Sports

New Delhi: The 18th match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, held on 12 February between India and Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, saw India register a dominant 93-run victory, marking their second consecutive win in the tournament. However, the match also witnessed a heated on-field debate between Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus and umpire Rod Tucker over a “dead ball” decision. Erasmus Challenges Umpire’s Call Namibia’s captain and all-rounder, Gerhard Erasmus, bowled brilliantly, claiming 4 wickets for just 20 runs in his 4-over spell. During one over, he delivered a ball from well behind the crease, very close to the umpire, who immediately called it a dead ball. Erasmus expressed his displeasure, arguing that it was part of his tactical approach. A lengthy discussion ensued bet...

India secured a convincing 93-run victory over Namibia in their second match of the T20 World Cup 2026, but the game also exposed some concerns ahead of their crucial encounter with Pakistan on 15 February. Struggles Against Spin While India posted a competitive total of 209 runs batting first, their middle-order faced challenges against Namibia’s spin attack. Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus bowled a brilliant 4-over spell, conceding only 20 runs while claiming 4 wickets. Bernard Scholtz also impressed, giving away just 18 runs in his first three overs. Death Overs Woes After 16 overs, India seemed on course for a total beyond 225, with the score at 184 for 4. However, a dramatic collapse in the final four overs saw India add just 25 runs while losing 5 wickets, finishing at 20...

In a spectacular performance at the T20 World Cup 2026, Team India defeated Namibia by a commanding 93-run margin, keeping their winning momentum alive. After the match at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav lauded his team’s effort and highlighted standout performances, including a brilliant innings from Ishan Kishan and the return of Jasprit Bumrah. Batting Brilliance Steers India Commenting on the win, Suryakumar said, “It wasn’t an easy wicket for batting, but the way Ishan and Sanju started gave the impression of a very easy pitch. After two or three early wickets fell, the partnership between Shivam and Hardik was truly commendable.” Acknowledging Namibia’s Bowlers The captain also praised Namibia’s bowlers, admitting that the ball was a bit inco...

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar is all set to celebrate a landmark family occasion—his son Arjun Tendulkar’s wedding to Sania Chandhok. Ahead of the nuptials, Sachin has reportedly invited some of the biggest names in Indian politics and public life, making the wedding a high-profile event. Wedding Dates and Preparations Reports suggest that Arjun and Sania’s wedding could take place between 3rd and 5th March, just before the start of IPL 2026. Sachin Tendulkar has already started sending out invitations and shared glimpses of the meetings on social media, giving fans a peek into the prestigious guest list. High-Profile Guests Prime Minister Narendra ModiSachin personally invited PM Modi to the wedding. Photos of their meeting have been shared online, highlighting the cordial i...

Pallekele, Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka posted a mammoth 225 runs against Oman in the T20 World Cup 2026, marking the highest score of the tournament so far. The star of the show was Dasun Shanaka, who blasted a 50 off just 19 balls, setting a new record for the fastest fifty by a Sri Lankan in T20 World Cup history. Oman’s Bowling Miscalculation Oman won the toss and opted to field first, a decision that backfired spectacularly. Sri Lanka’s batsmen dominated from the start, losing only five wickets in 20 overs. Shanaka led the charge with his aggressive stroke play, turning the innings into a record-breaking display of power hitting. Shanaka’s Lightning-Fast Half-Century Dasun Shanaka reached his half-century in just 19 deliveries, leaving fans and opponents stunned. His explosive bat...

Afghanistan faced a double setback at the T20 World Cup 2026, following their narrow defeat to South Africa in a thrilling super over. Now, veteran player Mohammad Nabi has been hit with a heavy fine and disciplinary warning by the ICC for breaching the code of conduct during the same match. ICC Imposes Fine and Demerit Point Nabi was found guilty of Level 1 offense under Article 2.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to failure to comply with umpire instructions during an international match. The incident occurred at the start of Afghanistan’s 14th over against South Africa at Ahmedabad. Nabi reportedly raised concerns about the color of Lungi Ngidi’s wristband, claiming it made it difficult to see the ball, and engaged in a prolonged argument with umpires Jayraman Madangopal...

As India prepares to face Namibia in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 group stage at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, uncertainty surrounds the playing XI. Explosive batsman Abhishek Sharma, who was recently hospitalized due to a stomach infection, remains a doubtful starter. In case Sharma is rested, the question of who should replace him has sparked debate, with former Indian captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth offering his strong opinion. Srikkanth’s Bold Take on Samson and Sundar Speaking on Cheeky Chika, Srikkanth stated:"If I were captain, I would think differently. Sanju Samson is completely out of form. I would bring in Washington Sundar and even open with him. This is to get him match-ready for the big clash against Pakistan. If Abhishek returns for the Pakistan game, I would slot Sundar...

Even in the absence of Indian athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, the global stage witnessed a striking connection to Indian culture. Russian-born skater Anastasia Gubanova, representing Georgia, captivated audiences with a performance inspired by Hindu themes and Indian music, earning admiration and sparking discussions on India’s cultural influence worldwide. India Absent, But Its Music Resonates Though India did not field competitors in figure skating, Gubanova’s routine immediately changed the atmosphere in the rink. She incorporated Indian instruments and music, performing to the popular song “Na De Dil Pardeshi Nu”, and adorned a traditional bindi on her forehead. Her graceful movements on ice, perfectly synchronized with Indian rhythms, enthralled spectators and bec...

India’s preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026 match against Namibia have been hit by a major setback. Star wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan suffered an injury during net practice at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, adding to India’s already growing concerns after Abhishek Sharma was sidelined due to illness. This latest blow has left the Indian team scrambling to reorganize its batting order ahead of the high-stakes match. Injury During Net Practice A day before the game, Kishan was struck on the leg by a Jasprit Bumrah yorker during a practice session. He immediately showed signs of severe pain, forcing him to halt training. While the BCCI has yet to release an official update on the severity of the injury, there are fears that if he does not recover in time, Kishan may have to s...

England’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign suffered a significant setback as they were defeated by West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Chasing a formidable total of 197 runs, England could only manage 166, losing the match by 30 runs. Following the defeat, captain Harry Brook candidly admitted that extra runs conceded during the death overs were a major factor in the loss. Harry Brook Cites Team Errors After the match, Brook expressed his disappointment, stating that England’s bowlers failed to execute their plans on the Wankhede pitch. He said:"We didn’t execute the plan with the ball and allowed them 15–20 extra runs. We thought 197 was achievable, but the conditions didn’t cooperate. The pitch wasn’t flat enough for easy stroke play, and the expected support from the dew just ...