Sports

Dunedin (New Zealand): After three thrilling encounters and one rain-hit game, New Zealand sealed the five-match T20 series 3–1 with a commanding win over the West Indies in the final match at the University Oval. The hosts chased down a modest target of 141 runs in just 15.4 overs, winning by eight wickets with 26 balls to spare. West Indies Collapse Early West Indies began with fireworks as skipper Shai Hope smashed a six off the first ball, but their joy was short-lived. Fast bowler Kyle Jamieson drew first blood in the second over, dismissing Alick Athanaze, before Jacob Duffy delivered a game-changing over that shattered the visitors’ batting order. In that over, Duffy removed Hope, Akeem Auguste, and Sherfane Rutherford, reducing the Windies to 21 for 4 within the powerplay....

India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is all set to make his much-awaited return to competitive cricket later this month. The Baroda captain will represent his home state in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, marking his comeback ahead of the upcoming series against South Africa. Pandya, who has been undergoing intense rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, is said to be nearing full match fitness. If all goes as planned, he is expected to feature in Baroda’s opening match in Hyderabad on November 26. In the worst-case scenario, Pandya will be back in action by the team’s second game. Sources confirmed that Hardik will not take any additional rest and will join his team immediately after receiving the official ‘Return to Play’ (RTP) clearance from the BCCI. The 3...

Dhaka: In a remarkable display of endurance and skill, Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Mustafizur Rahim played a record-breaking innings against Zimbabwe, facing 411 balls—the highest ever faced by a Bangladeshi batsman in a single Test innings. No other Bangladeshi cricketer has surpassed this milestone. Bangladesh Clinches Victory by 218 Runs Mustafizur Rahim remained not out on 218, guiding Bangladesh to a commanding first-innings total of 522 for 7 declared. His innings was complemented by Moinul Haque’s 161, giving Bangladesh a massive advantage. Zimbabwe responded with 304 all out, despite Brendon Taylor’s 110, and in the second innings, Bangladesh declared at 224 for 6, setting Zimbabwe a daunting target of 443 runs. The visitors crumbled for 224, handing Bangladesh a c...

Kolkata: The South African cricket team has arrived in India for a highly anticipated series against Team India, featuring 2 Tests, 3 ODIs, and 5 T20 matches. The series is set to begin on 14th November 2025. After a challenging ODI series in Australia but a victorious T20 campaign, Team India enters this series with confidence. The Tests are crucial for the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, and South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, is eager to adapt to Indian conditions, even sending a South Africa-A side for practice matches. Test Series Schedule The 2-match Test series will kick off on 14th November at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The second Test will take place from 22nd November at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, marking the venue’s first-ever Test match. Both matches ...

New Delhi: India’s cricket legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will now represent the national team only in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Both players have retired from Test and T20 formats, with their T20 retirement following India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory, and Test retirement announced during the 2025 IPL season. However, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has issued a clear directive to the duo: to continue playing for India, they must participate in domestic cricket. BCCI’s Message to Rohit and Virat A BCCI official told the Indian Express, “The Board and team management have explicitly communicated to both Rohit and Virat that if they want to continue representing India, they need to play domestic cricket. Since they have retired from two formats, particip...

H I New Delhi: The India vs South Africa Test series is set to begin on 14 November 2025, with the first match scheduled at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The second Test, to be played at Barasapara Stadium in Guwahati, will start on 22 November with revised timings due to early sunrise and sunset in India’s northeastern region. Traditionally, Test matches in India commence at 9:30 am, with a two-hour first session, followed by a 40-minute lunch break, a second session of two hours, a 20-minute tea break, and then the final session. However, the Guwahati Test will follow a modified schedule to accommodate shorter daylight hours. Revised Match Schedule Toss: 8:30 am Match Start: 9:00 am Tea Break: 11:00 am (20 minutes) Lunch Break: 1:20 pm (40 minutes) Second Session...

New Delhi: On this day, 8th November, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid created a monumental partnership that still ranks among the top three highest partnerships in ODI cricket history. Known as the “God of Cricket,” Tendulkar played international cricket for nearly 24 years, setting records that continue to challenge batsmen even a decade after his retirement. A Record-Breaking Second-Wicket Stand On 8th November 1999, India faced New Zealand in the second ODI of the series at Hyderabad. After Sourav Ganguly was dismissed cheaply for 4 runs, Tendulkar and Dravid stitched an incredible 331-run partnership for the second wicket, achieved in just 278 balls. At the time, this was the highest partnership in ODI cricket history for any wicket globally. Tendulkar’s Explosive Innings ...

Bengaluru: Team India management is facing fresh concerns as Rishabh Pant, India-A captain and wicketkeeper-batsman, was forced to retire hurt during the second unofficial Test against South Africa-A in Bengaluru. On the third day of the match, Pant sustained three separate injuries from three different deliveries while batting, prompting him to leave the field in pain. Pant had recently returned to the cricket pitch after recovering from a fractured leg sustained during the England Test series. He is part of India’s squad for the upcoming senior Test series against South Africa starting 14th November. His unexpected retirement, however, has raised concern for captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir, currently in Australia. Three Hits in Quick Succession In the second i...

Goa: Indian football is facing one of its gravest challenges yet as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) fails to secure a commercial partner for its flagship tournament, the Indian Super League (ISL). The deadline for submitting Request for Proposals (RFP) was set for 7th November, but no bids were received. This development has cast a shadow over the future of the country’s top football league. With less than a month left for the current commercial contract with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) to expire on 8th December, AIFF is now exploring alternative ways to raise funds. Reliance Group-owned FSDL had initially shown interest in renewing the contract but later withdrew, creating uncertainty for clubs and players who may face significant financial setbacks. Tender P...

Brisbane: Indian young opener Abhishek Sharma created history in the fifth T20 International against Australia at the Gabba today, becoming the fastest player in T20I cricket history to reach 1,000 runs. Sharma achieved this milestone in just 528 balls, surpassing Suryakumar Yadav’s previous record of 573 balls. Breaking Records, Leaving Legends BehindSharma’s explosive batting left fans and critics astounded. By reaching 1,000 T20I runs in merely 28 innings, he became the fastest in terms of balls faced, though he ranks fifth in terms of innings. His record-breaking feat also overtook notable international hitters like Phil Salt, Glenn Maxwell, Andre Russell, and Finn Allen. While Sharma’s remarkable strike rate demonstrates his aggressive style, he did receive some help from Austra...