Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins, currently in India for the IPL, calls the country his second home and praises its culture and energy. As a Tourism Australia advocate, he is promoting Australia to Indian fans. He also shared ideas for an ideal Australian vacation for Virat Kohli and addressed media scrutiny in his role.
Chennai Super Kings have struggled with chasing high targets in IPL 2025, losing two matches out of three when tasked with 180-plus runs. They now hold a nine-match losing streak for targets over 175 runs, dating back to 2022.
KKR head coach Chandrakant Pandit acknowledges every team values home ground advantages and understands the preference for spin-friendly pitches. However, he emphasized that pitch preparation remains under the curator's control and the team focuses on playing with the provided conditions.
India will tour Australia in October and November for eight white-ball matches, including three ODIs and five T20Is across eight cities. The series aims to build on last season's record attendance and engagement. Australia will also host South Africa in August, with games in Darwin, Cairns, and Mackay returning after long intervals.
The disagreement over pitch conditions at Eden Gardens has resurfaced, with KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane desiring spin-friendly wickets. Pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee insists franchises have no say in pitch preparation, creating tension. Former players argue for home advantage to maintain cricket's excitement and competitiveness.
Sharath Kamal ended his illustrious table tennis career with a defeat in the WTT Star Contender in Chennai. The 42-year-old former India No. 1 lost to Snehit Suravajjula in the men’s singles pre-quarterfinals, concluding a journey that spanned over two decades.
Joe Root stresses the necessity of consistency ahead of England's five-Test series against India, beginning June 20. Root, England's top Test run-scorer, is prepared for the challenge and emphasizes the importance of performing consistently well in such major series.
The IPL match between RCB and CSK was marked by a heated confrontation between Virat Kohli and Khaleel Ahmed. RCB secured a 50-run victory, breaking their Chepauk jinx. Kohli's frustration with Khaleel overshadowed the win, sparking fan discussions. RCB's batting and bowling performances were highlighted by contributions from Rajat Patidar, Tim David, Josh Hazlewood, and Yash Dayal.
Mark Chapman and Nathan Smith excelled as New Zealand claimed a 73-run victory over Pakistan in the first ODI. Chapman scored 132 in New Zealand's 344-9, while Smith took 4-60 to bowl out Pakistan for 271. Babar Azam's 78 was not enough to prevent a collapse. The series continues on Wednesday in Hamilton.
The Confederation of Brazilian Football has dismissed head coach Dorival Junior after Brazil's 4-1 loss to Argentina, putting his tenure to an end. Brazil currently ranks fourth in World Cup qualifying standings, facing significant challenges in ensuring their qualification for the 2026 tournament.
During a live broadcast, a presenter on an Indian sports YouTube channel lost his temper over Lucknow Super Giants skipper Rishabh Pant's IPL 2025 performance, damaging studio equipment. Pant's form in the opening matches, including a six-ball duck and a run-a-ball 15, has left fans and analysts frustrated despite LSG's recent win.
Former national selector Saba Karim highlights the need for a balance in the BCCI's policy on family time for players during overseas tours, addressing concerns over its rigidity. Virat Kohli emphasises the emotional benefits of having family around, citing the psychological support family presence brings. The BCCI aims to maintain focus on cricket while considering players’ needs.
Sachin Tendulkar shared AI-generated images of India's 2011 World Cup victory in Studio Ghibli style. He posted the unique reimagining on his official X account, blending sports nostalgia with artistic flair. The images of Tendulkar lifting the trophy and being carried by teammates quickly went viral, drawing excitement and nostalgic responses from fans.
Mitchell Marsh appreciated Nicholas Pooran's exceptional batting as they led Lucknow Super Giants to a five-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. Pooran's aggressive 70 off 26 balls and Shardul Thakur's four-wicket haul were crucial in chasing down the target of 191.
India men's national football team coach Manolo Marquez fumed following the country's dismal show vsBangladesh. The AFC Asian Cup Qualifier ended in a stalemate.
Harsh Dagar, a 19-year-old Indian point-guard, led India to a notable basketball victory against Bahrain and has been instrumental in securing India's 11th entry to the Asian Cup. Despite a harsh upbringing, Dagar's determination and his achievements in international basketball have brought him financial stability and recognition.
As Indian Open begins, golfers wary of the firm greens
Skipper Shreyas Iyer of Punjab Kings opted for team success over personal milestones in an IPL match, contrasting with past incidents involving Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni. Iyer, close to a hundred, encouraged his partner to keep hitting. This act has reignited discussions on individual achievements versus team-first mentality, sparking comparisons with Kohli and Dhoni's previous actions.
Punjab Kings' skipper Shreyas Iyer scored 97 not out off 42 balls in their IPL 2025 opener, falling just short of a century as Shashank Singh went big in the final over to farm the strike. Iyer and Shashank's 81-run partnership propelled Punjab to a massive 243/5, securing an 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans.
Punjab Kings' captain Shreyas Iyer showcased exceptional form in the 2025 IPL match against Gujarat Titans, scoring an unbeaten 97 off 42 balls in his team's first match of the season. His performance, praised by Sourav Ganguly and Kane Williamson, reflects his adaptability and growth, especially in handling short balls that used to be his nemesis.
Delhi Capitals achieved a thrilling one-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants, highlighted by Ashutosh Sharma's unbeaten 66 off 31 balls. KL Rahul missed the match to be with his wife Athiya Shetty for the birth of their daughter. The squad celebrated the news with a heartwarming dance, reflecting the joyous mood in the dressing room.
Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal, 36, regained consciousness after a major heart attack during a domestic match. He was leading Mohammedan Sporting Club when rushed to the hospital on Monday. The cricket community, including Shakib Al Hasan and Yuvraj Singh, expressed support. He is now stable, having undergone surgery to clear an artery blockage.
Brisbane plans to build a 60,000-seat stadium and a 25,000-seat aquatics centre for the 2032 Olympics in Victoria Park. Organisers aim to expedite construction after delays. The new venues will replace earlier plans and face local opposition. The Gabba is set to be redeveloped post-Games to provide housing.
Australia's Alex de Minaur put an end to Brazilian talent Joao Fonseca's challenge at the Miami Open, outlasting the 18-year-old 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 in an enthralling contest. Top seed Alexander Zverev recovered from a slow start to power into the fourth round of the Miami Open with a 7-5, 6-4 win against Australia's Jordan Thompson.
Spain defeated the Netherlands in a dramatic penalty shootout to advance to the Nations League semi-finals against France. Similarly, Portugal, inspired by Francisco Trincao, overcame Denmark, while France and Germany also progressed after intense quarter-final battles against Croatia and Italy respectively.
Ahead of the IPL 2025 clash between MI and CSK, Rohit Sharma shared a heartwarming moment with a young fangirl who tried to touch his feet. Humbly stopping her, Rohit signed her customised jerseys with respect for the national flag and posed for a photo. MI look to recover from a poor 2024 season, with Suryakumar Yadav leading against CSK.
Seam bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur has joined Lucknow Super Giants as Mohsin Khan's replacement after Khan was ruled out due to an injury. Thakur, who was initially unsold in the auction, brings valuable IPL experience. Under new captain Rishabh Pant, LSG will start their campaign against Delhi Capitals on Monday.
Ex-Australia cricketer David Warner expressed frustration on Saturday about boarding an Air India flight without pilots, leading to hours of delay. The airline attributed the issue to weather-related disruptions at Bengaluru airport, which delayed the flight crew. Air India apologised for the inconvenience, explaining that crew delays affected the flight's departure.
Punjab Kings, under new captain Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting, aim to break their 17-year IPL trophy dsrought. Ponting, emphasizing a winning mindset, has high hopes for young talents like Musheer Khan and Priyansh Arya as the coach aims to transform Punjab into a championship team.
Sunrisers Hyderabad will open their IPL campaign against Rajasthan Royals, led by Riyan Parag in place of injured Sanju Samson. SRH's strong lineup includes top performers like Abhishek Sharma and Pat Cummins. The Royals face a challenge with Jos Buttler absent and reliance on key players like Shimron Hetmyer. The match starts at 3:30pm IST on Sunday.
Thiago Almada's stunning goal led Argentina to a 1-0 win over Uruguay, pushing them closer to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Despite losing Nicolas Gonzalez to a last-minute red card, Argentina now need a win against Brazil to secure their spot. Ecuador also bolstered their qualification hopes with a 2-1 victory over Venezuela.
Star batter Babar Azam faced a challenging practice session ahead of Pakistan's ODI series against New Zealand, being dismissed LBW by a net bowler. Pakistan, led by Salman Agha in T20Is, aim to rebound from a disappointing ICC Champions Trophy campaign as they prepare for the ODIs starting March 29.
The 2025 IPL season will kick off on March 22 with an extravagant opening ceremony at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The event will feature performances by Bollywood actress Disha Patani, singer Shreya Ghoshal, and Punjabi artist Karan Aujla, followed by the first match between KKR and RCB. Following the ceremony, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the tournament's opening match.
The IPL 2025 season opener between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday is under threat due to an orange alert for thunderstorms and lightning by the weather department in West Bengal. The groundstaff has already taken precautions by covering the playing arena.
On Thursday, the election for the new president of the International Olympic Committee takes place at Costa Navarino, with seven contenders vying for the position. Key candidates include Sebastian Coe, David Lappartient, Juan Antonio Samaranch Junior, and Kirsty Coventry among others. Each candidate brings unique qualifications and visions for the future of the IOC.
The Indian cricket team has been awarded a cash reward of Rs 58 crore by the BCCI for their triumph in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The team maintained an unbeaten record, defeating New Zealand in the final, besides group-stage wins over Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand, followed by a win over Australia in the semifinal.
The Bombay High Court waived the mandatory six-month cooling-off period for cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and his estranged wife Dhanashree Verma’s divorce plea, allowing the family court to decide by Thursday. This decision was made to accommodate Chahal's participation in the upcoming IPL, starting on March 22.
The Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, both five-time IPL champions, are set to face off in their first match of 2025 season. MI coach Mahela Jayawardene and captain Hardik Pandya expressed eagerness to alter their first-match losing streak since 2012. MI aim to launch their campaign positively after a disappointing 2024 season.
Mumbai Indians' captain Hardik Pandya's suspension for an over-rate offence last year will be enforced in the their upcoming IPL 2025 season opener against CSK on Sunday, making him unavailable for the match. Suryakumar Yadav will lead in his absence, while the return of Jasprit Bumrah from injury remains uncertain.
The decline of cricket in Pakistan has raised concerns, with former player Inzamam-ul-Haq blaming the Pakistan Cricket Board for constant team changes. He emphasizes learning from the past mistakes and cautions against repeated errors.
New Zealand claimed a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the rain-shortened second T20I, by extending their series lead to 2-0. Tim Seifert and Finn Allen's explosive innings, with both hitting multiple sixes, led to New Zealand chasing down a target of 136 with 11 balls remaining. Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled a maiden to open New Zealand’s innings, but Seifert and Allen quickly counterattacked, hitting seven of the next 12 deliveries for sixes. Their explosive hitting propelled New Zealand to a 2-0 series lead, sealing the match with 11 balls to spare.
Lucknow Super Giants are facing concerns over the fitness of their key fast bowlers ahead of the 2025 IPL season opener. With Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav, and Akash Deep dealing with injuries, the team considers turning to backup options Shardul Thakur and Shivam Mavi. Will the management take the big risk of persisting with undercooked and injury prone seamers or hand contracts to Thakur and Mavi? The big call is expected very soon!
New Zealand opener Tim Seifert delivered a stunning 22-ball 45 in the second T20I against Pakistan, highlighted by four sixes off a single over from Shaheen Afridi. Despite a rain-shortened match, Seifert's explosive innings put New Zealand in a strong position to win, chasing a 136-run target.
Mumbai Indians' captain and all-rounder Hardik Pandya reflects on his journey from facing criticism to winning widespread acclaim after playing a vital role in India's T20 World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy triumphs. He emphasized on the importance of perseverance and self-belief to turn things around.
Sachin Tendulkar celebrated winning the International Masters League 2025 with India Masters, who defeated West Indies Masters by six wickets. Tendulkar praised the experience, reminiscing about past cricketing days. Key performers included Ambati Rayadu, Yuvraj Singh, and Vinay Kumar. India successfully chased 149, with notable contributions from Rayudu and Tendulkar.
The IPL has expanded its player replacement policy, allowing teams to replace players facing season-ending injuries or illnesses till the season's 12th league fixture. Here's an explainer on what the rule specifically says.
Virat Kohli has already begun his preparations for IPL 2025, leading RCB's quest for their first IPL title. Following his strong performance in India's recent Champions Trophy win, where he scored 218 runs, Kohli aims to continue his impressive form in the upcoming season.
The Chennai Super Kings will attempt to secure their sixth Indian Premier League title as they face the Mumbai Indians in their 2025 season opener in Chennai. Former India opener Kris Srikkanth expects another successful season for Chennai, while Mumbai look to rebound after a disappointing 2024 season.
Sachin Tendulkar achieved a significant milestone 13 years ago by scoring his 100th international century during the India vs Bangladesh ODI in 2012. His century tally includes 51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs. Despite his remarkable effort, India lost the match by five wickets.