Sports

Guwahati: As India take on South Africa in the second Test of the series at Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati, new Indian captain Rishabh Pant is confronted with his first significant decision – who will occupy the crucial No. 4 batting position. With Shubman Gill sidelined due to a neck injury, Pant has assumed the captaincy for India’s 38th Test, but the absence of the regular No. 3 batsman has also left the anchor position at No. 4 vacant – a role historically considered pivotal in Test cricket. Legendary batsmen such as Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli built their careers at this position, serving as the backbone of India’s batting lineup. After Kohli’s retirement, Gill had moved up to No. 4 during England and West Indies tours, proving himself with consistent performances, scoring 939...

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...

Guwahati Test UpdateThe second Test of the two-match series between India and South Africa is underway at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. While South African batsmen are consolidating their innings, the Indian bowling attack is struggling to make breakthroughs. Bavuma-Stubs Partnership ThrivesSouth Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma, who won the toss and chose to bat first, is proving his decision right with a solid innings. After dismissals of Aiden Markram by Jasprit Bumrah and Riyan Rickelton by Kuldeep Yadav, Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs formed a strong partnership. By lunch, South Africa was 154/2, with neither batsman dismissed. DRS Drama Shakes Indian TeamIn the second session, Bavuma edged a delivery from Ravindra Jadeja, prompting a loud appeal from the Indian team. The on-fiel...

Maharashtrian Feel with an Indori TouchWorld Cup-winning Indian women’s cricket team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana is all set to tie the knot with her long-time boyfriend Palash Muchhal, and the wedding is making headlines everywhere. The celebration is blending Maharashtrian traditions with an Indori touch, as Palash’s family, originally from Indore, has traveled to Sangli, Maharashtra, Smriti’s ancestral city, to join the festivities. The excitement extends from cricket grounds to Bollywood circles, with teammates and friends celebrating enthusiastically. Photos and videos from the wedding preparations are trending widely on social media. Here are 5 key highlights of the Smriti-Palash wedding: 1. Venue of the WeddingThe wedding is taking place in Sangli, Maharashtra, the hometown of...

New Delhi: India’s young batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi has once again captured the cricketing world’s attention with his stellar performance in the Rising Asia Cup 2025. Despite India A being eliminated in the semifinals by Bangladesh A, the 14-year-old prodigy emerged as the tournament’s top run-scorer, amassing 239 runs in just four matches, showcasing extraordinary talent and consistency. In one of the tournament’s most memorable innings, Suryavanshi smashed a lightning-fast century in only 32 balls against UAE A, finishing with a blistering 143 runs. His explosive performance has sparked widespread discussions among cricket experts and fans about his potential early inclusion in India’s senior team. Challenges of Fitting Him into the T20 SquadCurrently, India’s senior T20...

New Delhi: Indian cricket team vice-captain and star batsman Shreyas Iyer will be sidelined for several months due to a serious injury, dealing a blow to both the national team and his IPL franchise. Iyer sustained the injury while fielding during the ODI series against Australia in Sydney last month. He is now undergoing rehabilitation in Mumbai, but medical reports indicate that a full recovery will take at least three months. As a result, Iyer will miss the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa starting 30 November, as well as the January 2026 series against New Zealand. His participation in the T20 World Cup (Feb–Mar 2026) is also in serious doubt, and he may miss the initial matches of IPL 2026. Doctors have advised Iyer to avoid any activity that puts pressure...

Dhaka: A sudden 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck Bangladesh on Friday, causing panic during the second day of the Bangladesh vs Ireland 2nd Test in Mirpur. The earthquake’s epicenter was near Dhaka, and its tremors were felt as far as Kolkata and Guwahati, India. Players from both teams had to rush out of the dressing rooms to safety as the stadium building shook. Fortunately, no injuries or damage to the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium have been reported. The Moment of PanicThe earthquake struck during Ireland’s innings, specifically in the 55th over when Mehedi Hasan Miraz was bowling to Stephen Doheny and Lorcan Tucker. On the second ball of the over, after Doheny ran a single, the stadium began to tremble. Spectators screamed in panic while players sprinted toward the boundary lines f...

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 Indian cricket team suffered a humiliating defeat at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, raising concerns over the team’s preparedness ahead of the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati. While the bowlers were largely effective, the responsibility of the collapse fell squarely on the batsmen, previously regarded as world-class performers. Transition Phase Under Gautam GambhirTeam India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir insists the squad is currently in a “transition phase”, as legends like Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Virat Kohli gradually give way to emerging players. These veterans served as anchors for nearly two decades, amassing hundreds of records, some possibly unbreakable. Finding suitable replacements is no easy task. Despite Gambhir’s assurances, the question remains: A...

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...