Sports

Sharjah: In a heart-stopping encounter of the International T20 League, MI Emirates pulled off a dramatic victory against Sharjah Warriors, thanks to an exceptional final-over performance by Romario Shepherd, who denied Dinesh Karthik the 11 runs needed off the last over. MI Emirates’ Winning Chase Batting first, MI Emirates posted a competitive 185 for 8. Sharjah Warriors, chasing 186, looked poised for victory needing 35 runs off the last five overs. However, MI’s bowlers staged a remarkable comeback, and Sharjah fell short by 4 runs. Final Over Drama In the last over, Sharjah needed 11 runs to win with Dinesh Karthik and Adil Rashid at the crease. Shepherd bowled first a wide, followed by a leg-bye from Karthik. Rashid took a single, and another wide brought the equation to ...

New Delhi: The IPL 2026 player auction is set for 16 December in Abu Dhabi, with a record 1,355 players registered—a clear testament to the tournament’s growing global popularity. This year, the auction is attracting significant attention for foreign players, but a new BCCI regulation is set to cap their earnings, preventing any foreign player from earning more than India’s top domestic stars like Rishabh Pant or Shreyas Iyer. Big Names, Big Price Tags Among the high-profile players, several have a base price of ₹2 crore. These include 43 foreign players and 2 Indian players. Top foreign prospects drawing attention include Australia’s all-rounder Cameron Green and Sri Lanka’s young pacer Mathisha Pathirana, recently released by Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Pathirana’s Malinga-style act...

By Deepesh Sharma | Adelaide: In an unusual turn of events at the Karen Rolton Oval, the WBBL clash between Adelaide Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes was called off due to a hole forming on the pitch. The bizarre incident occurred during the innings break when a roller accidentally ran over a stray ball, causing the pitch surface to sustain irreparable damage. How the Incident Unfolded According to WBBL regulations, the pitch is rolled during the innings break to ensure an even surface. During this process, a ball from a nearby fielding warm-up rolled under the heavy roller, leaving a ball-sized indentation in the pitch. The roller’s weight made the hole permanent, creating unsafe conditions for play. Adelaide Strikers confirmed the incident via Instagram:"The match between Adelaide...

By Kuldeep Panwar | Christchurch: In a display of sheer grit and determination, Justin Greaves scripted history as the West Indies salvaged a remarkable draw against New Zealand in the 1st Test at Christchurch. Chasing an impossible target of 530 runs, the West Indies fought back in the fourth innings, finishing 6 wickets down for 457 runs. Shai Hope Sets the Stage, Greaves Steals the Show West Indies’ monumental chase began with Shai Hope, who battled through an eye infection to score a commanding 140, keeping his team in contention. However, it was Greaves, playing just his 12th Test, who turned the impossible into reality. Facing 388 balls over 9.5 hours, he scored a historic 202* in the fourth innings, becoming only the 7th batsman in Test history to achieve a double century in t...

By Dipesh Sharma | New Delhi: Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri has once again criticized the Indian team management over the handling of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah. Shastri emphasized that managing a bowler of Bumrah’s caliber requires intelligence and strategic thinking, as the young pacer can turn any match around. “Bumrah Needs Sense to Be Used Effectively” Shastri, speaking in an interview, referred to Bumrah as a “dada bowler” and said, “You need sense to use Bumrah. If you’ve made him a white-ball bowler, how did he become a red-ball bowler?” His remarks were widely seen as a subtle dig at Selection Committee Chairman Ajit Agarkar. Shastri played a pivotal role in introducing Bumrah to Test cricket, despite initial doubts about his action being suitable only for white-ball cr...

By Dipesh Sharma | Kolkata: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have entrusted their star all-rounder Andre Russell with a unique new role ahead of the upcoming season. Russell has been appointed as the team’s ‘Power Coach’, recognizing his extraordinary ability to hit big sixes under pressure and his strategic mindset in high-stakes situations. Turning Experience into Strategy KKR CEO Venky Mysore revealed that the idea for this new role originated from discussions on how Russell approaches crunch moments in a match. When asked how he manages to score 15-16 runs per over when the team needs them, Russell explained that he always trusts himself and calculates that he can hit at least two sixes per over. Mysore noted, “This mindset is extremely rare, especially for players who bat in the fina...

By Kuldeep Panwar | Chennai: The Indian Junior Hockey Team booked their place in the semifinals of the Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 after a breathtaking penalty shootout victory over Belgium at Chennai’s Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium. India triumphed 4-3 in the shootout, edging past a formidable Belgian side and keeping alive the dream of repeating their historic 2016 success. Tight Contest Until the Third Quarter India had faced relatively weaker teams in the pool stages, giving them a smoother path to the quarterfinals. However, the clash against Belgium on Friday night marked their first real test. Belgium’s Gaspard Cornez-Massent opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a thunderous left-flank tomahawk drive, leaving Indian goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh with no chance. Despite ...

By Deepesh Sharma | New Delhi: December 6 marks a special day in the world of Indian cricket, as the nation celebrates the birthdays of three star players: Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, and Shreyas Iyer. Each of these cricketers has made significant contributions to Team India across formats, making this day a cricketing festival for fans nationwide. Ravindra Jadeja – The Rockstar All-Rounder Born on December 6, 1988, Ravindra Jadeja, popularly known as “Sir Jadeja” or “The Rockstar”, is one of India’s most valuable all-rounders. Renowned for his left-arm spin, explosive batting, and exceptional fielding, Jadeja has repeatedly guided the team to victory in challenging situations. His acrobatic catches and fearless presence on the field have made him a fan favorite and a match-winn...

By Deepesh Sharma | New Delhi: Indian batter Riyan Parag has made a candid revelation about his struggles with form, admitting that he once broke down in the bathroom due to poor performances. Eager to Return to Team India Parag, sidelined from the Indian team for over a year due to a right shoulder injury, has been making a strong case for a comeback with consistent domestic performances. Currently captaining Assam in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Parag is determined to return to the Indian dressing room. Reflecting on his ambitions, he told The Hindu,"I believe I was good enough for India. Call it confidence or overconfidence — whatever you like. I know my injury kept me out of the team, but I can play in both white-ball formats. Once fully fit, you will see me donning the Indian...

By Deepesh Sharma | New Delhi: Indian cricket star Smriti Mandhana has made her first public appearance on social media following the postponement of her wedding to musician Palash Muchhal. Mandhana was featured in a promotional video for a toothpaste brand, which quickly caught the attention of fans — many noticed that her engagement ring was missing. It remains unclear whether the video was shot before or after the engagement. Wedding Postponed Amid Family Health Concerns The couple’s wedding was originally scheduled for November 23, 2025, in Sangli. On the day of the wedding, Smriti Mandhana’s father fell seriously ill and was hospitalized, prompting the families to indefinitely postpone the ceremony. Compounding the situation, Palash Muchhal also faced severe stress and was hospi...