Champions Trophy 2025: Australia in control as spinners strike, Afghanistan eyes comeback

Afghanistan’s Sediqullah Atal, right, plays a shot as Australia’s Josh Inglis watches during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Australia and Afghanistan, in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. | Photo Credit: AP In-form Afghanistan batsman Ibrahim Zadran fell prey to Adam Zampa, while Rahmat Shah was removed by Glenn Maxwell on Friday (February … Read more

Upbeat Afghanistan plots Australia’s downfall

“You think we will come only to play with Maxwell? Do you think it will be like that?,” asked Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, as he addressed the media ahead of the Champions Trophy group league fixture against Australia. He paused for a moment, and added with a smile: “We have plans for the entire Australian … Read more

Champions Trophy 2025: Australia seamer Mitchell Starc reveals reason behind pulling out of the tournament

A file image of Australian cricketer Mitchell Starc | Photo Credit: Getty Images Australia left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc on Thursday (February 27, 2025) revealed the reason behind pulling out from the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is taking place in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Starc was originally named in Australia’s preliminary … Read more

WPL: Georgia Voll to replace Chamari Athapaththu in UPW squad

Australian top-order batter Georgia Voll will replace Chamari Athapaththu in UP Warriorz squad for the remainder of the Women’s Premier League after the Sri Lankan left for national duty. File | Photo Credit: Getty Images Voll will join UPW for ₹30 lakh Australian top-order batter Georgia Voll will replace Chamari Athapaththu in U.P. Warriorz squad … Read more

From ‘perennial dark horses’ to ‘unshakable contenders’

At the start of any men’s ICC tournament, when the exercise of favourite-picking is undertaken, the names of the usual suspects crop up. Australia. India. South Africa. Even England. With New Zealand, there is always an asterisk. They are labelled as perennial dark horses who punch above their weight in global events. Punch above their … Read more

Gardner to the fore as GG makes short work of RCB

Ash Gardner led Gujarat Giants to a facile win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: K. BHAGYA PRAKASH Gujarat Giants (GG) cruised past a listless Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by six wickets in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Thursday.  RCB’s horror run at home continued, with the … Read more

Former coach Rajput delighted to see Afghanistan’s growth

Rajput coached Afghanistan from 2016 to 2017. | Photo Credit: VIVEK BENDRE Afghanistan’s victory over England on Wednesday has given the side a real shot at qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions Trophy. One person who is not surprised by the team’s progress is its former coach, Lalchand Rajput. The ex-India cricketer, currently … Read more

Kerala pacer Tom is back in action and making things happen

Kerala’s Eden Apple Tom celebrates the wicket of Vidharbha captain Akshay Wadkar on the second day of the Ranji Trophy final match in Nagpur. | Photo Credit: NIRMAL HARINDRAN NAGPUR Even before Kerala established itself as a team to watch out for in the Ranji Trophy, it had a legacy in pace bowling. Men like … Read more

Jaspal Rana will continue as my coach, says Manu Bhaker

Manu Bhaker with her coach Jaspal Rana. File | Photo Credit: Ritu Raj Konwar Eyeing glory in next World Championship, double Olympic medallist shooter Manu Bhaker said Jaspal Rana will continue to be her “coach” despite the Dronacharya awardee being roped in as the High Performance trainer for pistol discipline by the National Rifle Association … Read more

Sarwate keeps in Kerala in the hunt after Vidarbha posts 379

There is something about Aditya Sarwate, Ranji Trophy final and the VCA Stadium. He was the player-of-the-match for Vidarbha in the 2018-19 final here. Six years later, he is playing an innings that could go some way in deciding another final. Except that he is playing against Vidarbha now. Sarwate, coming in at one-drop for … Read more

Delhi Capitals appoints Pietersen as team mentor for IPL

Pietersen | Photo Credit: File photo In a high-profile addition to its support staff ahead of the Indian Premier League’s 18th edition, which starts on March 22, Delhi Capitals (DC) announced the appointment of former England batter Kevin Pietersen as team mentor on Thursday. The 44-year-old will be part of a backroom contingent that includes … Read more

Delhi Capitals appoints Kevin Pietersen as team mentor for IPL

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen is appointed as the team mentor for Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL. | Photo Credit: AP In a high-profile addition to its support staff ahead of the Indian Premier League’s 18th edition, which starts on March 22, Delhi Capitals (DC) announced the appointment of England great Kevin Pietersen as … Read more

PAK vs BAN: Rain delays start of Champions Trophy dead rubber

Fans leave the enclosure due to rain before start of the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and Bangladesh, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on February 27, 2025. | Photo Credit: AP Inclement weather delayed the start of Champions Trophy game between host Pakistan and Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on Thursday (February 27, 2025). Both teams … Read more

David Boon to join Cricket Australia Board

David Boon has been an ICC match referee since 2011, and is also the chairperson of the Cricket Tasmania board. File | Photo Credit: Getty Images Former batter David Boon will relinquish his current position as an ICC match referee after the ongoing Champions Trophy to join Cricket Australia’s (CA) board from March 28. The … Read more

Malewar’s century helps Vidarbha recover

Vidarbha batter Danish Malewar celebrates after scoring a century on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy final against Kerala in Nagpur on February 26, 2025 | Photo Credit: Nirmal Harindran Danish Malewar put on a display worthy of the grandest of stages in domestic cricket. With his unbeaten 138 (259b, 356min, 14×4 2×6), he … Read more

AFG vs ENG Champion Trophy: Sachin Tendulkar leads cricket world in praising Afghanistan after win over England

Sachin Tendulkar at the unveiling of International Masters League (IML) 2025 Trophy, in Navi Mumbai, on February 19, 2025 | Photo Credit: PTI The legendary Sachin Tendulkar led the cricket world in showering praise on Afghanistan for their stunning eight-run victory over England in the Champions Trophy, saying their wins “can’t be termed as upsets … Read more

WPL | Sciver-Brunt does the star turn as MI cruises past Warriorz

Making merry: It was Sciver-Brunt’s night out on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR An excellent all-round show from Natalie Sciver-Brunt (three for 18 and 75 n.o.) helped Mumbai Indians defeat UP Warriorz by eight wickets in the Women’s Premier League at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Wednesday. MI (six points) moved to … Read more

Champions Trophy 2025: Men in Blue returns to training after break

A file image of India’s Captain Rohit Sharma plays a shot during a practice session | Photo Credit: ANI India, having enjoyed a well-deserved two-day break following its six-wicket win over Pakistan, returned to training at the ICC Academy grounds on Wednesday (February 26, 2025). The Men in Blue started their campaign with a win … Read more

Malewar’s century helps Vidarbha recover

Vidarbha batter Danish Malewar celebrates after scoring a century on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy final against Kerala in Nagpur on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: NIRMAL HARINDRAN Danish Malewar’s knock stabilised Vidarbha’s innings. | Photo Credit: NIRMAL HARINDRAN NAGPUR Danish Malewar put on a display worthy of the grandest of stages in domestic … Read more

CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2025: Fit-again Kuldeep takes flight

India’s Kuldeep Yadav runs to field the ball during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between India and Bangladesh at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. File. | Photo Credit: AP In the build-up to India’s Champions Trophy campaign, the focus was on Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness and the effect his absence would … Read more

Champions Trophy | Rain around the corner as Pakistan and Bangladesh aim to sign off with a win

Nothing great: Host Pakistan has had an underwhelming campaign. | Photo Credit: AFP The sun played hide and seek on an otherwise dark and gloomy Wednesday afternoon as Pakistan players got into training ahead of their final group league fixture against Bangladesh. But another round of drizzle forced the players to abruptly end their football … Read more