 Ranchi: India's Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli during the first ODI cricket match between India and South Africa at JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi, Sunday, November 30, 2025. (Photo: IANS) New Delhi, (IANS): India will kick off their 2026 campaign with a home white-ball series against New Zealand, beginning with a three-match ODI series that will see Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to action in India colours. With an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan urged the senior duo to remain actively involved in domestic cricket whenever they are not on international duty. Speaking on JioStar, Pathan emphasised the importance of sustained match practice for Rohit and Kohli, particularly given that they’re active only in ODIs, as India begin planning for the next World Cup cycle. “You definitely want to think about the ICC 2027 ODI World Cup. It is far away, but I just want to see both Rohit and Kohli playing for the longest time, for India and when not playing international cricket, in domestic cricket. They are playing just one format and nothing else, so the more they play, the better it is,” Pathan said. Pathan also reflected on the growing responsibilities facing Shubman Gill, who has taken on leadership roles in both Test and ODI cricket, and the challenges that come with captaining the national side at a young age. "When I was picked for the first time, at 19 years of age, the great Rahul Dravid said, “Irfan, it's good that you have reached this level, but things will only get difficult from here on.” Upon asking him, What should I do if things do get difficult? He replied, “You will get used to handling it…” and the same will happen with Shubman Gill. One good thing that happened on the England tour for Shubman was that his Test average improved, and his authority over the team also increased. Now he also has the responsibility in ODIs and it is a huge opportunity for him to grow.“ Addressing comparisons between Gill and Kohli, Pathan noted that such expectations are a natural by-product of elite talent and past greatness, while backing the young captain’s ability to live up to them. "He is immensely talented, there is no question about that, and comparisons are inevitable. Virat Kohli was constantly compared to Sachin Tendulkar and was expected to perform at that level. Now that Kohli has reached those heights, Gill is being compared to him. There's expectations that he must match those standards and score close to 25,000–30,000 runs and he certainly has the ability to do so.”--IANS I want to see both Rohit and Kohli playing for the longest time: Irfan Pathan | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com |
Ashes: Lyon overtakes McGrath to become Australia second-highest Test wicket-taker (2025-12-19T11:16:00+05:30)
 Credit: ICC Adelaide, (IANS) Australia veteran spinner Nathan Lyon achieved a significant milestone on Thursday as he moved past former fast-bowling great Glenn McGrath to become Australia's second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. Lyon jumped into second place – behind Shane Warne on the list of all-time Australian Test wicket-takers during the first session of the third Ashes Test against England at the Adelaide Oval. After being left out of the XI for the second Test in Brisbane, Lyon had a point to prove in Adelaide, making an instant impact by removing Ollie Pope (3) to go level with McGrath on 563 wickets. Just moments later, Lyon produced a perfect off-spinner from around the wicket to beat Ben Duckett lunging forward, with the finger spinner hitting the top of off-stump. It was Lyon’s 564th Test wicket, passing McGrath on 563. Only Warne (708) has claimed more scalps as an Australian than Lyon, who’s now moved into outright sixth place on the all-time Test wicket-taker’s list. Lyon's 564 wickets also put him in outright sixth place on the all-time Test wicket-taker's list, with Warne (708) the only Australian above the off-spinner. Sri Lanka's Muthiah Muralidaran (800), England's James Anderson (704) and Stuart Broad (604) and India's Anil Kumble (619) are the only other bowlers in the format's history with more wickets than the 38-year-old Lyon. Lyon achieved the feat at Adelaide Oval – the ground where he was a curator before becoming a full-time cricketer. “You think all those years ago when he was sitting on the roller here at Adelaide Oval – and now he’s gone past the great Glenn McGrath for Test wickets for Australia. What an achievement,” former Australia quick Brett Lee said on Kayo Sports.The efforts of Lyon spoilt what looked to be a steady reply from England, who bowled Australia out for 371, as the visitors are reeling at 124/4. Ashes: Lyon overtakes McGrath to become Australia second-highest Test wicket-taker | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com |
U19 Asia Cup: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 171 sets up India’s huge win over UAE (2025-12-17T11:37:00+05:30)
 IANS Photo Dubai, (IANS) Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s blistering 171 off 95 balls powered India U19 to a commanding 234‑run victory over UAE U19 in their Asia Cup opener at the ICC Academy on Friday. Apart from Suryavanshi’s spectacular knock, Aaron George (69) and Vihaan Malhotra (69) contributed with crucial half-centuries. Vedant Trivedi (38), Abhigyan Kundu (32) and Kanishk Chouhan (28) provided the finishing touches to India U19 posting a massive 433/6, the highest score in tournament’s history. It’s also India’s highest total in U19 ODIs and the third‑highest ever score in men’s U19 one‑day cricket. Suryavanshi's knock was laced with nine fours and 14 sixes coming at a strike rate of 180. He brought up his half-century in 30 balls, before getting his century in just 56 deliveries and reaching his 150 in 84 balls. His 14 sixes are the most by any batter in the tournament’s history, going past Afghanistan’s Darwish Rasooli who struck 10 against UAE in 2017. In reply, UAE made 199/7 in 50 overs, with Uddish Suri’s unbeaten 78 and Prithvi Madhu’s fifty being the lone resistance acts for the hosts. India U19 will next face Pakistan U19 in their group stage clash on Sunday. Meanwhile, Pakistan U19 launched their campaign with a crushing 297‑run win over Malaysia at The Sevens Stadium. Centuries from Ahmed Hussain and debutant Sameer Minhas powered the side to 345/3 before the bowlers bundled Malaysia out for just 48 in 19.4 overs. Minhas was the star of the show with an unbeaten 177 off 148 balls, striking 11 fours and eight sixes to claim the Player of the Match honour. He shared a mammoth 293‑run stand with Hussain, who made 132 off 114 deliveries, and ensured Pakistan’s dominance from the outset. Malaysia never recovered from early blows in the chase, as Ali Raza struck with the new ball to finish with 3-11, while Mohammad Sayyam also took three wickets and Daniyal Ali Khan and Niqab Shafiq chipped in to complete a resounding win for Pakistan U19. Brief Scores: India U19 433/6 in 50 overs (Vaibhav Suryavanshi 171, Vihaan Malhotra 69; Yug Sharma 2-75, Uddish Suri 2-77) beat UAE U19 199/7 in 50 overs (Uddish Suri 78 not out, Prithvi Madhu 50; Deepesh Devendran 2/21, Henil Patel 1/31) by 234 runsPakistan 345/3 in 50 overs (Sameer Minhas 177 not out, Ahmed Hussain 132; Nagineswaran Sathnakumaran 2-91) beat Malaysia 48 all out in 19.4 overs (Deaaz Patro 9; Ali Raza 3-11, Mohammad Sayyam 3-27) by 297 runs U19 Asia Cup: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 171 sets up India’s huge win over UAE | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com |
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma show will continue: Dale Steyn (2025-12-04T11:59:00+05:30)
 Ranchi: India's Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma during the first ODI cricket match between India and South Africa at JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi, Sunday, November 30, 2025. (Photo: IANS) New Delhi, (IANS) Former South Africa cricketer Dale Steyn believes Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's show will continue in the ongoing ODI series ahead of the second ODI on Wednesday in Raipur. At the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, India overcame a scare and easily defeated South Africa in a closely contested match to win the first ODI by 17 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Speaking on the expectations from the second ODI, JioStar expert Dale Steyn said: “I think the Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma show will continue. I’m eager to see which fast bowlers, and which spinners, come out and do something interesting." India put up a commanding first innings total, driven by a brilliant century from Virat Kohli and critical fifties from Rohit Sharma and K.L. Rahul following the early setback as India amassed a mammoth 398/8 in 50 overs. Later in the game, Kuldeep Yadav 4/68 and Harshit Rana 3/65 helped India beat the visitors by 17 runs. The experienced pair of Rohit and Virat stitched together a fluent 136-run stand, taking the pressure off after the early setback. Rohit reached a brisk 57 off 51 balls and broke Shahid Afridi’s long-standing record for most ODI sixes before Marco Jansen trapped him lbw. In the meantime, Kohli carried on unhindered, reaching his 83rd international century and 52nd ODI century. He advanced fast after reaching three figures, taking on Prenelan Subrayen with two fours and two sixes. Rahul offered excellent support with a well-paced 60, adding 76 important runs with Kohli. After Kohli’s removal for 135, Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja pushed India towards a huge finish with a 65-run partnership. But a late mini-collapse that included wickets from Corbin Bosch and Jansen limited India to 349/8.Steyn emphasised the importance of wicket-keeper batter Quinton de Kock's role and expects a big knock from him. "It’s been a batter’s paradise so far, so which bowlers will step up and really perform in the second ODI? Quinton de Kock didn’t score any runs in the first ODI, but I feel like he has a point to prove. He’s someone South Africa will lean on to score big for them.” Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma show will continue: Dale Steyn | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com |
Bengal govt appoints Women's ODI World Cup star Richa Ghosh as DSP (2025-11-14T11:42:00+05:30)
 (Photo: @titu_dipankar/X/IANS) Kolkata, (IANS) The West Bengal government, on Saturday, appointed wicketkeeper-batter of the Indian team winning the Women’s World Cup, Richa Ghosh, as Deputy Superintendent (DSP) in the state police. West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, personally handed over the appointment letter to her at a colourful programme at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, which was organised to felicitate Ghosh. Ghosh was also conferred the Banga Bhushan award by the state government. The Chief Minister also handed over to her a golden bat and a golden ball on behalf of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). CAB also presented her with a cheque of Rs 34 lakhs. Present on the occasion was the former Indian cricket team captain and the former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Sourav Ganguly. He explained that since Ghosh scored 34 runs in the final match of the Women’s World Cup, she had been presented with a cheque of Rs 34 lakhs. “Richa’s job when she came to bat at number six was the most difficult since she got lesser number of balls to play. The asking rate was quite high then. However, she played skillfully and made the difference,” Ganguly said. Both the Chief Minister and Ganguly expressed that one day, Richa will lead the Indian women’s cricket team as a captain. Ghosh shared her experience on how to prepare herself for the tournament. “During the net practice, I always fix a target. This helps me. I love accepting challenges when playing in difficult situations. I love to play a role in ensuring the victory of my team,” she said. The Chief Minister said that she would like to see Sourav Ganguly as the chief of the International Cricket Council (ICC) one day.“He was the captain of the Indian cricket team for so many years. He has also handled the cricket administration well. He should have been the head of the ICC? I believe he will be in that position one day. No one will be able to stop him,” the Chief Minister said. Bengal govt appoints Women's ODI World Cup star Richa Ghosh as DSP | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com |
Rohit Sharma becomes oldest Indian batter to take No. 1 spot in ICC men's rankings (2025-10-30T13:01:00+05:30)
 Sydney: India's Rohit Sharma celebrates after scoring a century during the third ODI cricket match between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, on Saturday, October 25, 2025. (Photo: IANS) Dubai, (IANS) India opener Rohit Sharma has achieved the top ODI batter ranking for the first time in his career. The right-handed player has also made history by becoming the oldest batter ever to claim the No. 1 spot in the ICC men's rankings at the age of 38. Rohit advanced two positions to reach the top after delivering an outstanding unbeaten century in the third and final ODI between India and Australia in Sydney, where he guided his team to a commanding nine-wicket victory. The seasoned right-hander was in excellent form alongside veteran Virat Kohli (74 not out) as he hit 13 fours and three sixes, marking his 33rd ODI century for India. Rohit's efforts have propelled him past Afghanistan's Ibrahim Zadran and India’s Shubman Gill to reach the number one spot in ODI cricket batting rankings for the first time. He has maintained a position in the top 10 for most of the past decade. Notably, Ibrahim became the first Afghanistan batter to ever top the ODI batting rankings – briefly between the second and third ODIs in Australia, when Gill dropped below him and Rohit had not surged to the top. The former captain wasn't the only Indian player to improve in the updated rankings this week; spinner Axar Patel gained recognition for a solid performance in Sydney, moving up in both the bowling and all-rounder categories. Axar climbs six places to 31st position in the ODI bowling rankings and advances four spots to eighth overall, just behind Mitchell Santner in the ODI all-rounders list. Among the top 10 ODI bowlers, New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner climbs three spots to fourth, while Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood advances two spots to eighth. Additionally, England's Harry Brook makes a notable leap of 23 places to rank 25th among ODI batters. The latest Test rankings have shifted somewhat after South Africa's notable eight-wicket win over Pakistan in Rawalpindi. The standout benefit goes to seasoned spinner Keshav Maharaj, who moves up significantly due to his Player of the Match performance. Maharaj jumped nine places to reach a career-high 13th among Test bowlers, thanks to his nine wickets in the match. His teammate, Simon Harmer, also climbed the ranks, rising 26 spots to occupy 45th place after taking six wickets in the second innings of the same game. South Africa's Aiden Markram has risen two spots to 15th, while Tony de Zorzi has moved up seven places to share 47th in the Test batting rankings after the Rawalpindi Test. Additionally, Kagiso Rabada has climbed eight positions to 11th among Test all-rounders. There is some good news for Pakistan as captain Shan Masood climbed five spots to tie for 42nd place among Test batters. Meanwhile, South Africa's impressive showing in the first T20I against Pakistan in Rawalpindi has caused several players to advance in the updated T20I rankings.South Africa's fast bowler Corbin Bosch jumps 40 places to rank 53rd and shortens the gap in the T20I bowlers' list. Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz improves eight spots to sixth, while promising opener Saim Ayub moves up five places to 49th on the batting rankings. Rohit Sharma becomes oldest Indian batter to take No. 1 spot in ICC men's rankings | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com |
Brian Lara receives lifetime achievement honour at CEAT Cricket Rating awards (2025-10-15T14:12:00+05:30)
 Brian Lara - West Indies batting legend Brian Lara received a lifetime achievement award at the 2025 edition of the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai, India, on October 7. Tyre manufacturers CEAT devised the cricket rating system in 1995, with the 2025 awards being the 27th edition of the awards ceremony. Lara, who holds the world record for the highest individual Test match score of 400, won the CEAT Cricketer of the Year award in 1996. Lara was presented with this year's lifetime achievement award by Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar. An Instagram post from CEAT Tyres on October 7 praised Lara for his outstanding career. "Some careers set records; a few set horizons," the CEAT post said. "Tonight, we honour Brian Lara with the CEAT Lifetime Achievement Award – a salute to craft, charisma, and a legacy that continues to guide how greatness is imagined." English star batsman Joe Root won CEAT's International Cricketer of the Year award, with his countryman Harry Brook copping the men's Test Batsman of the Year prize in a year which has seen him scoring over 500 runs at the Test level at an average of 53.90. The Test Bowler of the Year award went to Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya. The top One-day International (ODI) awards went to the Kiwi pair of Matt Henry (ODI Bowler of the Year) and batting star Kane Williamson (ODI Batsman of the Year). The T20 International Bowler of the Year award went to Indian leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy, with Indian teammate Sanju Samson getting the honours as the top T20 International Batsman of the Year. Lara aside, former Indian leg-spinner BS Chandrasekhar also got a lifetime achievement award, with South Africa's Test captain Temba Bavuma receiving an award for his exemplary leadership in leading the Proteas to a World Test Championship title win over Australia in June. Indian stalwart Rohit Sharma received a special memento for leading his country to the International Cricket Council Champions Trophy earlier this year.The Indian pair of Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma won the respective women's International Batter and Bowler of the Year awards. Brian Lara receives lifetime achievement honour at CEAT Cricket Rating awards - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday |
Everyone waiting for us to win World Cup, hopefully, this time we will not disappoint, says Harmanpreet (2025-09-30T12:12:00+05:30)
 Mumbai: Indian women’s team captain Harmanpreet Kaur with teammates Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues during the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup trophy launch event in Mumbai on Monday, August 11, 2025. (Photo: IANS) New Delhi, (IANS) India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has acknowledged the weight of expectations ahead of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, adding that the team is determined not to disappoint its fans when competing in the tournament on home soil. India are preparing to chase their maiden senior women’s global title in front of their home crowds when they begin their campaign on September 30 against fellow co-hosts Sri Lanka in Guwahati. “Even when we play a World Cup, the mindset is the same: I want to do something special for my team and my country. I always motivate myself that way. Whenever I go out there, I should not feel any pressure.” “Playing a World Cup in home conditions will be a very special moment for all of us. And if we are able to win here, that will be a truly significant moment in my life, and not just for me, but for the entire country. Everyone is waiting for that moment, and hopefully this time we will not disappoint them,” said Harmanpreet on JioStar. This will also be the first time Harmanpreet will be captaining India in an ODI World Cup, with the upcoming tournament marking her fifth appearance in a global 50-over competition. “It's my fifth ODI World Cup, and getting to lead the team in a home World Cup, it can't be bigger than this. It's a home World Cup, but we do not want to put any pressure on ourselves. Our main motive is to enjoy our cricket.” “The 2017 World Cup was a game-changing World Cup for us that brought a lot of awareness in India. Now, we have a big bunch of talent, and the Women’s Premier League also played a big role in our lives. Every year has brought so much positivity to our cricket. I don’t think any player can explain how it feels when the national anthem is being played. It’s a very proud moment for me,” she said. Asked about the environment in the Indian team, Harmanpreet said, “All team members are looking quite positive. I think, along with that, even fans are looking quite positive because the amount of cricket we played in the last one and a half years shows that our team is ready for this big event. It’s important to enjoy, because no matter where you go or what tournament you play, it’s always important to enjoy your cricket.” She signed off by reflecting on her Women’s ODI World Cup appearance, which came in 2009. “That was a very special moment for me. One day, I was 18 years old, cutting a cake for my birthday, and the next day I found out that I was going to play. Representing my country in the ODI World Cup was a very big moment for me.” “Of course, I was nervous the night before, but when I entered the ground and saw the atmosphere and the crowd, it was truly special. As a young cricketer, I had always wanted to play for my country, and making my debut against Pakistan made it even more memorable because that is always a special occasion for all of us.”“The pressure on the women’s team was immense, especially for me as I was so young. It felt like playing in home conditions, and I did feel that pressure because it was such a big tournament in front of a home crowd. That experience taught me a lot, and it has helped me ever since,” she concluded. Everyone waiting for us to win World Cup, hopefully, this time we will not disappoint, says Harmanpreet | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com |
Asia Cup: One of the most special knocks of my life. Chak De India, says Tilak Varma (2025-09-29T11:29:00+05:30)
 Dubai:India Tilak Varma celebrates his fifty during the Asia Cup 2025 final match between India and Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, in Dubai on Sunday, September 28, 2025. (Photo: IANS/Biplab Banerjee) Dubai, (IANS) India’s rising star Tilak Varma described his unbeaten 69 in the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan as “one of the most special knocks” of his career. Coming in with India reeling at 20/3, Tilak delivered an innings of poise and precision under pressure to hit three fours and four sixes in a knock to be remembered for ages. While others faltered, Varma stood tall by anchoring the chase and dished out a masterclass in timing and temperament. While stitching stands of 57 and 60 with Sanju Samson (24) and Shivam Dube (33), Varma helped India cross the finish line with two balls to spare and sign off from the tournament filled with drama and intensity by winning the trophy as the competition’s lone unbeaten team – incidentally on the day they won the trophy in 2018. “It was pressure. They (Pakistan) were bowling well. They were mixing the pace up. I was breathing and trying to stay calm,” Tilak said, reflecting on the tense moments in the final. Highlighting his teammates’ contributions, he added, “Fantastic knock from Sanju Samson. The way Shivam Dube batted under pressure was important for the country. Their performance lifted the team when it mattered most.” Tilak also emphasized preparation and flexibility as key factors in handling high-pressure situations. “We have prepared for every position. You should be flexible. I was prepared to bat at any order and was backing my game. When the wickets are on the slower side, I have talked to Gautam Gambhir sir and worked hard,” he said. Describing his innings, Tilak said, “One of the most special knocks of my life. Chak De India.” He struck three boundaries and four towering sixes, anchoring the chase and guiding India to a five-wicket win to secure the nation’s ninth Asia Cup title.Tilak’s words highlighted not only his own composure under pressure but also the collective effort of the team. “The way we supported each other, planned for different situations, and stayed calm under pressure made the difference,” he added, capturing the essence of India’s triumph in one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries. Asia Cup: One of the most special knocks of my life. Chak De India, says Tilak Varma | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com |
Vaibhav Suryavanshi breaks world record for most sixes in Youth ODIs (2025-09-26T13:50:00+05:30)
 Cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi watches the Duleep Trophy Final match between Central Zone and South Zone at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Saturday, September 13, 2025. (Photo: IANS) Brisbane, Sep 24 (IANS) Indian teenage prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi shattered the record for the most career sixes in Youth ODI cricket during his 70-run knock off 68 balls in the second India U-19 vs Australia U-19 50-over match at the Ian Healy Oval on Wednesday. Suryavanshi’s innings was studded with five fours and six sixes. His fourth maximum of the day took him past former India U-19 skipper Unmukt Chand’s tally of 38 from 21 matches. Notably, the 14-year-old took just 10 innings to set a new record and extended his tally to 41 sixes. India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has the third-most maximums in Youth ODIs, with 30 sixes in 27 matches. Suryavanshi reached his half-century off 54 balls and looked in scintillating form before falling to Australian captain Yash Deshmukh. This was his second impressive innings of the series after his quickfire 38 off 22 balls in India’s seven-wicket win in the first ODI. The left-hander's knock provided India U-19 with a strong platform after the early dismissal of Ayush Mhatre, with the score reading 117/2 in 18.3 overs when he departed. Riding on Suryavanshi and Vihaan Malhotra's innings of 70 runs each, India set a target of 301 for Australia U19 in 49.4 overs. While writing this report, Australia U19 are reeling at 96-4 in 26.4 overs. Earlier this year, Suryavanshi finished as the top run-scorer in the five-match India U19 vs England U19 Youth ODI 2025 series, accumulating 355 runs in five matches at an average of 71.00 and an impressive strike rate of 174.01. After becoming the youngest player ever to go down the hammer at the IPL 2025 auction, Suryavanshi also became the youngest centurion in IPL history after smashing a 35-ball 100 for Rajasthan Royals against the Gujarat Titans. The youngster finished IPL 2025 with 252 runs in seven matches at a blistering strike rate of 206.56, which earned him the Super Striker of the Season award. |
Australia are ‘lucky’ to have world-class Maxwell, says captain Mitchell Marsh (2025-09-23T11:38:00+05:30)
 Photo credit: cricket.com.au Cairns, 23-09-2025, (IANS) Australia’s T20 skipper Mitchell Marsh was full of praise for seasoned player Glenn Maxwell, after he was back to his well-known best during the third and final T20I against South Africa on Saturday, sealing a 2-1 series victory on Saturday. Chasing 173 for victory, Australia looked in trouble at 122/6, before the big-hitting Maxwell took charge with an unbeaten 62 off 36 balls, laced with eight fours and two sixes at a strike-rate of 172.22. He held his nerve to strike the winning runs off the penultimate ball of the chase and roared in delight after conjuring up a remarkable rescue act. “Obviously, it's always nice to win the close ones in T20 cricket, and it was a little bit unorthodox, but I'm very thankful that Max got us over the line. You never know what's going to happen, that's for sure, but he's a world-class player, and he's been so flexible. I think he's batted in three different positions in each game and we're just lucky to have him, he does everything and he was class tonight,” said Marsh. The man of the match admitted it was ‘nerve-wracking’ being out there in the middle, and admitted it was nice to steer the team to victory. "It was a little bit nerve-racking. I think when we lost a couple of wickets in a row, Corbin Bosch bowled a brilliant over to sort of keep the run rate sort of near nine or ten and we were down the two wickets and I probably had to do the majority of the striking but it was it was nice to get a couple out of the middle right near the end." Player of the series Tim David acknowledged he might not have received the honour of winning the award had it not been for Maxwell's ‘blinding innings.’ "I think obviously without Maxi playing a blinding innings tonight I wouldn't be standing up here, so there's been contributions from everyone in our team throughout this series and we've had so much fun,’ said David. Earlier, South Africa posted 172/7 after being asked to bat, with Dewald Brevis top-scoring with 53 off 26 balls. South Africa made a shaky start after skipper Aiden Markram was dismissed in the very first over, but Lhuan-dre Pretorius counter-attacked with five boundaries in the Power-play before falling to Nathan Ellis for 24. Brevis picked up from where he left off in the previous game, where he scored a blistering century -- striking the ball cleanly and clearing the ropes at will to race to a rollicking fifty laced with a four and six sixes. It meant South Africa were well-placed at 108/3 at the end of the 11th over, with a score of 200 on the cards. Australia are ‘lucky’ to have world-class Maxwell, says captain Mitchell Marsh | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com |
Sachin Tendulkar not in BCCI president race, his team issues statement (2025-09-17T14:00:00+05:30)
 London: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar poses for a picture next to his portrait after unveiling it at Lord's, in London on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Photo: IANS/X/@sachin_rt)New Delhi, (IANS) Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has firmly quashed rumours of him being considered for the BCCI president’s role. His management company issued a statement on Thursday, making it clear that there is no truth to the speculation. “It has come to our attention that certain reports and rumours have been circulating regarding Mr. Sachin Tendulkar being considered, or nominated, for the position of President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). We wish to categorically state that no such development has taken place. We urge all concerned to refrain from giving credence to unfounded speculations," read a statement from SRT Sports Management Pvt Ltd. Amid mounting speculation in the lead-up to the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 28, where key elections will be held, including for the board’s president and IPL chairman, Tendulkar has categorically distanced himself from the chatter. The president’s role has been vacant since Roger Binny stepped down earlier this month after turning 70. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal, meanwhile, faces a potential mandatory cooling-off period, having completed six consecutive years in administration. Despite these changes, most office-bearers are expected to continue. Current secretary Devajit Saikia, who succeeded Jay Shah after Shah assumed the ICC chairmanship, is likely to stay on. Joint secretary Rohan Gauns Desai and treasurer Prabhtej Bhatia are also tipped to retain their positions.Binny, who took over as BCCI president in October 2022, had been anticipated to serve until the AGM. His sudden exit created space for speculation about possible successors, sparking rumours around several big names - including Tendulkar. However, the batting legend’s management team has now issued a clear denial, putting an end to the buzz and reaffirming that he is not a contender for the top post. Sachin Tendulkar not in BCCI president race, his team issues statement | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com |
Cricket legend Brian Lara to play for boyhood club Harvard (2025-09-15T14:17:00+05:30)
 In this September 26, 2024 file photo, cricket legend Brian Lara signs a ball for Harvard Club member Levi Pollidore, left, and his brother Ethan. - Photo by Jelani BecklesONE of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket, Brian Lara, 56, will turn back the clock as he will feature in the North Zone T20 Festival, which will be held from September 10-28 at the Diego Martin Sporting Complex. "The North Zone T20 Festival is set for a moment of pure nostalgia and excitement as Brian Charles Lara, the 'Prince of Port of Spain’, will once again stride to the crease in Harvard colours," a North Zone media release said. Lara spent his early days at Harvard Coaching Clinic in St James, before moving to the nearby Queen's Park Cricket Club. The legendary batsman has stuck to his word, as he recently said he wanted to support Harvard moving forward. The release described Harvard as the "nursery that nurtured his batting genius long before he conquered the world with records that still stand unmatched." The left-handed maestro still holds the record for the highest First-Class score (501 not out) and Test score (400 not out). "The news turns the festival into the must-see sporting spectacle of the season." Harvard’s opener against Ebony Sports and Cultural on September 13 at 2 pm is expected to draw a bumper crowd. Supporters are expected to flock to witness Lara wield the willow once more. “This is more than just a cricket match,” North Zone president Winston Sobers said. “It’s history meeting the present. Lara’s return to Harvard is a celebration of community, talent and the magic that first made us fall in love with cricket.” Harvard, drawn in Group One alongside Combine All Stars, Santa Cruz Sports, Barataria Ball Players and Ebony Sports, suddenly find themselves thrust into the spotlight. Harvard's clashes against Combine All Stars (September 16), Barataria Ball Players (September 20) and defending champions Santa Cruz Sports (September 23) will now carry an extra layer of drama, as fans dream of Lara inspiring a fairytale run to the semifinals. Group two includes Glenora Sports, North Side Future Stars, last year's runners-up, Savannah Boys, Bourg Mulatresse CCC and Shannon Sports. The action begins with a clash between Barataria Ball Players and Santa Cruz Sports under lights at 6.30 pm, on September 10. The festival culminates with the semifinals on September 27 and the grand finale on September 28.Lara retired from international cricket in 2007.Cricket legend Brian Lara to play for boyhood club Harvard - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday |
Asia Cup: I am very excited to take the field on the front foot, says Suryakumar Yadav ahead of opener (2025-09-11T12:31:00+05:30)
 Dubai: From left to right, Oman's captain Jatinder Singh, Hong Kong's captain Yasim Murtaza, Pakistan's captain Salman Ali Agha, Afghanistan's captain Rashid Khan, India's captain Suryakumar Yadav, Sri Lanka's captain Charith Asalanka, Bangladesh's captain Litton Das, and UAE's captain Muhammad Waseem pose with the Asia Cup 2025 trophy in Dubai on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. (Photo: IANS) Abu Dhabi, September 9 (IANS) Both captains – India’s Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha – made it clear during the captains’ press conference that aggression will be a defining feature when their teams take the field as the anticipation is building for the India-Pakistan showdown at the Asia Cup 2025 on September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. India begin their campaign against the UAE on September 10, while Pakistan will line up against their archrivals four days later in Dubai. Speaking on the eve of the tournament, Suryakumar Yadav responded to questions about player temperament by underlining his philosophy, “Temper? Sir, aggression is always there on the field when we take the field. Without aggression, I do not believe one can play this sport. And I am sure, I am very excited to take the field on the front foot.” Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha echoed similar views, stressing that players should express themselves freely: “Well, you do not need to say anything to any player. Everyone is individually very different. If someone wants to be aggressive on the field, they are more than welcome to do that. When it comes to fast bowlers, they are always aggressive.” On being asked about potential changes in India’s approach, the Indian skipper dismissed any need for tweaks, “Why are you needling me? When you play a format, you need to know how good your preparation is. Why mend something that is not broken? If something has given us results, why would we need to change that aspect separately?” When pressed about the wicketkeeper choice between Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma for the UAE fixture, Suryakumar offered a trademark lighthearted reply, “I will message you the whole team, sir. We are taking good care of him. Do not worry, we will take the right decision tomorrow.” On India being tagged as title favourites, he was equally pragmatic: “Who said that? (favourites) I have not heard it. You have played in this format and you know how your preparations are. If your preparations are good, then you will be very confident when you take the field. We are playing Twenty20 as a team after a long time.” For Ali Agha, the tournament offers his side an opportunity to showcase a new identity. Without senior players such as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, the captain expressed confidence in his squad, “We are playing very good cricket. I think for almost four months, we have won three series out of four. So we are doing very well as a team and, at the same time, we are very excited. A lot of the boys will play Asia Cup for the first time, but they are ready for the challenge.” Away from the India-Pakistan focus, Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan pointed out the logistical challenge of travel and scheduling: “To play a game in Abu Dhabi and to stay here in Dubai. You have all three games in Abu Dhabi, but your stay is in Dubai. But as a professional cricketer, you have to accept all these things. You have to be well-prepared, and you have to be mentally strong.” Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka, meanwhile, provided relief with a candid admission of fatigue following his team’s travel from Zimbabwe. “Right now, I feel very sleepy. I should answer it (the question) tomorrow, I think. It is really hard. We played back to back games in Zimbabwe and then travelled here straightaway. We need to have a couple of days off; I hope the coach will give us.”Sri Lanka will play their opening game on September 13 against Bangladesh, while Afghanistan face Hong Kong in the tournament opener on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi. Asia Cup: I am very excited to take the field on the front foot, says Suryakumar Yadav ahead of opener | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com |
Playing in Australia is going to be a big challenge for English batters: Steve Smith (2025-09-05T12:11:00+05:30)
 Credit: ICC London, Sep 09 (IANS) Premier Australia batter Steve Smith has warned that England’s batters face a stern test in this year’s Ashes, with challenging conditions in the country and a seasoned Aussie bowling attack set to pose tough questions to them. The five-Test Ashes series starts in Perth on November 21 and England, with their ultra-attacking Bazball approach, have been primed to do well in Australia. England’s recent Test assignment saw them settle for a 2-2 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series draw against India at home. “I've watched a lot of the series against India and I think it was one of the best Test series I've seen for a long time. The cricket that was played by both teams was outstanding. So, I think England have a good side at the moment. They're obviously playing a really aggressive brand of cricket, and I think coming down to Australia, particularly for their batters, it's going to be a big challenge. “I think the wickets in the last three or four years have been really tricky. We've obviously got a very experienced bowling lineup with guys that have played for a long period of time and been extremely successful. So I'm looking forward to the summer. “I think it's going to be a great series. I know that last Ashes was during covid-19 and the Barmy Army and stuff couldn't come down. So the atmosphere is going to be entirely different. We love playing in front of big crowds and hostile crowds on both sides. So it's going to be good fun,” said Smith to Sky Sports’, on the sidelines of turning out for Welsh Fire in The Hundred. In England’s batting department, Joe Root has been widely considered pivotal to the side’s chances of regaining the Ashes, though he’s yet to score a Test century in Australia. Root has 13,543 Test runs and is just 2,378 runs away from top-ranked Sachin Tendulkar. Smith praised Root’s ability to convert fifties into big hundreds over the past two years. “I think not just in that series, the last probably two years he's just been incredible. His ability to make big scores, go from 50 to 100, which was probably one thing that he got caught in that 50 to 100 spot for quite a while. Now he's just making it count and going on and making huge scores. So, I think he hasn't scored a 100 in Australia. “I think that's been talked about quite a lot. I'm sure that's something that he wants to tick off his bucket list as well. So, like I said, it's going to be tricky for batting, particularly for top order batters. From an Australian point of view, hopefully he doesn't get 100 this summer, but I know that he'll be working hard towards it." Smith further stressed that Australia’s focus will remain on letting their skills do the job of winning them the series against England. “I think the way we've played our cricket the last while is just trying to let our skills do the talking. We've played really good cricket in the last four years in Test cricket, making two World Test Championship finals. So, we're doing a lot of things right. For us, it's just letting our skills take over. We know the Australian conditions well, obviously. Hopefully our skills are better than England's.” Asked if there was any England quick he feared facing, Smith denied any such talk. "No, I mean, I think you want the best players playing all the time. As a player, you like coming up against the best and competing against the best."So, no fears here. Just looking forward to what's going to be a cool series, particularly with two really good fast bowling attacks going at it. Plenty of good batters on both sides, and it's going to be a wonderful series. Playing in Australia is going to be a big challenge for English batters: Steve Smith | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com |