Page 27 - Cricket

Retired players to enter IPL mega auction as uncapped players? Here's how

The rule, allowing players being retired from international cricket for at least five years to be considered uncapped, was indeed present from 2008 to 2021 but was never put to use.

Gambhir praises India's tenacity, calls for improvement on turning pitches

Head coach Gautam Gambhir praised India for pulling off a tenacious Super Over win in the low-scoring third T20I against Sri Lanka for a series whitewash, but called for consistent improvement on pitches assisting sharp turn. In a contest delayed by an hour due to rain here on Tuesday, India struggled against both spin and pace on a fresh pitch to make a mere 137/9. But the Suryakumar Yadav-led side showed doggedness in the second half despite Sri Lanka's domination to force the contest into a Super Over, restricting the hosts to 137/8 from 129/4 after 18 overs, and eventually winning the match to seal a 3-0 win. "Guys, congratulations on a great series win. Congratulations to Surya as well, outstanding captaincy and with the bat as well. I asked for something before the start of the game and you absolutely delivered it. "This is what happens when you keep fighting, (and when) you don't give up," Gambhir told the team in a dressing room chat shared by BCCI on 'X'. "These kind of g

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli feature in training session ahead of ODIs vs SL

India skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and a few other players will start their from Monday ahead of the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka starting August 2. While the Indian T20I team under Suryakumar Yadav will play the third and final match on Tuesday in Pallekele, Rohit, Kohli and a few others like rookie Harshit Rana will train in Colombo after reaching the island nation's capital on Sunday. Rohit, Kohli and Kuldeep Yadav will hit the ground running nearly a month after they helped India win the T20 World Cup in the Americas for the second time. The ODIs against Sri Lanka will also mark the return of Shreyas Iyer into the national side. It was in late 2023 that Iyer last played a limited-overs match for India, against South Africa in December. The squad also features Delhi all-rounder Rana, who was a member of the IPL-winning Kolkata Knight Riders' team earlier this year. These players will train under India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar in Colombo. Each of the thre

India wins T20I series against SL riding on Jaiswal, Surya's pyrotechnics

Yashasvi Jaiswal and skipper Suryakumar Yadav displayed their wide array of strokes as India took an unassailable 2-0 lead, winning the rain-curtailed second T20I by seven wickets with nine balls to spare here on Sunday. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and new captain Suryakumar couldn't have asked for a better start to their new roles as the Indian team played like true T20 World Champions outplaying Sri Lanka in all departments. Despite Shubman Gill's absence due to neck spasm and another failure in the format for the ever-hyped Sanju Samson (0), Jaiswal (30 off 15 balls) and Suryakumar (26 off 12 balls) didn't even break a sweat in their short but tricky chase of 78 in 8 overs after another fine effort by bowlers had restricted Sri Lanka to 161 for 9. Just when Maheesh Theekshana looked dangerous getting Samson with a carrom ball and squaring up Surya with a doosra, the Mumbai duo decided to bring the sweep shot -- both conventional and reverse -- out of the closet. The strategy was t

Hosts Sri Lanka thrash India by 8 wickets to win Women's T20 Asia Cup

Chamari Athapaththu (61) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (69 not out) shone brightly as Sri Lanka thrashed India by eight wickets to win their first ever Women's T20 Asia Cup title here on Sunday. Chasing 166, Sri Lanka showed no qualms in knocking off the target in 18.4 overs to score 167/2 and win with eight balls to spare. Skipper Athapaththu led from the front with a 43-ball 61 with nine fours and two sixes and Harshitha made 69 not out from 51 balls with six fours and two sixes. Earlier, India made 165/6 in their 20 overs after Smriti Mandhana hit a 47-ball 60 and Richa Ghosh provided late fireworks with a rapid 30. Brief Scores: India 165/6 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 60, Jemimah Rodgrigues 29, Richa Ghosh 30; Kavisha Dilhari 2/36) lost to Sri Lanka 167/2 in 18.4 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 61, Harshitha Samarawickrama 69*, Kavisha Dilhari 30*; Deepti Sharma 1/30) by 8 wickets.

Sri Lanka fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera ruled out of series against India

Sri Lanka fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera has been ruled out of Sri Lanka's white-ball home series against India owing to an injury, chief selector Upul Tharanga said on Wednesday. A replacement will be named shortly by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). "Yesterday we got the reports, and it can be confirmed that he will miss the T20Is and ODIs against India," Tharanga said during a press in which newly appointed interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya was also present. "We will name a replacement shortly." The 32-year-old Chameera, who made his international debut for Sri Lanka in 2015 and bowls at a good pace, has been plagued with injuries throughout his career. So far, he has played 12 Tests, 52 ODIs, and 55 T20 matches, taking 32, 56 and 55 wickets respectively. Chameera didn't play the last few matches for Kandy Falcons in the recently-concluded Lanka Premier League (LPL). However, it is not clear as to when he picked up the injury. Among big events, Chameera missed the Asia Cup in 202

Gambhir-Agarkar lay down strict guidelines for players' workload management

Gautam Gambhir's plain-speak and Ajit Agarkar's lucidity is set to make for a heady combo as the new head coach and the chairman of selectors looked completely in sync while spelling out, in no uncertain terms, that days of cherry-picking series by citing workload management could be over. They explained certain tough calls while in a few things, they were subtle yet said enough to allow people to read between the lines. Physically, neither Gambhir nor Agarkar have an imposing presence but ask anyone in the periphery of Indian cricket and people will swear by the fact that these are two individuals with sharp and informed takes, which don't change readily. As they put up a united front in their first joint media interaction, it was clear that they were ready to put their money where their mouths were. Technically, it might seem that Agarkar enters his second year of chairmanship but perhaps like Gambhir, this is also a fresh start in which the duo can create a road-map for the 2027

Women's Asia Cup: Khadka, Barma sparkle as Nepal beat UAE by 6 wickets

Opener Samjhana Khadka made a breezy, unbeaten fifty and pacer Indu Barma grabbed three wickets as Nepal outclassed UAE by six wickets to make a winning start to their campaign in the Women's T20 Asia Cup here on Friday. Khadka (71 not out, 45b, 11x4) played a fine hand to take her side past the target of 116 in 16.1 overs. The Emirates' outfit could not fight against the more experienced Nepal bowlers led by Barma (3/19), ending up at a below par 115 for eight. However, Nepal had to go through some anxious moments when they lost three wickets to off-spinner Kavisha Egodage (3/12) that temporarily halted their progress after the Power Play. But Khadka singlehandedly guided Nepal's chase, playing shots around the park. Earlier, Khushi Sharma (36, 39 balls, 2x4) and Egodage (22, 26b, 2x4) arrested a slide after UAE found themselves at 38 for three after the Power Play segment. But their knocks consumed way too many balls and none of the other batters also could give momentum to UAE

PCB unlikely to allow Babar, Rizwan, Afridi to play in Canadian GT20 league

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is unlikely to allow senior players Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi to play in the upcoming Global T20 Canadian League, citing a busy international calendar. The PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi held discussions with coaches Jason Gilliespie and Gary Kirsten, who were also not in favour of allowing these players to participate in the GT20, informed a reliable source in the board. That these three cricketers play in all formats of the sport too influenced the board's decision, said the source. The board has allowed NOCs to some of those players who are not all format players like Shadab Khan to play in some leagues. But since Babar, Shaheen and Rizwan play in all formats the case is different for them, the source said. The source attributed PCB's call to deny an NOC for pacer Naseem Shah to play in the Hundred in England too to the same reason. However, he conceded that the board is expecting resentment from the players and their agents as

All-rounder Hardik Pandya, wife Natasa Stankovic officially part ways

Star India all-rounder Hardik Pandya, on Thursday, announced his separation with wife Natasa Stankovic after a relationship of four years. The couple disclosed the decision in a joint statement on their official Instagram accounts. Pandya and Stankovic got married on May 31, 2020, and welcomed their first child, son Agastya on July 30 of the same year. They renewed their wedding vows in the presence of close friends and family on February 14, 2023 in Udaipur in a grand celebration. "After 4 years of being together, Natasa and I have decided to mutually part ways. We tried our best together and gave it our all, and we believe this is in the best interest for both of us. This was a tough decision for us to make, given the joy, mutual respect and companionship we enjoyed together and as we grew a family," the couple said in the joint statement. "We are blessed with Agastya, who will continue to be at the centre of both of our lives and we will co-parent to ensure that we give him ...

Jaiswal-Gill partnership registers 10-wicket win over Zim; Ind lead by 3-1

Yashasvi Jaiswal's flair was complemented by skipper Shubman Gill's poise as young Indian team cantered to a 10-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the fourth T20 International, taking an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. This is the second time that India beat Zimbabwe by 10 wickets after a similar-margin win at the same venue in 2016. Jaiswal and Gill's approach was in complete contrast as the Mumbai southpaw went hammer and tongs during his unbeaten 93-run knock while the skipper (58 not out) was ready to play the second fiddle in a chase of 153 which was completed in 15.2 overs. The target was made to look way easier than it should have been on a track that had good bounce and carry. Jaiswal, who had to sit out during the T20 World Cup campaign hardly looked rusty, playing shots all around the wicket. The thumping bowler's back-drive off rival skipper Sikandar Raza was delightful and equally stylish was the pick-up pull off Richard Ngarava for a six. The lack of pac

Cricket match-fixing case: Court orders framing cheating charges against 4

A court here has ordered framing charges of criminal conspiracy and cheating against four persons accused of fixing international cricket matches between India and South Africa in 2000. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Neha Priya was hearing the case against Rajesh Kalra, Krishan Kumar, Sunil Dara and Sanjeev Chawla. The Chanakaya Puri police station had registered a case against them. Noting the evidence before it, the court said that the "chain of events, record of conversations, conduct and surrounding circumstances" showed the complicity of Kalra, Kumar and Dara in the deals struck by Chawla with Hansie Cronje (deceased and also an accused) and led to the "inference that they were acting in connivance and were co-participants in the main object of fixing cricket matches for monetary gain." In an order passed on July 11, the court said there was sufficient material on record to frame charges against the four accused under Indian Penal Code sections 420 (cheating) read with 12

'I am in pain': Kapil Dev appeals BCCI to help ailing Anshuman Gaekwad

Former cricketer and India coach Anshuman Gaekwad, aged 71, has been receiving treatment at King's College Hospital in London for the past year

Sachin Tendulkar best batter to bowl to, says England legend James Anderson

England fast bowling great James Anderson, who is into his final few days as an international cricketer, enjoyed his battles against Sachin Tendulkar the most over the course of his remarkably long career. Anderson, who is playing his 188th Test for England against the West Indies at Lord's, will retire after the game. Even though Anderson dismissed Tendulkar on nine occasions, he could not have a set plan against the Indian master blaster. The best batter I would have to say is Sachin Tendulkar, Anderson told Sky Sports when asked about the toughest batter he bowled to. I don't remember having a specific game plan against Sachin Tendulkar. Once he came on, I would just think that I cannot bowl a bad ball here, he was that kind of player. He was a key for India as well. If you get him out in India, the whole atmosphere, in the ground changes. He was such a big wicket, Anderson said. Like Tendulkar, who represented India for 24 years, Anderson has set a telling example for fast ..

India take series lead over Zimbabwe with all-round show in third T20

Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad produced high-quality knocks before the bowlers did their part as India outplayed Zimbabwe by 23 runs in the third T20 here on Wednesday. Gill (66 off 49), Yashasvi Jaiswal (36 off 27) and Gaikwad (49 off 28) propelled India to 182 for four against Zimbabwe after the visitors opted to bat on a fresh pitch. Zimbabwe were never really in the run chase despite an entertaining effort from number four Dion Myers (65 not out 49), ending at 159 for six in their stipulated 20 overs. Washington Sundar, who is likely to play a bigger role in India's T20 set-up after the retirement of Ravindra Jadeja, struck thrice while Avesh Khan took a couple of wickets. The fourth T20 of the five-match series will be staged here on Saturday, July 13. After a loss in the series opener, India have restored normal service with back-to-back victories. After Avesh Khan bounced out opener Wessly Madhevere in the second over, the wickets kept falling for the home team. However,

Rahul Dravid declines Rs 2.5 crore bonus for 2024 T20 World Cup victory

ICC T20 World Cup: Rahul Dravid requested his bonus be reduced to align with the Rs 2.5 crore given to other support staff, including bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and batting coach Vikram Rathore

Chapter closed but not fully: Warner teases return for Champions Trophy

David Warner has declared his international career a "closed chapter" but at the same time, the Australian batting great won't mind padding up in the Champions Trophy next year should he be selected, something that has been described as an "emergency option" by his ODI captain Pat Cummins. Warner retired from ODIs after Australia's World Cup-winning run in November last year, while his last Test was against Pakistan in January. His final T20I came against India on June 24 at the shortest format's recently-concluded global showpiece . "Chapter closed!! It's been an unbelievable experience to play at the highest level for such a long period. Australia was my team. The majority of my career was at the international level. It's been an honour to be able to do this. 100+ games in all formats is my highlight," Warner wrote in an Instagram post on Monday. "I will continue to play franchise cricket for a while, and I am also open to playing for Australia in the Champions trophy if selected,

'Kirsten, Gillespie given free hand by PCB to turn fortunes of Pak cricket'

In the wake of Pakistan's dismal showing in the T20 World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday gave head coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie a free hand to turn the fortunes of the team, according to sources. Pakistan lost to newcomers USA and arch-rivals India in the Group stages of the World Cup to be eliminated from the competition held in the USA and the Caribbean. Naqvi met the white-ball and red-ball coaches, where Kirsten and Gillespie shared their plans for the national team. According to the PCB, Naqvi told both the coaches that he had full confidence in them and they would get full backing from the cricket board. "Kirsten was blunt in laying down his concerns about the white-ball team based on the World Cup," said a PCB source. Both the head coaches told the PCB chairman that they wanted to set clear guidelines about the fitness levels required to be considered for Pakistan team selection. "Naqvi told them they should do whatever is ...

SLC refutes claims of drinking party in team hotel during recent World Cup

The Sri Lankan Cricket Board on Tuesday described a media report which claimed that its players were involved in a drinking party inside team hotel during the recent T20 World Cup as "entirely false, fabricated, and baseless". A weekend newspaper had on July 7 claimed that the Sri Lankan players had a drinking party inside the team hotel before the match against South Africa, which the islanders lost by six wickets in New York on June 3. "Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wishes to issue the following clarification regarding an inaccurate article titled 'Drinking Party Inside Team Hotel Before South Africa Match?' published in a weekend newspaper on July 7th and subsequently circulated on social media. "SLC categorically and strongly refutes the contents of the article and confirms that no such incidents, as described, have occurred. Therefore, SLC states unequivocally that the news report is entirely false, fabricated, and baseless," the SLC said in a statement. Sri Lanka secured only one .

James Anderson makes peace with retirement ahead of final Test match

James Anderson has made peace with his impending England retirement even if the evergreen seamer believes he is bowling as well as he ever has done. Anderson, who turns 42 this month, was told by England's management team in April that they would be moving on from him this summer as they look toward the future. Despite his age, Anderson warmed up for his 188th and final Test appearance against the West Indies at Lord's which starts Wednesday with a seven-wicket haul for Lancashire last week. Anderson, whose 700 Test wickets are a record for a non-spinner, insisted he is excited for what the future holds after agreeing to remain with England's red-ball side for the rest of the summer as a fast bowling mentor. I feel like I'm still bowling as well as I ever have, Anderson said. But, I knew it had to end at some point. Whether it's now or in a year or two. The fact it's now is something I've got to deal with and accept. The last couple of months I've made peace with that. I can ...