Sports

Santner and Rachin Ravindra dismantle SL, keep NZ in the hunt for semis

Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie stitched together a crucial seventh-wicket stand of 84 to lift New Zealand from 84 for 6 to 168/7. Matt Henry led the bowling with two wickets, including a maiden over, while Rachin Ravindra’s 4 for 27 restricted Sri Lanka to 107/8, handing New Zealand a 61-run win.

Beyond the whites: How social media and style mark a new chapter in tennis

Today’s tennis stars are merging sports with fashion. Players like Arthur Fils are signing with luxury brands. This new generation sees tennis as a lifestyle, not just a competition. They express themselves through their style, both on and off the court. This shift marks a new era for the sport.

‘Pressure does funny things’: Giant-killer Zimbabwe warn wounded India

Zimbabwe’s Ryan Burl believes the pressure of a must-win T20 World Cup match against India could affect the hosts. He highlighted Zimbabwe’s diverse bowling attack as a potential advantage against India’s strong batting lineup. Burl also confirmed captain Sikandar Raza is fit to play.

‘It was just too much’: Manjrekar tears into Gautam Gambhir’s tactics

Sanjay Manjrekar criticized Gautam Gambhir’s tactics after India’s heavy T20 World Cup loss to South Africa. He questioned promoting Washington Sundar to number five, calling him an ‘all-in-one’ solution for batting and bowling issues. Manjrekar also highlighted the team’s struggle with slower balls, urging focus on this area before their crucial match against Zimbabwe.

Can Pakistan still qualify for T20 World Cup SF after loss to England?

England secured a T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final spot after a thrilling victory over Pakistan. Captain Harry Brook’s maiden T20I century was the highlight, guiding England home in a tense chase. Pakistan’s qualification now hinges on other results, facing a challenging path to the last four.

‘I would never want to coach in Pakistan’: Former England captain’s blunt take

Babar Azam’s struggles at the T20 World Cup are under intense scrutiny, with his batting role and form drawing criticism. Former England captain Michael Vaughan, however, believes coach Mike Hesson has navigated Pakistan’s complex cricket politics well, suggesting Babar’s anchoring style suits Sri Lankan conditions if others play aggressively around him.

India playing XI puzzle vs Zimbabwe: Samson a strong contender, Axar likely to return

Following a disappointing loss against South Africa, the Indian cricket team faces a must-win scenario against Zimbabwe. Calls for adding a right-hander like Sanju Samson have intensified to counter predictable tactics, especially against off-spinners. Discussions are ongoing regarding potential changes to the playing XI to address tactical imbalances and improve performance.

‘You cannot talk in that manner’: Hafeez and Saqlain locked in tense exchange – Watch

Tempers flared on live TV as former Pakistan stars Saqlain Mushtaq and Mohammad Hafeez clashed over Mohammad Nawaz’s all-round capabilities following a crucial Super 8 defeat. Pakistan’s T20 World Cup hopes now hinge on their final match and favorable results, intensifying the debate about Nawaz’s role as a batsman versus bowler.

Rinku Singh to rejoin India squad ahead of must-win clash vs Zimbabwe

Rinku Singh is set to rejoin the Indian squad this evening after a brief absence due to his father’s ill health. The middle-order batter had returned home urgently, missing training sessions. His father is reportedly in serious condition in an NCR hospital. Singh’s availability for the crucial Super 8 match against Zimbabwe was in doubt following his departure.

Watch: Shoaib Akhtar’s meltdown after Pakistan loss goes viral

Shoaib Akhtar expressed intense disappointment following Pakistan’s T20 World Cup defeat to England, criticizing captain Salman Ali Agha’s leadership. England’s victory, spearheaded by Harry Brook’s century, shattered Pakistan’s semi-final aspirations, leaving their tournament hopes dependent on other match outcomes.

‘Who’s your best XI?’: Ponting warns India to return to ‘basics’ or risk T20 WC exit

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting urged India to abandon overthinking match-ups and select their best XI to revive their T20 World Cup campaign. Following a significant defeat, Ponting emphasised prioritising team balance and experience, advocating for the return of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel to bolster bowling options.

Ranji final explodes: J&K captain Paras Dogra headbutts Karnataka fielder

Jammu and Kashmir captain Paras Dogra headbutted a Karnataka substitute fielder during the Ranji Trophy final, sparking heated exchanges. Despite the incident and subsequent confrontations, Jammu and Kashmir continued to dominate, building on a strong first innings performance.

‘Shake-up call’: Shastri warns India must act fast to save semi-final hopes

India face a crucial Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe after a significant loss to South Africa. Former coach Ravi Shastri believes this setback could be the wake-up call the team needs. India must win to avoid elimination. Shastri emphasises strengthening bowling with Axar Patel’s return. The team’s semi-final hopes now depend on a swift and effective response to this challenge.

T20 WC semi-finals qualification scenario: What India must do to stay alive

India face a virtual knockout phase in the T20 World Cup after a significant loss to South Africa, severely impacting their net run rate. They must now win their remaining matches convincingly against Zimbabwe and West Indies, while also hoping for favorable results in other games to secure a semi-final spot.

IND vs ZIM: ‘Late-entrant’ Abhishek Sharma looks to regain form

India’s net sessions ahead of the crucial Zimbabwe game saw Rinku Singh’s absence due to family reasons, while Suryakumar Yadav focused on range-hitting. Abhishek Sharma practiced bowling spin before batting, aiming to regain form. Sanju Samson’s potential inclusion might see Washington Sundar sit out, with Ishan Kishan possibly moving to number three.

Turnaround time: India eye reboot vs Zimbabwe after heavy loss to SA

Following a significant loss to South Africa, Team India faces Zimbabwe in a must-win match at Chepauk, needing a strong performance to boost morale and improve their net run rate. With key batters struggling, India hope for a dominant win while acknowledging external factors and Zimbabwe’s inexperience in Indian conditions.

Blueprint for revival: How India can reignite their T20 World Cup campaign

Following a significant defeat to South Africa, India faces calls for tactical adjustments. Key recommendations include diversifying the left-heavy top order, recalling all-rounder Axar Patel for control, and refining the Powerplay batting approach. Rethinking Hardik Pandya’s bowling role and adopting a focused mindset are also crucial for recovery.

India’s playing XI dilemma – more of the same or Samson comes in?

Team Indian honed their skills in Chennai ahead of their crucial Zimbabwe clash, with batting combinations dominating discussions for the T20 World Cup Super Eight contest. Rinku Singh was the notable absentee from the session, leaving the camp due to a family emergency.