 Colombo: India's Rishabh Pant plays a shot during the second day of the second Test cricket match between Sri Lanka and India at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Monday, August 24, 2026. (Photo: IANS) Colombo, (IANS) India star batter Rishabh Pant shattered MS Dhoni's record for most Test runs scored by an Indian wicketkeeper away from home. The swashbuckling batter Pant went past Dhoni's feat during Day 2 of the second Test match against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club here on Monday. Pant scored a stroke-filled 63 in the first innings of the Test to go past the former skipper. Coming into the Test, the 28-year-old Roorkee man had scored 2471 runs in Tests away from home and at neutral venues. He needed to score 26 runs to get past the 2011 World Cup-winning captain, and he did so in style when he hit off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha for back-to-back fours in the 97th over of the first innings in the opening session on Day 2. Pant went on to complete his 21st Test half-century and a successive one after he had hit one in the second innings of the first Test in Galle. The Southpaw's impressive stay came to an end on the first ball of the second session when he drilled one straight to deep mid-off off Nuwantha. However, he has now scored 2534 runs as wicketkeeper away from home in Test cricket, with Dhoni now pushed back to second. Former cricketer Farokh Engineer had 1209 runs in away Tests as wicketkeeper, while Syed Kirmani made 1109 runs as wicketkeeper In the process, Pant has also surpassed former South African wicketkeeper Mark Boucher in the same record list and has the third-most runs away from home by wicketkeepers overall. The list is led by former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who made 2696 runs away from home in 52 Tests. Australia legend Adam Gilchrist is second with 2634 runs in 41 Tests away from home or at neutral venues. Pant's knock also saw him close in on 3000 World Test Championship runs as he aims to become the first Indian to get there. Following his 63, the Southpaw now has 2948 runs in 42 Tests in WTC history as he stands 52 shy of the 3000-run margin.Coming to the ongoing Test, India batted at a strong rate in the first session of the second day and amassed 119 runs and lost only Saransh Jain's wicket. Pant and Dhruv Jurel were the stars with the bat as they both crossed half centuries with India piling the pressure on the hosts. Rishabh Pant scripts history, breaks Dhoni’s away Test runs record | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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'We need players like him to play all formats': Dravid on Sooryavanshi (2026-09-15T15:42:00+05:30)
 'We need players like him to play all formats': Dravid on Sooryavanshi Harare: India's Vaibhav Sooryavanshi plays a shot during the third T20I match between India and Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Sunday, July 26, 2026. (Photo: IANS/X/@BCCI) New Delhi, (IANS) Former India captain Rahul Dravid believes the game needs players like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to develop into all-format cricketers, while stressing the importance of giving the 15-year-old enough time and exposure to red-ball cricket. Sooryavanshi, who has already made an impact in white-ball cricket, is set to feature for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy as he looks to gain more experience in the longer format. Dravid, who coached Sooryavanshi at Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025, said the youngster’s development needs to be carefully managed, with a balance between white-ball opportunities and red-ball cricket. “I think you always have to find that balance. And I think it’s a great thing that Vaibhav is getting the experience of playing some white-ball cricket through the IPL in India, but he’s also having the time to go back and play red-ball cricket in the Indian domestic system and grow his red-ball career,” Dravid told Cricinfo at an event in Dublin to unveil the European T20 Premier League (ETPL). “All of us also want to see Test cricket survive, all of us want to see Test cricket grow, and we need players like him to be able to hopefully play all formats of the game,” he added. Sooryavanshi has played only eight first-class matches so far, averaging 17.25, and Dravid believes the youngster needs a consistent run in the format to develop his red-ball skills. “The good thing is he’s going to take some time, he’s going to need some experience, he’s going to get an opportunity to play a lot of red-ball cricket. He’s not played as much red-ball cricket as probably white-ball cricket,” Dravid said. “He’s only 15, and I think you’ve got to just give him some time and you’ve got to be patient with him. He’s obviously been such a success straightaway, but he’s going to go through his ups and downs, and I think people are going to have to be patient with him,” he added. The Duleep Trophy could provide Sooryavanshi with at least two consecutive first-class matches, while a third could come if East Zone reach the final. He may also get further red-ball opportunities when India A host Australia A in two unofficial Tests in September. Dravid also believes Sooryavanshi’s decision to continue playing domestic red-ball cricket rather than chasing T20 opportunities around the world will benefit his long-term development. “I think he’s going to have some success, but he also might have periods where it probably doesn’t work out well for him. But let’s all remember he’s only 15 and he has a long way to go,” he said. “So Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, by not playing in T20 competitions all over the world, is actually playing in the red-ball Indian domestic competition. He’s growing, he’s getting better at red-ball skills.” Dravid hoped Sooryavanshi can eventually make the transition into red-ball cricket at the highest level and become an all-format player for India.“Hopefully, someday if he does well and performs well as he has in white-ball cricket, he might become a red-ball player for India. And how exciting that would be for the world game as well,” he said. 'We need players like him to play all formats': Dravid on Sooryavanshi | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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Young recalled for ENG Tests as NZ turn to familiar face after Williamson's retirement (2026-06-16T12:19:00+05:30)
 Karachi: New Zealand's Will Young walks off the field after his dismissal during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match against Pakistan in Karachi, Pakistan, on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. (Photo: IANS) London, (IANS) New Zealand have called up top-order batter Will Young for the remainder of the Test series against England, with the 33-year-old set to fill the void left by Kane Williamson's retirement from international cricket midway through the tour. Young will arrive in England on June 14 and join the squad ahead of the second Test at The Oval, scheduled to begin on June 17. The recall offers Young a fresh opportunity at the highest level after he was initially overlooked for the England tour despite being one of New Zealand's most dependable reserve batters in recent years. Since making his Test debut in December 2020, he has featured in 23 matches, often stepping in when injuries or absences created openings in the top order. His return comes at a crucial time for New Zealand as they begin adjusting to life without Williamson, one of the country's greatest batters and a mainstay of the Test side for more than a decade. Young's strongest case for selection remains his impressive performances whenever entrusted with a larger role. The right-hander's most memorable contribution came during New Zealand's historic 3-0 Test series sweep of India in 2024. Batting at No. 3 in Williamson's absence, Young thrived in difficult conditions, scoring 244 runs across six innings and earning the Player of the Series award. His ability to handle quality spin and occupy a key position in the batting order makes him a natural candidate to strengthen New Zealand's lineup following Williamson's departure. Although Young has not played a Test since December 2025, selectors will hope his experience and adaptability can help provide stability during a significant transition period for the Black Caps.With New Zealand looking to remain competitive in the series against England, Young now has the chance to convert years of intermittent opportunities into an extended run in the side and establish himself as a central figure in the team's next chapter. Young recalled for ENG Tests as NZ turn to familiar face after Williamson's retirement | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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Game changers: how a rainy week led a frustrated Don Bradman to reinvent cricket (2026-06-11T11:41:00+05:30)
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Vaughan Cruickshank, University of Tasmania and Tom Hartley, University of Tasmania Sir Donald Bradman needs little introduction. Cricket – and possibly world sport’s – most dominant figure, “The Don” is known for his staggering batting feats, including a scarcely believable batting average of 99.94, and his leadership of Australia’s 1948 team nicknamed the “Invincibles”. However, few would know Bradman was a key figure behind cricket’s transformation from time-consuming five-day matches to the chaotic world of one-day and Twenty20 (T20) games that dominate the sport’s calendar, broadcasts and finances today. And it was all sparked by Melbourne’s oft-criticised weather, some worried bean-counters, and a bright idea. Sports can change dramatically in the blink of an eye. Sometimes, these moments create immediate shockwaves. Other times, it’s not until much later that their impact become obvious. This is the first story in a rolling series that explores key (and sometimes long forgotten) moments in sports history. The first one-day international Domestic one-day matches of between 40 and 60 overs a side had been played in India and England since the 1950s. These shorter, more dynamic games were aimed at attracting new spectators. However, they had not been considered for international matches. The first one-day international (ODI) in 1971 was an accident: an unscheduled match played as a last-minute replacement for a Test abandoned due to heavy rain. According to Australia’s captain Bill Lawry, the match was conceived by Bradman for financial reasons. Facing heavy financial losses the English and Australian cricket boards agreed to play a game on what would have been the last day of the Test. Around 46,000 spectators saw Australia win after each side was allotted 40 eight-ball overs. It was a financial hit, popular with spectators and deemed an “overwhelming success” by the media. But growth of this format was slow, mainly due to the conservative nature of international boards. The next ODI did not happen until August 1972, and other countries did not start playing them until 1973. Remarkably, considering the amateur status of women athletes at the time, the first limited-overs World Cup was a women’s tournament in England in 1973 – two years before the maiden men’s World Cup was played. One-day cricket’s popularity soon soared, especially after the men’s World Cup in 1975. Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket, launched in 1977, confirmed its place on the international cricketing calendar and played a huge role in the shorter format’s popularity. The media baron was desperate to showcase cricket on Channel Nine but his TV rights bid was rejected by the Australian Cricket Board. Aggrieved, Packer instead set up a breakaway competition, signing many of the world’s best players. The new-look competition featured brightly coloured team kits, white balls, games under lights and batters wearing helmets – all of which are still in place today. How ODIs changed cricketTest cricket was, and often still is, criticised for being too slow and boring. The limited number of overs in ODIs increased the speed of the game: batters looked to score more quickly and take more risks, which resulted in more boundaries. Clive Lloyd, who captained the West Indies to two World Cup wins, called limited-overs cricket the greatest innovation for the sport. He specifically referred to improved standards of fielding and tactical awareness. ODIs have greatly increased athleticism: batters need to be stronger to hit more boundaries and quicker to ensure they are fast enough when running between wickets. Fielders need to be faster and more athletic to stop boundaries and extra runs. They also need stronger arms to throw the ball faster. In 1992, fielding restrictions were introduced for the first 15 overs, only allowing two fielders outside of a 30-yard circle. This promoted early aggressive batting. These fielding restrictions forced captains to rethink field placements and bowling rotations. While Australia scored 191 runs to win the first ODI, current teams regularly surpass 300. Scoring has increased because of power hitting, bigger bats, specific training and better running between wickets. Boundary ropes introduced for player safety also reduced the distance required to hit a boundary. Bowlers have had to develop more variations, such as slower balls, to make it harder for them to score runs. In this shorter format, the importance of all-rounders (players who can bat and bowl competently) has increased greatly. Wicketkeepers are also expected to be better batters. Former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist had success opening the batting, which gave his team more flexibility to include other batters and all-rounders. Player uniforms also evolved. One-day clashes originally used traditional white clothing, but colour uniforms introduced a new dimension for televised cricket. They have been used permanently since the 1992 World Cup. As the format evolved, player names and then numbers were gradually added to playing tops, making identification easier for commentators and spectators. Continuing relevanceLimited-overs cricket laid the platform for even shorter formats such as T20s, the Hundred and even ten over games. Ironically, these innovative formats now threaten the continued relevance of 50-over cricket. Analysis of more than 340 ODI matches played in Australia between 1985 and 2015 shows average attendances have declined over time. In the 1980s, games in Australia regularly drew crowds of more than 35,000, but in recent years attendance has struggled to regularly reach 25,000 per match. However, major events like World Cups can still draw large crowds. The 2023 tournament was attended by a record 1.25 million people and made Australian captain Pat Cummins “fall in love with ODI cricket again”. ODIs have given fans decades of drama and achievement. Older fans still remember classic games such as Australia’s tied 1999 World Cup semifinal against South Africa, and Michael Bevan’s last-ball four to beat the West Indies on New Year’s Day in 1996. But 50-over cricket now faces a challenge to stay relevant alongside more exciting and more profitable T20 tournaments. If ODIs are to keep their place in a busy cricket calendar, they must continue evolving to ensure they maintain player and audience interest. Vaughan Cruickshank, Senior Lecturer in Health and Physical Education, University of Tasmania and Tom Hartley, Lecturer in Health and Physical Education, University of Tasmania This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. |
Sooryavanshi, a special talent… we are putting too much pressure on him: Kapil Dev (2026-06-10T13:15:00+05:30)
 Credit: BCCI/X New Delhi, June 8 (IANS) Former India captain Kapil Dev has described teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi as a "special talent," but cautioned against burdening the youngster with excessive pressure so early in his career. At 15 years and 71 days, the left-handed opener earned his maiden call-up to the India T20I squad for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England and the Asian Games 2026. He became the youngest player to be picked, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s 36-year-old record. "I think he is a special talent, but he has to go a long way. There is no doubt that at such a young age, the way he has performed in club cricket shows his ability. He just needs to focus on himself because he has a long journey ahead. At the moment, I think we are putting too much pressure on him," Kapil Dev told IANS. Tendulkar made his India debut in 1989 against Pakistan at the age of 16 years and 205 days, making him the youngest Indian player ever to feature in a senior international cricket match. If Sooryavanshi features during the tour, he will also become the youngest player to debut for India in men’s international cricket. Sooryavanshi’s call-up comes on the back of a sensational IPL 2026 campaign with Rajasthan Royals, where he established himself as one of the breakout stars of the tournament. Opening the batting for the RR, the left-hander won the Orange Cap after scoring 776 runs in 16 innings at a staggering strike rate of 237.30. His season included one century, five half-centuries and a record 72 sixes. Asked about IPL have an impact on selection process, the 1983 World Cup-winning captain said, "Definitely IPL is the most important tournament in the world and with that selector must be watching who's playing you know which type of cricket and the selector have an option now they have people there who can be fit in the team at the right place."Before joining the senior squad for the Ireland series, Sooryavanshi is set to represent India A for the tri-series in Sri Lanka from June 9 to 21. Sooryavanshi, a special talent… we are putting too much pressure on him: Kapil Dev | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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IPL 2026: Sooryavanshi scripts history, becomes youngest to clinch Orange Cap (2026-06-02T10:51:00+05:30)
 Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill greets Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as he walks off the field after his dismissal during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Qualifier 2 match between Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, on May 29, 2026. (IANS Photo) Ahmedabad, (IANS): Indian cricket's newest phenomenon, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, has capped off a breathtaking Indian Premier League season by becoming the youngest-ever recipient of the Orange Cap, rewriting record books at just 15 years and 65 days of age. The Rajasthan Royals opener finished IPL 2026 with a staggering 776 runs from 16 innings, a tally that remained untouched after Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill and fellow opener Sai Sudharsan failed to mount a successful challenge in Sunday's final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. With Rajasthan's campaign ending in Qualifier 2, Sooryavanshi had already completed his season. Yet his extraordinary run-scoring exploits ensured that no batter could catch him. Gill ended the tournament with 732 runs, while defending Orange Cap holder Sai Sudharsan accumulated 722. Virat Kohli, who was placed sixth before the summit clash between RCB and GT began, has scored 638 and surpassed SRH’s Klassen and Ishan Kishan to jump to fourth but still remains far from surpassing Sooryavanshi’s tally, ending fourth in the overall list. The teenager's achievement shattered another age-related benchmark. Until now, Sudharsan's Orange Cap triumph in 2025, at 23 years and 231 days, stood as the record for the youngest winner of the award. What separated Sooryavanshi from the rest was not merely the volume of runs but the manner in which they came. The Bihar-born prodigy scored at an astonishing strike rate of 237.31, producing an aggressive brand of batting rarely witnessed in the tournament's history. His six-hitting spree became one of the defining stories of the season. Sooryavanshi launched 72 sixes across the campaign, eclipsing the long-standing IPL record of 59 set by Chris Gayle and establishing a new benchmark for power-hitting excellence. The season was filled with milestones. Sooryavanshi became the fastest player in IPL history to reach 1,000 career runs in terms of balls faced, requiring only 440 deliveries and surpassing the previous mark held by West Indies powerhouse Andre Russell. In terms of innings, he reached the landmark in just 23 knocks, second only to Shaun Marsh's record of 21. His campaign could have been even more extraordinary. While he registered a century against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he also suffered the heartbreak of three dismissals in the nineties, scores of 93, 97 and 96 denying him a chance to match Kohli's record of four hundreds in a single IPL season. Nevertheless, the numbers scarcely capture the impact of his performances. Throughout IPL 2026, Sooryavanshi emerged as the tournament's most captivating storyline, combining audacious strokeplay with remarkable consistency against some of the world's best bowlers.As the curtain falls on a memorable season, Indian cricket finds itself celebrating not just an Orange Cap winner, but the arrival of a generational talent whose rise appears only to have begun. IPL 2026: Sooryavanshi scripts history, becomes youngest to clinch Orange Cap | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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IPL 2026: 'I was telling him about the madness with which he is batting', says Kishan on Sooryavanshi (2026-04-27T13:27:00+05:30)
 Jaipur: Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi plays a shot during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (IANS/Raj Kumar) New Delhi, (IANS) Ishan Kishan marvelled at the fearless batting of teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, admitting that even opposition players are left wondering “what the scorecard could have looked like” had the youngster batted longer. Suryavanshi on Saturday hammered a stunning 37-ball 103 for against Sunrisers Hyderabad, marking his second IPL century with this one made off just 36 balls. Reflecting on his conversation with the 15-year-old, Kishan said, “I was just telling him about the madness with which he is batting and how he is hitting. Sometimes, you are even scared thinking about what the scorecard could have looked if he had stayed for a few more overs. So, it was important for us to get his wicket. It was 228, it could have easily been 258. Cricket is all about comebacks. We got him out and made a little comeback there. That’s what I told him, ‘When I am playing against you, please go a little easy on my team. I know all your secrets and inside stories," Kishan told JioStar. Vice-captain Kishan played a brilliant knock of 74 runs as Sunrisers Hyderabad chased down 229 runs target in 18.3 overs and registered a dominant five-wicket win against Rajasthan Royals (RR). Speaking about his role at No. 3, Kishan emphasised the importance of anchoring the innings and making life easier for others in the batting order. “After having played for so many years as a No. 3 batter, if you are set, you look to score big and bat till the end. It makes the job easier for the other batters with you, as they don’t feel the pressure. That is my only thinking, to keep things as simple as I can, be in a good headspace, and just take it one match at a time. If we play good cricket, the rest of the team will learn from it. In the end, it’s a team sport. When you play good cricket, it rubs off on the others. I have also made a lot of mistakes, so my only aim is not to repeat them, which unfortunately, I did in the end in this game.” Kishan also opened up on his journey back into the Indian team, stressing the need for resilience and consistent performances rather than dwelling on setbacks.“When I wasn’t playing and was out of the team, I told myself I can’t cry or sulk about it. It’s the easiest thing to do for any sportsman. It might earn you the sympathy of a few people, you might even feel good about it, but it won’t get you anywhere. The only thing that could have gotten me back into the reckoning was runs. So, I just wanted to improve my game and score as many runs as I could, even if that meant hitting more sixes than any other batter. Only consistent run-scoring can bring you back into the team. If 300 runs in a season are not enough, score 400; if not that, score 500. At the end of the day, cricket is our daily bread. When you’re out of the team, you understand its importance and start respecting every game. You become hungrier, and that was my focus: to become the best.” IPL 2026: 'I was telling him about the madness with which he is batting', says Kishan on Sooryavanshi | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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'Focus will be on Virat': Aakash Chopra backs Kohli for stellar IPL season over Dhoni and Rohit (2026-04-01T11:34:00+05:30)
 Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli bats during a training session ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday, March 26, 2026. (Photo: IANS) New Delhi, (IANS) Former India opener Aakash Chopra has backed Virat Kohli to be the standout performer in IPL 2026 ahead of MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, citing the right-handed batter’s fitness and consistency as decisive factors. Kohli played a pivotal role in RCB's title-winning campaign last year, scoring 657 runs at a strike rate of 144.71 and an average of 54.75, including eight fifties. “The focus will be on Virat Kohli again because the guy is so fit. Yes, there are gaps between series and he felt the pinch of those gaps in Australia, but once he started scoring runs, he found a way to be super consistent for months. “So, the kind of fitness that he has achieved over a period of time makes him the best suited, also because he is an opener. So, he has more time to work himself into form. The same is true for Rohit Sharma as well, but between the two of them, I still feel Virat Kohli has it a little easier just because of himself. That is the price he has to pay for the kind of fitness and legacy he has built,” said Chopra on JioStar. He also explained why Dhoni may find it tough to hit the ground running in IPL 2026. “It is a little difficult for Dhoni as well because he is on the wrong side of 40. For him, to not play anything for 10 months, turn up for the IPL and switch on, and also play at a number where he gets only 10-12 balls, is the toughest thing to do. Then there are also 20 overs of keeping, so his job is perhaps the toughest.” Chopra further noted that Rohit is expected to continue his aggressive approach at the top of the order and set the tone for other Mumbai Indians batters to get going. “When you are part of the batting order that the Mumbai Indians have, it is mandatory to set the tone for Rohit Sharma. Rohit does want to bat a certain way. He has already made his opinion very public. "But if you are part of a setup where there is Quinton de Kock at the other end, followed by Tilak, Surya, Hardik, Will Jacks or Sherfane Rutherford, and then Naman Dhir, what else is the option? You need to maximise the 20 overs, which basically means maximising the first six overs."So, yes, Rohit would be expected to bat the same way, see the ball, hit the ball, that is what I am thinking for the entire Mumbai Indians setup, unless the pitch is asking you to play a slightly different brand of cricket," he concluded. 'Focus will be on Virat': Aakash Chopra backs Kohli for stellar IPL season over Dhoni and Rohit | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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T20 WC: ‘This victory is what I live for,’ says Hardik on redemption, hard work, and India’s historic triumph (2026-03-14T13:08:00+05:30)
 Ahmedabad: India's Hardik Pandya celebrates with his partner Mahieka Sharma after India won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 08, 2026. (Photo: IANS) Ahmedabad, (IANS) All-rounder Hardik Pandya described India’s ICC Men's T20 World Cup triumph as a moment of redemption and validation of years of belief, saying winning trophies for the country remains the driving force of his career after India sealed a dominant 96-run victory over New Zealand in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, successfully defending their title and becoming the first team to win the T20 World Cup at home and three times. Speaking of his journey and the emotions surrounding the triumph, Pandya pointed to the difficult phases he had overcome since the previous World Cup cycle. “I think in that (2024 WC final) scene, there was a lot of difficulty, a lot of things had happened, so this was more about taking redemption, making my fifth comeback. This victory is always what I live for. I have played cricket for this. I want to win trophies, I want to win as many trophies as possible for India,” he told the broadcasters after the win.  Ahmedabad: India's captain Suryakumar Yadav and teammates Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan celebrate after India won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 08, 2026. (Photo: IANS)Pandya said his belief in winning trophies for India had never been just words. “After Barbados, I had said that whichever trophy I play for, I will win. I didn’t say that to say it, I believe it, and this is just a validation that what I believed has converted into reality,” he said. While he acknowledged the power of belief and manifestation, the all-rounder stressed that success ultimately comes down to relentless effort. “It is a manifestation, but I think there is a lot of hard work behind it; it is not just that, a lot of hard work goes into it. The big thing is everyone works hard, but for me, whatever results have come in life, I only know hard work. Every time I just work hard, work hard, be a good human being.”  Ahmedabad: India's Hardik Pandya and former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar during the celebrations after India won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 08, 2026. (Photo: IANS)Pandya also credited the people behind the scenes who helped him stay physically and mentally ready through challenging periods in his career. “I would like to thank my own team, Mohit, Kartik, my physio, my security Siddhant, my nutritionist Nikhil, my trainers Sagar, and my chef Vijay. I think they have been fantastic. The Hardik Pandya you see is because these people take so much care behind the scenes.” He reserved special praise for his wife, saying her support had played a huge role in his recent success. “And since Mahika has come into my life, it has only been about winning, only about how Hardik Pandya can move forward. So special mention to Mahika, to my whole team. I think without them, I would not be here. This would not have been possible.”  Ahmedabad: India's Ishan Kishan celebrates with teammate Hardik Pandya and his partner Mahieka Sharma after India won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 08, 2026. (Photo: IANS)Now regarded as one of the senior players in the Indian setup, Pandya said he still has big ambitions for the next phase of his career. “I think it sounds very good that I am a senior player now. But I still have ten years left, so half of my career is finished, and half is still remaining. I want to win at least ten trophies, ICC and IPL combined, but for me, ICC trophies are the most important trophies.” He added that adding more global titles remains a major goal. “I have got three, and I would want to win anything that I play for. So I think in the next ten years at least five or six will come, so yeah, that’s my goal.” Winning a World Cup on home soil made the achievement even more special for the all-rounder. “Yes, it is a very emotional thing for me because winning a World Cup in India, the excitement of the people is a very big thing.”  Ahmedabad: India's Hardik Pandya celebrates with his partner Mahieka Sharma after India won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 08, 2026. (Photo: IANS)Pandya also reflected on the team’s belief heading into the final and key moments earlier in the tournament. “It feels like we won the match easily now, but the hard work this team has put in, from yesterday, I knew we are champions. I think that 19th over (in the semi-final vs England) was as important as what I bowled in the 2024 World Cup because I loved it.” For Pandya, the journey also carried a larger message about perseverance and humility. “I mean, this is what life teaches you. When you work hard, when you stay as humans, when you find happiness in other people’s happiness, the divine always gives you a chance. I think this is a learning for the whole nation that no matter what happens in life, if you keep working hard and stay quiet, the divine will take care.”He also praised teammates Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, both of whom played key roles in India’s title-winning campaign. “I am so proud of both of them. They came, they worked very hard, they kept quiet, and God has given them the benefit of what they have got now. So I am really proud of them.” T20 WC: ‘This victory is what I live fr,’ says Hardik on redemption, hard work, and India’s historic triumph | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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T20 WC: ‘One of the greatest days of my life,’ says Samson after match-winning 97* powers India into semis (2026-03-01T13:23:00+05:30)
 Kolkata, (IANS) For a cricketer whose career has frequently oscillated between promise and doubt, salvation came on the biggest platform. Standing tall after guiding India to a historic chase against the West Indies at Eden Gardens, Sanju Samson reflected on a journey defined by resilience and belief. “It means the whole world actually to me. I think right from the day I started playing, started dreaming to play for the country, I think this is the day I was waiting for. And I’m very grateful, very thankful. And I’ve always had a very special journey with lots of ups and downs, but I’ve kept on doubting myself, kept on thinking, what if, what if, can I make it, can I make it? But I kept on believing and thanks to the Lord Almighty for actually blessing me today. So I’m very happy,” Samson said at the post-match presentation after being named Player of the Match. His unbeaten 97 off 50 balls was not merely a match-winning innings; it was the defining performance of India’s campaign in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, sealing a semifinal clash with England. Samson’s innings was shaped as much by experience as by temperament, forged through years of watching and learning from the sidelines. “Yeah, I think that’s why I have been playing this format for a very long time. I think playing IPL around 10 to 12 years and playing for the country from last 10 years, I have not been playing, but looking from the dugout, learning from the greats like Virat Kohli, from Rohit Sharma, like all the greats. I think it’s very important to observe and learn and see what they were doing. I think that really helped me to, I think with my experience, I have only played maybe 50, 60 games, but I’ve seen around 100 games and I’ve seen how the greatest people have finished the games and how do they change their game according to the game,” he added. Chasing 195 in a virtual quarterfinal, Samson showed remarkable composure, adjusting his tempo as wickets fell around him. “So I think the last game we were batting first, so it was all about setting a very high score. So that’s how I wanted to go big right from ball one. But this game was completely different. I think as soon as I wanted to go a bit higher, we were losing wickets. So I think I wanted to build a partnership, wanted to keep focusing on my process. And I never felt that I will do something special like this, but I was just focusing on my role and just keeping one ball at a time and very grateful. I think this is one of the greatest days of my life,” he said of his knock. Even as the noise of expectation swelled, Samson relied on mental discipline to stay grounded. Speaking of the cheers from the crowd, Sanju stated, “Yeah, definitely they do bring a lot of energy and they do bring a lot of support. But I think on the other end, there is always a question, what if not? So definitely that keeps on playing in your mind. But when that thought kept on coming, I just brought myself into the present moment and just looked at the ball and trusted myself to react according to the ball in merit. So I think that worked out pretty well today.”On a night when India needed certainty, Samson delivered conviction, not just in runs, but in belief. The defending champions will now face England in the second semi-final on March 5 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. T20 WC: ‘One of the greatest days of my life,’ says Samson after match-winning 97* powers India into semis | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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Shikhar Dhawan marries Sophie Shine, releases photos of his wedding (2026-02-25T13:28:00+05:30)
 IANS Photo New Delhi, February 21 (IANS) Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has released photos of his wedding with long-time partner Sophie Shine, confirming the news through social media posts on Saturday. They have been in a relationship for almost a year, with Dhawan confirming their relationship in May 2025 and a few months back, and last month, the couple announced their engagement on Instagram. In the Insta post, Dhawan also informed his fans that their wedding outfit was designed by famous designer Manish Malhotra. "Mr. & Mrs. Dhawan. Outfit - @manishmalhotra05," said Dhawan in his post. Earlier in the day, India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal gave fans a peek into Shikhar and Sophie Shine's wedding celebrations by sharing pictures from the ceremony on Saturday. The wedding, reportedly taking place in the Delhi NCR region, is attended by close friends and family members. Chahal took to Instagram to post cheerful moments from the celebrations, including a picture of Dhawan dressed in traditional groom’s attire alongside Sophie, who looked good in her bridal outfit. The spinner was also seen enjoying the festivities and dancing with other guests. Captioning his post, Chahal wrote, “Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai,” expressing his excitement for his former teammate’s big day.  Earlier, Dhawan had shared pictures from his sangeet ceremony on Instagram. “Sangeet Night, almost the Dhawans,” he wrote in his post. Sophie, too, had offered fans a glimpse of the pre-wedding festivities by sharing photos from her haldi ceremony. Dhawan and Sophie made their relationship public in 2025 and announced their engagement in January 2026. Their love story reportedly began several years ago in Dubai, and since then, Sophie has been a constant presence in Dhawan’s life. The couple has built a strong following on social media, where their light-hearted and humorous reels are widely appreciated by fans. This is Dhawan’s second marriage. His first marriage to Ayesha Mukherjee ended in 2021. Dhawan officially retired from all forms of international and domestic cricket on August 24, 2024. During his international career, Dhawan established himself as one of India’s most dependable openers, especially in limited-overs cricket. Known for his performances in major tournaments, he earned the nickname 'Mr. ICC', for his consistency on the global stage.Across 269 international matches, Dhawan scored 10,867 runs and registered 24 centuries, leaving behind a significant legacy in Indian cricket. Shikhar Dhawan marries Sophie Shine, releases photos of his wedding | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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T20 WC: Kishan credits simplicity, off-side game for match-winning 77 against Pakistan (2026-02-16T11:38:00+05:30)
 Colombo: India's Ishan Kishan plays a shot during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 match between India and Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, February 15, 2026. (Photo: IANS/Biplab Banerjee) Colombo, (IANS) India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan said being simple in his batting approach and focusing on opening up his off-side game helped him smash a match-winning 77 in the side’s 61-run win over Pakistan in a Group A clash at the R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday. Amidst the rain threat looming on the big clash, Kishan struck a blistering 77 off 40 balls laced with ten fours and three sixes on a slow, spin-friendly pitch as India posted 175/7 before bowling Pakistan out for 114 to secure a 61-run victory and qualify for the Super Eights. “I think the wicket was not that easy in the beginning, but sometimes you just have to believe what you want to play, what shots are on, and you have to just focus on your strength. “So I was just keeping it simple and watching the ball and playing with the field, maybe trying to make them run as much as they can, but yeah, I think it worked pretty well on my side,” Kishan said in the post-match presentation ceremony. Kishan, who was named Player of the Match, highlighted the work he had put into his offside game and the importance of rotating strike on a large ground. “I think I did work a lot on my offside game and it will give me the balls where I want them to bowl if I play good shots on offside. “So I was just trying to hit the gaps because it's a big boundary and when it's a big ground you get a bigger gap. So I was just trying to keep it simple, like I said, trying to hit the gaps, trying to at least take two runs because the wicket was not easy. I had that in mind that we need to put a total like 160-170 runs and it will be a very good total for us,” he added. Kishan further said the win carried added significance given the hype and rivalry around the India-Pakistan clashes. “100 percent. India v Pakistan is always a special game not only for us but for our country as well. So we had to win this one because it was a very important game and they had pretty good spinners in their side. “We were just supposed to play the good shots and winning this against Pakistan team... it will give us a lot of confidence going ahead in the tournament and we'll try to just keep the momentum going.” He also praised India’s new-ball bowlers for setting the tone. “I think they bowled tremendously well. Pace bowlers... when I was batting and Shaheen was bowling, I didn't feel like the ball was doing much for the pace bowlers. But at the same time, looking at them (Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah) bowl two beautiful overs, it was a plus point for us. “Especially when we know how Jasprit Bumrah can bowl, whether he has new ball in his hand and bowling in the death. Credit goes to Hardik Pandya for keeping it on the tight areas, bowling what we planned before the game and executing his plans pretty well,” he concluded. T20 WC: Ishan amazingly took the responsibility after being 0-1 down, says Suryakumar Captain Suryakumar Yadav praised wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan’s match-winning 77 after India's 61-run victory over Pakistan in a Group A clash in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Colombo on Sunday, saying that he took the responsibility of the innings amazingly after being 0-1 down. Kishan struck a blistering 77 off 40 balls, laced with ten fours and three sixes on a slow, spin-friendly pitch as India posted 175/7 before bowling Pakistan out for 114 to secure a 61-run victory and qualify for the Super Eights. “This is for India. We played the same brand of cricket we wanted to play. The way Ishan batted, he batted the same way (he has been batting in the last few games and domestic cricket). Ishan thought something out of the box. “At 0-1, someone needed to take responsibility, and he did that amazingly. There was a bit of a slump, but that is the beauty of T20 cricket. The way they (Tilak, Dube, and Rinku) batted is commendable,” Yadav said in the post-match presentation ceremony. India’s victory was their eighth in nine Men’s T20 World Cup meetings against Pakistan. Yadav also said the total was above par and credited his bowlers for sealing the win. “Difficult to tell when batting first. As soon as we reached 175, we thought it was 15-20 runs over par. 155, it would have been a very tight game. Hardik took the new ball, taking charge. Bumrah then showed why he is the best in the world. It was great to see everyone contributing,” he added. Looking ahead, the right-handed batter said the team would regroup well before their next fixture against the Netherlands in Ahmedabad, to be played on February 18. “We will think about that tomorrow. We will go back, have some good time together as a team (tonight), and think about that when we reach Ahmedabad.” Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha admitted his side had fallen short with both bat and ball. “We went with four spinners; they had an off-day. Execution was missing in some parts. With the bat, we did not start well. If you lose 3-4 wickets in the Power-play, you are always chasing the game,” he said. “In the first innings, it was a bit tacky, and the ball was gripping too. The pitch played better in the second innings, but we did not bowl according to the situation, and we did not apply ourselves with the bat.“In these games, the emotions are always going to be high; we just need to deal with them. We have played enough (of these games), we have a game in a couple of days, and we have to look forward to it. We need to win that and qualify. Then it is a new tournament,” he said. T20 WC: Kishan credits simplicity, off-side game for match-winning 77 against Pakistan | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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