Author: WebDesk

Young Delhi batter Yash Dhull has opened up about how tough times have taught him valuable lessons about self-improvement, as he now looks to enjoy the game without thinking too far ahead. In June last year, Dhull was diagnosed with a hole in his heart and had to undergo surgery. Following the operation, he stayed away from the field for months. However, upon his return, he made an immediate impact. In the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season, he amassed 444 runs in ten innings at an average of 49.33, which he followed up with a superb run in the Delhi Premier…

Hampshire pace sensation Sonny Baker is all set for his maiden international appearance, having been named in England’s playing XI for the first ODI against South Africa at Headingley on Tuesday, 2 September. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the playing XI on the eve of the series opener. Baker, who recently made headlines in The Hundred, has been given the nod ahead of other pace bowling options – Saqib Mahmood and Jamie Overton, the latter of whom recently took an indefinite break from red-ball cricket. “He’s been awesome in the Hundred,” Harry Brook said at the pre-match…

England all-rounder Jamie Overton has taken an indefinite break from red-ball cricket with immediate effect. The announcement was made by the Surrey-based cricketer on Monday, 1 September. Having made his debut in 2022, Overton has played only two Tests so far in his career, the most recent appearance coming earlier this year against India at The Oval. Last year, the 31-year-old returned to the limited-overs set-up and was eventually recalled to the Test side as well. He hasn’t played much red-ball cricket; prior to The Oval Test, he had made only four first-class appearances for his county since the start…

India pacer Tushar Deshpande recalled the time he bowled to MS Dhoni in the IPL 2025 match between the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). With Dhoni and Shivam Dube at the crease, Deshpande was handed the ball to bowl the penultimate over. He held his nerve and delivered a brilliant spell, conceding just six runs. Out of the six deliveries, three were bowled to Dhoni. “It’s always pressure bowling to Mahi bhai because he’s the best finisher in the world,” Deshpande told ESPNcricinfo. “I was kind of trying to impress him and just wanted to bowl…

India pacer Akash Deep has opened up about his decision to skip the ongoing Duleep Trophy, saying his body needed rest after six months of continuous cricket. After being named in the East Zone squad alongside the likes of Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep withdrew from the prestigious red-ball tournament. There were reports suggesting that the right-arm pacer was nursing an injury, but he dismissed the rumours. “There was no injury, just an impact. I’ll start bowling tomorrow. I’m feeling good. I’ve been playing continuously for six months, so my body needed a bit of rest,” Akash Deep…

India pacer Arshdeep Singh has revealed that he has been following Mohammed Siraj’s advice of enjoying the “boring” phases of red-ball cricket in order to succeed in the game’s oldest format, following his success in white-ball cricket. Over the past few years, Arshdeep has made a name for himself in white-ball cricket and has become an indispensable part of India’s T20I setup. Despite claiming 113 international wickets in 72 matches, Arshdeep is yet to make a mark in red-ball cricket. Although he has not played many first-class matches since making his India debut, Arshdeep received a Test call-up on the…

Tearaway England pacer Mark Wood is optimistic about playing a couple of games for his county, Durham next month, as he prepares for the Ashes series, which will be held in Australia from 21 November to 8 January. During the Champions Trophy earlier this year, Wood suffered a knee injury that required surgery and effectively ruled him out of action for at least four months. It has now been six months, and Wood has not played any form of cricket. In the home series against India, England selector Luke Wright was hopeful that Wood would be fit to play in…

Ahead of the upcoming domestic season, Vijay Shankar has decided to leave Tamil Nadu after 13 years in order to play for Tripura. The ongoing Buchi Babu Tournament will be Shankar’s last for Tamil Nadu. Shankar, who made his debut at senior level in the 2011–12 season, had requested a No Objection Certificate from the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA), which he has received. However, the seam-bowling all-rounder is yet to receive the letter of approval from the Tripura Cricket Association (TCA). “I have obtained the NOC from TNCA but am yet to receive confirmation from the Tripura Cricket Association.…

Veteran all-rounder Jalaj Saxena has opted out of the upcoming Ranji Trophy season, citing personal reasons. One of the best all-rounders in the history of red-ball cricket, Saxena has informed the Kerala Cricket Association of his unavailability. KCA Secretary Vinod S Kumar confirmed that Saxena will not be available for the Ranji Trophy in the forthcoming season, as he wishes to be “close to his aged parents”. “Jalaj said he wanted to take a break from cricket and wouldn’t be available for the Ranji Trophy this season. He told us that he didn’t want to travel and wanted to be…

In a major setback for New Zealand, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, and Finn Allen have been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against Australia, head coach Rob Walter has confirmed. Meanwhile, white-ball captain Mitchell Santner remains a doubt due to groin pain. O’Rourke has been sidelined for at least three months after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower back. The 24-year-old bowler sustained the injury during the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. He was released from the squad and underwent scans at home. To aid his recovery, O’Rourke will follow a strength and conditioning programme…