Author: WebDesk

Afghanistan’s heroic performance against Australia, in St Vincent, in the ICC T20 World Cup has provided a window of opportunity for a couple of teams to qualify for the semifinals. At the same time, it has put a spanner in the works for both Australia and India. When India usurped Bangladesh in Antigua, it seemed as if everything was happening on expected lines. That isn’t the case now. Just to illustrate the point further, Afghanistan’s momentous victory has thrown a lifeline to even Bangladesh, who in turn have lost both their games so far. Let’s analyse the various permutations and…

Sixteen months before the 2016 Rio Olympics, Abhinav and I were together at an event in Nagpur. We discussed how he had dealt with adversity in his decade-and-a-half long career as an international sportsman. Just as the organisers were making the initial announcements asking people to settle down, I saw something very disturbing. Abhinav, who was sitting in the chair next to me, looked uncomfortable. All of a sudden, his hand was shaking involuntarily. It was clear he was trying his best to hide it. Each time we made eye contact, Abhinav tried to avoid the probing gaze. It was…

The tournament began with a scoreless draw for both Peru and Chile, each team walking away with a single point after their Group A match at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game was notable for several key moments and individual milestones, as well as setting the stage for the upcoming fixtures on June 25th. Highlights Luis Advíncula’s Early Exit: A major concern for the Peruvian side, known as La Bicolor, arose in the first half when Luis Advíncula had to be replaced due to injury. This incident has raised questions about his availability for the subsequent matches. Paolo Guerrero’s…

The United States of America put on a spirited display before losing to South Africa in the first Super Eights game of the T20 World Cup 2024. The co-hosts of the tournament aggregated 176 in a chase of 195. At the completion of the 17th over, South Africa were clearly in the ascendancy. However, Andries Gous and Harmeet Singh combined to club Tabraiz Shamsi for 22 in a single over to leave the game in balance. Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, the experienced pacemen, then gave away a mere nine runs in the last two overs to ensure South Africa…

Hundreds from Marizanne Kapp and Laura Wolvaardt went in vain as South Africa slipped to a gut-wrenching four-run loss to India in the second ODI in Bengaluru. The visitors finished with 321 for 6 in a chase of 326. For the home side, Smriti Mandhana cracked her second hundred in a row. When Pooja Vastrakar was given the responsibility to bowl the last over, it seemed as if South Africa would post a famous, come-from-behind win. Nadine de Klerk even eked out a boundary off the second ball of that over. Unfortunately for the tourists, they lost the plot at…

Sony Sports Network recently announced Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri and France legend Patrice Evra as expert panelists for UEFA EURO 2024 exclusively on Sony Sports Network. The beloved legends greeted each other and exchanged their knowledge of the game, providing in-depth analysis during the live studio show ‘Football Extraaa.’ While discussing various player strengths, Chhetri and Evra made some shocking revelations. In terms of the better left footed player in European football, the Frenchman said, “Cristiano Ronaldo has the best left foot of any player in UEFA EURO 2024.” When asked about a player having pace next to none,…

Supriyo Chatterjee in New York On a nice sunny Wednesday afternoon, a local 4th generation American named Fred seemed to be quite disappointed in front of a food truck stationed outside the playing area of the Nassau International Cricket Stadium to not get a handle on the much craved Indian chicken tikka masala. It was one of the primary reasons for him to come to a cricket match, apart from quenching his curiosity. Yes, he wanted to get a view of some of the Indian cricket team players who he had heard make more than some of the star NFL…

Pakistan survived a scare as they ended their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign on a good note by getting the better of Ireland by three wickets. The Asian nation chased down the target of 107 in only the 19th over. The foundation of Pakistan’s consolation victory was based on their impressive performance with the ball. On a track that had enough moisture, Pakistan won the toss and opted to field. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammed Amir, the senior pace bowlers, had Ireland in all kinds of trouble at 32 for 6. Greath Delany, batting at No. 7, turned out to…

The draws for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025 Qualifiers and AFC U20 Asian Cup China PR 2025 Qualifiers were held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday, June 13, 2024. In the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers, India were drawn alongside Thailand, Brunei Darussalam and Turkmenistan in Group D, which will be hosted by Thailand between October 19-27, 2024. In total, 43 teams were divided into 10 groups – seven of four each and three of five. The 10 group winners and five best second-placed teams among all groups will advance to the…

Sherfane Rurtherford’s game-breaking 68, alongside redoubtable efforts from Alzarri Joseph and Gudakesh Motie with the ball, proved to be the difference between the West Indies and New Zealand, as the T20 World Cup co-hosts sealed a crucial 13-run win in Trinidad. Despite some late-order heroics by Mitchell Santner, New Zealand finished with 136 in a chase of 150. With this victory, the West Indies have qualified for the Super 8s, while New Zealand are on the brink of making an ignominious exit. After seven overs, things seemed to be different. New Zealand’s experienced pace duo of Tim Southee and Trent…