 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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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi headlines ICC U19 team of the tournament (2026-02-09T11:57:00+05:30)
 Harare: India U19's Vaibhav Sooryavanshi plays a shot during the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 final against England U19 at Harare Sports Club, in Harare, on Friday, February 6, 2026. (Photo: IANS/X/@BCCI) New Delhi, (IANS) Vaibhav Sooryavanshi headlines ICC U19 Team of the Tournament as three of the Indian players feature in the 12-player list. Sooryavanshi scored an impressive 175 off 80 balls in the final against England and was named Player of the Tournament. He is joined by fellow players Kanishk Chouhan and Henil Patel in the 12-member squad. The selection panel was made up of Ian Bishop (Convenor), Lydia Greenway, Andy Flower, Telford Vice. Chouhan made important contributions with both bat and ball. Patel took 11 wickets, including a fantastic spell of five for 16 against the USA. Runners-up England also have three players in the squad, with Thomas Rew serving as captain and wicketkeeper. Rew finished the tournament with 330 runs, at a batting average of 66, with one of his outstanding performances being in the semi-finals where he scored 100 (not out) against Australia, contributing significantly to his team’s victory. Lumsden, with 16 wickets was the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, while Mayes topped the run-scoring charts with 444 runs (including 191 against Scotland) made the final selection along with Rew. Mayes fell short of one run from equalling the all-time record for the highest individual score at an ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, which had been set four days earlier by Sri Lanka’s Viran Chamuditha – who is also selected. Both Faisal Khan Shinozada and Nooristani Omarzai represented Afghanistan and played instrumental roles in Afghanistan making it to the semi-finals of the tournament. Faisal scored two centuries in the tournament (playing against Ireland and India) and Nooristani took 14 wickets in the tournament, with a best of five wickets for nine runs against Tanzania. Oliver Peake (captain of Australia) scored two centuries in the tournament (including one against West Indies and another against England in the semi-finals); along with Ali Raza (Pakistan) and Vitel Lawes (West Indies) made up the final selection for the tournament. Raza took 13 wickets going at just over four an over, while Jamaican left-arm spinner Lawes took 10 scalps in his five matches. ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 Team of the TournamentVaibhav Sooryavanshi (India), Viran Chamuditha (Sri Lanka), Faisal Khan Shinozada (Afghanistan), Thomas Rew [wk, capt] (England), Oliver Peake (Australia), Ben Mayes (England), Kanishk Chouhan (India), Nooristani Omarzai (Afghanistan), Vitel Lawes (West Indies), Ali Raza (Pakistan), Manny Lumsden (England), Henil Patel (India) Vaibhav Sooryavanshi headlines ICC U19 team of the tournament | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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I want to see both Rohit and Kohli playing for the longest time: Irfan Pathan (2026-01-05T14:10:00+05:30)
 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 |