SPORTS

New Delhi, Oct 28 (IANS) Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar feels that the pace and bounce of the Australian conditions will benefit touring captain Suryakumar Yadav’s batting style to regain his form in the five-match T20I series starting on Wednesday. In last month's Asia Cup, which was played in T20 format, Suryakumar managed only 72 runs in seven matches, with his best performance being an unbeaten 47 against the arch-rivals in the group stage. Looking at the entire 2025 season, the seasoned batter - widely known as India’s Mr. 360 - accumulated just 100 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 105.26.Since taking over as India’s T20I captain in July 2024, his form has dipped noticeably, having scored only 330 runs with two half-centuries to his name.“This Australian tour presen...

Srinagar, Oct 28 (IANS) In a major push to strengthen cricketing facilities in Jammu and Kashmir, BCCI Infrastructure Committee chairman Rohan Jaitley and BCCI president Mithun Manhas met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday to chalk out a roadmap for developing world-class infrastructure and nurturing young talent in the region. According to sources in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the meeting focused on improving existing cricket facilities, developing new stadiums, and creating a robust framework for grooming emerging players across J&K.“The meeting focused on the infrastructural development of cricket in Jammu and Kashmir. Chairman of BCCI Infrastructure Committee Rohan Jaitley and president Mithun Manhas held discussions with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah,” CMO sources told ...

Dubai, Oct 28 (IANS) India batter Smriti Mandhana has cemented her position as the top batter in women's ODIs rankings with a scintillating 109 against New Zealand and 34 not out against Bangladesh in a home ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, propelling her to a career-best rating.Mandhana, who was named ICC Women's Player of the Month for September 2025, moved to a rating of 828, almost 100 points clear of second-placed Australian Ashleigh Gardner, who is sitting second with 731 rating points, jumping six spots off the back of an unbeaten century against England at the tournament.Mandhana's opening partner, Pratika Rawal, who will miss the remainder of the tournament with injury, also gained big as she moved into the top 30, attaining the 27th spot with a rating of 564.South African captain L...

Chattogram, Oct 28 (IANS) West Indies kicked off their T20I series against Bangladesh in style as Shai Hope and Rovman Powell’s fireworks with the bat helped the visitors sail to a 16-run win, and Powell was elated with his performance in what was his 100th T20I for the team.Named the Player of the Match for his power-packed knock, Powell said that the batting template that he’s used in the past couple of years has proven successful, and that his hard work had paid off."I am very happy. It is not always that someone gets to play 100 T20Is, especially for the West Indies. It shows the hard work that I have done in the duration of my career. A lot of credit goes to my family and friends, and the players with whom I have played these 100 matches. It is very special to get the Man-of-the-Match...

New Delhi, Oct 28 (IANS) The India U20 women’s team drew 1-1 against Kazakhstan U19 in the second and final friendly at the BIIK Sports Complex in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, on Tuesday.Both goals came in the second half. Adeliya Bekkozhina handed the lead to the hosts in the 47th minute, but Pooja equalised in the 55th with her second goal in as many games.As part of their preparations for the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026, the Young Tigresses played two friendly matches against Kazakhstan U19 in Shymkent. India won the first friendly 3-2 on Saturday.These matches will serve as crucial preparation for the upcoming AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup, scheduled for April 2026, where India will compete after historic qualification earlier this year.The Young Tigresses, under head coach Joakim Alexandersso...

New Delhi, Oct 28 (IANS) As India prepare to face Australia in a high-stakes T20I series as part of preparations for next year’s T20 World Cup, former wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel believes it will be very beneficial for the visitors if captain Suryakumar Yadav rediscovers his form and ends his lean run with the bat.Widely regarded as one of the most destructive batters in the shortest format, Suryakumar has faced a challenging period – as evidenced by him scoring only 72 runs during India’s victorious Asia Cup campaign in the UAE.In 2025, Suryakumar has scored just 100 runs across 11 innings and hasn’t made a fifty in his last 14 T20Is. Since taking over the captaincy last year after Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format following the T20 World Cup win, Suryakumar has accumulated ...

Canberra, Oct 28 (IANS) Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav shared his thoughts on the importance of having Jasprit Bumrah on the side and stated that the pacer has been ‘raising his hand’ to take up responsibilities whenever required. Bumrah was rested for the recently concluded ODI series and was named in the T20I squad, with the team’s focus on keeping him energised and fit for the T20 World Cup in India next year. However, it remains to be seen whether the pace spearhead will play all five T20Is or be benched in some to manage his workload.Surya stated that taking wickets in the powerplay is challenging and praised Bumrah for taking responsibility in the first six overs to provide breakthroughs for the team whenever possible."Yes, it is always a challenge. We have seen how they (Austr...

Canberra, Oct 28 (IANS) India’s T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav admitted that his batting form had been problematic and acknowledged that he’s been working really hard. The middle-order batter also spoke about the team’s combination and preparation for the T20 World Cup, which is set to be hosted by India in 2026.India are set to take on Australia in five T20Is starting here on Wednesday at the Manuka Oval. While the Indian ODI side failed to win the recently concluded series, the T20I team’s focus will not only be on winning the five-match series but also on finding clarity on their combination as the global tournament approaches.“I feel like I've been working really hard. It's not that I wasn't working hard before; I was doing it then, too. I've had good sessions back home and a few good o...

Canberra, Oct 28 (IANS) Australia skipper Mitch Marsh spoke about the team’s newly adopted aggressive approach ahead of their first T20I against reigning World Champions India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, and said the bold new style had developed organically, driven by the team’s personnel. Australia's new strategy in the shortest format will be put to the test by the visitors as the two sides gear up for a five-match T20I series down under. When the teams start their series here on Wednesday, the venue will be a hostile ground for the hosts, as passionate India supporters are expected to turn a sold-out Manuka Oval into a sea of blue, like they did during the recently concluded final ODI of the three-match series.Since their dismal second consecutive T20 World Cup exit in 2024, Australia hav...

Chattogram, Oct 28 (IANS) Bangladesh all-rounder Tanzim Hasan Sakib said their batting performance was not up to the mark, which resulted in a loss against the West Indies in the first T20I on Monday.Bangladesh missed the opportunity to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series, falling short by 16 runs while chasing a target of 165.The hosts suffered an early collapse, losing four wickets within the powerplay and dropping to 57 for 5. Despite a late fightback from Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Nasum Ahmed, who steadied the innings, Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 149 in 19.4 overs."They batted later in the innings. It felt good as the dew came in during the latter part of the innings. We lost the match in the PowerPlay since we lost four wickets in the first six overs," Tanzim, wh...