Sports

Mullanpur, December 12, 2025: A lighthearted yet memorable moment unfolded at the PCA Stadium in Mullanpur before the second T20 International between India and South Africa. Indian women’s cricket star Harleen Deol was seen playfully blessing Indian men’s team wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma by having him touch her feet—a gesture captured on camera and shared widely. A Fun Pre-Match InteractionThe incident occurred as the Indian men’s team prepared for the T20 World Cup, playing a series against South Africa and New Zealand. As Harleen Deol warmed up, she jokingly asked Jitesh to touch her feet, which he promptly did, exchanging a few words with her. The lighthearted moment was seen as a symbolic gesture of encouragement and good luck from the women’s cricket star to the men’s team....

Dubai: Indian U19 opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi announced his arrival on the Asia Cup 2025 stage with a blazing century against the UAE in India’s first match of the tournament. The game is being played at the ICC Academy Ground, Dubai. UAE won the toss and elected to bowl first. Indian captain Ayush Mhatre was dismissed cheaply for just 4 runs, but Suryavanshi held the innings together with his explosive batting. 56-Ball Century Highlights BrillianceSuryavanshi reached his century in just 56 balls, showcasing his power and timing with 5 fours and 9 sixes. He achieved the milestone in the 21st over of India’s innings. This is his second century in U19 ODIs, having previously scored a ton on India’s U19 tour of England. He had also impressed earlier in the Emerging Asia Cup with a century, ...

Wellington: New Zealand defeated the West Indies by nine wickets in the second Test on Friday, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, thanks to a brilliant bowling performance by Jacob Duffy. Duffy claimed 5 wickets for 38 runs, bundling out the West Indies for 128 runs in their second innings. Fellow pacer Michael Rae contributed with 3 wickets for 45 runs, helping New Zealand set a modest target of 56 runs, which they achieved in just 10 overs, losing only one wicket. Impact on the Series TableThe win lifted New Zealand to third place in the Test standings, while India remains sixth. Only the top two teams will qualify for the finals. Match ProgressionWest Indies had posted 205 runs in their first innings, giving New Zealand a chance to take the lead. New Zealand responded wi...

New Chandigarh: South Africa defeated India by 51 runs in the second T20 at Mullaanpur, with Quinton de Kock delivering a match-winning performance. De Kock scored 90 runs off 46 balls, including 7 sixes and 5 fours, earning the Player of the Match award. Chasing a target of 214 runs, India could manage only 162 all out, falling short in the final over. Toss Decision BackfiresIndia’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss proved costly. De Kock reflected on the turning point, stating, “The situation changed when India batted. The pitch started to gain pace and the ball moved more quickly. When we batted, the pitch was slower and movement was minimal. That difference in conditions between the two innings was the biggest factor.” De Kock on His Storming KnockThe South African le...

New Chandigarh: India suffered a 51-run defeat against South Africa in the second T20 of the series, with the visitors posting 213 runs while India could manage only 162 all out. The loss has once again put India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir under scrutiny, not just for strategy but also for his unconventional approach on the sidelines. Football-Style Coaching on the Cricket FieldDuring the match at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Gambhir was seen giving instructions to the captain and players from the dugout in a football-style manner. Using continuous hand signals, he directed the team much like a football manager does from the sidelines. While cricket decisions are traditionally made on the field by the captain, Gambhir’s style drew attention for being unusual...

Dubai: The U19 Asia Cup 2025 kicks off today, with India taking on the UAE in the tournament’s opening match. This One-Day format competition features eight teams: India, UAE, Pakistan, Malaysia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Serving as key preparation for the upcoming U19 World Cup, the tournament also offers teams valuable match practice. Bangladesh enters the tournament as the two-time defending champions. Match Schedule and VenueThe India vs UAE clash will be played at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai. The toss is scheduled for 9:30 AM IST, with the match starting at 10:30 AM IST on 12 December (Friday). Where to Watch in IndiaCricket fans in India can watch the match live on Sony Sports Network. Additionally, Sony Liv App and website will provide live streaming f...

New Chandigarh: India endured a crushing 51-run defeat against South Africa in the second T20 International of the series, marking the largest margin of defeat at home in T20 Internationals. Chasing a target of 214 runs set by South Africa, India could manage only 162 all out, falling short on the first ball of the final over. Record Loss at HomeThis was India’s 96th T20 International at home, and in the previous 95 matches, the team had never lost by 50 or more runs. South Africa had previously inflicted India’s biggest home T20 defeat in 2022 at Indore, winning by 49 runs. Overall, India has now lost by 50+ runs only twice in T20 Internationals, the other being an 80-run loss to New Zealand in Wellington in 2019. Other significant home defeats include: 49 runs vs South Africa, Ind...

Mullaanpur: India suffered a 51-run defeat against South Africa in the second T20 International, leveling the five-match series 1-1. While the bowlers struggled to contain the opposition, a questionable batting order decision by the team management, attributed to Gautam Gambhir, also contributed to the loss. The Batting MishapChasing a target of 214, India lost Shubman Gill in the first over, after which the team made a surprising move by sending Axar Patel to bat at number three. The left-handed batter appeared completely unsettled by South Africa’s swing bowling, scoring just 21 runs off 21 balls. It seemed unclear how Axar was expected to handle the high-pressure situation at that position. Questionable Changes in the Batting OrderInstead of Axar, Tilak Varma, who had previously e...

New Delhi: After India’s defeat against South Africa in the second T20 International, team captain Suryakumar Yadav described the loss as part of a learning process and expressed disappointment over key batsmen not taking responsibility. Speaking after the match, Yadav said, “Yes, this is a learning process. We just need to learn and move forward. There was some dew, and if our first plan didn’t work, we should have had a second plan, but we didn’t follow through.” He added that the team observed South Africa’s bowling in the second innings and will use these insights to perform better in the next game. Top-Order Batsmen Need to Shoulder ResponsibilityYadav admitted that the top-order batsmen should not have relied entirely on Abhishek Sharma. He said, “I feel that Shubman Gill and I...

Excitement is building as the U19 Asia Cup 2025 kicks off in the UAE from 12 December, with the final scheduled for 21 December. As always, the India–Pakistan rivalry is at the centre of attention, and fans are eagerly waiting to see when the two young teams will lock horns. Here’s India’s complete schedule and key tournament details. When Will India Face Pakistan? The high-voltage India vs Pakistan encounter will take place on: Date: 14 December 2025 (Sunday) Venue: ICC Academy Ground, Dubai Start Time: 10:30 AM (IST) In the senior Asia Cup earlier this year, India dominated Pakistan with three wins, including the final. However, Pakistan defeated India in the Rising Stars Asia Cup. The U19 clash is expected to be equally thrilling.Ayush Mhatre will lead India in the t...