Sports / The Times of India
Yashasvi Jaiswal scored an unbeaten 173 runs on day one of the second Test against West Indies. India reached 318 runs for the loss of two wickets. Jaiswal shared a significant partnership with Sai Sudharsan. India aims for a series clean sweep. The West Indies team seeks to avoid another whitewash.
Suryakumar Yadav has been excluded from Mumbai's Ranji Trophy squad for their season opener against Jammu & Kashmir, with his availability unconfirmed. This development, coupled with his current form and age, suggests a potential end to his red-ball career. Sarfaraz Khan returns to the squad after injury rehab.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka stormed into the Wuhan Open semi-finals, extending her flawless record in the tournament. She'll face Jessica Pegula, who also advanced after a hard-fought win. Third seed Coco Gauff continued her dominant run, securing her own semi-final spot with a commanding performance. The stage is set for thrilling encounters.
Chinese tennis fans have creatively nicknamed international stars using homophones and puns. Players like Alcaraz ('Duck'), Djokovic ('Chicken'), and Sabalenka ('China's Daughter', 'Tiger Girl', 'Fried Rice Queen') have unique monikers. This tradition highlights the fans' engaging and humorous connection with their favorite athletes.
Tazmin Brits has made an extraordinary comeback to cricket after a serious car accident. Her determination and a chance encounter with a provincial coach paved her way back. Brits' brilliant century against New Zealand in the World Cup solidified her as a key player, showcasing her resilience and ability to perform under pressure.
Rahul Soreng, whose father died in the Pulwama attack, has been selected for the Haryana Under-19 cricket team. Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag congratulated Rahul. Sehwag International School provides free education and boarding for children of martyrs. Rahul has been studying at the school since 2019. This selection marks a significant achievement for Rahul and his family.
Yashasvi Jaiswal's magnificent century dominated the opening day against the West Indies, propelling India to a commanding position. His seventh Test hundred before 24 places him among cricketing legends. Jaiswal's consistent opening prowess outshines all others since his debut, solidifying his status as a rising star.
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif criticized the selection committee for overlooking Sanju Samson in favor of Dhruv Jurel for the Australia ODI series. Kaif argued Samson's consistent middle-order performance and prowess against spin make him a better fit for Australian conditions, questioning the focus on recent form over sustained ability.
IPL 2026 mini-auction is set for December 13-15, with franchises submitting retention lists by November 15. The auction might return to India after overseas editions. Several high-profile players, including Sam Curran and Devon Conway, are reportedly being considered for release. Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is expected to be a major draw.
Viswanathan Anand missed crucial opportunities against Garry Kasparov in the Clutch Chess Legends, allowing the Russian to extend his lead. Anand's time trouble and blunders contributed to his losses, though he still has a mathematical chance on the final day. Kasparov expressed surprise at his good fortune.
Jasprit Bumrah has achieved a significant milestone. He is now the first Indian fast bowler to participate in 50 matches across all three formats of the game. This achievement follows his recent record as the fastest Indian bowler to claim 50 home Test wickets.
West Indies cricketers donned black armbands on the opening day of their Test against India in New Delhi, honouring former all-rounder Bernard Julien. Julien, a vital member of the 1975 World Cup-winning squad, passed away recently. His significant contributions with both bat and ball during the Caribbean team's golden era were remembered.
Italian swimmers Benedetta Pilato and Chiara Tarantino have been banned for 90 days by the Italian swimming federation after being caught stealing cosmetics at Singapore airport. The athletes, who acknowledged their responsibility, will miss upcoming championships. Pilato stated she was involved independently of her will, drawing lessons from the experience.
Cricketer Hardik Pandya was seen with model Mahieka Sharma at Mumbai Airport, marking their first public appearance together. This sighting follows speculation fuelled by their Instagram follows. Pandya is reportedly single after his divorce from Natasa Stankovic was announced in 2024. The India allrounder will not be seen on the cricket field in Australia as he recovers from injury.
India's captain Shubman Gill finally won a toss after six consecutive losses, opting to bat against the West Indies in Delhi. India remain unchanged for the second Test, while the West Indies made two changes. Gill expressed excitement for the future after being appointed the ODI captain as well and emphasised on consistency in batting.
India's 2025 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup campaign suffered its first blow with a three-wicket loss to South Africa. Despite the setback, India's semi-final qualification remains in their hands, requiring victories in at least three of their remaining four matches. Upcoming clashes against Australia, England, and New Zealand will be crucial.
The Women's Premier League has announced key guidelines for its upcoming mega auction, allowing teams to retain up to five players by November 5. Franchises can also utilise the Right-to-Match option for the first time, with an auction purse of Rs 15 crore per team. The league has also established a clear timeline for player registration and list releases.
Chess legend Garry Kasparov, at 62, has taken a 2.5-1.5 lead against Viswanathan Anand in the Clutch Chess series. After two draws, Kasparov secured a crucial win in the third game, showcasing his enduring skill. The high-stakes contest, featuring a $144,000 prize pool, intensifies with escalating point values for victories on subsequent days.
Sourav Ganguly clarified Rohit Sharma's ODI captaincy change, calling it a natural career progression, not a sacking. He cited his and Dravid's experiences, emphasising age as a factor for players like Rohit, who will be 40 in 2027. Ganguly backed Shubman Gill's appointment, praising his England performance and potential as a future leader.
Richa Ghosh achieved a historic feat, scoring the highest-ever 94 by a batter at No. 8 or lower in Women's ODIs against South Africa. Her remarkable innings, featuring 11 fours and four sixes, propelled India to 251. Despite this individual brilliance, India faced a three-wicket defeat in a match that also saw both No. 8 batters score fifties.
India's captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed disappointment after the team's three-wicket loss to South Africa, citing the top order's failure to take responsibility. Despite Richa Ghosh's brilliant 94, South Africa's Nadine de Klerk and Laura Wolvaardt secured a memorable victory. Kaur praised Ghosh's performance, while de Klerk celebrated her Player of the Match award.
Nadine de Klerks explosive 54-ball 84 propelled South Africa to a thrilling three-wicket win over India in Visakhapatnam. Despite Richa Ghoshs 94 for India, South Africa recovered from 81/5 thanks to crucial partnerships from Chloe Tryon and Wolvaardt. De Klerks late blitz, featuring five sixes, sealed the game with seven balls to spare, giving the visitors their first nail-biting victory of the Womens World Cup.
Madurai erupted as MS Dhoni inaugurated the new Velammal Cricket Stadium. Fans cheered wildly as the cricket icon arrived and later took to the crease for a few hits. A heartwarming moment unfolded when a young fan touched Dhoni's feet, and the legend responded with a humble handshake and a gentle pat, showcasing his grace and connection with supporters.
Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif expressed his disappointment over Sanju Samson's exclusion from India's ODI squad for Australia, deeming him a superior choice for the lower middle order. Kaif highlighted Samson's proven six-hitting prowess and experience in Australian conditions as more valuable than Dhruv Jurel's recent Test form for the crucial number 5 or 6 positions.
Chaos continues in DDCA as a jumbo 25-member Ranji Trophy squad is announced, with Nitish Rana a surprise inclusion. Rushed selections, delayed support staff appointments, and internal conflicts have overshadowed the process, while the committee controversially picked four wicketkeepers and relied on T20 performances to inform red-ball selections.
India secured a dramatic 1-1 draw against Singapore, keeping their 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification hopes alive despite playing with 10 men for most of the second half. A late defensive blunder by Singapore allowed Rahim Ali to equalize in the 90th minute, salvaging a crucial point for India. It was his first international goal for India.
Kranti Gaud's brilliant reflex catch gave India a crucial early breakthrough against South Africa. This emerging star, who debuted just months ago, has become India's key new-ball bowler. Her rise from net bowler to national hero, marked by impressive performances, continues to inspire.
Prithvi Shaw has apologized to former teammate Musheer Khan after an on-field altercation during a friendly match. The incident occurred after Shaw's century against his old side, Mumbai. The two were later seen having a friendly chat, with Shaw reportedly telling Musheer he's like an elder brother to him. Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Khan is fit for the Ranji Trophy after injury rehab.
Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan has reignited controversy by repeating his gun-firing celebration during a promotional shoot, despite an ICC warning. This act follows a similar on-field incident during the Asia Cup against India, where he and Haris Rauf faced sanctions. Farhan maintains his celebrations are spontaneous and part of an aggressive approach.
Richa Ghosh's stellar 94-run innings rescued India against South Africa, guiding them to 251. After a top-order collapse, Ghosh's composed and aggressive batting, including crucial partnerships, showcased her vital role. This performance pushes her past 1,000 ODI runs, solidifying her status as a game-changer.
Sourav Ganguly backed Shubman Gill's ODI captaincy appointment, calling it a 'fair call' considering his age and the upcoming 2027 World Cup. Ganguly believes Rohit Sharma can continue playing while Gill is groomed as a future leader, highlighting Gill's exceptional performance and captaincy potential. He also said what Rohit has to do to survive in the ODI squad.
Sai Sudharsan faces a crucial opportunity in the second Test against West Indies to secure his No. 3 position in India's Test side. Despite IPL success, his Test average remains modest, and selectors expect consistent performances. This match could define his immediate future, with other young batsmen ready to replace him.
The legendary Sachin Tendulkar lauded the quality of Indian Street Premier League Season 2. He identified three players from season 2 as the top performers. Tendulkar noted the league's growing standard and its role in creating pathways for players. While one impressed with his bowling, and another with consistent batting, Sachin also named an all-rounder to top off the list.
Arshdeep Singh expressed his disappointment at limited opportunities despite being India's top T20I bowler. He highlighted the team's preference for batting all-rounders and his own pinch-hitting abilities. Arshdeep also passionately advocated for Test cricket, emphasizing its unique respect and the distinct challenges and rewards of red-ball bowling, which he recently experienced firsthand.
Ravichandran Ashwin predicts Jasprit Bumrah will likely be rested for the upcoming Test series against South Africa, while Axar Patel is expected to feature in India's playing XI. Ashwin also lauded KL Rahul's recent century, highlighting his improved form and hunger for runs, suggesting it could mark a significant resurgence for the batter.
Smriti Mandhana has become the highest run-getter in women's ODIs in a single calendar year, surpassing Belinda Clark's 28-year-old record. She achieved this milestone during India's World Cup clash against South Africa, amassing 982 runs in 17 matches this year. Mandhana's exceptional form continues to redefine consistency in women's ODI cricket.
Prithvi Shaw scored 181 in a practice match. The innings saw a heated argument with a teammate. This incident adds to Shaw's past controversies. Fitness concerns have also affected his career. He was not picked in the IPL 2025 auction. Shaw has moved to Maharashtra for a fresh start.
Cricket legend MS Dhoni received a roaring welcome in Madurai for the inauguration of the new Velammal Cricket Stadium. The international-standard facility, costing 325 crore, boasts a capacity of 7,300 and aims to boost cricket in Tamil Nadu beyond Chennai. Dhoni was greeted by enthusiastic fans and given a tour of the venue.
Rohit Sharma's ODI future is under scrutiny following his captaincy handover to Shubman Gill. Former teammate Robin Uthappa suggests the removal of captaincy might temper Rohit's aggressive batting style. Despite no immediate retirement plans and a reported 10kg weight loss, the 38-year-old faces a fitness challenge for the 2027 World Cup.
Team India pacer Arshdeep Singh revealed his idols growing up were legendary left-arm bowlers Wasim Akram and Zaheer Khan, whose videos he extensively watched. Arshdeep recently became the first Indian pacer to claim 100 T20 wickets, showcasing his prowess with significant powerplay and death-overs wickets, and a remarkable record against left-handed batters.
Ahead of the second Test against the West Indies, Team India enjoyed a relaxed dinner hosted by head coach Gautam Gambhir. Skipper Shubman Gill highlighted the importance of such informal gatherings for team bonding, allowing players to connect off the field. This team-building event follows India's dominant first-Test victory.
Australian stars Pat Cummins and Travis Head reportedly rejected a massive Rs 58 crore offer to prioritize international cricket over franchise leagues. This decision highlights the financial security and stature of top Australian players, contrasting with the choices faced by cricketers from nations like the West Indies.
Cricket authorities are investigating an incident where Prithvi Shaw swung his bat at Musheer Khan. The confrontation happened after Shaw's dismissal in a practice match. Both Mumbai and Maharashtra cricket associations are gathering reports. Dilip Vengsarkar will oversee the probe. Player discipline is a key focus for the associations.
Saudi promoter Turki Al-Sheikh has indicated Manchester United is nearing a new ownership deal, sparking speculation. This follows the Glazer family's sale of a stake to Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS, who now oversee football operations. The club faces financial challenges, with potential lucrative friendlies in Saudi Arabia.
Ravichandran Ashwin clarified his retirement from cricket was a personal choice, not influenced by selectors or teammates, despite advice to reconsider. He emphasized the need for clear communication between senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and team management regarding their future roles and the 2027 World Cup.
Suryakumar Yadav lauded Sanju Samson's resilience amidst selection doubts, highlighting his crucial role in India's Asia Cup triumph. Samson, who embraced a changed batting position, proved his impact and was later recognized with the CEAT T20 Batter of the Year award. He expressed his dedication to the Indian team, willing to bat anywhere and contribute in any role.
Shubman Gill on ODI captaincy: Leading India with lessons from Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli