Sherfane Rutherford's unbeaten half-century in the Pakistan Super League secured a five-wicket victory for Quetta Gladiators over Karachi Kings. Despite a strong start, Karachi Kings struggled against Quetta's spinners, resulting in a total of 165-8. This win marks Quetta's fourth victory in five games. Rutherford's unbeaten half-century was a key factor in the victory.
Australia's Cameron Green and Josh Hazlewood set a record by forming the highest 10th wicket partnership against New Zealand in Test cricket, with a partnership of 116 runs, breaking the previous record of 114 set by Jason Gillespie and Glenn McGrath in 2004. Green's unbeaten knock of 174 marked his second triple figure in Test cricket, surpassing his previous best of 114 against India.
Delhi Capitals braved a sensational battering from Smriti Mandhana to hand a fighting Royal Challengers Bangalore a 25-run defeat in their Women's Premier League match in Bengaluru on Thursday. Mandhana fused power and grace to score 74 (43b, 10x4, 3x6) but other batters did not quite make it big as Royal Challengers, who were without indisposed star all-rounder Elysse Perry, ended up at 169 for nine. The Capitals made a challenging 194 for five as Shafali Varma mustered a 31-ball 50 after they were asked to bat first.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri on Wednesday backed the duo of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan to come back stronger after they were excluded from the BCCI central contracts for ignoring the board's directive of playing in the Ranji Trophy. The BCCI unveiled its centrally-contracted players for this year. While skipper Rohit Sharma, star batter Virat Kohli, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and premier all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja retained their places in the top bracket, Iyer and Kishan were not considered in any category.
Kiran Navgire and Alyssa Healy unleashed a remarkable assault on Mumbai Indians bowlers to power UP Warriorz to a seven-wicket win in their Women's Premier League (WPL) match in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Navigre (57, 31b, 6x4, 4x6) and Healy (33, 29 balls) added 94 runs for the opening wicket stand in just 9.1 overs as the Warriorz eased past the 162-run target in 16.4 overs to hand the defending champions their first defeat of the season.
Australia, world champions, aim to end their cricket season with a win in a two-Test series against New Zealand. Despite a recent defeat to the West Indies, Australia have won the World Test Championship, Ashes, and 50-over World Cup. Despite New Zealand's injuries, fans are excited for the first Test tour in eight years, as Australia have historically dominated matches against them.
The uncertainty over KL Rahul's availability for the last Test against England due to his quadriceps injury has left the Indian team management guessing. Rajat Patidar's release for the Ranji Trophy semifinal depends on Rahul's availability, while the team wants to gain World Test Championship points. It is learnt that Rahul is a bit unsure about his quads after he underwent a surgery last year.
Captain Smriti Mandhana's blitz and a disciplined effort by bowlers powered Royal Challengers Bangalore to a comprehensive eight-wicket win over sloppy Gujarat Giants in their Women's Premier League (WPL) match in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Mandhana (43, 27b, 8x4, 1x6) and S Meghana (36, 28b, 5x4, 1x6), who added 40 runs for the second wicket, made light work of a 108-run target. RCB finished their towelling of the Giants in a mere 12.3 overs for their second win on the bounce in this WPL.
New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner has announced his retirement from the Test team. Wagner, who has played 64 Tests and scored 260 wickets, has been a prolific wicket-taker in New Zealand. He will be retiring ahead of the two-Test series against Australia, marking the end of his distinguished tenure. Wagner, a South African, expressed his emotions about his decision to retire from the sport.
Fluent fifties by Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning and veteran pacer Marizanne Kapp's incisive new-ball spell fashioned Delhi Capitals' smooth nine-wicket victory over UP Warriorz in their Women's Premier League (WPL) match in Bengaluru on Monday. Shafali (64 not out, 43 balls, 6x4, 4x6) and experienced captain Lanning (51, 43 balls, 6x4) steamrolled UP bowlers in a stunning display of batting as they overhauled the 120-run target in just 14.3 overs. But it was Kapp who laid the foundation of that win with a marvellous opening burst of 4-1-5-3 that saw the Warriorz getting restricted to 119 for nine.
Dhruv Jurel, the wicketkeeper-batsman from Uttar Pradesh, impressed with his mature innings and skills behind the stumps in his second Test against England. He received support and praise from Joe Root and Ben Stokes. Jurel's hard work, smart preparation, and mental clarity were key to his success. He also fulfilled his father's wish for a salute celebration.
Mumbai Indians rode on skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Amelia Kerr's half-century partnership to cruise to a five-wicket win against Gujarat Giants in their Women's Premier League match on Sunday. Set a winning target of 127, Harmanpreet (46 not out) and Amelia (31) strung together a 66-run stand after the defending champions had lost three quick wickets. Harmanpreet hit a huge six as MI finished the game in 18.1 overs.
Authoritative fifties by Richa Ghosh and S Meghana were well-supported by crafty leg-spinner Sobhana Asha as Royal Challengers Bangalore celebrated their first home WPL match with a fighting two-run win over UP Warriorz in Bengaluru on Saturday.
The 34,000-seat temporary venue -- Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Long Island -- that will host the high-octane India vs Pakistan clash, is yet to be completed but is already assured of a sell out crowd for the June 9 encounter. The upcoming T20 World Cup is being co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States.
Forceful fifties by Harmanpreet Kaur and Yastika Bhatia helped defending champions Mumbai Indians ace a thrilling final-ball chase to beat Delhi Capitals by four wickets in the Women's Premier League (WPL 2024) opener in Bengaluru on Friday.
Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer may lose their central contracts for not participating in the Ranji Trophy. The BCCI has warned about non-participation and finalized the list of centrally contracted players for the next season.
India cricketer Shubman Gill acknowledged the influence of legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni and the nation's fondness for the former captain in the buildup to the fourth Test match between India and England in Ranchi. Gill's return to form in the ICC World Test Championship secured a historic victory for India in the third Test.
The Pakistan Super League saw Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings win against Peshawar Zalmi and Lahore Qalandars respectively. Kieron Pollard's outstanding performance and Iftikhar Ahmed's unbeaten knock helped the Kings win by seven wickets and five wickets respectively. Multan Sultans currently lead the points table with six points.
Cricketer Sachin Baby may not be in the same league as Novak Djokovic, Rohan Boppana, Sunil Chhettri and PR Sreejesh who proved that age is just a number, but the 35-year-old’s appetite for runs has surely increased with age. The second-highest scorer at the end of group stage in Ranji Trophy this season (830 runs from 7 matches) behind Ricky Bhui of Andhra, Baby has firmly established himself as the mainstay of Kerala’s batting.
Pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been released from the squad for the 4th Test against England in Ranchi. The decision has been taken keeping in mind the duration of the series and amount of cricket he has played in recent times. Meanwhile, KL Rahul has been ruled out of the 4th Test and his participation in the final game in Dharamsala is subject to fitness.
Sri Lanka won their second T20I against Afghanistan by 72 runs, clinching the series with a game to spare. The match took place at Dambulla stadium, with a capacity crowd eager to witness the battle between two formidable cricketing nations. Angelo Mathews, a seasoned all-rounder, was the cornerstone of Sri Lanka's triumph.
India's pacer Jasprit Bumrah is slated to be given a rest for the upcoming fourth Test in Ranchi, a report said. This move to rest Bumrah is a part of managing the workload of the Indian team's players. Bumrah, the leading wicket-taker in the series -- 17 -- has already bowled close to 81 overs combined in the first three Tests in Hyderabad, Vizag and Rajkot.
Soon after Sarfaraz Khan rounded off his perfect, long-awaited Test debut with two fifties to play a key role in India’s lop-sided win over England in the third Test at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rohit admitted that he hadn’t seen much of Sarfaraz Khan before the youngster ended up playing for India, but admired his hunger for runs.
Rookie Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana claimed four wickets to help rescue the hosts after their batting collapse and hand Afghanistan a narrow four-run defeat in Saturday's T20I opener in Dambulla.
South Africa cricket legend and former national coach Mike Procter died on Saturday at the age of 77, his wife said. "He suffered a complication during surgery, became unconscious and never woke up," Maryna Procter said. Procter was an outstanding all-rounder who became South Africa's first coach in the post-apartheid era and had a controversial stint as an International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee.
Ravichandran Ashwin becomes the second Indian bowler to take 500 Test wickets, after Anil Kumble. He reflects on his journey from accidental spinner to successful Test bowler and is content with his career, not concerned about future plans. For someone who many doubted could even be a Test bowler, Ashwin said he was happy to have come this far.
Bengal won the Elite Group 'B' Ranji Trophy match against Bihar despite losing twelve wickets on the opening day. The last time Bengal bowlers dominated their rivals was against Uttar Pradesh in a single session at Kanpur. The Bengal pace trio of Mukesh Kumar, Suraj Jaiswal, and Mohammed Kaif dismissed Bihar for 95 after winning the toss.
Kane Williamson's disciplined century led New Zealand to their first Test series win against South Africa. The second Test at Seddon Park in Hamilton ended with a seven-wicket victory. Will Young scored a half-century and Will O'Rourke took nine wickets in his debut Test match.
Sarfaraz Khan had a memorable Test debut in Rajkot against England, hitting a quickfire 62-run knock off 66 balls before getting run out. His emotional father and wife were present. Sarfaraz's younger brother Musheer Khan, who played for India in the recently-concluded Under-19 World Cup, called up his brother in Rajkot after the day's play.
Sarfaraz Khan fulfilled his childhood dream by receiving his India cap at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. His father, Naushad, who is also his coach, was emotional during the moment. Sarfaraz's father had a dream to play for India but didn't get support at home. The 204-run partnership between Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja before he came into bat meant that Sarfaraz had to wait for a long time with the pads on, but waiting for a long time for his maiden India cap has taught him the value of patience.
Stokes reflects on milestones and the great and not so great times in an England shirt. The England captain said he enjoys playing against India because of the contest and theatre it brings.
Sri Lanka completed a sweep of the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, confidently beating the tourists in the final game by seven wickets Wednesday at Pallekele.
Ben Stokes, an all-rounder, is set to become the 16th England cricketer to appear in 100 Tests against India in the third match of a five-match series, joining an elite club including James Anderson and Joe Root.
New Zealand Cricket has announced its squad for the upcoming Twenty20 international series against Australia, including Trent Boult as a returnable bowler. However, key batsmen Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell will not be present. Boult, known for his strike bowling skills, will be available only for the last two games in Auckland. Tim Southee will feature in the opening match in Wellington on February 21.
The 44-year-old experienced spinner Imran Tahir completed the feat during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) clash between Rangpur Riders and Khulana Tigers. He played a crucial role in Rangpur's victory with his figure of 5/26 in his four-over spell. With this five-wicket haul, he joined the elite company of Dwayne Bravo, Rashid Khan and Sunil Narine.
Although the group of lads led by Uday Saharan was unable to win the U-19 World Cup, their perseverance in getting India to the championship game for the sixth time in a row won hearts and gave hope for the Fab-15's promising future. In the final on Sunday, Australia defeated record five-time champions India by a margin of 79 runs.
Devdutt Padikkal's ability to adapt to different positions in the batting order makes him a valuable asset, especially considering the opportunities in the middle order of the current Indian team. Padikkal will join the India squad in Rajkot on Tuesday ahead of India's third Test against England starting on Thursday. Incidentally, Padikkal received his maiden state senior team call-up when a clutch of the Karnataka top-order bats, including Rahul were away on national duty.
Afghanistan Monday announced a 16-man squad for the three-match Twenty20 international series against Sri Lanka, aiming to prepare strongly for this year's World Cup. The T20 World Cup will be held in the United States and the West Indies in June this year.
The key decision-makers in Indian cricket may have run out of patience with wicketkeeper Bharat, who hasn’t done anything significant in the seven Tests that he has played so far in. Bharat, by all accounts, has lost a golden opportunity to make a Test comeback. In two Tests in this series, the Andhra man has made 92 runs in two Tests@23.00. Overall, he has scored just 221 runs in seven Tests@20.09, while not even scoring a fifty.
Describing the game against the West Indies as "great," Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh also lauded the overall performance of his team in the T20I format over the last six months. Maxwell's outstanding unbeaten innings of 120 runs from 55 deliveries, coupled with a clinical performance from the bowlers, led Australia to a commanding 34-run victory over the West Indies. Australia's win in the second T20I showcased their prowess in the shortest format of the game.