Sports

New Delhi: Despite winning all four of their group-stage matches and entering the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026, Team India faces some challenges with three key players struggling with form. While most of the squad is in excellent touch, these underperformers are a potential concern for the defending champions as the real test begins in the knockout rounds. Abhishek Sharma Fails to Open Account Coming into the tournament as the world’s number-one T20 batsman, Abhishek Sharma is going through a difficult patch in his career. His dismissal for a duck against the Netherlands marked his third consecutive golden duck in this World Cup. Sharma’s aggressive approach, attempting big shots from the very first ball without reading the pitch, has backfired. In the Super 8, if India’s ...

New Delhi / Ahmedabad: After completing the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2026 with a 17-run win over the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, Team India will now enter the Super 8 stage. India’s first Super 8 match will be against South Africa on February 22 at the same venue. India and South Africa have a history of competitive encounters. India defeated South Africa to win the T20 World Cup 2024, making this matchup highly anticipated among fans. South Africa’s Form South Africa remained unbeaten in the group stage, defeating Canada comfortably and edging Afghanistan in a thrilling match that went to two Super Overs. They also won their matches against New Zealand and UAE. Having played three of their four group matches at the Narendra Modi Stadium, South Afr...

Ahmedabad: After a 17-run victory over the Netherlands in their final group-stage match of the T20 World Cup 2026, Indian captain Surya Kumar Yadav expressed strong confidence in his team’s middle-order firepower ahead of the Super 8 stage. Chasing a massive target of 194, the Dutch side was restricted by India’s disciplined bowling attack, allowing India to maintain its unbeaten run in the tournament. Speaking after the match, Surya highlighted the team’s performance, the challenges posed by dew, and the strength of the middle-order. Surya Kumar Yadav’s Take Commenting on the conditions, Yadav said, “Obviously, we wanted to bat first. We posted a total of 190, and when we came out to bowl, the dew made it a bit challenging for the bowlers. Overall, though, I’m very happy at the e...

Ahmedabad: In a sensational display of aggression during the T20 World Cup 2026 against the Netherlands, Shivam Dubey and Hardik Pandya turned the 19th over bowled by Kyle Klein into a run-fest, amassing 21 runs and taking India to a commanding position. Klein, who had earlier claimed the wicket of Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, started the over poorly, conceding an extra run via a wide. Dubey and Pandya capitalized on every mistake, punishing the Dutch bowler with shots all around the park. Shivam Dubey Leads the Charge On the first legal delivery, Dubey showcased his smart stroke play. Klein tried to bowl a yorker on leg stump, but Dubey cleverly stepped in and drove it through fine leg for a boundary. On the next ball, Dubey managed a quick single with a glancing shot off the...

Ahmedabad: India secured a hard-fought victory over the Netherlands in their final group match of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, winning by 17 runs. After winning the toss, India batted first and posted a competitive total of 193 for 6 wickets. In response, the Netherlands put up a determined fight but could manage only 176 for 7. With this win, India remained unbeaten in Group A, topping the table, while the Netherlands managed just one victory. India now boasts an unbeaten streak in 12 T20 World Cup matches. Abhishek Sharma Struggles India suffered an early blow as Abhishek Sharma was dismissed on the third ball of the innings, failing to open his account for the third consecutive match in this tournament. Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma stitched to...

Colombo: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha praised his team’s performance following a comprehensive 102-run victory over Namibia on Wednesday. Highlighting the pivotal role of his spinners, Agha expressed confidence that they will play a key part in Pakistan’s upcoming Super 8 clash against New Zealand. Pakistan bounced back strongly after a heavy defeat against India, with Sahibzada Farhan scoring his maiden T20 international century and the spin attack producing a brilliant performance, helping the team secure a spot in the next stage of the tournament. Team Effort Praised Agha commented, “It was a fantastic performance by the entire team. We batted well during the powerplay and the middle overs. Farhan has been in good form for some time, and I’m delighted he scored his century....

New Delhi: Pakistan face a high-pressure encounter against Namibia on February 18 in the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be played at the SSC Cricket Ground, Colombo. While Namibia have already been eliminated from the tournament, they still hold the power to ruin Pakistan’s campaign completely. For Pakistan, this match is nothing short of a survival battle. A win will keep their hopes alive, but a defeat could result in immediate elimination from the World Cup. And Namibia have one player who could prove to be Pakistan’s biggest nightmare — captain Gerhard Erasmus. Gerhard Erasmus: Pakistan’s Biggest Threat Namibia’s 30-year-old skipper Gerhard Erasmus is being seen as the most dangerous weapon Namibia possess. Erasmus is not only a powerful middle-order batte...

New Delhi: Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, known for his fearless style and match-winning performances, has made a rare and heartfelt revelation about his personal life. In a recent interview, Hardik credited his girlfriend Mahika Sharma for playing a major role in transforming his mindset and bringing him back to his best form. Usually reserved when it comes to discussing his private life, Hardik surprised fans by openly admitting how Mahika’s presence helped him rediscover the passion that once made him fall in love with cricket. The Last Over That Made Hardik a Star Hardik recalled one of the biggest turning points of his career — the unforgettable last over against Bangladesh in the 2016 T20 World Cup, where India defended 11 runs in the final over. He described the momen...

New Delhi: While the high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash in the T20 World Cup 2026 grabbed attention on the field, an unexpected incident off the field has now gone viral across social media. The match, played on February 15 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, ended in a dominant win for India. However, a separate moment from inside the stadium premises has become the center of discussion after a video surfaced showing a Pakistani journalist offering Namaz inside the press conference room during the match. Pakistani Journalist Prays in Press Conference Room In the viral clip circulating online, the journalist can be seen performing Namaz inside the media press conference area while the India-Pakistan match was in progress. The unusual sight has attracted widespread attention,...

Colombo: The Pakistan vs Namibia clash in the T20 World Cup 2026 is not just a group-stage match—it is a high-stakes encounter that will decide the final qualification picture of Group A. With the Super-8 stage on the line, Pakistan’s fate now hangs between victory, defeat, or even rain. Adding to the drama, weather forecasts in Colombo indicate a 50–60% chance of rain, raising serious concerns over a possible washout. If rain interrupts or cancels the match, the entire qualification scenario could take a sudden turn. Why Rain Could Turn Into a Blessing for Pakistan According to ICC rules, if a match is abandoned due to rain, both teams receive one point each. Pakistan currently have 4 points from 3 matches. If the match is washed out, Pakistan will move to 5 points, virtually ...