Sports

Star Indian batter Tilak Varma is now fully fit ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. Sharing a video on Instagram, Tilak gave fans and cricket enthusiasts a glimpse of his preparations. With just a week left for the start of the T20 World Cup, Team India, the defending champions, are gearing up to defend their title on home soil. One of the biggest concerns for the team was whether Tilak Varma, who underwent surgery for testicular torsion, would recover in time for the tournament. Fortunately, the Hyderabad batter has returned to full fitness. In the video shared on Friday, Tilak can be seen batting aggressively against fast bowlers and even trying his hand at bowling. His return is a massive boost for Team India, as he remains a key player in the T20 setup. Selection Dilemma: Tilak V...

Pakistan’s Under-19 team has been dealt a significant blow on the eve of their high-voltage clash against India in the ICC Under-19 World Cup. Young wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Shayan has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after suffering a serious injury during practice. The setback comes at a crucial moment, with Pakistan scheduled to face arch-rivals India on February 1 in the Super Six stage of the tournament. Shayan, 18, sustained the injury during a training session ahead of the match against New Zealand, when a fast bowler’s delivery struck him on the nose while he was wicketkeeping. He was immediately taken to hospital, where medical examinations confirmed a fracture of the nose, forcing him out of the World Cup. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed...

England’s star all-rounder Sam Curran produced a sensational performance in the first T20 International against Sri Lanka, claiming a memorable hat-trick and creating a wave of concern among rival teams just a week before the start of the ICC T20 World Cup. In a rain-affected contest, reduced to 17 overs per side, England defeated Sri Lanka by 11 runs via the DLS method. Curran played a decisive role in the victory, delivering a match-winning spell that turned the game firmly in England’s favour. Curran Creates History Sam Curran became only the second England bowler to take a hat-trick in T20 Internationals. Before him, Chris Jordan had achieved the feat in 2024. Curran dismissed Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana on consecutive deliveries, dismantling Sri ...

The Indian cricket team is set to face New Zealand in the fifth and final T20 International on Saturday at the Greenfield Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. While the match may not carry major significance in terms of the series result, it is expected to be crucial for several players as the team management weighs its final combinations. One of the biggest talking points ahead of the match is the future of Sanju Samson, who has struggled for form in the ongoing series. The Kerala batter has managed scores of 10, 6, 0 and 24 in his last four outings, raising concerns despite being promoted to the opening slot after Shubman Gill was dropped. With pressure mounting, it remains to be seen whether Samson will be given one final opportunity at his home ground or rested in favour of another in-form ...

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have announced their 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup, set to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. Led by Mohammad Waseem, the UAE side will be coached by former India international Lalchand Rajput, who was part of India’s support staff during their historic 2007 T20 World Cup triumph. Having secured qualification by defeating Japan in the Oman qualifiers, UAE enter the tournament with a blend of experience and youthful energy, aiming to spring surprises against stronger opponents on the global stage. Strong Coaching Setup Boosts UAE’s Hopes UAE have invested heavily in their coaching structure ahead of the marquee event. Alongside head coach Lalchand Rajput, former Pakistan fast bowler Yasir Arafat has been appointed as bowling coach, wh...

As the T20 World Cup 2026 gets set to begin on February 7, the shortest format of the game once again promises high-voltage action, explosive batting, and razor-thin margins for bowlers. Since its inception in 2007, the T20 World Cup has often been described as a batter-friendly tournament, where even world-class bowlers can find themselves under severe pressure. Across the nine editions played between 2007 and 2024, there have been moments when bowlers endured nightmare overs, conceding an extraordinary number of runs. Here is a look at five bowlers who bowled the most expensive overs in T20 World Cup history, including two instances where the maximum 36 runs were scored in a single over. Stuart Broad (England) – 36 Runs The most iconic and unforgettable over in T20 World Cup his...

The semifinal line-up of the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 is gradually taking shape, with Afghanistan and England becoming the latest teams to secure their places in the final four. After Australia’s qualification earlier, Afghanistan topped Super Six Group 1, while England advanced from Group 2. One semifinal spot still remains open, with India and Pakistan locked in contention. Shinzozada’s Record Knock Powers Afghanistan Afghanistan produced a commanding performance at the Harare Sports Club, thrashing Ireland by 191 runs to book their semifinal berth. Batting first, Afghanistan posted an imposing 315 for 7, recovering brilliantly after losing both openers for just 27 runs. The backbone of the innings was a magnificent knock by Faisal Shinzozada, who played a record-breaking inn...

Gujarat Giants scripted history in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 by defeating defending champions Mumbai Indians for the first time, registering an 11-run victory at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara. The landmark win not only broke an eight-match losing streak against Mumbai but also confirmed Gujarat’s place in the Eliminator. Opting to bat first, Gujarat Giants posted a competitive 167 for 4 in their 20 overs, riding on a commanding knock from captain Ashleigh Gardner, whose fluent 46 off 28 balls set the tone. Mumbai Indians, despite a heroic effort from skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, could only manage 156 for 7, falling short in the final overs. Gujarat’s Composed Batting Effort Gujarat’s innings began steadily with Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine adding 21 runs for the opening stan...

Despite a modest return of just 40 runs in four matches, India’s wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson continues to enjoy the full confidence of the team management in the ongoing T20 International series against New Zealand. India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak acknowledged that Samson is going through a difficult phase but made it clear that there is no doubt about the senior batter’s ability or commitment. Speaking to the media on the eve of the fifth and final T20 match, Kotak emphasized that fluctuations in form are an inevitable part of a cricketer’s career. “Sanju is a senior player. He may not have scored as many runs as everyone expects, but this is part of the game. Sometimes you score heavily in five consecutive innings, and sometimes you go through a tough patch,” Kotak said. ...

Italian tennis sensation Jannik Sinner’s impressive campaign at the Australian Open 2026 came to a halt in the semifinals after a hard-fought loss to Serbian great Novak Djokovic. While the defeat marked the end of Sinner’s title hopes in Melbourne, the young star continued to dominate headlines—not just for his on-court brilliance, but also for growing curiosity around his personal life. Sinner had entered the semifinals in red-hot form, having defeated American Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals. His powerful baseline game and calm demeanor had made him one of the tournament’s standout performers. However, Djokovic’s experience and tactical mastery proved decisive in the semifinal clash, stopping the Italian’s march toward his first Australian Open final. Spotlight Beyond the Court ...