Sports

Visakhapatnam, January 29:Just months before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, the Indian cricket team has suffered a major setback, as a crushing 50-run defeat against New Zealand in the fourth T20I etched an unwanted record into India’s cricketing history and intensified concerns for head coach Gautam Gambhir. At the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium, New Zealand delivered a dominant all-round performance to hand India their second-biggest defeat by runs on home soil in T20 internationals. Batting Collapse After Promising Start Chasing a daunting target of 215 runs, India’s batting line-up crumbled under pressure. Despite a breathtaking counter-attack by Shivam Dube, who smashed a half-century off just 15 deliveries, the Indian innings lost momentum immediately after his dis...

January 29 holds a special place in Indian cricket history — a day remembered with pride, awe, and a touch of disbelief. Exactly 20 years ago, at the National Stadium in Karachi, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan produced one of the most extraordinary moments Test cricket has ever witnessed, scripting history against arch-rivals Pakistan with a sensational first-over hat-trick. The third Test of the India–Pakistan series began under immense pressure and expectation. What followed in the very first over defied imagination. The opening three deliveries yielded no runs, but the next three balls changed the course of cricketing folklore forever. With prodigious swing and pinpoint control, Pathan dismantled Pakistan’s top order in dramatic fashion. Salman Butt fell first, undone by la...

Despite India’s 50-run defeat against New Zealand in the fourth T20I, Shivam Dube produced a breathtaking counter-attacking innings that lit up the ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium and emerged as the biggest positive for the hosts ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Chasing a daunting target of 216, India were in deep trouble at 63 for 4 when Dube walked in. With the top order collapsing like a house of cards, the left-hander took it upon himself to revive the chase and launched a fierce assault on the New Zealand bowling attack, striking the ball to all parts of the ground. Ish Sodhi Bears the Brunt The highlight of Dube’s onslaught came against experienced leg-spinner Ish Sodhi. In a single over, Dube smashed 29 runs, including three towering sixes and two boundaries. One of those maxi...

With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 fast approaching, the road ahead is becoming increasingly difficult for India’s wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson. His repeated failures in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand have not only frustrated fans but have also raised serious questions about his place in the Indian squad, especially under the watchful eye of head coach Gautam Gambhir. Samson has struggled throughout the series, managing just 40 runs across four matches. His scores of 10, 8, 0 and a laboured 24 in the fourth T20I underline a worrying lack of consistency. Given extended opportunities at the top of the order, the right-hander has failed to make a compelling case for himself at a time when performances matter the most. The situation is even more concerning considering the t...

India’s team selection for the fourth T20I against New Zealand sparked debate after the hosts took the field with just six specialist batters and opted for a five-bowler combination. Following the 50-run defeat at the ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav opened up on the rationale behind the strategy and the decision to leave out Shreyas Iyer. New Zealand capitalised on the conditions to post a formidable 215 for 7 after being put in to bat. India, despite showing intent in the chase, were bowled out for 165, with the lack of batting depth becoming a talking point. Explaining the team composition, Suryakumar said the decision was a conscious one, aimed at preparing the squad for high-pressure situations ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. With Ishan Kishan sidel...

Just months ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has handed a major blow to USA cricket by provisionally suspending star batter Aaron Jones over alleged violations of the Anti-Corruption Code. The suspension comes into immediate effect, barring Jones from participating in all forms of cricket until further notice. According to the ICC, the action relates to alleged corruption during the 2023–24 BIM10 League held in Barbados. Jones has been charged with multiple breaches of the anti-corruption codes of both Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the ICC. The governing body has accused him of failing to report corrupt approaches to the relevant authorities and of not cooperating fully with the investigation into the alleged offences. In an official statement, ...

India’s hopes of completing a clean sweep against New Zealand in the T20I series suffered a setback in Visakhapatnam, where the visitors clinched a 50-run win in the fourth match. While the result did not affect the series outcome—India had already sealed it by winning the first three games—the turning point of the contest proved to be the unfortunate dismissal of Shivam Dube, who was threatening to pull off an improbable chase for the hosts. Chasing a stiff target of 216, India found themselves in deep trouble at 82 for 5, with the top and middle order failing to provide momentum. At that stage, the match appeared firmly in New Zealand’s control. However, Shivam Dube ignited hopes with a breathtaking counterattack that completely changed the complexion of the game. Dube launched a f...

India’s explosive opener Abhishek Sharma, who has been in sensational form throughout the T20I series against New Zealand, endured a rare and disappointing moment in the fourth match at the ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam. The left-hander was dismissed on the very first ball of India’s innings, registering a golden duck and finding himself on an unwanted list in Indian T20I history. Chasing a massive target of 216, Abhishek attempted an aggressive stroke off the opening delivery bowled by Matt Henry. However, his attacking intent proved costly as he mistimed the shot and handed a simple catch to Devon Conway. The dismissal not only jolted India early but also marked a personal low point for the in-form batter. With this dismissal, Abhishek Sharma became the fifth Indian playe...

India’s winning run in the T20I series against New Zealand came to a halt in Visakhapatnam, where the visitors registered a comprehensive 50-run victory in the fourth match. While New Zealand executed their plans with precision, India’s defeat was also shaped by several underwhelming individual performances. Here are the five players whose failures proved costly for the hosts on the night. Sanju SamsonSanju Samson’s struggles with the bat continued, raising serious concerns about his form. Once again, he failed to convert a promising start into a meaningful innings. Samson scored 24 off 15 balls but threw his wicket away at a crucial stage, when India needed stability after early setbacks. Given his experience and the responsibility placed on him, a bigger contribution was expected. ...

New Zealand finally opened their account in the five-match T20I series, defeating India by 50 runs in the fourth encounter at the ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium on Tuesday night. Despite a spirited counterattack from the Indian middle order after a top-order collapse, the hosts fell well short while chasing a daunting target of 216. India continue to lead the series 3–1. Put in to bat after Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss, New Zealand made full use of favorable batting conditions. Openers Devon Conway and Tim Seifert provided a blistering start, adding 100 runs in just 8.2 overs. Conway struck a fluent 44 off 23 balls, including three sixes and four boundaries, before being dismissed. Seifert anchored the innings with a commanding 62 off 36 deliveries, laced with seven fours and ...