Sheffield city centre within an hour of the incident once he realised his actions had gone viral on social media.

The court heard that while the officer made note of what Pedryc admitted to, he did not think a crime had been committed.

After a review by a more senior officer, Pedryc was arrested.

Pedryc told interviewing officers it had been a “sick joke, nothing more” and an attempt to “wind up” the United fans.

Judge Waite said he had received a lengthy letter from Pedryc who he accepted was “thoroughly remorseful”.

Source : https://news.sky.com/story/football-fan-who-mocked-dead-player-in-sick-joke-banned-and-fined-13288268

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to delay the highly anticipated announcement of India’s 2025 Champions Trophy (CT) squad beyond the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) mandated deadline of Sunday (January 12).
According to a report by Cricbuzz, the Indian cricket governing body is likely to ask for more time from the ICC to submit their squad for the mega event. An announcement is now likely to happen by the end of next weekend (January 18 or 19).
The report states that the reason behind the delay is India’s recent commitment in Australia, where the team played a hectic five-match Test series as part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).

In normal circumstances, the deadline to submit the squad is a month before the tournament starts, but this time around, the ICC asked for the submissions five weeks earlier. All teams are allowed to make changes to their squad without any reason till February 12.

However, the same report states that the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee will announce the squad for the five-match T20I series against England in the next couple of days. It is expected that a squad similar to the one that played a home series against Bangladesh in October will take the field in the shortest format of the game.
The T20I series will take place from January 22 to February 2. India and England will also play three ODIs from February 6 to 12, just days before the 2025 Champions Trophy begins on February 19.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/bcci-delay-champions-trophy-squad-selection-set-to-ask-icc-for-more-time-team-to-be-announced-on-report-article-117134820

Former India and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Manoj Tiwary has gone on a rant in criticism of current senior national team head coach Gautam Gambhir. Tiwary and Gambhir have been teammates in the past, not just in the Indian Premier League but also for the Delhi state team. As Gambhir faces criticism over his poor handling of the Indian team, owing to the recent results against Australia and New Zealand in Tests, Tiwary went on to brand him a ‘hypocrite’, who doesn’t do what he himself preaches.

The criticism Gambhir faced recently, especially from Tiwary, saw India pacer Harshit Rana, who made his Test debut in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, jump to his defence. But, Rana’s defence doesn’t surprise Tiwary.

“Why wouldn’t Nitish Rana and Harshit Rana, for example, not support Gautam Gambhir? Harshit Rana played in Perth in place of Akash Deep. How was that possible? What did Akash Deep do wrong? He bowled fantastic spells against Bangladesh and New Zealand. As a fast bowler, you dream about bowling in friendly conditions, but you dropped him and went in with Harshit, who doesn’t have that much first-class experience. Akash Deep has fabulous records. That is a completely biased selection. That is why players will come out and defend him,” said Tiwary in a chat with Hindustan Times.

“I have said nothing wrong. This is PR which I am talking about. That never used to happen. When something or someone speaks the facts, people come up defending the individual, but they don’t know me. I only speak on facts. PR is quite evident,” he added.

Tiwary also opened some old chapters of his relationship with Gambhir, saying the latter even abused his family and said bad things about former India captain Sourav Ganguly.

“When he fought with me during the Ranji Trophy match in Delhi, everyone heard every word from Gautam Gambhir’s mouth. Whether he was talking bad about Sourav Ganguly or whether he was abusing my family, he was protected by a few of the individuals. This is the PR I am talking about. The process of picking players and selecting them in the playing XI is not happening properly. Akash Deep was dropped in favour of Harshit Rana. If you thought Harshit was so good, why didn’t you continue with him for the rest of the series? Akash Deep doesn’t have a voice,” said Tiwary.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/gautam-gambhir-abused-my-family-said-bad-things-about-sourav-ganguly-manoj-tiwary-7440450

Yuvraj Singh was one of the greatest cricketers to ever play for India. He was instrumental in India’s win in the T20 World Cup 2007 and ODI World Cup 2011. Soon after leading India to their second ODI World Cup, Yuvraj was diagnosed with cancer, however, he was able to beat the disease and make a comeback to the Indian team. The cricket great though couldn’t match the standards he set for himself and was in and out of the team before being permanently snubbed from the side after Champions Trophy 2017.
Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa reflected on Yuvraj Singh’s comeback from cancer and indirectly blamed Virat Kohli for forcing him out of the team.
“Take Yuvi Pa’s instance. The man beat cancer, and he is trying to come back into the international side. He is the man who won us a World Cup, won us two World Cups for that matter, along with the other players, but played an integral role in helping us win. Then for such a player, when you become captain, you say his lung capacity has diminished and you have been with him when you have seen him struggle. Nobody has told me this, I observe things. You have seen him struggle, then when you are captain, yes you have to maintain a level of standard, but there are always exceptions to the rule. Here is a man who deserves to be an exception because he is not just beaten and won you tournaments, but he has beaten cancer. He has beaten the hardest challenge in life in that sense. Some question room for someone like that,” Uthappa said on Lallantop.

Uthappa revealed that Yuvraj Singh asked for a point deduction in the fitness test but was denied the same, however, he was able to pass the test and make a comeback to the side before being snubbed forever after a poor outing in the Champions Trophy 2017.

“So when Yuvi requested for that two-point deduction, he didn’t get it. Then he did the test because he was outside the team and they weren’t taking him in. He passed the fitness test, came inside the team, had a lean tournament, took him out totally. Never entertained him after that. Whoever was in the leadership group, didn’t entertain him. That time Virat was the leader and it went according to him due to his strong personality, and that time it was according to him,” he added.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/virat-kohli-told-yuvraj-your-lung-capacity-has-diminished-robin-uthappa-drops-bombshell-on-legends-india-snub-article-117101421

Former Team India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh gave a befitting reply to a user on X, shutting him down for criticising him and Rohit Sharma amid the latter’s absence from the Sydney Test against Australia. The retired cricketer asked the user to listen to his interview and Rohit’s revelation on day two in Sydney, claiming that rarely does any captain chooses to drop himself from the side.

Rohit opted to rest from the fixture as revealed by stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah at the toss on the opening day of the Sydney Test. The 37-year-old came under massive scrutiny after scoring only 31 runs in three Tests of the series and India losing all three of them. With Harbhajan hailing Rohit for dropping himself and calling him selfless for that reason in a video surfaced on X, an X user wrote the below on the platform:

“@harbhajan_singh You are the same guy who slapped Sreesanth in a game, please spare us from your judgement of who is good and who is bad. This team doesn’t belong to Mr. Gurunath Sharma that his son will keep playing despite negative contribution. You failed in creating the narrative of “opt-out” as the entire cricketing fraternity knows that Rohit Sharma has been dropped due to non-performance and spoiling team atmosphere.”

In response, the 44-year-old hit back by stating:

Virat Kohli took up the leadership responsibilities as India’s stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah left the field with a niggle on Day 2 of the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the SCG in Sydney. The extent or the nature of Bumrah’s injury remains uncertain, but HT can reliably confirm that the World’s No.1 fast bowler has left the ground with the Indian team doctor for scans.

Visuals aired on Star Sports showed Bumrah, wearing the training kit, leaving the ground in a car and being taken to the nearby city hospital.

What happened to Bumrah? What’s Bumrah’s injury update?

Bumrah was back in the Indian dressing room in the final session of Day 2 but there was no official update on the nature and extent of his injury.

Bumrah left the field for the first time on Saturday at the stroke of Lunch and then came back after the break to bowl one over. But he left the field again. Substitute fielder Abhimanyu Easwaran replaced him in the field.

Before leaving the field, Bumrah was seen having a quick chat with Kohli, possibly informing him about the discomfort he was facing while bowling. Kohli then took over the captaincy duties. He immediately sprang into action with swift bowling changes. Youngsters Prasidh Krishna and Nitish Kuma Reddy stepped up with crucial breakthroughs as India bowled Australia out for 181 to take a 4-run lead.

Despite this, Bumrah’s injury could turn out to be a massive factor in the outcome of this Test and the series. He is not only India’s best strike bowler but also the captain for this Test in regular skipper Rohit Sharma’s absence, who decided to step aside for the series decider due to poor form with the bat. It is still not clear whether Bumrah will be able to bowl in the second innings.

At the Tea break, Star Sports anchor Mayanti Langer informed that it was, in all probability, a back injury for which Bumrah had undergone surgery a couple of years ago.

Bumrah in record books

Earlier in the day, Bumrah gave India a dream start by dismissing overnight batter Marnus Labuschagne early on Day 2 with a delivery that shaped away after pitched around the off stump.

That was Bumrah’s 32nd wicket of this Border-Gavaskar Trophy, taking him to the top of the wicket-takers list among Indian bowlers in Australia. He broke the legendary Bishan Singh Bedi’s long-standing record. The former left-arm spinner had taken 31 wickets in the 1977-78 season. BS Chandrasekhar had also picked up 28 wickets in the same series.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/jasprit-bumrah-taken-to-hospital-for-scans-virat-kohli-returns-as-india-captain-in-sydney-101735960597264.html

There was no improvement in Virat Kohli’s form and India’s premier batsman once again departed for a below-par score in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Virat, who faced 69 balls, only managed to score 17 runs before he once again edged an outside-off delivery to get caught at slips off Scott Boland.
The team had high hopes from Virat after India lost early wickets but he flopped. The fans were upset with Virat and some of the users on X sent him a brutal retirement message. “Better Retire Virat, Making yourself bad game by game. Can’t survive for long with just 2 shots,” a user wrote. “Thank you Virat Kohli…Now announce the retirement pls…You already have done a lot for the team and for the team sake pls retire,” wrote another user.

Virat Kohli kicked off the Australia tour on a memorable note and he slammed a century in the second innings of the Perth Test match, which India won. His form dwindled in the second Test and he hasn’t even managed to breach the 40-run mark since the Perth Test.

The former India captain departed for 7 and 11 in the second Test match in Adelaide. He managed to score 3 runs in the only innings at Gabba. Virat scored 36 and 5 across two innings in the fourth Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. India lost 7 wickets in the final session to lose the game and go 1-2 behind.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/better-retire-virat-kohli-sent-brutal-retirement-message-after-another-batting-failure-in-australia-article-116900072

For Dallas Cowboys fans gathered at Cosm, a new sports venue just north of Dallas, the climax of the Nov. 24 National Football League game against the Washington Commanders delivered a heart-attack-worthy spectacle.

Both teams were muddling through a 10-9 game until the fourth quarter, when a series of unlikely events turned things upside down. In the final stretch, the two offenses exploded for a collective 31 points. With less than a minute left and all the mojo behind them, the Commanders sneezed on an extra-point kick that would have tied the game. Then Washington surrendered a touchdown on the subsequent kickoff, sealing their fate in a 34-26 loss at their home field at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.

Cowboys fans all over the planet witnessed the same bewildering victory on TV. But few Dallas die-hards had better seats for this shocking turnabout than those watching at Cosm, an immersive sports theater that opened in August in The Colony, a north Dallas suburb. Hundreds of fans gathered inside the facility’s cavernous dome to watch a Sunday stunner on a concave three-story screen — an experience immense and vivid enough to be lifelike.

Fourth-and-inches hits different when the screen is so large that a fraction of a yard is rendered at full scale. Like a demi-sized version of Sphere, the space-age entertainment venue that opened in Las Vegas last year, Cosm uses streaming technology and vast curving LED screens to deliver views that rival the best seats in arenas, ballparks and stadiums around the world. With outposts in Los Angeles and Dallas and more on the way — including a development set to break ground in downtown Detroit in 2025 — Cosm hopes to provide a destination experience for sports nuts that doubles as a neighborhood anchor.

Think a planetarium that serves lemon-pepper wings — or a Sphere squeezed into a local game-day haunt. Watching glum Commanders fans file out of the stands in crisp 8K video at Cosm Dallas convinced me. I laughed at Immersive Van Gogh; I wept at Immersive Micah Parsons.

“We will never recreate the stadium experience. Or ever even aspire to beat that,” says Jeb Terry, president and chief executive officer of Cosm and a former offensive lineman in the NFL. “There is nothing like being in a big game — there’s just something about the electricity in the room. But we want to offer the next best thing.”

Cosm aims to create a new category of spectator experience, something in between getting together with friends at a sports bar and splurging on tickets to attend a live game. With backing from RealPage Inc. founder Steve Winn and Mirasol Capital, plus a $250 million round of funding this summer, the company is targeting US markets with multiple local pro teams and passionate (often overlapping) fanbases. To that end, Cosm has partnerships with every major professional sports league in the country, as well as Premier League soccer, Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts, Cirque De Soleil and other events.

For that Cowboys game, a booth for three people front-and-center inside the dome at Cosm Dallas cost $300 — less than the average price for a single ticket across the city at AT&T Stadium — with standing-room tickets going for a fraction of that. Besides games and performances, Cosm features shorter immersive experiences that showcase the company’s technology.

So far the company has planted these sprawling mega-theaters in the suburbs: The 65,000-square-foot (6,000-square-meter) Cosm Los Angeles opened in June in Inglewood, a stone’s throw from SoFi Stadium but a half-hour’s drive from downtown LA. Cosm Dallas is even farther from its core city. Both were designed by the architectural firm HKS with a futuristic finish. The 70,000-square-foot facility near Dallas looks like a big-box retailer that might sell you a Cybertruck. It’s one of several entertainment options at Grandscape, a massive new 400-acre mixed-use development in The Colony. (My cousin in Dallas assures me it’s fun for singles.)

New Cosm locations in Atlanta and Detroit will test whether this model can thrive in a more urban environment. Cosm Detroit will serve as the anchor for a 1.5 million-square-foot development from the real estate firm Bedrock Detroit in historic Cadillac Square. Kofi Bonner, the CEO of Bedrock, says that Cosm Detroit will drive the ongoing revival of the Woodward Avenue corridor and help to cement the Paradise Valley neighborhood as a nightlife district. “It’s a unique entertainment concept that doesn’t exist in the market,” Bonner says.

To chart its future expansions in the US, Cosm is weighing a complicated matrix of real estate plays, sports fandoms and metro populations. It will need to pass several tests: as an immersive tech company, as a development partner and as a favorite local option for regulars.

The company’s name, which is meant to evoke both “cosmos” and “coliseum,” hints at its history. Cosm launched in 2019 and embarked on a series of acquisitions, starting in 2020 with Evans and Sutherland, a computer graphics firm whose digital projection technology powers planetariums. In the same year the company acquired Spitz, a manufacturer of domes and projection screens, as well as LiveLike VR, an immersive tech company. Cosm built its first prototype LED dome in Los Angeles as a vertically integrated company.

“All the partners said, ‘You sound kind of crazy,’” says Terry, who previously worked as a vice president for emerging technology at Fox Sports. “We felt justified to build out the infrastructure to scale. The early prototype was proven enough that we felt like we could take it out full stack.”

Here’s how Cosm works: For live events, the company sets up four or five cameras at the venue, shooting in 8K and even up to 10.5K resolution. Those feeds are produced remotely by technical directors in LA, then aired to Cosm venues on a delay to match the television broadcast. The producers use the 3D computer graphics platform Unreal Engine and other tools to add enhancements: When the Cowboys score, the team’s iconic blue star lights up the ceiling and virtual banners unfurl throughout Cosm Dallas. Broadcast partners provide the play-by-play; servers bring the wings.

“We’re just touching the tip of the iceberg in terms of accompanying graphics and storytelling,” says Devin Poolman, chief product and technology officer for Cosm.

The model is built around an insight that Cosm execs refer to as “shared reality.” The thinking is that that sports fans will never watch a game through a virtual reality headset — no matter how vivid the graphics — because it takes people away from the collective joy and suffering that unite sports fans. You can’t turn and slap your friend sitting next to you when a ref throws a bogus penalty flag if you’re both wearing dorky VR goggles. “You put it on your face for five minutes, and then you take it off, because you want to hang out in the real world,” Poolman says.

Simulating a live game experience is a high bar to clear, however. Broadcast television has not entirely figured it out: There’s a rhythm to a baseball game at a ballpark that’s impossible to capture via TV. Instead of trying to recreate either the televised or live perspective, Cosm strives for a third way. For the Cowboys game, the venue rotated between a handful of static cameras — on the 50-yard line, for example, or just underneath the goal posts in the end zone — while also offering inset game feeds.

As a viewer, it’s like having really (really) good seats, then occasionally shifting to some other good seats, but always with a view of the overall scene via the in-stadium display. The detail is incredibly lifelike: During the Cowboys game, I felt like I was sitting in a sea of burgundy and gold in the DC suburbs. During a pause in play, my game-watching partner spotted a kid chugging his dad’s beer after he left his seat. The fans sitting next to me (in real life) pointed out a group of people wearing Cowboys colors at the Commanders stadium and shouted “kinfolk!”

The best seats at Cosm are the booths within the dome, and those command a higher premium. Cheaper seats are available in the hall, which offers wall-to-wall LED screens showing the game and standing-room views of the dome. Cosm also offers an outdoor terrace deck: great for events in warmer weather or for the fan who needs a break from the on-field action (as all Cowboys fans eventually do).

The Cosm experience has its occasional hiccups: During the first quarter of the ’Boys game, the screen had to be restarted, leaving fans under the dome with a view of a 60-by-86-foot screen in dark mode. The glitch lasted only a few minutes, and Terry says that it doesn’t happen regularly, but it’s the kind of thing that could bring a bachelor party to a halt during a pivotal moment in the final seconds of a Mavs game.

Another challenge is making a facility as vast as Cosm warm and welcoming enough to draw fans out from their beloved local watering holes. The hall at Cosm Dallas can fit 800 people, large enough to feel infrastructural, like the interior of a real stadium. That’s less of a concern, perhaps, for an instant city like Grandscape in The Colony, where Cosm really is the local option. But it’s a factor that the Detroit architecture firm Rossetti is taking to heart with Cosm Detroit, which will occupy a downtown parcel between a skyscraper built in 1927 and a separate new project.

Source : https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-01-02/at-cosm-sports-fans-experience-live-games-on-shared-reality-screens

Earlier in 2024, when Rahul Dravid had confirmed that he would no longer extend his contract with the BCCI as the head coach of the Indian team, Gautam Gambhir emerged as the strongest candidate to replace the legend. And it seemed a fitting replacement with Gambhir heading into his new role on the back of an IPL title for Kolkata Knight Riders as mentor. However, as the former India opener stands on the brink of losing his job in the Indian team, a report revealed that he was only a “compromise.”

Rumours about Gambhir as Dravid’s replacement started largely during the second half of IPL 2024. There was barely any other contender to challenge the former India World Cup winner, despite Gambhir lacking any experience as a coach. Even in his only other stint in IPL post-retirement, Gambhir had served as a mentor for Lucknow Super Giants.

However, Gambhir has had a torrid time as a head coach since his official appointment in July. This includes an ODI series loss in Sri Lanka and an unprecedented 0-3 whitewash in a home Test series against New Zealand. He now stands on the verge of a second consecutive Test series defeat, as India trail 1-2 against Australia. The Rohit Sharma-led side is set to concede the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in over a decade, unless they draw the final Test in Sydney later this week.

‘Gambhir was never BCCI’s first choice’

With time running out for Gambhir, who has until the Champions Trophy in February to prove his worth, a report in PTI claimed that the former India left-handed batter was never BCCI’s first-choice option to replace Dravid. It was head of the National Cricket Academy VVS Laxman, before the India legend declined the offer. In fact, Gambhir was picked after some renowned overseas name too rejected the role.

“He was never BCCI’s first choice (it was VVS Laxman) and some of the well-known overseas names didn’t want to coach all three formats, so he was a compromise. Obviously, some other compulsions were also there,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/gautam-gambhir-compromise-was-never-bcci-first-choice-head-coach-it-was-vvs-laxman-101735746146120.html

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is nearing its end. Australia and India are gearing up for the Sydney Test, and ahead of the crucial match, the visitors have everything to do. The batting lineup is under fire, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both feeling the heat. The senior pros in the lineup underperformed in Tests in 2024, and their failures have been the main reason behind India’s 1-2 deficit in the marquee series against Pat Cummins and co.

The previous Melbourne Test also saw Rishabh Pant facing scrutiny for how he got out in both the innings, paving the way for Australia to gain the upper hand. When it comes to Virat Kohli, he has been getting out the same way, fishing outside the off-stump. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma is looking a pale shadow of his old self, who is unable to buy a run.

Amid these batting failures, Hindustan Times spoke to former South Africa batter Daryll Cullinan, who played 70 Tests and 138 ODIs, scoring more than 8,000 runs across both formats. The 57-year-old also expressed joy at seeing Proteas make their way to the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

Excerpts:

Rohit Sharma has been struggling for runs in tests lately. What do you make of his form, and should he look to step away from Tests?
Rohit has never been comfortable against pace and bounce. I saw it in South Africa, where he plays from the crease. The short ball is on his mind. The result is he doesn’t get forward neither back properly. He gets away with it in India, where there is less bounce, and the pitches are slower. He arrived in Australia under-prepared and never took on the responsibility up front. This mentally was an admission of his concerns. I think he is comfortable playing his cricket in India and moving permanently to white ball cricket. The right thing and wise thing to do now. Rohit should call time. If he doesn’t, selectors must make the decision for him.

Virat Kohli has been struggling against deliveries bowled outside the off-stump and getting out the same way repeatedly. Do you think a glaring flaw has crept into his game?
In my opinion, Kohli’s lack of form is technical and starts with an erroneous coaching belief about the set-up at the crease. The open stance with the front foot retracted back towards the square leg is at fault, and I see it coached around the world today. In red-ball cricket, and note I say red-ball cricket, it’s causing major issues for batsmen in defence and attack on and outside off stump. Added to this, Kohli is pressing his front foot straight down the pitch before the ball leaves the bowler’s hand.

In a millisecond, turn your front shoulder and get your foot moving across towards the ball outside off stump. It’s impossible! All you can do then is throw your hands at the ball, which Kohli is doing. The reality is that shot against Starc, which got him out, was on. The world is saying it’s a mental fault. Partly true. You see, we must recognize Kohli’s natural instinct is to attack, and he must continue to look to attack. That’s when he is at his best. He knows no other way, and he’s not going to change now. Asking him to be more disciplined outside off stump will only increase his anxiety levels.

The answer for Kohli, is adopting a more side on stance, keeping his head still, and limiting his backlift. The 2018 images illustrate this. He can still make his trigger movements but keep them small. I suggest this method for all red-ball cricket.

The reality is that cricket is a sideways game and always will be. It’s the old way and still the best way.

There is much debate regarding how Rishabh Pant got out in both the innings of the Melbourne Test. What did you make of it?

Pant needs to assess the situation. It’s the easy excuse well “that’s the way” I play. I don’t accept that explanation. He must play according to what’s best for the team.

Should Jasprit Bumrah be India’s next Test captain?

I’ve never been in favour of fast bowlers being captain. He may be the exception whilst India search for a long-term captain.

Can India turn it around and win the Sydney Test? Or will Australia come out on top?

I want to stress that if in India win in Sydney, it’s been a successful tour for them. I can’t see why they can’t win in Sydney! In fact, I think they will.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/ashwins-mid-series-retirement-selfish-he-wont-make-it-public-but-it-was-a-spiteful-reaction-daryll-cullinan-to-ht-101735783118743.html

Such has been the impact of Jasprit Bumrah in the Border-Gavaskar trophy that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese jokingly suggested a law that forces India’s pace spearhead to bowl “left-handed or off one step” against the home team.

The right-handed Bumrah, considered as the world’s best fast bowler across formats, has caused plenty of trouble for the Australian batters and has taken 30 wickets in four Tests.

Albanese, who hosted the Indian and Australian players here on Wednesday ahead of the decisive fifth Test, spoke glowingly of Bumrah. “We could pass a law here that says he has to bowl left-handed or off one step. Every time he has come onto bowl has been very exciting,” Albanese said in a lighter vein, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.

“The Australian and Indian teams have already given us an incredible summer of cricket,” Albanese later wrote on social media. “When the fifth test starts on Friday, the SCG will be a sea of pink in support of the great work of the McGrath Foundation. Go Australia!,” he added.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir spoke on behalf of the Indian team. “Australia is a beautiful country to travel but a tough place to tour. Crowds have been absolutely amazing. We’ve got another Test match to go. Hopefully we can entertain the crowd,” he said.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/jasprit-bumrah-has-to-bowl-left-handed-australian-pm-anthony-albanese-hilariously-taunts-indian-pacer-at-new-year-reception-party