Category: Sports

Pakistan’s Muhammad Shahzad copied India star Hardik Pandya’s signature celebration after winning the Hong Kong Sixes 2025 title.

Pakistan recovered from their defeat against India to win three games on the trot and clinch a record sixth Hong Kong Sixes title on Sunday. Led by Abbas Afridi, Pakistan defeated South Africa in the quarter-final, Australia in the semi-final and Kuwait in the final of the 2025 edition. Upon winning the final, Pakistan star Muhammad Shahzad mimicked the trophy celebration that India all-rounder Hardik Pandya had done after winning the T20 World Cup 2024 title. His post on social media went viral.

“Fun end to the Hong Kong Sixes. Business as usual,” posted Shahzad on X, as he posed with a shrug next to the trophy, much like Pandya had done after winning the T20 World Cup.

The tournament victory makes Pakistan the outright record-holders of the most Hong Kong Sixes titles. Pakistan have now won the tournament six times, one more than England and South Africa.

In the grand final, Pakistan delivered a dominant all-round performance to defeat debutants Kuwait by 43 runs. Batting first, Pakistan posted a commanding 135/3, led by Abdul Samad’s explosive 42 (13) and captain Abbas Afridi’s powerful 52 (11). Kuwait’s Meet Bhavsar continued his fine form, claiming three wickets in a standout spell.

Kuwait began their chase in spectacular fashion, as Adnan Idrees smashed five sixes in the opening over to give his side a glimmer of hope with a rapid 30 (8). However, Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack tightened the grip, eventually bowling Kuwait out for 92/6, sealing a memorable win and another crown in their illustrious Sixes legacy.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/pakistan-star-mimics-hardik-pandyas-t20-world-cup-celebration-goes-viral-after-winning-hong-kong-sixes-2025-9604472

Kranti Gaud’s outstanding performance in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 has led to her father’s reinstatement in the police force. Kranti’s father, Munna Singh Gaud, served as a constable in the police force before being dismissed in 2012, which pushed the family into financial turmoil.

India fast bowler Kranti Gaud’s World Cup heroics have helped her father, Munna Singh Gaud, rejoin police force following his dismissal in 2012. Kranti was one of the key members of India’s successful campaign in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, having scalped nine wickets from eight matches. Following India’s historic triumph, Kranti was felicitated upon her return to home state Madhya Pradesh by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

During the felicitation programme held at the chief minister’s official residence in Bhopal, Kranti was honoured in front of her parents and coach. During the ceremony, CM Mohan Yadav also assured to resolve issues related to Kranti’s father, Munna Singh Gaud’s job in the police department.

Munna Singh was a police constable and was dismissed from the job in 2012, which left his family in financial turmoil. As a result, Kranti grew up in difficult circumstances but never let her situation come in the way of her dreams. During an interview, Kranti had expressed her wish to see her father in police uniform again and retire with dignity.

At times we only have one meal a day: Kranti Gaud

Her wish is finally going to come true soon after receiving an assurance from Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. During the ceremony, CM Yadav and Madhya Pradesh Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Vishwas Sarang also honoured Gaud’s parents and coach.

“If you ever feel like giving up, think about your dreams. At times we only have one meal a day. Even then, I didn’t give up. Today, I have brought honour to my family and Bundelkhand. I am very happy,” said Kranti during the felicitation ceremony recalling her days of struggle.

The Madhya Pradesh government has announced a cash reward of 1 crore for Kranti Gaud. Additionally, a world-class stadium will be constructed in her hometown of Chhatarpur to train and nurture local athletes.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/kranti-gaud-world-cup-heroics-help-father-regain-police-job-madhya-pradesh-2816268-2025-11-09

Out of the 10 Indians in the third round, four have advanced, three are knocked out and three of them will play the tie-break.

In the most sensational third round of the FIDE World Cup, reigning World Champion Dommaraju Gukesh was eliminated by Frederik Svane of Germany in Goa.

Fourth-seed Dutchman Anish Giri was also knocked out by Alexander Donchenko and eighth-seed Nodirbek AbduSattorov was also sent packing by Jose Martinez. This was one of the most brutal rounds where the top seeds succumbed to players rated much below them.

Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, Pranav Venkatraman and Pentala Harikrishna brought some cheer to the Indian camp by advancing to the fourth round of the 206-player knock-out event. Pragg, who had so far been struggling for survival since his entry in the second round, found his rhythm on the day playing a neat game to defeat Shamsiddin Vakhidov.

Out of the 10 Indians in the third round, four have advanced, three are knocked out and three of them will play the tie-break.

SL Narayan will feature in his third consecutive tie-break against Yu Yangyi of China as will Vidit Gujrathi and Karthik Venkataraman, all three Indians having drawn both their classical encounters.

Diptayan Ghosh and M Pranesh ended on the losing side after holding fancied players in the round before and were eliminated. Both of the Indians had a good run in this event.

Gukesh, however, has been in poor form in the last few events and on Saturday too was far from impressive with the white pieces in the Italian opening game. Svane, in severe time pressure, handled the situation rather well and showed ambition in a knight and pawn ending to win after 55 moves.

“This is the first time that I have played such a tough player and to defeat the World Champion Gukesh is something which I had never even thought of,” said Svane.

Pranav drew against Titas Stremavicius to advance to the fourth courtesy of Friday’s victory. The draw was signed after 41 moves of a Queen’s Gambit Declined game. After the victory, Pranav played patiently without taking any risk, his pieces venturing out of his territory only to initiate exchanges.

Pragg won after 42 moves, getting an advantage in the middle-game. In the end, he had a bishop pair for a rook with queens gracing the board and Pragg’s pawn which had marched all the way to the 7th rank.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/fide-world-cup-world-champion-dommaraju-gukesh-eliminated-by-frederik-svane-3791560

Mohun Bagan Super Giant has indefinitely suspended all football activities due to the lack of bids for the Indian Super League’s (ISL) commercial rights, leaving the future of domestic football uncertain.

Reigning Indian Super League champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant on Saturday suspended all their football activities indefinitely a day after the AIFF failed to receive a single bid for ISL’s commercial rights, and said they will review contracts of players and support staff next month. Late on Friday, the AIFF announced that it had not received any bid for the commercial rights of the already delayed ISL, leaving the future of the country’s domestic football in disarray.
“Our players were to assemble on Monday for the camp from next day. But now our camp has been suspended indefinitely till there is clarity on the Indian Super League,” a Mohun Bagan official told PTI.
“Now that the season is delayed with uncertainty on ISL, we will review all contracts next month. But we have not stopped anybody’s salary, everyone is paid,” the official added.

The AIFF had floated the Request for Proposals on October 16 for a 15-year contract to monetise the league’s commercial rights. The submission deadline was November 7, with bids scheduled to be opened on November 11. The Bid Evaluation Committee, headed by (retired) Justice Nageswara Rao and appointed on the orders of the Supreme Court, will meet later in the day to discuss the future course of action.

The Mohun Bagan official also said that the club would not suspend the salary of head coach Jose Molina, who is on a “break” following his outburst against the team management after their Super Cup exit. Molina had criticised the club management, saying he does not have any say in team selection after the group stage exit from the Super Cup on goal difference after playing out a draw against arch-rivals East Bengal.
The club management had earlier said a decision on his future would be taken only after there was clarity on the status of I-League. “His contract runs till the end of the season, around April–May in a normal year. Now that the season is delayed with uncertainty on ISL, we will also review his contract next month. But we have not stopped his salary.”
Business As Usual For EB
In contrast, East Bengal, who made the Super Cup semifinals after edging out Mohun Bagan on goal difference, have not suspended their operations and will resume training on Monday to prepare for the knockout leg scheduled for December 4.
As per the fixtures announced on Friday, East Bengal are slated to face Punjab FC in the semifinals, while FC Goa will meet Mumbai City FC. The final is scheduled for December 10.
“We have not yet suspended our operations. I personally feel ISL will go on. Indian football cannot stop like this. I strongly believe the Union Sports Ministry, AIFF and former officials will definitely not let it happen,” East Bengal senior executive committee member Debabrata (Nitu) Sarkar told PTI.
“The Super Cup will also happen. Maybe there will be some changes or delay, but the knockouts will take place. I cannot talk about other clubs, but at East Bengal, our stakeholders have not taken any such decision to stop facilities or salaries. We will resume our camp from November 10 as per my information,” Sarkar added.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/football/isl-crisis-mohun-bagan-stops-football-activities-east-bengal-pleads-to-bcci-for-financial-help-article-153121314

5th T20i: India, 52-0 (4.5), wash out. India win series 2-1
Storm scuppers final match to ruin Australia hopes

India have won the T20 international series against Australia 2-1 after the fifth and final match was washed out at the Gabba. The sold-out crowd will receive a full refund as the fixture did not reach the stipulated cut-off of six overs.

Lightning in the vicinity of the ground initially forced the players off after India made the most of shocking fielding by Australia to race to 0-52 in the opening 4.5 overs. A storm then rolled in, accompanied by steady rain, to ensure there was no further play.

Australia v India: fifth men’s T20 international washed out to give tourists series victory
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Shubman Gill, with 29 off 13 deliveries, and Abhishek Sharma, with 23 off 13, tore into the Australia attack. Abhishek, who made 163 runs across the five matches, was dropped twice and rode his luck.

“I’ve been waiting for this tournament,” Abhishek said. “We had a plan and we executed it really well.”

It was the second washed-out match of the series with the opening game in Canberra abandoned after India had scored 1-97 in 9.4 overs.

The Australia captain, Mitch Marsh, said: “I can’t remember the last time we had so many rain interruptions but it was a great series with two really good teams going at it. India won the games when it mattered, so congratulations to them.

“There were a lot of learnings, a lot of positives. The adaptability and the flexibility of our group, and the squad that we’re trying to build in a World Cup year has been amazing.”

Gill was a man on a mission before the players left the field. His timing for six boundaries was immaculate.

The unlucky Ben Dwarshuis had a sense of deja vu in the opening over when Abhishek was dropped at mid-off by the usually reliable Glenn Maxwell. Abhishek had also been dropped in the first over, off the same bowler, two days earlier on the Gold Coast, when India secured a 48-run win.

Dwarshuis then spilled a sitter himself at fine leg when Abhishek had made 12, this time off the bowling of Nathan Ellis. The world’s No 1-ranked T20 batter then dispatched Ellis for six over midwicket.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/nov/08/cricket-australia-india-fifth-mens-t20-report

Elena Rybakina clinched her biggest title since Wimbledon in 2022 by defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6(7/0) at the WTA Finals in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia:
Elena Rybakina clinched her biggest title since Wimbledon in 2022 by defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6(7/0) at the WTA Finals in Riyadh on Saturday. The world number six put on yet another serving masterclass and was at her returning best as she became the first Kazakh and the first player representing an Asian country to lift the WTA Finals singles trophy. Having gone 3-0 in round-robin play, Rybakina earned a record $5.235 million and will finish the year ranked number five in the world. The ace leader on tour with 516 struck this season, Rybakina fired 13 against Sabalenka on Saturday, and finished the week with a total of 48 in Riyadh.

Rybakina was the last of the eight players in the singles field to qualify for the WTA Finals in Riyadh, and she did it by winning the 500-level title in Ningbo and reaching the semi-finals in Tokyo before withdrawing from the tournament.

Her winning streak now stands at 11 matches and she improved her head-to-head record against Sabalenka to 6-8.

Squaring off for the 14th time, Sabalenka and Rybakina form one of the most gripping rivalries of the WTA, dating back to 2019.

Rybakina entered the final carrying a 10-match winning streak. The last player to beat her was Sabalenka, who knocked out the Kazakh in the Wuhan quarter-finals four weeks ago.

Both players brought their A-game from the start, showcasing their signature brand of boom-boom tennis to stay neck and neck through the first five games.

It was Rybakina’s defence though that paid off in game six, her desperate lob drawing the error from Sabalenka, who netted the overhead to get broken.

That one break was all Rybakina needed to secure the opening set in 44 minutes.

Rybakina was untouchable on serve in the second set, dropping just two points on serve through four service games.

Sabalenka was more vulnerable in that department, feeling the pressure on her own serve but still finding ways to save four break points, including two crucial ones at 4-4.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/elena-rybakina-downs-world-no-1-aryna-sabalenka-to-win-wta-finals-9600990

Abhishek Sharma, mentored by Yuvraj Singh, shone as top run-getter in the Australia T20I series, but is known for never parting with his bats, even hiding how many he owns.

Abhishek Sharma has been in a rich vein of form lately. The Punjab batter, mentored by former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, had a terrific T20I series in Australia, finishing as the highest run-getter. Abhishek accumulated 163 runs in 5 matches and bagged the Player of the Series award.

Recently, Yuvraj disclosed a secret about the young batter, sharing that anyone can take anything from Abhishek except his bats. The former cricketer mentioned that the youngster is unwilling to part with his willows and often provides inaccurate information about the number of bats he owns.

“You can take anything from Abhishek Sharma, but nobody can take a bat from him,” Yuvraj said in an interaction where Abhishek was also present.

“Ye mar jayega, pit jayega, ro dega par apna bat nahi dega (He will fight for it, even cry, but won’t give away his bat). Even if he has 10 bats, he’ll still say, I only have two. He took all my bats, but he gives his own,” Yuvraj added.

India pocketed the 5-match T20I series 2-1 against Australia on Saturday. The visitors blazed their way to 52 for no loss in 4.5 overs when inclement weather put paid to the proceedings. Praising Abhishek’s camaraderie with Shubman Gill, captain Surykumar Yadav said they put smiles on the faces of everyone and are learning the different facets of dealing with various match situations in the shortest format

Source : https://www.news18.com/cricket/ye-mar-jayega-pit-jayega-lekin-yuvraj-singh-reveals-abhishek-sharmas-biggest-secret-watch-ws-dkl-9694127.html

She has levelled allegations of domestic violence against him. The trial court had ordered him to pay ₹1.3 lakh as monthly maintenance, which was enhanced to ₹4 lakh by the High Court in July.

The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to the Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami and West Bengal government on a petition moved by his wife for a monthly interim maintenance of ₹10 lakh for herself and for their daughter.

Shami’s wife has challenged a Calcutta High Court order directing the cricketer to pay an interim maintenance of ₹4 lakh per month to wife and their minor daughter. The High Court in July directed that ₹1,50,000 be paid to the wife and ₹2,50,000 to the daughter till the disposal of the case relating to domestic violence against Shami.

She has now sough enhancement of the said amount to ₹10 lakh.

The appeal was listed before a bench of Justices Manoj Misra and Ujjal Bhuyan which sought responses from Shami and State.

However, the Bench also asked the petitioner whether ₹4 lakh ordered by the High Court was not sufficient for her.

Senior Advocate Shobha Gupta and advocates Deepak Prakash, Sriram Parakkat and Divyangna Mallik appeared for the wife.

Shami married the petitioner-wife in April 2014 and a girl child was born to them in July 2015. This was her second marriage and she had two daughters from the previous marriage.

In 2018, she accused the cricketer of domestic violence, following which an FIR was registered against him.

She then filed an application before the magistrate under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDV Act), seeking interim maintenance of ₹10 lakh – ₹7 lakh for herself and ₹3 lakh for her daughter.

The trial court ordered him to pay ₹1.3 lakh as monthly maintenance, which was enhanced to ₹4 lakh by the High Court in July.

She has now approached the Supreme Court seeking ₹10 lakh.

As per the petition, the High Court failed to consider the settled law that maintenance must reflect the husband’s income and wife’s accustomed lifestyle during marriage.

“The Petitioner herein is a victim of grave mental and physical cruelty, at the behest of the Respondent No. 2, who is an A-listed national cricketer and a high-net worth Individual, estimated to over 500 Crores. There exists a stark financial disparity between the parties, wherein the Respondent No. 2 despite having all the means to provide a reasonable lifestyle to the Petitioner and his daughter, is deliberately and tactfully failing to do the same, insofar as to avoid his lawful liability of maintaining the Petitioner and minor daughter,” the plea states.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/mohammed-shamis-wife-moves-supreme-court-for-10-lakh-monthly-maintenance

Kuwait secured a 27-run victory against India in the Pool C match of Hong Kong Sixes.

The Pool C encounter between India and Kuwait took an unexpected twist as Dinesh Karthik’s men were beaten convincingly by 27 runs in the Hong Kong Sixes 2025 match on Saturday. Kuwait showed incredible grit, flair, and tactical brilliance in the six-a-side format. The match saw explosive batting, dramatic wickets, and a standout performance from Yasin Patel, who was named Player of the Match, thanks to his all-round show.

Batting first, Kuwait posted a formidable total of 106/5 in 6 overs, capitalising on the 6-over-per-side format with aggressive strokeplay. Their innings was marked by quick boundaries and smart running between the wickets, keeping the Indian bowlers under pressure throughout.

For the most part of the innings, it looked like Kuwait wouldn’t even cross the 90-run mark but Yasin hammered 5 consecutive sixes in the final over of the innings to help his team put 106 runs on the board.

Big win for Kuwait against India in the Hong Kong Super Sixes!

They beat India by 27 runs. #HongKongSixes pic.twitter.com/09l5VyIje2

— ICC Asia Cricket (@ICCAsiaCricket) November 8, 2025
India’s reply was expected to start with promise but was an absolute disaster. Robin Uthappa departed for a golden duck while the likes of Dinesh Karthik and Stuart Binny also departed without contributing much with the bat. Despite a spirited effort from Abhimanyu Mithun, who smashed 26 off just 9 balls, India could only manage 79/6 in 5.4 overs, falling 27 runs short of the target.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/dinesh-karthik-led-team-india-embarrassed-by-kuwait-in-hong-kong-sixes-9597095

Shivam Dube excelled in the Gold Coast T20I, scoring 22 runs and taking two wickets, helping India secure a 48-run victory against Australia.

Former India batting coach Abhishek Nayar heaped praise on Shivam Dube, saying the all-rounder has stepped up admirably to fill the void left by Hardik Pandya, who was ruled out of the entire Australia tour because of an injury he picked up during the Asia Cup, with his consistent performances with both bat and ball.

Speaking on JioStar’s post-match show Cricket Live after India’s 48-run win over Australia in the fourth T20I, Nayar said Dube’s growing maturity and versatility have made him an invaluable asset for the team.

“We always say that Hardik Pandya is the kind of all-rounder that India requires. But game after game, Shivam Dube has shown that he can be that all-rounder as well,” Nayar said. “You don’t really feel the absence of Hardik Pandya because Shivam bowls important overs, takes key wickets, and contributes with the bat in different situations.”

Dube produced another match-winning all-round performance in the Gold Coast T20I, scoring 22 off 18 balls at No. 3 and taking two crucial wickets — those of Australian captain Mitchell Marsh and the in-form Tim David — to derail the hosts’ chase of 168. His figures of 2 for 20 complemented Washington Sundar’s 3 for 3 as India bowled out Australia for 119 to clinch an unassailable 2–1 series lead.

“Today again, he scored crucial runs and took two big wickets when Australia were looking to accelerate,” Nayar added. “Whenever he has been challenged by this Indian team management, he has come up with flying colours. He may not be tagged as ‘the all-rounder’, but he does everything that an Indian all-rounder needs to do.”

“Morne and Gauti bhai gave me clear plans”: Dube
Dube, meanwhile, credited India’s disciplined bowling plans and the confidence shown by the coaching staff — led by head coach Gautam Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel — for his success.

“167 on this ground is definitely a good score because of the quality bowling we have — both spinners and pacers,” Dube said after the match. “The plan was to bowl on the sides which had bigger boundaries because it’s difficult to hit there. Morne and Gauti bhai gave me clear plans and backed me to execute them.”

Promoted up the order in recent games, Dube has impressed with his composure against pace and his ability to adapt to match situations.

“In the nets, I’ve worked a lot on playing short balls because of the extra bounce here,” he said. “The plan was to rotate strike against fast bowlers and attack the spinners when they came on.”

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/shivam-dube-has-shown-he-can-do-what-hardik-pandya-can-india-all-rounder-race-heats-up-101762443053527.html

Sunil Chhetri says his India career is definitely over and may also retire from professional football if Bengaluru FC don’t qualify for continental tournaments.

Sunil Chhetri has said his India career is over after making a surprising return earlier this year for the final round matches of the AFC Asian Cup 2027. Chhetri, widely recognised as one of India’s finest footballers, retired from international football in June last year before being persuaded by former head coach Manolo Marquez to make a U-turn.

With India unable to qualify for the continental event, Chhetri has decided this is the end of the road for him as far as international football is concerned. Additionally, it’s likely that the 42-year-old veteran may end up quitting professional football altogether, depending on how Bengaluru FC fare in the upcoming season of the Indian Super League (ISL).

“If we win the ISL, it will give me a chance to wear national (winning) club colours and play in international competitions again. At 42, it’s not easy. I want to score 15 goals this season and retire,” Chhetri told The Times of India.

Marquez was replaced by Khalid Jamil as the head coach of the Indian men’s football team in August this year. Chhetri says he had informed Jamil of his decision, citing he returned only for the qualifiers.

“It was easy telling Khalid sir about my decision. When I joined the national team, my only goal was to help as much as possible in the qualifiers. There was nothing else. If there were no qualifiers, I probably wouldn’t have come back. Once it was clear we couldn’t qualify, I was happy to tell the coach and he understood,” Chhetri said.

Chhetri’s ISL form was the primary reason why Marquez was compelled to recall him. He had scored 14 goals in the ISL, which was the second-best tally to Alaaeddine Ajaraie – the winner of the Golden Boot.

Initially hesitant, Chhetri agreed, but his comeback was far from memorable as he managed just one goal in six appearances. He now retires with 95 goals in his international career.

Source: https://www.news18.com/sports/sunil-chhetri-confirms-india-retirement-may-quit-professional-football-next-year-report-ws-bl-9686047.html

Suryakumar Yadav is known for his composed demeanour on the field, but India’s fourth T20I vs Australia saw the player lose his cool at one point.

India’s T20I captain and star batter Suryakumar Yadav is known for his composed demeanour on the field, but the side’s fourth T20I vs Australia saw the player lose his cool at one point. It was a tight affair at the Carrara Oval, Queensland, but India ended up winning the must-win game by a margin of 48 runs. The incident took place on the final ball of the 12th over of the Australia innings. The hosts were going well in the chase of 168 when Shivam Dube dismissed Tim David and provided India a slight edge. He bowled two dot balls to new batter Marcus Stoinis in the same over.

But what happened on the final ball saw Suryakumar blast Dube. The medium-pacer gifted a short ball way outside off-stump to Stoinis, and the batter smashed it for a boundary over backward point.

As the four took pressure off Stoinis and gave Australia an easy four, Suryakumar lashed out at Dube for the loose delivery.

Talking about the game, Washington Sundar took three wickets in five deliveries as India beat Australia by 48 runs.

India spinners claimed six wickets in all to usher an Australia collapse from 91 for 4 in 11.3 overs to 119 all out in 18.2 overs in the chase.

Australia lost its last seven wickets for 28 runs across 41 deliveries and were bowled out for their second-lowest T20 total on home soil after 111 versus New Zealand in Sydney in 2022.

India have an unbeatable 2-1 lead in the series, which ends on Saturday in Brisbane.

Sundar took 3-3 from 1.2 overs, left-arm spinner Axar Patel grabbed 2-20 in four overs, and Varun Chakravarthy picked 1-26.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/australia-vs-india-2025/suryakumar-yadav-blasts-shivam-dube-over-loose-delivery-vs-australia-in-4th-t20i-9588688

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian cricket team, which won the Women’s World Cup 2025, at his residence on Wednesday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian cricket team, which won the Women’s World Cup 2025, at his residence on Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi, on Wednesday. PM Modi congratulated the team on their victory and praised their remarkable comeback in the tournament after a string of three defeats and the trolling they had faced on social media. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur recalled meeting the Prime Minister in 2017, after India lost the Women’s World Cup final to England. The skipper added that they now hope to meet him more often. The team also gifted the PM a jersey bearing their autographs. It was a special jersey featuring the name ‘NAMO’.

Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana said the PM had motivated them and has been an inspiration to all of them. She also spoke about how girls are excelling in all fields today and credited the Prime Minister for that progress.

Star all-rounder Deepti Sharma, who was adjudged ‘Player of the Tournament’, said she had been waiting to meet PM Modi. She recalled their meeting in 2017, when he had encouraged them to keep working hard.

The PM mentioned that Deepti Sharma has written “Jai Shri Ram” on her Instagram account and has a tattoo of Lord Hanuman on her arm. She said it gives her strength. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur asked the Prime Minister how he manages to always remain in the present. He said that being present has been a part of his life and has become his habit. He also discussed how Harmanpreet pocketed the ball after the final match against South Africa. She said she was lucky that the ball came to her, so she kept it.

The now-famous catch by Amanjot Kaur that helped India dismiss South African centurion Laura Wolvaardt at a crucial juncture was also praised by PM Modi. Another important player in the squad, Kranti Gaud, mentioned how her brother is a big fan of the Prime Minister, to which he immediately extended an open invitation to meet them.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/women-s-odi-world-cup-2025/womens-world-cup-winning-team-india-gifts-pm-narendra-modi-autographed-namo-jersey-9581837

R Praggnanandhaa also had to settle for a hard-fought draw while Anish Giri, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Wesley So, Hans Nieman, Vidit Gujrathi were some of the top guns whose encounters ended in deadlock.

Most of the top-rated players, including World Champion Dommaraju Gukesh and other Indians, struggled to exert their supremacy, having to stay content with draws against lesser fancied opponents in the first game of the second round of the FIDE World Cup in Goa.

Reigning World Junior Champion Pranav Venkatesh brought some cheer to the Indian camp by defeating higher-rated GM Aryan Tari of Norway while Arjun Erigaisi began his campaign with a victory.

R Praggnanandhaa also had to settle for a hard-fought draw while Anish Giri, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Wesley So, Hans Nieman, Vidit Gujrathi were some of the top guns whose encounters ended in deadlock.

Gukesh played the English Opening against Nogerbek and there were times when he appeared in better position. Nogerbek defended stubbornly to finally earn half a point after 84 moves with just both the Kings gracing the board.

Child prodigy 12-year-old Oro Faustino of Argentina, dubbed the ‘Messi of Chess’ held higher-rated Vidit Gujrathi to a draw.

In other important results Sam Shankland defeated former World Championship finalist Vassily Ivanchuk with the black pieces.

Aryan Tari opened the English way against Pranav and his knight moved many times during the Opening stages. The Indian showed patience and pounced on a blunder by his opponent on the 40th turn. Pranav’s pieces suddenly came to life, breaking through the castle barriers and with his queen, rooks and bishops gunning fire, Tari resigned after 41 moves.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/other-sports/pranav-erigaisi-post-wins-3786605

After what the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian cricket team achieved in Navi Mumbai on November 2, women’s cricket in the country will get a boost unlike anything that has been seen so far.

The 2025 Women’s World Cup win is a watershed moment for Indian cricket. After what the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian cricket team achieved in Navi Mumbai on November 2, women’s cricket in the country will get a boost unlike anything that has been seen so far. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar feels that this win will send a message that other teams’ era of domination is over. However, Gavaskar had an interesting take on the women’s team being compared with the men’s World Cup-winning team of 1983.

“There were some who tried to compare this win with the men’s team winning the World Cup in 1983. The men had never progressed beyond the group stage in earlier editions, and so everything from the knockout stage onward was new to them, while the women already had a better record, having been in two finals before this magnificent triumph,” Gavaskar wrote in Sportstar.

“Just as the ’83 win galvanised Indian cricket and gave it a voice that was heard around the world, this victory will make the countries that started women’s cricket long before India did realise that their era of domination has been shaken.

“The ’83 win also encouraged parents of aspiring cricketers to let their children take up the game. The IPL took it to another level, of course, and that’s why today’s Indian men’s team includes players not just from the metros but from across the country.”

During the pulsating final on Sunday, India posted a daunting total of 298/7 on the board, courtesy of Shafali Verma’s blistering 87 (78) and Deepti Sharma’s fiery run-a-ball 58. In reply, skipper Laura Wolvaardt singlehandedly led the fight with a rollicking 101 (98), while the rest of her compatriots crumbled against India’s spin attack. Player of the Tournament Deepti Sharma delivered the final blow, and India experienced a wave of euphoria.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/women-s-odi-world-cup-2025/some-tried-to-compare-it-with-1983-world-cup-sunil-gavaskars-epic-analysis-of-womens-world-cup-win-9574406

This victory is expected to inspire a new generation of girls to take up cricket and aim for excellence on the world stage, carrying forward the momentum generated by this historic triumph.

The victorious Indian Women’s Cricket Team continued their celebrations in style after clinching the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 title, arriving at a hotel in Delhi to a warm welcome. Players were seen cutting a cake, dancing, and soaking in the moment, displaying a mix of joy, relief, and pride. Their exuberance reflected not just a hard-fought tournament victory, but a historic milestone for women’s cricket in India.

India secured the title with a commanding 52-run win over South Africa in the final, a performance that showcased both grit and flair. The triumph has been hailed as a landmark achievement, highlighting the growing stature and recognition of women’s cricket in the country. Fans, former cricketers, and dignitaries have flooded social media with congratulatory messages, celebrating the team’s inspiring journey.

The jubilant celebrations in Delhi mark the start of a homecoming that promises grander receptions and accolades in the days ahead, further cementing the team’s legacy in Indian cricket history. This victory is expected to inspire a new generation of girls to take up cricket and aim for excellence on the world stage, carrying forward the momentum generated by this historic triumph.

‘If You Are Envious…’: Shikha Pandey Fires Shot At Jemimah Rodrigues’ Critics After Team India’s Iconic ICC Women’s World Cup Title Win

Veteran Indian pacer Shikha Pandey joined the wave of heartfelt tributes as India celebrated their historic maiden ICC Women’s World Cup triumph. India defeated South Africa by 52 runs at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, lifting the trophy and ushering in a golden chapter for women’s cricket in the country. Amid the nationwide celebration, Pandey took to X to applaud one of the tournament’s standout performers: Jemimah Rodrigues.

Rodrigues, whose grit, consistency, and composure under pressure played a pivotal role in India’s title-winning campaign, earned widespread admiration from fans and cricketing peers alike. Pandey’s message captured that sentiment with affection and humour. She posted, “Just putting this out for anyone who needs to hear the obvious – Yes, Jemi is God’s favourite child and if you are envious..umm..sorry, no one can help you!”

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/heartwarming-moments-team-indias-women-cricketers-cut-cake-joyfully-dance-at-a-hotel-in-delhi-video

The ICC has come out with the verdict of their disciplinary hearings during the heated India vs Pakistan matches during the Asia Cup as Haris Rauf was handed a two-game ban, while Suryakumar was fined 30 percent of his match fees.

Pakistan’s Haris Rauf has been banned for two games while Suryakumar Yadav was fined thirty percent of his match fees and two demerit points as the ICC announced the outcomes of the official hearings regarding India vs Pakistan matches during the Asia Cup.

Rauf had come up with multiple provocative gestures during the Asia Cup clashes, and Suryakumar was accused of making politically charged remarks after snubbing handshakes with Pak players. The hearing was done by the members of the ICC’s Elite Panel of Match Referees following incidents during the matches between the arch-rivals on September 14, 21 and 28. Suryakumar was found guilty of a breach of Article 2.21 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to conduct that brings the game into disrepute.

Sahibzada Farhan was found guilty of the same offence and issued an official warning, along with one demerit point, for his gun celebration after scoring a fifty against India during the Super 4 clash in Dubai. Arshdeep Singh wasn’t found guilty of an alleged breach of Article 2 for his gesture following India’s win in the Super 4 clash had gone viral.

Jasprit Bumrah did the same gesture that Rauf used during the Super 4 match after dismissing the Pakistan bowler and accepted his sanction of one demerit point.

ICC’s RULING

14 September 2025 – India vs. Pakistan

Following a hearing conducted by ICC Match Referee Richie Richardson:

1. Suryakumar Yadav (India) was found guilty of a breach of Article 2.21 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to conduct that brings the game into disrepute. He was fined 30 per cent of his match fee and received two demerit points.
2. S. Farhan (Pakistan) was found guilty of the same offence and was issued an official warning, receiving one demerit point.
3. Haris Rauf (Pakistan) was also found guilty of the same offence and fined 30 per cent of his match fee, resulting in two demerit points.

For the greater good, former national team skipper Shantha Rangaswamy wants Harmanpreet Kaur to step down from captaincy

It may seem a tad harsh a day after India’s pathbreaking triumph in the Women’s ODI World Cup, but for the greater good, former national team skipper Shantha Rangaswamy wants Harmanpreet Kaur to step down from captaincy – something she feels is long overdue. Speaking to PTI, Rangaswamy believes that relinquishing the captaincy would be beneficial for 36-year-old Harmanpreet, who remains invaluable to the team as a batter and a gun fielder. She said the change has to be made with the long-term future of the team in mind. The next ODI World Cup is scheduled for 2029, while the T20 showpiece will be held in the UK next year.

Star opener Smriti Mandhana, who is 29, is the obvious choice for the new captain, said Rangaswamy. “It’s overdue. Because Harman, as a batter and a fielder, is brilliant. Yes. But tactically, she can fumble at times. I feel she can contribute more if she’s without the burden of captaincy. See, when it comes after a success like this (World Cup win), it will not be taken well. But in the interest of Indian cricket and in Harman’s own interest, I think she can contribute much more as a batter without the burden of captaincy,” she said.

“She still has three to four years of big-time cricket left. Not being captain would allow her to do that. Smriti should be made captain across formats. You need to plan for future World Cups as well.”

She also referred to Rohit Sharma’s case, where selectors moved on from him for the team’s sake after he captained India to the Champions Trophy title earlier this year.

India needs to improve on the bowling front to be dominant like Australia

Rangaswamy could not be happier about the team’s title-winning run at home, but she also made it a point to highlight the vulnerable areas.

“In our days, batting used to be the weaker link. Now batting has a settled look, but bowling is a concern. Fielding too can be a lot better.

“Australia lost only because they did not have a good bowling attack. I would say Pakistan and Bangladesh had better bowling attacks. The batters did the job for us,” said Rangaswamy, referring to seven-time champions Australia losing to India in the semifinals, with the latter unable to defend 338.

Tenfold increase in the game’s popularity

Reaching the final in 2017 made women’s cricket popular in India, but the win on Sunday night will lead to an explosion in girls taking up the sport, predicted Rangaswamy.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/women-s-odi-world-cup-2025/harmanpreet-kaur-should-step-down-as-india-captain-ex-skippers-suggestion-in-the-interest-of-indian-cricket-9568252

Amanjot Kaur became the talk on social media after her breathtaking catch during the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Navi Mumbai: Amanjot Kaur became the talk on social media after her breathtaking catch during the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The spectacular moment came when she dismissed South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt, surely giving fans a mini heart attack.

As Wolvaardt was set to take the game away from India after scoring a century, she tried to hit a six, but Amanjot positioned herself beneath the ball, momentarily lost control, spilling it once before juggling again.

However, she safely latched onto the catch on the third attempt with one hand. As the catch stuck, the stadium erupted in relief and joy. Fans on social media went into a frenzy, calling it the “moment of the final.”

Reactions on Amanjot Kaur’s thrilling catch

Harmanpreet Kaur, who is looking to captain the team towards maiden World Cup glory after coming close twice before, in 2005 and 2017.

India’ men’s cricket team who is currently touring Australia is rallying behind the women’s cricket team ahead of their historic ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final against South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The day November 2nd , 2025 marks a special day for skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who is looking to captain the team towards maiden World Cup glory after coming close twice before, in 2005 and 2017.

The X handle of BCCI posted a video in which th emen’s team sent good wished to the women’s team for the big day. India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, said, “On behalf of the entire support staff and the Indian team, I want to wish the women’s team all the very best. Bring the cup home. All the very best.”

ODI Captain Shubman Gill, alongside Abhishek Sharma and Harshit Rana, expressed their best wishes too. Gill simply said, “Wishing the women’s team all the very best for the finals,” while Harshit added, “Bring the cup home.”

Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah encouraged the women to “Give your best and everything else will take care of itself,” while pledging his support . The spin trio of Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakravarthy also voiced their confidence and encouragement, with Varun urging, “I’m very sure that you guys will go on and get us the World Cup and Chak De India.”

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/its-gods-plan-you-just-bumrah-sky-gambhir-mens-squad-wish-good-luck-to-womens-team-before-world-cup-final-video

Women’s World Cup 2025, IND vs SA: India will be aiming to end their long wait for an ICC title when they face a strong South African side on Sunday at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. While India stunned seven-time champions Australia in the semifinals, the Proteas thrashed England by 125 runs to book their place in the final.

Back in 2005, when Mithali Raj led India out in the final, most of the country barely knew a Women’s World Cup was being played in South Africa. The nation’s cricketing chatter revolved around Greg Chappell’s controversies with the men’s team, while women’s cricket existed quietly in the shadows – in empty stands and forgotten scorecards.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India wasn’t even officially tied to the women’s side then. Cut to 2025 – India are in their third World Cup final, this time at a roaring DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The tickets are gone. The stands will be packed, hearts beating as one – a far cry from those silent afternoons two decades ago.

In 2017, against England, they came so close. A few runs short, a few tears too many. That night at Lord’s broke hearts but built belief – belief that Indian women could not just dream, but dare. That defeat became a promise: we will return. Stronger. Louder. Unbreakable.

Stay updated for complete coverage of Women’s World Cup 2025 with India Today! Get full schedule, team squads, live score, and the updated ICC women’s world cup points table.

Now, in 2025, that promise stands on the brink of fulfilment. A home World Cup final. A sea of tricolours. A captain who wears her scars like medals, leading a generation that refuses to bow.

The 1983 triumph changed Indian men’s cricket forever. Forty-two years later, Harmanpreet Kaur and her warriors have the chance to do the same – to turn pain into pride, struggle into legacy, and 2025 into the year Indian women’s cricket finally takes its rightful place in history’s heart.

MITHALI COULDN’T. CAN HARMANPREET?
In 2005 and 2017, India stood on the brink of glory – only to watch it slip away in heartbreak. In 2005, Karen Rolton’s majestic 107 crushed India by 98 runs, ending a dream before it could truly take flight. But it was 2017 that left a deeper scar. Under the bright lights of Lord’s, Anya Shrubsole’s six-wicket storm tore through Indian hearts, as a chase that once seemed theirs unraveled cruelly.

Needing just 38 runs off 44 balls with seven wickets in hand, victory had felt inevitable – almost written in destiny. Yet, in a cruel twist, it vanished. For Mithali Raj, it was a second heartbreak, heavier than the first. When she bowed out of international cricket after India’s failure to reach the 2022 semi-finals, it was a quiet, aching farewell for a legend who had carried a nation’s hopes for decades.

Now, in 2025, the baton – and the burden – rests with Harmanpreet Kaur. Most likely playing her last ODI World Cup, the fire still burns fierce in her eyes. The 2009 World Cup in Australia marked her beginning; the 2025 edition could define her legacy.

For the first time, she leads India on the grandest stage – and maybe, just maybe, destiny will finally smile. On Super Sunday, Harmanpreet has the chance to turn years of pain into redemption – to lift not just a trophy, but the weight of generations who dared to dream.

END OF 20-YEAR-LONG WAIT?

As India walk into the final, a familiar ghost lingers – they haven’t beaten South Africa in an ODI World Cup since 2005. Back then, India ruled their first three meetings. Since then, the Proteas have struck back with three wins of their own, each one a quiet reminder of unfinished business. In Vizag earlier this tournament, India were within touching distance before Nadine de Klerk’s fearless flourish snatched the game away.

But on this grand stage, the past counts for nothing. When the first ball is bowled, it all begins again – from zero. For South Africa, it’s another chance to chase history. For India, it’s the chance to rewrite theirs.

The pressure will weigh heavy on both sides – neither has ever lifted the trophy in a world long ruled by Australia and England. But perhaps the burden is heaviest on South Africa, stepping into their maiden World Cup final.

For India, a win on Sunday would wash away years of near-misses and heartbreaks. It would turn pain into pride, doubt into destiny. Last year, the men’s team rose from the edge of defeat to claim T20 World Cup glory. Now, it’s the women’s turn – to summon that same spirit, to fight till the final breath, and to make the noise of a billion hearts echo through the night.

NO BIGGER MOTIVATION
For Harmanpreet Kaur, there’s no need for extra motivation – none could be bigger than playing a World Cup final in front of a roaring home crowd. This is the stage every cricketer dreams of, and for her, it’s deeply personal. India’s journey to this point has been anything but smooth. After three consecutive defeats, the team faced scathing criticism and the looming threat of an early exit. But instead of crumbling, they chose to rise.

They shut out the noise, tightened their bond, and rediscovered their fight. And when the moment demanded resilience, they delivered in style. The five-wicket win over Australia in Navi Mumbai – built on Jemimah Rodrigues’ stirring century – wasn’t just a victory; it was a statement. A reminder that this team thrives under fire, and that belief, once reignited, can be unstoppable.

“Well, I think when you are at a stage like this, playing the final match of the World Cup, I don’t think there can be a bigger motivation than this. The entire team is fully charged up. They are standing with each other and are giving each other prayers and blessings,” Harmanpreet said in the press-conference.

“I think that shows how much this team is with each other and how ready we are for this match. Now it’s only about giving your best, strategy and everything. It’s not that we have reached the final and we have to do all this today. We have been doing this from last two years,” Harmanpreet added.

Now, as Harmanpreet leads her side into the biggest game of their lives, the motivation isn’t revenge or redemption — it’s pride. Pride in how far they’ve come, and belief that this time, they can go all the way.

THIRD TIME LUCKY FOR PROTEAS?
While the final carries enormous weight for India, it means just as much — perhaps even more – for South Africa. This will be their third successive ICC final. In 2023, Australia denied them the joy of lifting the T20 World Cup in front of their home crowd. A year later, in 2024, New Zealand crushed their hopes in Dubai. On both occasions, Laura Wolvaardt stood there – calm, unshaken, yet heartbroken.

In the ongoing World Cup, Wolvaardt has been the picture of composure once again. South Africa began their campaign with a 10-wicket drubbing at the hands of England, but responded in style with five straight wins.

They stumbled against Australia in their final league game – only to redeem themselves spectacularly with a 125-run win over the same England in Guwahati, powered by Wolvaardt’s sublime 169 and Marizanne Kapp’s fiery five-wicket haul.

Now, as they face India in the biggest game of them all, the question remains — can the Proteas carry that confidence into the final and finally script their fairytale? Only time will tell.

MIND GAMES?
Before the semifinal, Laura Wolvaardt had cheekily remarked that England would feel the heat in a knockout game – and she was right. England buckled under pressure and went down without a fight. Now, on the eve of the World Cup final, Wolvaardt has turned her attention to India, firing the first shot in what’s shaping up to be a battle of nerves as much as skill.

This time, her words carry a familiar edge. She believes India have everything to lose – playing in front of a packed home crowd, burdened by the weight of expectation. It’s a calculated move, a classic dose of pre-match mind games aimed at shifting the pressure back onto the hosts.

“It’s going to be a very exciting opportunity but at the same time I think it puts a lot of pressure on them as well. They have the whole country behind them and are sort of expected to win. I guess so. Yeah, I think it sort of plays in our favour hopefully,” Wolvaardt said.

If the recent past has shown anything, it’s that Harmanpreet’s India doesn’t wilt under noise – they feed off it. And come Sunday, those words might just fuel the fire burning within the Indian camp.

The chance to win a World Cup on home soil doesn’t come often – and India know it. Sunday’s victory, if it comes, won’t just be another trophy in the cabinet; it could be a moment that reshapes the future. A win in front of their own people could light a thousand dreams — in dusty maidans, narrow lanes, and small towns where young girls watch with wide eyes and dare to believe.

This isn’t just about glory; it’s about legacy. A triumph on Sunday could become the turning point – the moment when women’s cricket in India stops chasing recognition and starts commanding it. When the next generation doesn’t just play the game, but owns it.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/india-south-africa-preview-women-world-cup-final-2025-harmanpreet-navi-mumbai-2812004-2025-11-02

The Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman, Arun Dhumal, feels that Jemimah Rodrigues, with her splendid 127 (134) in the Women’s World Cup semi-final against Australia, “replayed” the famous Kapil Dev innings from the 1983 World Cup against Zimbabwe

The Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman, Arun Dhumal, feels that Jemimah Rodrigues, with her splendid 127 (134) in the Women’s World Cup semi-final against Australia, “replayed” the famous Kapil Dev innings from the 1983 World Cup against Zimbabwe. In the pulsating semi-final at the DY Patil Stadium on Thursday, Australia blazed their way to a daunting 338, leaving India to chase down the highest target in the history of the Women’s World Cup. Jemimah kept India in the hunt after the hosts lost Smriti Mandhana (24) and Shafali Verma (10) in the powerplay. From 59/2, Jemimah took India past the finish line. With fortune on her side, she saw two catching opportunities go down while pursuing the 339-run target.

She found ideal support from skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (89), Deepti Sharma (24), and Richa Ghosh (26) to script a new record for the highest successful run chase in Women’s World Cup history. For Dhumal, Jemimah “replayed” Kapil’s unbeaten 175 against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup—a performance that wasn’t televised. During Kapil’s memorable knock, India was struggling at 17/5 before he delivered a batting masterclass.

During India’s group-stage encounter against Australia, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side suffered a defeat despite posting 330 on the board.

The IPL chairman classified Jemimah’s memorable outing as the best in the ongoing marquee event.

“It was phenomenal to watch Jemimah—the way she played yesterday. In fact, none of us remembers Kapil Dev’s innings against Zimbabwe. So she replayed that innings, you know, that was played in the quarter-final. Jemimah did what Kapil Paji did long back, which was unfortunately not broadcast—but this, fortunately, was,” Dhumal said while speaking exclusively to ANI.

Jemimah didn’t have a dream start to the tournament, notching scores of 0, 32, 0, and 33 before being dropped for the group-stage fixture against England in Indore. The local hero from Mumbai returned to the final XI in the semi-final and enchanted her home crowd with a performance to remember.

“The entire country and the entire world watched how Jemimah led the team and the way she played when the team was down. Smriti had been in phenomenal form in this tournament, but we lost a wicket—and the way Jemimah played under pressure was incredible. It was a phenomenal innings, and she fought till the finish. The way she played this winning knock outshone every other innings in this tournament,” Dhumal added.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/women-s-odi-world-cup-2025/jemimah-rodrigues-did-what-kapil-dev-did-long-back-ipl-chairman-arun-dhumals-ultimate-compliment-9554053

Here is a list of records broken during India vs Australia 2025 Women’s World Cup semi-final

Jemimah Rodrigues hit an unbeaten 127 to help India pull off a record ODI chase of 339 against Australia in a thrilling second semi-final of the Women’s World Cup on Thursday. Rodrigues and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored 89, put on 167 runs for the third wicket as India won with nine balls and five wickets to spare at the DY Patil Stadium on the outskirts of Mumbai. Amanjot Kaur hit the winning boundary to trigger wild celebrations in the Indian camp, with smiles and tears of joy in the dugout. India will face South Africa in the final at the same venue on Sunday, as the 50-over marquee tournament is set to crown a new champion.

In six innings in the Asia Cup 2025, Suryakumar Yadav scored only 72 runs.

India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav led the team to a memorable Asia Cup 2025 triumph, but his own form has remained somewhat patchy. The ‘360-degree’ batter is currently only a part of India’s T20I team, which means consistent match practice at the top level has been a concern. Ahead of the start of the three-match T20I series against Australia, Suryakumar was questioned by reporters in a press conference about his form. The skipper quickly quashed the concerns, stating he is in a good space at the moment.

“I feel like I have been working really hard; before also I was doing it, it is not that I was not working hard. I’ve had a few good sessions back home, good two or three sessions here, so I am in a good space; I think that is really important. Runs will come eventually, but working hard towards a team goal-that’s more important,” Suryakumar said during the pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

When asked about the team combination, Suryakumar hinted at fielding three spinners against Australia.

“I don’t think that our combination changes too much with conditions. If you see, when we played in South Africa, over there we played one fast bowler, one all-rounder, and three spinners. Conditions are similar over here, some bouncy tracks,” he explained.

Suryakumar also said that he would be relying on Bumrah’s experience of playing in Australia to deliver the results in the five-match series.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/australia-vs-india-2025/suryakumar-yadav-grilled-over-poor-form-in-press-conference-his-reply-9529456

India ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer was admitted to a hospital in Sydney after suffering internal bleeding resulting from a rib cage injury sustained during the third match against Australia.

India ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer was admitted to a hospital in Sydney after suffering internal bleeding resulting from a rib cage injury sustained during the third match against Australia. Iyer, who had taken a brilliant catch while running backwards from backward point to dismiss Alex Carey, appeared to have injured his left rib cage in the process.

According to sources, Iyer fainted in the dressing room, and his vital parameters were alarmingly low. He was rushed to the hospital soon after, with scans revealing he had sustained a “laceration injury to the spleen.”

“Shreyas Iyer sustained an impact injury to his left lower rib cage region… He was taken to the hospital for further evaluation. Scans have revealed a laceration injury to the spleen. He is under treatment, medically stable, and recovering well,” the BCCI said in a statement on Monday.

“The BCCI Medical Team, in consultation with specialists in Sydney and India, is closely monitoring his injury status. The Indian Team Doctor will remain in Sydney with Shreyas to evaluate his day-to-day progress.”

Internal Bleeding

The 30-year-old will remain under observation for 2-7 days. “Shreyas has been in the ICU for the past couple of days. After the reports came in, internal bleeding was detected, and he had to be admitted immediately,” a source privy to the development told PTI on condition of anonymity.

“He will remain under observation for anywhere between two to seven days depending on recovery, as it was necessary to stop the spread of infection due to bleeding.”

BCCI’s Swift Action

The BCCI medical team acted swiftly after Iyer’s vital parameters fluctuated upon his return to the dressing room.

“The team doctor and physio didn’t take any chances and took him to the hospital immediately. Things are stable now, but it could have been fatal. He’s a tough lad and should be fine soon,” the source added.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/australia-vs-india-2025/shreyas-iyer-fainted-in-dressing-room-inside-details-india-vice-captains-near-fatal-injury-report-9526194

Lionel Messi wants to play for Argentina in next year’s World Cup, but he says he will listen to his body before deciding whether he can make that dream come true.

Lionel Messi wants to play for Argentina in next year’s World Cup, but he says he will listen to his body before deciding whether he can make that dream come true. The 38-year-old striker for Inter Miami of MLS led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title and yearns to be on the field when the “Albiceleste” defend the crown next year in North America. Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi told NBC News in an interview broadcast on Monday that he will see next year how his body feels before deciding on whether or not he can play in the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

“It’s something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup and I would love to,” said Messi, who turns 39 next June.

“I would like to be there, to be well and be an important part of helping my national team, if I am there.

“And I’m going to assess that on a day-to-day basis when I start preseason next year with Inter and see if I can really be 100%, if I can be useful to the group, to the national team, and then make a decision.”

Messi, who has been playing professionally since 2004, wants the chance for one more star turn on football’s biggest stage.

“I’m really eager because it’s a World Cup. We’re coming off winning the last World Cup and being able to defend it on the field again is spectacular because it’s always a dream to play with the national team, especially in official competitions.”

Messi, who debuted with Barcelona in La Liga at age 17, joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and moved to MLS in 2023.

“The truth is that I like everything about living here,” Messi said of Miami.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/football/lionel-messi-announces-big-fifa-world-cup-2026-decision-puts-end-to-speculations-9527759

India’s group stage campaign came to an end with an abandoned fixture against Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai. A game which saw 36.4 overs in total was dominated by India before incessant rain denied them a win, which was just 69 runs away.

India ended the group stage with an abandoned fixture en route to the semi-final of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, after their clash against Bangladesh on Sunday, 26 October, in Navi Mumbai was marred by persistent rain. However, more than the rain, it was the injury to their star opening batter Pratika Rawal, which left team India worried.

A day marred by inclement weather saw the two teams play a truncated 27-over per side match, where India dominated the proceedings right from ball one. After being put in to bat first, Bangladesh were under pressure from the opening over and struggled to build momentum due to a lengthy rain delay. Once play resumed, India’s spin duo of Radha Yadav (3/30) and Shree Charani (2/23) dismantled the Bangladeshi batting line-up, restricting them to 119 for 9 in 27 overs.

Chasing a DLS-revised target of 126, Amanjot Kaur opened the innings alongside Smriti Mandhana (34* off 27) after Pratika Rawal twisted her ankle while fielding. The opener landed awkwardly while attempting to prevent a boundary and had to leave the field in visible pain.

Stay updated for complete coverage of Women’s World Cup 2025 with India Today! Get full schedule, team squads, live score, and the updated ICC women’s world cup points table.

Amanjot Kaur opens in Pratika Rawal’s absence

In her absence, Amanjot and Mandhana gave India a steady start, scoring six runs from the first two overs. The first boundary of the innings came from Amanjot’s bat, flicking Marufa Akter towards long on. Mandhana then found her rhythm with back-to-back fours off Nishita Akter, as the pair capitalised on Bangladesh’s lapses in the field to bring up a fifty partnership in just 40 balls.

India were cruising at 57 for 0 after 8.4 overs when heavy rain returned, forcing the players off the field and eventually bringing the match to a premature end.

Earlier, after a two-hour delay to start the game, Renuka Singh had given India the perfect start with the ball, removing Sumaiya Akter for 2 (6) in the first over. Partnering with Deepti Sharma, Renuka maintained pressure from both ends. She could have had another wicket, but Shree Charani dropped a straightforward chance offered by Sharmin Akter at short third man.

Radha Yadav’s spin rocks Bangladesh

While Renuka was denied a second breakthrough, Deepti struck soon after, with Rubya Haider (13 off 32) holing out to mid-off. Bangladesh were struggling at 39 for 2 after 12.2 overs when another spell of rain halted play for nearly two hours.

Upon resumption, Bangladesh attempted to rebuild but were pegged back once more. A sharp piece of fielding from Radha Yadav caught captain Nigar Sultana (9 off 24) short of her ground at the non-striker’s end, triggering a collapse. From there, Radha and Charani ripped through the batting order, ensuring Bangladesh were bowled out for just 119 for 9 in 27 overs.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/womens-world-cup-ind-vs-ban-pratika-rawal-radha-yadav-shree-charani-2808737-2025-10-26

Rohit Sharma on Saturday scored a sublime 121 not out, helping India beat Australia by 9 wickets in the third and final ODI.

India’s star ODI opener Rohit Sharma was quite emotional while leaving Sydney, Australia, at the end of the three-match ODI series. The right-handed batter departed on Sunday after scoring a sensational 121 not out at the Sydney Cricket Ground a day earlier. It was Rohit’s 33rd ODI century. His knock helped India register a consolation nine-wicket victory against Australia. The player shared an emotional post on social media as he prepared to take his flight from Sydney. “One last time, signing off from Sydney,” wrote Rohit, posting a picture of himself entering the departure gate at the airport.

Rohit Sharma has always cherished playing in Australia, and after a challenging ODI series against the old rivals, the former captain admitted on Saturday that there might not be another trip for him and Virat Kohli to their cricketing heartland.

Both Rohit and Kohli now play only one format after retiring from Tests and T20Is, and their careers have become a matter of intense speculation of late.

On Saturday, the two legendary batters joined forces yet again to save India from a series whitewash with their unbeaten 168-run partnership, leading the side to a consolatory nine-wicket win in the third ODI.

“Always love coming here and playing here. Fond memories of 2008. I’m not sure if we’ll be coming back to Australia, but we enjoy our cricket no matter what accolades we achieve,” Rohit said after being named Player of the Match and Player of the Series.

Rohit hit a magnificent 121 while Kohli produced a 74-run knock in India’s victory.

“We started afresh in Perth – that’s how I look at things,” he added, acknowledging the challenges of touring Australia.

Rohit also stressed the importance of experience and mentorship at this stage of their careers.

“You expect tough pitches and quality bowlers in Australia. Playing here is never easy. We couldn’t win the series, but there are plenty of positives. It’s a young side, and there will be a lot of learnings.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/australia-vs-india-2025/one-last-time-rohit-sharmas-emotional-post-day-after-century-in-sydney-9519631

While the ordinary get fazed by intimidation and hostility, the extraordinary thrive on it; in fact, that becomes their adrenaline.

Bengaluru: Just ahead of the ODI series against Australia that started last Sunday, Virat Kohli spoke candidly about how the country holds a special place in his heart for helping him become the legendary cricketer that he is today. Growing up, Kohli, like most cricketers, was completely mystified by Australia. The fast and bouncy tracks, the ruthless aggression the Aussies brought to the field, the hostile crowd that could unnerve even the mightiest… Kohli as a kid himself got a picture of how unforgiving playing cricket Down Under could be. While it’s extremely intimidating for an average cricketer, the extraordinary are inspired by it. They, in fact, thrive on it.

“Growing up, watching cricket as a kid when we used to wake up early and watch Test cricket in Australia, you can see the ball flying off the pitch and the opposition in your face, and I used to feel, wow, if I will be able to step up in these conditions and against this opposition, that’s something I could be proud of as a cricketer,” Kohli told Fox Sport. “Even the Australian set up, how they played their cricket and how they were in your face all the time, intimidating and taking the game on, that was something that really inspired me to come here and do the same. Early on, I found it was easier to watch on television than be part of that hostile environment, but I am really grateful to all those times because that shaped me as a cricketer and as a person as well.”

While the ordinary get fazed by intimidation and hostility, the extraordinary thrive on it; in fact, that becomes their adrenaline. Kohli, because the thought of proving himself in Australia was so deeply ingrained in his mind as a child, always upped his game Down Under. In 18 Tests, the 36-year-old has played in Australia, he has scored 1542 runs at a wonderful average of 46.52, including seven centuries and four fifties. Kohli captained the Indian team in Tests for the first time in Australia, and although the visitors lost the Adelaide game by 48 runs, the Delhiite’s two centuries and the win-at-all-costs attitude, instead of settling for a draw, endeared him to the Aussies eventually.

Not just in Australia, but Kohli was at his best when he was provoked. Whenever he was needled by an opponent, he would come out all guns blazing against them and seldom failed at it. Over time, bowlers realised it’s better to leave him alone, especially when the King was at the peak of his powers. Even when things were mellow, Kohli would find a way to stir the pot – confrontation was his catalyst for success.

Not just Kohli, but the sporting world is filled with athletes who relish adverse environments. Record 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic, for whom Kohli has a lot of respect, has often spoken about how he finds the extra gear when the crowd is against him. “The amount of pressure and stress is so much higher if you have a crowd against you. But (laughs) for most of my career, it was mostly hostile environments for me. I kind of learned how to thrive in that environment. And people think that it’s actually better if they don’t like me so that it kind of gets the best out of me in terms of tennis,” the Serb great was quoted during an interview on 60 Minutes.

Basketball great Michael Jordan loved trash-talking opponents — sometimes his own teammates — and relished confrontational crowds. John McEnroe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Daniil Medvedev, Kobe Bryant, Muhammad Ali… all of them were wired to perform when they felt the world was seemingly against them. They fed off the negative energy — contrary to most athletes — and turned it into a positive one.

It’s one thing to perform under pressure, which is what athletes are expected to do, but another to have a fascination for hostile environments. So how is it that this bunch succeeds?

“If you look at the percentage of athletes that thrive in a hostile environment, if you’re talking about elite athletes, there aren’t many of them,” Dr Sanjana Kiran, a world-renowned high-performance mind coach and sports psychologist, told DHoS from Singapore. “As long as you’re human, anything negative will affect you, and rightly so. What they are able to do is numb themselves. Because even top athletes have competition anxiety. But the fact that anxiety, hostility doesn’t affect them means they numb themselves to a point that nothing affects them, and that’s why they are able to perform robotically.

“Elite athletes like to live in a sort of bubble. And also, they know that they’re very elite and part of a very, very few in the world who can achieve such things. So when these things happen, like when the crowd is against them, or when the opponents are, you know, really breathing fire around their neck, that instinct to say that I am the best here is what sort of overtakes them. They want to be the best in the world and they feel that nothing needs to come in between for them to be that,” explained Sanjana, who has worked with several elite teams and athletes.

So do these athletes train their minds differently as compared to others?

“A sports psychologist or a mind coach will not hand out mental resilience and toughness to you,” reckoned Sanjana. “Elite athletes are emotionally sensitive but in a different way. What we do is help them understand the perspective of things, the mentality of what’s serving them, and reorganise it. Reframe it, rewire it a little bit. Now these athletes have decided to be the best. So we just facilitate in unleashing that peak potential. Because they’re very hardworking, super motivated, super focused, diligent, committed, it’s different from working with a regular person. With the best of the best in the world, what’s standing between them and their performance is their mentality. And these athletes who have a fondness for hostile battlegrounds are just built strongly — emotionally and physically. They are aware of it and have mastered unleashing it.”

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/decoding-the-unique-mindset-of-sports-champions-under-hostile-environments-3775365

Virat Kohli won hearts with a gesture after spotting the Indian flag being dropped to the ground at the Sydney Cricket Ground by a fan. The 36-year-old’s patriotic act was caught on camera and quickly went viral on social media.

Virat Kohli won hearts with an ultimate gesture of patriotism after his match-winning knock for India against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Saturday (October 25) while walking back towards the dressing room after the game ended.
The star batter noticed that a fan had dropped the Indian flag on the ground. Showing respect towards the tri-colour, Kohli decided to pick the flag and handed it back to the fan while telling him something, which was not audible in the clip
Kohli was widely hailed for his gesture as the video went viral all over social media

For likely one final time in Australia, Virat Kohli reminded the Sydney Cricket Ground—and the cricketing world—why he is one of the greatest ODI batters of all time. Kohli finished unbeaten on 74 to guide India to victory in front of a raucous, predominantly Indian crowd.

For likely one final time in Australia, Virat Kohli turned back the clock at the Sydney Cricket Ground, crafting an unbeaten 74 to shepherd India to victory in front of a full house—most clad in blue, waving flags, and perhaps trying to out-cheer each other. The evening was equal parts celebration and nostalgia, with the highest and third-highest centurions of ODI cricket—Kohli and Rohit Sharma—sharing moments heavy with emotion amid the raucous applause.

Freed from the pressures of being a three-format player and having spent long, leisurely months with his family in London, Kohli has been in buoyant spirits throughout the tour. There were smiles, handshakes, and selfies after training sessions. The man is 37, yes—but clearly, he’s aged like fine wine—or a vintage bat that only gets sweeter with time.

But let’s rewind a bit. The first two ODIs against Australia were well, let’s call them “learning experiences.” Kohli, arguably the greatest ODI batter of all time, had registered consecutive ducks in Perth and Adelaide. The chatter was relentless. Could the King still summon fire for the South Africa series? Did he even have enough left in the tank for the 2027 ODI World Cup?

The SCG, though, has a way of humbling those doubts. India were asked to chase, and it felt almost scripted: Kohli walking to the crease, the weight of expectation on his shoulders, and yet that glimmer in his eye promising, “Don’t worry, I’ve got this.”

Even before Kohli faced a ball, the SCG was alive. In Australia’s 23rd over, he had snatched a sharp catch at square leg to dismiss Matt Short. Anyone with their back to the action—grabbing a coffee, taking a selfie, or pretending to check the scoreboard—might have missed it. The roar, though, ensured nobody could ignore what had just happened.

KOHLI WALKS OUT TO BAT

The entire Sydney Cricket Ground seemed to breathe and stand in unison as Virat Kohli strode out to bat in the third ODI against Australia on Saturday, October 25. Every fan, player, and perhaps even the guy selling hotdogs in the stands seemed to know the stakes. This could very well be Kohli’s last hurrah on Australian soil. With India’s next Down Under tour nowhere on the horizon, the 36-year-old’s innings felt like the closing scene of a long, glittering chapter in a career that has been nothing short of epic.

Walking to the crease alongside Rohit Sharma, Kohli exuded calm purpose. The first run unleashed a wave of cheers, bhangra beats echoed across the stands, and Kohli smiled knowingly, as if to say, “Yes, I remember how this is done.” Redemption after two ducks? Check. Crowd-pleasing? Check. Magic? Oh yes, buckets of that, too.

The first-ball single to mid-on drew a deafening cheer and a modest glove-raise from Kohli—a little nod to the crowd, a small atonement for the twin failures of earlier matches. He followed with a late cut against Adam Zampa, a top-edged pull against Hazlewood, and then—oh, the pice de rsistance—a crisp straight drive off Starc, as if to say, “This is still my playground.”

AUS vs IND, 3rd ODI: Highlights | Scorecard

From there, it was a symphony of singles and boundaries, punctuated with drama. Nathan Ellis struck Kohli’s pads, prompting a DRS review. The TV umpire sided with the on-field decision: not out. Relief washed over the “Chase Master.” By now, he was on 36, and momentum was fully his.

Fifty came off 56 balls. Seventy 50-plus scores in ODI chases—the most by any batter, overtaking Tendulkar’s 69. Crossing 54, he became the second-highest run-scorer in ODIs, surpassing Kumar Sangakkara’s 14,234 with 14,255. Only Tendulkar’s 18,426 lies ahead.

Watching Kohli bat like this is a lesson in patience, precision—and, if you’re an opponent, frustration. Even affable Australian captain Mitchell Marsh looked a little glum, helpless before such mastery. A crisp four off Ellis brought the chase to its inevitable conclusion. Australian players crowded around Rohit and Kohli, clapping and shaking hands—respect, unreserved and genuine.

THE ICON BIDS GOODBYE

Post-match, the duo faced Ravi Shastri and Adam Gilchrist for Fox Cricket. Shastri couldn’t resist a cheeky dig at Kohli about his earlier ducks. The response? Delightfully human:

“Good to be out of the pond, honestly,” Kohli said like a true student of the game, drawing huge cheers. “You’ve scored so many runs in international cricket, but then the game shows you everything. Even at this stage, 37 and not many days old and still can feel like I don’t know how to get a run. I mean this game is amazing.

“That’s why we love batting, we love batsmanship, and it’s so challenging when it’s not going your way and just to find your rhythm again. Go out there, having a situation to play in always is something that always brings out the best in me. And yeah, when Rohit’s already batting there, it’s pretty easy to kind of keep rotating strike. We understand each other’s game really well. So again, really good to have a big partnership and another match-finishing partnership for us.”

Kohli, one of the most famous foreign athletes in Australia—a country that has long treated him as both icon and antagonist—could finally enjoy a sweet moment. Over the years, shameless tabloids and taunting fans had whipped up drama, but Kohli always backed his words with deeds. Saturday night, with a smile and an unbeaten knock, was proof: a fond farewell from fans who can be hard-bitten but fair.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/virat-kohli-ind-vs-aus-sydney-odi-2808445-2025-10-26

The BCCI has also assured that additional steps will be implemented to safeguard all visiting teams for the remainder of the Women’s World Cup, reaffirming that player safety remains a top priority.

BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia has issued an official statement strongly condemning the disturbing incident in Indore, where two Australian women cricketers were reportedly harassed by a motorcyclist while walking to a cafe. The episode, which has drawn widespread criticism, occurred during the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup, raising serious concerns about the safety of visiting athletes.

In his statement, Mr. Saikia said, “This is a deeply regrettable and isolated incident. India has always been known for its warmth, hospitality, and care towards all guests. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards such acts. We appreciate the swift and effective action taken by the Madhya Pradesh Police in apprehending the accused. The law will take its due course to ensure justice is served. We will also review our existing safety protocols and strengthen them further, if necessary, to ensure such incidents are not repeated.”

The BCCI Secretary’s remarks underline the board’s commitment to ensuring the safety and dignity of all international players participating in the tournament. Saikia’s acknowledgment of India’s long-standing tradition of hospitality and his assurance of tighter security measures reflect a clear message of accountability and resolve.

The swift response from the Madhya Pradesh Police, who arrested the accused shortly after the complaint, has been widely appreciated by officials and cricketing bodies alike. The BCCI has also assured that additional steps will be implemented to safeguard all visiting teams for the remainder of the Women’s World Cup, reaffirming that player safety remains a top priority.

‘No woman should have to face such inappropriate behavior’ – Mahanaaryaman Scindia

The 2026 Ducati Monster weighs 175 kg, which is 4 kg lighter than its predecessor.

Ducati’s new Monster is out of the covers now and has entered its fifth generation. In this iteration, it has parted ways with the 937 cc Testastretta engine to use the latest 890 cc V2 platform from the house of Bologna. This is the same unit that has been performing its duties on the mid-size models of the brand, like the Multistrada, Panigale, and Streetfighter.

The new platform has been used on the 2026 Monster to bring it closer to achieving the brand’s goal of having a lineup of Euro5+ emission-compliant machines. With the new machine in place, the DesertX and Hypermotard 950 will be next to move away from the 937 cc Testastretta. However, the debut date of these machines is still not known.

Talking about the Monster’s heart, it gets a twin-cylinder engine which churns out 109.4 hp of power at 9,000 rpm and 91 Nm of peak torque at 7250 rpm. This is slightly lower than the outgoing versions’ 110 hp of power at 9,250 rpm and 93 Nm torque at 6,500 rpm. It works using IVT (Intake Variable Timing) and is around 6 kg lighter than the previous unit.

The engine is placed inside a front frame design chassis, very similar to other V2-powered machines. Furthermore, the bike now gets a double swingarm hollow design and is suspended on Showa suspension at both ends. The front unit is a non-adjustable 43 mm tub, while the rear gets a preload-adjustable monoshock. This results in an 815 mm seat height, which can be lowered by 775 mm.

The stopping power comes from Brembo, with the front end using a dual 320 mm disc with four-piston radially mounted callipers, while the rear gets a 245 mm disc with two-piston callipers. Meanwhile, the 17-inch rims are shod in Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires.

To support the performance of this hardware, the brand is offering rider aids like six-axis IMU, traction control, wheelie control, engine braking control, and cornering ABS. There are also four riding modes: Sport, Road, Urban, and Wet. The list of features also includes cruise control, a quickshifter with up/down shift capability, and heated grips.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/auto/2026-ducati-monster-breaks-cover-with-new-890cc-v2-engine-9507300?pfrom=auto-topstories

Mohsin Naqvi, refused to present the Asia Cup 2025 trophy to Team India and left with it. Tilak Varma revealed that they waited in the ground for an hour. They eventually celebrated in a humorous manner.

India won their record-equalling 9th Asia Cup trophy in 2025, when they defeated Pakistan in the final. However, the team did not receive a trophy, because Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president Mohsin Naqvi did a bizzarre thing that has never been done anywhere in sporting history. He refused to hand over the trophy and ran away with it to his hotel room, thus leaving India empty-handed. The Player of the Match in the final, Tilak Varma has revealed fresh details as to what exactly happened on that day, and how they celebrated despite not getting the trophy.
In the latest episode of Breakfast With Champions, Tilak Varma revealed that the Indian team was waiting at the ground for an hour to receive the trophy. He also revealed that he wAs lying on the ground, while pacer Arshdeep Singh was busy making reels. They had no idea about Mohsin Naqvi’s shameless act.
“We were actually waiting at the ground for one hour. If you look at the TV visuals, you’ll see that I was lying on the ground. The rest were also lying on the ground. Arshdeep Singh was busy making reels. We were just waiting, and we were thinking, ‘The trophy will come anytime now.’ It was one hour, and the trophy was nowhere to be found. We were looking around, but the trophy was nowhere to be found,” Varma said.

Virat Kohli – who now plays only ODIs in international cricket – was dismissed for zero in two consecutive matches in the ongoing series in Australia

Two straight ducks for Virat Kohli were unthinkable in his prime. Times have changed, and the Indian great – who now plays only ODIs in international cricket – was dismissed for zero in two consecutive matches in the ongoing series in Australia. This is Kohli’s first international assignment since the Champions Trophy 2025 in February-March, and he is yet to score. Kohli’s long-time teammate Irfan Pathan offered his analysis of what might be going wrong.

“Virat Kohli-two back-to-back ducks. I’ve never seen that. This might be the impact of pressure or rustiness. I think the social media pressure being put on the two greats-Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli-must be managed so it doesn’t affect Kohli. It’s important to persist with them when the runs aren’t coming. It’s tough. When the sword is hanging, it’s not easy to perform. I hope Virat Kohli isn’t feeling that pressure internally,” Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

In the second ODI, Kohli was dismissed while playing his favourite flick shot. So how does he bounce back? “I think Virat Kohli wants to take a single quickly, to get off strike, especially after getting out for ducks. It’s natural. But it must be ensured that there’s no desperation. He must continue enjoying his batting. If he spends time in the middle, the runs will come. He won’t look back from there,” Pathan added.

Pathan also expressed his disappointment after India opted to leave out left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the must-win ODI against Australia in Adelaide on Thursday. India’s bowling attack struggled to make breakthroughs as Australia chased down the target of 265, sealing the series.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/australia-vs-india-2025/sword-is-hanging-virat-kohlis-ex-teammate-irfan-pathan-decodes-whats-going-wrong-with-india-great-9505984

Star raider Ali Samadi paid tribute to the late assistant manager, Vedant Devadiga by inscribing his name on his headband during the October 21 game against U Mumba.

Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan gave a huge shoutout to Jaipur Pink Panthers team players and especially Iranian player Ali Samadi’s gesture for their late Assistant manager Vedant Devadiga during their recent Pro Kabaddi League match on October 21. Samadi paid tribute to the Vedant by inscribing his name on his headband. The Jaipur Pink Panthers chose to play U Mumba not for victory, but in honour of their beloved team member. However, the team ended up losing the match by 1 point on October 21.

Taking to x, Bachchan penned a special note for the team in which he said, “The Team JPP , we lost our asst Magr in a sudden tragic passing .. the team was given an option by us to not play and give walkover as a gesture for the departed .. But team Played in honour .. wearing his head band name in remembrance .. humans pass away .. not sportsmanship

The franchisee took to social media and paid tribute to their late assistant manager with a message which siad, “The Jaipur Pink Panthers family is deeply saddened by the untimely passing of our Assistant Manager, Vedant Devadiga. He was a beloved member of our family; his passion and dedication will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this difficult time.”

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/humans-pass-away-not-sportsmanship-amitabh-bachchan-acknowledges-special-gesture-by-jaipur-pink-panthers-player-ali-samadi 

India haven’t won a Women’s World Cup match against a SENA nation since Harmanpreet Kaur’s iconic 171 against Australia. They’ll have a chance to end that streak when they face New Zealand in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.

India’s road to the semifinals couldn’t be clearer — or more thrilling. A win against New Zealand on Thursday would punch their ticket to the Women’s World Cup semis and make their final league clash against Bangladesh almost academic. From there, it’s all about two knockout games, two steps to glory — no matter how the group stage went.

But there’s one big hurdle standing in their way — and it’s a stubborn one. To seal that semifinal berth now, India must break an eight-year-old curse. The Women in Blue have long struggled against SENA nations (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) on the World Cup stage.

Remember Harmanpreet Kaur’s jaw-dropping 171 not out against Australia at Derby in 2017? That innings wasn’t just iconic — it was historic. It also remains the last time India beat a SENA side at a World Cup. Since then, eight losses on the trot have haunted them.

Now, in what could be Harmanpreet’s final World Cup, the stage is set once again. Can the skipper summon that same fire and script another unforgettable chapter? Thursday could be the night India exorcise their SENA demons once and for all.

THE SIXTH BOWLER CONUNDRUM
Throughout the tournament, India have wrestled with one persistent concern — the missing sixth bowling option. Harmanpreet Kaur has often stepped in to fill the gap, but the balance hasn’t quite clicked. After their bowlers struggled to contain Australia, India made a bold call – benching one of their key batters, Jemimah Rodrigues, to bring in seamer Renuka Thakur.

Renuka, who’s been in and out of the side since her return last month, was drafted back to add depth to the bowling attack. It was a tough decision, one that head coach Amol Muzumdar acknowledged was dictated by the conditions.

Stay updated for complete coverage of Women’s World Cup 2025 with India Today! Get full schedule, team squads, live score, and the updated ICC women’s world cup points table.

“Well, to be fair, Jemi has been a very important player—an integral part of the side we’ve built. But sometimes, you have to make tough calls. As a team, we’ve decided to go match by match, and for that particular game against England, we felt the conditions in Indore required a sixth bowling option,” Muzumdar said in the pre-match press conference.

“Given the ground and the situation, we believed that was the better call on the day. It was undoubtedly a tough decision—one of the toughest—but sometimes, those are the calls you have to make,” Muzumdar added.

Heading into the crucial clash against New Zealand, there’s growing curiosity over whether Jemimah will reclaim her spot. A return could bolster India’s batting, but for now, her inclusion remains a matter of speculation.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/india-womens-world-cup-2025-break-sena-losing-streak-new-zealand-2806892-2025-10-23

Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif made a bold claim about star batter Virat Kohli’s failure during the Perth ODI against Australia, saying that the legend is “not in his batting zone”

Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif made a bold claim about star batter Virat Kohli’s failure during the Perth ODI against Australia, saying that the legend is “not in his batting zone” at the moment and lacks rhythm. Virat’s return to Indian colours after the ICC Champions Trophy in March fell flat, as he was caught fishing at an outside off-stump delivery for an eight-ball duck, handing a catch to Cooper Connolly at backward point. Now in Adelaide for the second ODI, he faces pressure to thrive at a venue where he has historically had a fantastic record. Each performance in this now less-frequent fixture in the cricketing calendar will be crucial for Virat in his journey toward the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif pointed out that a player is “only good till he has rhythm, batting form, and plays games regularly.”

“A player is only good till he has his rhythm, batting form, and is playing games regularly. The eyes are sharp when you’re playing every second or third day. When that happens, the player can tell from the hand whether the ball is an in-swinger or out-swinger, or whether it is a yorker or a slower one. That ability to pick deliveries comes from playing regularly… You are in your batting zone,” said Kaif.

“Virat is not in his batting zone at the moment, clearly… There was a lack of rhythm, and he was out of touch, which is why he got out in the last match,” he added.

At Adelaide Oval, he is India’s highest run-getter of all time, with 975 runs in 12 matches and 17 innings at an average of 65.00, including five centuries and four fifties, with a best score of 141. Notably, he is also the best visiting batter of all time at this venue, making it his home away from home. In eight innings this year, he has scored 275 runs in eight ODIs, averaging 39.28, with a century, two fifties, and a best score of 100*.

Kaif also said that both Rohit Sharma and Virat will need to spend time at the crease to score big, pointing out that Adam Zampa — expected to play in the Adelaide match — has a strong record against India and has dismissed Virat on several occasions. Virat has been dismissed six times by Zampa in 15 innings and averages 47.83 against him, making it a very healthy competition between the two.

“Zampa will also be playing in the second match; he will be making a comeback… He has a good record against India, having gotten Virat Kohli out on many occasions. In my view, Australia have become a stronger team in this game compared to the previous one… How do you play after the first spell? Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma can score big, but they need to spend some time at the crease,” cautioned Kaif.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/australia-vs-india-2025/out-of-touch-virat-kohli-not-in-his-batting-zone-mohammad-kaif-drops-truth-bomb-9499700

Naqvi has responded by suggesting a ceremony in the first week of November and asked India to bring one of their players to receive the trophy.

Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has refused to send the Asia Cup trophy to India and has instead asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to hold a ceremony in the first week of November and bring one of the Indian players to take the Asia Cup trophy from him.

Naqvi’s reaction came after BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told India Today that BCCI has written an e-mail to Naqvi, who is also a minister in the Pakistani government, to hand over the Asia Cup trophy back to India.

According to Pakistani journalist Faizan Lakhani, after BCCI reached out to Naqvi for the Asia Cup, he responded by suggesting a ceremony in the first week of November and asking India to bring one of their players to receive the trophy.

“Asia Cup Trophy row: BCCI once again reached out to the ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi asking for the trophy. The ACC chief responded, suggesting a ceremony in the first week of November, “bring one of your players and receive the trophy,” Lakhani tweeted.

Later, news agency PTI also confirmed Naqvi’s reply by stating, “The BCCI secretary, BCCI’s ACC representative Rajeev Shukla and representatives of other member boards including Sri Lanka Cricket and Afghanistan had written to the ACC president last week over handing the trophy to India,” the ACC source said.

“But his response was that someone from BCCI should come to Dubai and take the trophy from him. So that matter has still not moved. BCCI has made its stance clear that it won’t be receiving the trophy from him. So the matter will most likely be decided in the ICC meeting,” he added.

Asia Cup trophy in Dubai

The Asia Cup trophy is currently at the ACC office in Dubai, and it was reported on October 10 that there are strict instructions that the Asia Cup trophy should not be moved or handed over without Naqvi’s approval.

According to a source close to Naqvi, the trophy remains in the ACC offices in Dubai with explicit instructions from Naqvi that it should not be moved or handed over to anyone without his approval and personal presence. Naqvi has indicated that he will personally hand over the trophy to the Indian team or the BCCI whenever that happens.

Source: https://www.news18.com/cricket/mohsin-naqvi-refuses-to-hand-over-asia-cup-trophy-to-india-ws-l-9649705.html

Marizanne Kapp’s all-round brilliance and Laura Wolvaardt’s elegant 90 helped South Africa Women continue their sensational run in the Women’s ODI World Cup, crushing Pakistan by 150 runs via DLS method in a rain-marred contest at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

Marizanne Kapp’s all-round brilliance and Laura Wolvaardt’s elegant 90 helped South Africa Women continue their sensational run in the Women’s ODI World Cup, crushing Pakistan by 150 runs via DLS method in a rain-marred contest at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

The commanding win, their fifth straight in the tournament, not only propelled them to the top of the points table but also sealed Pakistan’s exit from the competition. It also marked the first time South Africa have won five consecutive matches in an ODI World Cup, surpassing their previous best streak of four in 2022.

Pakistan’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss initially seemed to work when Fatima Sana removed Tazmin Brits for a duck in just the second over. But persistent rain interrupted play just as Sadia Iqbal began the third over, forcing multiple stoppages. After over two hours of delay, the match was first reduced to 42 overs per side and then further curtailed to 40.

Once play resumed, South Africa seized control through a superb 118-run partnership for the second wicket between Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus. The duo countered Pakistan’s spinners with smart placement and crisp strokeplay, both bringing up their fifties. Luus departed for 61 off Nashra Sandhu, and shortly after, Wolvaardt fell 10 short of a well-deserved century when Sandhu struck again to end her fluent 90. The left-arm spinner also dismissed Karabo Meso in the same over, capping a fine spell of 3 for 45.

While wickets fell at one end, Chloe Tryon chipped in with a quick 21 before being stumped by Sidra Nawaz. That set the stage for a brutal late flourish from Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk, who tore into the Pakistan attack. The pair added a blistering 52-run stand for the seventh wicket, taking South Africa past 300. Kapp hammered an unbeaten 68 off 43 balls, while de Klerk blazed 41 off just 16 deliveries, ensuring South Africa posted a formidable 312 for 9. After DLS adjustments, Pakistan were set a revised target of 306 in 40 overs.

Pakistan’s chase began on the worst possible note as Ayabonga Khaka removed Muneeba Ali for 5 in just the second over. Kapp then took charge with the ball, producing a devastating opening spell that tore through the top order. She removed Omaima Sohail (6), Sidra Ameen (13), and Aliya Riaz (3) within the first nine overs, leaving Pakistan in deep trouble at 35 for 4.

Any hopes of recovery were constantly interrupted by the weather, as rain once again played spoilsport. The match was halted for nearly an hour, with conditions fluctuating as showers repeatedly returned.

During the interruptions, the target was revised multiple times — first to 299 in 37 overs, then to 270 in 27 overs, and finally to 262 in 25 overs. Play briefly resumed for two overs before the rain returned for good, forcing yet another stoppage and eventually sealing Pakistan’s fate.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/womens-world-cup-2025-pakistan-crash-out-of-tournament-after-huge-150-run-loss-to-south-africa-in-colombo

Navjot Sidhu called out the fake news about he wanting the removal of Agarkar and Gambhir. The post was later delated after the veteran cricketer’s response.

Former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu, on Monday, fell victim to fake news after a user shared a post attributing a statement to him about BCCI’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir. Shocked by the claim, Sidhu called it out on X (formerly Twitter), asserting that it was “fake news.”

The development came after India lost the opening game of the three-match ODI series against Australia in Perth on Sunday. The Shubman Gill-led side suffered a seven-wicket defeat in the rain-curtailed game at the Optus Stadium, which marked the end of India’s winning streak which they had picked up during the victorious Champions Trophy campaign earlier this year.

After the loss, a social media user, named Jod Insane, posted a picture of Gambhir and Agarkar, on which it was written: “If India wants to win the 2027 World Cup, then BCCI should remove Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir as soon as possible and hand over the captaincy to Rohit Sharma again with full respect.” The post claimed that it was Sidhu’s comment.

However, the 62-year-old cleared the air on Monday as he lashed out at the user. He replied: “Never said it, don’t spread fake news, never imagined it. Shame on you.” The original post was later deleted after Sidhu’s response.

The buzz around the opening ODI match in Perth centered around the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to international cricket for the first time in seven months, having last played in India colours in the Champions Trophy tournament. However, while Kohli was dismissed for a duck for the first time in a game in Australia, Rohit did not fare better either, with Josh Hazlewood getting rid of him for just eight runs.

The remaining Indian batters too struggled on the bouncy Perth track amid the several rain interruptions, managing just 136 for nine. The Aussies chased down the revised target of 131 in just 21.1 overs, riding on stand-in captain Mitchell Marsh’s unbeaten 42.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/shame-on-you-navjot-sidhu-shocked-tears-into-fake-news-on-gautam-gambhir-and-ajit-agarkar-exit-post-101760968927593.html

On a day when the home crowd drummed, clapped, and chanted her name, India’s Tanvi Sharma walked into the National Centre of Excellence with history on her shoulders. Seventeen years after Saina Nehwal’s world junior medal, India had another finalist – a teenager who wasn’t even born when Saina stood on that podium in 2008.

But the dream run ended one step short. Tanvi, the top seed, went down 15-7, 15-12 to Thailand’s Anyapat Phichitpreechasak in the girls’ singles final of the BWF World Junior Championships on Sunday.

A nervy start, a stern word, and a spirited fightback

It wasn’t the start Tanvi had hoped for. Her trademark attacking flair never quite clicked early on. The Thai shuttler pinned her down with cross-court drives and quick net exchanges, exposing Tanvi’s nerves and forcing a string of unforced errors.

At the mid-game interval, coach Park Jae Tang – animated as ever – was seen scolding the young Indian, urging her to “play everything on the court.” The words seemed to have an effect.

As Tanvi later admitted, “I think there were a lot of unforced errors today. I was not able to play rallies when the game was about to end. Then my coach told me to just play everything on the court. So I tried, but couldn’t get the points.”

The change of side helped her find rhythm. She began the second game sharply, surging to a 6-1 lead with her smashes finding corners and deft touches at the net. But Anyapat clawed back, showing composure beyond her years. From 6-8 down, the Thai once again reeled off a string of points to silence the Guwahati crowd.

Silver with a shine

The final was over in 28 minutes, but Tanvi’s silver carried weight far beyond numbers. It was India’s first medal at the World Juniors in 17 years, and for the first time, the National Centre of Excellence – India’s new badminton nerve centre – hosted a global podium finish.

Speaking exclusively to NDTV after the match, the 17-year-old showed both maturity and gratitude. “Of course I am happy with my performance – a silver medal at my home ground means a lot. I practiced here, so it’s special. It was a great tournament for me, though today was a little disappointing. But I played my best.”

No pressure, only promise

When asked about the expectations that came with following in the footsteps of Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, Tanvi smiled:

“I think there was no pressure at all. I was a little nervous before entering the court – this much crowd and playing the finals for the first time in World Juniors – it means a lot. I am very happy with my performance today.”

She also spoke about the significance of the new Guwahati centre:

“There is very good infrastructure here, very good coaches. I think it will help a lot to bring the young generation to the next level.”

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/badminton/bwf-world-junior-championships-tanvi-sharma-falls-short-in-final-but-marks-new-dawn-for-indian-badminton-9483502

Elena Rybakina powered into the Ningbo Open final with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Jasmine Paolini on Saturday that keeps her chances alive of qualifying for the WTA Finals.

Elena Rybakina powered into the Ningbo Open final with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Jasmine Paolini on Saturday that keeps her chances alive of qualifying for the WTA Finals. Paolini could have secured her ticket to next month’s season finale in Riyadh with success on Saturday. But the Italian’s defeat means the battle for the last two spots will be settled at next week’s Pan-Pacific Open in Tokyo, with Mirra Andreeva also still in contention. “I knew the match was going to be very tough,” said Rybakina, who improved her head-to-head record against Paolini to 3-3.

“Jasmine has played really well this season and she’s a really tough opponent, so I knew I would need to bring my best.

“I’m happy I stayed focused until the end and won it in straight sets.”

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/elena-rybakina-blasts-past-jasmine-paolini-to-reach-ningbo-open-final-9478341

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) thanked the ICC for its support, but also reminded the apex body about taking strong action against Pakistan.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) might have thanked the International Cricket Council (ICC) for showing solidarity after 3 cricketers lost their lives in the country due to airstrikes launched by Pakistan on Friday evening, but it was quick to remind the Jay Shah-led body to take “decisive measures” against the country that was responsible for such an “inhumane act.”

On Friday, Taliban officials claimed that Pakistan violated the 48-hour ceasefire by launching airstrikes, resulting in the death of 10 people, including 3 cricketers. The ACB confirmed the development and also withdrew from the upcoming Tri-Nation Series in Pakistan as a sign of protest.

The ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) then issued separate statements, condoling the demise of the three cricketers and expressing their solidarity with the ACB.

The Afghan board issued another tweet, thanking the apex body, but it was quick to remind the ICC that the major action still needs to be done.

“The Afghanistan Cricket Board extends its sincere gratitude to the @ICC for issuing its statement following the ACB’s appeal. This gesture genuinely reflects the ICC’s neutrality, compassion, and commitment to fairness in expressing its sorrow and sympathy over the tragic martyrdom of young domestic cricketers in Afghanistan,” the ACB wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

“The ACB has consistently upheld the principle of keeping sports separate from politics and has maintained this stance within the framework of the ICC. The Afghanistan Cricket Board once again strongly condemns this act of violence. While deeply appreciating the ICC’s expression of solidarity, the ACB urges the implementation of firm and decisive measures against those responsible for this inhumane attack,” it added.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/afghanistan-tells-icc-to-take-decisive-measures-against-pakistan-after-airstrikes-kill-3-cricketers-inhumane-attack-101760834302052.html

Rashid Khan’s removal of Lahore Qalandars from his social media bio reflects escalating tensions after recent Pakistani airstrikes that killed Afghan civilians.

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan has removed the mention of Lahore Qalandars, his Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise, from his bio on X (formerly Twitter), following Afghanistan’s withdrawal from the upcoming tri-nation T20I series in Pakistan. The decision comes in protest against recent Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan that reportedly killed eight civilians — including three young cricketers.

Rashid, one of the most prominent voices in Afghan cricket, had listed the major teams he plays for across the globe in his X bio — the Afghanistan national team, Indian Premier League (IPL) side Gujarat Titans, Big Bash League (BBL) team Adelaide Strikers, and PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars. However, a recent update shows that Lahore Qalandars has been removed, leaving only his IPL and BBL affiliations intact alongside the national team.

The move came shortly after Rashid issued a strongly worded statement condemning the strikes and supporting the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s (ACB) decision to withdraw from the tri-series, which was set to be held in Lahore from November 17 to 29, featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and now Zimbabwe.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan — a tragedy that claimed the lives of women, children, and aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage,” Rashid posted on X.

“These unjust and unlawful actions represent a grave violation of human rights and must not go unnoticed. In light of the precious innocent souls lost, I welcome the ACB’s decision of withdrawing from upcoming fixtures against Pakistan. I stand with our people at this difficult time — our national dignity must come before all else.”

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/rashid-khan-ramps-up-protest-against-pakistan-removes-lahore-qalandars-from-his-social-media-bio-after-afghans-killed-101760808956552.html

BCCI condemns Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghanistan, mourns cricketers’ deaths and backs Afghanistan Cricket Board’s withdrawal.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has condemned Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghanistan, which killed three cricketers, calling the attack ‘cowardly’. The Afghanistan cricket team decided to withdraw from the upcoming tri-nation T20I series involving Pakistan after the attacks.

The series involving Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka was scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from November 17.

In a statement, the Afghanistan Cricket Board said that it was saddened by the tragic martyrdom of the cricketers.

“The Board of Control for Cricket in India expresses its deep sorrow and condolences on the tragic loss of three young Afghan cricketers, Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah and Haroon, who lost their lives in the cowardly cross-border airstrikes in Paktika province,” the board said in a statement.

“The BCCI stands in solidarity with the Afghanistan Cricket Board, the cricket fraternity and the families of the departed players during this moment of profound grief and condemns this ghastly and unwarranted attack,” BCCI added.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board said that its decision to pull out of the series was taken as a gesture of respect to the victims.

“In response to this tragic incident and as a gesture of respect to the victims, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan,” the statement read.

As per reports, Pakistan held airstrikes in the Argun and Barmal districts of Paktika province, halting the ceasefire between the two countries as well.

Source: https://www.news18.com/cricket/bcci-makes-big-statement-against-pakistan-after-afghan-cricketers-die-in-strike-cowardly-ws-l-9645551.html

International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah on Saturday expressed his condolences at the death of three promising Afghanistan cricketers, who lost their lives in an air-strike conducted in the Argun and Barmal districts of Paktika province.

International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah on Saturday expressed his condolences at the death of three promising Afghanistan cricketers, who lost their lives in an air-strike conducted in the Argun and Barmal districts of Paktika province. According to reports, it is believed that Pakistan conducted airstrikes which have also halted the ceasefire between the two nations.

“Deeply saddened by the loss of three young Afghan cricketers, Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, whose dreams were cut short by a senseless act of violence,” Shah wrote on X.

“The loss of such promising talent is a tragedy not just for Afghanistan but for the entire cricketing world. We stand in solidarity with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and all those mourning this heartbreaking loss,” he added.

Afghanistan have already withdrawn from the tri-nation T20I series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka. As per sources in the PCB, the hosts are trying to invite another nation for the said event.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/jay-shah-saddened-by-loss-of-afghanistan-cricketers-due-to-senseless-act-of-violence-article-153020491

Australian cricket team skipper Mitchell Marsh broke his silence on the promotional video that mocked India’s handshake snub during the Asia Cup 2025 against Australia.

Australian cricket team skipper Mitchell Marsh broke his silence on the promotional video that mocked India’s handshake snub during the Asia Cup 2025 against Australia. Ahead of the first ODI encounter between India and Australia in Perth on Sunday, Marsh was asked about the video which featured him along with some of his teammates. The promo, which was posted by Kayo Sports, led to criticism on social media as the Australia players appeared to mock India’s no-handshake policy against Pakistan by suggesting various other greetings that they can do with the India cricketers. During the Asia Cup, Indian cricketers did not shake hands with Pakistan players and even after winning the final by 5 wickers, the Suryakumar Yadav-led side refused the receive the trophy from PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi.

However, during the pre-match press conference, Marsh denied any recollection of the promo and even said that he has not even watched it. “I actually haven’t seen the ad, I don’t know if it’s blowing up. I don’t have much to comment on it,” Marsh said.

Marsh said the series promised to be a special occasion both for fans and players. With over 1,75,000 tickets already sold across the three matches, anticipation is high as two of India’s modern greats return to Australian shores.

“Had the privilege of playing against them quite a lot over the journey. They are obviously legends of the game,” Marsh said. “Virat, especially in this white-ball format, is the greatest chaser ever. I think you can see why the ticket sales are so high and why a lot of people are coming to watch them. And if it is their last time on Australian soil, I hope they enjoy it and I hope people can witness — not too much great cricket from them — but witness two of the greats playing in Australia.”

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/australia-vs-india-2025/mitchell-marsh-breaks-silence-on-promo-mocking-indias-handshake-snub-against-pakistan-9478643

In the next two months, the pace of preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad will start to quicken.

In the next two months, the pace of preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad will start to quicken. India has long expressed its intention to host the 2036 Olympics, and the successful hosting of the Commonwealth Games is being considered as a crucial milestone before this larger dream is realised. The race for Ahmedabad to host the Commonwealth Games actually started about eight months ago, but its preparation seemed to have begun at least four to five years prior.

Major events like the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and the IPL 2023 proved to be important steps in this direction. Ahmedabad has shown itself to be solid at the international level due to its sports infrastructure and organising ability, which allowed it to overtake Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, for the rights.

Ahmedabad – A New Sporting City

Ahmedabad has been presenting itself as a city ready for multi-sporting events for at least four to five years. The National Games were held in 2022, with Gandhinagar and Rajkot included as co-host cities.

In the last two to three years, many international games have been organised. Just last month, the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships were held at the Naranpura Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, where more than 350 players from 29 countries participated.

Multiple Sporting Events Planned Before 2030

The commitment to host large tournaments such as the Asian Aquatics Championship 2025, the AFC Under-17 Asian Cup Qualifier, the Asian Weightlifting Championship, the Archery Asia Para Cup-World Ranking Tournament 2026, the Women’s Volleyball World Championship 2027, and the World Police and Fire Games 2029, alongside the Ayuthan Marathon 2026 and the TCPL 2026 (Tourism Cricket Premier League), has firmly established Ahmedabad’s image as a premier sporting city.

The Main Target: Olympics 2036

India has successfully organised many multi-sporting events in the past. The 1951 and 1982 Asian Games and the 2010 Commonwealth Games were highly appreciated by experts globally. While the 2010 Commonwealth Games faced controversies, the event’s organisation was excellent, and Indian players made history by winning more than 100 medals, including 38 gold.

Hosting the Olympics in Ahmedabad will be a big challenge for India, but the 2030 Commonwealth Games will prove to be a crucial step in this direction.

Source :  https://sports.ndtv.com/othersports/indias-olympic-dream-takes-shape-with-2030-commonwealth-games-bid-9465159#pfrom=sports_morelisting_2025

Zorawar Singh Sandhu targeted and won a precious world championship shooting Bronze medal in trap shooting.

Athens, Greece, is a holy and lucky place for Indian shooting. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore became the first Indian shooter to win a silver medal in Double Trap shooting at the Athens Olympics in 2004. And now, 48-year-old Zorawar Singh Sandhu targeted and won a precious world championship shooting Bronze medal in Trap Shooting. Talking exclusively to NDTV, Zorawar Singh Sandhu said, “My hard work has ultimately paid off. I dedicate this medal to my country, and I would say that youngsters should keep working hard to achieve their goals. Nothing is impossible.”

Thirty-one years after his first junior world championship and 27 years after his first senior worlds, Zoravar Singh Sandhu of India, at the ripe age of 48, clinched the men’s trap bronze at the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) World Championship Shotgun 2025.

Shooting at the Malakasa Shooting Range in Athens, Greece, on Friday (Oct 17), Sandhu overcame rain, shadows, and an unsuitable bib number to hit 31 of the first 40 targets in the 50-shot final. He finished behind former Olympic champion and now world champion Josip Glasnovic of Croatia, who won gold with 44 hits, and junior world champion Andres Garcia of Spain, who won silver with a score of 39.

“It was a great experience,” said a visibly pleased and remarkably calm Zoravar after the final. “It was a tough range, tough conditions to shoot, but that’s how it is. I would like to thank my family, coaches, and teammates for their support.”

A thrilled National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) President, Shri. Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, said after the results came through, “It is yet another historic moment for Indian shooting with Zoravar helping us win only a third individual world championship medal in trap. It shows the level of confidence of our Shooting squad that with every international outing, new barriers are being breached. Full marks to Zoravar for his commitment and dedication and also to Peter Wilson and the entire coaching staff, who since coming on has helped our Trap squad get better and better.”

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/shooting/shooting-star-zoravar-singh-sandhu-wins-historic-bronze-at-48-proves-age-is-just-a-number-9476094#pfrom=sports_morelisting_2025

India, which first hosted the Games in Delhi in 2010, pledged an event reflecting the Commonwealth’s diversity and scale.

Ahmedabad was on Wednesday (October 15) recommended as the proposed host of the 2030 Commonwealth Games (CWG) by Commonwealth Sport’s Executive Board and a final decision will be taken on November 26 at the body’s General Assembly.

Ahmedabad and the Nigerian capital Abuja had submitted their proposals to host the 2030 edition of CWG.

The recommendation by Commonwealth Sport’s Executive Board follows an evaluation process of candidate cities.

The Board also said it would continue working with Nigeria to help realise its ambition of hosting future Games, including potential consideration for 2034.

“The Executive Board of Commonwealth Sport has confirmed that it will recommend Ahmedabad, India, as the proposed host city for the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games,” a press release from Commonwealth Sport said.

“Ahmedabad, in the Indian state of Gujarat, will now be put forward to the full Commonwealth Sport membership, with the final decision taking place at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow on 26 November,” it added.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/ahmedabad-recommended-as-2030-commonwealth-games-host-3765403

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will have a spotlight on them with their place in the ODI side coming under the scanner ahead of hte 2027 World Cup. India’s big decision to remove Rohit from captaincy and media rumours have put the legendary duo under intense pressure.

Ahmedabad was on Wednesday recommended as the proposed host of the 2030 Commonwealth Games by Commonwealth Sport’s Executive Board, a decision that is set to pave the way for the big event’s return to India after two decades

Ahmedabad was on Wednesday recommended as the proposed host of the 2030 Commonwealth Games by Commonwealth Sport’s Executive Board, a decision that is set to pave the way for the big event’s return to India after two decades. A final decision will be taken on November 26 at the body’s General Assembly after the recommendation is sent to the full membership of Commonwealth Sport. Getting the Games’ hosting rights would also be significant in India’s quest to become an Olympic host in 2036, also in Ahmedabad.

“Amdavad (also known as Ahmedabad, in the Indian state of Gujarat) will now be put forward to the full Commonwealth Sport membership, with the final decision taking place at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow on 26 November 2025,” a press statement stated.

India was facing competition from Nigerian city of Abuja in the 2030 bid but Commonwealth Sport has decided to “develop a strategy for supporting and accelerating” the African nation’s hosting ambitions for future Games, including consideration for 2034.

India last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010 in New Delhi.

“India, the most populous nation in the Commonwealth, has a proud sporting history and a strong record of Commonwealth Games success, finishing fourth on the medal table at Birmingham 2022. Amdavad’s proposal emphasises India’s commitment to the values of the Commonwealth and its capacity to stage a Games that reflects the scale and diversity of modern sport,” the press release added.

“In addition, given the impressive and ambitious submission from Nigeria, the Commonwealth Sport Executive Board has agreed to develop a strategy for supporting and accelerating Nigeria’s hosting ambitions for future Games, including consideration for 2034. This decision supports Commonwealth Sport’s strategic commitment to secure the future Games pipeline and to host a Games in Africa.”

Dr Donald Rukare, Interim President of Commonwealth Sport, said: “We are grateful to both India and Nigeria for the vision and commitment they have shown in developing proposals to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Both proposals were inspiring, reflecting the scale of opportunity within our Commonwealth family. The Executive Board has carefully considered the Evaluation Committee’s findings and is recommending Amdavad to our membership. This is a significant milestone for the Movement as we look to our Centenary Games, and we now look ahead to the General Assembly in Glasgow where our members will make the final decision.”

He added, “The Board were impressed with the vision and ambition of Nigeria’s proposal and were united in our commitment to continue working with their team to explore future hosting opportunities. This decision reflects our determination to take the Commonwealth Games to the African continent.”

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/othersports/ahmedabad-recommended-as-2030-commonwealth-games-host-final-decision-on-november-26-9461672

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla dismissed speculation that the upcoming ODI series against Australia would mark the final international appearance of batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla dismissed speculation that the upcoming ODI series against Australia would mark the final international appearance of batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, stating that the decision to retire lies solely with the players. Shukla was speaking to ANI after India secured a series win over West Indies by beating the visitors by seven wickets in the second Test at Arun Jaitley Stadium.

While Rohit and Virat have been selected for Australia tour keeping the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 in the mind, the promotion of Shubman Gill to ODI captaincy and presence/success of players like Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh and Tilak Varma in the recent India A series against Australia at home have raised eyebrows over the future of ‘Ro-Ko’, who would be 40 and 39 respectively when the tournament comes in 2027.

He said, “This is very beneficial for us (Rohit and Virat being in the ODI squad). Because both of them are great batsmen, and in the presence of both of them, I think we will be successful in defeating Australia.”

“And as far as this being their last series is concerned, it is nothing like that. We should never go into these things. It is up to the players when they would retire. To say this would be their last series is absolutely wrong,” Shukla added.

Rohit is India’s fourth-highest run-getter in ODIs, with 11,168 runs in 273 matches and 268 innings, averaging 48.76, including 32 centuries, 58 fifties, and a best score of 264. This year in eight ODIs, Rohit has scored 302 runs at an average of 37.75 and a strike rate of 108.24, with a century and fifty each and a best score of 119.

Virat, on the other hand, is India’s second-highest run-getter in ODIs, with 14,181 runs in 302 matches and 290 innings at an average of 57.88, a strike rate of over 93, with 51 centuries and 74 fifties. His best score is 183. In seven ODIs this year, the superstar has made 275 runs in seven innings at an average of 45.83, with a century and two fifties to his name and a best score of 100*.

Both will be in action during the ODIs in Australia, starting from October 19, having retired from Tests and T20Is and now being exclusively ODI players.

Shukla also hailed the Shubman Gill-led unit for their series win against the Windies, marking their comeback to form at home after a rare whitewash series loss in 12 years against New Zealand by 0-3 last year. He also expressed optimism about India’s chances of winning the series in Australia.

“I want to congratulate Team India on winning the West Indies Series under the leadership of Shubman Gill. This was very important before going to Australia because there is always strong competition in Australia. Their team is also very good. So, playing the West Indies before that is going to make a big difference. And definitely we will win in Australia. I have full hope for that,” he concluded.

Coming to the match, India won the toss and opted to bat first. After the fall of KL Rahul (38 in 54 balls, with five fours and a six), Yashasvi Jaiswal stitched a 193-run stand with Sai Sudharsan (87 in 165 balls, 12 fours) and a 74-run stand with skipper Shubman Gill before being run out for 258-ball 175, with 22 fours. Gill continued his golden run in Tests, bringing his fifth ton of the year (129* in 196 balls, with 16 fours and two sixes) and had partnerships with Nitish Kumar Reddy (43 in 54 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes) and Dhruv Jurel (44* in 79 balls, with five fours), taking India to 518/5 declared.

Jomel Warrican (3/98) was the pick of the bowlers for WI.

In their first innings, WI was skittled out for 248 runs as top-order knocks from Tagenarine Chanderpaul (34 in 67 balls, with four boundaries and a six), Alick Athaneze (41 in 84 balls, with five fours and a six) and Shai Hope (36 in 57 balls, with five fours) were barely starts which could not be the milestones.

Kuldeep Yadav (5/82) and Ravindra Jadeja (3/46) troubled WI with their spin on a slow track.

Forced to follow on, WI was once again down at 35/2, but a 177-run stand between John Campbell (115 in 199 balls, with 12 fours and three sixes) and Hope (103 in 214 balls with 12 fours and two sixes) helped WI fight back well. A fine 40 in 72 balls from skipper Roston Chase and a remarkable 10th wicket stand of 79 runs between Justin Greaves (50 in 85 balls, with three fours) and Jayden Seales (32 in 67 balls, with a four and six) frustrated India, as WI was bundled out for 390 and took a 120-run lead. Kuldeep and Bumrah, with their three wickets, topped the wicket charts.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/australia-vs-india-2025/bcci-breaks-silence-on-if-india-vs-australia-odi-series-is-virat-kohli-rohit-sharmas-last-9456353

After India’s win against West Indies, the focus has shifted straightaway to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s return. Ahead of the ODI series against Australia, head coach Gautam Gambhir might have just sent a subtle warning to the veteran duo.

Gautam Gambhir has once again got the cricket world talking. Right after the conclusion of the India vs West Indies Test series, his typically candid press conference caught everyone’s attention, especially the fans of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

When asked about Rohit and Kohli’s inclusion in the upcoming tour of Australia, Gambhir’s seemingly casual comment sent fans into a frenzy. Many interpreted it as a subtle warning to the superstars of Indian cricket. Rohit and Kohli, who have been out of the Test and T20I setup, are set to return to national colours for the first time since the Champions Trophy. What fans are anxious about, however, is whether this could be the last time they see the modern-day greats donning the India jersey.

Before jumping to conclusions, though, what did Gambhir actually say? Did he truly send a message to the two stalwarts of Indian cricket?

“They (Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli) are quality players, and their experience will be invaluable. With the 2027 World Cup still two and a half years away, it’s important to stay focused on the present. Kohli and Rohit are both exceptional players, and their return will be a big boost. Hopefully, they have a successful tour, and more importantly, the team comes out with a strong series performance in Australia,” Gambhir said in the post-match press conference.

At first glance, there doesn’t seem to be anything alarming in Gambhir’s words. Yet, India’s upcoming tour of Australia adds a layer of intrigue. A series Down Under has often been career-defining, and at times, career-ending, for several great players across generations. The last time Rohit and Kohli visited Australia, that series effectively marked the end of their Test careers.

Rohit had made an effort to salvage his red-ball career through an out-of-the-box media interview in Sydney during the final Test, but by then, the damage was done. Kohli, too, began that series brightly with a century in Perth, only to struggle for the remainder of it, looking like a shadow of his dominant self.

The question now is: what if history repeats itself? What if the three-match ODI series against Mitchell Marsh’s Australia once again proves too demanding for the veterans? What if Rohit and Kohli struggle to match the pace and intensity of top-level international cricket?

Are Rohit and Kohli on Notice?
The truth, as Gambhir pointed out, is that the 2027 World Cup is still two and a half years away. India have plenty of cricket to play until then – 24 ODIs (till 2026) against Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, England, West Indies, and Sri Lanka. That timeline offers the selectors and the management enough opportunities to assess whether Rohit and Kohli remain viable options for the next World Cup.

The duo, magnificent as ever, are undoubtedly under scrutiny, but not because of anything Gambhir said. Their biggest opponent now is time. Rohit, at 38, and Kohli, at 36, are no longer at their athletic peak. To enter the next World Cup with two near-40-year-old batters at the core might not be the smartest decision. The Indian management understands this reality well.

The best approach, therefore, is to continue testing them until at least mid-2026. That window provides enough time to make informed calls about their future and, if needed, to give potential replacements at least a year of international exposure before the global tournament.

Are the Captain and Coach on the Same Page?
If Gambhir’s remark stirred debate for its ambiguity, it’s worth recalling what India’s ODI captain Shubman Gill had to say when asked about Rohit and Kohli’s upcoming tour of Australia. Always respectful of the seniors, Gill expressed his hope that the two veterans would play freely and deliver the magic that has defined their careers.

“They are people who have won so many matches in the past. They have been playing for India for the past 10–15 years; the experience they bring to the table is something every captain and every team wants. That’s what we are looking forward to. We want them to go out there and do their magic,” Gill told broadcasters Star Sports after India’s seven-wicket win on Day 5 of the New Delhi Test.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/gautam-gambhir-rohit-sharma-virat-kohli-india-vs-australia-odis-2803274-2025-10-15

Athletes confront failure as often as success during competition.

For professional and Olympic athletes, those shortcomings can play out in singular and devastating fashion in front of worldwide audiences.

From seven-time Olympic gymnast Simone Biles’ bout with “the twisties” during the 2020 Tokyo Games, to former Boston Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner’s infamous error in the 1986 World Series, fanbases never cease to dwell upon these painstaking moments.

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering joined that club when he mishandled a bases-loaded comebacker that led to his team’s elimination from the MLB playoffs.

“Just kind of keep going with it. It’s hopefully starting a long career,” the third-year pitcher said through blurry eyes when asked how he was coping after the game. “Just keep in the back of my head. … Get over this hump. Keep pushing.”

Moving past that kind of failure isn’t easy. It’s a subject even Pope Leo XIV addressed in a social media post earlier this year.

“In our competitive society, where it seems that only the strong and winners deserve to live, sport also teaches us how to lose,” the post said. “It forces us, in learning the art of losing, to confront our fragility, our limitations and our imperfections.”

Sports psychologists who work with amateur and professional athletes say it requires not only acceptance of the failure but coping tools to return to performing at a high level.

Here are some of the strategies used by athletes, who are in many ways great people for the general public to learn from as it pertains to overcoming adversity.

Prior preparation

While no one can predict future events, getting into the headspace for what could happen can be rehearsed.

Robert Andrews, the founder and director of The Institute of Sports Performance, has 30 years of experience in private practice as a mental training consultant and licensed therapist. During that time he’s worked with Biles and others Olympians in the last five Summer Games, as well as players from the NBA, NFL and MLB.

One of the components in the set of techniques Andrews uses to build confidence and belief is preparation.

“(Kerkering) got highly reactive on that play,” Andrews said. “The key playoff situation he found himself in, made him more vulnerable to rushing things and throwing off balance and all the things that he did that he’ll sadly remember for the rest of his life. But mental preparation is a huge part of that. … I call it being mentally and emotionally centered in a situation like that. So we would have done a lot of mental preparation work to prepare him for a situation like that.”

Alex Auerbach is a performance psychologist who currently works with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. He’s also worked with Olympians, NBA and MLB players, as well as elite military units and Fortune 500 companies.

He said the “release, reset, refocus” routine is one that athletes can practice “to quickly let go of mistakes in the games or during performance.”

“The biggest thing is learning to redirect your attention to the task at hand,” Auerbach said via email. “When we make a mistake and dwell on it, that rumination interferes with efficient motor execution. … If they can bring attention back to the present and the task at hand, they can minimize disruption to their performance.”

Adversity strikes, now what?

When the inevitable does strike and the game or competition is over, the work to repair mentally is just beginning.

Step one, Andrews said, is to avoid social media, where hateful messages — and in extreme cases even death threats — can often be waiting after failures in these situations.

“I’ve worked with a lot of baseball players and softball players who have missed the throw down to third base that cost them the game, and that catcher couldn’t throw the ball back to the pitcher,” Andrews said. “Their brain freaks out. They get the baseball version of ‘the twisties.’ So he’s going to need some days to do some work around this. … Get loved up, surround yourself with people that are going to support you through this.”

Andrews uses a protocol called EMDR — eye movement, desensitization, and reprocessing — which teaches the part of the brain that gets engaged in an event like that how to calm down and process the experience.

Source : https://apnews.com/article/athlete-setbacks-kerkering-biles-buckner-2adf7e44c4bd935f185db6edf2de23a0

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has advised its national team players to avoid any confrontation with Indian players on the ground and just concentrate on their game during their Sultan of Johor Cup match

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has advised its national team players to avoid any confrontation with Indian players on the ground and just concentrate on their game during their Sultan of Johor Cup match in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on Tuesday. In the wake of ‘Operation Sindoor’, the Indian cricket team did not shake hands with Pakistani players during their recently-concluded Asia Cup matches, including the final, which sparked a row with Pakistan lodging a protest with the Asian Cricket Council as well as the ICC. And the same gesture is expected from the Indian junior men’s hockey team in its match against Pakistan on Tuesday.

A senior official of PHF said that the players had been told to be mentally prepared for a “no-handshakes” policy from the Indian team.

“The players have been told that if the Indian players don’t shake hands before or after the match, just ignore the gesture and move on. They have also been told to avoid any emotional tussles or signs during the game,” he said.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/handshake-row-to-return-this-time-in-india-vs-pakistan-hockey-federation-issues-clear-instruction-for-sultan-of-johor-cup-9448967

The triangular series, also involving Sri Lanka, is scheduled to be held from November 17-29.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has started working on an alternate plan as serious doubts have arisen over Afghanistan’s participation in an upcoming T20 Tri-Series amid military conflict between the two countries. The triangular series, also involving Sri Lanka, is scheduled to be held from November 17-29. “The PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has asked the International Cricket Council to start working on an alternate plan as he wants the Tri-Series to go ahead,” a source said. The PCB has also invited Sri Lanka to play three T20 internationals between November 11 and 15, before they take part in the Tri-Series alongside Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Interestingly, the Pakistan and Sri Lankan boards are also holding talks for a hurriedly arranged three-match T20 series in Colombo between January 1-10.

If this series is finalized it will definitely put the PCB at odds with Cricket Australia, which has signed some Pakistan players for the Big Bash after being assured that they would be given NOCs for the whole tournament, which is scheduled in December and January.

Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Hassan Khan, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali were all signed up by Big Bash teams with Babar,Rizwan and Shaheen set to make their first appearances in the T20 league.

“Obviously if the series with Sri Lanka is finalised, then either the selectors play without these players or the duration of their NOCs will have to be reconsidered by the PCB, meaning a disagreement with Cricket Australia,” the source said.

After the PCB announced recently it had suspended all NOCs issued to players for different leagues, Cricket Australia had got in touch to resolve the situation.

Another source said that CA officials had conveyed to the PCB that their teams had already spent millions on promo campaigns around the Pakistani players in the Big Bash.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/afghanistan-participation-in-tri-series-with-pakistan-in-doubt-amid-military-conflict-alternate-plan-in-the-works-9445996

Babar Azam becomes the first Asian batter to surpass the 3000-run mark in the World Test Championship (WTC).

Babar Azam might be going through a lean run in international cricket, with his last century coming in 2023 against Nepal in the Asia Cup. But the batter has scripted a special feat in the World Test Championship (WTC). The feat is all the memorable for the right-hander as he is the first Asian player to do so. Not even Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were able to achieve this feat; hence, Babar will truly be thanking his stars.

Owing to a 23-run knock against South Africa in the first innings of the first Test against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Babar became the first Asian batter to surpass the 3000-run mark in the WTC. The former Pakistan captain now has 3021 runs in the premier Test championship, which got underway with the 2019 Ashes between Australia and England.

Babar is currently the eighth-highest run-scorer in the WTC history, with the list topped by England’s Joe Root with 6080 runs in 69 matches. Speaking of Babar, his 3021 runs have come in 37 matches and 67 innings with the help of 8 centuries and 18 half-centuries.

Speaking of Rohit and Virat, who announced their retirement from Tests earlier this year, scored 2716 (40 matches) and 2617 (46 matches) respectively in the WTC.

The top five run-getters in the history of WTC are Joe Rooy (6080), Steve Smith (4278), Marnus Labuschagne (4225), Ben Stokes (3616) and Travis Head (3300). The highest Indian run-scorer in the WTC is India captain Shubman Gill, with 2826 runs in 39 matches.

Babar fails to go big

The former Pakistan captain looked set for a big one against South Africa as he came out all guns blazing, hitting a few boundaries for fun. However, the batter lost his wicket in the final session on Day 1, walking back to the hut after scoring 23 runs off 48 balls with the help of four boundaries.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/babar-azam-achieves-what-virat-kohli-and-rohit-sharma-couldnt-in-world-test-championship-sets-new-asian-record-101760274612246.html

NOVAK DJOKOVIC was stunned by the world No204 in emotional scenes at the Shanghai Masters.

And that saw Valentin Vacherot become the lowest-ranked Masters 1000 finalist EVER.

Djokovic, 38, is a four-time champion at the event in China – one level below the four Grand Slams.

But as he struggled physically – hobbling Djokovic underwent several treatments, massages and a medical time-out for his back as well as vomiting – he suffered the surprise exit.

Vacherot, 26, secured a 6-3 6-4 semi-final victory over the 24-time Grand Slam winner.

The Monegasque tennis ace was muted in his celebrations given Djokovic’s injury woes – and the Serbian showed his class at the net with a warm embrace and some lovely words.

But as the magnitude of his win sank in, his team could not contain their excitement.

Girlfriend Emily Snyder did a gesture then clenched her fist before her man took in the adulation of the crowd.

Incredibly, Vacherot was not even in the main draw or qualifying for the Shanghai Masters initially – but got in as an alternate due to a late withdrawal.

And in an even more bizarre twist of fate, he will face his COUSIN in the final.

SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN

That is because the other semi-final saw Daniil Medvedev beaten by Vacherot’s relative Arthur Rinderknech, who plays under the French flag.

Vacherot wrote a supportive message for Rinderknech on the TV camera lens before speaking to the crowd.

The 6ft 4ins star – whose career-high is No110 but he could jump 146 places to 58th when the rankings are updated – said after the best win of his career: “I’m trying to pinch myself, is this real?

“I’m not realising [what’s happened], so I can’t give any words on it.

“This is just crazy. First of all, to just be on the other side of the court [from Novak] was an unbelievable experience.

“It was an hour and 40 minutes of pure joy, even though not many people wanted me to keep going.

“He’s really appreciated here. He has won four times. I got a bit lost in all his titles when they were announcing him, but it was an unreal experience.

“Now I’m probably just going to enjoy the win tonight and think about the final tomorrow.”

Source : https://www.the-sun.com/sport/15330137/novak-djokovic-loses-valentin-vacherot-shanghai-masters/

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has revealed the first interaction he had with captain Shubman Gill after the latter was named Test skipper.

The Shubman Gill era has begun in Indian cricket. The 26-year-old is now the India captain in both Tests and ODIs. Gill was given the responsibility ahead of a daunting five-Test tour of England earlier in 2025, following the sudden retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. India head coach Gautam Gambhir has now reflected on the decision to hand the captaincy to Gill. Gambhir also revealed his candid first message to Gill, who became the youngest Indian Test skipper in the 21st century.

“I remember that entire conversation,” Gambhir revealed when asked whether he remembered his first interaction with Gill after the latter became the captain.

“I told him one thing very clearly: ‘We have thrown you into a deep sea, and there are only two paths from here. Either you will drown or you will become a world-class swimmer’,” Gambhir said.

Gambhir also hailed Gill for the way the latter handled the immense pressure of being the captain of India.

“For me, those 750 runs don’t matter. If Shubman hadn’t made those 750 runs on the England tour, he would have made them on the next tour. Because of his quality. For me, the way a 25-year-old kid, with a young team, handled himself, his captaincy, handled the team, handled the pressure, against a quality England side (is what matters). I don’t think there is a test more difficult than that in captaincy,” Gambhir explained.

Gill slammed 754 runs in the five-match Test series – the most by an Indian captain in a single Test series. Gill led by example as India drew 2-2 against England away from home.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/weve-thrown-you-into-a-deep-sea-gautam-gambhir-reveals-first-message-to-shubman-gill-after-captaincy-change-9436608

Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 175 runs in the first innings of the 2nd Test and to no one’s surprise, Sunil Gavaskar was impressed quite a bit.

Over the course of his short career, 23-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal has made a habit of scoring daddy hundreds. The left-handed batter was looking set for a double century against the West Indies in the first innings of the second Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. However, an unfortunate mix-up with skipper Shubman Gill brought a premature end to his knock, with the youngster walking back to the dressing room after scoring 175 runs off 258 balls with the help of 22 boundaries.

After Stumps on Day 2, Jaiswal came up for a chat with the host broadcaster, and it was then that former India captain Sunil Gavaskar could not maintain his calm, and he ended up giving a small but simple advice to Jaiswal.

When the chat was drawing to a close, broadcaster Harsha Bhogle first said, “Well done. Absolutely enjoyed your batting. Don’t mind how it ended, but we love watching you bat.”

It was then that Gavaskar jumped into the chat, asking Jaiswal to keep scoring big hundreds, which could help his team win.

“I just want to add to that. Well done, keep it up. Keep getting the hundreds. Daddy hundreds, but because I am a grandfather, I’ll say keep getting granddaddy hundreds,” said Gavaskar.

Jaiswal was caught off guard, and he simply could not say, “Thank you, sir.”

Speaking of Jaiswal, this was the fifth time in his Test career that he went past the 150-run mark. He now has the joint-most hundreds alongside Graeme Smith before the age of 24.

If Jaiswal had scored a double century, then it would have been his third in Tests. He previously scored two double centuries in the 2024 Test series against England at home.

India bossing the Delhi Test

West Indies reached the score of 140/4 at Stumps on Day 2, with the visitors still trailing by 378 runs. Earlier, India posted 518/5 in the first innings owing to centuries by Jaiswal and Gill.

Gill remained unbeaten on 129 off 196 balls with the help of 16 fours and two sixes. This was his maiden Test century at home as a captain. Overall, this was his 10th ton in the longest format.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/sunil-gavaskar-cant-keep-calm-as-yashasvi-jaiswal-comes-for-chat-following-marathon-knock-youngster-caught-offguard-101760183356519.html

India’s legendary spinner Anil Kumble heaped praise on opener Yashasvi Jaiswal’s marathon knock of 173 not out on the opening day of the second Test against West Indies.

India’s legendary spinner Anil Kumble heaped praise on opener Yashasvi Jaiswal’s marathon knock of 173 not out on the opening day of the second Test against West Indies and asserted that the southpaw has a chance to raise his maiden triple hundred on Saturday. Jaiswal, in his 25-Test career so far, has amassed over 2000 runs in the format, including seven centuries and 12 half-centuries since making his debut in the West Indies two years ago. Of the seven centuries Jaiswal has scored so far, five have been innings of 150 runs or more.

Remarkably, each of his first four hundreds crossed the 150-run mark, making him only the second player after Graeme Smith to achieve this rare milestone. The only exceptions came during his two centuries in England earlier this year, both of which were scores below 150.

“Jaiswal is just getting better and better day by day. We’ve spoken about his hunger and his attitude toward building big innings, not just for himself but for the team. Even in the previous game, he got off to a good start but was dismissed early, so he’s certainly made up for that here,” Kumble said on JioHotstar’s ‘Amul Cricket Live’.

“Throughout his short career, he has shown that he doesn’t waste opportunities like these. Once he’s in, he makes it count, and that’s wonderful to see. He’s still out there, and he can go on to score big runs tomorrow.

“As Sai Sudharsan mentioned, they certainly want to bat as long as possible. Shubman Gill said at the toss that they want to pile on the runs, and that’s exactly what the Indian batters have done on Day 1. Jaiswal now has a great opportunity, not just for a double hundred, but maybe even a triple hundred tomorrow,” he added.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/india-vs-west-indies-2025/300-loading-for-yashasvi-jaiswal-vs-west-indies-anil-kumbles-big-prediction-9434235

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to feature in at least three, if not four, Vijay Hazare Trophy games before the New Zealand ODI series in January.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to feature in at least three, if not four, Vijay Hazare Trophy games before the New Zealand ODI series in January, provided they are still aiming to play the 2027 World Cup. Between the conclusion of the South Africa ODIs and the start of the New Zealand leg, there will be at least six rounds of Vijay Hazare Trophy games for Delhi and Mumbai, and the national selectors would expect the ageing duo to play in the 50-over event. This aligns with the chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, making it clear that every centrally contracted player who is fit and available is expected to play domestic cricket.

“Between the last ODI against South Africa on December 6 at Visakhapatnam and the first ODI against New Zealand at Vadodara on January 11, there is a gap of five weeks.

“The Vijay Hazare Trophy starts on December 24. There will be six rounds of games for Mumbai (December 24, 26, 29, 31, Jan. 3, 6, 8). Rohit will be expected to at least play three rounds before linking up with the squad. Ditto for Virat,” a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.

Even Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel had said that both of them might need to play a bit of domestic cricket to get into the groove and could have actually played the India ‘A’ series.

“If you need their services, you have to find a way. For example, the India ‘A’ series happened, so you need to ask them to play that series because there is not much 50-over cricket. They should have said that if you don’t play the series, I don’t think you fit in the plan.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/no-retirement-for-virat-kohli-rohit-sharma-after-australia-odis-report-reveals-vijay-hazare-trophy-plan-9427274

India vs South Africa, ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Highlights: Nadine de Klerk smashed an unbeaten 84 off just 54 balls to help South Africa chase down a 252-run target vs India.

India vs South Africa, ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Highlights: Nadine de Klerk’s fightback stunned India, sealing a three-wicket win for South Africa in their Women’s World Cup match in Visakhapatnam. Chasing 252, the Proteas were lagging behind but de Klerk smashed an unbeaten 84 off just 54 balls to take the side through. Earlier, Richa Ghosh fought back for India, helping the side post a respectable total of 251. India were struggling at 102/6 but Richa’s fiery 94 off just 77 balls helped the side make great recovery. She stitched a solid 51-run partnership with Amanjot Kaur for the 7th wicket and an 88-run stand with Sneh Rana for the 8th wicket. With the knock, Richa also became the player with the highest score batting at number eight or lower in a Women’s World Cup match. (Scorecard)

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/women-s-odi-world-cup-2025/india-women-vs-south-africa-women-live-score-icc-womens-odi-world-cup-2025-indw-saw-live-cricket-scorecard-updates-9423495

Malaysia’s Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told parliament that the government had followed the law and naturalised the seven players based on a provision in Malaysia’s constitution.

A Malaysia minister has defended the government’s move in granting citizenship to seven foreign-born footballers, saying the matter is to be settled between the country’s football federation and world body FIFA, even as public sentiments remain negative over the brewing scandal.

FIFA said this week that it had found evidence indicating that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) used forged or falsified birth certificates of the seven players’ grandparents to secure their eligibility to play for the national team.

On Thursday (Oct 9), Malaysia’s Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told parliament that the government had followed the law and naturalised the seven players based on a provision in Malaysia’s constitution.

He said that the birth certificates of the players’ grandparents were not needed for the naturalisation.

The players had met the relevant conditions to get citizenship, including having proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia based on a basic test by the National Registration Department (NRD).

He acknowledged he had used his ministerial discretion to relax some conditions – in particular a requirement for an applicant to have resided in Malaysia for a set period of time – adding that he has such powers under the constitution.

Saifuddin did not address allegations that officials had failed to verify the authenticity of the documents submitted.

“The issue of player eligibility is a matter between FAM and FIFA, which is currently being managed at the appeal stage,” he said.

He added that a total of 23 football players – including the seven – had been naturalised since 2018 and that athletes from other sports and professionals in the fields of science and technology had also similarly obtained citizenship.

This is the second time Saifuddin has spoken out on the scandal involving the seven players born in Brazil, the Netherlands, Spain and Argentina.

Following FIFA’s initial announcement on Sep 26 on its decision to fine FAM 350,000 Swiss franc (US$437,000) and ban the seven players for a year, Saifuddin had said the next day that the process of granting citizenship to these players had complied with the Federal Constitution.

Describing it as a “very thorough” process, he said his ministry examines all documents submitted to ensure they meet every requirement under the law.

He had also said then that the matter was under the purview of FIFA and FAM, and that the Home Ministry’s focus was “strictly on citizenship matters”.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, meanwhile, had said on Sep 27 that she was “saddened and angry” reading about FIFA’s decision.

After its disciplinary committee published its grounds of decision on Oct 6 and revealed the birth certificate forgery, she said that FAM must respond clearly to all the revelations made by FIFA, adding Malaysian football fans are “hurt, angry and disappointed”.

Indeed, the scandal has made waves in the football-mad country, with fans and critics who spoke to CNA calling for thorough investigations into how the players were granted citizenship.

They have also raised questions about how it has been handled and Malaysia’s policy to rely on foreign-born players.

Sports critic Pekan Ramli told CNA that Saifuddin’s explanation in parliament on Thursday lacked conviction, and he was unsure if football fans could accept it.

“There are still many unanswered questions about the whole issue,” he said.

Meanwhile, social media posts by FAM have been met with a wave of negative comments, while memes have proliferated, making fun of the situation.

One viral meme shows a map of Malaysia with its states humorously replaced by the European and South American countries, while another displays a map of South America, with the countries relabeled with the names of Malaysian states.

WHAT EX-PLAYER AND FANS SAY

A football fan who only wanted to be known as Khairul said he has read FIFA’s grounds of decision, and he feels disappointed after the euphoria of victory against Vietnam.

The civil servant had attended the game at the Bukit Jalil Nasional Stadium on Jun 10, where Malaysia had beaten its regional rival 4-0 in an Asian Cup qualifying game.

All seven players featured in the game, with two of them scoring one goal each.

“I was very happy that day. But with all the facts laid out, it was clearly a case of cheating. I am not sad or angry, but I feel betrayed,” said Khairul.

The seven players implicated are Argentina-born Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julian Holgado and Imanol Javier Machuca; Spain-born Gabriel Felipe Arrocha and Jon Irazabal Iraurgui; Dutch-born Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano and Brazil-born Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo.

“It’s okay if we naturalise players but not by falsifying documents and cheating,” said Khairul, adding that he had no issues with the naturalisation of players such as Dion Cools or Matthew Davies, who were eligible to play for Malaysia because of their mothers’ Malaysian lineage.

“We are still not good enough for the World Cup. We should stick to our level. Playing against Indonesia is our World Cup. This is not championship manager or fantasy football, where you can buy players on your whim,” he added.

The FIFA decision has also triggered bewilderment and horror for James Wong Chye Fook, who for decades embodied the golden era of Malaysian football where the team could compete with the likes of Japan and South Korea.

Wong, 72, is best remembered for scoring the winning goal against South Korea in April 1980 in a qualifying match — a victory that secured a berth in the Moscow Olympics, which Malaysia subsequently boycotted.

In those days, all of his teammates were Malaysian-born. These days, critics suggest the national squad’s high number of naturalised players makes it resemble a European or South American team.

Wong, who is known as “King James” in Malaysia, said that times have changed but is puzzled why national teams go down this route instead of developing their own players to earn success.

“I know we want to build a better team, but do we have to go this far to do this?” said Wong, who described FIFA’s forgery findings as “horrifying”.

The days when Malaysia could go toe to toe with Japan and South Korea are a distant memory, with Malaysia experiencing many devastating lows over the last few decades. In 2018, it was placed 178th on FIFA’s rankings, its lowest ever.

That year, the FAM introduced a controversial policy of giving foreign-born players citizenship. It also called up more mixed-heritage players to the national team. This marked a major turning point, observers previously told CNA.

Naturalised players are foreign-born footballers who have no connection to the country but get citizenship, while mixed-heritage players have a bloodline connection with the country, be it through a parent or a grandparent who was a citizen.

As Malaysia’s use of naturalised and mixed-heritage players increased, it qualified for the 2023 Asian Cup, the first time it did so on merit since 1980.

It even managed a 3-3 draw with a strong South Korean side in its final group game, a result which was widely celebrated.

But the side experienced a blip in 2024 as it failed to qualify for the third round of the qualifiers of the 2026 World Cup.

In January this year, the regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim said on social media that six to seven heritage players have been identified for the national team, as he expressed hope that the Malaysian government could assist in the process of obtaining Malaysian passports in order for them to play for Malaysia in the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers.

He did not name the players but added: “It’s crucial Harimau Malaya starts the campaign on a good note.”

Harimau Malaya is a nickname of the Malaysian national team.

The crown prince owns Johor Darul Ta’zim, the club that three of the seven players – Figueiredo, Irazabal and Hevel – play for.

WAKE-UP CALL

Fans and observers have also raised questions about a finding in FIFA’s report that said that Malaysia’s NRD – in a statement filed by FAM – confirmed that the Malaysian authorities “never received the original birth certificates” of the players’ grandparents.

Instead, the NRD issued its own copies based on secondary information and foreign documents from Argentina, Brazil and Spain.

FIFA said “this admission … indicates that the Malaysian government’s validation process may not have been based on original documents, which calls into question the thoroughness of FAM’s verification process”.

Sports critic Pekan Ramli said Malaysian authorities should investigate this further, especially as it pertains to the granting of citizenship and passports to the players.

“Was anyone pressured to do something they were not supposed to do,” he said.

“The person responsible should own up and take the blame. Don’t play the victim card and blame anyone else for this.”

FIFA said that disciplinary proceedings were opened against the FAM and the players on Aug 22 and Aug 28, respectively.

Then-FAM president Joehari Ayub resigned from his position on Aug 27, although no reasons were given for his move.

Just after FIFA came up with its initial decision on Sep 26, Tunku Ismail questioned why FIFA had approved the players’ eligibility and to reverse it now.

“What led to such a decision? Was there any external party that influenced FIFA’s decision?” he asked.

“We will not be afraid or surrender to individuals who fear the resurgence of Harimau Malaya,” he said in a posting on X on Sep 27.

Tunku Ismail has yet to comment on FIFA’s grounds of judgment.

Zulakbal Abd Karim, a sports science and coaching lecturer at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris in Malaysia, said that FIFA would not have come up with its decision lightly.

“After beating Vietnam 4-0, we thought that we had a good team, but this has turned out to be an ultimate disaster. It’s better to lose than to win by cheating. The image of the country has been badly tarnished,” he told CNA.

Khairul, the football fan, said he will still support the national team no matter what and will still tune in to the team’s away match against Laos on Thursday, as part of the Asian Cup qualifiers.

Source : https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/fifa-malaysia-football-scandal-minister-fans-critics-answers-5391751

The PIL filed by a lawyer argued that the national cricket team is BCCI’s cricket team and does not represent the country.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea seeking directions to restrain the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from referring to the national cricket team as the Indian cricket team.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela pulled up the petitioner, advocate Reepak Kansal, for filing the public interest litigation (PIL).

“Are you saying the team doesn’t represent India? This team, which is going everywhere and representing India, you are saying they don’t represent India?. Is it not Team India? If it is not Team India, please tell us why is it not Team India,” Justice Gedela remarked.

Chief Justice Upadhyaya said that PIL was a sheer wastage of the court’s time.

“It is sheer wastage of the court’s time and your own time… Tell us about a national team, in a single sport which is selected by the government officials. Whether the Indian contingent taking part in the Commonwealth Games, Olympics… Are they selected by the government officials? Do they not represent India? Hockey, football, tennis, anything, any sport,” the Court remarked.

It said that just because the team used Indian flag does not mean it is in violation of the law.

“If you want to unfurl a flag in your house, are you prohibited from doing so?”

Further, the Court underscored that the international bodies have often been against government interference in sports.

“Are you aware as to how the entire exccosystem in sports function? Are you aware of the rules of IOC [International Olympic Committee]? Are you aware of the Olympic charter? Olympic movement? Are you aware that in past, wherever there has been government intervention in sports, the IOC has come down heavily,” the Court remarked.

Ultimately, the Court dismissed the PIL.

The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Kansal argued that the BCCI is a private entity registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act and is not a statutory body or State within the meaning of Article 12 of the Indian Constitution.

It said that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has clarified through multiple Right to Information (RTI) replies that the BCCI is not recognised as a National Sports Federation (NSF) nor supported financially by the government as one.

Despite this, government media platforms continue to refer to the BCCI cricket team as “Team India” or the “Indian National Team” and use Indian national symbols such as the flag during cricket broadcasts, the plea argued.

“This practice amounts to misrepresentation and could potentially violate the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 and the Flag Code of India, 2002, which regulate the use of the national name, flag and symbols,” the plea stated.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/delhi-high-court-junks-pil-seeking-name-change-for-indian-cricket-team

Beth Mooney struck a magnificent hundred and led a remarkable Australian fightback along with tailender Alana King to set up a crushing 107-run win over Pakistan.

Star batter Beth Mooney struck a magnificent hundred and led a remarkable Australian fightback along with tailender Alana King to set up a crushing 107-run win over Pakistan in their ICC World Cup match in Colombo on Wednesday. Sent in to bat, defending champions Australia suffered a top-order batting collapse as they were reduced to 76/7 in the 22nd over with Pakistan spinners, led by Nashra Sandhu (3/37), wrecking havoc. At one stage, it looked like the Australian innings would fold for less than 150, but Mooney (109 from 114 balls) resurrected their innings with her fifth ODI hundred and first World Cup ton.

She stitched a record 106 runs for the ninth wicket with King (51 not out off 49 balls) to lift Australia to 221 for 9.

After Mooney and King’s heroics, Australian bowlers, led by Kim Garth (3/14), Annabel Sutherland (2/15) and Megan Schutt (2/25), dismissed Pakistan for 114 in 36.3 overs for their second win in the tournament.

Australia beat New Zealand in their opening match while the second game against Sri Lanka was abandoned due to rain.

For Pakistan, this was their third loss on the trot, after defeats to India and Bangladesh.

Chasing 222, Pakistan began in the worst possible manner as they lost five wickets for 31 runs by the ninth over with pacers Kim Garth and Megan Schutt snapping three and two wickets respectively. They were never in the run chase against the experienced Australians and only four Pakistan batters could reach double-digit figures.

Garth made first the breakthrough by dismissing opener Sadaf Shamas (5) in the third over, and from there on, it was a procession for Pakistan batters to the dressing room.

One down Sidra Amin (35) gave a semblance of resistance. She and captain Fatima Sana survived for four overs before the latter got out for 11.

With six wickets down for 49 in the 13th over, the writing was on the wall for Pakistan. The departure of Sidra in the 22nd over all but ended Pakistan’s chase.

Earlier, the show belonged to Mooney after Australia’s batting collapse.

Coming to the crease when the score read 30 for two, Mooney saw wickets tumbling around her. Undeterred, she went about her business with composure and played one of her most memorable innings.

She hit 11 fours from 114 balls for her 109, and the second best Australian batter was No. 10 King.

It was the highest stand for the ninth or a lower wicket in women’s ODIs. The previous best was 76 between Ashleigh Gardner and Kim Garth of Australia for the ninth wicket against South Africa in 2024.

Australia were 83 for seven at the halfway mark and from there, they added 138 runs for the loss of two wickets.

On a slow and turning pitch, some of the Australian top-order batters were guilty of lack of application and poor shot selection, even as Pakistan did very well in fielding department, taking crucial catches with superb efforts.

Australia lost Healy in the seventh over while Phoebe Litchfield followed suit three balls later for the same score of 30 as Pakistan made a brilliant start.

Australia’s woes continued as the ball began to turn. Sandhu then accounted for the two big wickets of Ellyse Perry (5) and Annabel Sutherland (1).

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/icc-womens-world-cup-2025-beth-mooney-century-sets-up-australias-107-run-win-over-pakistan-9420333

The three-match series, starting on October 19, will be Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s first international assignment since the Champions Trophy 2025

Will Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retire soon after India’s ODI series against Australia? The three-match series, starting on October 19, will be Kohli and Rohit’s first international assignment since the Champions Trophy 2025. The two players have already retired from T20Is and Tests. With the next big ODI tournament – the 2027 World Cup – being almost two years away, there are question marks on whether Kohli and Rohit will be persisted with. Ravichandran Ashwin, who has played for a long time with the star duo, says Kohli and Rohit are at the back-end of their careers.

“On one side is selection, on the other side is Kohli and Rohit. These are two sides of the same coin. The selection and selectors have clearly shown that the team had decided to move forward. However, in this process, there are two players who are at the back end of their careers. You like it or not, they are at the back-end of their careers. However, one thing I would like to say, the way to deal with players at the back-end of their careers should be better. It is very easy to say from fans’ perspective, from an organisation’s perspective that they have grown old and should retire,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

“One of the reasons we feel this way is that we see many young players in the IPL performing well, and we believe they can replace these experienced players. However, during this process, one thing we often overlook is solid communication and knowledge transfer. I request that this be addressed in the future.”

Ashwin opined that the communication with Rohit and Kohli should have started right after the 2024 T20 World Cup.

“I really hope the conversation has happened with Virat and Rohit. But if the conversation has happened now, why did it not happen after they said they were retiring after the 2024 T20 World Cup? It could have happened then itself. Had it happened back then, they could have thought about whether to continue playing or not, because this is the direction the team is wishing to head towards,” Ashwin said.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/deal-better-with-them-r-ashwin-goes-blunt-amid-rohit-sharma-virat-kohli-retirement-speculation-9420243

Rohit Sharma gave his first reaction on the upcoming ODI series against Australia after he was replaced as the captain.

Rohit Sharma gave his first reaction on the upcoming ODI series against Australia after he was replaced as the captain. Ahead of the series, BCCI decided to appoint Shubman Gill as India’s new ODI captain with Shreyas Iyer serving as vice-captain. Rohit, along with fellow stalwart Virat Kohli, was included in the squad but he was not given any leadership role. The decision came as a shock for some fans as well as experts as India won the Champions Trophy title under his leadership back in March 2025. However, Rohit expressed his excitement regarding the series and said that he loves playing cricket in Australia because of the love that the people of the country have for the sport.

“I love playing against Australia, love going there, people in Australia love cricket a lot,” Rohit said on the sidelines of the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai.

Earlier, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed that Rohit had been communicated about the change in captaincy but kept it open-ended when asked if both him and Kohli will play the 2027 ODI World Cup.

“Yes. I mean that is the format they are playing at the moment and we have picked them. As far as the 2027 (ODI) World Cup is concerned, I don’t think we need to talk about it today, obviously with the captaincy change that’s generally the thought,” said Agarkar.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/rohit-sharmas-1st-reaction-on-australia-odi-series-after-captaincy-snub-9413842

FORMER NFL star Mark Sanchez has been captured on video bloodied and stumbling through the streets after he was stabbed in an alleyway brawl.

The 38-year-old quarterback-turned-commentator was arrested and accused of starting an unprovoked fight with a 69-year-old truck driver outside an Indianapolis bar early Sunday morning.

Surveillance video released by the New York Post shows Sanchez clutching a dark patch on his torso and walking on the street at 12:30 am.

The footage was released after a bartender who was working near the scuffle said that a mangled Sanchez pounded on his bar’s window and begged him for help after the attack.

Workers rushed to bring the ex-player inside and called 911 while holding rags over his gushing wounds and trying to ask him what happened.

He was taken to a hospital and treated for his wounds before he was hit with a felony battery charge.

HORROR ATTACK

Sanchez was allegedly reeking of alcohol when he started accosting the driver over his truck blocking an alleyway, an affidavit states.

The driver had backed into a hotel’s loading dock while he was replacing old grease for restaurants when Sanchez approached him.

According to the police docs, the driver told cops that he started to believe he was in danger during the confrontation and sprayed Sanchez with pepper spray.

When the ex-NFL player didn’t stop approaching the driver, he thought, “this guy is trying to kill me,” the affidavit alleges.

The driver whipped out a knife and stabbed Sanchez “two or three times” before the player allegedly threw him into a dumpster, and the driver started to believe he was in a life-or-death situation.

Soon after this, a “look of shock” came over the player’s face, and he “took off,” the driver told detectives.

When Sanchez stumbled into the nearby bar, he said that he’d been shot and didn’t identify himself, bartender Scott Bennett told Fox affiliate WXIN.

Sanchez told detectives who spoke with him in the hospital that he didn’t remember anything about the night until he grabbed “a window,” an affidavit states.

He has yet to release a statement or comment about the incident.

WITNESS SPEAKS

Bennett said that he couldn’t understand Sanchez or get his name when he stumbled into the bar.

“I didn’t recognize him at all,” he said.

Pictures of the alleged victim released by WXIN show an older man covered in blood with a grisly slash across his cheek.

“His family says he was cut in the fight and it went through his cheek and hit his tongue,” WXIN reporter Angela Ganote wrote on social media.

The driver turned his hearing aid off because his truck was too loud when he was confronted by Sanchez, the affidavit states.

The former player was reportedly acting erratically and doing wind sprints before the brawl, sources told WXIN.

Source : https://www.the-sun.com/sport/15298831/mark-sanchez-nfl-stabbed-cctv-video-arrest/

Pakistan batter Sidra Amin was reprimanded and handed one demerit point by the ICC for breaching its Level 1 of Code of Conduct during the Women’s World Cup match against India

Pakistan batter Sidra Amin was on Monday reprimanded and handed one demerit point by the ICC for breaching its Level 1 of Code of Conduct during the Women’s World Cup match against India. Amin waged a lone battle for Pakistan in a one-sided contest with a knock of 81 before her team was bowled out for 159 in reply to India’s 247 at the R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday. Pakistan lost the match by 88 runs. “Sidra was found to have breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to ‘abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match’,” the ICC said in a media release.

The incident occurred in the 40th over of Pakistan’s chase when she “forcefully hit her bat onto the pitch” after being dismissed by Sneh Rana.

“In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to her disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period,” the ICC said.

“Sidra admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Shandré Fritz of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing,” it added.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/women-s-odi-world-cup-2025/pakistans-sidra-amin-reprimanded-for-breaching-icc-code-of-conduct-during-loss-to-india-9404935

The family of a truck driver who was allegedly brutally assaulted by former football star Mark Sanchez outside an Indianapolis bar has given an update on his condition.

“He’s OK,” family members of the 69-year-old grease truck driver, identified solely by his initials PT, told The Post late Sunday.

“We are talking to lawyers first. We want to be careful what’s said. We appreciate that,” the family said, noting they were in shock that the former Jets quarterback attacked their loved one.

Grisly photos of the alleged victim showed him in a neck brace in his hospital bed with gnarly, deep wounds to his cheek and jaw.

“His family says he was cut in the fight and it went through his cheek and hit his tongue,” Fox59 anchor Angela Ganote said, sharing the pictures on social media.

The driver reportedly got into an altercation with Sanchez shortly after midnight on Saturday morning, when he had parked his truck in an alley to collect cooking oil from a nearby hotel, according to an affidavit seen by Fox59.

Sanchez, 38, allegedly approached him, smelling of “alcohol” and slurring his speech, according to the affidavit.

“PT did not have his hearing aids in because his truck is very loud when he is exchanging the frying oil for the hotel, so he had to lean in close to Mr Sanchez to hear him,” the affidavit said.

“When PT leaned in, he stated that Mr Sanchez smelled of alcohol and his speech was slurred,” the affidavit continued.

Source: https://nypost.com/2025/10/05/sports/family-of-grease-truck-driver-brutally-bashed-by-mark-sanchez-give-update-on-his-condition/

Pakistan batter Muneeba Ali was dismissed in a controversial manner during the Women’s World Cup 2025 clash against India.

Another India versus Pakistan clash on the global stage saw a controversy being triggered. The two teams squared off in the Women’s World Cup 2025 clash on Sunday, with the game producing some much-talked-about incidents. An unusual scene unfolded in the middle as Pakistan opener Muneeba Ali was run out in a bizarre fashion. Muneeba had wandered out of her crease, with a throw from Deepti Sharma hitting the stumps. The umpire decided to give the verdict in the Indian team’s favour, triggering a huge controversy that also saw the Pakistan captain take up the matter with the officials.

The incident happened on the last ball of the fourth over when Muneeba initially survived an LBW appeal off Kranti Gaud, as India chose not to review despite replays later showing three reds. Muneeba’s decision to wander out of the crease, however, cost her dearly.

Pakistan pacer Diana Baig, who attended the post-match press conference, was asked about the incident by a reporter. She decided to downplay it, saying whatever the issue was, it has been settled.

Reporter: Muneeba was run out, and the captain also raised some concerns regarding that incident. Has the management made any decision on this matter? Any comment on Muneeba’s run-out?

Baig: Muneeba’s run-out issue has already been settled, I believe. I don’t want to talk much about it now. Whatever happened and whatever the situation was, I think it has been resolved.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/women-s-odi-world-cup-2025/pakistan-break-silence-on-batter-muneeba-alis-controversial-run-out-against-india-9402084

India defeated Pakistan by 88 runs in their Women’s World Cup match in Colombo on Sunday.

The contrasting knocks of Harleen Deol and Richa Ghosh found ample support from the bowlers as India etched a commanding 88-run win over Pakistan in a drama-filled ICC Women’s World Cup match in Colombo on Sunday. Deol’s composed 46 off 65 balls and Richa Ghosh’s spirited 20-ball 35 lifted India to a competitive 247 on a sluggish track after the match referee erroneously ruled the toss in favour of Pakistan, who elected to bowl first. Pacer Kranti Gaud (3/20) dismantled Pakistan’s top order while the spinners cleaned up the middle-order and tail, bundling them out for 159, despite a valiant effort from Sidra Amin (81 off 106 balls).

With this win, India extended their perfect head to head record to 12-0 in ODIs.

The match moved on familiar lines and the expected hostilities were conspicuous by its absence, but the day was not entirely bereft of drama.

India continued their “no-handshake” policy at the toss or after the match, sticking to the precedent set during the men’s Asia Cup in the UAE.

The gaffe during the toss added to the list of amusements which later swelled through a bizarre run out and the 15-minute delay due to bugs invading the field.

Cutting back to cricketing matters, Pakistan’s chase of 248 began in chaos when opener Muneeba Ali (2) was sensationally run out.

Facing Gaud, she survived an initial leg-before appeal which was ruled not out, but as she momentarily wandered out of the crease with the ball still in play.

An alert Deepti Sharma swooped in with a direct hit to break the stumps with Muneeba’s bat still in the air, much to the disappointment of skipper Fatima Sana who argued with the umpire.

Gaud then struck twice in quick succession, first dismissing Sadaf Shamas (6), caught off her own bowling, and then removing Aliya Riaz (2), leaving Pakistan reeling at 26/3.

As the Indian bowlers tightened their grip, Sidra and Natalia Pervaiz (33) offered resistance with a 69-run stand, briefly steadying the innings before the inevitable collapse followed.

Earlier, Indian batters struggled to get going on a slow track but Deol’s knock provided some stability in the middle overs, during Richa’s cameo, pushing India near the 250-run mark.

Opener Pratika Rawal (31) gave India a brisk start, smashing Diana Baig for three consecutive fours, but star batter Smriti Mandhana (23) once again fell inside the power play, putting the top-order under early pressure.

After surviving an unsuccessful leg-before appeal off Baig, Mandhana was trapped in front of the wicket by Pakistan skipper Fatima.

The disciplined Pakistan bowlers kept the batters on a leash with tight lines and clever variations in pace, denying them any rhythm and chipping away at regular intervals.

Pacers Baig (4/69) and Sana (2/38) did the maximum damage, sharing six wickets between them.

Rawal was next to go, her attempted cut shot brushing the top of the off stump.

Deol showed composure, stitching together a 39-run stand with Harmanpreet (19) and then added 45 with Jemimah Rodrigues (32).

However, Harmanpreet fell to an inside edge just when she looked set, while Deol, after doing the hard work by playing herself in, squandered the chance to push on in an attempt to hit a boundary.

Jemimah, who had an early reprieve on two after being caught off a no-ball, was the next to depart for 32 as Pakistan maintained relentless pressure.

Thereafter, the experienced pair of Deepti) and Sneh Rana (20) steadied the innings with a 42-run partnership.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/women-s-odi-world-cup-2025/harleen-deol-kranti-goud-impress-as-india-thrash-pakistan-by-88-runs-in-womens-world-cup-9401239

Shubman Gill was handed the reins of the ODI team, replacing Rohit Sharma ahead of the three-match series against Australia later this month.

Star India batter Rohit Sharma was stripped of the ODI captaincy duties as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) didn’t want the team culture to get disturbed, according to a report. On Saturday, Test captain Shubman Gill was also handed the reins of the ODI team, replacing Rohit ahead of the three-match series against Australia later this month. On the decision to remove Rohit, BCCI’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar opined that it was ‘practically impossible’ to have three different captains across formats.

However, a report in the Times of India (TOI) has claimed that the selectors didn’t want Rohit to dictate things his own way, as they feared that it could have impacted the team culture in a negative way.

“A player of Rohit’s stature in a leadership role would have meant he would get to drive his philosophy in the dressing room. But with him playing only in ODIs, a format which is played the least, it could have disturbed the team culture,” the Times of India quoted a BCCI source as saying.

The report revealed that Gautam Gambhir took the backseat in his first six months as head coach and only started interfering in team matters following the Test series defeats to New Zealand (home) and Australia (away).

“Gambhir had taken a back seat in Tests and ODIs in the first six months of his assignment, but the debacles against New Zealand and Australia prompted him to take charge more firmly,” the source added.

Both Rohit and Virat Kohli will be playing under Gill’s captaincy in Australia. While it is not clear whether the two would be able to stick around till the 2027 ODI World Cup, Gambhir and Agarkar didn’t want to face a situation where both senior players’ form suddenly “dipped.”

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/rohit-sharma-as-odi-captain-wouldve-disturbed-team-culture-report-makes-staggering-claim-9399551

In a significant transition move, opener Shubman Gill was on Saturday named captain of the Indian ODI team for the upcoming tour of Australia, replacing senior batter Rohit Sharma at the helm.

In a significant transition move, opener Shubman Gill was on Saturday named captain of the Indian ODI team for the upcoming tour of Australia, replacing senior batter Rohit Sharma at the helm. Rohit, along with Virat Kohli, has been named in the 15-member squad announced by the BCCI, signalling a gradual shift in leadership without fully sacrificing the experience. Shreyas Iyer has been named vice-captain for the three-match series. Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the ODI leg of the tour to manage his workload, while promising left-hander Yashasvi Jaiswal has been recalled to the 50-over setup after a string of consistent performances in T20 internationals.

The ODIs are scheduled to be played in Sydney, Adelaide, and Melbourne between October 19 and 25 and will be followed by a five-match T20 series.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/shubman-gill-replaces-rohit-sharma-to-become-indias-new-odi-captain-9394791

Former Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez was charged Saturday after a late-night brawl outside a downtown Indianapolis bar with a 69-year-old man — a clash that ended with the onetime NFL star stabbed in the chest, police said.

The fight broke out near Loughmiller’s Pub & Eatery just after midnight when Sanchez allegedly confronted the man in an alley and told him to move his vehicle, which was reported to be a truck hauling restaurant grease, according to FOX59/CBS4.

The driver told cops the ex–quarterback became aggressive, forcing him to fight back in self-defense with a knife after pepper spray failed to stop him, the outlet reported.

Police said Sanchez, 38, was taken to a local hospital in critical condition and later charged with misdemeanor counts of battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication.

He remains hospitalized and had not yet been booked into the Marion County Adult Detention Center as of Saturday night.

Investigators said both men were injured during the altercation. The delivery driver, who has not been publicly identified, also suffered “significant injuries,” according to police.

Sources told FOX59/CBS4 that Sanchez was uncooperative with responding officers and had to undergo surgery for stab wounds to the chest. His condition was later upgraded to stable.

Sanchez, a Fox Sports analyst, was in Indianapolis to call Sunday’s Colts–Raiders game at Lucas Oil Stadium. The network said in a statement that he is “recovering in the hospital in stable condition.”

“We are deeply grateful to the medical team for their exceptional care and support,” Fox Sports said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, and we ask that everyone please respect his and his family’s privacy during this time.”

Police said both Sanchez and the other man were not Indianapolis residents.

Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage and witness statements to determine whether additional charges will be filed.

Prosecutors will review the case to decide on formal charges.

According to FOX59/CBS4, the 69-year-old told investigators that Sanchez ordered the grease truck to leave and blocked his vehicle in the alley.

When the man tried to defuse the situation, Sanchez allegedly advanced on him. The driver said he sprayed Sanchez with pepper spray, and when that didn’t work, he pulled a knife and stabbed him once in the chest.

Police said Sanchez has not yet provided his account of what happened.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett didn’t identify who the victims were but said that both men involved “do not appear to live in Indianapolis.”

“Our city takes pride in being a destination that draws people from near and far, but it’s important that everyone who visits or enjoys our community does so respectfully and peacefully,” Hogsett said.

“I’m grateful to the IMPD officers and Indianapolis EMS medical professionals who responded immediately to provide life-saving care.”

Sanchez, a first-round draft pick out of USC in 2009, spent eight seasons in the NFL and led the Jets to two AFC Championship appearances before finishing his career with the Eagles, Cowboys, Bears, and Washington.

He retired in 2019 and joined Fox Sports as an analyst.

As of Saturday evening, Sanchez remained hospitalized in stable condition following surgery.

Source : https://nypost.com/2025/10/04/sports/ex-jets-qb-mark-sanchez-arrested-at-hospital-following-stabbing-incident-at-indianapolis-pub

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are set to make their returns to international cricket during the Australia tour. They haven’t played international cricket since March. Both now only play ODI cricket.

The fans’ wait to see Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma back in action will end soon. The future ICC Hall of Famers are now only active in ODI cricket. They haven’t played a competitive game since IPL 2025, which ended in the first week of June. They last represented Team India in the 2025 Champions Trophy final, which ended early in March. Nearly 8 months after the CT final, both star players are set to make their returns.
Cricbuzz has reported that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be named in the ODI squad for the Australia tour. The squad will be announced on Saturday (October 4), the report adds. The Ajit Agarkar-headed selection committee will meet on the third day of the India-West Indies Test match. The squad could be announced after the end of the day’s play.
Both Virat and Rohit now only play ODI cricket. They announced their retirements from T20I cricket after winning the 2024 World Cup. Rohit led India in the ICC event.

Rohit and Virat retired from Tests in May
Rohit and Virat announced shock retirements from Test cricket in May. They were expected to travel to England for the five-match Test series. Rohit, who was the Test captain, announced a shock retirement from Tests on May 7.
Rohit, who dropped himself from the playing XI for the fifth Test against Australia, had confirmed that he will continue to lead the team. But he changed his mind few weeks before the team selection.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/virat-kohli-rohit-sharma-set-for-return-as-bcci-to-announce-squad-for-australia-series-on-article-152936126

The BCCI had sought to remove PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi as the president of the Asian Cricket Council following the controversial conclusion to the 2025 Asia Cup, and has reportedly taken a major step in that direction with Sri Lanka lending them their support.

The fall out in the Asia Cup trophy controversy continues to rage on with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seeking to remove Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi from the post of Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president.

According to a report on The Opinion, the BCCI is eyeing the possibility of a no confidence vote against Naqvi, hoping to gather enough support from the other member boards. The report adds that while Sri Lanka has lent its vote to India, Bangladesh is offering its support for Pakistan.

Afghanistan’s vote thus will be crucial and will decide whether Naqvi remains the ACC president, a post that he has been occupying since April this year, or not.

India boycott Pakistan during Asia Cup

The 17th edition of the Asia Cup had taken place just months after a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam and the subsequent military conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations, in which the Indian armed forces launched a series of precision strikes codenamed “Operation Sindoor”.

While the Men in Blue participated in the tournament and faced Pakistan on the field despite several fans and some former cricketers and politicians being against it, they refused to shake the hands of their opponents in each of their three meetings, with captain Suryakumar Yadav also ignoring his Pakistani counterpart Salman Ali Agha during the toss.

Source : https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/bcci-mohsin-naqvi-acc-president-no-confidence-vote-asia-cup-trophy-row-13938780.html

Former Pakistan women’s team captain Sana Mir has issued a clarification after her ‘Azad Kashmir’ remark for a current player in the Women’s World Cup 2025 triggered a storm.

The Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 match between Pakistan and Bangladesh on Thursday triggered a huge controversy as former commentator Sana Mir referred to batter Natalia Pervaiz as being from ‘Kashmir’ before correcting herself to ‘Azad Kashmir’. Sana, who is a former captain of the Pakistan team herself, triggered outrage on social media by making a politically charged comment. While the International Cricket Council (ICC) is yet to issue a statement on the controversial matter, Sana took to social media and issued a clarification.

Sana had said while commentating during the match: “…captaining a very young side. Yes, they have won the qualifiers, but a lot of these players are new. Natalia who comes from Kashmir, Azad Kashmir, plays in Lahore a lot of cricket. She has to come to Lahore to play most of her cricket there.”

In a lengthy post on social media, Sana said that she only intended to highlight the struggles Natalia went through because of the region she grew up in. The former Pakistan women’s team captain asked for the issue not to be ‘politicised’ as there was no malice in her heart, nor did she intend to hurt sentiments.

“It’s unfortunate how things are being blown out of proportion and people in sports are being subjected to unnecessary pressure. It is sad that this requires an explanation at a public level. My comment about a Pakistan player’s hometown was only meant to highlight the challenges she faced in coming from a certain region in Pakistan and her incredible journey,” she said.

“It is part of the storytelling we do as commentators, as to where the players come from. I did that today for two other players coming from other regions, too. Please don’t politicise it. As a commentator on the World Feed, we are meant to focus on the sport, teams, and players, highlighting inspiring stories of grit and perseverance. There is no malice in my heart or any intention to hurt sentiments,” Sana added.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/women-s-odi-world-cup-2025/sana-mir-issues-breaks-silence-after-her-azad-kashmir-remark-in-womens-world-cup-triggers-row-9387158

By the skin of their teeth – and every last inch of Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s outstretched arms — the Yankees have lived to see another day.

In a game that often teetered on the edge of being a slow-motion train wreck, with the threat of their postseason ending in two short nights, the Yankees found an answer before they were sent packing for the offseason.

Austin Wells delivered the big hit the Yankees desperately needed, roping a line drive that just stayed fair down the right field line with two outs in the eighth inning.

Chisholm was off from first base on the full-count pitch and never stopped running, diving into home plate just ahead of the tag to send the crowd into a frenzy that shook the Stadium and lifted the Yankees to a 4-3 win in Game 2 of their AL wild-card series on Wednesday night.

“It would be a lot easier to win [the series] 2-0, but we get to play baseball tomorrow and that was our goal coming into today, to guarantee another day tomorrow,” Wells said. “It took everybody. The defense was unbelievable tonight. Great at-bats, great pitching on the mound. Just a really scrappy win. I think it literally took everyone.”

David Bednar secured the final three outs in the top of the ninth — following scoreless innings from a fired-up Fernando Cruz and Devin Williams — to set up a winner-take-all Game 3 on Thursday night, with the Yankees sending Cam Schlittler to the mound against fellow rookie Connelly Early in hopes of surviving into the ALDS.

Since the playoffs expanded in 2022, the loser of Game 1 in the wild-card round has lost each of the 12 series. But the Yankees gave themselves a chance to buck that trend on Thursday, thanks in large part to two players who began Game 1 on the bench.

Long after Ben Rice had given the Yankees a shot in the arm with a two-run homer off Brayan Bello in the first, it was tied 3-3 in the bottom of the eighth.

Facing Garrett Whitlock with two outs, Chisholm battled for a full-count walk to bring up Wells, who worked another full count before shooting the go-ahead single down the line.

In a span of roughly 24 hours, Chisholm went from being outwardly frustrated about not being in the Game 1 Yankees lineup against Garrett Crochet to being one of their heroes.

The second baseman said he de-stressed Tuesday night by playing “MLB: The Show” and mercy-ruling his opponent, and by the time he arrived at the stadium on Wednesday, he had cleared his mind and was focused on winning.

“What do you expect? The guy’s a game-changer,” said Aaron Judge, who drove in a run in the fifth inning that temporarily put the Yankees ahead 3-2. “But it just shows you the maturity of not taking what happened the day before and bringing it into today’s game. He showed up ready to play today and ended up having the biggest plays for us.”

Aaron Boone had said before the game that he did not need Chisholm “to put a happy face on it,” but he did “need him to go play his tail off, which I know he’s going to do.” And it wasn’t just on offense, as Chisholm saved the Yankees in the seventh inning with his defense, even on a play when he did not record an out.

Carlos Rodón, who gave up three runs through six innings, threw eight straight balls to begin the seventh and end his night.

The spot due up in the order was the exact same one that Luke Weaver entered to face in the decisive seventh inning of Game 1. Except this time, Boone called on Cruz, who got an immediate gift when Ceddanne Rafaela popped up a bunt attempt before Nick Sogard flied out.

Masataka Yoshida, who delivered the go-ahead single in Game 1, pinch hit again and nearly did the exact same thing as he roped a grounder up the middle. But Chisholm made a diving stop on the ball, and while his throw to first was late, just stopping it from going into the outfield prevented at least one run from scoring. Chisholm, whose bouncing throw slipped slightly past Rice, was fortunate that Nate Eaton stopped at third instead of flying around and trying to score on a play that would have been close.

Source : https://nypost.com/2025/10/01/sports/austin-wells-hit-sends-yankees-to-game-3-against-red-sox/

Salman Agha complained about the no-handshake row in a press conference after the Asia Cup 2025 final.

Pakistan captain Salman Agha has used every single opportunity he could to show India in a bad light. After the end of the Asia Cup 2025 final, Salman spoke about the handshake row, which started on September 14, once again in the press conference, criticising India for their unsportsmanlike conduct. He even claimed that India disrespected the entire sport by refusing to shake hands with the Pakistan team. Former India spinner Amit Mishra has responded to Salman’s claim, reiterating India’s stance that the players don’t want to be friends with him or others in the Pakistan team.

“What India has done this tournament is very disappointing. They’re not disrespecting us by not shaking hands; they’re disrespecting cricket. Good teams don’t do what they did today. We went to pose with the trophy on our own because we wanted to fulfil our obligations. We stood there and took our medals. I don’t want to use harsh words, but they’ve been very disrespectful,” Salman had said in the press conference after the final.

Mishra, in a chat with news agency ANI, asked if there’s a rule that mandated a handshake between two teams in a cricket match. The former spinner also said that there’s no ‘friendship’ between the two teams, hence, there’s no point complaining about the lack of such gestures.

“Is there any rule that we have to shake hands? We play cricket, we don’t want to be friends with you, we don’t want to shake hands, it’s our wish. Is there any rule in the rule book that we have to shake hands? We have played three matches, and we have defeated you in all three. After that, what do you want? Do you want us to be friends with you? Why should we? It’s our wish. We won’t do it,” Mishra said while speaking to ANI.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/asia-cup-2025/salman-agha-brings-up-handshake-row-again-gets-we-dont-want-to-be-friends-reply-9375332

Mohsin Naqvi rejected reports claiming that he, at the ACC AGM on Tuesday, apologised to BCCI officials for his actions at the presentation ceremony.

Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday said the Indian team is “welcome” to collect the Asia Cup trophy from him at the continental body’s head office in Dubai as controversy around the champions being denied the top prize continued to rage. In a post on X, Naqvi rejected reports claiming that he, at the ACC AGM on Tuesday, apologised to BCCI officials for his actions at the presentation ceremony on Sunday when he walked away with the trophy after the Indians refused to accept it from him.

Naqvi is also the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and Interior Minister of his country with a pronounced anti-India political position.

“As ACC President, I was ready to hand over the trophy that very day and I am still ready now. If they truly want it, they are welcome to come to the ACC office and collect it from me,” he wrote.

“Let me make it absolutely clear: I have done nothing wrong and I have never apologised to the BCCI nor will I ever do so,” he added.

Ashish Shelar and Rajeev Shukla had represented the BCCI in the ACC AGM where they raised a strong objection over the trophy not being duly handed over to the Suryakumar Yadav-led side which beat Pakistan in the final.

Naqvi had told the BCCI officials on Tuesday that he was ready to give the trophy to the Indian team. However, no decision on that issue was taken in the AGM, upsetting the BCCI top brass further.

The BCCI will take the matter to the ICC, which will have its meeting in November.

The two teams played each other thrice in the tournament with India winning each time, including the final. India maintained a ‘no handshake policy’ with Pakistan players during the event, infuriating the PCB.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/mohsin-naqvi-sets-asia-cup-trophy-condition-but-will-never-apologise-9379216

Pakistan women’s cricket team expect that India will continue the handshake boycott when the sides meet in the 2025 ODI World Cup on Sunday.

The Pakistan women’s cricket team expects their Indian counterparts to carry on the ‘handshake boycott’ heralded by the Men in Blue in the 2025 Asia Cup. According to Telecom Asia Sport, Pakistan team manager Hina Munawar has taken guidelines from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on what the players’ stance should be for the group stage match scheduled for Sunday (October 5) in Colombo.

Other reports in India mention how neither the PCB nor the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) with a decision or even as much as a query about the issue. However, the ICC has no protocols about handshakes, and it has always been a tradition, which is usually (but not always) followed by team captains at the toss and the entire squads to mark the end of the match.

The BCCI is said to have not had any conversations about this with Harmanpreet Kaur. The skipper was nudged about the many Indo-Pak controversies in the Asia Cup at the pre-tournament ICC captains’ press meet but remained non-commital.

“Well, we can only control one thing which is playing cricket on the field and we are not thinking of other things,” Harmanpreet said. “Because as cricketers, we can only control the things we have in our hand. But in other parts, I have zero control, and I don’t even take those things into my mind. We don’t even discuss those things in the dressing room. We are only here to play cricket and our focus is only on cricket,” she added.

Deepti Sharma was asked more directly during India’s ODI series against Australia but the response was similar.

“That match is far away, and when it happens, we will see what to do,” the spinning all-rounder said on Tuesday. “We are not focusing on the Asia Cup at the moment.”

The Indian men reportedly took the stance in the light of the Pahalgam terror attack and once it was executed in the group stage game, it continued.

Source : https://www.news18.com/cricket/after-asia-cup-india-to-boycott-handshakes-with-pakistan-in-womens-odi-wc-report-ws-l-9606906.html

Amanjot Kaur created history by playing a key role in helping India win their opening game in the 2025 Women’s World Cup against Sri Lanka. The 25-year-old made a knock of 57 runs in just 45 balls as the Women in Blue went from 126-6 to 269-8.

Amanjot Kaur created history during India’s victory against Sri Lanka in their opening game of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday (September 30) as the star all-rounder scored a vital knock of 57 in 56 balls while later taking a wicket with the ball in the Women in Blue’s massive victory.
The star all-rounder walked out to bat at number right after the hosts suffered a massive collapse. Sri Lanka took four wickets in the space of 11 balls, inspired by Inoka Ranaweera taking three wickets in one over as India went from 120-2 to 124-6. Amanjot joined Deepti Sharma in the middle, and the star duo put up a huge partnership of 103 runs to help the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side post a massive total of 269 on the board.

India were not awarded the trophy on Sunday after their refusal to take the silverware from Mohsin Naqvi, who is also a minister in the Pakistan government.

The BCCI on Tuesday raised “strong objection” in the Asian Cricket Council’s AGM over India not being presented the winner’s trophy of the Asia Cup but the body’s chairman Mohsin Naqvi remained defiant by “still not agreeing” to it. India were not awarded the trophy on Sunday after their refusal to take the silverware from Naqvi, who is also a minister in the Pakistan government and chairman of the country’s cricket board. He also has a pronounced anti-India political position.

BCCI vice President Rajeev Shukla and former treasurer Ashish Shelar were the Board representatives in the AGM in Dubai.

The Asia Cup trophy remains in the ACC office and it is still not clear when it will duly reach the members of the winning team.

“India raised strong objection in the ACC meeting today on not handing over of the trophy and the drama by ACC chairman (Naqvi) during the post-match award event,” an ACC source told PTI.

However, the source said Naqvi “still hasn’t agreed to give the trophy”.

“Shukla and Shelar categorically said that the trophy should be handed over to the winning team. It is an ACC trophy and doesn’t belong to an individual. Naqvi did not say no to it, he was passing the buck,” the source added.

“Naqvi insisted that the matter should not be discussed in the AGM and brought up separately at some other time. The single point agenda of the meeting was to elect a vice chairman but even that was deferred.” Naqvi, it is learnt, did not congratulate the BCCI members for India winning the Asia Cup but was forced by Shelar to formally praise the Suryakumar Yadav-led side’s unbeaten performance.

“When the meeting started, chairperson (Naqvi), in his brief opening remark, congratulated Nepal for winning against the West Indies and Mongolia for becoming an ACC member and concluded.

“That was when Shelar raised the point that ‘why are you not congratulating India for the Asia Cup title?’ He forced Naqvi to congratulate and the PCB chief agreed and duly congratulated,” the source went on.

The BCCI will take the matter to the ICC which will have its meeting in November.

“Shukla and Shelar argued that the ACC should keep trophy in the office and BCCI would get it collected. They said ‘we want the trophy as legitimate winners.’ Naqvi was passing the buck not saying no at the same time.

“It was made clear that the BCCI will complain to ICC and Shelar briefly left the meeting,” said the source who quoted Naqvi as saying that the latter felt “like a cartoon” and was embarrassed while waiting for the victorious Indian team at the dais.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/asia-cup-2025/bcci-raises-strong-objection-over-asia-cup-trophy-row-report-reveals-pakistan-ministers-stance-9372587

IT is strictly not on to open one’s trap when a golfer is mid-backswing or leaning over a putt.

There are ways to desport oneself during play, like a good old chap, and raised voices and bad language are certainly not par for the course.

But all that went out the clubhouse window at the Ryder Cup in New York this weekend, as Europe star Rory McIlroy might have thought he was among football hooligans, such was the abuse from fans.

On Saturday, as the Northern Irishman ran the gauntlet of boozed-up, baying team United States supporters dressed in stars and stripes, all kinds of insult were thrown at him — and a pint of beer at his wife.

The hate for five-time major champ Rory, 36, and New York-born wife Erica Stoll, 38, at this biennial event for the 12 top golfers from each of Europe and the US was so cruel she is said to have fled the course in tears at one point.

All of the Europe team had to put up with jeers from behind the roped barriers — and cheers when they missed a putt.

In scenes more akin to the worst excesses on the football terraces, than the clipped fairways of the Bethpage Black course on New York’s Long Island, armed police even had to be called in to haul fighting fans from the crowd.

But it was not just the supporters whose behaviour was as ugly as a hooked drive into the duck pond — even master of ceremonies Heather McMahan quit after joining in crowd chants of “F*** you, Rory!”

The abuse backfired on the hate brigade as team Europe held both lip and nerve to close out victory on the Sunday by 15 points to 13.

Afterwards, a clearly emotional Rory praised his wife for keeping her head held high.

The world No2 golfer told a press conference: “Erica is fine.

“She is a very, very strong woman.

“She handled everything this week with poise and dignity like she always has and I love her and we’re going to have a good time celebrating tonight.”

The other European players also praised Erica for the way she handled the intimidation.

Irish star Shane Lowry — who sank the putt that meant Europe retained the silverware they also won in Rome in 2023 — said: “I was out there for two days with Erica and the abuse she received was astonishing.

“The way she was supporting her husband and her team was unbelievable, and kudos to her for that.”

‘MARITAL TROUBLES’

As Europe’s No1 player, Rory was the boo-boys’ prime target — and he and Erica for their well publicised history of marital troubles.

The pair met at the 2012 Ryder Cup in Medinah, Illinois, at which Erica was an official tasked with escorting Rory to the course.

At the time, he was dating Danish tennis ace Caroline Wozniacki, who he got engaged to in late 2013 before the wedding was called off five months later.

Rory started seeing Erica in 2014 and they wed three years later.

Their apparently solid marriage seemed to have crashed in May last year when Rory announced they were getting divorced.

But a month later Rory, who has five-year-old daughter Poppy with Erica, said: “Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realised that our best future was as a family together.”

Sadly, though, the couple’s ups and downs were grist to the mill of those out to get them at Bethpage.

One spectator was overheard bawling, “How’s your divorce going?”, while another yelled at Rory, “Your ex is looking for you” and others called him “ugly.”

Perhaps another reason why Rory came in for extra flak is because he wears his heart on his sleeve.

As crazed American fans at the weekend played foul with golf’s centuries-old etiquette, in a bid to put the European players off their game, Rory did his best not to take the bait but at one point, before taking a shot, did yell at the gallery: “Guys, shut the f*** up.”

Rory, whose resurgence in form since mending his marriage saw him win the coveted US Masters earlier this year, was demanding respect where respect is due.

Meanwhile his 16st teammate Lowry — who famously won the Open at Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland in 2019 — also faced cruel comments, about his body shape, and looked ready to snap.

Matters got so bad that secret service officers were deployed to guard Europe’s embattled team and police sent the worst, most drunken thugs packing in a bid to restore order.

“I wish they had let the dogs off their leashes

Rory later quipped: “I wish they had let the dogs off their leashes.”

There were plenty of fist-pumping celebration from team Europe, as they finally took the spoils, but their equal triumph was not to have sunk to the depths of those who tried at every fairway, bunker and green to drag them down.

Team captain Luke Donald encouraged his players to turn the other cheek by happily signing autographs for fans, and chatting and smiling.

This was in contrast to US captain Keegan Bradley who grabbed an American flag and ran up the 18th fairway during a practice round on Thursday, to fire up the home crowd before the matches began.

As battle then got under way, US player Bryson DeChambeau strode up to the first tee draped in the stars and stripes.

US President Donald Trump’s visit on the first day of competition, and the sight of him pumping his fist, only stirred the cauldron further.

The Ryder Cup tradition began in 1927 as a friendly contest pitching best golfers from Great Britain and Ireland against their counterparts from the United States.

With the Americans all too often outpunching us Brits, from 1979 we called in our European friends for help.

After that, Europe fared far better — but this year the US were favourites because seven out of the ten top golfers in the world come from their side of the Atlantic.

So it was a shock that the US were so heavily beaten in the Friday and Saturday games of the three-day contest, with Europe heading into the Sunday singles matches with a record seven-point advantage.

‘SUPPORT YOUR PLAYERS’

Somehow, the US made a match of it, almost storming to the biggest Ryder Cup comeback of all time.

In the end, though, Europe secured the two-and-half points they needed to retain the trophy, as Lowry’s tie with Russell Henley delivered the crucial half-point.

Englishman Tyrrell Hatton then finished all square with Collin Morikawa to give Europe the outright win.

Truth be told, the US team were not helped by their own supporters, who often preferred to jeer the Europeans rather than cheer their own side.

After facing off against world No1 Scottie Scheffler on the Sunday, and narrowly losing, Rory said: “If I was an American, I would be annoyed

“I didn’t hear a lot of shouts for Scottie today, but I heard a lot of shouts against me.

“Support your players. That’s the thing.”

It is not the first time in Ryder Cup history that the American fans have come under the spotlight.

English golfer Matt Fitzpatrick revealed that his parents stayed away from the Ryder Cup this year because during the previous tournament held on US soil in 2021 they’d heard fans shout “slit his throat.”

Lowry told how his wife Wendy and dad Brendan had also been verbally abused four years ago, commenting: “They got dog’s abuse.”

But one of the lowest moments was when the US team itself invaded the 17th green in 1999 at Brookline, Massachusetts when the Europeans had yet to putt.

At the same event, Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie received such cruel jibes, comparing him to movie nan Mrs Doubtfire, that his dad left.

Source : https://www.the-sun.com/sport/15267774/inside-ryder-cup-chaos-rory-mcilroy/

Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill suffered a gruesome injury when his left leg bent in the wrong direction after he was tackled along the sideline during Monday’s 27-21 win over the Jets.

The injury, later determined to be a dislocated knee according to Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, happened early in the third quarter after QB Tua Tagovailoa found Hill for a 10-yard pass along the sideline and Jets safety Malachi Moore grabbed him by the left leg to tackle him, and the leg twisted into an unnatural position.

Hill had been taken to a local hospital for imaging, evaluation and observation, the team had said, and McDaniel indicated that he would remain there overnight.

Medical personnel had immediately rushed to Hill’s side as they stabilized his leg, and carted him off the field during the third quarter.

Dolphins trainers focused on Hill’s knee as they worked to stabilize it — cutting off his cleats. Hill’s mother was able to come down to the field, ESPN’s Katie George reported on the broadcast.

Hill smiled and waved to the crowd as he was taken into the tunnel.

“He was probably in the best spirits of any player that I’ve ever seen [have] such a terrible experience,” McDaniel said after the game. “He immediately had wide eyes and was talking, ‘I’m good, just make sure the guys get this win.’ He was focused on the team.”

The Dolphins officially declared Hill out with a knee injury shortly after he was taken off the field.

“That’s my twin,” Jaylen Waddle said of the injury. “Anytime you see your brother — someone you have a great relationship with outside of the game of football — go down like that, it’s always tough. He wanted me to keep my head in it. We talked when he was on the cart a little bit.”

The reception at the time of his injury was Hill’s sixth of the game and had upped his total to 67 receiving yards on the night.

Source : https://nypost.com/2025/09/29/sports/dolphins-tyreek-hill-carted-off-after-horrific-leg-injury-vs-jets/

The Nepal cricket team created history by beating the West Indies in a T20I series with one match left. This is the first instance of the Rohit Paudel-led side playing a bilateral series against a full-member nation. Nepal set multiple world records.

The Nepal Cricket team created history on Monday (September 29) at the Sharjah Cricket Ground by defeating West Indies by 90 runs in the second T20I of a three-match series. The Rohit Paudel-led side took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series to create history. Earlier, the Rohit Paudel-led side had defeated the two-time champions in the series opener on Saturday (September 27) by 19 runs.
The Asian team, which notably failed to qualify for the recently concluded 2025 Asia Cup, which had three associate teams for the first time in history, won the toss and chose to bat first. Despite losing three early wickets, they posted a total of 173 on the board with half-centuries from Asaif Sheikh and Sundeep Jora.
In reply, the West Indies were bowled out for 83, with Mohammad Aadil Alam taking four wickets and Kushal Bhurtel getting three scalps.

The Indian players waited for nearly an hour after they refused to receive the trophy from the Pakistan board and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also his country’s interior minister

“Trophy leke bhaag gaye woh (They ran away with the trophy).”

Speaking to The Indian Express, a day after leading his team to a thrilling Asia Cup final win over Pakistan, this was how Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav summed up the bizarre scenes that played out after the game in Dubai the previous night.

According to him, the Indian players waited for nearly an hour after they refused to receive the trophy from the Pakistan board and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also his country’s interior minister. In the end, they celebrated without the trophy.

“We didn’t close the door and sit inside the dressing room. We didn’t make anyone wait for the presentation ceremony. Trophy leke bhaag gaye woh (They ran away with the trophy). That’s what I saw. I don’t know, some people were making a video of us, but we were standing. We didn’t go inside,” Suryakumar said.

There was speculation that India didn’t accept the trophy from Naqvi because they were following instructions from the BCCI or from officials in the Government. But the Indian captain squashed such talk, saying it was a team decision taken at the ground.

“First of all, let me make it clear, no one from the Government or the BCCI told us anything throughout the tournament that if someone gives a trophy, we won’t take it. We took that decision on our own on the ground. They (ACC officials) were standing there on the stage and we were standing below. I saw them talking on stage and I don’t know the details of their chat. Some in the crowd started booing. And then we saw someone who was their representative taking the trophy and running away,” he said.

Suryakumar said his players didn’t go inside the dressing room to even take their phones immediately after the match; it was the team’s support staff and masseur who got their phones to the field.

“Everyone was enjoying the moment on the ground. The entire team was celebrating those who got the awards like Abhishek Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma. They were all standing for them, clapping, whistling. That’s the culture of our team,” he said.

When Naqvi didn’t budge from the protocol of the ACC president giving away the trophy, Simon Doull, the former New Zealand player now in charge of presentations, announced: “Ladies and gentlemen, I have been informed by the Asian Cricket Council that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight. So that does conclude the post-match presentation.”

Earlier, during the official pre-tournament events, Suryakumar was seen shaking the hands of Naqvi and Pakistan’s captain Salman Agha, visuals of which were splashed on the Internet at the time. Things turned once the tournament began. First, Suryakumar didn’t shake hands with Agha at the toss before their first game, and neither did the rest of the team at the end of the game — a routine that was followed through the tournament against Pakistan. Suryakumar had also dedicated the win in the first game to the martyrs of the terror attack at Pahalgam.

At the end of the tournament, in the post-match presser, Yadav announced that he would be donating his entire Asia Cup match fees to Indian Armed Forces.

“When I went to the dressing room after we won, I was sitting there. A lot was going on in my mind on what I can do. I spoke to a friend who suggested that I can do this (donate the money). So I said okay. I think it’s a perfect moment also. And I have love for my country. So if it’s a small bit and if I can do it, then why not. It comes from inside me. I will definitely do as much as I can whenever I get the opportunity. People put so much effort everywhere. This is our bit, which is nothing actually. People who do so much, who do it selflessly, about whom no one knows,” Suryakumar said.

Source : https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/trophy-leke-bhaag-gaye-woh-suryakumar-yadav-on-the-bizarre-asia-cup-award-presentation-10278838/

Suryakumar Yadav’s men beat Salman Ali Agha-led Pakistan in the final on Sunday to clinch their ninth Asia Cup title across formats.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha announced that he and his teammates have decided to donate their Asia Cup match fees to the “civilians and children” affected during India’s Operation Sindoor. This comes after India skipper Suryakumar Yadav pledged to donate his entire match fee from the tournament to the country’s armed forces and the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. Suryakumar’s men beat Salman Agha-led Pakistan in the final on Sunday to clinch their ninth Asia Cup title across formats.

“As a team, we have decided to donate our match fees to the civilians and children affected by India’s attack,” said Agha during the post-match press conference.

Speaking on India’s repeated refusal to shake hands with them, Salman termed the actions as “disappointing,” accusing Suryakumar and others of disrespecting the sport.

“What India have done this tournament is very disappointing. They’re not disrespecting us by not shaking hands, they’re disrespecting cricket.”

“Good teams don’t do what they did today. We went to pose with the trophy on our own because we wanted to fulfill our obligations. We stood there and took our medals. I don’t want to use harsh words but they’ve been very disrespectful,” he added.

The Indian team, after the final, also refused to receive the trophy from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Interior Minister of Pakistan.

Naqvi then walked away with his entourage, taking away the trophy and the official medals with them. India, however, did not let that dissuade them, posing with an imaginary trophy even as fireworks signalled another loss at ICC tournaments for Pakistan.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/asia-cup-2025/after-suryakumar-yadavs-pahalgam-match-fee-gesture-pakistan-team-makes-huge-announcement-9367038

Asian Cricket Council chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, left the stadium with the trophy and winners’ medals after India refused to accept them from his hands.

The nail-biting Asia Cup 2025 final ended on a dramatic note, with India securing a 5-wicket victory in Dubai on Sunday to clinch the title. However, the Indian team had to do the post-match ceremonies without the Asia Cup trophy, as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief, Mohsin Naqvi, left the stadium with the trophy and the winners’ medals. While it was expected that the Indian team would not be accepting the trophy from Naqvi’s hands, the ACC chief’s decision to not give the trophy to the winning team at all left everyone stunned.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia expressed his astonishment at Naqvi’s act, slamming him for leaving the stadium with the trophy and the medals. Saikia also explained why India refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board.

“India is fighting a war with a country, and a leader belonging to that country was supposed to hand over the trophy to us… We cannot accept a trophy from a person who represents a country that is waging a war against our country. So we have refused to take that trophy, but that does not mean that the gentleman will take the trophy and the medals, which are to be given to our country, to his own hotel room. That is totally unexpected, and we hope that his good sense will prevail, and he will send back the trophy to India as soon as possible, which will restore some semblance of morality. At least we are expecting that from him,” Saikia said in a chat with ANI after the game.

The entire Asia Cup campaign saw the Indian team snub friendly gestures with their Pakistani counterparts. In fact, in the final, two different presenters-Ravi Shastri and Waqar Younis-were arranged by the broadcaster to speak with Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha at the toss, respectively.

Saikia further said that the BCCI will lodge a strong protest against this act by the Asian Cricket Council chief.

“We are going to lodge a very strong protest against the behavior of the gentleman in today’s prize distribution ceremony,” he said.

The BCCI also announced a prize money of Rs 21 crores for the Indian team and support staff after an impressive Asia Cup title run.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/asia-cup-2025/bcci-breaks-silence-on-asia-cup-trophy-acceptance-row-slams-acc-chief-for-post-match-act-9362324

Asia Cup 2025 final, Ind vs Pak: In one of the most bizarre scenes in cricket history, the victorious Indian team celebrated without the trophy on the dais in Dubai. Suryakumar Yadav said India were denied the trophy after it emerged that the team refused to collect it from Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi.

In one of the most bizarre sights on a sporting field, India celebrated their Asia Cup triumph on the dais without the traditional symbols of victory. None of the players wore their medals around their necks, and captain Suryakumar Yadav did not hold the trophy in his hands. Wondering why?

India had refused to collect the Asia Cup from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the president of the Asian Cricket Council. It was widely speculated that India would take this stand amid tensions between the two countries, particularly given Naqvi’s dual role as a government minister in Pakistan and his provocative social media post during the tournament.

Incidentally, the Asia Cup marked the first meeting between India and Pakistan on a cricket field since the Pahalgam terror attack in April and the cross-border hostilities that followed in May.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that the team had decided not to receive the trophy from Naqvi, adding that nobody had forced them to take this stand. He later explained that the trophy was not awarded to them as a result of their decision.

“We as a team decided not to take the trophy (from Mohsin Naqvi). Nobody told us to do so. But I feel a team that that wins the tournament deserves the trophy,” captain Suryakumar said during his interaction with the press after the final.

India informed the officials that they were willing to receive the trophy from Emirates Cricket Board vice-chairman Khalid Al Zarooni, who was sharing the stage with Naqvi. However, Naqvi did not permit this to happen.

INDIA WERE DENIED THE TROPHY: SURYAKUMAR

“Operation Sindoor on the games field. The outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers,” PM Modi said in a post on X

India’s ninth Asia Cup title, following a five-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in a thrilling final on Sunday, drew massive cheers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a reference to Operation Sindoor.

“Operation Sindoor on the games field. The outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

The reference to Operation Sindoor and connecting it with Pakistan’s loss to India in the Asia Cup title alluded to a fact – sports or military, India defeated Pakistan.

India’s devastating airstrikes at Pakistan’s terror infrastructure and military installations in May had left that country’s airspace defenceless in a very short time. The pounding eventually led a top Pakistani military officer to dial India and request for a ceasefire.

The supersoldiers of a different kind of Operation Sindoor on the field today were Tilak Varma and his useful partnerships with Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube. Varma’s well-compiled half-century by working in tandem with Samson and Dube helped Team India secure their second T20I Asia Cup title and overall the ninth title, including the ODI editions.

India packed up Pakistan by five wickets at the edgy match in Dubai.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/operation-sindoor-on-the-games-field-pm-modis-post-after-india-beat-pak-in-thrilling-asia-cup-final-9361605?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll