Author: Staff Reporter

Indian star batter Virat Kohli climbed back to the No. 1 position in the ICC ODI batting rankings after India’s thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand in the first ODI in Vadodara on January 11. It is his first time at No. 1 since July 2021, highlighting his strong comeback and consistent form. Virat replaced his teammate Rohit Sharma at the top of the rankings, with Rohit now slipping to third place. Kohli played a match-winning knock of 93 runs from 91 balls while chasing a tough target of 300 against New Zealand. In his last five ODI innings, Kohli…

Star batter Virat Kohli is just one half-century away from breaking another record as an Indian batter. He has a chance to achieve the feat in the second ODI against New Zealand in the ongoing three-match series in Rajkot. Top Indian batters like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Kohli have all scored five consecutive fifty-plus scores in ODIs. If Kohli scores another fifty in Rajkot, he will become the first Indian batter to score six consecutive fifty-plus scores. Kohli’s sensational form started on the Australia tour. He had a very poor start in the first two…

Gujarat Giants (GG) head coach Michael Klinger opened upabout the decision to retire out Ayushi Soni during their WPL 2026 clash against Mumbai Indians (MI) on January 13 in Navi Mumbai. He said it was a tactical move made to maximise runs in the final overs. Ayushi made her WPL debut against MI and was retired out on 11 off 14 balls at the end of the 16th over. The decision made her the first player to be retired out in WPL history. Explaining the reason behind the call during the post-match press conference, Klinger said, “So we spoke to…

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes Tilak Varma could fit into the role that star batter Virat Kohli used to play in India’s T20I side, a move that could prove pivotal heading into the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Irfan cited some of Tilak’s innings at No. 3 and No. 4 to justify his view. “Tilak Varma has batted at No. 3 and No. 4. He has absorbed pressure and hit hundreds. Tilak also played an outstanding knock against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final and India wouldn’t have won…

Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Harmanpreet Kaur gave credit to the batters for their seven-wicket win against Gujarat Giants (GG) in the sixth match of WPL 2026. Harmanpreet led from the front with a captain’s knock and was adjudged the Player of the Match. Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, she said: “But batting-wise, we were good. We calculated it well. Amanjot and I, while batting together, calculated things nicely. She batted beautifully, and in the end, Nicola Carey came in and took all the pressure off me. So overall, it was a good game for us. I feel nowadays scores…

India legend Sunil Gavaskar is not surprised at all by England’s heavy defeat to Australia by a 4-1 margin in the recently concluded Ashes series 2025/26. In his column for Sportstar, Gavaskar wrote: “England’s performances in most sports are a huge let-down when set against the write-ups their teams receive from people who have hardly, if ever, played any sport at the highest level. The disappointment, therefore, is far greater when the teams show that they are more paper tigers than real ones. England’s capitulation to Australia by a 4-1 margin was, therefore, not really a surprise for the non-English.…

Indian wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul shared valuable life lessons with a group of young cricketers during Team India’s training session in Vadodara ahead of the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand. In a video shared by the BCCI on their social media platforms, the senior batter was seen interacting with aspiring players. Answering a question about dealing with limited chances, Rahul said, “You will definitely get a chance to show your talent, whether it’s in a domestic, international, or local tournament. You just have to work hard and be ready when your opportunity comes, and grab it with both your hands.…

MI London have acquired the services of three top players from England for The Hundred. All-rounder Sam Curran will continue with the team and take on the role of captain, while Will Jacks also remains with the side. For the women’s team, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, one of England’s standout T20 stars, has been announced as their first signing. In a media press release, Akash Ambani, who is the owner of the team, said: “With world-class talent across the men’s and women’s teams – including Sam Curran, Will Jacks and Danni Wyatt-Hodge – and a strong connection to Surrey, MI London brings…

Joburg Super Kings (JSK) captain Faf du Plessis has been ruled out for the remainder of the SA20 2026 season after suffering a right thumb ligament tear on 10 January, which will require surgery. Du Plessis sustained the injury while fielding against MI Cape Town on Saturday in Johannesburg. The 41-year-old did not come out to bat while chasing a target of 235, and his absence had a significant impact as JSK went on to lose the match. JSK confirmed that du Plessis will miss the remainder of the tournament, with his replacement expected to be announced soon. JSK head…

Wicket-keeper batter Scott Edwards will lead a strong and experienced 15-member Netherlands squad in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will start on February 7. Seasoned T20 campaigners Roelof van der Merwe, Bas de Leede and Michael Levitt return to the squad after most senior players missed the last series against Bangladesh. Teja Nidamanuru, Tim Pringle and Vikramjit Singh are the notable omissions from the squad that toured Bangladesh for the three T20Is. Veteran all-rounder Colin Ackermann, who last played for the Netherlands in 2024, also returns after spending most of the year in England. Fast bowler…