Sports

New Delhi: India’s first World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev has offered candid insights on the role of a head coach in modern international cricket, commenting on Gautam Gambhir’s tenure amid criticism following India’s 0-2 Test series loss to South Africa. Speaking at an Indian Chamber of Commerce event on Thursday, Kapil Dev emphasized that at the international level, the term “coach” has evolved. According to him, Gambhir functions more as a manager than a traditional coach. Technical Advice vs. Player ManagementKapil Dev explained that experienced international players do not need technical guidance from their head coach. “How can a head coach teach the nuances of leg-spin or wicketkeeping at this level?” he questioned, noting that such technical training is the responsibility o...

The Indian cricket team currently leads the five-match T20I series against South Africa 2-1. All eyes are now on the series-deciding fifth T20, where Team India aims to seal the series, while South Africa will fight to level it. The final T20 match will be played on Friday, 19 December, at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The fourth T20 in Lucknow was washed out without a ball bowled, effectively making this match the series decider. A win for India would mark their 14th consecutive T20I series triumph, adding another milestone to their record. India’s Key Concerns: Gill and SuryakumarWhile most Indian players are in top form, captain Suryakumar Yadav has struggled with the bat. Moreover, vice-captain Shubman Gill was ruled out due to an injury just before the fourth match. Apart ...

The IPL 2026 auction saw several high-profile foreign players go unsold despite their impressive performances in previous seasons. These players, known for match-winning contributions, were surprisingly overlooked by all franchises. Here’s a look at five such standout players: 1. Mahesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka)The Sri Lankan spinner was a vital part of Chennai Super Kings in the 2022–2024 IPL seasons, taking 25 wickets and providing crucial variety during powerplays. Despite his proven track record, Theekshana remained unsold this year. 2. Alzarri Joseph (West Indies)The fiery West Indies pacer made a sensational debut for Mumbai Indians in 2019, famously taking 6 wickets for just 12 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad to defend 137 runs. However, IPL 2026 franchises chose to pass on him ...

Indian star leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has been struck by dengue and chikungunya, forcing him to miss several weeks of cricket. Chahal revealed the news on Thursday via his Instagram story, sharing an update about his health with fans. Chahal, who was last seen playing for Haryana in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy group stage against Hyderabad, has been sidelined since 30 November. The illness also ruled him out of the SMAT final against Jharkhand in Pune, a match he was eager to participate in. In his Instagram post, Chahal wished his team luck, writing, “I wanted to be part of my team for the SMAT final, but unfortunately, I am suffering from dengue and chikungunya, which has affected my health badly.” He did not specify when he will return to action, but hopes to make a comeback in...

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has filed a massive ₹50 crore defamation case against the head of the Argentina Football Fan Club based in Kolkata. Ganguly lodged a formal complaint with the Kolkata Police’s Cyber Cell on Thursday, alleging that the fan club head made objectionable statements against him. A senior police official confirmed the development, stating that Ganguly claims these statements have damaged his reputation and affected his mental peace. According to the complaint, the accused allegedly made serious allegations against Ganguly without any factual basis. The police are currently investigating the matter in detail. Ganguly’s legal team had previously issued a legal notice to the individual, demanding a public apology and retraction of the statements...

The fourth T20 International between India and South Africa in Lucknow was cancelled due to dense fog and poor air quality, raising serious questions about the BCCI’s scheduling policies. In response, the Board has now taken a major decision regarding match scheduling between 15 December and 15 January. No Matches in North India During Peak Winter Months The Lucknow match, scheduled for Wednesday night at the Ekana Stadium, was abandoned as the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached hazardous levels, making play impossible. Following this, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticized the BCCI for poor planning, while fellow Congress member and BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla defended the Board, assuring that the BCCI is taking the issue seriously. Shukla explained that dense fog and pollution...

In a surprising turn of events at the IPL 2026 auction, Mumbai Indians (MI) filled all five of their remaining squad slots despite having just ₹2.75 crore left in their purse. Among these signings, Bihar’s promising fast bowler Mohammed Izhar has emerged as the talk of the town. CSK Roots: Nets to Recognition Mohammed Izhar, 21, first gained attention as a net bowler for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during IPL 2025. Training alongside seasoned bowlers and top-tier batsmen, Izhar honed his skills and gained valuable experience, including exposure to MI in CSK’s opening match of that season. Now, he joins MI, where he is expected to feature in matches against his former mentors. IPL Debut Potential Although Izhar has not yet played an IPL match, his impressive domestic performances ...

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made headlines in the IPL 2026 auction, creating a storm on social media with their record-breaking signings. Australian all-rounder Cameron Green was snapped up for ₹25.20 crore, the highest bid ever for a foreign player in IPL history. Alongside him, Sri Lankan fast bowler Mathisha Pathirana was purchased for ₹18 crore, strengthening KKR’s pace attack significantly. Social Media Reacts with Memes The extravagant purchases triggered a flood of memes on X (formerly Twitter). KKR’s ₹64.30 crore auction budget became a talking point, with fans humorously comparing Green’s price to the annual earnings of cricket boards and other international benchmarks. While Green’s record fee dominated the conversation, KKR’s strategic acquisitions of Rachin Ravindra, ...

The fourth T20 match between India and South Africa in Lucknow was called off due to dense fog, denying fans the chance to see Sanju Samson play. With Shubman Gill sidelined due to injury, the spotlight was expected to shift to Samson, but nature had other plans. All attention now moves to the series decider in Ahmedabad. Sanju Samson’s Unfortunate Luck At the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, thousands of fans were eagerly waiting to watch Samson don the blue jersey once again. However, heavy fog forced the match to be abandoned without a toss, leaving India’s 2-1 series lead intact but raising questions over Samson’s playing chances. News of Shubman Gill’s injury had initially sparked hope that Samson would open alongside Abhishek Sharma. But with the match called off, that opportunity ...

After the fourth T20 match in Lucknow was abandoned due to dense fog, all eyes are now on Ahmedabad, where the final and decisive match of the series will be played on December 19. India currently leads the series 2-1 and is fully prepared to seal a historic victory. Fortunately, weather forecasts suggest clear skies, offering fans a thrilling contest. Ahmedabad Weather Brings Relief The abandoned match in Lucknow had left fans worried about a repeat in Ahmedabad. However, the Indian Meteorological Department has confirmed clear conditions with no fog expected. Temperatures during the match are expected to range between 15°C and 30°C, ensuring that all 40 overs can likely be completed without interruption. The Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, is set to host a match that now carries ...