Sports

By Deepesh Sharma | New Delhi: Indian cricket star Smriti Mandhana has made her first public appearance on social media following the postponement of her wedding to musician Palash Muchhal. Mandhana was featured in a promotional video for a toothpaste brand, which quickly caught the attention of fans — many noticed that her engagement ring was missing. It remains unclear whether the video was shot before or after the engagement. Wedding Postponed Amid Family Health Concerns The couple’s wedding was originally scheduled for November 23, 2025, in Sangli. On the day of the wedding, Smriti Mandhana’s father fell seriously ill and was hospitalized, prompting the families to indefinitely postpone the ceremony. Compounding the situation, Palash Muchhal also faced severe stress and was hospi...

New Delhi, India: Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has been penalized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for showing dissent against the umpire’s decision during the Tri-Series final against Sri Lanka. The ICC imposed a fine of 10% of his match fee and issued one demerit point. The Incident The incident occurred in the 19th over of the final match on November 29. Zaman was given out, but he prolongedly disputed the umpire’s decision, engaging in a heated argument on the field. The ICC considered his behavior against the spirit of the game and found him guilty of Level 1 offense under the ICC Code of Conduct. According to the ICC, Zaman violated Article 2.8, which deals with showing dissent towards an umpire’s decision in an international match. Penalty and Demerit Point ...

New Delhi, India: As India gears up for the decisive third ODI against South Africa, all eyes will once again be on Virat Kohli. The superstar’s record at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam is extraordinary, making him India’s most potent weapon in this crucial clash. In just seven ODIs at this venue, Kohli has amassed 587 runs, including three centuries and a heartbreakingly close 99-run innings. With such formidable form, he could well add another century to his Visakhapatnam legacy. Kohli’s Dominant Innings in Visakhapatnam: 2010: First ODI century against Australia. 2011: Another brilliant century against West Indies. 2013: Out for 99 against West Indies, narrowly missing a hundred. 2018: Unbeaten 157 against West Indies, a masterclass in batting. Current...

New Delhi: England’s veteran batsman Joe Root has created history by scoring a century in the Gabba Day-Night Test against Australia. He became the fifth player to register a century against Australia in a pink-ball Test, an achievement made even more remarkable given Australia’s dominance in these matches. Australia has played 14 pink-ball Tests so far, winning 13, with Mitchell Starc often dismantling the opposition’s batting lineup. Scoring big in a Day-Night Test against the Aussies is no easy feat. Here are the five players who have achieved this milestone: 1. Faf du Plessis – 118 RunsSouth African batsman Faf du Plessis was the first to score a century against Australia in a pink-ball Test. In the 2016 Adelaide Test, du Plessis remained unbeaten on 118 runs in the first innings...

New Delhi: Joe Root finally scored a Test century in Australia, ending a long wait since his first match on Australian soil in 2013. On the first day of the Ashes Day-Night Test at the Gabba, Brisbane, Root reached 135 runs by stumps, rescuing England from 5/2 early in the innings. Saving Matthew Hayden from a Dare Before the Ashes series, former Australian opener Matthew Hayden made a bold statement: if Joe Root failed to score a century in the series, he would run naked at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). With Root’s century, Hayden has been spared from this embarrassing challenge. Social Media Fun: Hayden’s Daughter Joins the Troll As soon as Root reached his century against fast bowler Scott Boland, Hayden’s daughter Grace Hayden took to social media to poke fun at her f...

Visakhapatnam: The final ODI of the India-South Africa series is set to take place in Visakhapatnam, with the three-match series currently tied 1-1. After Virat Kohli’s back-to-back centuries in the first two ODIs, the demand for tickets to the third match has skyrocketed, creating a frenzy among cricket fans. Unprecedented Ticket Rush According to the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA), ticket sales have witnessed an unprecedented surge, unlike anything seen in recent years. When tickets for the third ODI went on sale on 28 November, the initial response was lukewarm. With fan interest appearing low, the authorities even considered opening physical counters alongside online sales. However, Kohli’s consecutive centuries in Ranchi and Raipur completely changed the scenario. Tickets S...

Chennai: With an eye on winning their sixth IPL title, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are preparing to strengthen their squad in the IPL 2026 auction. After finishing at the bottom of the points table last season, CSK now has a purse of ₹43.40 crore to spend on acquiring top talent. The franchise is particularly focused on filling the gap left by Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, who have been released ahead of the auction. Top Players on CSK’s Radar Liam Livingstone – The England all-rounder, who has previously played for Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, and RCB, is likely to be a major target for CSK. Known for his explosive finishing and useful bowling, Livingstone could be a key asset in the CSK lineup. Venkatesh Iyer – The versatile Indian all-rounder can open the innings, bat in th...

Visakhapatnam: The third and final ODI between India and South Africa at Visakhapatnam promises to be a do-or-die contest, with the series currently tied 1-1. After India won the first ODI convincingly, South Africa bounced back in the second match, chasing a massive 359-run target. With the series evenly poised, the Indian team is likely to make strategic adjustments ahead of the series decider. Prasidh Krishna Set to be DroppedPace bowler Prasidh Krishna struggled in the second ODI, conceding 85 runs in 8.2 overs, resulting in an economy rate above 10. His performances in the first two matches have also been below expectations. Consequently, the team management is expected to bench Krishna for the third ODI. All-Rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy to Make EntryReplacing Krishna could allow ...

Kolkata: Former Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, currently out of the national team, delivered a sensational performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, leaving selectors with little choice but to consider his comeback. Shami took 4 wickets for just 13 runs, helping Bengal defeat Services by 7 wickets in a Group C match on Thursday. Bengal Secures Fourth WinUnder the leadership of Abhimanyu Easwaran, Bengal claimed their fourth win in five matches, amassing 16 points and topping the points table, strengthening their claim for a place in the knockout stage. Bengal chased down the target of 166 runs in just 15.1 overs. Easwaran scored 58 off 37 balls, forming a strong 93-run second-wicket partnership with Abhishek Porel (56 off 29 balls). Shami’s Match-Winning SpellShami’s devastating spel...