Sports

New Delhi/Kolkata: Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has touched down in India, much to the delight of his long-awaiting fans. Accompanying him are fellow football stars Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, both of whom play alongside Messi at Inter Miami. Massive Reception at Kolkata Airport:Messi and his entourage received a hero’s welcome at Kolkata Airport on Saturday, December 13. Thousands of fans thronged the airport to catch a glimpse of the football icon, waving flags and cheering as he arrived. Exciting Schedule in Kolkata:Messi’s itinerary includes a special meet-and-greet with sponsors followed by a ceremonial event at Salt Lake Stadium. Here, an exhibition match will be held between Mohun Bagan Messi All-Star and Diamond Harbour Messi All-Star teams. Messi is expected t...

New Delhi: India’s ongoing T20 series against South Africa has seen both teams level at 1-1 after the second match, played on December 11 at Mullanpur. South Africa handed India a 51-run defeat, posting 214 runs, while India managed only 162 all out. The third T20 is scheduled for December 14 in Dharamshala. Viral Video Sparks Speculation:Following the second T20, a video from India’s dressing room surfaced on social media, showing head coach Gautam Gambhir in a serious discussion with star all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Both appeared visibly intense, prompting speculation that they were addressing strategic or performance-related concerns. While the context of the discussion remains unclear, the footage quickly became a talking point among fans and analysts. Hardik Pandya Back from Inju...

New Delhi: Star fast bowler Mohammed Siraj delivered a stellar performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), signaling that he is in prime form and ready for a comeback to the national side. Siraj claimed 3 crucial wickets against Mumbai, restricting them to a low total and paving the way for Hyderabad’s dominant victory. Siraj Leads the Attack:Despite the presence of big names like Yashasvi Jayaswal (29), Sarfaraz Khan (5), Ajinkya Rahane (9), and Shardul Thakur (0), Mumbai was bowled out for just 131 runs. Siraj’s brilliant spell of 3.5 overs for 17 runs with 3 wickets highlighted his lethal pace and accuracy. Tanay Tyagarajan also contributed with 2 wickets to dismantle the opposition. Hyderabad Cruises to Victory:In response, Aman Rao (52*) and Tanmay Agarwal (75) guided Hyd...

New Delhi: Jharkhand pulled off the biggest successful chase in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), chasing down a target of 236 runs against Punjab in a thrilling Super League Group A encounter on Friday. Salil Arora’s Century Goes in Vain:For Punjab, Salil Arora delivered a spectacular innings, scoring 125 runs off 45 balls, including 9 fours and 11 sixes. He reached his century in just 39 balls, helping Punjab post a challenging 235/6 in 20 overs, despite losing two early wickets at 28 runs. Arora’s explosive performance, particularly his aggressive strokeplay against left-arm pacer Sushant Mishra, is likely to attract IPL franchises in the upcoming mini-auction. However, captain Prabhsimran Singh took on wicketkeeping duties that day, with Arora primarily focusing on his batting. ...

Guwahati: The Assam Cricket Association (ACA) has suspended four players with immediate effect following allegations of corruption during the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, sparking a major controversy in Assam’s cricketing circles. The BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) has launched a formal investigation, and an FIR has been registered with the Guwahati Crime Branch. Players Suspended:The suspended players—Amit Sinha, Ishan Ahmed, Aman Tripathi, and Abhishek Thakur—are accused of influencing and inciting fellow Assam team members to engage in match-fixing or other corrupt practices during the T20 tournament held in Lucknow. ACA described the allegations as seriously impacting the integrity of the sport. According to ACA’s official statement:"Prima facie, the involvement...

New Delhi: Star Indian batter Shubman Gill has struggled with form recently, prompting the team management to take steps to help him regain his confidence ahead of major tournaments. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has now provided clarity on Gill’s situation. Coach’s Perspective on Gill’s Form:Ten Doeschate said that since returning to the T20 setup in September during the Asia Cup, Gill has placed excessive pressure on himself. “The team wants him to bat freely, just as he does in the IPL,” he noted. Gill replaced Sanju Samson at the top of the order but has been struggling to convert starts into big scores, raising questions about his role ahead of the T20 World Cup in February-March 2026. Guidance from the Coach:Following India’s loss to South Africa in the second T20, ten Doe...

New Delhi: In a spectacular display of batting, Vaibhav Suryawanshi smashed an unbeaten 171 off 95 balls as India thrashed the UAE Under-19 team by 234 runs in their opening match of the U19 Asia Cup on Friday. The 14-year-old left-hander hit 14 sixes and 9 fours, setting the record for the most sixes in an U19 ODI innings. Indian Batting Masterclass:Apart from Suryawanshi’s fiery innings, Vihaan Malhotra (69 off 55 balls) and Aaron George (69 off 73 balls) played crucial half-centuries as India posted a record 433/6 in 50 overs. This is India’s highest total in U19 ODIs and also the highest score in U19 Asia Cup history. UAE struggled to chase the mammoth target. Despite half-centuries from Prithvi Madhu (50) and Uddish Suri (78 not out), the team managed 199/7, never posing a serio...

New Delhi, December 12, 2025: Indian batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi lit up the Under-19 Asia Cup with a blistering 171-run knock against the UAE, smashing 14 sixes to create a new world record in Youth ODIs. However, his achievement stood for only a few hours as Pakistan’s Sameer Minhas surpassed it the very same day. Vaibhav’s Firestorm in DubaiPlaying in the U19 Asia Cup 2025, the 17-year-old Indian opener hammered 171 off just 95 balls, reaching his century in only 56 deliveries. His 14 sixes set a new world record for the most sixes in a Youth ODI innings. Powered by Vaibhav’s explosive batting, India posted a mammoth 433 runs — the highest total in Youth ODIs — eclipsing their previous record of 425 against Scotland in Dhaka. Aaron George and Vihaan Malhotra added valuabl...

Mullanpur, December 12, 2025: A lighthearted yet memorable moment unfolded at the PCA Stadium in Mullanpur before the second T20 International between India and South Africa. Indian women’s cricket star Harleen Deol was seen playfully blessing Indian men’s team wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma by having him touch her feet—a gesture captured on camera and shared widely. A Fun Pre-Match InteractionThe incident occurred as the Indian men’s team prepared for the T20 World Cup, playing a series against South Africa and New Zealand. As Harleen Deol warmed up, she jokingly asked Jitesh to touch her feet, which he promptly did, exchanging a few words with her. The lighthearted moment was seen as a symbolic gesture of encouragement and good luck from the women’s cricket star to the men’s team....

Dubai: Indian U19 opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi announced his arrival on the Asia Cup 2025 stage with a blazing century against the UAE in India’s first match of the tournament. The game is being played at the ICC Academy Ground, Dubai. UAE won the toss and elected to bowl first. Indian captain Ayush Mhatre was dismissed cheaply for just 4 runs, but Suryavanshi held the innings together with his explosive batting. 56-Ball Century Highlights BrillianceSuryavanshi reached his century in just 56 balls, showcasing his power and timing with 5 fours and 9 sixes. He achieved the milestone in the 21st over of India’s innings. This is his second century in U19 ODIs, having previously scored a ton on India’s U19 tour of England. He had also impressed earlier in the Emerging Asia Cup with a century, ...