Wednesday, April 8

Sports

Harshit Rana’s Stormy Knock Wins Praise from Sunil Gavaskar
Sports

Harshit Rana’s Stormy Knock Wins Praise from Sunil Gavaskar

New Delhi: India’s lower-order batsman Harshit Rana stole the spotlight in the third ODI between India and New Zealand at Holkar Stadium, Indore, on January 18, despite India losing the match by 38 runs. With the victory, New Zealand secured the three-match series 2-1, marking their first-ever ODI series win in India. While Team India fell short, the batting brilliance of Virat Kohli and Harshit Rana captivated cricket fans. Kohli scored 124 runs, marking his 85th international century, while Rana produced an explosive innings to score his first ODI fifty. The youngster’s 52-run knock came off a flurry of 4 fours and 4 sixes, played in an aggressive, fearless style that impressed even the legends of the game. Sunil Gavaskar Lauds Harshit Rana:Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar prais...
U19 World Cup 2026: Pakistan Struggles to Defeat Scotland; South Africa Wins by 329 Runs
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U19 World Cup 2026: Pakistan Struggles to Defeat Scotland; South Africa Wins by 329 Runs

Harare: The 2026 Under-19 World Cup saw Pakistan open their account with a hard-fought win against Scotland, while South Africa and Sri Lanka recorded comfortable victories. Pakistan vs Scotland:Pakistan defeated Scotland by 6 wickets at the Takashinga Sports Club, but it was no easy task. After losing the toss, Scotland batted first and were restricted to 187 runs in 48.1 overs, with Ali Raza claiming 4 crucial wickets for Pakistan. Chasing 188, Pakistan reached the target in 43.1 overs. Openers were dismissed early with the score at 48, but Usman Khan held the innings together, scoring 75 runs off 85 balls. His partnership of 111 runs with Ahmed Hussain for the third wicket paved the way for Pakistan’s victory. South Africa’s Massive Win:South Africa crushed Tanzania by 329 runs in...
When a Pakistani Cricketer and Bollywood Star Had a Fairytale Romance: Married in Karachi, Dated in London
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When a Pakistani Cricketer and Bollywood Star Had a Fairytale Romance: Married in Karachi, Dated in London

In a tale that blends cricket, Bollywood, and cross-border romance, we revisit the story of the love affair between Bollywood actress Reena Roy and Pakistani cricketer Mohsin Khan. Their relationship, which began in the late 1970s, culminated in a wedding in Karachi in 1983. Reena Roy, a leading actress of the 1970s and 1980s, starred in numerous hit films and worked alongside some of Bollywood’s biggest stars. Mohsin Khan represented Pakistan in international cricket from 1978 to 1986. Despite their different worlds, the two found love and maintained a relationship for several years before tying the knot. Reports suggest that Reena Roy and Mohsin Khan dated for nearly six years prior to their marriage. During this period, the couple was often spotted together in London, where Reena ...
Major Blow for Australia Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026: Captain Pat Cummins to Miss Early Matches
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Major Blow for Australia Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026: Captain Pat Cummins to Miss Early Matches

Australia’s preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026, starting February 7 in India and Sri Lanka, have suffered a setback. Test captain Pat Cummins is expected to miss the opening 2-3 matches of the tournament due to a lingering bone stress injury in his back, sustained before the Ashes 2025-26. Cummins’ Recovery TimelineAustralian Chief Selector George Bailey confirmed that the veteran pacer is unlikely to be fully fit until the middle of the T20 World Cup. “Pat Cummins will join us a little later, probably by our third or fourth match. If anything changes, we will have to cover for him,” Bailey said. Cummins’ absence is a blow not just for Australia but also for his IPL 2026 team, Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he serves as captain. Impact on IPL and Ashes 2025-26Cummins has struggled w...
Virat Kohli Scores 54th ODI Century in Indore, Breaks Ricky Ponting’s Record
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Virat Kohli Scores 54th ODI Century in Indore, Breaks Ricky Ponting’s Record

Even though India lost the final ODI against New Zealand, Holkar Stadium in Indore witnessed history on Sunday. Run-machine Virat Kohli added another chapter to his legendary career by scoring his 54th ODI century, surpassing Australian great Ricky Ponting and becoming the most successful batsman at the No. 3 position in ODI history. New King at No. 3Kohli’s innings took him past a monumental milestone. Batting at No. 3, he now has 12,662 ODI runs, overtaking Ponting’s 12,655 runs. This makes Kohli the highest run-scorer ever in the No. 3 position in ODI cricket. Record-Breaker Against New ZealandKohli also became the player with the most ODI centuries against New Zealand, scoring his 7th century against the Kiwis. He surpassed both Ricky Ponting and Virender Sehwag, who had six cent...
Not the Batsmen or Bowlers: Fielding Lapses Cost India the Series, Says Sunil Gavaskar
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Not the Batsmen or Bowlers: Fielding Lapses Cost India the Series, Says Sunil Gavaskar

Despite Virat Kohli’s brilliant 124 off 108 balls in the third ODI against New Zealand, Team India suffered a 41-run defeat in Indore on Sunday. The loss marked the first time New Zealand won an ODI series on Indian soil. While fingers often point at batsmen or bowlers after such defeats, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has identified the real culprit: India’s fielding lapses. Gavaskar Highlights Lack of AggressionIn a conversation with former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull, Gavaskar praised Kohli’s effort but criticized the younger Indian players for their sluggishness and lack of an attacking mindset on the field. He singled out Shubman Gill and the team’s fielders as key reasons India lost momentum during New Zealand’s innings. Fielding Errors Let Bowlers DownGavaskar explained t...
“Why Madam? Call Her Bhabhi!” – Virat Kohli Teases Harshit Rana in Dressing Room
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“Why Madam? Call Her Bhabhi!” – Virat Kohli Teases Harshit Rana in Dressing Room

India fast bowler Harshit Rana recently shared a light-hearted anecdote that revealed another side of Virat Kohli—his playful and humorous demeanor off the field. The incident took place right after India’s historic 2025 Champions Trophy victory, when Rana addressed Bollywood actress and Kohli’s wife, Anushka Sharma, as “Madam.” Kohli immediately turned it into a dressing room joke, telling him: “Why Madam? Call her Bhabhi!” A Fun Moment in the Dressing RoomRana recounted that upon entering the dressing room after the Champions Trophy win, he met Anushka Sharma for the first time. Being polite, he addressed her as “Madam.” Little did he know, Kohli would use the moment to poke fun at him. Laughing about the incident, Rana said, “Virat Bhai asked me, ‘Why are you calling her Madam? Call ...
Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja Set for Comeback Battles
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Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja Set for Comeback Battles

After India’s 1-2 loss to New Zealand in the ODI series, captain Shubman Gill and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja have come under intense scrutiny. Gill faced criticism for his dismissal in the third ODI at Indore, while Jadeja continues to struggle with poor form with both bat and ball. Both players, who are not part of India’s T20 squad—Gill being left out and Jadeja retired from T20Is—now have an opportunity to regain form in the domestic circuit. Reports suggest that Gill is likely to represent Punjab, while Jadeja will turn out for Saurashtra in the upcoming Ranji Trophy match in Rajkot starting January 22. If confirmed, this head-to-head will be seen as a positive sign for Indian cricket. Final Decisions on Participation SoonAccording to Cricbuzz, the final call on Jadeja and Gill ...
Bangladesh Controversy: Is Pakistan Trying to Derail the T20 World Cup 2026?
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Bangladesh Controversy: Is Pakistan Trying to Derail the T20 World Cup 2026?

The controversy over Bangladesh’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 in India is escalating, and Pakistan appears to be fueling the fire. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has openly supported Bangladesh in its demand to shift matches out of India, hinting that if Bangladesh is excluded, Pakistan may reconsider its own participation in the tournament. PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi at the Center of the IssuePCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also holds a ministerial post in the Pakistan government, has reportedly indicated that Pakistan will side with Bangladesh if any exclusion occurs. Sources suggest that this move follows Bangladesh’s approach to Islamabad, seeking diplomatic and cricketing support to pressurize India. Analysts say Pakistan’s strategy aims to both align Bangladesh with its i...
T20 World Cup Row: Bangladesh Must Decide by January 21, ICC Issues Deadline
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T20 World Cup Row: Bangladesh Must Decide by January 21, ICC Issues Deadline

Dhaka: The controversy over Bangladesh’s participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup in India continues to simmer as the ICC has now set a firm deadline for resolution. Bangladesh has repeatedly insisted that its team will not travel to India due to security concerns and will only participate if its matches are shifted to Sri Lanka. ICC Chairman Jay Shah has made multiple efforts to resolve the issue. The governing body has now given Bangladesh until January 21 to confirm whether it will take part in the T20 World Cup and whether it will play its matches in India. Here are the five key points in the ongoing controversy: 1. ICC Rejects Security ConcernsAccording to ESPNcricinfo, an ICC team visited Bangladesh on Saturday, meeting with officials from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) a...