Author: WebDesk

Former England pacer James Anderson has tipped Australia as favourites to retain the Ashes on home soil in the five-match series, while also acknowledging that England have a chance to expose cracks in the home team. “I don’t think England are quite favourites; I’d say Australia are still favourites in Australia,” Anderson told TNT Sports. “They probably just edge out England in terms of being favourites, but I don’t think there’s much in it. It’s a tough one to call, so I’d say Australia, just.” Australia will head into the first Ashes Test with uncertainty around the top-order formation, as…

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma credited the bowlers, along with his partnerships with Corbin Bosch and Marco Jansen, after their sensational 30-run win over India in the first Test of the two-match series at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The visitors defended a target of 124 runs on day three to take a 1–0 lead in the series. Much like in the first innings, Simon Harmer was once again the star for the Proteas with the ball, taking four wickets to finish with a total of eight in the match. The veteran off-spinner received good support from Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram…

Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly has come to the defence of the pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee after the Eden Gardens pitch has come under the scanner after 26 wickets fell in the first two days of the first Test between India and South Africa. Test cricket’s return to Kolkata has been far from ideal as a lot of questions have been raised in regards to the pitch. Right from the start of the Test match, the pitch showed signs of variable bounce and definite turn for the spinners. Ball dominated the proceedings on both days. Jasprit Bumrah…

After rejoining Rajasthan Royals (RR) for the first time since 2009, Ravindra Jadeja has made his intentions clear to win the trophy that has eluded the inaugural winners for more than a decade. Seventeen years later, Jadeja will be donning the Royals jersey after the trade deal between RR and CSK was confirmed. The spin-bowling all-rounder joined the Royals family for a price of Rs 14 crore. “Rajasthan Royals gave me my first platform and my first taste of victory,” Jadeja said in an RR statement. “Coming back feels special – it’s not just a team for me, it’s home.…

In a major blow to Australia, Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the first Ashes Test due to a hamstring injury. Cricket Australia have confirmed that Michael Neser has been added to the squad for the opening Test as bowling cover. Hazlewood withdrew from the Sheffield Shield match against Victoria on Thursday. Initial scans indicated that the veteran pacer was not at risk, but subsequent scans have now confirmed the injury. “Josh Hazlewood underwent repeat imaging today, which has confirmed a hamstring strain. Initial scans on Wednesday were clear of muscle strain; however, follow-up imaging today has confirmed the…

SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith expressed his desire to have more Indian players in their T20 league, and said it is something they will continue to work on with the BCCI. So far, Dinesh Karthik is the only Indian to have played in the SA20. After announcing his retirement, he signed a deal with the Paarl Royals for last season. Under the BCCI’s current policy, Indian players who have announced their retirement from Indian cricket are eligible to feature in overseas leagues. “Firstly, we would love to have more Indian players [in the SA20],” Smith said during an event in Mumbai…

The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association has appointed Varun Chakravarthy as their captain for the 2025–26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which will start on 26 November. A 16-member squad was announced on Thursday, 13 November. Despite having no prior experience of leading the side, the selectors have entrusted Varun with the responsibility of captaining the team in India’s premier 20-over domestic tournament. The 34-year-old replaces M Shahrukh Khan in the role. Shahrukh was given the captain’s armband last year. During his stint as captain, Tamil Nadu failed to qualify for the semi-finals, finishing the group stage in fifth position with four…

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday reprimanded the Shaheen Shah Afridi-led side for maintaining a slow over-rate in the opening ODI of the three-match series against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. According to the apex cricketing body, the hosts were found to be four overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration, which led to the sanction. The charges were imposed by Ali Naqvi of the ICC Panel of Match Referees. Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate…

In a significant trade, all-rounder Shardul Thakur has been acquired by the Mumbai Indians from the Lucknow Super Giants. The IPL media advisory confirmed the development on Thursday, November 13. The trade comes two days before the deadline for player releases (15 November, 5:00 p.m. IST), which could include some of the marquee names from last season. The Mumbai-based all-rounder joins the MI setup for ₹2 crore — the same sum at which he was picked up by the Lucknow Super Giants as an injury replacement for the 18th edition of the league, in which he featured in ten games.…

Steve Smith reckons that England have got their selection wrong with regard to their bowling attack, by picking their quickest bowlers over the nibbling seamers who have been successful down under over the past few summers. England have touched down in Australia with a bowling attack boasting bowlers capable of operating at high pace. This will be the first time since 2009 that England will play an Ashes series without James Anderson or Stuart Broad in their ranks. The legendary fast-bowling duo were renowned for moving the ball both ways. Of the current crop of pacers, only Mark Wood has…