Sports

New Delhi: Ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have released West Indies star all-rounder Andre Russell, ending an 11-year association that began in 2014. Now part of the auction pool, Russell is expected to attract significant interest from multiple franchises. Here’s a look at three teams that could target him and are likely to spend big. 1. Delhi Capitals Delhi Capitals are reportedly keen on adding a powerhouse foreign all-rounder to their squad. Russell’s ability to hit massive sixes would suit Delhi’s smaller grounds perfectly, making him an ideal match for the team’s strategy. With no top-tier foreign all-rounder currently in the squad, Russell could easily become a central figure in Delhi’s lineup. 2. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CSK have releas...

In a major IPL 2026 pre-retention trade deal, veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has moved from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to Rajasthan Royals (RR), while wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson will now represent CSK. The announcement comes ahead of the mini-auction and the release of the retained players list. Jadeja’s Stellar IPL Journey Having represented CSK for 12 seasons, Jadeja has played over 254 IPL matches, scoring 3,260 runs and taking 170 wickets, establishing himself as one of the league’s most experienced players. Under the trade agreement, his IPL fee has been revised from ₹18 crore to ₹14 crore. Samson, meanwhile, will continue with CSK on his current ₹18 crore fee. Since his IPL debut in 2013, Samson has predominantly played for Rajasthan Royals, except for the 201...

India’s first innings in the Kolkata Test against South Africa collapsed for 189 runs, leaving the team with a slender 30-run lead over the visitors’ first innings total of 159. Despite a strong bowling performance on Day 1, highlighted by Jasprit Bumrah’s five wickets, the Indian batting lineup failed to capitalize, falling well below expectations. Middle Order Meltdown The Indian middle order crumbled under pressure, with no batsman able to convert a good start into a substantial score. KL Rahul (39), Washington Sundar (29), and Ravindra Jadeja (27) made starts but failed to build innings. Captain Shubman Gill had to retire hurt due to a neck strain, further destabilizing India’s fragile batting order at a crucial stage. South African Spinners Steal the Show South Afr...

The second day of the Kolkata Test between India and South Africa was dominated by bowlers, continuing the trend from the first day. While 11 wickets fell on Day 1, Day 2 saw 15 more batsmen dismissed. In South Africa’s second innings, the visitors are 7 down for 93, with a lead of just 63 runs. India’s Bowling Power Shines Day 2 highlighted the supremacy of India’s spin attack. After being bowled out for 189 in their second innings, India had a modest lead of 30 runs from the first innings. South Africa, which managed 159 runs on Day 1, struggled again, with no batsman crossing 40 runs. Shubman Gill forced to retire hurtIndia faced early trouble after Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for 12 in the second innings at 18/1. KL Rahul then steadied the innings, adding 57 runs with Washington...

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has achieved a remarkable milestone in the first Test of the two-match series against South Africa. During India’s second innings, Jadeja picked up four crucial wickets, which included his 250th Test wicket on home soil, making him only the fourth Indian bowler to reach this landmark in India. Joining an Elite Club By reaching this milestone, Jadeja has cemented his place among India’s greatest spinners. The list of Indian bowlers who have taken 250 or more Test wickets in India now stands as: Ravichandran Ashwin – 383 wickets Anil Kumble – 350 wickets Harbhajan Singh – 265 wickets Ravindra Jadeja – 250 wickets Remarkably, Jadeja achieved this feat in just 52 Test matches, highlighting his consistency and impact. His precise lin...

Kolkata: India has made a major change in their playing XI for the opening Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens on Friday, 14 November. With Rishabh Pant returning to the side as wicketkeeper-batsman, the team management has also opted for a significant batting adjustment. Sai Sudharsan Dropped from Playing XI Young batsman Sai Sudharsan has been left out of the playing XI for this match. Sudharsan had impressed in the recent Delhi Test against West Indies, scoring a brilliant 87-run innings, but he has now been omitted for the first Test against South Africa. Washington Sundar to Bat at No. 3 India has decided to promote all-rounder Washington Sundar to the crucial No. 3 batting position, replacing Sai Sudharsan. Sundar, who has previously scored a magnificent century in ...

Kolkata: The much-anticipated first Test of the two-match series between India and South Africa is set to begin on Friday, 14 November, at the historic Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata. With South Africa being the current World Test Champions and having impressed recently on Pakistani pitches, all eyes are on this opening match of the series. Weather Outlook: No Rain Threat Kolkata is expected to remain clear throughout the match. On Thursday, the sun shone brightly, and the skies were clear. Meteorologists have confirmed no rain forecast from 14–18 November, ensuring uninterrupted play. Temperatures are likely to range from 18°C in the morning to 30°C during the afternoon, with humidity levels around 60–70%, typical for November. Light winds may provide bowlers with some assistance, ...

New Delhi: Indian all-rounder Axar Patel, who currently represents India across all three formats and captains Delhi Capitals in the IPL, has shared his thoughts on what makes a successful captain. Patel challenged the common perception that a captain must be fluent in English to lead effectively. What Axar Patel Said In an interview with The Indian Express, Patel stated:"People often say, 'He can’t speak English, how will he captain the team? How can he lead?' But a captain’s job isn’t just to speak. It’s about understanding the players, bringing out their best, knowing their strengths and weaknesses, and figuring out how to get the best performance from them." He further added:"The notion that a captain must have a certain personality or speak good English is a misconception. Pe...

Kolkata: The first Test between India and South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, saw a combination of skill and on-field banter, as India’s pace ace Jasprit Bumrah made headlines not just for his bowling but also for a comment that went viral. Bavuma Falls Cheaply Electing to bat after winning the toss, South Africa got off to a promising start with Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton putting together a half-century partnership. However, the innings faltered thereafter, with captain Temba Bavuma dismissed cheaply for just 3 runs. Bumrah’s Viral Comment During the 13th over of South Africa’s first innings, Bumrah trapped Bavuma LBW but the on-field umpire did not give him out. While discussing DRS with his teammates, Bumrah was heard on the stump mic making a remark about Bavuma, c...

Sylhet: Bangladesh registered a commanding victory over Ireland by an innings and 47 runs in the first Test match of the two-match series in Sylhet. With this win, the hosts take a 1-0 lead in the series. Mahmudul Hasan Joy was the star of the match, scoring a brilliant 171 runs as an opener in Bangladesh’s first innings, earning him the Player of the Match award. Ireland’s First Innings Collapse Electing to bat after winning the toss, Ireland managed only 286 runs in their first innings. The team’s start was shaky, with captain Andrew Balbirnie dismissed for a duck. Paul Stirling and Caed Carmichael steadied the innings with a 96-run partnership for the second wicket, scoring 60 and 59 runs respectively. Contributions also came from Curtis Campher (44) and Lauren Tucker (41). For...