Sports

Karnataka defeated Mumbai and Saurashtra overcame Uttar Pradesh in the quarter-finals of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, with both matches’ results decided using the VJD method. Rain Intervenes, Matches ShortenedThe two quarter-final clashes—Mumbai vs Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh vs Saurashtra—were played at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Rain interrupted both games, leading to shortened matches. Ultimately, the VJD method was applied to determine the winners. Karnataka emerged victorious over Mumbai by 55 runs, while Saurashtra beat Uttar Pradesh by 17 runs under the same method. What is the VJD Method?The VJD (Vijay Jayadevan) method is a system used to calculate revised targets in rain-affected limited-overs matches. It was developed by civil engineer Vijay Jayadeva...

India defeated New Zealand in a thrilling first ODI, with KL Rahul playing a crucial innings at the number 6 spot to guide his team to victory. Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan defended Rahul’s batting position, citing the evolving dynamics of modern ODI cricket. Exciting Win in VadodaraIn the first ODI at Vadodara, New Zealand set a challenging target of nearly 300 runs for India. While captain Virat Kohli once again played a brilliant innings, he fell short of a century, scoring 93 runs. Opener Shubman Gill provided a solid start, but India needed an experienced finisher in the final overs. KL Rahul stepped in at number 6, showcasing calm and calculated batting to take India across the line. Why Rahul Bats at Number 6On his YouTube channel, Irfan Pathan addressed questions about Rah...

Gqeberha, South Africa: In a thrilling SA20 clash, Durban Super Giants (DSG) defeated table-toppers Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) by 2 wickets in the league’s 21st match, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Sunrisers had set a target of 159 runs after posting 158/5 while batting first, but Durban chased it down in a nail-biting finish, losing two wickets in the final over. Sunrisers’ Batting Struggle Sunrisers’ innings got off to a shaky start. Openers Quinton de Kock (13) and Jonny Bairstow (11) failed to make an impact and were dismissed in the powerplay. Matthew Breetzke, batting at number three, scored 20 runs off 22 balls. By the 10th over, Sunrisers were 64/3, and by the 14th over, at 87/5, their innings seemed in trouble. Captain Tristan Stubbs steadied the ship with Louis Gr...

Islamabad: Legendary left-arm fast bowler Wasim Akram has made startling allegations against some of his former Pakistan teammates, claiming they conspired to endanger his life ahead of the 1996 World Cup quarter-final against India. Akram revealed that his teammates, fearing the wrath of Pakistani cricket fans if the team lost, had discussed pinning all the blame on him and even joked about throwing him under the bus. Akram Missed the Quarter-Final Akram had withdrawn from the 1996 quarter-final against India due to an injury, sparking criticism for over 30 years. Many accused him of deliberately declaring himself unfit, an allegation he has consistently denied. During a show, “Batana Hi Padega,” Akram described how he overheard several senior teammates plotting to blame him for a p...

New Delhi: Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the last two matches of the ODI series against New Zealand due to injury. Sundar complained of sudden pain in his left lower rib while bowling during the first ODI at BCA Stadium, Vadodara on Sunday. He will undergo further scans, and the BCCI medical team will provide a final assessment. Ayush Badoni Gets the Nod In Sundar’s absence, Ayush Badoni, a 26-year-old all-rounder from Delhi, has been drafted into the Indian squad for the remaining two ODIs against New Zealand. Badoni, yet to make his international debut, bats right-handed and bowls off-spin. He plays for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL. Badoni has impressive domestic credentials, including 693 runs at an average of 36 and 18 wickets in 27 List-A...

New Delhi: The first ODI between India and New Zealand saw intense cricket action, with India clinching victory by 4 wickets. However, it was a moment in the commentary box that grabbed attention on social media. Sanjay Bangar in the SpotlightFormer Indian all-rounder and batting coach Sanjay Bangar was part of the Hindi commentary panel for the match. During New Zealand’s innings, in the 13th over bowled by Washington Sundar, Bangar made a comment that set off a wave of discussion online. He referred to Hindi as India’s national language, sparking debates across social media platforms. The Context Behind the CommentAt that moment, KL Rahul, keeping wickets for India, seemed dissatisfied with the pace of Sundar’s delivery. Bangar was joined in the commentary box by former fast bowler...

New Delhi: Sunday night in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 turned historic as Delhi Capitals’ fast bowler Nandini Sharma stole the spotlight. Nandini became the first bowler of this season to take a hat-trick, claiming five wickets in a single match at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, etching her name in WPL history. Hat-Trick and Four Wickets in the 20th OverIn the final over of Gujarat Giants’ innings, Nandini delivered a stunning hat-trick. She dismissed Kanika Ahuja, Rajeshwari Gaikwad, and Renuka Singh on consecutive deliveries. First, she stumped Kanika with a slower ball. Next, she bowled Gaikwad through the middle stump. Finally, Renuka was trapped LBW with a full-length delivery, completing Nandini’s historic hat-trick. Earlier in the same over, she had taken another wi...

Jeddah: Barcelona emerged victorious in the first El Clasico of 2026, defeating Real Madrid 3-2 in an exhilarating Spanish Super Cup final at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. With this win, Barcelona secured their 16th Spanish Super Cup title. Raphinha Stars with Two GoalsBarcelona’s Brazilian winger Raphinha scored twice to guide his team to glory. The match began as a tightly contested battle, with both sides showing equal intensity. In the 36th minute, Raphinha created space in the box and delivered a precise low shot into the far corner, giving Barcelona the lead. Real Madrid responded immediately. During first-half stoppage time, Vinicius Junior picked up the ball near the halfway line, beat two defenders with a blistering solo run, and scored to level the match 1-1. The dr...

With less than three weeks to go before the T20 World Cup, tensions have escalated over Bangladesh’s refusal to play its matches in India. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected Bangladesh’s request to shift its matches to Sri Lanka, but the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) continues to frame the issue as one of national pride. Meanwhile, Pakistan has inserted itself into the dispute, offering to host Bangladesh’s matches in their country. To resolve the situation, the ICC has now proposed two alternative venues in India for Bangladesh’s matches, with a final decision expected by Monday or Tuesday. Here’s the latest update on the matter in five key points: 1. BCB Sends Another Letter to ICCThe Bangladesh Cricket Board has written again to the ICC, reiterating its deman...

India’s woes continued in the first ODI against New Zealand as all-rounder Washington Sundar sustained an injury and has been ruled out of the remainder of the series. Sundar Suffers Side StrainEarlier, India’s wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant had been forced out of the series due to injury, and now Sundar’s exit adds to India’s challenges. The off-spinner sustained a side strain during India’s first match against New Zealand, which prevented him from completing his bowling spell. Sundar bowled five overs in the first innings before having to leave the field. Reports from India Today indicate that Sundar will miss the rest of the ODI series. The BCCI has yet to issue an official statement confirming his absence. During the match, it was evident that Sundar was struggling even while ...