Sports

Guwahati: As India gears up for the second Test against South Africa, all eyes are on the team amid immense pressure. Regular captain Shubman Gill is unlikely to play due to injury, opening the possibility for Rishabh Pant to take over the captaincy at Barasara Stadium, Guwahati, a venue hosting its first-ever Test match. A Rare Role in Test History In 93 years of Indian Test cricket, only 37 players have captained the national team. Among them, just one wicketkeeper has ever led the side: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who captained India from 2008 to 2014 in 60 Tests, securing 27 wins and 18 losses. If Pant assumes the captaincy in Guwahati, he will become only the second Indian wicketkeeper to lead in Test cricket, joining Dhoni in this elite club. Rishabh Pant: India’s Most Successf...

New Delhi: India suffered a narrow 30-run defeat against South Africa in the first Test, leaving fans and experts debating the reasons behind the loss. The Eden Gardens pitch in Kolkata came under intense scrutiny, with uneven bounce offering advantages to both pacers and spinners. South African bowler Simon Harmer claimed 8 wickets, playing a pivotal role in India’s collapse. India managed only 124 runs in the final innings, handing the visitors a slim victory. Gambhir Defends Pitch, Criticism Follows Following the match, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir defended the pitch, claiming that Indian batsmen could have scored more if they had adopted a defensive approach. Gambhir’s comments sparked reactions internationally, particularly from South African batting legend AB de Villiers. ...

Kolkata, India: Following India’s humiliating defeat against South Africa in the Kolkata Test, the Indian cricket team faces a major challenge in selecting the right playing XI for the second Test in Guwahati. The injury to star batsman Shubman Gill has further complicated the selection process, raising questions about team strategy and management decisions. Gill’s Injury and Team Dilemma Shubman Gill, who missed both innings in Kolkata due to injury, was ruled out ahead of the Guwahati Test. The team management now had to decide on a replacement in a lineup already heavy on left-handed batsmen. Reports suggest that a senior former cricketer recommended including a form-ready right-handed batsman from domestic cricket. Names suggested were Sarfaraz Khan, Karun Nair, and Abhimanyu Eas...

Mirpur, Bangladesh: Former Bangladesh captain and veteran batsman Mushfiqur Rahim created history during the second Test against Ireland by scoring a century in his 100th Test match. This remarkable achievement makes him the 11th player in the world to score a century in their 100th Test. Historic Performance Against Ireland In the second Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka, Mushfiqur Rahim scored 106 runs off 214 balls, hitting 5 boundaries. His teammate Litton Das also scored a century, contributing 128 runs from 192 balls with 8 fours and 4 sixes. Bangladesh, leading the series 1-0, posted 476 runs in their first innings. Milestone in 100th Test Mushfiqur Rahim became the first Bangladeshi player to: Play 100 Test matches Score a century in the 100th Test ...

Ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction, the Chennai Super Kings made a surprising move by releasing Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana. With the December 16 auction set to take place at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena, Pathirana is expected to attract heavy bidding. Here are the three franchises most likely to go big for him: 1. Lucknow Super Giants Lucknow Super Giants are in desperate need of an overseas fast bowler. With no foreign pacer currently in their squad, LSG may aggressively target Pathirana to strengthen their pace attack. His death-overs expertise makes him an ideal fit. 2. Delhi Capitals Delhi Capitals could also bid big for Pathirana. Apart from Mitchell Starc, DC lack a dependable overseas fast bowler. Dushmanta Chameera has been inconsistent, and Pathirana’s slingy act...

India’s struggles in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers continued as they suffered a 1–0 defeat against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Tuesday. The hosts registered their first win of the qualifiers, while the Blue Tigers remained without a single victory after five matches. Bangladesh Clinch Victory with Early Goal Bangladesh started with intent despite an inconsistent opening to their campaign. In just the 12th minute, Sheikh Morsalin scored the decisive goal, giving his team a lead they held onto for the rest of the match. India failed to convert opportunities and remained goalless throughout the game. The loss keeps India at the bottom of the points table, with only two points from two draws. Bangladesh, meanwhile, climbed to third place with five points (one win and two draws). Ind...

In a major pre-IPL 2026 development, Rajasthan Royals traded long-time captain Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings, receiving star all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in return. The trade sparked huge discussions across the cricketing world. Now, CSK has officially revealed the jersey number their latest signing will wear. Samson to Don No. 11 Jersey for CSK The franchise released a video on social media showcasing Sanju Samson in CSK’s iconic yellow kit. In the clip, Samson is seen wearing jersey number 11, confirming that he will continue with the same number he wore at Rajasthan Royals. For India, however, Samson wears jersey number 9, while Mohammed Shami dons number 11 in the national side. No Captaincy Role for Samson at CSK Despite leading Rajasthan Royals for...

The two-match Test series between India and South Africa has taken an unexpected turn ahead of the second Test in Guwahati. South Africa’s star spinner Simon Harmer, who was the hero of the Kolkata Test, has been taken to the hospital. Harmer Injured After Match-Winning Performance In the first Test at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens, India suffered a shocking defeat by 30 runs. Chasing a modest target of 124, the hosts collapsed for just 93. South Africa’s victory was powered by their experienced off-spinner Simon Harmer, who dismantled India’s batting line-up with a brilliant 8-wicket haul across both innings. His match-winning spell also earned him the Player of the Match award. However, just days before the second Test, Harmer had to be taken to a private hospital in Kolkata....

India and South Africa are set to clash in the second and final Test of the two-match series at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati starting 22 November. South Africa already lead the series 1–0 after defeating India by 30 runs in the first Test at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. If India falter again, the visitors could seal a 2–0 clean sweep. To avoid humiliation, the Indian team must ensure they do not repeat these three mistakes: 1. Reckless Batting Approach India’s batting in the Kolkata Test was marked by unnecessary risks and irresponsible shot selection. If the top and middle order play with the same recklessness in Guwahati, the consequences could be severe. A disciplined, patient, and smart batting strategy will be essential to level the series. 2. Failure to Read Spin ...

The pitch at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens has become the centre of a major controversy after the first Test between India and South Africa ended within just three days, with the visitors defeating India by 30 runs. While critics blame the surface for India’s collapse, former captain and current President of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Sourav Ganguly, has made a startling disclosure. Ganguly: “I Was Not Involved at All” Amid accusations that India’s spin-friendly pitch backfired, Ganguly clarified that he had no role in preparing the wicket. When asked whether the Indian team management had sought his inputs before deciding the nature of the surface, Ganguly told India Today: “No, no, I was not involved at all. The BCCI curator arrived four days before the Test and took full char...