Steve Waugh says China aiming for gold in cricket at 2028 LA Olympics
Speaking at an event, Waugh said, “As soon as cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics was announced, China started building a team. They are serious about winning gold.”
Steve Waugh also spoke about how the T20 format is changing the sport.
FORMER Australia cricket captain Steve Waugh has said that China is seriously preparing to win gold in cricket at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Speaking at an event hosted by Here and Now 365 Chairperson Manish Tiwari at The Taj, St James Court, Waugh said, “As soon as cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics was announced, China started building a team. They are serious about winning gold.”
Waugh also spoke about how the T20 format is changing the sport. “T20 is massive now. It’s billions of dollars, and it’s growing every day,” he said.
“Test cricket will survive, but T20 will dominate. Players will soon be contracted mainly to franchises. Test matches might even need special permissions,” he added.
He also commented on the investment in cricket by countries like Saudi Arabia and the USA. “It’s exciting. The game is reaching new parts of the world, and the Olympics will take it even further,” Waugh said.
Speaking at an event hosted by Here and Now 365 Chairperson Manish Tiwari at The Taj, St James Court, Waugh said, 'Test cricket will survive, but T20 will dominate.'
The conversation also touched on Waugh’s connection with India. Manish Tiwari introduced him as “Steve Da,” a name given to him by children at Udayan, a home in Kolkata for children of people with leprosy that Waugh helps support.
“When Manish called me Steve Da, it felt special. India is like a second home. The people, the culture, the passion — it stays with you forever,” said Waugh.
He recalled his visits to India not just as a cricketer, but also as a photographer and humanitarian. He said India was “the best place in the world for photography” and mentioned that one of his photos from Rajasthan won a World Photography Award. “In India, you really can’t take a bad photo,” he said.
Waugh also spoke about his charity work in India and Australia. He shared a story about a boy who couldn’t walk or talk but later won two Paralympic gold medals after receiving therapy supported by the Steve Waugh Foundation.
“It’s great when you see lives being changed. You realise how much impact you can have by simply getting involved and giving people a chance,” he said.
He added that his work encouraged other cricketers to support causes in India. “Back then, not many sportspeople were doing it. But I think seeing someone take the first step made others realise they could too.”
Manish Tiwari closed the session by saying, “Steve Waugh’s story is not just about cricket. It’s about leadership, humility, and using your fame to make a real difference.”
Australia's Pat Cummins celebrates with the ICC Test Mace on the podium along with teammates after winning the World Test Championship final in 2023. (Photo: Reuters)
THE WINNERS of next month’s World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa will receive $3.6 million, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Thursday after raising the prize money.
The ICC has increased the prize pool significantly. In the previous WTC final held in 2023, Australia won $1.6 million after beating India, who took home $800,000 as runners-up.
The losing team in the upcoming June 11-15 match at Lord’s will receive $2.1 million – more than the winners earned in the past two finals.
"The increase in prize money exhibits the ICC's efforts to prioritise test cricket as it looks to build on the momentum of the first three cycles of the nine-team competition," the ICC said in a statement.
Australia captain Pat Cummins said the team was prepared to meet any challenge in order to defend their WTC title.
"We are enormously proud to have the opportunity to defend the World Test Championship, especially at Lord's," Cummins said.
"It's a testament to all those involved across the past two years who have worked incredibly hard to reach the final, which is a great honour for all of us."
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said the team was focused on winning their first ICC title.
"Everyone understands the importance of test cricket and the World Test Championship lends context to this vital format of the game.
"Lord's is a fitting venue for this mega fixture and all of us will be out there trying to give our best against Australia," Bavuma said.
England’s Jamie Overton (Chennai Super Kings) is among the players who will miss the latter part of the tournament, which is scheduled to end on June 3.
THE INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE (IPL) has announced that teams will now be allowed to bring in temporary replacements for the rest of the tournament, following the withdrawal of several overseas players.
The IPL resumes on Saturday after being paused due to the India-Pakistan conflict. The new schedule overlaps with international fixtures, leading to the unavailability of multiple players.
England’s Jamie Overton (Chennai Super Kings) and Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk (Delhi Capitals) are among the players who will miss the latter part of the tournament, which is scheduled to end on June 3.
"Given the non-availability of certain foreign players due to national commitments or personal reasons or any injury or illness, Temporary Replacement Players will be allowed until the conclusion of this tournament," the league said in a memo to franchises seen by AFP.
"This decision is subject to the condition that the Temporary Replacement players taken from this point forward will not be eligible for retention in the following year.
"Temporary Replacement players will have to register for the IPL Player Auction 2026."
Overton, a bowling all-rounder, will be part of England’s white-ball squad for the home series against West Indies, beginning with a three-match ODI series on May 29.
Fraser-McGurk has withdrawn citing "personal reasons". Delhi Capitals have signed Bangladesh left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman as his replacement.
Delhi are also awaiting the return of Australia’s left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc. The Capitals are monitoring the availability of South African players Faf du Plessis and Tristan Stubbs.
Stubbs is included in South Africa’s squad for the World Test Championship final against Australia, which begins on June 11 at Lord’s.
South Africa coach Shukri Conrad said on Tuesday that he expects players to join the national squad on May 26, a day after the IPL final was originally scheduled.
The tournament resumes with Royal Challengers Bengaluru hosting Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday, the first of 13 remaining regular-season matches.
(With inputs from AFP)
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Vendors pack their belongings as they leave Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium following the postponement of the Pakistan Super League match after the alleged shooting of a drone outside the stadium in Rawalpindi on May 8. (Photo: Getty Images)
THE Pakistan Super League (PSL) will resume on May 17 after being postponed last week due to attacks between India and Pakistan. Australian cricketer David Warner has confirmed he will return to play.
The match between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings, scheduled for May 8, was postponed after a drone attack occurred near the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The PSL was initially expected to shift to the United Arab Emirates, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to postpone the tournament following the incident.
After both countries agreed to a ceasefire, the PCB announced that the league will continue from May 17.
“The PSL 2025 will resume on May 17, with the final on May 25. The League will pick up from where it left off, six teams with zero fear,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said in a post on X.
According to the PCB, the four remaining group-stage matches will take place in Rawalpindi, while the playoffs and final will be held in Lahore.
Thirty-seven overseas players are part of the PSL’s tenth edition, which began in Karachi on April 11.
Former Australian opener David Warner told the Sydney Morning Herald that he plans to rejoin Karachi Kings for the remaining games.
However, Pakistan media reported that eight New Zealand players, including former captain Kane Williamson, were hesitant to return, despite receiving security assurances.
The Indian Premier League, which was also suspended due to the conflict, is scheduled to restart on Saturday.
(With inputs from AFP)
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The other venues for the remaining league matches are Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
THE REMAINDER of the Indian Premier League will be held from May 17 to June 3 across six venues, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on Monday.
The tournament was paused last week due to clashes between India and Pakistan. Following a ceasefire agreement, the BCCI has decided to conduct the 17 remaining matches.
"After extensive consultations with government and security agencies, and with all the key stakeholders, the board has decided to proceed with the remainder of the season," the BCCI said in a statement.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will host defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Saturday. One of two double-headers will be played the following day.
The other venues for the remaining league matches are Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
Venues for the four playoff matches, including the final on June 3, will be announced later.
Earlier, Hyderabad and Kolkata were scheduled to host the playoffs, with the final at Eden Gardens on May 25.
The first qualifier is now set for May 29, followed by the eliminator on May 30. The second qualifier will take place on June 1, with the final two days later.
India and Pakistan halted hostilities on Saturday.
The IPL was suspended last Friday, a day after a match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was abandoned in Dharamsala, located less than 200 kilometres from Jammu, where explosions had been reported earlier.
A special train was arranged on Friday to take players to Delhi after the airspace was closed. Overseas players began returning home on Saturday.
India launched missile strikes on Wednesday morning in response to a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir two weeks ago. India has blamed Pakistan for the attack.
Pakistan has denied involvement.
At least 60 people have been killed on both sides since Wednesday, AFP reported, in the worst violence in decades.
(With inputs from agencies)
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The rest of the tournament is expected to be played in Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Lucknow.
THE Indian Premier League (IPL), which was suspended due to the India-Pakistan military conflict, is likely to resume on May 16 or 17. The final could be moved out of Kolkata due to possible rain.
The league was paused on May 9 for a week. A ceasefire was announced on Saturday, allowing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to begin planning for the tournament's resumption. The IPL Governing Council and BCCI officials held a meeting on Sunday to discuss the schedule.
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla said the board is still working on finalising the schedule.
"As of now there is no decision on IPL. BCCI officials are working out on the solutions. BCCI secretary, IPL chairman are in talks with franchises and everyone, so very soon we will know about the decision, efforts are being made to resume the tournament early," said Shukla.
According to a PTI source, the first match after resumption will likely be between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Lucknow – the game that was originally scheduled for May 9.
"All the teams have been asked to call back their players, the tournament will resume either on May 16 or 17 in Lucknow. The final schedule will be shared tomorrow (Monday)," the source told PTI.
The source added that matches will likely be held at four venues. Delhi and Dharamsala may not host more games, and equipment has been removed from those locations.
There is no change in the venues for Qualifier I and the Eliminator, which are to be held in Hyderabad. However, due to rain forecast in Kolkata on June 1, the final may be moved to Ahmedabad.
"As of now there is no change in venues for the play-off stage but it seems rain can affect the final in Kolkata. In that case the final could be played in Ahmedabad," said the source.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told PTI: "In the next few days, we will begin consultations with the franchises, broadcasters, sponsors and the state associations slated to host the remaining matches before crystallizating to a decision on the league's resumption.
"Given that the importance of IPL at this juncture, it will also be prudent and necessary to take the nod of the Government of India before finalising the time for its restart."
Abandoned match between PBKS and DC
Punjab Kings were at 122 for 1 in 10.1 overs when their match against Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was stopped due to the India-Pakistan tensions. The players later travelled by bus to Jalandhar and then by train to Delhi. It is possible that both teams will be given one point each.
If the remaining 16 games are limited to four venues, then Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians will not have any home games.
The rest of the tournament is expected to be played in Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Lucknow.
Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad are out of play-off contention. Seven teams are still in the race for the four play-off spots.
Gujarat Titans are currently on top of the table with 16 points and a net run rate (NRR) of 0.793. They are followed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (16 points, NRR 0.482), Punjab Kings (15), Mumbai Indians (14), Delhi Capitals (13), Kolkata Knight Riders (11) and Lucknow Super Giants (10).