Sports

18

Mar

By The Press Editor

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Sports

KKR invite three pacers for trials as three-time champions seek Harshit Rana’s replacement in IPL 2026

Kolkata: Harshit Rana’s injury has disrupted Kolkata Knight Riders’ bowling unit ahead of the IPL 2026. They were forced to release Mustafizur Rahman earlier and signed Blessing Muzarabani instead, who is an excellent addition, but has little experience of playing in the cash-rich league. Rana, in the meantime, suffered a ligament strain in his right knee during India’s T20 World Cup warm-up fixture against South Africa and has since undergone surgery. With rehabilitation underway and no clear return date, the franchise has begun assessing replacement options. Among those under consideration are Simarjeet Singh, KM Asif and Sandeep Warrier. Simarjeet, previously…

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18

Mar

By The Press Editor

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Sports

Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli chase AB de Villiers’ all-time record in IPL 2026

New Delhi: Former cricketer AB de Villiers still holds the record for the most Player of the Match awards in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. The keeper-batter claimed the honour 12 times before calling his time in 2021. Despite four editions of the tournament having been played since his exit, no player has managed to eclipse the milestone he set across 184 appearances in the league. In IPL 2026, de Villiers’ record could be challenged. Legendary players Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli are within striking distance. Both Rohit and Dhoni have claimed the POTM award 10 times each,…

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18

Mar

By The Press Editor

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Sports

Jos Buttler unsure of international future, expresses desire to continue playing for England

New Delhi: Jos Buttler has admitted uncertainty over his immediate international future following England’s semi-final exit against India at the T20 World Cup. While he remains eager to continue representing his country, selection for the upcoming white-ball fixtures later this year is far from assured. The experienced opener endured a difficult campaign with the bat, managing just 87 runs across eight innings. His struggles extend beyond the recent tournament, with only one half-century recorded across his last four ICC events. Despite those numbers, Buttler still has 18 months remaining on his central contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board…

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18

Mar

By The Press Editor

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Sports

Shivam Dube shares reason behind choosing train over flight after T20 World Cup win

New Delhi: All-rounder Shivam Dube chose an unusual route home after winning the T20 World Cup 2026, beating New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. While the rest of the squad prepared for a scheduled return via flights, Dube made a personal decision driven by urgency rather than convenience. The 31-year-old left Ahmedabad within hours of the final, prioritising time with family over the team’s travel arrangements. With flights on the Ahmedabad–Mumbai route unavailable, he turned to the railways as the quickest way to reach home. Accompanied by his wife and a friend, Dube secured seats in a…

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18

Mar

By The Press Editor

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Sports

Sunrisers Hyderabad announce Ishan Kishan as new captain as Pat Cummins to miss start of IPL 2026

Hyderabad: Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins will miss the first few matches of the IPL 2026. The pacer is currently recovering from a back injury, for which he featured in only one of the Ashes Tests and was ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026. Currently, his fitness status hasn’t been shared by Cricket Australia or Hyderabad management, but in all likelihood, the pacer will miss a few games to start with. In his absence, Ishan Kishan is set to lead the 2016 champions. The team management wants the keeper-batter to lead, while Abhishek Sharma will serve as his…

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18

Mar

By The Press Editor

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Sports

Abhishek Sharma reflects on struggles and mental reset during T20 World Cup 2026

New Delhi: India opener Abhishek Sharma has reflected on a challenging stretch during the T20 World Cup 2026, describing it as a phase that forced him to confront both expectation and adversity at the highest level. Entering the tournament in prolific form and carrying the tag of the top-ranked T20I batter, Abhishek’s campaign quickly unravelled, registering three consecutive ducks. He also missed India’s group-stage fixture against Namibia, owing to illness. Upon returning, he struggled to find rhythm as his struggle against off-spinners forced India to make a strategic change to the playing XI. Sanju Samson was brought to open, while…

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18

Mar

By The Press Editor

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Sports

Jasprit Bumrah, unlikely to play T20Is until ODI World Cup 2027, jumps in ICC T20I rankings without playing

New Delhi: India have not played any T20I since winning the T20 World Cup on March 8. In fact, they aren't scheduled to play in the format until July as per the official schedule released so far. However, in the latest ICC T20I rankings update, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has jumped to fifth place among bowlers, without playing over the last week or so. Only South Africa and New Zealand played a couple of T20Is after the World Cup. Proteas' Corbin Bosch isn't playing the five-match series and hence, lost rating points to slip to sixth place. This benefited Bumrah…

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18

Mar

By The Press Editor

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Sports

Fakhar Zaman breaks silence on fitness concerns, responds to selector’s claims of playing T20 WC with injury

Lahore: Pakistan selector Aaqib Javed turned heads recently in a press conference when he claimed that Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman were injured during the T20 World Cup. He alleged that the selection committee wasn't aware of their injuries and also requested the PCB to conduct an inquiry into the same. However, several social media users trolled Javed after the southpaw plucked a brilliant catch in the National T20 Cup on Tuesday. Fakhar is currently playing for Abbottabad Region in the tournament and took a diving catch while fielding at mid-on in the semifinal clash against Lahore Region Whites. Soon…

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18

Mar

By The Press Editor

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Sports

BCCI likely to revisit central contract pay structure as Jasprit Bumrah’s A+ grade exit leaves Rs 2 crore gap

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) removed the A+ category from its central contract system last month. The Indian board cited that there weren't enough candidates in the top bracket with the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli retiring from Tests and T20Is while Ravindra Jadeja quit from T20Is. However, one member from the top bracket, Jasprit Bumrah, is still active across all three formats of the game and that is likely to compel the BCCI to revisit the pay structure. The pay for the A+ grade players was Rs 7 crore earlier, but with…

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18

Mar

By The Press Editor

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Sports

Senegal’s AFCON title win overturned two months after final, Morocco declared champions in stunning verdict

New Delhi: Morocco was stunning awarded the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title on Tuesday by appeals judges by overturning Senegal's 1-0 win in the controversial final played, exactly two months ago, on January 18. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said that the appeal board ruled that Senegal was 'declared to have forfeited the final' and their 1-0 win in extra time becomes a 3-0 default win for Morocco, who were the host nation. For the unversed, Senegal players, led by coach Pape Thiaw, left the field protesting the referee's decision to award a penalty that was set to…

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