Sports

New Delhi: England’s cricket team has suffered a heavy defeat in the Ashes series against Australia. After losing the first three matches of the five-match series, England’s hopes of winning the Ashes have been dashed once again. The team has failed to reclaim the coveted trophy for nearly a decade. India’s former captain and current world No.1 ODI batsman, Rohit Sharma, took a light-hearted dig at England following their loss. Speaking at an event in Gurugram, Rohit said, “Playing in Australia is the toughest challenge in cricket. You can ask England about that.” England’s Struggles in Australia:England lost the first two Test matches in Perth and Brisbane by 8 wickets each, both concluding in less than three days. The third Test in Adelaide saw England putting up a stronger fight, ...

Indian pacer and all-rounder Shardul Thakur has become a proud father. His wife, Mitali Parulkar, gave birth to a baby boy, bringing immense joy to the Thakur family. Shardul shared this happy news on social media just before the New Year. A Journey TogetherThe 34-year-old cricketer married Mitali on 27 February 2023, though the couple has known each other since school. They got engaged in November 2021, in a ceremony attended by several prominent cricketers, including Rohit Sharma. Shardul Shares His JoyPosting on Instagram, Shardul expressed his happiness over the arrival of their son. Accompanying photos with his wife, he wrote, “Hidden in the hearts of parents, with silence, trust, and endless love, our little prince has finally arrived. Welcome, dear son – the dream we nurtured ...

Dubai: The Under-19 Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan on December 21, 2025, ended in a historic win for Pakistan, but the post-match presentation ceremony sparked controversy once again. The Indian team’s absence during the trophy presentation highlighted the ongoing tension between cricket and politics in the region. ACC President Mohsin Naqvi presented the trophy and medals to the victorious Pakistani side, but no Indian player was present to accept the runners-up awards—a departure from usual protocol, where both winning and losing teams participate. In India’s absence, Afghanistan Cricket Board chairman Mirwais Ashraf accepted the cheque on behalf of the runners-up. Mohsin Naqvi’s Dual RoleThis is not the first time India has refused to accept awards from Naqvi. During th...

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s time to look back at the Indian cricketers who have lit up the T20 format with their explosive hitting. This year, several stars have thrilled fans with their six-hitting prowess. Here’s a look at the top five Indians who smashed the most sixes in T20s in 2025. 1. Abhishek SharmaLeading the pack is India’s dynamic opener Abhishek Sharma. In 41 matches and 40 innings this year, he has hit an astonishing 108 sixes, amassing a total of 1,602 runs. His power-hitting has been a key factor in India’s aggressive T20 strategy. 2. Vaibhav SuryavanshiAt just 14 years old, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has made a remarkable impact. In 17 T20 matches, he scored 688 runs and cleared the ropes 60 times, showcasing incredible talent and composure for his age. 3. Suryakumar Y...

Visakhapatnam: India Women began their five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka with a commanding eight-wicket victory in the first encounter at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium on Sunday. The win was highlighted by a brilliant unbeaten 69-run knock from Jemimah Rodrigues, who guided India to a comfortable chase in just 14.4 overs. India restricted Sri Lanka to 121/6 despite early hopes that the dew might aid the batters. The Sri Lankan batters could not fully capitalise on the conditions, with Deepti Sharma, Shri Charani, and Kranti Goud picking one wicket each. During the chase, Rodrigues showcased her class, hitting ten boundaries off 44 balls. She shared crucial partnerships of 54 runs with opener Smriti Mandhana, who contributed 25 runs, and 55 runs with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, wh...

In a spectacular display of skill, Indian opener Smriti Mandhana became the first Indian woman to cross the 4,000-run milestone in T20 International cricket. The historic achievement came during the first match of the five-match T20I series between India and Sri Lanka at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. Mandhana, a left-handed batter, contributed a quick 25 runs off 25 balls in India’s innings, including four boundaries, during the opening encounter. With this performance, she reached a total of 4,007 runs in T20 Internationals, achieved over 154 matches and 148 innings at an average of 29.90. Her tally includes one century and 31 half-centuries. While Mandhana now holds the distinction for India, the global record for most runs in women’s T20Is remains with New Zealand...

The Indian cricket team for the T20 World Cup 2026 has been officially announced. The tournament will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, starting on 7 February 2026, with the final scheduled for 8 March 2026. In a major surprise, Shubman Gill has been left out of the squad despite being considered a potential future captain and former vice-captain. Gill’s exclusion comes due to a prolonged dip in form; he has struggled to score runs consistently in recent T20 internationals and could not register a fifty since returning from the Asia Cup. Team Highlights and Key Selections Captain: Suryakumar Yadav Wicketkeeper-Batsmen: Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan Batsmen: Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dubey All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel Bowlers: Ja...

The Indian cricket team for the T20 World Cup 2026 has been announced, and in a surprising move, Shubman Gill has been left out, while Axar Patel has been reinstated as vice-captain. The announcement was made by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia in a press conference, with Suryakumar Yadav appointed as captain of the 15-member squad. Why Shubman Gill Was DroppedShubman Gill, a key figure in India’s Test and ODI setups, was previously made T20 vice-captain ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. Many had anticipated that he would eventually take over leadership in the T20 format. However, his continued poor performances in T20 cricket led selectors to take a cautious approach for the World Cup. Gill’s recent T20 statistics reflect his struggles: in the last 15 matches, he has scored just 291 runs at ...

The Indian cricket team for the T20 World Cup 2026 has been officially announced. The tournament will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, starting on 7 February 2026, with the final scheduled for 8 March 2026. In a major surprise, Shubman Gill has been left out of the squad despite being considered a potential future captain and former vice-captain. Gill’s exclusion comes due to a prolonged dip in form; he has struggled to score runs consistently in recent T20 internationals and could not register a fifty since returning from the Asia Cup. Team Highlights and Key Selections Captain: Suryakumar Yadav Wicketkeeper-Batsmen: Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan Batsmen: Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dubey All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel Bowlers: Ja...

New Delhi: The Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 has been announced, with Suryakumar Yadav appointed as captain. Star opener Shubman Gill has been dropped from the team due to a prolonged dip in form. Gill Struggled with Poor FormGill had been struggling in the T20 format for some time, prompting the selection committee to make a tough decision. Ajit Agarkar, chairman of selectors, explained in simple terms: “Gill has been struggling to score runs, and we needed a vice-captain in the squad.” In Gill’s absence, all-rounder Axar Patel has been named vice-captain. Sanju Samson will continue as the primary wicketkeeper-batsman, while Abhishek Sharma is expected to open alongside Tilak Varma. Ishan Kishan returns as the second wicketkeeper and reserve opener following an outstanding...