Author: Subhayan Chakraborty

Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi became one of the biggest stories from the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi. Delhi Capitals roped in the uncapped pacer for a staggering Rs 8.40 crore. Nabi, who has been turning heads with his performances in the domestic circuit, finally reaped the rewards of his hard work as Delhi signed him after an intense bidding war with Sunrisers Hyderabad. When Nabi was an up-and-coming pacer trying to make his mark in the senior Jammu & Kashmir team, it was former India pacer Irfan Pathan who wrote an email to the state association and…

With Axar Patel ruled out of the remaining two T20Is against South Africa, Bengal all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed has been named as his replacement, marking his return to the Indian squad after more than two years. Shahbaz, who has been stellar as usual for Bengal this season in the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy following his return from a long injury layoff, has earned this reward and will look to make his mark for the Men in Blue. Shahbaz has taken 22 wickets while scoring 300 runs, including a century, in four matches of the Ranji Trophy this season.…

The IPL 2026 mini-auction, set for December 16 in Abu Dhabi, promises intense competition for a limited pool of standout talents. With franchises holding substantial purses and only 77, including 31 overseas slots available, several versatile performers are poised to attract significant interest. Here are five players likely to command premium prices. 1. Cameron Green (Australia) Australian all-rounder Cameron Green stands out as a prime target, offering a unique blend of aggressive batting, seam bowling, and composure in high-stakes situations. His T20 performances have highlighted his finishing capabilities, making him ideal for teams seeking balance. Previously acquired by Mumbai Indians…

South Africa delivered a clinical performance to defeat India by 51 runs in the second T20I at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Thursday, levelling the five-match series 1-1. Batting first after losing the toss, the Proteas posted a formidable 213/4 in 20 overs, powered by Quinton de Kock’s explosive 90 off 46 balls. India crumbled in the chase, bowled out for 162 in 19.1 overs, with Tilak Varma’s fighting 62 off 34 balls the only notable resistance. De Kock prefers India De Kock powered South Africa’s innings with his 18th fifty-plus score in T20Is. The…

Belgium, ranked world No. 3 just two years ago, now clinging to their last golden generation for one final charge. Egypt arrive with Mohamed Salah being banished from the Liverpool first team by manager Arne Slot after the player’s spectacular outburst in the media — the “thrown under the bus” comment. They, however, aim for the knockout-stage breakthrough the African nation has been chasing since 1934. Iran, five-time qualifiers, bring solid organisation and a knack for bloodying bigger noses. New Zealand, back for only their third World Cup, still dine out on holding Italy to a draw in 2010. Four…

In the high-stakes arena of T20 cricket, where fortunes can flip in a single over, consistency and impact are necessities. Yet, for India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill, it’s been an area which is yet to come to fruition. Their latest outing in Cuttack against South Africa, a match India won by a whopping 101 runs, served as a stark reminder of this nagging issue. Gill departed after facing just two balls for four runs, while Suryakumar scratched around for 12 off 11 deliveries. Hardik Pandya’s blistering knock and a ruthless bowling display salvaged the day, but as…

Jitesh Sharma lauded Hardik Pandya for bringing versatility and experience to the Indian T20I side, highlighting the healthy competition he has with Sanju Samson for the wicketkeeper’s slot. He was speaking after the Men in Blue sealed a comfortable 101-run victory against South Africa at Barabati Stadium on Tuesday. Hardik came in to bat when India were struggling at 78/4 after 11.4 overs before producing one of his finest T20I knocks, scoring 59 off just 28 deliveries with four sixes and six boundaries at a strike rate of 210.71, powering India to 175 in 20 overs. “He (Hardik) brings a…

The floodlights are on, the soil is red, and the stakes are massive. After wrapping up the ODI leg, a completely different looking Indian unit is set for the first of five T20Is against South Africa. Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, still nursing memories of a 20-minute blackout during an India-England ODI in February, will attempt to redeem itself under the same towers that once betrayed it. This isn’t just another bilateral series for the world champions. It is the first of the 10 T20Is India will play at home before they head into the 2026 T20 World Cup on these…

With a few thousand fans in attendance at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, the Indian team began preparations in earnest with an intense practice session on Monday ahead of the first T20I of the five-match series against South Africa, which begins on Tuesday. Having recovered from a neck spasm, Shubman Gill was the centre of attention as the entire squad, except Hardik Pandya, who had a solo practice session on Sunday, turned up for the nets. After a hectic travel schedule that took him from Kolkata to Guwahati, Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru, Gill finally looked back to his best, having…

Suryakumar Yadav, India’s T20I captain, said his team wouldn’t be making too many changes in the combination as the road to the T20 World Cup starts with the five-T20I series against South Africa, commencing Tuesday at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. The skipper also gave a bit of an insight on why the team management went to Shubman Gill as the opener while dropping Sanju Samson in the middle order role. With India set to play 10 T20Is on the road to the marquee tournament, Surya is content with the kind of performances the team has been showcasing in the shortest…