Sports

Former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni welcomed the New Year not in India, but in Thailand, enjoying a private celebration with his family. Dhoni’s wife, Sakshi, shared a photo on Instagram showing the “Captain Cool” with his family in festive spirits. Notably, Dhoni’s daughter Ziva was also seen after a long time, delighting fans who have long followed her childhood photos and videos online. Party Mood in PhuketThe photo, shared by Sakshi, was taken in Phuket, Thailand, capturing the family in a celebratory mood. Dhoni and Sakshi wore golden-themed party caps, while Sakshi looked stunning in a golden western gown. The post was captioned simply: “Wishing everyone a Happy New Year.” Fans were thrilled to see Ziva, now grown up, making a public appearance. MS Dhoni’s IPL Co...

Sara Tendulkar, daughter of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, recently became the subject of intense social media scrutiny following a viral video from Goa. In the video, Sara is seen enjoying herself with friends, holding a bottle that some online users mistakenly assumed to be beer. The incident sparked criticism and trolling, with certain users even dragging Sachin Tendulkar’s name into the controversy, attempting to link Sara’s actions with her father’s image. While the exact timing of the video remains unconfirmed, speculation suggests it was filmed around the New Year. Questions Raised About Trolls’ MindsetWhile a segment of social media users criticized Sara, a significant number came to her defense. Supporters questioned the logic of assuming someone is drinking alcohol simply be...

Australia has announced its preliminary squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, featuring the return of several experienced campaigners. Mitchell Marsh will once again lead the side, while star players Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and explosive batsman Tim David have recovered from injuries to rejoin the team. Injury Concerns and Fitness UpdatesFitness remains a key focus for the Australian camp. Pat Cummins is currently managing a back injury, with his availability dependent on scans scheduled later this month. Tim David had suffered a hamstring injury during the Big Bash League, while Josh Hazlewood missed the Ashes series due to heel pain. George Bailey, chairman of selectors, expressed confidence in the squad’s recovery, emphasizing that these experi...

The year 2026 promises to be a pivotal and challenging year for the Indian cricket team. With the T20 World Cup scheduled on home soil, along with a series of crucial international tours, Team India will face its ultimate “test by fire.” A Challenging Start: New Zealand SeriesIndia kicks off 2026 with a home ODI series against New Zealand starting 11 January. Matches will be held across Vadodara, Rajkot, and Indore. Following the ODIs, a five-match T20 series against New Zealand will take place in Nagpur, Raipur, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, and Thiruvananthapuram. T20 World Cup: The Big StageFebruary brings India’s most significant challenge of the year: hosting the T20 World Cup. Team India will begin their campaign on 7 February in Mumbai against the United States, followed by a clash...

The year 2025 has come to a close, leaving cricket fans with memories of some extraordinary performances. Among the international cricket teams, a few stood out for their consistency and victories in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Team India is among the top five most successful ODI teams of the year. 1. New Zealand – Leading the PackNew Zealand topped the ODI charts in 2025. The Kiwi side played 20 matches and won 17, achieving a remarkable win percentage of 85%. Their only three losses included a close defeat against India in the ICC Champions Trophy final. 2. United States – A Surprising ContenderIn a shocking turn, the United States secured the second spot. The associate nation played 12 matches, winning 10, with a win percentage of 83.33%. Their stellar performance in ODIs this ...

The year 2025 proved to be a sorrowful one for the cricketing world, as it witnessed the passing of several iconic players. In total, 27 international cricketers passed away, leaving fans and the cricketing fraternity in deep mourning. Among them, some names struck a particularly strong chord with cricket enthusiasts globally. Here are five legendary cricketers whose departure left a void in the sport: Dilip DoshiFormer Indian left-arm spinner Dilip Doshi passed away on 23 June at the age of 77. Known for his exceptional slow left-arm spin, Doshi represented India in 33 Test matches and 15 ODIs between 1979 and 1983, taking a total of 136 wickets. He played under the shadow of Bishan Singh Bedi and left a lasting mark on Indian cricket. Bob SimpsonAustralian cricket lost one of its s...

Australian-based cricketer Jersis Vadia has created a storm in the Big Bash League (BBL) during only his second match, smashing three consecutive sixes off the first three balls to score 22 runs for the Adelaide Strikers against Brisbane Heat. The spectacular performance has gone viral on social media, drawing praise from renowned power-hitters like Hardik Pandya and Nicholas Pooran. A Personal Connection with Hardik PandyaVadia revealed a special bond with Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya. “Honestly, I wanted to hit a six off every ball. It was all about trusting my skills and being as aggressive as possible. Luck favored me, and I managed three sixes, which felt great,” said Vadia. He added, “The response on Instagram has been overwhelming. I’ve received messages from both India and A...

Durban: In a dominant display at the SA20 League, the Joburg Super Kings (JSK) secured their second consecutive win by defeating Durban Super Giants (DSG), earning a bonus point in the process. At Kingsmead, the Super Giants’ innings collapsed to a mere 86 runs, with former team member Prenelan Subrayen delivering a match-winning performance. Spin Attack Dismantles Super GiantsSuper Kings captain Faf du Plessis’ decision to open the bowling with off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen proved decisive. Subrayen tore through DSG’s top order, dismissing key batsmen Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, and Jos Buttler for just 21 runs. The middle-order also failed to recover, with Henrik Klasen falling cheaply to Donovan Ferreira. Captain Aiden Markram (22 off 27 balls) tried to anchor the innings, but the...

New Delhi: The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 is set to witness a stellar lineup as Indian cricket stars gear up for action in domestic cricket. Indian One-Day captain Shubman Gill will represent Punjab, while seasoned all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and opener KL Rahul are also expected to feature for their respective teams. Big Names Return to Domestic ArenaThe tournament has already seen participation from legends like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, marking Kohli’s first match in nearly 16 years in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Rohit played in a domestic match after a gap of seven years. BCCI has mandated all contracted players to feature in at least two matches in the tournament, which will run until January 18, 2026. The group stage matches are scheduled until January 8, with more star Indian p...

Doha: Norway’s superstar Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen has once again proven why he is the world’s number one chess player. Carlsen showcased his endgame brilliance to claim a record ninth FIDE World Blitz Championship title, defeating Uzbekistan’s young Grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov in the final. Arjun Erigaisi Shines Despite Bronze FinishIndia’s Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi, who led the field in the semifinals, fell short against Abdusattorov and had to settle for the bronze medal. Nevertheless, Arjun won the admiration of the chess community with his exceptional performance and technique. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated him on his second consecutive bronze in Doha, highlighting India’s continued progress in chess. Thrilling FinaleThe championship match between Carls...