Sports

Ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction, the Chennai Super Kings made a surprising move by releasing Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana. With the December 16 auction set to take place at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena, Pathirana is expected to attract heavy bidding. Here are the three franchises most likely to go big for him: 1. Lucknow Super Giants Lucknow Super Giants are in desperate need of an overseas fast bowler. With no foreign pacer currently in their squad, LSG may aggressively target Pathirana to strengthen their pace attack. His death-overs expertise makes him an ideal fit. 2. Delhi Capitals Delhi Capitals could also bid big for Pathirana. Apart from Mitchell Starc, DC lack a dependable overseas fast bowler. Dushmanta Chameera has been inconsistent, and Pathirana’s slingy act...

India’s struggles in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers continued as they suffered a 1–0 defeat against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Tuesday. The hosts registered their first win of the qualifiers, while the Blue Tigers remained without a single victory after five matches. Bangladesh Clinch Victory with Early Goal Bangladesh started with intent despite an inconsistent opening to their campaign. In just the 12th minute, Sheikh Morsalin scored the decisive goal, giving his team a lead they held onto for the rest of the match. India failed to convert opportunities and remained goalless throughout the game. The loss keeps India at the bottom of the points table, with only two points from two draws. Bangladesh, meanwhile, climbed to third place with five points (one win and two draws). Ind...

In a major pre-IPL 2026 development, Rajasthan Royals traded long-time captain Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings, receiving star all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in return. The trade sparked huge discussions across the cricketing world. Now, CSK has officially revealed the jersey number their latest signing will wear. Samson to Don No. 11 Jersey for CSK The franchise released a video on social media showcasing Sanju Samson in CSK’s iconic yellow kit. In the clip, Samson is seen wearing jersey number 11, confirming that he will continue with the same number he wore at Rajasthan Royals. For India, however, Samson wears jersey number 9, while Mohammed Shami dons number 11 in the national side. No Captaincy Role for Samson at CSK Despite leading Rajasthan Royals for...

The two-match Test series between India and South Africa has taken an unexpected turn ahead of the second Test in Guwahati. South Africa’s star spinner Simon Harmer, who was the hero of the Kolkata Test, has been taken to the hospital. Harmer Injured After Match-Winning Performance In the first Test at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens, India suffered a shocking defeat by 30 runs. Chasing a modest target of 124, the hosts collapsed for just 93. South Africa’s victory was powered by their experienced off-spinner Simon Harmer, who dismantled India’s batting line-up with a brilliant 8-wicket haul across both innings. His match-winning spell also earned him the Player of the Match award. However, just days before the second Test, Harmer had to be taken to a private hospital in Kolkata....

India and South Africa are set to clash in the second and final Test of the two-match series at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati starting 22 November. South Africa already lead the series 1–0 after defeating India by 30 runs in the first Test at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. If India falter again, the visitors could seal a 2–0 clean sweep. To avoid humiliation, the Indian team must ensure they do not repeat these three mistakes: 1. Reckless Batting Approach India’s batting in the Kolkata Test was marked by unnecessary risks and irresponsible shot selection. If the top and middle order play with the same recklessness in Guwahati, the consequences could be severe. A disciplined, patient, and smart batting strategy will be essential to level the series. 2. Failure to Read Spin ...

The pitch at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens has become the centre of a major controversy after the first Test between India and South Africa ended within just three days, with the visitors defeating India by 30 runs. While critics blame the surface for India’s collapse, former captain and current President of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Sourav Ganguly, has made a startling disclosure. Ganguly: “I Was Not Involved at All” Amid accusations that India’s spin-friendly pitch backfired, Ganguly clarified that he had no role in preparing the wicket. When asked whether the Indian team management had sought his inputs before deciding the nature of the surface, Ganguly told India Today: “No, no, I was not involved at all. The BCCI curator arrived four days before the Test and took full char...

India’s explosive T20 batter Rinku Singh showcased his red-ball prowess in the Ranji Trophy, hammering a remarkable century against Tamil Nadu. Known for his finishing skills in the shortest format, Rinku displayed exceptional patience and technique—very much in Test-match style—to bring up his second century of the season. A Gritty, Classy Knock Rinku reached his hundred off 157 balls, showing admirable temperament. At the time of writing, he remained unbeaten on 161 runs off 229 deliveries, with 16 fours and 5 sixes. This innings marks his 9th first-class century. Rinku Singh’s First-Class Record Before this match, Rinku had played 51 first-class games, scoring 3501 runs at an impressive average of 57.39. He has also registered 22 half-centuries, solidifying his reputation as...

Durban/New Delhi: South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj recently made headlines after his pivotal performance in the Kolkata Test, where he claimed India’s final wicket to secure a historic 30-run victory. But behind the cricketing superstar lies a fascinating Indian connection, not only in Maharaj’s heritage but also through his wife, Lerisha Munsamy. Keshav Maharaj’s Indian Roots Born on 7 February 1990 in Durban, Maharaj comes from a family of Indian origin. His ancestors migrated from Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, to South Africa in 1874, seeking better opportunities. Despite being away from India for nearly 150 years, Maharaj’s family has preserved its Indian traditions, celebrating festivals with great enthusiasm. This cultural bond is reflected in Maharaj, who proudly iden...

New Delhi: Former Indian captain and legendary wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni was recently spotted at a private airport, exuding his signature calm yet charismatic presence. The 44-year-old cricket icon appeared extremely fit, sparking excitement among fans. A video from the airport capturing Dhoni’s appearance has gone viral on social media. Dhoni’s Iconic Style In the viral clip, Dhoni can be seen wearing a beige T-shirt, black cargo pants, and his signature black goggles, effortlessly carrying his “hero” persona. Even years after retiring from international cricket in 2020, Dhoni continues to remain in the spotlight, largely due to his ongoing role in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Focused on IPL 2026 Preparation Dhoni has been retained by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of...

New Delhi: The Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen some of the biggest cricket stars from around the world light up the T20 stage. However, not every international superstar has managed to leave a huge mark in the league. Surprisingly, several legendary cricketers who have dominated international cricket have never scored a century in the IPL. Here’s a look at five such stars: 1. Jacques Kallis South African legend Jacques Kallis, who played IPL from 2008 to 2014, never managed an IPL century. In 98 matches, Kallis scored 2,427 runs. Despite this, his international career was stellar, amassing 62 centuries across formats. 2. Ricky Ponting Australian great Ricky Ponting struggled to make an impact in the IPL. Playing just 10 matches between 2008 and 2013, he scored only 91 runs...