• Friday, March 29, 2024

Results for "virat kohli"

Kohli and Babar can spark US cricket boom, says Plunkett

ENGLAND World Cup winner Liam Plunkett says cricket superstars such as Virat Kohli and Babar Azam can help bolster the game in the United States when it hosts the T20 World Cup. The Twenty20 showpiece, which starts on June 1, is being jointly staged by the United States and the…

Kohli’s 77 leads Bengaluru’s victory over Punjab

VIRAT KOHLI on Monday (25) said he has "still got it" in him to ace T20 cricket after his attacking 77 guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their first win of this IPL season. Master batsman Kohli smashed 11 fours and two sixes in his 49-ball blitz as hosts Bengaluru chased…

Mustafizur’s brilliance propels Chennai Super Kings to victory

BANGLADESH's Mustafizur Rahman returned figures of 4-29 to set up a six-wicket win for defending champions Chennai Super Kings in the IPL opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Friday (22). Hosts Chennai kept Bengaluru down to 173-6, a total their batsmen overhauled in 18.4 overs at the M A Chidambaram…

DJ Alan Walker to perform in India

Renowned DJ Alan Walker is set to enthrall the Indian audience. Alan Walker will perform from September to October this year, covering places like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Hyderabad, Pune, Shillong, Chennai and Kolkata. The Norwegian musician will be touring in support of his WalkerWorld, the first installment of…

IPL 2024: Dhoni relinquishes captaincy of Chennai Super Kings

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS are set to commence their Indian Premier League title defense against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, marking a potentially pivotal season for Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who resigned as captain on Thursday (21). Dhoni played his last international in 2019 but remains one of the country's most popular players, and…

IPL 2024: Kohli, Pant in spotlight

VIRAT KOHLI and Rishabh Pant will be under scrutiny on their return to action as the Indian Premier League begins on Friday (22), with the T20 World Cup hot on its heels. The 17th edition of the world's richest cricket league is expected to end close to the June 1…

Bangalore win maiden Women’s Premier League title

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE grabbed their first Women's Premier League (WPL) title by restricting Delhi Capitals to 113 runs. They sealed an eight-wicket victory with just three balls left in New Delhi on Sunday (17). Aggressive knocks from Ellyse Perry and Sophie Devine buoyed Bangalore at the right moment to seal…

Nice to see the confidence of young India, says coach…

INDIA coach Rahul Dravid last Saturday (9) praised his team’s rising young talent for confidently filling the gap left by senior players after their 4-1 win in a high-profile England series. Rohit Sharma’s men lost the opener but bounced back to clinch the five Test series after the fourth game,…

Indian cricket board drops Iyer and Kishan from annual contracts…

SHREYAS IYER and Ishan Kishan were not considered for annual contracts for the 2023-24 season, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said last Wednesday (28). Iyer was on a Grade B contract last year while Kishan had a Grade C contract. But despite playing in the 50-over…

India ready for turner in fourth Test after Stokes questions…

INDIA said Thursday (22) they are primed for whatever the pitch has in store for the fourth Test but expect it to favour spinners, after England captain Ben Stokes said he "had never seen anything like" the Ranchi wicket. Rohit Sharma's hosts are looking to seal the series in the…

Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma welcome baby boy

Star India batter Virat Kohli on Tuesday announced that he and his actress wife Anushka Sharma were blessed with a baby boy on February 15. Kohli and Anushka are already proud parents of a three-year-old daughter Vamika. "With abundant happiness and our hearts full of love, we are pleased to…

India’s Ashwin joins exclusive club with 500 Test wickets milestone

INDIAN off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Friday (16) entered an elite club of bowlers to take 500 Test wickets in a stellar cricketing career that includes a World Cup triumph. India's go-to bowler for more than a decade, Ashwin took his 500th wicket in the third Test in Rajkot by dismissing…

Gary Kirsten tries to transform one of the biggest slums…

NOTORIOUS for drugs and crime and afflicted by large-scale poverty, the Khayelitsha township in Cape Town is better known for being one of the biggest slums on the planet. But World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten is attempting to change the image for good through cricket. The idea struck him when…

England captain Ben Stokes earns 100th Test cap with Rajkot…

BEN STOKES earned his 100th Test cap when he lead England against India in the third Test that began Thursday (15) in Rajkot, with both sides having to contend with the absence of key players. The five-match series is on a knife-edge at 1-1 after India’s 106-run victory in the…

Depleted India out to gatecrash Stokes’s 100th test party

A severely depleted India will do everything they can to try and deny England captain Ben Stokes a victory in his 100th test when the teams clash in the third match of the five-test series in Rajkot on Thursday (15). India have not lost a test series on home soil…

India’s Virat Kohli to miss remaining three England Tests

Star batsman Virat Kohli's absence from the India squad for undisclosed "personal reasons" will extend to the remaining three Tests against England, the country's cricket board said Saturday. The series is level at 1-1 after two matches that Kohli also missed, and will resume without him in Rajkot for the…

I made a terrible mistake, shared false info on Kohli:…

Former South Africa captain A B de Villiers has said that he "made a terrible mistake" by sharing "false information" about the personal reasons that have forced star India batter Virat Kohli to take a break from international cricket, insisting that he has no idea "what's happening there". On his…

India look for new ways to tackle England’s bazball attack

Facing pressure and limited resources, India must devise innovative strategies to challenge England's bold 'Bazballers' in the upcoming second Test, beginning in Visakhapatnam, on Friday (2). India is seldom stretched at home but following a dramatic loss in Hyderabad, they have plenty to ponder and the absence of injured Ravindra…

England’s Bashir to debut in second India Test

SHOAIB BASHIR will make his delayed test debut against India on Friday (2), while veteran James Anderson will replace Mark Wood as England's lone fast bowler in the second match of the series in Visakhapatnam, touring captain Ben Stokes said. Off-spinner Bashir missed the opening test in Hyderabad - where…

Comment: India v England is a test of sporting brilliance…

NOBODY expected this first India versus England Test match to turn into an all-time cricket classic. Having not set a 4am alarm on the first day, I woke to hear India already taking their sixth English wicket. That first batting collapse came just after lunch in Hyderabad, but well before…

England’s ‘Bazball’ faces toughest task yet in India series

ENGLAND's "Bazball" style of attacking cricket faces its biggest challenge yet when they play an India side who have not lost a home Test series in more than a decade. The five-Test series begins Thursday (25) in Hyderabad, and although India will be without Virat Kohli for the first two…

Modi leads consecration of Ram temple in Ayodhya

INDIA's prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a temple Monday (22) that embodies the triumph of his muscular Hindu nationalist politics, galvanising loyalists in an unofficial start to his re-election campaign this year. Modi, in flowing golden-coloured traditional dress, unveiled the black stone idol to the deity Ram in the heart…

Rohit and Kohli return to T20 squad ahead of World…

Regular captain Rohit Sharma and veteran Virat Kohli have made their return to India's T20 squad after a year's gap for the home series against Afghanistan. Their comeback comes amid ongoing speculation about their future in this format. Both batters have not played T20 Internationals since India's defeat to England…

Rohit Sharma: India’s resilience shines in win over South Africa

INDIAN captain Rohit Sharma said his team's seven-wicket win inside two days over South Africa in the second Test at Newlands on Thursday (4) had shown their ability to play anywhere in the world. India bounced back from an innings defeat in the first Test in Centurion to share the…

South Africa trail India after record-breaking first day

SOUTH AFRICA closed an extraordinary see-saw first day of the second and final test against India at Newlands on 62 for three in their second innings, trailing the tourists by 36 runs after 23 wickets and several records fell on Wednesday (3). Aiden Markram (36 not out) and David Bedingham…

Rohit vows fight back after crushing defeat in South Africa

INDIA promised to fight back hard after a devastating innings and 32 run defeat by South Africa on Thursday (28) when they meet again in the second, and last, test of their short series next week. Captain Rohit Sharma, who was dismissed cheaply in both innings, said India would regroup…

Ranveer Singh launches new figures at Madame Tussauds

Bollywood star Ranveer Singh, known for box-office-breaking performances, unapologetic personal style, and magnetic personality, visited the world-famous attraction Madame Tussauds in London to welcome his two new figures. He was accompanied by his mother, who, as a child, first introduced the would-be megastar to the world of Madame Tussauds London…

England aim to test spin attack in India

NOVICE spinner Shoaib Bashir was on Monday (11) named in England’s 16-man squad for the five-Test series against India, along with fellow uncapped bowlers Gus Atkinson and Tom Hartley. Bashir, 20, made his first-class debut for Somerset only in June and has taken 10 wickets at an average of 67.…

‘Legends’ Sreesanth and Gambhir in ‘fixer’ row

FORMER India fast bowler S Sreesanth last Thursday (7) alleged that ex-teammate Gautam Gambhir called him a “fixer” during a Legends League Cricket (LLC) match. The World Cup-winning players were involved in a heated exchange during an Eliminator match between Indian Capitals and Gujarat Giants. The umpires had to intervene…

Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Amitabh Bachchan among 7,000 invited for…

The Ram Temple Trust has extended invitations to 7,000 individuals, among them cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, Hindi movie superstar Amitabh Bachchan, and prominent industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, for the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, sources…

Is run machine Kohli greatest player ever?

VIRAT KOHLI has long been on the cusp of batting greatness, and at 35, he is making a solid case to be considered the greatest 50-overs player of all time after a run-laden World Cup. A fairy-tale ending of lifting the World Cup on home soil wasn’t meant to be…

Unicef ambassador Beckham encouraged by India’s changes

DAVID BECKHAM, who was in India last week as a global ambassador for the United Nations children’s charity Unicef, has expressed confidence that positive social change is taking place in India, especially as young girls are demanding greater gender equality. The 48-year-old former football star met children at schools in…

Indian players shine in World Cup team of the tournament

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced its World Cup team of the tournament on Monday (20), including six players from finalists India and two from the champion team, Australia. Leading run scorer Virat Kohli — who was named player of the tournament — captain Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja,…

Big B reacts to team India’s loss in World Cup…

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Monday morning shared a heartwarming message for team India after their loss against Australia in the World Cup 2023 final match and called them "our pride." Taking to Instagram, Big B shared a picture in which he can be seen in a white hoodie paired with…

World Cup chokers? India searches for answers after latest letdown

CRICKET-OBSESSED India was left grappling for answers on Monday (20) after the team's devastating defeat to Australia in the final of their home World Cup extended a drought in global tournaments. A much-fancied India team led by skipper Rohit Sharma went into Sunday's (19) final in front of nearly 100,000…

Australia win sixth World Cup title

AUSTRALIA won a record-extending sixth 50-overs World Cup title after opener Travis Head smashed a magnificent century to fashion their six-wicket victory in Sunday's (19) final against the tournament's in-form team India. Put into bat, India rode battling half-centuries by KL Rahul and Virat Kohli to post a below-par 240…

Clinical Australia bowl out India for 240

INDIA rode battling half-centuries by KL Rahul and Virat Kohli to post 240 all out in exactly 50 overs against Australia in the final of the World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday (19). Pat Cummins's decision to field, primarily to avoid operating with a dewy…

India eyes fairytale finish in World Cup final

ROHIT SHARMA's undefeated India will look to end a 10-year global title drought in front of 130,000 fans in the World Cup final against five-time champions Australia on Sunday (19). India have racked up 10 straight wins at the tournament as they seek a third World Cup triumph to add…

Australia to face India in World Cup final

TRAVIS HEAD starred with bat and ball as Australia set up a World Cup final clash with India after a tense three-wicket win over South Africa in Kolkata on Thursday (16). Chasing a tricky 213 for victory, Australia wobbled after Head hit 62 but Steve Smith (30) and Josh Inglis…

Jaishankar urges UK vigilance against Khalistani extremism

INDIAN external affairs minister S Jaishankar has raised the country's long-standing concerns about pro-Khalistan extremism in the UK during his meetings with the country's leaders. He stressed that they should be on guard against the misuse of freedom of expression and speech. Jaishankar concluded his five-day visit to the UK…

Anushka calls Virat ‘God’s child’ on his 50th century record

Actress-producer Anushka Sharma on Thursday said she is grateful to watch her husband, ‘God's child’ Virat Kohli grow from strength to strength while being honest to himself and to the sport of cricket. Virat became the first batter in the history of the game to score 50 ODI centuries, going…

Kohli, Shami star as India reach World Cup final

INDIA's Virat Kohli struck a record 50th hundred and fast bowler Mohammed Shami's seven-wicket haul proved equally crucial as the unbeaten hosts overpowered New Zealand by 70 runs in a high-scoring match on Wednesday (15) to march into the World Cup final. Kohli's 117 and a blistering 105 from Shreyas…

Kohli scores record 50th ODI ton

INDIA's Virat Kohli scored a record 50th one-day international hundred when he reached three figures in the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Mumbai on Wednesday (15), hailing the landmark as being "like a dream". Kohli, 35, reached his century -- his third of the tournament -- with a…

Rajinikanth attends India vs New Zealand World Cup semifinal

Superstar Rajinikanth on Wednesday attended the first semifinal of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup being played between India and New Zealand in Mumbai. The Jailer star and his wife, producer Latha were spotted exiting the airport in Mumbai on Tuesday night. The highly anticipated semifinal is underway at the…

India win toss, bat first against New Zealand in semi-final

INDIA captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat in the first World Cup semi-final against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday (15). The venue, where India won their last 50-overs World Cup title, has hosted four day-night contests so far at this tournament with three…

Australia invite India to bat first in World Cup final

AUSTRALIA captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to field against India in the final of the 50-overs World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday (19). Two-time champions India have been the form team winning all 10 games to make the final against five-time winners Australia in…

India braced for ‘pressure’ semi-final against New Zealand

INDIA may be the outstanding team at the Cricket World Cup but New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has insisted both sides will "start from zero again" when they meet in Wednesday's (15) semi-final in Mumbai. Tournament hosts India head into the knockout match having won all nine of their…

India juggernaut faces familiar New Zealand hurdle in semis

A SEEMINGLY unstoppable India stand on the verge of their first World Cup final since the triumphant 2011 campaign on home soil but must face their bogey team in major events to get there, as they take on New Zealand in Wednesday's (15) semi-final in Mumbai. Rohit Sharma's side have…

Kohli falls halfway to record 50th ODI ton

VIRAT KOHLI reached his 71st ODI fifty in Sunday's (12) World Cup clash against the Netherlands but was unable to push on for an all-time record 50th century in the format. Kohli surpassed South Africa's Quinton de Kock (591) as the leading batsman of the 2023 tournament with 594 runs…

Kohli’s ton equals Tendulkar record as India crush South Africa

VIRAT KOHLI marked his 35th birthday with his second century of the World Cup and Ravindra Jadeja claimed five wickets as India thumped South Africa by 243 runs in a contest featuring the top two teams in the tournament at the Eden Gardens. South Africa's chase of 327 began shakily…

Anushka Sharma congratulates team India for entering semi-finals

Anushka Sharma has congratulated the Indian cricket team for making its place in the semi-finals of the World Cup 2023. In the ODI World Cup 2023, India won the match against Sri Lanka on Thursday. They played a fantastic match and secured their place in the semi-finals. Anushka Sharma celebrated…

India rout Sri Lanka to seal World Cup semi-final spot

MOHAMMED SHAMI took five wickets as India's pacemen produced a devastating display to skittle out Sri Lanka for just 55 as the unbeaten tournament hosts secured a World Cup semi-final place with a colossal 302-run win in Mumbai on Thursday (2). Sri Lanka's woeful innings featured five noughts, with both…

Tributes paid to Sri Lanka superfan ‘Uncle Percy’

SRI LANKA’S cricket stars and newspapers on Tuesday (31) mourned the death of a beloved “super fan” who had become a one-man cheer leader and a permanent presence at international games. Percy Abeysekara, 87, died at a hospital outside the capital Colombo on Monday (30) following a brief illness, according…

Shami stars as India hammer England

MOHAMMED Shami led an inspired bowling display as India hammered England by 100 runs on Sunday (29) to stay unbeaten in the World Cup and all but push the defending champions out of the semi-final race. Chasing a tricky 230 for victory in Lucknow, England collapsed to 129 all out…

England opt to bowl against India in must-win game

ENGLAND skipper Jos Buttler won the toss and elected to bowl first against unbeaten India on Sunday (29) in a must-win match of their faltering World Cup campaign. The defending champions have lost four of their five matches and come in unchanged at Lucknow's Ekana Stadium in hunt of victory…

De Kock leads batting carnage as South Africa trounce Bangladesh

Quinton de Kock spearheaded South Africa's aggressive batting onslaught, smashing an explosive 174 runs on Tuesday (24). Their stellar performance resulted in a resounding victory over Bangladesh by a massive 149-run margin, keeping them firmly on track for a spot in the semi-finals of the 50-overs World Cup. De Kock…

Kohli hits 95 as unbeaten India down New Zealand

VIRAT KOHLI hit 95 to lead India to a four-wicket victory over New Zealand and a fifth win in five matches at the World Cup on Sunday (22) although the superstar batsman just missed equalling Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 one-day international centuries. Fast bowler Mohammed Shami returned figures of…

India ask New Zealand to bat first as unbeaten sides…

INDIA captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to field against New Zealand in a mouth-watering clash between the two unbeaten teams in the ongoing 50-overs World Cup in Dharamsala on Sunday (22). Twice champions India left out an injured Hardik Pandya and fellow all-rounder Shardul Thakur bringing in…

Skipper Rohit shines as India beat Pakistan in eighth straight…

Captain Rohit Sharma's 86 and an inspired bowling display helped India hammer Pakistan by seven wickets in their high-profile World Cup clash at the 132,000-capacity Ahmedabad stadium on Saturday. India bowled out Pakistan for 191 after their rivals collapsed from 155-2. They overhauled the total with 117 balls to spare…

Anushka, Arijit, Sachin arrive for Cricket World Cup match against…

Ahead of the most awaited match of the ODI World Cup 2023 between India and Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday, actor Anushka Sharma-the wife of Indian cricket star Virat Kohli, Singer Arijit Singh, cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Dinesh Karthik arrived in Ahmedabad to cheer India…

India opt to bowl against Pakistan in key World Cup…

INDIA skipper Rohit Sharma on Saturday (14) won the toss and elected to bowl first against Pakistan in a blockbuster World Cup match expected to be attended by 120,000 fans. Opening batsman Shubman Gill returns to the team and takes the place of Ishan Kishan after recovering from dengue fever…

Pakistan target ending World Cup jinx against India

BUOYED by a record run chase, Babar Azam's Pakistan are on the hunt for their first ever World Cup win over India in Saturday's (14) blockbuster match between cricket's biggest rivals in a 132,000-capacity arena patrolled by 11,000 police officers. India and Pakistan are bitter adversaries and only play against…

Arijit Singh to perform at Modi stadium before India-Pakistan Cricket…

Cricket fans have been waiting for the hotly anticipated India- Pakistan cricket match with bated breath. And now, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has added more excitement to the much-awaited clash and fans will be greeted by a special performance by well-known Indian playback singer Arijit…

Rohit flattens Afghanistan as India romp to second win

CAPTAIN Rohit Sharma on Wednesday (11) surpassed compatriot Sachin Tendulkar with a record seventh World Cup century to lead India to a crushing eight-wicket win over Afghanistan. Chasing 273 for victory in New Delhi, the hosts rode on Rohit's 131 to achieve their target in 35 overs for a second…

Kohli, Rahul lead India out of peril to beat Australia

VIRAT KOHLI and KL Rahul hit defiant knocks to lift India from a perilous three down for two runs to a six-wicket win over Australia in their opening Cricket World Cup match on Sunday (8). Chasing a tricky target of 200, India lost three batsmen, who all failed to score,…

Jadeja helps India dismiss Australia for 199

RAVINDRA JADEJA led India's spin charge with figures of 3-28 to bowl out Australia for 199 in a key clash of the ODI World Cup on Sunday (8). Five-time champions Australia won the toss and elected to bat first at Chennai's M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in the 150th ODI meeting between…

‘I know what’s at stake’, says Rohit Sharma

INDIA skipper Rohit Sharma said he appreciates "what's at stake" but will not get bogged down by the weight of expectation on his team to win another World Cup title at home. The hosts begin their campaign against five-time champions Australia in Chennai on Sunday (8) as cricket-crazy India looks…

‘Sri Lanka keen on winning World Cup’

WHEN Sri Lanka clinched a shock 1996 World Cup triumph, Dunith Wellalage and Matheesha Pathirana were not even born, but the rising stars head to India determined to repeat the victory. Both aged 20, fast bowler Pathirana and all-rounder Wellalage are undeterred by facing childhood heroes at the tournament that…

India and Pakistan progress amid Jaiswal’s Games record

EXPLOSIVE opener Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed seven sixes in a sublime maiden T20 century as India’s men opened their first Asian Games campaign with a 23-run defeat of gutsy Nepal on Tuesday (3). Pakistan also reached the semifinals, crushing Hong Kong by 68 runs, with experienced all-rounder Khushdil Shah taking 3-13.…

England look to deny India home World Cup win

ENGLAND hope to ride their formidable batting firepower to a second successive World Cup title but if India's crafty spinners and sprightly pace attack can fully exploit home conditions the country's cricket-mad fans could have something to celebrate. Since failing to make it out of the pool phase at the…

India ready to raise curtain on World Cup

INDIA target a third World Cup when cricket's global showpiece gets underway on Thursday (5) with the country buoyed by a growing, international self-confidence and with a sport which unites and divides the sub-continent like no other on the verge of joining the Olympic elite. The epic tournament features 10…

‘Fantastic chance’ as India hope to end World Cup drought

ROHIT SHARMA's India face "humongous" expectations from fans in their cricket-crazy nation to end a world title drought by winning the World Cup at home. India's last major title was the 2013 Champions Trophy, which came after Mahendra Singh Dhoni lifted the 2011 World Cup in Mumbai. The 50-over marquee…

India powers up for World Cup

INDIA target a third World Cup triumph when the country hosts cricket's seven-week global showpiece, buoyed by an economic boom and growing, international self-confidence. India shared hosting with Pakistan in 1987, then Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 1996 before another three-way split with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in 2011. This…

Rapper Shubhneet Singh’s India tour cancelled over alleged support to…

Punjabi-Canadian rapper Shubhneet Singh’s (popularly known as Shubh) ‘Still Rollin India tour’ has been cancelled over his alleged support to Khalistan. “Singer Shubhneet Singh’s Still Rollin Tour for India stands cancelled. To that end, BookMyShow has initiated a complete refund of the ticket amount for all consumers who had purchased…

ICC World Cup 2023: Official anthem ‘Dil Jashn Bole’ featuring…

The official anthem of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 featuring actor Ranveer Singh is finally here. Titled ‘Dil Jashn Bole’ the anthem is composed by music composed Pritam. Taking to Instagram, ICC shared the anthem and captioned it, “DIL JASHN BOLE! #CWC23 Official Anthem arriving now on platform…

Siraj stars as India rout Sri Lanka for eighth Asia…

PACE bowler Mohammed Siraj returned figures of 6-21 to lead India's rout of Sri Lanka by 10 wickets as they clinched their eighth Asia Cup title on Sunday (17). Siraj got four wickets in one over to help skittle Sri Lanka out for 50, a total the Indian openers Ishan…

India, Sri Lanka eye Asia crown for World Cup momentum

ROHIT Sharma's India face underdogs Sri Lanka in Sunday's (17) Asia Cup final, a crucial momentum-builder heading into next month's ODI World Cup. The cricketing giants have 13 Asian titles between them and Sri Lanka have a history of sneaking into the tournament's final - to the consternation of fans…

Bangladesh upset India despite Gill ton

SHUBMAN GILL's magnificent 121 could not prevent India's narrow six-run loss to Bangladesh in an inconsequential Asia Cup match at the R Premadasa Stadium on Friday (15). Put into bat, Bangladesh overcame a top order wobble to post a competitive 265-8 with skipper Shakib Al Hasan topscoring for his side…

KL Rahul’s form gives India a ‘good headache’ for World…

ISHAN Kishan has usually been India's go-to wicketkeeper for limited-overs matches this year but it is clear he cannot take his place for granted with KL Rahul hitting top form after returning from injury at the Asia Cup. Kishan appeared to be first-choice for the gloves, not just because he…

Wellalage effort in vain as India beat Sri Lanka to…

KULDEEP Yadav starred as India overcame a brilliant all-round effort from Sri Lanka's Dunith Wellalage to win a tense Asia Cup clash by 41 runs on Tuesday (12) and book a place in the final. Kuldeep took four wickets including the final two as India defended 213, bowling out Sri…

Kohli, Rahul fire as India thump Pakistan

INDIA beat rivals Pakistan by 228 runs after Virat Kohli passed 13,000 in one-day internationals en route to his 47th century and KL Rahul marked his return from injury with a ton in a lopsided Asia Cup Super Four clash in Colombo on Monday (11). Pakistan's batsmen, needing a daunting…

Rain delays India-Pakistan match resumption on reserve day

Heavy rain in Colombo on Monday (11) afternoon threatened to wash out the reserve day of the blockbuster Super Four clash at the Asia Cup between India and Pakistan. Only 24.1 overs were possible on Sunday (10) when the arch-rivals met for the second time in the 50-over tournament, a…

Babar Azam says advantage Pakistan ahead of India clash

PAKISTAN skipper Babar Azam said on Saturday (9) that his side will have an edge over India in their Asia Cup Super Four clash, with a bowling line-up ready to win matches and tournaments. The arch-rivals meet again in Colombo on Sunday (10) after their group match was abandoned due…

ICC World Cup India squad: KL Rahul included, Ashwin out

India has chosen to recall the now-fit KL Rahul for their upcoming home World Cup later this year. However, the 15-man squad does not include off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Rahul, a wicketkeeper-batsman, had been sidelined due to a thigh injury and has not participated in competitive matches since May. Nevertheless, he…

India thrash Nepal to reach Super Fours

SKIPPER Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill remained unbeaten as India hammered Nepal by 10 wickets in a rain-hit match to reach the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup on Monday (4). Chasing a DLS revised target of 145 in 23 overs after a rain interruption, India eased home with…

India v Pakistan blockbuster ends in washout

THE much-anticipated Asia Cup clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan was abandoned on Saturday (2) as rain played spoilsport in the Group A contest between the heavyweights in Pallekele. Pakistan bowled out India for 266 in 48.5 overs to nose ahead in the contest but their chase never began as…

India vs Pakistan: Cricketers bonhomie ease the edge

VIRAT KOHLI walked up to Haris Rauf and they hugged each other and exchanged a few words and laughter. Perhaps, they were having a bit of a joke about those two sixes on a starry Melbourne night last year. It wasn't a mere put on. There was a touching genuineness…

How Rohit Sharma hopes to win World Cup crown for…

ROHIT SHARMA understands the pressure that a home World Cup brings, but the Indian captain said he wanted to “insulate” himself from outside chatter as he embarks on a tough journey to win the country’s first ICC trophy in a decade. Shouldering more than a billion hopes, Sharma, 36, is…

Asia’s cricket giants prepare for face off ahead of World…

Asia's cricket giants India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will get a final chance to size each other up before October's 50-over World Cup when the Asia Cup begins on Wednesday. Fiery rivals India and Pakistan could clash as many as three times if they go all the way in the…

Ravi Shastri: Kohli at No 4 will solve India’s concerns

FIELDING Virat Kohli at number four could address India’s long-standing concerns about a settled batter at that crucial position, former coach Ravi Shastri has said.  Since 2017, India have tried a dozen players at that position, but none could nail it down. Skipper Rohit Sharma has called it “an issue”…

Neeraj Chopra is most popular track-and-field star after Usain Bolt

INDIA’S ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is the most popular athlete participating in the World Championships in Budapest beginning on Saturday (19) in Budapest. With 6.2 million followers on Instagram, he is the most followed track-and-field star on the social media platform behind only the retired Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt…

India need an all-rounder like Stokes, Green: Nasser Hussain

INDIA lacking a seam bowler who can also bat is the crucial ingredient missing on the team’s overseas assignments, feels former England captain Nasser Hussain. He added that someone like Ben Stokes or Cameron Green can be the winning formula for the side on foreign tours. India lost its second…

India blow away West Indies in decider to seal ODI…

INDIA swiftly erased the memory of a poor second match to annihilate the West Indies by 200 runs in the decisive third and final one-day international at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago, on Tuesday (1). Even with senior players in captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli…

Ravindra Jadeja: India will be at their best in decider

INDIA all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has shrugged off Saturday's defeat by West Indies in the second one-day international and promised they would give their best to win the decider on Tuesday (1). India have treated the three-match ODI series as the buildup for their campaigns in the Asia Cup, beginning later…

Hope leads Windies to first ODI win over India in…

WEST INDIES captain Shai Hope played the sheet anchor role to perfection in taking his team to a series-levelling six-wicket victory over India in the second One-Day International of a three-match series at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday (29). After his bowlers capitalised on a helpful pitch and an…

Yadav, Jadeja lead India to five-wicket win over West Indies

LEFT-ARM spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja masterminded the rout of an abject West Indies team as India romped to a five-wicket victory with more than 27 overs to spare in the opening One-Day International of a three-match series at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Thursday (27). Beaten 1-0 in…

Ashwin double strike boosts India’s Test sweep bid

RAVICHANDRAN Ashwin snared two wickets for India but the West Indies showed a measure of resistance in reaching 76 for two after being set a daunting victory target of 365 on the fourth day of the second and final Test on Sunday (23). A day packed with action at Queen's…

Kohli equals Bradman’s record of 29 hundreds; West Indies fight…

VIRAT KOHLI's 29th Test century highlighted a solid batting effort by India in getting to 438 batting first against the West Indies on the second day of the second and final Test at in Trinidad on Friday (21). In response, on a Queen's Park Oval pitch offering little assistance for…

India vs West Indies: Kohli keeps visitors on course for…

VIRAT Kohli forged a century partnership with Ravindra Jadeja for the unbroken fifth wicket to steer India to 288-4 on the opening day of the second test against the West Indies in Port of Spain on Thursday (20). An opening stand of 139 between skipper Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal…

Ashwin shines as India crush Windies inside three days

OFF-SPINNER Ravichandran Ashwin finished with a 12-wicket match haul as India handed the West Indies a crushing innings and 141 run defeat inside three days of the first test at Windsor Park in Roseau on Friday (15). Ashwin had claimed 5-60 to help skittle out West Indies for 150 in…

India vs West Indies: Yashasvi Jaiswal bats through day 2…

INDIA skipper Rohit Sharma and debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal both hit centuries in an opening stand of 229 runs to put the tourists firmly in charge of the first test against the West Indies on the second day at Windsor Park in Roseau on Thursday (13). Left-hander Jaiswal batted through the…

Hardik Pandya to lead India in West Indies T20s

INDIA all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been named captain for five T20 internationals in the West Indies, with top stars including Virat Kohli and regular skipper Rohit Sharma absent from the squad. Suryakumar Yadav will be Pandya's deputy in the 15-member squad, announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in…

Bairstow row casts shadow over third Ashes Test

AUSTRALIA can expect to face a fired-up England and a furious crowd in the third Ashes Test at Headingley starting Thursday (6) as the row over Jonny Bairstow's divisive dismissal at Lord's rumbles on. British prime minister Rishi Sunak and Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese have even traded verbal bouncers over…

Virat and Anushka spend spiritual time in London

Star couple Virat Kohli and Anushka are spending some quality spiritual time in London. The duo was recently spotted at a Kirtan by Krishna Das, a renowned American vocalist who is known for his popular Hindu devotional songs. Several images and videos from the devotional event went viral in which…

World Test Championship: Australia crush India to win trophy

A FIRED-UP Australia wasted little time in pulverising Indian hopes of staging a fifth-day miracle as they romped to a 209-run victory in the World Test Championship (WTC) final on Sunday (11). Needing to score 280 runs on the final day to overhaul the mammoth 444 victory target set by…

World Test Championship: Australia close in on title after setting…

AUSTRALIA were within touching distance of capturing the World Test Championship title as India's hopes of chasing down a monumental 444-run victory target appeared to be slipping away after they ended day four on 164-3 on Saturday (10). When Australia captain Pat Cummins declared their second innings on 270-8, the…

World Test Championship final: India’s top order melts down

AUSTRALIA racked up 469 in their first innings and then reduced India to 151-5 to put themselves in the box seat in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at The Oval on Thursday (8). Having bled 327 runs on the opening day with only three wickets to show for, India…

Bear Grylls approaches Priyanka, Virat for his next adventure

After taking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, actors Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar, and Ranveer Singh on an adventure, British adventurer Bear Grylls is now planning to have some wild adventures with actress Priyanka Chopra and cricketer Virat Kohli. Yes, you heard that absolutely right! Grylls, who is known for his globally…

WTC Final: Indian batting takes on Australian pace for test…

A duel between India's formidable top order and Australia's fiery pace attack could determine who comes out on top when the World Test Championship (WTC) final gets underway at the Oval on Wednesday (7). India have dominated, both home and away, the recent duels between the test heavyweights, who claimed…

Virat and Anushka enjoy coffee date in London

Indian cricketer Virat Kohli and actor Anushka Sharma, popularly known as Virushka, are among the most loved celebrity couples. As soon the duo steps outside in the city, their pictures and videos go viral in no time. Recently, Virat and Anushka were spotted enjoying a coffee date in London and…

MS Dhoni: ‘Captain cool’ hailed as one of a kind…

M S Dhoni, who led Chennai Super Kings to a record-equalling fifth IPL title on Monday, could have spent his life inspecting tickets on Indian Railways if he had listened to his father. Instead he followed his dream and became one of his cricket-crazy country's most beloved players, second only…

Cannes 2023: Anushka Sharma makes her red carpet debut

Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma on Friday made her red carpet debut at the 76th Cannes Film Festival and truly made heads turn with her stunning look. She wore an off-shoulder ivory Richard Quinn Couture gown which has hand-crafted embroidery from the in-house atelier and ivory silk taffeta roses. The actor…

IPL 2023: Ravindra Jadeja leads Chennai Super Kings to final

Ravindra Jadeja starred with bat and ball as Chennai Super Kings beat holders Gujarat Titans by 15 runs on Tuesday (23) to enter the IPL final that could be skipper MS Dhoni's farewell. Four-time winners Chennai posted 172-7, a total their bowlers defended as they bowled out Gujarat for 157…

IPL 2023: Shubman Gill ton trumps Kohli’s 101 to knock…

Shubman Gill hit an unbeaten 104 to trump Virat Kohli's record century as holders Gujarat Titans knocked Royal Challengers Bangalore out of the IPL with a six-wicket victory on Sunday (21). The result allowed five-time winners Mumbai Indians to fill the fourth and final play-off spot after they hammered Sunrisers…

IPL 2023: Bangalore crush Hyderabad in a ‘record breaking’ match

Former India captain Virat Kohli smashed a masterful century as his Royal Challengers Bangalore thumped Sunrisers Hyderabad, for whom South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen hit a ton of his own, by eight wickets in the IPL on Thursday (18). The win leaves Bangalore in control of their own destiny in the…

Cannes 2023: Esha Gupta stuns in white thigh-high slit gown

Actress Esha Gupta on Tuesday walked the red carpet of the 72nd edition of the Cannes Film Festival. She is attending the film festival as part of the Indian government delegation and participated in the opening ceremony and the premiere of the opening film - Jeanne Du Barry, which is…

Cannes 2023: Check out Sara Ali Khan’s first post from…

Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan is super excited about her Cannes debut. The Kedarnath star is currently in Cannes to attend the 76th edition of the prestigious film festival. On Tuesday evening, she shared a scenic picture from Cannes. In the image, she is seen holding up a cup of…

Cannes 2023: Mrunal Thakur excited about her debut

Actress Mrunal Thakur is set to attend Cannes Film Festival for the first time. She will be in the French Rivera from May 17 to May 19. Excited about her Cannes debut, Mrunal said, "I am thrilled to be attending the Cannes Film Festival for the first time. It is…

Cannes 2023: Sara and Manushi set to make their debut

If reports are to be believed, Bollywood actresses Sara Ali Khan and Manushi Chhillar are to make their mark on the red carpets of the Cannes Festival, 2023 alongside Anushka Sharma. The two beauties of the tinsel town are spotted at Mumbai airports on Monday night. They are reportedly flying…

Deepika on TIME magazine cover, says ‘don’t feel anything’ about…

Hindi cinema star Deepika Padukone, the latest Indian personality to feature on the cover of the TIME magazine, says she doesn't feel anything about the "constant political backlash" she has faced in her over 15-year career. In her cover interview with the US-based outlet, the actor briefly addressed being in…

Cannes Film Festival 2023: Anushka Sharma to honour women in…

Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma is set to mark her Cannes Film Festival debut alongside Titanic actress Kate Winslet. As per a source, Anushka will be present at Cannes Film Festival 2023 to honour women in cinema. She will be joined by popular actress Kate Winslet. Anushka on Thursday also met…

Virat Kohli Supports UK Charity’s Shoe Auction

IN collaboration with the Virat Kohli Foundation, the UK-based leprosy charity Lepra has been donated a signed pair of his trainers, which the charity will be auctioning to raise funds to help support vulnerable communities in India and Bangladesh.  The auction goes live 10 May and includes a certificate of authenticity,…

IPL 2023: Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir fined after post-match spat

Indian cricket star Virat Kohli was fined on Tuesday (2) for the second time in this IPL season after a post-match altercation with former national team-mate Gautam Gambhir. Both were docked their entire match fee, the Indian Premier League said, while Naveen-ul-Haq was fined 50 per cent of his for…

IPL 2023: Kohli says Bangalore were not ‘professional enough’ against…

Royal Challengers Bangalore stand-in skipper Virat Kohli delivered a blunt assessment of their performance in Wednesday's (26) Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Kolkata Knight Riders, saying they were not "professional enough" and deserved to lose. Bangalore, one of three teams who have never won the IPL title, slumped to…

India recall Ajinkya Rahane for World Test final

Ajinkya Rahane earned a recall on Tuesday (25) to India's squad for the World Test Championship final against Australia in June. Indian selectors named a 15-man squad led by skipper Rohit Sharma for the title clash at The Oval on June 7-11. Batsman Rahane, who last played a Test in…

IPL 2023: Rahane magic helps Chennai steamroll Kolkata

An electric 71 not out off just 29 balls by Ajinkya Rahane helped Chennai Super Kings rack up this season's highest total of 234-5 as they blew away Kolkata Knight Riders and moved top of the IPL table on Sunday (23). Despite a blistering 61 off 26 by Jason Roy…

Rekha oozes elegance in her traditional look at Dior’s fashion…

She has already mesmerized Dior's current creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri, who tagged her as 'India's most iconic woman'. Veteran actress Rekha looked resplendent in her traditional Kanjivaram saree at Dior's India-inspired pre-fall 2023 show on Thursday evening. The Silsila actress had a fun moment with the paps stationed at…

India and Bangladesh’s Young and Emerging Cricket Rivalry Has Been…

Unlike India-Pakistan, Australia-India, and especially the “Ashes” (England vs. Australia), the cricketing rivalry between India and Bangladesh is relatively new. The two countries share linguistic, cultural, and political connections. Bangladeshis enjoy their cricket, but the nation’s on-field prowess had been patchy for too long, thus any victory was referred to…

Australia beat India for 21 runs in third ODI, clinch…

Australian spinners Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar turned the match to hand India their first one-day international series defeat at home since 2019 in a thrilling third and final match in Chennai on Wednesday. Left-arm spinner Agar removed in-form Virat Kohli (54) and the world's top-rated Twenty20 batter Suryakumar Yadav…

Australia choose to bat in deciding ODI against India

Australia's stand-in-skipper Steve Smith won the toss and chose to bat first in their series decider against India for Wednesday's (22) third one-day international in Chennai. The visitors made two changes to the side that routed their hosts in Sunday's last match at Visakhapatnam. Opener David Warner returns from his…

Starc haul and Marsh blitz help Australia hammer India

MITCHELL STARC'S 5-53 and a blazing 66 by Mitchell Marsh helped Australia demolish India by 10 wickets in the second one-day international to level the series at 1-1 on Sunday (19). Starc, a left-arm quick, rattled the Indian batting with his pace and swing to bundle out the opposition for…

Shami, Rahul fire India to victory against Australia in first…

Mohammad Shami's bowling figures of 3-17 and an unbeaten 75 by KL Rahul helped India beat Australia by five wickets in the first one-day international on Friday (17). Australia were bowled out for 188 in 35.4 overs after a dramatic collapse following opener Mitchell Marsh's 65-ball 81 at the Wankhede…

India win Test series against Australia, qualify for WTC final

India clinched their fourth consecutive series victory over Australia, with the fourth and final Test, headlined by an impressive 186-run performance by Virat Kohli, ending in a draw. The Rohit Sharma-led team reached the ICC World Test Championship decider after New Zealand secured a thrilling last-ball win over Sri Lanka…

Kohli ton helps India dominate Australia

VIRAT KOHLI hit his first Test century in more than three years with a towering 186 as India batted themselves out of danger of a series-levelling defeat to Australia in the fourth Test on Sunday (12). The hosts finished their first innings on 571 to overhaul Australia's 480 and get…

Kangana reacts to Anushka and Virat’s Ujjain temple visit

Kangana Ranaut has hailed Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli for visiting the famed Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India. She called them a ‘power couple’ and praised them for setting ‘such a good example.’ Ranaut shared their video from inside the temple on her Instagram Stories on Saturday and…

Kuhnemann, Khawaja put Australia on top after spin mayhem

AUSTRALIA bundled out India for 109 and batted resolutely to reach 156 for four in reply, giving the home side a taste of their own medicine on a raging turner in Indore on Wednesday (1). On a track where the ball spun viciously from the first session, Matt Kuhnemann (5-16)…

Depleted Australia look to stand-in skipper Steve Smith to salvage…

A depleted Australia will look to stand-in captain Steve Smith for inspiration after two demoralising Test defeats in India as they try to salvage the series when the third match begins in Indore Wednesday (1). Captain Pat Cummins flew home to be with his seriously ill mother after Australia's second…

Jadeja stars as India hammer Australia to take 2-0 Test…

INDIA spinner Ravindra Jadeja returned his career-best figures of 7-42 to lead Australia's hammering by six wickets inside three days on Sunday (19) to bring the hosts to a 2-0 Test series lead. Jadeja, a left-arm orthodox, teamed up with fellow spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to dismiss Australia for 113 in…

Shubman Gill named ICC Men’s Player

INDIA batter Shubman Gill was on Monday (13) named ICC Men's Player of the Month for January, while England U-19 skipper Grace Scrivens became the youngest player to be named for the women's honour. Gill enjoyed a record-breaking month in white-ball cricket in January. The free-scoring batter was a prolific…

India win over Pakistan inspired by Kohli’s ‘extraordinary’ knock at…

Jemimah Rodrigues revealed Sunday that India's victory over arch-rivals Pakistan at the Women's T20 World Cup was inspired by "extraordinary" superstar Virat Kohli. Rodrigues hit an undefeated 53 off 38 deliveries to steer her side to a seven-wicket win in Cape Town as India chased down their 150-run target with…

Three key battles in the India-Australia Test series

India hosts Australia in a hotly anticipated four-match Test series starting on Thursday in Nagpur. AFP Sport looks at three key battles that could decide who comes out on top in a clash between the world's two top cricket teams. Kohli v Cummins  Virat Kohli has triumphed over his extended…

What is Dexa scan, the new Indian cricket team’s selection…

Ahead of the upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to increase the focus on players’ fitness and has thus, reintroduced the Yo-Yo test and Dexa scans as criteria for the selection of the Indian national team. India is set to…

India’s Bumrah included in ODI squad to face Sri Lanka

India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has recovered from a back injury and has been included in the one-day international (ODI squad to play Sri Lanka in a three-match series this month, the country's cricket board (BCCI) said on Tuesday. Bumrah has been out of action since September due to a…

Instead of doing a lot of quantity, I did a…

Suryakumar Yadav has been a trailblazer who has taken cricket’s shortest format by storm. Inarguably, India’s first true-blue T20 superstar, Surya has now trained his eyes on being successful in longer formats but without changing the essence of his batsmanship. In an exclusive interview with PTI, ‘SKY’ spoke about his…

Who Are the Three Best and Famous Indian Cricket Players…

In the year 1721, India became the origin of cricket. Players from the towns of Calcutta and Madras in India competed in what is considered to be the first-ever match, which took place in 1864. India's national cricket team is now the most successful in the world, having won two…

Google’s Most Searched Asian 2022: Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif, and…

In the list of most searched Asians on Google in 2022, Bollywood actresses Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt, and Priyanka Chopra managed to find a place in the top 10. Interestingly, Kaif, who was most recently seen in Phone Bhoot (2022) alongside Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ishaan Khatter, has beaten Bhatt and…

Could have got to 300: Ishan Kishan

The diminutive Ishan Kishan was delighted to score the fastest double hundred in ODI cricket history but rued about missing out on a golden opportunity to become the first triple centurion in the format. Playing only his 10th ODI, the 24-year-old displayed fearless batting as he shattered Chris Gayle's record…

Ishan Kishan becomes fastest double centurion in ODIs with 210-run…

India's star opener Ishan Kishan smashed the fastest double hundred in ODIs, becoming only the fourth Indian batter to achieve the milestone against Bangladesh in the third ODI here at Zahur Ahmed Chaudhary Stadium, Chattogram on Saturday. With this inning, the opener threw in his hat for the openers slot…

Would have felt hurt if Pandya or DK hit me…

Haris Rauf believes that no player in world cricket save the peerless Virat Kohli could have hit him for those two sixes in that thrilling India victory against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup match in October. Speaking for the first time to a Pakistani website about those two hits,…

October 23 will always be special: Virat Kohli reminisces on…

Reminiscing on his instant classic match-winning knock against Pakistan in his side's ICC T20 World Cup campaign opener, star Indian batter Virat Kohli said the day will always be special in his heart and he had "never felt energy like that in a cricket game before." Virat took to social…

Someone like Nehra is more suited to a T20 coaching…

Harbhajan Singh feels someone like Ashish Nehra must be part of India's T20 coaching setup as he knows the shortest format perhaps better than current head coach Rahul Dravid. Nehra retired from the game in 2017 and earlier this year coached Gujarat Titans to the title on their IPL debut.…

Ravichandran Ashwin defends Dravid’s break, saying it is due to…

Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Saturday defended the decision to rest Indian head coach Rahul Dravid, saying that physical and mental burnout ahead of and during the ICC T20 World Cup is the reason why India has a completely different team and coaching staff for the New Zealand tour. The current…

Roadmap for 2024 T20 World Cup starts now, lot of…

Stand-in T20I skipper Hardik Pandya on Wednesday said the road map for the 2024 T20 World Cup starts now, adding that going forward a lot of players will be given chances to stake their claim in the side. India's 2022 T20 World Cup hopes ended with a 10-wicket defeat against…

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan responds to Pakistan PM’s ‘152/0…

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, after he took a dig at the Indian cricket team following their 10-wicket loss to England in the semifinal of the ICC T20 World Cup on Thursday (November 10). Pathan took Twitter to reply to Sharif’s tweet, saying…

What have India done since winning 50-Over World Cup? asks…

India has achieved absolutely "nothing" since winning the World Cup on home soil in 2011 and has been the most under-performing white-ball team in the history, former England skipper Michael Vaughan said on Friday (11). Vaughan blamed team's dated approach in white ball games for lack of performance following team's…

We should back our family when times are tough: Virat…

After India's semi-final defeat to England in the T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli's sister Bhawna showered the former skipper with love as he's the one who literally put his heart and soul to help the team reach the important stage of the tournament. "You put your best out there, you…

Wait for silverware continues for Virat Kohli, India’s greatest warrior…

After India's humiliating loss to England by ten wickets in the second semifinal of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup, the wait for the ultimate prize in the shortest format continues for Virat Kohli, the Men in Blue's greatest warrior in the history of this competition. Following his triumphant return…

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s takes dig at Team India after…

Top knocks from openers Alex Hales and Jos Buttler powered England to an emphatic 10-wicket win over India in the second semi-final of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup in Australia at Adelaide on Thursday. After the match, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took a brutal dig at the India…

Many seniors Indian players will not play T20 format next…

India's T20 squad will undergo a major transition in the next 24 months because senior players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin will be gradually eased out, BCCI sources said on Thursday. While it appears that Ashwin and Dinesh Karthik have played their last games in the…

T20 WC: We were not up to the mark with…

Following his side's ten-wicket loss to England in the semifinal of the ICC T20 World Cup, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma said his side was not up to the mark with the ball and failed to hold their nerves and in executing their plans. Top knocks from openers Alex Hales and…

India humiliated, England cruise into World Cup final

A thoroughly professional England annihilated an out-of- sync India by 10 wickets to sail into the World Cup final as Alex Hales and Jos Buttler's relentless hitting mortified Rohit Sharma's clueless attack on Thursday (10). England seemed to have saved their best for the grand stage as they reduced the…

He has earned the right to be never written off:…

England's all-rounder Ben Stokes heaped praise on Virat Kohli ahead of the semi-final clash against India and said that the star Indian batter can never be written off given his performances, during a press conference in Adelaide on Tuesday. Stokes was referring to the recent slump that Kohli had gone…

‘You have always been a warrior’: Mahela Jayawardene lauds Virat…

Former Sri Lankan batter Mahela Jayawardene congratulated star Indian batter, Virat Kohli, on breaking his record for the most runs in the history of the ICC T20 World Cup event. Star Indian batter Virat Kohli on Wednesday became the highest run-scorer in the history of the ICC T20 World Cup.…

Bangladesh accuses Virat Kohli of fake fielding after 5-run loss…

Nurul Hasan has alleged that the on-field umpires overlooked an instance of Virat Kohli's false fielding that may have led to five potentially significant penalty runs for Bangladesh following Bangladesh's five-run loss to India on Wednesday. In the seventh over of Bangladesh's chase at Adelaide Oval, Litton Das played the…

Hotel room is one place where you are away from…

Virat Kohli's invasion of privacy in Perth was disappointing as it is "one place" where the Indian cricketers get to be away from the constant public gaze, said India head coach Rahul Dravid on Tuesday. A hotel housekeeping staff at the Crown in Perth had filmed Kohli’s room and posted…

Punjabi singer AP Dhillon hospitalised after suffering injury during US…

Indo-Canadian Punjabi singer AP Dhillon was admitted to a hospital after suffering an injury while on a US tour recently. On Tuesday, the 'Brown Munde' hitmaker took to Instagram Story and informed his fans and followers about the same. "To all my fans in California... it breaks my heart to…

Australian hotel issues apology, fires staff who captured footage of…

Crown Perth has issued a statement of apology after Indian batting star Virat Kohli expressed disappointment for a breach of privacy in his hotel room on Monday, October 31. “The safety and privacy of our guests is our number one priority, and we are incredibly disappointed this incident has occurred.…

T20 WC: It will be an exciting contest between Virat…

Ahead of his side's blockbuster ICC T20 World Cup match against India, South African batter Aiden Markram said that the contest between Indian star batter Virat Kohli and Proteas pace attack will be an exciting one. The Men in Blue will lock horns against South Africa in their Group 2,…

Bollywood celebs hail Virat Kohli’s explosive knock against Pakistan

Bollywood celebrities on Sunday took to their social media accounts and hailed Indian skipper Virat Kohli for his excellent knock against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup match in Melbourne. Shah Rukh Khan tweeted, “So good to see a great game of cricket. So wonderful to see India win. So…

We struggled, but we did it together: Hardik Pandya to…

Following India’s sensational four-wicket win over Pakistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup, all-rounder Hardik Pandya praised Virat Kohli for hitting consecutive sixes off of Haris Rauf in the innings’ 19th over. An explosive half-century by star batter Virat Kohli and a century stand with Hardik Pandya helped India defeat…

Kohli shines as Ashwin secures India victory in Pakistan cliffhanger

Virat Kohli struck an imperious half-century and Ravichandran Ashwin was cool at the death as India secured a four-wicket win on the final ball against arch-rivals Pakistan at the T20 World Cup on Sunday (23) in front of a huge Melbourne Cricket Ground crowd. Pakistan's spin-bowlingall-rounder Mohammad Nawaz had a…

‘Speedy recovery to our speedster,’ BCCI wishes Jasprit Bumrah ruled…

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wished India's ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah a speedy recovery on Tuesday after the bowler expressed his disappointment after he was ruled out from the T20 World Cup due to an injury. Sharing the message via its Twitter handle, BCCI said, "Speedy…

India vs Pakistan: Focus on top-order approach, Avesh Khan

The famed top-order would be desperate for a course correction while India vs Pakistan: Focus on top-order approach, Avesh Khanhe bowling attack could be rejigged as India aim for a 'Sunday Encore' against Pakistan in an Asia Cup 'Super 4s' clash. If top-order's Powerplay philosophy is a problem, the inexperience…

Viral Video: Afghanistan cricket fan kisses Hardik Pandya on TV…

The crucial partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya helped India defeat arch-rivals Pakistan in a thrilling clash by five wickets in the second match of the Asia Cup 2022 here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. As soon as the match gets over, a young excited fan is…

With one eye on T20 World Cup, sub-continental giants resume…

The unpredictability of the T20 format and the growth of the game in the region could make the 2022 Asia Cup, beginning Saturday, the most closely fought edition ever. Pakistan legend Wasim Akram has already predicted the six-team tournament as having the potential to showcase the quality that has never…

‘Bumrah, Harshal not playing Asia Cup 2022 is a relief…

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan said on Sunday that pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel not playing in Asia Cup 2022 will be a matter of relief for other teams. The star pacer of India Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel were not available for selection in Asia Cup 2022 owing…

‘Class is permanent and form is temporary’ Jayawardene backs Kohli…

Star India batter Virat Kohli is a quality player and has all the tools needed to come out of his prolonged dip in form, said former Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene. Kohli and a fit-again KL Rahul on Monday returned to a 15-member Indian squad for the Asia Cup scheduled…

ICC hopes to retain all-format players despite busy calendar

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is optimistic about retaining the game's all-format players despite their mounting workload in a busy calendar, chief executive Geoff Allardice said. England talisman Ben Stokes quit the 50-overs format last month, citing an "unsustainable" schedule, while India's Virat Kohli has been vocal about the growing…

Need to focus on present and not on past: Rohit…

Indian captain Rohit Sharma said on Thursday that the team needs to focus on the present and not on what happened in the past. Indian captain Rohit Sharma rested in the ODI series against West Indies but will be returning to the squad for the five-match T20I series starting from…

Salman Khan on south films doing well: Want to do…

Superstar Salman Khan on Monday said films from the south are doing "really well" and though every artist wants to make a good movie, there is no formula to guarantee box office success. Khan recently came on board to present the Hindi version of Kichcha Sudeepa's upcoming Kannada fantasy action-adventure…

Have been hearing it for 10 years now: Shikhar Dhawan…

Team India opener Shikhar Dhawan said that he is not troubled by the criticism that he faces after almost every time he failed to score big in a couple of matches. Dhawan will become the seventh skipper to lead India this year during the three-match ODI series against the Men…

If I had about 20 minutes with him, it might…

The legendary Sunil Gavaskar feels he can help the out-of-form Virat Kohli regain touch by sorting his batting woes, especially his weakness outside off stump. Kohli is enduring a wretched run with the bat and has failed to score a century since November 2019. He could manage just 76 runs…

‘Ben Stokes. ODIs. It’s been an honour’: Cricket fraternity hails…

Wishes and tributes poured in from all corners to praise the legacy that Ben Stokes built and left as one of the finest all-rounders announced his retirement from One-Day international cricket. Stokes has played 104 ODI matches and is set to end his international career in the format on his…

You were fantastic throughout, what a player: Indian cricket fraternity…

Following wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant’s match-winning knock, many Indian cricketers took to social media to heap praises on the heroics of the star batter in Manchester. Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 125* and his 133-run partnership with Hardik Pandya helped India chase down 260 in the final ODI of three-match series at Manchester.…

‘Perspective’: Virat Kohli posts cryptic one-word tweet ahead of final…

FORMER India skipper Virat Kohli is going through a rough patch in his career and ahead of the third and final ODI against England, the Indian batter tweeted a one-word cryptic post on Saturday (16). Kohli took to his Twitter and shared a post, the India player can be seen…

3rd ODI: India need to change batting approach in series…

Jolted by a thumping defeat in its last game, the Indian team is expected to tweak its batting template from cautious to a more fearless one in the series-deciding third ODI against England here on Sunday. The team under Rohit Sharma did put up an ultra-aggressive batting show with a…

‘Who is playing Ludo?’, Kaneria echoes Kapil Dev’s comments on…

Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria has backed Kapil Dev's comments on star batter Virat Kohli's form, who is at present going through a lean patch. Following the continuation of Kohli's disappointing form in the white-ball setup, World Cup-winning skipper Kapil Dev, while speaking to the media last week, had said…

‘This too shall pass’, Babar Azam backs Virat Kohli as…

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has come out in support of star Indian batter Virat Kohli after the latter's dip in form. Babar took to his Twitter and wrote, "This too shall pass. Stay strong. #ViratKohli," along with a photo of him and Kohli. After missing the first ODI against England…

Virat Kohli meets his U-15 teammate Ravi Teja in UK:…

INDIAN cricketer Virat Kohli met his former U-15 teammate Dwaraka Ravi Teja in London. Teja shared the picture of their meeting on Twitter. Indian cricket team is in UK for the ongoing India vs England ODI series. Teja played for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League…

ENG vs IND: Shikhar Dhawan likely to play his 150th…

SHIKHAR DHAWAN is likely to play the 150th one-day-international (ODI) match of his career on Tuesday (12) against England at The Oval in Kennington. With this, he will become the 21st player to represent Team India in 150 ODIs or more. Sachin Tendulkar (463), MS Dhoni (347), Rahul Dravid (340),…

Is Virat Kohli’s form a major concern? Rohit Sharma disagrees…

Following the continuation of Virat Kohli's disappointing run of form in the final T20I against England, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma expressed disagreements with former skipper Kapil Dev's comments about the star batter's place in the team, saying that he is watching the game from the outside and does not know…

Time will tell whether loss at Edgbaston will have an…

India are defeated and deflated now. But skipper Rohit Sharma on Wednesday said only "time will tell" how the crushing loss at Edgbaston impacts the side in the long run India let slip a golden opportunity to record their first series win in England since 2007 as the hosts, in…

How actor Manit Joura scripted his destiny

TV star discusses his journey and popular show Acclaimed actor Manit Joura has had such a close connection with super hit drama serial Kundali Bhagya since it premiered in 2017 that he recently made a winning return, after shocking fans by leaving last year. The popular star has perfectly picked…

Rohit not yet ruled out of England Test: head coach…

Ahead of the upcoming fifth Test against England beginning July 1, India head coach Rahul Dravid has said that skipper Rohit Sharma is yet not been ruled out. Rohit Sharma tested COVID-19 positive following a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) conducted on Saturday. Since then there has been speculation about him…

Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli: Pakistan captain shatters the record…

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has surpassed India's Virat Kohli in becoming the world No.1 T20I batter for the longest period of time after he maintained his top spot in the latest ICC T20 batting rankings Kohli was the No.1 ranked T20I batter for a total of 1,013 days during his…

Virat Kohli on vacation mode on beach ahead of England…

Ahead of the upcoming England tour, former India skipper Virat Kohli is off for a vacation.Taking to his Twitter, Virat posted a picture of him, sitting on a beach and relaxing.Virat was rested for the ongoing T20I series against South Africa, following his lean patch in the Indian Premier League…

Ranveer Singh is all praises for Virat Kohli’s acting skills,…

Bollywood star Ranveer Singh complimented Virat Kohli's acting skills in a recent BTS video, shared by the Indian Cricketer with his wife Anushka Sharma. On Friday, Cricketer Virat Kohli took to his Instagram handle, and posted a BTS video with his wife Anushka Sharma, "Some candid moments" he captioned the…

Babar Azam creates yet another batting record

Babar Azam reached another massive feat in men's international cricket history as he became the first batter to score nine consecutive half-centuries in all three formats of cricket. Pakistan skipper scored 77 off 93 balls in the second ODI match against West Indies and added yet another fifty-plus score to…

Babar Azam becomes first batter to score 3 consecutive ODI…

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam on Wednesday scripted a brilliant record with his century against West Indies in the first ODI in Multan, becoming the first batter to score three consecutive hundreds on two separate occasions in ODIs.Babar smashed 103 off 107 balls and led Pakistan to victory by five wickets.…

Virat Kohli becomes first Indian to hit 200 million followers…

Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has crossed the 200 million followers mark on the social media site Instagram. Former India and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain entered the 200m club on Tuesday. With this, he became the first Indian to have 200 million followers on Instagram. "200 mil strong, thanks…

Top 5 overseas performers of IPL 2022

The IPL 2022 season came close, with Gujarat Titans winning their first title. The performances of several Indian players in the IPL have amazed all. Similarly, the performances of overseas players have also been impressive. On the field, they performed and left their mark as well. Watching these crickets playing…

Kohli jinx to Indian talent: Five things we learned from…

AFP Sport looks at five things we learned from the 15th edition of the Twenty20 tournament, which was expanded to 10 teams this year. Kohli's jinx Former India captain Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bangalore's wait for their first IPL title dragged on after they went down to Rajasthan in…

Struggling Kohli mutes TV to silence critics

Out-of-form Virat Kohli says that he has a sure-fire way of drowning out his growing number of critics -- he just mutes the television. The 33-year-old former India skipper has endured an extended batting slump for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League and fell for his third golden…

Bangalore beat Dhoni’s Chennai to end three-game IPL losing streak

Royal Challengers Bangalore ended a three-match losing streak in the Indian Premier League as Josh Hazlewood and Harshal Patel inspired them to a 13-run win over Chennai Super Kings on Wednesday. Bangalore scored 173-8 after Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Chennai won the toss and chose to field first. CSK slipped away…

Kohli hits 58 but Bangalore lose to high-flying Gujarat

Superstar cricketer Virat Kohli struck form with his first half-century of this Indian Premier League season on Saturday, but failed to inspire Royal Challengers Bangalore who slipped to their third straight loss. After a string of low scores including two golden ducks, Kohli hit 58 off 53 balls to guide…

Shastri advises Kohli to pull out of IPL

For the second time in a week, former India coach Ravi Shastri has advised the out-of-form Virat Kohli to take a break, even if it meant "pulling out of the IPL, for all you care" to prolong his international career. Batting maestro Kohli has been battling one of his worst…

Wisden: Almost a Test year of India’s dreams

INDIAN and Pakistani players have won high praise from Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 2022, which has long been considered the sport’s bible. Two Indians, the batsman Rohit Sharma, and the pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah figure in Wisden’s “Five Cricketers of the Year”, which is a great honour. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan…

Parag, bowlers help Royals return to top IPL

Riyan Parag's unbeaten 56 and inspired bowling helped Rajasthan Royals defend 144 against Royal Challengers Bangalore to go top of the IPL table on Tuesday. The 20-year-old Parag smashed 30 off the last two overs to steer Royals, who won the inaugural IPL title in 2008 under late Australian great…

‘Fantastic cricketer’ Kohli will turn form around: Du Plessis

Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Faf du Plessis is confident Virat Kohli will overcome his IPL batting slump. Kohli took his Indian Premier League tally this season to just 128 runs from nine matches after scoring a scratchy nine in the defeat to Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday following two golden ducks.…

Kohli flops again but Bangalore confident star ‘will come back…

Virat Kohli's second successive golden duck in the IPL saw Royal Challengers Bangalore crash to 68 all out and lose to Sunrisers Hyderabad by nine wickets on Saturday but the team insisted their star batter will bounce back. Kohli, who also fell to a first-ball duck against Lucknow Super Giants…

Kohli ‘anxious’ and ‘fried’ but will battle out of alarming…

Virat Kohli deserves more respect and will fight his way out of an alarming slump which hit a new low when he suffered a second successive golden duck in the IPL, fellow cricket stars say. It is the first time in the Indian's stellar career that he has got out…

Bangalore’s Du Plessis eyes IPL ton after match-winning 96

Skipper Faf du Plessis on Tuesday said an elusive IPL century is "around the corner" after his 96 helped Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Lucknow Super Giants by 18 runs. The South African made Bangalore fight back with his 64-ball knock after they lost two wickets, including Virat Kohli for a…

Overcooked Kohli risks ‘fried brain’ if not rested: Shastri

Out-of-sorts Virat Kohli could be lost to cricket with a "fried brain" if he is not given a break soon, said former India coach Ravi Shastri after the batsman's latest IPL failure. Kohli's extended lean patch in the Indian Premier League continued when the Royal Challengers Bangalore star was out…

‘Bigger goals’ as IPL star Karthik targets India return

Dinesh Karthik said he is eyeing an India comeback after his unbeaten 66 off 34 balls powered Royal Challengers Bangalore to a 16-run win over Delhi Capitals on Saturday. The in-form Karthik steered Bangalore to 189 for five after Glenn Maxwell's breezy 55 in the second match of the day…

Dube, Uthappa fire IPL holders Chennai to first win

Shivam Dube and Robin Uthappa smashed 17 sixes between them to help holders Chennai Super Kings register their first win of the Indian Premier League season against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Tuesday. Dube struck an unbeaten 95 and Uthappa hit 88 as the pair built a third-wicket partnership of 165…

‘Not close to winning’: IPL giants Chennai and Mumbai slump…

IPL big guns Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings fell to their fourth loss of the season on Saturday to raise fears of an early exit from the Twenty20 tournament. Holders Chennai and Mumbai have nine IPL title between them but reputation took a beating when they were outplayed by…

Azam to Khawaja: Five things we learned from Australia’s Pakistan…

Australia's cricketers were heading home Wednesday after completing their first tour to Pakistan since 1998. Pat Cummins' side won the three-Test series 1-0, lost the one-day internationals 2-1 and rounded off an incident-free trip with victory in the lone Twenty20 international. Eastern Eye highlights five things we learned from the…

Karthik, Shahbaz power Bangalore to IPL win over Royals

Powerful knocks by Dinesh Karthik and Shahbaz Ahmed led Royal Challengers Bangalore to a four-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League on Tuesday. Chasing 170 for victory, Bangalore were in trouble at 87-5 when Karthik (44 not out) and Shahbaz Ahmed (45) put on an attacking partnership…

Kohli says de Villiers will be first person on his…

Virat Kohli feels if Royal Challengers Bangalore were crowned champions for the first time this season, it would mean a lot to AB de Villiers, who would be the first person on the former captain's mind after the triumph. One of contemporary cricket's greatest batters, de Villiers retired from all…

Hasaranga shines as Bangalore edge Kolkata in IPL thriller

Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga returned figures of 4-20 to set up a three-wicket victory for Royal Challengers Bangalore in a low-scoring IPL thriller against Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday. Hasaranga's inspired spell of leg-spin helped bowl out Kolkata for 128, a total Bangalore overhauled with four balls to spare after…

Du Plessis shines on IPL captaincy debut but Bangalore lose

Faf du Plessis smashed 88 on his Indian Premier League debut as captain but his side Royal Challengers Bangalore went down to Punjab Kings in a high-scoring match on Sunday. The South African veteran put on fiery stand of 118 off 61 balls with predecessor Virat Kohli, who hit an…

Indian Premier League season 15: the teams, top players

The 15th edition of the Indian Premier League Twenty20 extravaganza begins on Saturday when holders Chennai Super Kings face Kolkata Knight Riders. Eastern Eye guides you through the 10 teams, including two new franchises, who will compete in the world's richest cricket championship. Mumbai Indians Key Indian players: Rohit Sharma…

IPL starts on Saturday with limited crowds

THE Indian Premier League (IPL) returns for its biggest season on Saturday (26), with a galaxy of top names and two new franchises expanding the world's richest cricket competition to 10 teams for its 15th edition. But crowds in the cricket-mad nation will, initially at least, be limited to 25…

Record-breaking Babar up there with the best after Pakistan heroics

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has long established his credentials in limited-overs cricket, but his 196 against Australia put him up there with some greats in the long form of the game too. Azam fought valiantly for 10 hours and seven minutes in an innings lasting 425 deliveries to help Pakistan…

India thrash Sri Lanka in pink ball Test to sweep…

A bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah helped India thrash Sri Lanka by 238 runs inside three days at Bangalore's pink ball Test to sweep the series 2-0 on Monday. Chasing 447 for victory, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 208 in the second session after skipper Dimuth Karunaratne's valiant…

Faf du Plessis to succeed Kohli as Bangalore skipper

SOUTH AFRICAN Faf du Plessis will succeed Virat Kohli as Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper, the Indian Premier League team has announced as it gears up to chase an elusive maiden tournament title. The former Test captain is a league veteran, making his debut for Chennai Super Kings in 2012 and…

Jadeja hailed as great all-rounder after Test-winning exploits

Ravindra Jadeja was hailed Monday as one of the world's best all-rounders after his swashbuckling unbeaten 175 with the bat and nine-wicket haul with the ball propelled India to a first Test victory over Sri Lanka inside three days. The left-hander's match-defining knock in Mohali, his best in Tests, and…

Sachin, Kohli hail Warne ‘the greatest’

INDIAN cricketers past and present from Virat Kohli to Sachin Tendulkar led tributes Friday (4) to Shane Warne after the Australian spin maestro died suddenly of a heart attack at 52. "Life is so fickle and unpredictable. I cannot process the passing of this great of our sport and also…

Kohli proud of playing 100 Tests in IPL era

India's star batsman Virat Kohli on Friday credited his level of fitness for achieving the landmark of 100 Tests in an age of relentless cricket that has included numerous Indian Premier League appearances. The 33-year-old Kohli made 45 and put on a key 90-run stand with Hanuma Vihari after India…

Kohli falls for 45 in 100th Test as Sri Lanka…

INDIA's cricketing hero Virat Kohli fell for 45 in his 100th Test as Sri Lankan bowlers rattled the hosts' top-order in the opening match on Friday (4). India reached 199 for four at tea after new captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat at the start of…

Shreyas Iyer stars as India record 12th straight T20I win

SHREYAS IYER hit an unbeaten 73 to lead India to a record-equalling 12th successive Twenty20 international victory as they whitewashed Sri Lanka in the three-match series on Sunday (27). Chasing 147 for victory, India romped home with 19 balls to spare propelled by Iyer's third successive unbeaten half-century. They won…

Covid: No spectators for Kohli’s 100th test

CRICKETER Virat Kohli will play his 100th test behind closed doors with no spectators because of a coronavirus outbreak in the northern Indian city of Mohali, an official said on Sunday (27). The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) host the first of the two tests against Sri Lanka starting Friday and…

New captain Rohit happy to groom India’s future leaders

Rohit Sharma said Wednesday he was happy to help train possible successors following his recent appointment as India's cricket captain across all formats in place of Virat Kohli. The star batsman was named Test captain on Saturday -- he was already white-ball skipper -- but since he will turn 35…

Kishan’s 89 helps India thrash Sri Lanka in first T20

Opener Ishan Kishan hit an explosive 89 to set up a thumping 62-run victory for India in the first Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka on Thursday. The left-handed Kishan put on an opening stand of 111 with skipper Rohit Sharma, who hit 44, to guide India to 199 for two…

Rohit named India’s Test captain

OPENER Rohit Sharma was named India's Test captain on Saturday (19), succeeding Virat Kohli as the team's leader in all three formats ahead of the home series against Sri Lanka. Kohli, India's most successful Test captain, resigned from the role in a shock move last month after seven years in…

India secure win in T20 series opener to keep Windies…

INDIA overcame a mid-innings blip to beat West Indies by six wickets in the first Twenty20 International on Wednesday to stretch the tourists' winless streak. Chasing 158 for victory, the hosts, who swept the preceding one-day series 3-0, got off to a flying start before West Indies made a brief…

‘Leave Virat alone’ as Rohit dismisses concerns around Kohli’s poor…

IN no mood to talk about the prolonged lean patch that Virat Kohli is enduring, India captain Rohit Sharma on Tuesday (15) said "everything will fall in place" if the chatter around him stops. Ahead of the T20 series against the West Indies starting Wednesday (16), media queries were once…

No lean patch for Kohli, insists India batting coach

India's batting coach played down concerns Monday about the recent poor batting form of Virat Kohli, saying he was on the brink of scoring some "big runs". Kohli, 33, last scored an international century in August 2019, and made eight, 18 and nought in India's recent 3-0 whitewash of the…

India beat West Indies by 6 wickets in landmark 1,000th…

SPINNERS Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar set up India's comfortable six-wicket victory over the West Indies for the hosts' landmark 1,000th one-day international on Sunday (6). Rohit Sharma took to the field as India's new full-time ODI captain and his decision to bowl was vindicated by the two spinners as…

India captain Rohit back for white-ball series against Windies

Rohit Sharma will return to lead India in the upcoming limited-overs series against West Indies after recovering from his hamstring injury, as the country's cricket board named the squad on Wednesday. Rohit, who was recently appointed white-ball captain, missed the team's tour of South Africa and KL Rahul stood in…

‘Post-mortem’ for India after South Africa ODI whitewash

INDIA'S cricket pundits on Monday (24) called for changes in the team after South Africa's one-day series whitewash following Virat Kohli's exit as skipper. India lost their third and final ODI by four runs in Cape Town to end a disappointing tour that also saw the tourists lose the Test…

De Kock century sets up South Africa clean sweep

FORMER captain Quinton de Kock hit a sparkling century to set up a four-run win for South Africa in the third one-day international against India at Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday. South Africa completed a 3-0 clean sweep in the series but not before what captain Temba Bavuma described…

Malan leads South Africa to ODI series win over India

OPENER Janneman Malan scored 91 as South Africa chased down a victory target of 288 for a comfortable seven-wicket win over India and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series after the second One-Day International at Boland Park on Friday (21). India chose to bat in sweltering conditions, with…

India, Pakistan to clash on Oct 23 in 2022 T20…

INDIA and Pakistan will lock horns in a blockbuster T20 World Cup group clash for the second year running after the fixtures for the October-November 2022 tournament in Australia were announced on Friday. The arch-rivals will lock horns at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on October 23, a day after…

Kohli beats Tendulkar mark as India’s top away ODI run-scorer

VIRAT KOHLI became India's leading run-scorer in away one-day internationals as he hit an energetic half-century against South Africa just days after his shock exit as Test skipper. Kohli broke Sachin Tendulkar's India record for most runs in away ODIs during his 51-run knock in the first of the three…

Bavuma, Van der Dussen tons help South Africa beat India…

CAPTAIN Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen scored centuries and shared a partnership of 204 as hosts South Africa beat India by 31 runs in the first one-day international on Wednesday (19). The home side elected to bat and posted 296 for four in their 50 overs, with Bavuma’s…

Kohli ‘tends to quit’ when his captaincy is under threat:…

VIRAT KOHLI’S surprise resignation as India’s Test skipper has been a talking point in the cricketing world as pundits and fans alike are coming to terms with his move.While many current and retired players have expressed shock over his resignation, former batter Sanjay Manjrekar said Kohli “tends to quit” when…

Kohli will have to give up his ego, says Kapil…

VIRAT KOHLI needs to shed his ego to play under a new leader after giving up the Test captaincy, cricket icon Kapil Dev said as uncertainty swirled about the future of the national team. Kohli, 33, announced his surprise departure late on Saturday (15) having already quit as T20 captain…

Deposed captains Kohli, De Kock gear up for one-day series

TWO deposed captains, Virat Kohli and Quinton de Kock, could play significant roles in a three-match one-day international series between South Africa and India, starting at Boland Park in Paarl on Wednesday (19). Both former skippers have the potential to be the leading batters for their respective sides. For Kohli,…

India eyes next Test captain as Kohli era ends

AFTER Virat Kohli's sudden resignation the spotlight turned to his likely successor as India Test captain on Sunday (16), with white-ball skipper Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul favourites to take over the high-pressure job. Kohli, 33, shocked the cricket-crazy nation on Saturday (15) by stepping down following the team's 2-1…

Kohli steps downs as India Test captain

INDIA'S Virat Kohli has stepped down as captain of the Test side following their 2-1 series defeat by South Africa, the player said in a statement on Saturday (15). "It's been seven years of hard work, toil and relentless perseverance everyday to take the team in the right direction. I've…

Kohli’s India have ‘moved on’ from South Africa DRS controversy

Indian captain Virat Kohli said on Friday his side have "moved on" from the controversy over an overturned decision during the third Test defeat to South Africa, to lose the series 2-1, at Newlands. Kohli, 33, and two team-mates were caught on the stump microphone complaining after home captain Dean…

Kohli and India angry over candid camera in third Test

INDIA'S cricketers reacted with dismay and anger when a decision against South African captain Dean Elgar was overturned on review at a crucial stage on the third day of the third Test at Newlands on Thursday (13). Television viewers heard several players complaining within range of the stump microphone after…

Bumrah bowls India to lead before openers fall

Jasprit Bumrah bowled India to a slender first innings lead before South Africa hit back at the start of the second innings on the second day of the series-deciding third Test at Newlands on Wednesday. India were 57 for two at the close, an overall lead of 70, with Cheteshwar…

Kohli back in form but South Africa take the honours…

India captain Virat Kohli played a lone hand with 79 as the tourists were bowled out for 223 on the first day of the decisive third and final test against South Africa at Newlands on Tuesday. The home side had made 17 for one in reply at the close. Kohli's…

Kohli ‘at peace’ with form as India gear up for…

Indian captain Virat Kohli on Monday brushed aside concerns about his form as he looked ahead to the decisive third Test against South Africa starting at Newlands on Tuesday. Without a century in his past 14 Tests, Kohli said he believed he was still making important contributions to the team.…

Kohli returns as India look to hit back against South…

INDIA will be looking to Virat Kohli to provide inspiration and runs as they seek to bounce back in the decisive third Test against South Africa starting at Newlands on Tuesday (11). Kohli is expected to return as captain and key batsman after missing India's defeat in the second Test…

Kohli likely to return for third Test, says Dravid

INDIA captain Virat Kohli should be "good to go" for the decisive third Test against South Africa, which starts in Cape Town on Tuesday (11), coach Rahul Dravid said. Kohli missed his side’s seven-wicket defeat in the second Test at the Wanderers after pulling up with a back spasm but…

Elgar takes the blows to inspire South African win over…

South African captain Dean Elgar said there was a double significance to the bruises inflicted by India's fast bowlers during his match-winning 96 not out on the fourth day of the second Test at the Wanderers Stadium. South Africa won by seven wickets to set up a series decider in…

Jansen stars for South Africa to dismiss India

ROOKIE BOWLER Marco Jansen took four wickets as South Africa bowled India out for 202 in their first innings on the opening day of the second Test at the Wanderers on Monday (3). The 21-year-old Jansen, playing in only his second Test, returned impressive figures of 4 for 31 in…

Coach Dravid hails ‘phenomenal’ Kohli

INDIA coach Rahul Dravid believes a run of big scores from Virat Kohli is just around the corner and praised the work ethic and leadership of his captain ahead of the second Test against South Africa at The Wanderers on Monday (3). India wrapped up a 113-run victory on Thursday…

Kohli ruled out of second Test against South Africa

INDIA captain Virat Kohli was on Monday (3) ruled out of the second Test against South Africa in Johannesburg just before the start of the game because of an upper back spasm, leaving KL Rahul to lead the side in the crucial match. Rahul said at the toss that Kohli…

Kohli eyes historic series victory for India over South Africa

INDIAN captain Virat Kohli has every reason to be confident his team can seal an historic Test series win in South Africa when they face the hosts in the second Test at the Wanderers Stadium on Monday (3). India have yet to be beaten in a Test match at South…

KL Rahul to lead India in South Africa ODI series

INDIA opener KL Rahul has been named captain for the three-match one-day international (ODI) series in South Africa with newly appointed skipper Rohit Sharma still unavailable due to injury, the Indian board's (BCCI) selectors said on Friday (31). Rohit, who replaced Virat Kohli as India's white-ball skipper earlier this month,…

Kohli praise for “motivated” India after S Africa win

India seamers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami took three wickets each as the tourists bowled South Africa out for 191 to claim victory by 113 runs just after lunch on the fifth day of the first test at Centurion Park on Thursday. South Africa had resumed on 94 for four…

India strike early as South Africa start big chase

INDIA struck early as South Africa started a challenging chase for victory on the fourth day of the first Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday (29). Set to make 305 on a pitch of variable bounce, South Africa were 22 for one at tea. First innings hero Mohammed…

Dravid urges India to seize their moment in history

INDIA coach Rahul Dravid has urged his players to seize the chance to claim a first ever Test series win in South Africa, a moment that could be career defining for many in the team. India have enjoyed recent success in Australia and England, but South Africa remains a mighty…

Kohli’s India seek to conquer final frontier in South Africa

VIRAT KOHLI bruised from being fired as India's one-day captain bids to rebound by leading his country to a historic triumph in South Africa in a three-match Test series which starts at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Sunday (26). South Africa is the only regular Test-playing nation where India have…

Ganguly shouldn’t have spoken on Kohli captaincy issue: Vengsarkar

Former India captain and chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar feels that BCCI president Sourav Ganguly wasn't right in airing his views on behalf of national selectors Virat Kohli's captaincy saga which has triggered a controversy. Ahead of their departure to South Africa, Virat Kohli in a media conference said that…

Gavaskar says Ganguly needs to clear air on Kohli’s comments…

THE legendary Sunil Gavaskar feels Sourav Ganguly is the best person to clear the air on Virat Kohli's contradictory statement on the issue of captaincy, saying the BCCI president "surely should be asked" how the difference in perception arose. Days after Kohli quit T20I captaincy, Ganguly said that the BCCI…

Kohli says given 90 minutes notice before ODI captaincy sacking

VIRAT KOHLI said on Wednesday (15) that he was told only 90 minutes before the official announcement that he had been sacked as India's one-day captain. Kohli quit as T20 skipper after the recent World Cup and last week was removed as ODI captain, with India's cricket board saying it…

Rohit out of South Africa Tests due to injury

INDIA batsman Rohit Sharma has been ruled of the three Tests in South Africa due to a hamstring injury he suffered while training, the country's cricket board said on Monday (13). Rohit, who has replaced Virat Kohli as the national limited-overs skipper, was earlier named vice-captain of the Test squad…

Kohli loses ODI captaincy, Rohit named India’s white-ball skipper

Opener Rohit Sharma replaced Virat Kohli as India's one-day captain on Wednesday, thus taking charge of both the white-ball squads ahead of their tour of South Africa later this month. Kohli led India in all three formats until the Twenty20 World Cup last month, after which he relinquished 20-overs captaincy…

Clear communication key while making tough selection decisions: Dravid

India coach Rahul Dravid on Monday indicated that the team management may take some tough selection decisions going forward and emphasised the need to have clear communication with the players. Opener Rohit Sharma was rested for the entire Test series while captain Virat Kohli skipped the opening match. Mayank Agrawal…

Ajaz makes 14-for as India set New Zealand 540 to…

INDIA on Sunday (5) set New Zealand a daunting 540 to win the second Test, with the Kiwis' Mumbai-born spinner Ajaz Patel taking 14 of the hosts' 17 wickets to fall. A wicket and a spider cam problem forced early tea on day three with Will Young batting on seven…

‘Clinical’ India thrash New Zealand to clinch Test series

INDIA hammered New Zealand by 372 runs to win the second Test on Monday (6), despite the Black Caps' Mumbai-born spinner Ajaz Patel making history with 10 wickets in the first innings. Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin claimed a match tally of eight wickets - and 300th scalp on home soil…

Ton-up Agarwal helps India to 221-4 after Patel’s four wickets

Mayank Agarwal hit an unbeaten 120 to lead India's fightback on the opening day of the second Test after Mumbai-born New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel took all four wickets to fall. India reached 221 for four at stumps with Agarwal and wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha, on 25, in the middle after…

Fate of India’s South Africa tour should be known in…

India cricketers expect to know in the next few days whether their tour of South Africa later this month will go ahead following the emergence there of the Omicron coronavirus variant, captain Virat Kohli said on Thursday. Sport in South Africa began to shut down last week following the emergence…

India face welcome dilemma with return of skipper Kohli

Virat Kohli will return to lead India in the second Test against top-ranked New Zealand on Friday, posing a welcome selection dilemma for the hosts. The Mumbai clash will mark Kohli's return after he stepped down as Twenty20 captain at the end of the World Cup last month and took…

Stokes, Archer released from IPL’s Royals ahead of auction

ENGLAND stars Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer have been released by their IPL team Rajasthan Royals ahead of the auction as franchises on Tuesday (30) announced names of retained players. England's Eoin Morgan and David Warner of Australia also parted ways with Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad respectively, with…

Iyer, Saha fifties set New Zealand 284 target

INDIA'S Shreyas Iyer once again dazzled on his debut Test, hitting his second 50-plus score of the match to put his team in charge of the opening Test against New Zealand on Sunday (28). New Zealand claimed four wickets in the morning session to nose ahead on the penultimate day…

Debutant Iyer, Gill shine for India against New Zealand

DEBUTANT Shreyas Iyer and recalled opener Shubman Gill struck half-centuries to help India overcome Kyle Jamieson's terrific display of seam bowling and post 258-4 in the opening Test against New Zealand in Kanpur on Thursday (25). If Gill's 52 helped India overcome the early loss of opener Mayank Agarwal, Iyer's…

Can’t take India lightly in home conditions, says Williamson

New Zealand will not start as favourites despite facing an Indian team missing several key players, skipper Kane Williamson said Wednesday, as the world's two top-ranked teams geared up for a spin battle in their first Test. Hosts India have rested skipper Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah…

Exclusive: ‘Unfinished business’ as India, New Zealand renew Test rivalry

Former England bowler Steve Harmison predicts bright future for India under coach Rahul Dravid NEW India coach Rahul Dravid got a boost as the team beat New Zealand in the three-match T20I series, but the real battle will be the two Tests starting November 25 in Kanpur. It wasn’t long…

Ashwin says too early to comment on Dravid’s coaching style

RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN says it's too early to comment on Rahul Dravid's coaching style but the premier India spinner is confident that happiness will be back in the dressing room under the stalwart's guidance. Dravid replaced Ravi Shastri in the Indian set-up, beginning his stint with the ongoing India-New Zealand Twenty20…

‘Players are not machines,’ says Indian T20 captain Rohit Sharma

INDIAN T20 skipper Rohit Sharma said on Tuesday (16) his players were "not machines" and needed rest, ahead of an imminent encounter with New Zealand on home turf just days after the World Cup. New Zealand's tour begins with the first of three Twenty20 internationals on Wednesday, only three days…

India’s new coach Dravid seeks right recipe for global success

INDIA must strike a balance between trying to win every match and building a side that can be successful in future global cricket events, new head coach Rahul Dravid said on Tuesday (16). Success in International Cricket Council events has eluded India in recent years and the team failed to…

Kohli should give up captaincy in all formats: Afridi

FORMER Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi feels India captain Virat Kohli should step down from the leadership role in all formats of the game to flourish as a batsman. Speaking on the Samaa television channel, Afridi said that the BCCI's decision to appoint Rohit Sharma as India's T20 captain was a…

Kohli to skip first match, Rohit rested for New Zealand…

INDIA'S regular captain Virat Kohli will skip the opening Test against New Zealand this month as the hosts named a depleted side for the two-match series on Friday. The team will be led by Ajinkya Rahane in the Nov. 25-29 Test in Kanpur with Kohli returning at the helm for…

Rohit Sharma named new India T20 captain

ROHIT SHARMA has been named the new captain of India's T20 side, replacing Virat Kohli, the cricket board said Tuesday (9) after the side were dumped out of the World Cup. The Board of Cricket Control of India tweeted that the 34-year-old opening batsman was "named the T20I Captain for…

Pakistan ’emperor’ Babar ready to conquer world

He was the fresh-faced 15-year-old who stared down Shoaib Akhtar in the nets, became the highest-ranked T20 batsman in the world before being elevated to national hero after masterminding a rare Pakistan victory over India. In the breathless aftermath of that 10-wicket win over their fiercest rivals at the World…

Kapil Dev says India stars put IPL before country

Indian legend Kapil Dev accused the country's cricket players of prioritising the cash-rich Indian Premier League over national duty, after the pre-tournament favourites were dumped out of the T20 World Cup. "When the players prefer to play IPL over playing for the country, what can we say? I believe that…

T20 World Cup: India blitz Scotland to keep alive slender…

FORMER Twenty20 World Cup champions India kept alive their slim chances of making the semifinals with an eight-wicket rout of Scotland in their Super 12 Group II match on Friday (5). Virat Kohli elected to field after winning his first toss of the tournament and the 2007 title holders bundled…

Anushka Sharma wishes Virat Kohli on his birthday: I just…

Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli tied the knot in December 2017. The two have been giving us a lot of couple goals. On Friday (5), Kohli celebrated his 33rd birthday, and Sharma took to Instagram to wish her husband. The actress wrote a heartfelt post which read, “No filter needed…

Sharma keeps India alive at T20 World Cup

Opening batsman Rohit Sharma hit a blistering 74 to set up India's first win at the Twenty20 World Cup with a 66-run drubbing of Afghanistan on Wednesday as Virat Kohli's team avoided a shock early exit. The Indian batting finally fired with Sharma and KL Rahul, who made 69, putting…

T20 World Cup: Kohli-led India blasted after loss to New…

FORMER India cricketers lined up to slate Virat Kohli's side after Sunday's (31) crushing eight-wicket defeat by New Zealand left them on the brink of elimination from the Twenty20 World Cup. India dropped to fifth in Group II, with their semifinal hopes virtually extinguished after managing to muster only 110…

Kohli admits India ‘not brave enough’ as World Cup hopes…

India captain Virat Kohli admitted his team was "not brave enough" after an eight-wicket rout by New Zealand left their Twenty20 World Cup hopes hanging by a thread on Sunday. Fast bowler Trent Boult and leg-spinner Ish Sodhi shared five wickets to restrict India to 110 for seven after being…

‘Analyse, move forward’, says Bumrah after second World Cup loss

India's Jasprit Bumrah on Sunday said they will "analyse and move forward" to keep their Twenty20 World Cup hopes alive despite a crushing eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand. Trent Boult led an inspired bowling attack to help New Zealand hand India a second successive loss of the Super 12 stage…

Boult stars as New Zealand thrash India in T20 World…

Trent Boult led an inspired bowling attack as New Zealand thrashed Twenty20 World Cup favourites India by eight wickets on Sunday to leave Virat Kohli's men facing a desperate struggle to reach the semi-finals. Boult and leg-spinner Ish Sodhi shared five wickets between them to restrict India to 110 for…

Kohli lashes out at ‘spineless’ online abuse, backs Shami

INDIA captain Virat Kohli lashed out on Saturday (30) at the "spineless people" who abused bowler Mohammed Shami online after his side's defeat in their Twenty20 World Cup opener against Pakistan last weekend. "There's a good reason why we are playing on the field and not some bunch of spineless…

Star at night: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan’s first-strike destroyer

Standing at an imposing 6ft 6ins (1.98m), Shaheen Shah Afridi, the first-strike destroyer of India at the T20 World Cup, is the latest high-end product of Pakistan's fast bowling factory -- left-arm division. From Wasim Akram to Mohammad Amir, with passing hat tips in recent years to the likes of…

Indian cricketer Shami abused online after defeat to Pakistan

A torrent of social media abuse was aimed at India's only Muslim player, the bowler Mohammed Shami, after his side were thrashed by arch-rivals Pakistan at the T20 World Cup. Cricket clashes India and Pakistan usually heighten tensions between the neighbours, who have fought three wars since their independence in…

Kohli denies complacency, vows to rectify mistakes after Pakistan loss

INDIA captain Virat Kohli denied his team underestimated Pakistan in Sunday's high-profile Twenty20 World Cup contest and said they know what went wrong in their 10-wicket thumping by the arch-rivals. India went into the match with a 12-0 record in World Cups against their neighbours but Pakistan snapped that streak…

India jinx over but long way to go, Babar tells…

PAKISTAN finally got the monkey off their back with a 10-wicket thumping of arch-rivals India but skipper Babar Azam refused to get carried away and reminded his jubilant teammates to stay focused on the task ahead at the Twenty20 World Cup. Babar led by example as Pakistan outclassed neighbours India…

‘Will you drop Rohit Sharma?’, bemused Kohli asks in reply…

A "brave" question in the news conference brought some moments of amusement for India captain Virat Kohli in an otherwise chastening night for his team, who were thrashed by arch-rivals Pakistan in the Twenty20 World Cup on Sunday (24). India went into the Dubai blockbuster with a 12-0 record in…

Babar, Rizwan star as Pakistan break India jinx with 10-wicket…

CAPTAIN Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan smashed unbeaten half-centuries as Pakistan crushed India by 10 wickets to register their first win over their arch-rivals in a Twenty20 World Cup on Sunday (24). Chasing 152 for victory, Babar (68) and Rizwan (79) took apart the Indian bowling as they steered their…

Gavaskar backs ‘well-balanced’ India to end world title drought

BATTING great Sunil Gavaskar says India will be the team to beat in the Twenty20 World Cup with a "well-balanced" unit and mentor MS Dhoni's experience. India, who clinched T20's biggest prize in 2007 but have not won a world title since the 2013 Champions Trophy, begin their campaign against…

T20 World Cup: Six great India-Pakistan clashes

VIRAT KOHLI'S India begin the Twenty20 World Cup as one of the favourites and take on arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday (24). Let's take a look at six memorable limited-overs matches between the Asian cricket giants ahead of their latest clash: Last-ball six (April 18, 1986 - Sharjah) Javed…

Kohli banks on ‘priceless’ Bhuvneshwar and fearless Ashwin

INDIA captain Virat Kohli believes swing bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar will prove quite a handful with the new ball in the Twenty20 World Cup beginning on Sunday (17), and said offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin's fearless bowling will boost their title hopes. Going by the just-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) in the United…

Kohli hails impact of ‘inspirational’ mentor Dhoni

VIRAT KOHLI on Saturday (16) hailed MS Dhoni as an "inspiration" who had a "huge impact" on his cricketing journey as the India captain goes in search of the Twenty20 World Cup title. Dhoni, who on Friday (15) led Chennai Super Kings to their fourth IPL crown, captained India to…

Kohli gets a last shot at World Cup glory as…

Virat Kohli will be looking for a fairytale ending to his leadership of India's Twenty20 team as he chases an elusive first major title at the World Cup. The 32-year-old Kohli will step down as T20 skipper after the 16-nation tournament in the United Arab Emirates and Oman that starts…

Dhoni cameo helps Chennai down Delhi to reach ninth IPL…

RUTURAJ Gaikwad's 70 and an unbeaten cameo from skipper MS Dhoni helped Chennai Super Kings reach a ninth Indian Premier League (IPL) final with a four-wicket win over Delhi Capitals on Sunday (10). Chasing 173 for victory, Chennai rode on a 110-run second-wicket partnership between Gaikwad and Robin Uthappa (63)…

Delhi top IPL table, champions Mumbai crash out

Delhi Capitals topped the Indian Premier League table despite losing to Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore while holders Mumbai Indians crashed out on Friday. Srikar Bharat hit a last ball six to steer Bangalore to a dramatic seven-wicket in Dubai on a day IPL witnessed the final two league games…

Hetmyer steers Delhi Capitals to top of IPL table

WEST INDIES batsman Shimron Hetmyer produced a match-winning cameo as Delhi Capitals edged out Chennai Super Kings by three wickets to go top of the Indian Premier League table on Monday (4). Chasing 137 for victory, Delhi depended on a brisk 39 by Shikhar Dhawan and Hetmyer's 18-ball 28 to…

Kohli’s Bangalore claim IPL playoff spot

Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Punjab Kings by six runs in a thrilling clash Sunday to secure their place in the Indian Premier League playoffs. Glenn Maxwell hit 57 off 33 balls and Devdutt Padikkal 40 as Bangalore made 164 for seven from their 20 overs in Sharjah. Punjab…

Sharma claims victory for India in England Test series

India batting star Rohit Sharma risked controversy Monday (4) by claiming that his country won a recent Test series in England that was cut short by a coronavirus scare before the final match could be played. With England and India still negotiating over whether the fifth match in the series…

We have got rewards because we have been fearless: Kohli

Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli on Wednesday (30) said impressive middle overs bowling and staying fearless during the game's crucial moments contributed to the team's fine run in this edition of the IPL. RCB rode on an all-round performance to beat Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets here to boost…

Kohli becomes first Indian to reach 10,000 runs in T20…

VIRAT KOHLI became the first Indian batsman to notch up 10,000 runs in Twenty20 cricket during his side Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) game against the Mumbai Indians in Dubai on Sunday (26). The 32-year-old is the second man after West Indies' Chris Gayle to reach the landmark in both T20…

IPL 2021: Chennai inflict new defeat on Kohli’s Bangalore

MS DHONI'S Chennai Super Kings inflicted new pain on Virat Kohli on Friday (24), beating his Royal Challengers Bangalore by six wickets in the Indian Premier League. Chennai, bolstered by 38 from opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, overcame Bangalore's 156 for six with 11 balls to spare as Dhoni won the latest…

IPL 2021: Iyer, Narine star as Kolkata thrash Mumbai

EOIN MORGAN'S Kolkata Knight Riders won their second straight Indian Premier League match with a seven-wicket thrashing of holders Mumbai Indians on Thursday (23) to move into the top four. Opener Venkatesh Iyer smashed 53 and put on an attacking second-wicket partnership of 88 with Rahul Tripathi, who made an…

Kohli says RCB’s heavy IPL defeat a wake-up call

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli said Monday's (21) nine-wicket Indian Premier League defeat by Kolkata Knight Riders was a massive jolt to his side as they resumed their quest for a first title in the Twenty20 competition. Kohli, who will step down as captain of the franchise after…

Gaikwad stars as Chennai wins opener of revived IPL 2021

RUTURAJ GAIKWAD smashed an unbeaten 88 as Chennai Super Kings beat holders Mumbai Indians by 20 runs in the first match of the revived Indian Premier League on Sunday (19). The 14th edition of the Covid-hit Twenty20 tournament resumed in the United Arab Emirates with limited spectators back in the…

Kohli to step down as RCB skipper after 2021 IPL…

VIRAT KOHLI will step down as captain of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) after the 2021 season, the player announced on Sunday (19). Kohli this week also gave up the captaincy of India's Twenty20 side to manage his immense workload, saying he would not continue…

Ravi Shastri says he will not seek extension after T20…

INDIA head coach Ravi Shastri has said that he will not seek an extension of his contract when his tenure ends after the Twenty20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Since replacing Anil Kumble in mid-2017, Shastri, 59, has overseen two test series victories in Australia, although…

Five players to watch as IPL rivalries are revived

THE Indian Premier League roars back this weekend in the United Arab Emirates, more than four months after being halted by the coronavirus pandemic in India. With the high-octane tournament concluding immediately ahead of next month's Twenty20 World Cup, AFP Sport highlights five players to watch in the white-ball extravaganza:…

International exodus casts shadow as IPL resumes in UAE

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE action will resume on Sunday (19) in the United Arab Emirates in front of spectators, but without a host of top international stars after four months of pandemic suspension. Fans will be in the stands for the first time in two years when Rohit Sharma's title-holders, Mumbai…

Former players back Rohit as India’s T20 captain

OPENER Rohit Sharma has demonstrated his leadership qualities in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and is an obvious choice to succeed Virat Kohli as India's Twenty20 captain, according to several former players. Kohli, who has led India across formats, has decided to relinquish Twenty20 captaincy after the 20-overs World Cup…

Kohli to step down as India’s T20 captain after World…

VIRAT KOHLI will step down as captain of the Indian Twenty20 side after the upcoming World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and Oman, the player said on Thursday (16). Kohli, also the team's batting mainstay, cited the need to balance his workload as he vacated the role which is…

Kohli backed to continue as India captain in all three…

VIRAT KOHLI will continue to captain India in all three formats, a top national cricket board official said on Tuesday (14), after speculation that the batting great could be replaced as skipper for limited-overs games. Kohli's recent sketchy form with the bat has led to reports that changes could be…

India-England fifth Test cancelled due to Covid concerns

THE fifth and deciding Test between England and India was cancelled on Friday (10) just hours before the scheduled start over Covid-19 concerns in the tourists' camp. The England and Wales Cricket Board said fears over the coronavirus, related to an outbreak among backroom staff, had left India unable to…

T20 World Cup: Ashwin returns, Dhoni named mentor

INDIA on Wednesday (8) called in national legend MS Dhoni to act as team mentor for the Twenty20 World Cup starting next month. The 40-year-old, who retired from international cricket last year, is India's most successful captain having won the World Cup, the inaugural T20 World Cup and the Champions…

Kohli hails Indian bowlers, Root wants England to be ‘ruthless’

INDIA skipper Virat Kohli lavished praise on his bowlers on Monday (7), hailing their exploits in The Oval Test against England as one of the top three bowling performances under his captaincy. The touring side set England a massive victory target of 368 and shot them out for 210 in…

‘Lord’ Thakur proves his worth in India’s Oval triumph

ROHIT SHARMA took the player-of-the-match award and Jasprit Bumrah produced what pundits called the "spell of the summer" but Shardul Thakur's role was no less important in fashioning India's victory in the fourth Test against England on Monday (6). The team led by Virat Kohli produced a bowling masterclass on…

Ganguly: India cricket ahead of the rest

INDIA'S cricket chief Sourav Ganguly has said his country's win over England proves they are "far ahead" of the rest in the Test world. The Indian board president said it had been a "great show" to see Jasprit Bumrah lead the Indian attack to bowl out England for just 210…

Hameed, Burns give England steady start to daunting chase

ENGLAND made a strong start to their pursuit of a daunting 368-run victory target against India in the fourth Test, which appeared delicately poised heading into the final day at the Oval on Monday (6). Openers Haseeb Hameed and Rory Burns guided England to 77 for no loss at stumps…

Pitch invader arrested on suspicion of assault after Bairstow collision

A man who invaded the pitch in the fourth test between England and India at the Oval on Friday has run into trouble with the authorities after he was arrested on suspicion of assault for colliding with batsman Jonny Bairstow. The man, identified as YouTuber Daniel 'Jarvo' Jarvis by British…

‘A cultural thing’: Cricket defines British-Indian identity

Three flags fluttering above the pavilion of London's Oval cricket ground neatly symbolised the interchangeable identities of Britain's ethnic minorities at the fourth Test between England and India on Thursday. A British Union Jack flew highest in the middle, flanked by England's Saint George's Cross and an Indian tricolour, as…

Pope and Woakes edge England ahead of India in fourth…

Ollie Pope and Chris Woakes both scored valuable fifties on their return to Test cricket as England recovered from a top-order collapse to build a lead over India at the Oval on Friday. Pope made 81 on his Surrey home ground and all-rounder Woakes exactly 50 before England were dismissed…

India fight back with Root wicket after 191 all out

ENGLAND bowled out India for 191 before suffering a top-order collapse of their own on a bowler-dominated opening day of the fourth Test at The Oval on Thursday (2). The hosts lost their talismanic captain Joe Root in the penultimate over of the day to concede some of their advantage…

Kohli says India is the team that ‘everyone wants to…

INDIA captain Virat Kohli says his relationship with head coach Ravi Shastri is based on mutual respect and trust, something that has helped them make this team the one that "everyone wants to beat." On the eve of the fourth Test against England at the Oval on Thursday (2), Kohli…

England are ‘wary of Ashwin’s abilities’ – India bowling coach

India bowling coach Bharat Arun said it was possible Ravichandran Ashwin could feature in the fourth Test at the Oval starting Thursday as the "Englishmen are wary of his abilities". Although off-spinner Ashwin has 413 Test wickets and five hundreds to his credit, he has yet to feature so far…

Root urges England to be ‘ruthless’ against India in fourth…

England captain Joe Root has urged his team to produce a "ruthless" display in the fourth Test against India at the Oval starting on Thursday (2). England's innings and 76-run victory at Headingley last week has left the five-match series all square at 1-1. But with wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler absent…

Silverwood says England-India series could be an epic

England coach Chris Silverwood believes his side's ongoing contest with India could prove to be one of Test cricket's most memorable series. The teams travel to London for next week's fourth Test at the Oval all square at 1-1 in a five-match campaign after a rain-marred draw in Nottingham was…

Kohli vows India won’t be ‘demoralised’ by England hammering

India captain Virat Kohli insisted his side would not be "demoralised" by a resounding innings-and 76-run defeat in the third Test at Headingley on Saturday that saw England level the five-match series at 1-1. The tourists' fate in Leeds was effectively sealed when they were dismissed for just 78 by…

Washington Sundar ruled out of IPL with finger injury

ALLROUNDER Washington Sundar was ruled out of the remainder of this year's Indian Premier League on Monday (30) due to a finger injury, raising doubts over his availability for the Twenty20 World Cup later this year. The 21-year-old Sundar, who bowls off-spin and is a handy batsman lower down the…

India collapse as England level series with crushing win

ENGLAND'S Ollie Robinson struck four times with the second new ball as the hosts thrashed India by an innings and 76 runs to level the series on day four of the third Test at Headingley on Saturday (28). Resuming on an overnight score of 215 for 2, the visitors crashed…

Resurgent Pujara leads India’s resistance at Headingley

CHETESHWAR PUJARA orchestrated India's spirited resistance with an unbeaten career-reviving 91 but England remained on course for a series-levelling victory in the third Test at Headingley on Friday (27). Under pressure to save his place in the side, Pujara added 82 runs with Rohit Sharma and 99 with Virat Kohli…

Root hits hundred, England stamp domination at Headingley

ENGLAND captain Joe Root smashed his third hundred in three Tests, putting his team in pole position for a series-levelling victory in the third match against India on Thursday (26). Root's majestic 121 headlined a strong top-order performance by the hosts, who had bundled out India for 78 to seize…

‘Absolutely nailed it,’ says Anderson after India all out for…

James Anderson said England "absolutely nailed it" after they dismissed India for just 78 on the opening day of the third Test at Headingley on Wednesday (25) before surging into a first-innings lead without losing a wicket. India captain Virat Kohli won the toss only for Anderson to remove a…

England in charge at Headingley after India collapse for 78

ENGLAND shot out India for a paltry 78 and cruised to 120 for no loss in their robust reply to take early control of the third Test at Headingley on Wednesday (25). Complementing the bowlers' effort, Haseeb Hamid and Rory Burns batted through rest of the opening day forging England's…

Kohli adamant India ‘won’t back down’ against England

India captain Virat Kohli has promised his side won't back down in the remainder of their series against England after saying verbal abuse from the hosts inspired a memorable win at Lord's last week. India are 1-0 up in the five-match contest heading into Wednesday's third Test at Headingley following…

Anderson sparks India collapse to 78 all out in third…

England great James Anderson ripped through the top order as India collapsed to 78 all out on the first day of the third Test at Headingley on Wednesday. Anderson took 3-6 in eight overs, including the prize wicket of India captain Virat Kohli, who won the toss. Both Sam Curran…

India tempted to play Ashwin in Headingley Test

INDIA captain Virat Kohli said that he didn't want to break up a winning team but is tempted by the look of the Headingley pitch to play offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the third Test against England starting on Wednesday (25). Recognising the limited role of a spinner in a seam-dominated…

Wood injury adds to England pace problems ahead of third…

Mark Wood has been ruled out of this week's third Test with India dealing a blow to the hosts' hopes of levelling the five-match series which the tourists lead 1-0. The 31-year-old has a jarred right shoulder, a result of diving headlong into an advertising hoarding when saving a boundary…

Bangalore coach Katich steps down, Hesson takes over for rest…

Royal Challengers Bangalore said on Saturday their Australian coach Simon Katich will be unavailable for the remainder of the Indian Premier League campaign due to personal reasons, with Director of Cricket Operation Mike Hesson taking over. The eight-team Twenty20 competition was suspended in May after several players and backroom staff…

When Kohli told team to give England ‘hell’ at Lord’s

THE Indian team responded really well to their captain's call when Virat Kohli told his teammates to give England "hell" during the hosts' fourth innings in the second innings at Lord's. A video clip has emerged where Kohli is seen giving instructions to the players in a team huddle by…

Mohammed Siraj: India’s pace sensation

HE appeared in his very first India series in the long format as a tragic hero. Last November, Mohammed Siraj was in Australia, expecting to bag the Test cap for his country. The quarantine rule was at play at the height of the coronavirus pandemic and amid the restrictions, the…

Kohli elated after ‘late Independence Day’ win over England

INDIA captain Virat Kohli promised there would no let-up from his side following an impressive 151-run win over England in the second Test at Lord's on Monday (16) he labelled a "day late" Independence celebration. This match was in the balance early on the final day before a ninth-wicket stand…

Anushka Sharma, Shahid Kapoor and other B-Town celebs celebrate Indian…

Indian Cricket team on Monday (16) won against England at the Lord's Cricket Ground in the ongoing five-match series. Team India beat team England by 151 runs. Many Bollywood celebs like Anushka Sharma, Shahid Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, and others took to social media to celebrate team India’s victory. Anushka Sharma…

Bowlers shine as India thrash England to take series lead

India's pacemen produced a terrific display of swing bowling to crush England by 151 runs in the second test at Lord's on Monday (16), taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. England were bowled out for 120 in pursuit of a target of 272 on the final day, succumbing…

Former India cricket hope Chand moves to US

Unmukt Chand, captain of India's victorious Under-19 World Cup team in 2012 when he smashed a century, has become the latest out-of-favour player from South Asia and beyond to decamp to the United States. Chand, now 28, drew comparisons with Virat Kohli but never broke into the adult national side…

Moeen says new ball the key to second Test against…

Moeen Ali forecast the new ball would prove decisive in settling the second Test between England and India after Sunday's see-saw fourth day at Lord's left the match intriguingly poised. India were 181-6 in their second innings, a lead of 154 runs, when bad light forced an early close to…

England in control despite Pujara-Rahane defensive masterclass

AJINKYA RAHANE and Cheteshwar Pujara produced a defensive masterclass to keep India alive but England looked in charge of the second Test after an enthralling fourth day's play at Lord's on Sunday (15). India were 181 for 6, a lead of 154, when bad light stopped play with Rishabh Pant,…

Rahul century makes England bowlers toil at Lord’s

INDIA batsman KL Rahul cracked a superb unbeaten century and Rohit Sharma made 83 as the visitors reached a strong position at 276 for 3 after the opening day of a rain-hit second test against England at Lord's on Thursday (12). Rahul dropped anchor early in his innings as Rohit…

Kohli says India to blame for ‘crucial’ over-rate points penalty

India captain Virat Kohli said his team had no one to blame but themselves after both they and England were docked two World Test Championship points each for maintaining a slow over-rate in their rain-marred drawn series opener at Nottingham last week. Both teams were also fined 40 per cent…

England consider Moeen as they ponder Test changes against India

ENGLAND could recall Moeen Ali in one of several changes for the second Test against India at Lord's starting on Thursday (12) after escaping with a draw in the series opener. The tourists had the better of a rain-affected first Test at Trent Bridge, with a hundred from home captain…

Kohli confident of India ‘template’ in ‘blockbuster’ England series

India captain Virat Kohli said his side had the "right template" for the remainder of their "blockbuster" series against England after enjoying the better of a rain-marred draw in the first Test. The tourists were frustrated in their bid to go 1-0 up in a five-match contest when rain washed…

Kohli elated with ‘gold dust’ from tailenders

A near 50-run haul by India's notoriously brittle batting tail in the first innings of the drawn opening Test against England was like "gold dust", Indian captain Virat Kohli said. Since 2018, India's last three batsmen have had the worst average of all Test playing nations. They made a significant…

Rain prevents grandstand finish to England-India 1st Test

Rain scuppered what promised to be a thrilling conclusion to the first Test between England and India at Trent Bridge as the match ended in a draw without a ball bowled on Sunday's last day. The opening fixture in this five-Test series was intriguingly poised with India 52-1 in their…

Rahul and Jadeja repel England before rain arrives

KL RAHUL, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah took a toll of England's attack in contrasting fashions to leave India well-placed in the first Test at Trent Bridge on Friday (6) before rain brought about a premature end to the third day's play. Opening batsman Rahul, in his first Test for…

Anderson strikes leave India wobbling on day two

INDIA captain Virat Kohli was out for nought first ball in the first Test amid a collapse that saw England great James Anderson take two wickets with successive deliveries on Thursday's (5) second day at Trent Bridge. Kohli was caught behind off Anderson by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler one ball after…

Bumrah strikes as India dominate first day of England series

India's Jasprit Bumrah took four wickets as England suffered their latest batting collapse in slumping to 183 all out on the opening day of the first Test at Trent Bridge on Wednesday. Bumrah, who struck with the fifth ball of the match to remove Rory Burns for one of four…

Kohli says more players could follow Stokes’ mental health example

India captain Virat Kohli believes more players could follow the example of England all-rounder Ben Stokes unless gaps are created in a congested global fixture schedule. Stokes is missing the five-Test series against India which started at Trent Bridge on Wednesday while he takes an indefinite break from the game…

Anderson ‘excited’ to go up against Kohli again

JAMES ANDERSON said he was "excited" by the prospect of facing India captain Virat Kohli again as two of the world's best cricketers prepare for yet another head-to-head clash. Anderson is the first fast bowler to take 600 Test wickets, with Kohli one of the outstanding batsmen of his generation.…

Kohli says more players could follow Stokes’ mental health example

INDIA captain Virat Kohli believes more players could follow the example of England allrounder Ben Stokes unless gaps are created in a congested global fixture schedule. Stokes is missing the upcoming five-Test series against India starting at Trent Bridge on Wednesday (4) while he takes an indefinite break from the…

Gavaskar says team can look for someone else if they…

FORMER batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has backed the under-pressure Cheteshwar Pujara and said the Indian team management can explore "someone else" if it feels his method is not working anymore. Known for his rock-solid defence and textbook batting technique, Pujara received a lot of flak for not being able to…

Hasaranga dominates India as Sri Lanka clinch T20 series 2-1

SRI LANKA continued its resurgence to defeat the Covid-battered India by seven wickets in the third T20 international on Thursday (29) and win the three-match series 2-1. The hosts’ victory was shaped by spinner Wanindu Hasaranga who took his career-best T20 haul of four wickets for just nine runs on…

Editor’s comment: India’s Olympics joy

IN A country where cricket stars such as Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar have god-like status, the time has come for India’s female sports stars to revel in a similar spotlight. Weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu became the latest Indian woman to proudly stand on the Olympic podium after she won…

Unboxing new ways to earn

POSTING online videos of unwrapping presents may sound bizarre to some people, but for social media influencers, it is the gift that keeps on giving. Internet personalities in countries including the UK and India, are making a fortune and gaining millions of subscribers and followers from unboxing items and reviewing…

Learnt from Dhoni how to take a match to last…

INDIA pacer Deepak Chahar, who starred with the bat in the second ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo, said he has learnt the art of chasing from Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Chahar scripted India's come-from-behind win on Tuesday (20) with an unbeaten 69 at number eight. "He (Dhoni) has had a…

Dhawan, Kishan make short work of Sri Lanka’s total

SKIPPER Shikhar Dhawan and debutant Ishan Kishan hit half-centuries as India hammered Sri Lanka by seven wickets on Sunday (18) in the first one-day international of a series delayed by the coronavirus. Chasing 263 for victory, India depended on Dhawan's 33rd ODI half-century, fellow opener Prithvi Shaw's 24-ball 43 and…

India wicketkeeper Pant on ‘way to recovery’ after positive Covid…

India wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is "on his way to recovery" after testing positive for Covid-19 as the squad prepares for a Test series in England, the Board of Control for Cricket in India said Thursday. India's players, led by captain Virat Kohli, are currently in London but will enter a…

Vaughan fears Covid could wreck England-India series

FORMER England captain Michael Vaughan on Thursday (15) raised concerns over the upcoming five-Test series between India and England, saying change to Covid-19 related isolation laws is the need of the hour. Vaughan's comments came after reports emerged that India wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant had tested positive for the coronavirus and…

There’s no reason to remove Shastri if he is doing…

There is no reason to remove Ravi Shastri from Indian cricket team's head coach's position if he continues to produce results, feels legendary former captain Kapil Dev. The 59-year-old Shastri's contract comes to an end after the completion of T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in October-November and…

UK week wrap: 7 highlights and revelations you don’t want…

Missed the headlines last week? Eastern Eye presents some of the highlights from the past seven days: 1. UK opens new immigration route for graduates:     [caption id="attachment_148727" align="aligncenter" width="500"] iStock image[/caption]   A new immigration route opened on Thursday (1), allowing international graduates to kick-start their careers in…

Indian ‘B team’ tour undermines Sri Lanka’s dignity: Ranatunga

SRI Lanka's World Cup-winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga on Friday (2) slammed the island's sports leaders for agreeing to a tour by a "second-level" India side. Ranatunga, 57, said the tour undermined the country's "dignity" as he attacked sports minister Namal Rajapaksa and Sri Lanka Cricket. India's team led by Shikhar…

Javid returns to the centre of UK politics

IT WOULD be ironic if Sajid Javid, who is back from the political wilderness as Matt Hancock’s replacement as health secretary, and Rishi Sunak, who succeeded him 16 months ago as chancellor, fight it out one day for the top job in British politics. Asian vs Asian for the post…

Instagram richlist: Kohli and Priyanka among world’s top 30 influencers

INDIA cricket team captain Virat Kohli and actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas are among the world’s top 30 costliest Instagram influencers, according to a recently released list, with footballer Cristiano Ronaldo taking the top slot.   With 125 million followers, the Indian cricket captain is in the top 20 list with…

Separate teams will ease pressure on India’s cricketers, says Dravid

Rahul Dravid on Sunday (27) said separate teams for different formats is a short-term solution to easing the pressure on India's cricketers during the coronavirus pandemic. Dravid, who has coached India A and Under-19 teams and is currently director at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), will travel with a second-string…

Kohli defends team combination after WTC final defeat

Skipper Virat Kohli defended India's bowling combination for the World Test Championship final, saying going in with a four-pronged pace attack was possible only with a fast-bowling all-rounder. India fielded both Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja along with pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami. Kohli asserted…

Kohli calls for World Test final to be played over…

Virat Kohli said future editions of the World Test Championship final should be played as a three-match series after his India side were beaten by New Zealand in the inaugural showpiece match at Southampton on Wednesday. New Zealand triumphed by eight wickets in a final extended into a sixth day…

Kohli bemused by lack of warm-up matches before England series

India captain Virat Kohli said his team wanted to play first-class games to build up for the five-Test series against England in August but their request was turned down for reasons not known to him. The Indian team, which lost the Word Test Championship final against New Zealand, came into…

World Test Championship final: Southee’s strikes open up result possibility

TIM SOUTHEE removed both India openers late on Tuesday (22) to give New Zealand hope of an unlikely victory in the World Test Championship final as the showpiece match headed into the reserve sixth day. India were 64 for 2 in their second innings at stumps on the fifth day…

New Zealand’s Jamieson takes five before openers frustrate India in…

New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson dismissed Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant in quick succession on his way to a superb five-wicket haul as India were bowled out for 217 in their first innings of the World Test Championship final at Southampton on Sunday. Towering paceman Jamieson finished with miserly figures of…

Kohli leads India revival in World Test final

SKIPPER Virat Kohli led India's revival and steered his team to 146-3 against New Zealand before bad light stopped play in the weather-marred World Test Championship (WTC) final on Saturday (19). Kohli was 44 not out, with the star batsman having hit just one boundary in 124 balls faced. After…

New Zealand’s Latham thankful for extra day after India final…

New Zealand's Tom Latham was thankful for the possibility of extra time after the opening day's play in the inaugural World Test Championship final against India at Southampton on Friday was washed out without a ball being bowled. While a standard Test lasts a maximum of five days, this fixture…

Rain delays start of World Test Championship final

Rain delayed the scheduled start of the inaugural World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand at Southampton on Friday, with no play before lunch on the opening day. The toss should have taken place at 10:00 am local time (0900 GMT), with the match getting underway 30 minutes…

WTC final: Gavaskar says India would be hungry to get…

IT is India's batting depth that helps them bounce back from pressure situations, Sunil Gavaskar said ahead of India's World Test Championship final against New Zealand on Friday (18). Apart from batting stars Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane making the top order, the likes of Ravichandran…

World Test Championship: India and New Zealand get ready for…

INDIA face New Zealand in the inaugural World Test Championship final at the Hampshire Bowl on Friday (18), a clash that have a potential to impact cricket's popularity globally. New Zealand are battle-hardened thanks to a 1-0 series win against England completed on Sunday with a dominant eight-wicket win at…

WTC final: Ashwin and Jadeja named in India’s 15, Thakur…

RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN and Ravindra Jadeja were both named in India's 15-man squad for the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand, which begins in Southampton on Friday (18). Jadeja, along with Mohammed Shami, Hanuma Vihari and Umesh Yadav, all of whom sustained injuries during the tour of Australia…

ICC T20 Men’s World Cup: Top 6 Teams

After being postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic, the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup is back with a blast in 2021. Hosted by India for the second time in a row, it is scheduled for October and November 2021. The 9 top ICC-ranked teams, 8 of which have fought…

Kohli says India and New Zealand on equal terms for…

INDIA captain Virat Kohli said on Wednesday (2) that India and New Zealand would contest the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) final as equals, despite expectations that playing conditions would better suit his opponents. The limited preparation time available to India before the final, which begins on June 18 at…

India, New Zealand to share title if World Test final…

INDIA and New Zealand will be declared joint winners of the World Test Championship if next month's final ends in a draw or tie, cricket's world body, the ICC, said on Friday (28). The two teams will face off in Southampton, England from June 18 to 22, with June 23…

Gill focused on playing sessions on his first UK tour

India opener Shubman Gill feels the team can't be better prepared for the World Test Championship final against New Zealand but underlined the importance of playing session by session in English conditions. Gill is undergoing a 14-day quarantine in Mumbai along with the rest of the squad. It will be…

India-New Zealand WTC final in Southampton to host 4000 fans

THE World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand in Southampton will be held in the presence of 4000 spectators, Hampshire County Club head Rod Bransgrove has said. The Covid-19 situation has improved in the UK and around 1500 people were allowed to watch the county game between Leicestershire…

New Zealand cricketers land for biosecure tour of England

NEW ZEALAND cricketers have arrived in London to start their biosecure tour of England before the ICC World Test Championship Final against India, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said on Monday (17). Most of the Test squad and staff had been transferred to hotel quarantine in Southampton where they will warm…

Dravid picked cues from Australia and created solid pool for…

RAHUL DRAVID picked Australian brains to create a talent identification system better than Australia in India, the legendary Greg Chappell has said, lamenting the current lack of a similar structure in his own country that was "one of the best at developing young players". Chappell said that both India and…

Indian players including Kohli take the jab before England tour

INDIA captain Virat Kohli and several of his teammates have received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccines before they leave for a tour of England next month. India face New Zealand in the final of the inaugural World Test Championship at Southampton in June before playing a five-Test series against…

Remaining IPL games can’t happen in India, says BCCI chief…

THE remainder of the suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) season will have to be played outside the country, the Indian cricket board said, though it is unclear whether a window can be found to play the remaining 31 games. IPL was suspended indefinitely last week after several players and support…

IPL match postponed after two players positive for Covid-19

The Indian Premier League was forced into its first coronavirus postponement this season on Monday (3) after two players tested positive despite the tournament's bio-secure "bubble". The Kolkata Knight Riders' match against Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore was called off just hours before its start in Ahmedabad after Varun Chakaravarthy…

Rahul, Gayle and Brar lead Punjab Kings to victory over…

Captain KL Rahul, West Indies superstar Chris Gayle and slow left-armer Harpreet Brar led Punjab Kings to a 34-run win over Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League on Friday. Rahul hit an undefeated 91 from 57 balls in an innings which featured seven boundaries and five…

IPL 2021: Pant, Hetmyer knocks in vain as Bangalore seal…

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE are again back on top of the table with a thrilling one-run win over Delhi Capitals in an IPL 2021 match on Tuesday (27). AB de Villiers scored an unbeaten 42-ball 75 to power Bangalore to 171 for 5 before their bowlers - Harshal Patel (2 for…

Azam replaces Kohli as fastest to reach 2,000 T20 runs…

Pakistan captain Babar Azam became the fastest batsman to reach 2,000 Twenty20 international runs Sunday, achieving the feat in 52 innings, four fewer than Indian superstar Virat Kohli. Azam lifted his T20 total to 2,035 runs by making 52 as Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 24 runs to win a T20…

IPL 2021: Padikkal century powers Bangalore to 10-wicket win

VIRAT KOHLI became first batsman in IPL history to go past 6,000 runs as Royal Challengers Bangalore extended their unbeaten run in this edition on Thursday (22). 20-year-old Devdutt Padikkal slammed an unbeaten century, his first in IPL as Kohli scored 72 not out in Bangalore's thumping 10-wicket victory over…

Rejuvenated Maxwell leads Bangalore’s IPL title charge

Royal Challengers Bangalore rescued Glenn Maxwell from the Indian Premier League doldrums and now the big-hitting Australian has repaid their faith with the runs that have taken them to the top of the table. The 32-year-old all-rounder was a surprise $1.95 million purchase by Virat Kohli's side after being almost…

Master blaster Babar hits 122 as Pakistan defeat South Africa

Babar Azam gave a batting masterclass to lead Pakistan to a nine-wicket win in the third Twenty20 international against South Africa at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday. Babar hit 122, his first T20 international century, and shared a record Pakistan first wicket partnership of 197 with Mohammad Rizwan (73…

Kohli reprimanded for IPL temper tantrum

Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli has been reprimanded after hitting a plastic chair with his bat following his dimissal during an Indian Premier League match. Kohli made 33 in Bangalore's second successive win this season of the popular Twenty20 tournament after they edged out Sunrisers Hyderabad by six runs…

‘Britain couldn’t have come through both wars without the Indian…

  By Amit Roy THE crucial contribution and valour of Indian soldiers in the two world wars are rec­ognised in a book the Royal British Legion is bringing out to mark its 100th anni­versary on May 15. Its author, Julie Summers, told Eastern Eye she had been inspired as a…

IPL 2021: Shahbaz, Maxwell shine in Bangalore’s six-run win

LEFT-ARM spinner Shahbaz Ahmed took three wickets and Glenn Maxwell scored a half-century in Royal Challengers Bangalore's six-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in an IPL 2021 match in Chennai on Wednesday (14). Put in to bat, Bangalore managed to score 149 for 8, riding on Maxwell's 41-ball 59 before Shahbaz…

IPL 2021: De Villiers, Harshal help RCB clinch thrilling opener

AB de Villiers scored a brisk 27-ball 48 to guide Royal Challengers Bangalore to a two-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2021 opener in Chennai on Friday (9). Put in to bat, Mumbai scored 159 for nine and Bangalore managed to cross the line with Harshal Patel sealing…

Mayor Sadiq Khan reveals IPL ambition for London

London Mayor Sadiq Khan wants to bring the glitzy Indian Premier League to the British capital as he seeks to establish the city as the "undisputed sporting capital" of the world. The 14th edition of the Twenty20 cricket tournament starts behind closed doors on Friday, with champions Mumbai Indians facing…

T20 World Cup in India on track despite pandemic woes,…

The International Cricket Council does not yet see the need to activate its backup plan for the Twenty20 World Cup and is sticking to hosting the event in India later this year despite the country experiencing a record COVID-19 surge recently. India reported a record 115,736 new cases on Wednesday,…

Foreign cricketers ‘give up’ on mental health in pandemic: Ganguly

Indian cricket chief Sourav Ganguly has stoked the debate on the pressures of bio-secure bubble cricket by saying Indian players are better at handling mental health than foreign stars. The former national team captain said that many England, Australia and West Indies cricketers "just give up on mental health." The…

From King Kohli to Universe Boss: five to watch in…

Top players from around the world have gathered for the 14th Indian Premier League, which starts on Friday for a 52-day Twenty20 extravaganza played in empty stadiums because of the coronavirus pandemic. Here, we highlight five stars who could be key in stopping Mumbai Indians winning for a third straight…

IPL to begin as per schedule despite Covid-19 worries in…

THE surge in new Covid-19 cases could yet scupper plans to host the Indian Premier League (IPL) in bio-secure bubbles at six venues across the country, starting on Friday (9) in Chennai and climaxing at the world's largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad on May 30. Last year's delayed tournament was…

Hanuma Vihari set for county stint with Warwickshire

HANUMA VIHARI may have missed the IPL bus, but India's Test specialist is all set for a county stint at Warwickshire. The right-handed batsman in order to prepare for the upcoming six-Test season is believed to have left for the UK and would be featuring in at least three games…

Anushka Sharma resumes work post-pregnancy

By Murtuza Iqbal In January this year, Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli welcomed a baby girl and named her Vamika. It was said that post-pregnancy, Anushka will resume work in the month of May. However, the actress has resumed work and was recently spotted shooting for brand endorsement. A source…

England will not panic despite India tour defeats: Buttler

Consecutive Test, Twenty20 and One-Day series defeats would be enough for most cricket nations to ring the changes, but not England, according to team stalwart Jos Buttler. India captain Virat Kohli said after claiming the ODIs with a seven-run win in a tense decider on Sunday that it had been…

Kohli warns players ‘cooked’ in bubble life ahead of IPL…

Virat Kohli says cricketers are suffering after months of bio-secure "bubble" life during the coronavirus pandemic as they head into the high-stress environment of the Indian Premier League. Kohli, one of the game's most disciplined captains, raised his concerns after his India side edged England by seven runs in a…

India edge England in ODI decider despite Curran heroics

India beat England by seven runs on Sunday to clinch the one-day international series 2-1 despite a courageous unbeaten 95 from Sam Curran. England, who had already lost the Test and Twenty20 series, bowled out India for 329 with 10 balls to spare in Pune. England looked on the ropes…

Kohli calls for player power in cricket scheduling

India skipper Virat Kohli on Monday said players should be consulted over the cricket calender as the extended bubble life during the coronavirus pandemic has strengthened fears of burnout. With India headed into three one-day internationals against England starting on Tuesday after winning a gruelling Test series 3-1 and Twenty20…

Match-winner Kohli to stay as T20 opener after India success

Skipper Virat Kohli said he will continue to open the batting in Twenty20 cricket after his unbeaten 80 set up India's series-clinching win over England. Kohli was promoted up the order to partner Rohit Sharma for the first time in the shortest format and the move proved key as they…

India’s best T20 score against England seals series

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma powered India to their best ever Twenty20 score against England as they clinched the series 3-2 with a convincing 36-run win on Saturday. India captain Kohli hit an unbeaten 80 and shared an opening stand of 94 with Sharma, who made a blistering 64, as…

England’s Buttler hails ‘pioneer’ Morgan after 100th T20

Match-winner Jos Buttler praised England captain Eoin Morgan as a "pioneer" after his landmark 100th Twenty20 appearance in Tuesday's victory over India. Buttler, whose unbeaten 83 eclipsed India skipper Virat Kohli's swashbuckling 77, said Morgan was an inspiration to up-and-coming England cricketers. Morgan, 34, has revamped England's approach to limited-overs…

Roy, Archer star as England trounce India by eight wickets…

Jason Roy and Jofra Archer played the lead roles as England thrashed India by eight wickets in the opening Twenty20 international on Friday. Chasing a modest 125, Roy hit a confident 49 as England romped home in 15.3 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series at the…

No room for match-winner Ashwin in India T20 squad: Kohli

Ravichandran Ashwin's dream to play in the Twenty20 World Cup at home later this year could remain just that after skipper Virat Kohli said Thursday there was no spot for the record-breaking spinner in the Indian squad. Ashwin, who last played for India in the shortest format in 2017, has…

India T20 series opportunity to prepare for World Cup: Morgan

England Twenty20 skipper Eoin Morgan said on Thursday the upcoming series against India was an "extremely exciting" challenge that would help the team prepare for the World Cup later this year. The five-match series starts in Ahmedabad on Friday and would be the only opportunity for a full-strength England squad…

Kohli sets sights on ‘one big game’ to win World…

Skipper Virat Kohli said India were "relieved" to make the inaugural World Test Championship final and would now focus on that "one big game" against New Zealand in June after seeing off England. India crushed Joe Root's side inside three days in the fourth Test in Ahmedabad on Saturday to…

India thump England in three days for 3-1 series victory

INDIA thumped England by an innings and 25 runs inside three days in the fourth and final test to complete a 3-1 series victory in Ahmedabad on Saturday (6). India's 13th consecutive test series victory at home also secured their place in the June final of the World Test Championship…

Pant’s flamboyant ton puts India on top against England

RISHABH PANT launched a spectacular late assault in his flamboyant 101 to put India in charge of the fourth and final test against England in Ahmedabad on Friday (5). Ben Stokes led England's lion-hearted bowling effort in the first two sessions but Pant's century-plus partnership with Washington Sundar tilted the…

‘Nothing untoward’, says Stokes on showdown with Kohli

England's Ben Stokes on Thursday said his verbal duel with India skipper Virat Kohli highlighted that two professionals "care about the sport" in what he called the toughest batting conditions. Stokes made 55 in England's 205 all out on the opening day of the fourth and final Test after the…

Patel, Ashwin spin England out for 205 in final Test

INDIAN spinners Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin combined to dismiss England for 205 despite a gritty half-century from Ben Stokes on day one of the fourth Test on Thursday (4). Patel took four while Ashwin three to end England's innings in the final session after they elected to bat first…

Kohli credits Test success to not grumbling about pitches

India skipper Virat Kohli on Wednesday (3) credited India's Test success to not moaning about pitches as he fuelled controversy over spin tracks that have dominated the series against England. "There is always too much noise and too much conversation about spinning tracks," Kohli said on the eve of the…

Kohli hails India’s new ‘lethal’ spin king Patel

India unveiled the latest spin hero from its production line when Axar Patel claimed 11 wickets in the lightning fast two-day Test win over England. The 27-year-old started off his cricket life as a fast bowler and only got his place in this crucial series because of an injury to…

India’s two-day win is bad for Test cricket, pundits say

Victorious India and dejected England players took a rest on Friday on what should have been the third day of a key five-day clash, with warnings that the speed of the result had tarnished the Test format. New spin hero Axar Patel took 11 wickets in two innings as India…

India Test pitch pushed England to ‘extremes’ – coach Silverwood

The Indian Test pitch on which England lost in two days pushed the players to "extremes" but the experience will toughen them for the final clash of the series, coach Chris Silverwood said on Friday. Trailing 2-1 to India after the 10-wicket mauling in Ahmedabad, Silverwood said captain Joe Root…

Advantage India after England 112 all out in pink-ball Test

Axar Patel claimed six wickets as India gained the upper hand in their crucial day-night third Test against England on Wednesday, bowling out their rivals for 112 and then getting within 13 runs of taking the lead. Only the loss of captain Virat Kohli in the final over spoiled the…

India bring in rising IPL stars for T20s against England

India have brought rising IPL stars Varun Chakravarthy, Rahul Tewatia, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav into their squad for the Twenty20 series against England next month. But India will rest star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah for the five-match series to be played in Ahamedabad from March 12. Chakravarthy has had…

Virat Kohli reveals he suffered from depression during 2014 tour…

India captain Virat Kohli has revealed that he battled depression during a harrowing tour of England in 2014 where he felt like the "loneliest guy in the world" after a string of failures with the bat. In a conversation with former England player Mark Nicholas on his Not Just Cricket…

Boycott urges England batsmen to follow Kohli’s spin class

Geoffrey Boycott has told England to learn from the example of India captain Virat Kohli when it comes to batting on spin-friendly pitches. England were twice dismissed cheaply on a Chennai pitch offering considerable turn as hosts India won the second Test by the huge margin of 317 runs on…

Inconsistency in spin department biggest issue for England: Nasser Hussain

England need not moan about the condition of Indian pitches and instead rectify inconsistency in their spin department if they want positive results in the remaining two Tests against India, feels former captain Naseer Hussain. Hussain said Dom Bess' inability to maintain length has been the biggest issue for England,…

Morris smashes IPL record, Moeen goes for £700k as teams…

South Africa all-rounder Chris Morris became the most expensive player bought for the Indian Premier League when Rajasthan Royals paid $2.25 million (£1.6 million) as part of a spending spree by the world's richest Twenty20 tournament. Three-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings, led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, got England spin…

Ashwin plays down Chennai pitch criticism

India's spin spearhead Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed criticism of Chennai's turning track after his match-winning performance secured the hosts' series-levelling victory in the second test against England on Tuesday. India's three-pronged spin attack wreaked havoc on the surface where the ball spun from the first session and kicked up dust on…

Ashwin stars as India thrash England to level Test series

India captain Virat Kohli said Tuesday (16) his side showed more "grit" and "determination" to thrash England in the second Test, playing down complaints about the difficult pitch. With local hero Ravichandran Ashwin claiming eight wickets in the match and scoring 106 in the second innings, India completed a 317-run…

India sense win after Ashwin century flattens England

India continued their march towards a series-levelling victory after Ravichandran Ashwin's scintillating century on a turning track flattened England in the second test on Monday. Chasing a record 482 for an improbable victory, England endured a top order collapse to finish day three on 53-3, still 429 behind at Chennai's…

Eight overseas players in highest bracket for IPL auction

Eight overseas players and two Indian players have chosen to be slotted in the highest bracket of the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction with a base price of two crore rupees ($275,000), India's cricket board (BCCI) said on Thursday. Australia's Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell, England's Moeen Ali, Sam Billings,…

India seek revenge against England as crowds return for second…

Stung by their crushing defeat in the opening match, India and captain Virat Kohli are looking to get their revenge on England in the second Test starting Saturday as crowds return to cheer on the hosts. England, led by Joe Root, outplayed India to win by 227 runs on Tuesday…

Joe Root will probably break all batting records of England:…

Former England captain Nasser Hussain feels incumbent Joe Root is “arguably” the country’s best ever player of spin and can break all the Test batting records accumulated by the nation’s batsmen. Root struck 218 in England’s first innings on a spin-friendly pitch to lead his side to a 227-run win…

Under-pressure Kohli vows ‘tough fight’ after England humiliation

After losing four Tests in a row as captain, Virat Kohli desperately needs his side to bounce back quickly from their crushing defeat by England in the opening match of the Test series. Team changes are certain for the second match that starts in Chennai on Saturday after the 227-run…

Root’s England thrash India by 227 runs in first Test

Joe Root led England to an emphatic 227-run win over India in the opening Test on Tuesday, taking the upper hand in their bid for a rare series victory against the hosts on their patch. Spinner Jack Leach claimed four wickets and paceman James Anderson took three -- two of…

Root celebrates milestone with century as England punish India

ENGLAND's Joe Root celebrated his 100th test with an unbeaten 128 against India as he and opener Dom Sibley put the tourists in a commanding position in the opening match on Friday(5). The England captain had demanded a big first-innings total from his team after electing to bat at Chennai's…

India skipper Kohli hails relationship with vice-captain Rahane

India skipper Virat Kohli said on Thursday his relationship with vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, hero of India's landmark win over Australia last month, is based on "trust" and key to the team's Test success. Kohli, who missed most of the Australia tour on paternity leave and had faced calls to give…

Kohli’s India face England with Lord’s Test final at stake

New dad Virat Kohli returns to captain a buoyant India against England as they aim to build on their crushing win over Australia by sealing a place in the World Test Championship final. Kohli, who welcomed a baby daughter last month, missed most of the Australia series on paternity leave…

India ‘mentally tough’ for England series, says Test hero Rahane

India are "mentally tough" despite the coronavirus pandemic as they prepare to take on England in a Test series starting Friday, vice captain Ajinkya Rahane said. Rahane, one of the heroes of India's upset series triumph in Australia last month, also insisted that he was happy to have captain Virat…

Anushka Sharma shares a glimpse of her baby girl, reveals…

By Murtuza Iqbal On 11th January 2021, Virat Kohli on social media had made an announcement that he and Anushka Sharma are blessed with a baby girl. Well, fans of Virat and Anushka have been waiting to see a picture of their daughter, and today, the actress took to Instagram…

India’s Siraj says Australia abuse made him ‘mentally strong’

India bowler Mohammed Siraj has given his first public account of the crowd abuse he suffered during the Australia Test series, saying it made him "mentally strong". Siraj said India, who stunned Australia to win the series 2-1, declined an offer from the umpires to walk off the field as…

Siraj visits father’s grave after fulfilling test dream

WHILE his India team mates lapped up the acclaim after returning from their triumphant Australia tour, Mohammed Siraj drove straight from Hyderabad airport to a burial ground to pay his respects to his father, who passed away in November. The right-arm quick was one of the heroes of India's epic…

India coach Shastri hails ‘one of the greatest series ever’

An injury-ravaged India's 2-1 triumph in Australia under a stand-in captain will go down as one of the greatest series ever played, coach Ravi Shastri said on Tuesday. India were bundled down for a record low of 36 in Adelaide and regular skipper Virat Kohli left a demoralised team behind…

Tendulkar leads tributes to ‘stellar’ Indian cricketers

Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli led tributes Tuesday to India's cricketers after their stunning fourth Test and away series win over Australia. Tendulkar described it as "one of the greatest series wins" after a fearless Rishabh Pant helped the injury-plagued visitors hand Australia their first defeat at Brisbane's…

Depleted India secure astonishing series win in Australia

Rishabh Pant unleashed a Twenty20-style batting assault to blast India to an incredible three-wicket win in the fourth test decider on Tuesday (19) as Ajinkya Rahane's injury-ravaged tourists humbled Australia with a 2-1 series triumph. Wicketkeeper-batsman Pant timed his innings to perfection in a 138-ball 89 as India galloped to…

Decisive Test in balance as rain clouds Australia’s victory push

Mohammed Siraj took his first five-wicket haul in just his third Test as India bowled Australia out for 294 to set up an enthralling final day of the four-match series in Brisbane on Monday (18). With the series locked at 1-1, India need 328 runs for victory or to bat…

Anushka and Virat appeal to paparazzi to not click their…

Actor-producer Anushka Sharma and her cricketer-husband Virat Kohli on Wednesday urged paparazzi to not click photos of their newborn daughter. Kohli had announced the arrival of their first child on January 11, saying that both the baby and Sharma were healthy. The couple has now written a note to the…

Depleted India out to breach Australia’s Gabba fortress

Injury-hit India head to Australia's Gabba fortress for Friday's (13) final Test with high hopes of retaining the Border-Gavaskar trophy after securing an epic draw in Sydney to leave the series locked at 1-1. The visitors only need to avoid defeat in Brisbane after their heroics in Sydney, when they…

Kohli announces birth of daughter

Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli, who pulled out of a Test series in Australia to attend the birth of his first child, said on Monday (11) his Bollywood actress wife Anushka Sharma had delivered a girl. The captain, who returned to Mumbai after playing in the first Test in Adelaide,…

Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli blessed with a baby girl

By Murtuza Iqbal Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli were expecting their first child, and today, the two have been blessed with a baby girl. Virat took to Twitter to inform everyone about it. He tweeted a note which read, “We are thrilled to share with you that we have been…

Kohli denounces racist abuse in Sydney Test

India captain Virat Kohli has denounced as "absolutely unacceptable" the alleged racial abuse of the India team from sections of the crowd in the third Test against Australia in Sydney on Sunday (10). Cricket chiefs are investigating after Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah were apparently targeted while they fielded by…

Former India captain Ganguly recovering after heart attack

Indian cricket chief Sourav Ganguly was under observation in hospital on Sunday (3) after a successful heart operation, doctors said, as well wishes including from the prime minister continued to pour in for the former star and captain. The 48-year-old, who heads the country's powerful cricket board, suffered a heart…

India include Natarajan in test squad for injured Yadav

India named left-arm seamer T. Natarajan on Friday as the replacement for injured paceman Umesh Yadav ahead of the last two tests against Australia. Yadav bowled only 3.3 overs in Australia's second innings in the second test before limping off as India went on to level the series 1-1 with…

India coach Ravi Shastri hails ‘one of the great comebacks…

India coach Ravi Shastri hailed his team's eight-wicket win over Australia on Tuesday (29) as one of the great comebacks of all time, praising their character after a crushing loss in the first Test last week. Despite missing superstar Virat Kohli, the Indians outplayed the hosts in Melbourne to silence…

India turn tables on Australia in Melbourne to level series

A rejuvenated India short of Virat Kohli turned the tables on Australia to claim the second test within four days in Melbourne on Tuesday(29), a rousing eight-wicket victory that breathed life into the series. Needing only 70 runs for victory after bowling Australia out for 200 by lunch, opener Shubman…

Virat Kohli named cricketer of the decade

India captain Virat Kohli was named the ICC's male cricketer of the decade on Monday as Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry swept the top women's awards. Kohli and Perry were the big winners in the International Cricket Council's Awards of the Decade, while Australian batsman Steve Smith was crowned the best…

India rip through Australian batting to eye series-levelling win

A depleted Indian attack ripped through Australia's top order to leave the world's number one team with a slender two-run lead and in deep trouble on Monday after day three of the second Test. At stumps in Melbourne, Australia were 133 for six with Cameron Green on 17 and Pat…

Gutsy Rahane century puts India in driving seat against Australia

Stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane rode his luck to hit a gritty unbeaten century as India built an ominous 82-run lead over Australia on day two to take a stranglehold on the second Test in Melbourne on Sunday. It was a determined and crucial knock against a world-class attack by the…

Paine wary as India make four changes for Melbourne

Skipper Tim Paine on Friday called India a proud nation that won't roll over in the Boxing Day Test, and Australia must be "bang on the mark" to inflict more misery after their Adelaide collapse. Australia head into the second Test in Melbourne full of confidence after thumping the visitors…

Australia look to pile misery on Kohli-less India in Melbourne

Coach Justin Langer said the mark of a great team was to keep winning as he threw down a challenge to Australia on Thursday against a depleted India desperate to restore pride in the second Test this week. Australia head into the Boxing Day clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground…

India to increase IPL to 10 teams

The Indian Premier League is to be increased from eight to 10 teams as the world's richest Twenty20 event seeks to cash in on its growing television audience. The Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) in India announced the move after its annual meeting on Thursday but did not say…

Ishant expects ‘bowler’s captain’ Rahane to fill India’s Kohli void

Ajinkya Rahane is a "bowler's captain" whose calm leadership will come in handy in India's bid to bounce back in the four-test series against Australia, seamer Ishant Sharma said. Regular skipper Virat Kohli left Australia to attend the birth of his first child after India's eight-wicket humiliation in the series-opener…

Kohli deserves credit for taking paternity leave, says Steve Smith

Australian batsman Steve Smith on Tuesday (22) said Virat Kohli deserves credit for prioritising the birth of his child over cricket as "there would have been a lot of pressure" on the India skipper to stay for the entire duration of the ongoing Test series. India are 0-1 down in…

Indian press, ex-players rue ‘massacre’ in Australia

The Indian press and former players savaged the national cricket team on Saturday after they slumped to their lowest-ever score in a "humiliating" and "jaw-dropping" Test defeat in Australia. India were bundled out for 36 in the second innings of the first Test in Adelaide as Australian pacemen Josh Hazlewood…

Kohli confident India will bounce back from batting nightmare

India captain Virat Kohli insisted on Saturday he was "very, very confident" his team would bounce back from their worst-ever batting display, blaming a poor mindset for the side throwing away the first Test against Australia. The visitors were skittled for a humiliating 36 in their second innings -- their…

India slump to lowest ever score as Australia clinch first…

A devastated India crashed to their lowest ever score of 36 on Saturday as Australia ran riot to win the opening Test in Adelaide by eight wickets after Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins produced a bowling masterclass. India started the third day of the pink-ball Test on nine for one…

Ashwin takes four as India lead Australia by 62

Ravi Ashwin bagged four wickets as a dominant India held a 62-run lead at stumps on day two of the Adelaide day-night Test after Australian captain Tim Paine ran out of batting partners. Paine was left stranded on 73 not out when the Australian innings ended at 191 to trail…

Comical Kohli run out as Australia take grip on opening…

Ajinkya Rahane ran out his captain Virat Kohli after a horror mix-up, sparking a mini collapse to gift Australia an advantage over India after an intense opening day of the day-night first Test at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday. Master batsman Kohli looked on track for a 28th Test century…

Kohli, Smith, pace and pink balls: what to watch when…

Australia and India renew their fierce rivalry in a four-Test series that begins with a day-night game in Adelaide on Thursday. India won a Test series for the first time Down Under when the sides clashed two years ago and Australia are determined to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Here are…

Kohli promises less niggle, more respect in Australia series

India captain Virat Kohli vowed a "high-voltage" Test series against fierce rivals Australia Wednesday but also predicted a more respectful era between the cricketing powers, saying grudges and tensions were "pointless". The superstar batsman, who has a reputation as one of the sport's most aggressive players, said this week's opening…

India stick with Shaw to open batting; Saha to keep…

India have kept faith with opener Prithvi Shaw while opting for Wriddhiman Saha ahead of Rishabh Pant as wicketkeeper for the opening day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide starting on Thursday (17). Selectors also confirmed Umesh Yadav as the third seamer alongside Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah in the absence…

Laxman and ‘Monkeygate’: five classic Australia v India clashes

Australia and India have been playing Test cricket against each other since 1947 and they renew their rivalry in Adelaide on Thursday. Some of the most competitive clashes have come since they began contesting the Border-Gavaskar Trophy -- named after the first two batsmen to pass 10,000 runs -- in…

‘Bring it on’ – Australia plot India’s downfall under Adelaide…

Top-ranked Australia are plotting revenge in their first day-night Test against fellow powerhouse India on Thursday, as both teams grapple with injuries and selection dilemmas. Virat Kohli's men clinched their maiden series in Australia in 2018-19, triumphing 2-1, but the hosts were without leading batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner…

Kohli absence creates ‘void and opportunity’ say’s India legend Tendulkar

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar said captain Virat Kohli's departure will leave a "void" for India in their Test tour of Australia, but added that it will hand a golden opportunity to a younger player. The record-setting batsmen said India's bench strength would help as they bid to win a second…

Australia avoid T20 whitewash despite Kohli blitz

India captain Virat Kohli's breezy 85 went in vain as Australia prevailed by 12 runs in the final Twenty20 International to avoid a series whitewash at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday. Chasing 187 to sweep the three-match series, Kohli kept India in the hunt before falling in the penultimate…