Author: Staff Reporter

Afghanistan off-spinner Allah Ghazanfar is hoping that he would be retained by the Mumbai Indians for the 2026 IPL season. Incidentally, the IPL 2026 retention deadline is scheduled for November 15. In a conversation with PTI, he also shared how the MI captain Hardik Pandya motivated him during the phase when he was laid low by an injury. “Despite the injury, Hardik bhai remained in touch with me and motivated me a lot. Even with Tilak Varma, I had long chats about the game. I hope Hardik bhai is again my captain,” Ghazanfar said. The 19-year-old was about to make his IPL debut…

Team India pacer Mohammed Siraj shared a light-hearted moment from day one of the ongoing first Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. After India bowled out the Proteas for just 159, they finished the day with 37/1. After the day’s play, Siraj spoke to the broadcasters and revealed a small request he made to captain Shubman Gill. Siraj said with a smile: “Bas ek over de de… Aur usi over mein do wicket mil gaye (Please give me one more over… and I got a couple of wickets).” Although he finished with two important wickets, Siraj’s day…

Teen batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi produced one of the most explosive T20 innings of the year as he scored 144 runs off just 42 balls for India A against the UAE at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha, in the ongoing Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament. His innings helped India A post a massive total of 297/4 in 20 overs. With that sensational ton, Suryavanshi has now become the first cricketer in history to smash two hundreds in just 35 balls. The first instance came during the 2025 IPL season against the Gujarat Titans, when he scored…

Jasprit Bumrah delivered a brilliant spell on the opening day of the ongoing first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The fast bowler took a five-wicket haul which not only helped India bowl South Africa out early on day one, but also created a rare record. He broke a 17-year record for dismissing at least five batters on the opening day of a red-ball Test match played in India. The record was previously held by South Africa’s Dale Steyn, who produced the milestone performance in Ahmedabad in 2008. In the years that followed, no fast bowler was able…

Former India captain Anil Kumble was stunned by India’s playing combination for the ongoing first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The decision to drop Sai Sudharsan and slot Washington Sundar at number three, along with the choice to play four spinners, has raised a lot of questions. Speaking on the broadcast, Kumble shared his thoughts on the playing XI, saying: “Really surprised at the line-up, because I certainly expected Sai Sudarshan to be playing in this Test match. Who’s going to bat at No. 3? That will be the question. Washington Sundar has been slotted to…

Former India pacer Dodda Ganesh is disappointed with Team India’s decision to leave out Sai Sudharsan against South Africa in the first Test of the two-match series at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Ganesh reckons that Sudharsan should have been included in the line-up. “Why would you drop Sai Sudharsan? Makes no sense whatsoever,” Ganesh wrote on X. “The No. 3 in the batting line-up is the most important slot in a Test XI, and India are playing musical chairs without a vision. I can’t believe this is happening at Test level. They should have given Sai Sudharsan these Tests. You…

Former South African wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher has praised Rishabh Pant, describing him as a “dangerous player”. Speaking on Star Sports, Boucher said that South Africa would need to be smart in order to keep Pant quiet. “Rishabh Pant is a very dangerous player,” he said ahead of the start of the IND–SA Test series. “We’ve seen him change games in the space of a few hours. South Africa will know that, and they need to prepare well against him. If they are smart, they’ll play on his emotions a bit. Also, they must understand what he wants to do and…

West Indies all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford will once again represent the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL 2026 season, after being traded from the Gujarat Titans (GT). This will be Rutherford’s second stint with MI; he was previously part of the squad in 2020, although he didn’t get a chance to play that year. Rutherford was bought by GT for Rs 2.6 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction, and MI have traded for him at the same price. The left-handed batter, known for his aggressive hitting, scored 291 runs for GT last year at an average of 33.22. Rutherford has…

India’s semi-final star from the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, Jemimah Rodrigues, said her match-winning knock came from focusing on the team’s victory rather than chasing personal milestones. In an interview with India Today, Jemimah explained her mindset during the high-pressure game: “I knew it was a knockout game and I had nothing to lose — I just wanted to give my all and help India win. That day wasn’t about proving a point or making a statement; it was about the team. When I got my fifty and hundred, I didn’t celebrate because the job wasn’t done. At one…

Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has urged the BCCI selectors and team management to have an open and honest discussion with senior pacer Mohammed Shami regarding his international future. Shami’s omission from the upcoming Test series against South Africa has raised questions, especially given his fine form in the Ranji Trophy, where he has picked up 15 wickets in three matches for Bengal. “Someone like Mohammed Shami should be having – I mean, the selectors and the team management should have a very honest conversation with him. What’s the plan going forward? Whether they want to pick him or whether…