Sports

New Delhi: The buzz around Indian Premier League 2026 is intensifying as franchises gear up for the upcoming mini-auction on 16 December in Abu Dhabi. Ahead of the auction, teams have released their retained and released player lists, and the captaincy for most franchises is now confirmed. Out of 10 teams, 8 have confirmed their captains, while Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders are yet to announce their leaders. Here’s the full list: Confirmed Captains: Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead the team, retaining captaincy even after Sanju Samson’s arrival. Royal Challengers Bangalore: Rajat Patidar, retained by the franchise, continues as captain after leading RCB to the IPL 2025 title. Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya will captain MI, taking over from Rohit Sharm...

With the IPL 2026 auction approaching, 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Kartik Sharma has become the talk of the town. Known for his power-hitting and fearsome sixes, Kartik has consistently impressed across formats, making him one of the most sought-after young talents ahead of the mini-auction on 16 December. A Platform for Young TalentThe IPL has long been a launchpad for India’s cricketing stars, including Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Kuldeep Yadav, who earned recognition through the league. This season, all eyes are on Kartik Sharma, who has been on a run-scoring spree in the current Ranji Trophy season, amassing 331 runs in 6 innings, including two centuries. Explosive Across FormatsKartik boasts impressive strike rates in all formats: 79 in first-class cricket, 118 in do...

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the dates for the T20 World Cup 2026, set to begin on 7 February 2026, with the final scheduled for 8 March 2026. While the official match fixtures are yet to be confirmed, media reports suggest that the highly anticipated India-Pakistan match could take place on 15 February 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Tournament Venues and Key MatchesThe BCCI is reported to have submitted the tentative schedule to the ICC, which is awaiting final approval. According to the plan, the semi-final matches will be held in Mumbai, while the final will take place at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. India’s First Match Against USAIndia is expected to kick off its campaign against the United States. Following the controversy ove...

New Delhi: Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya will miss the upcoming India vs South Africa ODI series due to ongoing injury concerns. Reports confirm that Pandya’s comeback to the Indian team has been postponed, with the BCCI prioritizing his full recovery before he returns to international cricket. ODI Series Absence Pandya was initially expected to make his return during the ODI series, scheduled as follows: 1st ODI: 30 November – Ranchi 2nd ODI: 3 December – Raipur 3rd ODI: 6 December – Visakhapatnam However, the BCCI medical team and team management have decided against rushing him back. They believe that jumping straight into the 50-over format could put excessive strain on his body, which has been out of competitive cricket for almost two months. Revised Comeback...

Islamabad/Lahore: Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman and captain Rashid Latif is facing investigations by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) following his outspoken comments about the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Latif is currently being questioned as part of two ongoing investigations in Islamabad and Lahore. Trigger for Investigation The probe was initiated after Syed Ali Naqvi, senior legal manager at PCB, filed a formal complaint. Latif had repeatedly criticized the leadership changes within Pakistan cricket, including the appointment of Shaheen Shah Afridi as ODI captain. He described it as a “divide and rule policy,” alleging that such strategies exploit divisions among the population based on religion, ethnicity, or class. La...

Guwahati: As Team India prepares for the second Test against South Africa, head coach Gautam Gambhir visited the revered Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati to seek divine blessings ahead of the crucial match. The first Test of the series ended in a loss for India, making victory in the second match, starting 22 November at Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium, imperative to save the series. Gambhir’s Devotion to Kamakhya Mata Gautam Gambhir, known for his deep faith, has a long-standing devotion to Maa Kamakhya. He had visited the temple before India’s England tour earlier this year, where the team played a five-match Test series and delivered a strong performance. His visits to the temple have previously coincided with significant cricketing events, including IPL 2024 matches in Guwahati between K...

‘ Kolkata: The Indian cricket team’s shocking defeat in the Kolkata Test has once again put head coach Gautam Gambhir under intense scrutiny, particularly over team selection and leadership decisions. Critics have zeroed in on Gambhir’s controversial comments about a “transition phase,” which many feel indirectly justified the sudden retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket. Former batsman Cheteshwar Pujara had earlier called such explanations “absurd,” asserting that the real issues lie elsewhere. Now, another ex-Indian cricketer, Manoj Tiwari, has weighed in with a strong critique, alleging that this narrative pressured senior players to step away despite their desire to continue. ‘No Place for Transition Narrative in Indian Cricket’ Tiwari told India Tod...

New Delhi: India has always produced world-class bowlers, from legendary spinners of the past to the current generation of fast bowlers. While India is known as a batting powerhouse, several bowlers have been match-winners without ever claiming a 5-wicket haul in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Here are five prominent Indian bowlers who have achieved remarkable success yet never took a five-for in ODIs. 1. Axar Patel ODI Career: 2014–present Matches: 71 Wickets: 75 Economy Rate: 4.49 Best Figures: 3/24Axar Patel has been a consistent performer for India, known for his control and ability to keep the runs down. Despite his regular presence, he has never taken a 5-wicket haul in ODIs. 2. Roger Binny ODI Career: 1979–1987 World Cup: 1983 Winner Matches: 72 B...

New Delhi: November 2, 2025, marked a historic moment for Indian women’s cricket as Harmanpreet Kaur-led India lifted the Women’s World Cup for the first time in 52 years. The triumphant win over South Africa in the final at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, not only brought glory to the nation but also significantly boosted the brand value and earnings of every player in the squad. Brand Endorsements Triple Post-World Cup Harmanpreet Kaur’s manager, Nupur Kashyap, revealed that before the World Cup, Harman had 8-10 brand endorsements. Following the historic victory, both her market value and endorsement deals have tripled, attracting attention from brands even outside the sports sector. Estimated Net Worth After Victory While Kashyap did not disclose the exact figure, media repor...

Guwahati: As India gears up for the second Test against South Africa, all eyes are on the team amid immense pressure. Regular captain Shubman Gill is unlikely to play due to injury, opening the possibility for Rishabh Pant to take over the captaincy at Barasara Stadium, Guwahati, a venue hosting its first-ever Test match. A Rare Role in Test History In 93 years of Indian Test cricket, only 37 players have captained the national team. Among them, just one wicketkeeper has ever led the side: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who captained India from 2008 to 2014 in 60 Tests, securing 27 wins and 18 losses. If Pant assumes the captaincy in Guwahati, he will become only the second Indian wicketkeeper to lead in Test cricket, joining Dhoni in this elite club. Rishabh Pant: India’s Most Successf...