2 months ago
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said a California woman was fatally shot outside a Sacramento County Panera Bread Tuesday by an illegal immigrant who had stalked her for months and was subject to a restraining order.
Shalini Thakur, 38, was standing near her car when Rohit Rohit, an illegal immigrant from India, approached her, chased her when she tried to flee and shot her in the head before getting in a car and driving away, DHS said.
Responding police officers caught up to him, but Rohit took his own life with a gun, according to authorities.
Biden Admin Released Illegal Immigrant Accused Of Fatally Stabbing Fairfax County Mother
Rohit Rohit, an illegal immigrant from India, stalked a California woman for months before fatally shooting her in a parking lot this week and taking his own life. Rohit entered the United States illegally through Arizona and was released by the Biden administration, the Department of Homeland Security said.
#immigrant #department #India
Shalini Thakur, 38, was standing near her car when Rohit Rohit, an illegal immigrant from India, approached her, chased her when she tried to flee and shot her in the head before getting in a car and driving away, DHS said.
Responding police officers caught up to him, but Rohit took his own life with a gun, according to authorities.
Biden Admin Released Illegal Immigrant Accused Of Fatally Stabbing Fairfax County Mother
Rohit Rohit, an illegal immigrant from India, stalked a California woman for months before fatally shooting her in a parking lot this week and taking his own life. Rohit entered the United States illegally through Arizona and was released by the Biden administration, the Department of Homeland Security said.
#immigrant #department #India
2 months ago
A major age-fraud crackdown has hit Bengal cricket, with the BCCI suspending leg-spinner Rohit Yadav from domestic cricket for two years after discrepancies were found in his age-related documents.
The action comes shortly after Rohit was picked for India's Under-19 ******* ignments against Australia. The youngster had also featured in India's U-19 tour of Sri Lanka in July, where he took six wickets and helped the team secure victory in the final Test.
Rohit, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, had recently been part of India's U-19 tour of Sri Lanka in July. He claimed six wickets on the tour and played a key role in India's victory in the final Test. The spinner was subsequently selected for India's U-19 home ******* ignments against Australia, with multi-day and one-day matches scheduled to be played in Rajkot and Ahmedabad later this month. However, his selection came under scrutiny after inconsistencies were found in his age-related documents during the Sri Lanka tour.
According to the PTI report, Rohit has three birth certificates that list different years of birth - 2007, 2009 and 2010. The discrepancies make him ineligible for age-group cricket and prompted further verification of his records.
The 19-year-old, who has represented Bengal in age-group cricket, was found to have an age discrepancy of 27 months, according to the CAB. The ban is effective immediately, with all BCCI-affiliated state ******* ociations notified of the decision.
Rohit's case is part of a much wider crackdown by the CAB on age and documentation irregularities. The ******* ociation has declared 62 players ineligible for registration or transfer for competitions during the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons.
The CAB has also barred 62 other players over similar age discrepancies. Among them is former India Under-19 World Cup-winning pacer Ravi ******* ar, who played a key role in India's ******* le-winning campaign in the 2022 edition in the Caribbean.
Ravi, a left-arm pacer, made his senior debut for Bengal in 2022 but last featured for the state in 2023. His age-group records from his debut through the 2025-26 season will now be considered invalid. His age discrepancy is understood to be more than 40 months.
133763750
#bengal #lanka #discrepancies
The action comes shortly after Rohit was picked for India's Under-19 ******* ignments against Australia. The youngster had also featured in India's U-19 tour of Sri Lanka in July, where he took six wickets and helped the team secure victory in the final Test.
Rohit, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, had recently been part of India's U-19 tour of Sri Lanka in July. He claimed six wickets on the tour and played a key role in India's victory in the final Test. The spinner was subsequently selected for India's U-19 home ******* ignments against Australia, with multi-day and one-day matches scheduled to be played in Rajkot and Ahmedabad later this month. However, his selection came under scrutiny after inconsistencies were found in his age-related documents during the Sri Lanka tour.
According to the PTI report, Rohit has three birth certificates that list different years of birth - 2007, 2009 and 2010. The discrepancies make him ineligible for age-group cricket and prompted further verification of his records.
The 19-year-old, who has represented Bengal in age-group cricket, was found to have an age discrepancy of 27 months, according to the CAB. The ban is effective immediately, with all BCCI-affiliated state ******* ociations notified of the decision.
Rohit's case is part of a much wider crackdown by the CAB on age and documentation irregularities. The ******* ociation has declared 62 players ineligible for registration or transfer for competitions during the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons.
The CAB has also barred 62 other players over similar age discrepancies. Among them is former India Under-19 World Cup-winning pacer Ravi ******* ar, who played a key role in India's ******* le-winning campaign in the 2022 edition in the Caribbean.
Ravi, a left-arm pacer, made his senior debut for Bengal in 2022 but last featured for the state in 2023. His age-group records from his debut through the 2025-26 season will now be considered invalid. His age discrepancy is understood to be more than 40 months.
133763750
#bengal #lanka #discrepancies
2 months ago
Report: Nearly 10-year age fraud uncovered as Bengal cricket bans 65 players including an India U-19 World Cup winner originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cricket ***** ociation of Bengal banned 65 players over age fraud and documentation issues.
2022 U-19 World Cup winner Ravi ***** ar was flagged with a 45-month age discrepancy spanning five domestic seasons.
India U-19 leg-spinner Rohit Yadav received an immediate 2-year BCCI ban following the discovery of a 27-month birth record irregularity.
Indian domestic cricket's chronic struggle with age manipulation has hit a massive administrative wall in Kolkata. According to a report from RevSportz, the Cricket ***** ociation of Bengal (CAB) has unleashed a sweeping crackdown, barring 65 players from registration and transfers across the 2026–27 and 2027–28 domestic seasons due to severe documentation flaws and systemic date-of-birth discrepancies.
#players #India #fraud
The Cricket ***** ociation of Bengal banned 65 players over age fraud and documentation issues.
2022 U-19 World Cup winner Ravi ***** ar was flagged with a 45-month age discrepancy spanning five domestic seasons.
India U-19 leg-spinner Rohit Yadav received an immediate 2-year BCCI ban following the discovery of a 27-month birth record irregularity.
Indian domestic cricket's chronic struggle with age manipulation has hit a massive administrative wall in Kolkata. According to a report from RevSportz, the Cricket ***** ociation of Bengal (CAB) has unleashed a sweeping crackdown, barring 65 players from registration and transfers across the 2026–27 and 2027–28 domestic seasons due to severe documentation flaws and systemic date-of-birth discrepancies.
#players #India #fraud
2 months ago
NEW DELHI: BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has pushed back against growing speculation over Rohit Sharma's ODI future, insisting that the former India captain is continuing to perform at a high level and questioning why his place in the side is being debated.
Speaking after a high-level Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) review meeting in Mumbai on Thursday, Saikia offered a firm defence of the 39-year-old, whose future has again become a major talking point with the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching.
"He is playing superbly in all the matches. So, what more do you want? In the last match, he scored 138 runs. So, why there is a speculation? So, I don't want to give fodder to the speculations," Saikia said.
His comments came amid reports that selectors had considered moving on from Rohit in their ODI plans, potentially leaving his participation in the 2027 World Cup in doubt.
The speculation intensified during India's ODI tour of England earlier this year, with reports suggesting the Lord's ODI could be Rohit's final appearance in an India shirt.
Instead, Rohit responded in characteristic fashion — with a match-defining performance.
He smashed 138 at Lord's, becoming the oldest Indian to score an ODI century at the iconic venue, although his effort came in a losing cause. The innings once again demonstrated why questions over his future have been accompanied by equally strong arguments for his retention.
Following the England tour, Rohit made it clear that the constant speculation did not concern him.
"If there's no noise, there's no fun. My job is inside; their job is outside. That's how I look at it," he had said. "The noise since I made my debut was there. And till the time I'm going to stay here, it's always going to be there. It doesn't really matter too much. What matters is what I do on the field. I want to try and contribute to the success of the team. That's all my focus is."
Rohit retired from Test cricket in 2025 and from T20Is in 2024, leaving ODI cricket as his only remaining international format.
The latest comments from Saikia came after a meeting attended by head coach Gautam Gambhir, ODI captain Shubman Gill, T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, BCCI president Mithun Manhas and Saikia.
The secretary had already backed Rohit before the Lord's match, saying on July 17: "Rohit is a regular member of the Indian ODI team, and he will continue to represent the country as long as he is in the scheme of things. In other words, the Lord's ODI won't be his last match."
Rohit's age remains an unavoidable part of the discussion. He will turn 40 in 2027, the year of the next ODI World Cup, and India will inevitably have to consider succession planning.
#speculation
Speaking after a high-level Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) review meeting in Mumbai on Thursday, Saikia offered a firm defence of the 39-year-old, whose future has again become a major talking point with the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching.
"He is playing superbly in all the matches. So, what more do you want? In the last match, he scored 138 runs. So, why there is a speculation? So, I don't want to give fodder to the speculations," Saikia said.
His comments came amid reports that selectors had considered moving on from Rohit in their ODI plans, potentially leaving his participation in the 2027 World Cup in doubt.
The speculation intensified during India's ODI tour of England earlier this year, with reports suggesting the Lord's ODI could be Rohit's final appearance in an India shirt.
Instead, Rohit responded in characteristic fashion — with a match-defining performance.
He smashed 138 at Lord's, becoming the oldest Indian to score an ODI century at the iconic venue, although his effort came in a losing cause. The innings once again demonstrated why questions over his future have been accompanied by equally strong arguments for his retention.
Following the England tour, Rohit made it clear that the constant speculation did not concern him.
"If there's no noise, there's no fun. My job is inside; their job is outside. That's how I look at it," he had said. "The noise since I made my debut was there. And till the time I'm going to stay here, it's always going to be there. It doesn't really matter too much. What matters is what I do on the field. I want to try and contribute to the success of the team. That's all my focus is."
Rohit retired from Test cricket in 2025 and from T20Is in 2024, leaving ODI cricket as his only remaining international format.
The latest comments from Saikia came after a meeting attended by head coach Gautam Gambhir, ODI captain Shubman Gill, T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, BCCI president Mithun Manhas and Saikia.
The secretary had already backed Rohit before the Lord's match, saying on July 17: "Rohit is a regular member of the Indian ODI team, and he will continue to represent the country as long as he is in the scheme of things. In other words, the Lord's ODI won't be his last match."
Rohit's age remains an unavoidable part of the discussion. He will turn 40 in 2027, the year of the next ODI World Cup, and India will inevitably have to consider succession planning.
#speculation
2 months ago
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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is turning its attention to credit card rewards programs.
The agency's focus on rewards follows a 70% uptick in consumer complaints regarding credit card rewards since before the pandemic. In May, the CFPB released a report spotlighting common consumer complaints and held a joint hearing with the Department of Transportation on airline rewards programs in the U.S.
The goal? "Ultimately, we want to make sure that every family is getting what's promised and that we really have a fair, competitive, and transparent [credit card] market," said CFPB director Rohit Chopra at the joint hearing.
Here's a closer look at the most commonly cited credit card rewards issues and a few actions that can help you avoid problems with your rewards credit cards today.
#rewards #card #advertiser
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is turning its attention to credit card rewards programs.
The agency's focus on rewards follows a 70% uptick in consumer complaints regarding credit card rewards since before the pandemic. In May, the CFPB released a report spotlighting common consumer complaints and held a joint hearing with the Department of Transportation on airline rewards programs in the U.S.
The goal? "Ultimately, we want to make sure that every family is getting what's promised and that we really have a fair, competitive, and transparent [credit card] market," said CFPB director Rohit Chopra at the joint hearing.
Here's a closer look at the most commonly cited credit card rewards issues and a few actions that can help you avoid problems with your rewards credit cards today.
#rewards #card #advertiser
2 months ago
Mumbai/New Delhi: The future of Rohit Sharma and the shape of India's ODI team for the next World Cup cycle are set to dominate discussions when the BCCI's top brass meets in Mumbai on Thursday for a wide-ranging performance review.
While recent defeats in Ireland, England and Sri Lanka will be ***** sed, board officials are understood to be more concerned about the lack of a clearly defined ODI roadmap at a time when preparations for the 2027 World Cup should be taking shape.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, president Mithun Manhas, head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and Centre of Excellence chief VVS Laxman will attend the meeting, with ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill and T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer also expected to be present.
At the centre of the discussions lies the most sensitive issue facing Indian cricket: Rohit's future. Though there is immense respect for the veteran opener's stature and achievements, selectors and members of the team management are increasingly aware of the need to prepare for a post-Rohit era.
According to sources, one option under consideration is to evaluate Rohit's role on a series-by-series basis rather than committing to a long-term plan through the entire World Cup cycle.
"It's very tough on a young captain like Shubman Gill when there is no clear direction. The dressing-room environment in the ODI team hasn't been the best, especially when it comes to dealing with stalwarts," a BCCI source said.
The uncertainty around Rohit reflects a broader concern. Of India's three national teams, the ODI side is regarded as the least settled. Injuries and workload management have prevented selectors from identifying a stable core, leaving several key positions unresolved.
The fast-bowling allrounder's role remains a particular headache. Hardik Pandya continues on a managed workload programme after recurring fitness issues, while Nitish ***** ar Reddy is yet to receive full clearance following rehabilitation.
"Hardik, at the moment, has been cleared to bowl six overs in a day. Reddy is still to clear his fitness tests. The ODI team doesn't have even half of the core ODI team ready. It has to be a joint effort between the CoE and the team management to zero in on players and formulate a roadmap to get them all on the park as soon as possible," the source said.
The review was initially planned after the Ireland and England tours but was postponed because of the subsequent Sri Lanka ***** ignment. It will now cover India's performances across multiple tours, including Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
India's 2-0 T20I series defeat in Ireland and the 4-0 drubbing in England raised alarm bells, with the 125-run loss at Nottingham viewed internally as one of the team's poorest performances in recent years. Gill's ODI side also lost the England series 2-1.
However, officials insist the exercise will focus on solutions rather than ***** igning blame, with particular emphasis on recurri
While recent defeats in Ireland, England and Sri Lanka will be ***** sed, board officials are understood to be more concerned about the lack of a clearly defined ODI roadmap at a time when preparations for the 2027 World Cup should be taking shape.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, president Mithun Manhas, head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and Centre of Excellence chief VVS Laxman will attend the meeting, with ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill and T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer also expected to be present.
At the centre of the discussions lies the most sensitive issue facing Indian cricket: Rohit's future. Though there is immense respect for the veteran opener's stature and achievements, selectors and members of the team management are increasingly aware of the need to prepare for a post-Rohit era.
According to sources, one option under consideration is to evaluate Rohit's role on a series-by-series basis rather than committing to a long-term plan through the entire World Cup cycle.
"It's very tough on a young captain like Shubman Gill when there is no clear direction. The dressing-room environment in the ODI team hasn't been the best, especially when it comes to dealing with stalwarts," a BCCI source said.
The uncertainty around Rohit reflects a broader concern. Of India's three national teams, the ODI side is regarded as the least settled. Injuries and workload management have prevented selectors from identifying a stable core, leaving several key positions unresolved.
The fast-bowling allrounder's role remains a particular headache. Hardik Pandya continues on a managed workload programme after recurring fitness issues, while Nitish ***** ar Reddy is yet to receive full clearance following rehabilitation.
"Hardik, at the moment, has been cleared to bowl six overs in a day. Reddy is still to clear his fitness tests. The ODI team doesn't have even half of the core ODI team ready. It has to be a joint effort between the CoE and the team management to zero in on players and formulate a roadmap to get them all on the park as soon as possible," the source said.
The review was initially planned after the Ireland and England tours but was postponed because of the subsequent Sri Lanka ***** ignment. It will now cover India's performances across multiple tours, including Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
India's 2-0 T20I series defeat in Ireland and the 4-0 drubbing in England raised alarm bells, with the 125-run loss at Nottingham viewed internally as one of the team's poorest performances in recent years. Gill's ODI side also lost the England series 2-1.
However, officials insist the exercise will focus on solutions rather than ***** igning blame, with particular emphasis on recurri
2 months ago
New Delhi: India's team management and selectors are working on backups for the middle order ahead of the ODI World Cup next year. TOI has learnt that Tilak Varma's name has come up as a potential backup option for Shreyas Iyer in the top six of the batting lineup.
Tilak, being a left-handed batter, is seen as someone who can break the monotony of right-handers in the batting lineup. Tilak has been asked to work on his bowling since it is believed that his off-breaks have a lot of potential. The team management, in fact, has flagged the dearth of bowling options in the top order, citing it as a reason for extra pressure on the lower order and the bowlers.
The planning for the ODI World Cup will only begin in earnest when India reach New Zealand in October, since most of the first-choice players will not be available for the ODI series against West Indies at home from September 27. A full-strength T20 team is also scheduled to travel to ****** an for the Asian Games at the same time.
"Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill feel there isn't any backup ready for the middle order. With Hardik Pandya and Nitish ****** ar Reddy being ****** e to injuries, they want someone in the top order who can at least chip in with four overs in an ODI," a BCCI source said.
Over the last year, the team management has been compelled to play either Washington Sundar or Axar Patel at No. 5 or No. 6 to balance the playing XI. In the last series in England, Ishan Kishan was sent in ahead of vice-captain Iyer.
"The team has to be prepared for conditions in South Africa in the World Cup. Iyer got injured in Australia and his game against pace and bounce is untested of late. The team already has two ageing players in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. They are having niggles as well. KL Rahul too will be over 35 by the time the World Cup comes around. Ravindra Jadeja isn't a certainty either. The fielding of the team has suffered due to fitness issues. The team management feels that they need younger backups ready," the source said.
The selectors, it is learnt, are not comfortable with playing batters out of position. Last year, Ruturaj Gaikwad was played at No. 4 and scored a hundred against South Africa in Raipur. But he has not been picked in the ODI team since.
"Gaikwad was picked as backup opener since Gill was injured. The team management feels Tilak could have been tried in that place. That's why they don't want to rush Devdutt Padikkal in the ODI setup because he found his calling in white-ball cricket while opening the batting," the source said.
The team for the West Indies series, however, will be an anomaly since Iyer, Tilak, Ishan and Axar will not be available. The selectors are more focused on picking another wicketkeeper for the series.
The selection committee is due to meet by September 3 to pick the team for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in Delhi from September 13.
Sources said that the selectors are l
Tilak, being a left-handed batter, is seen as someone who can break the monotony of right-handers in the batting lineup. Tilak has been asked to work on his bowling since it is believed that his off-breaks have a lot of potential. The team management, in fact, has flagged the dearth of bowling options in the top order, citing it as a reason for extra pressure on the lower order and the bowlers.
The planning for the ODI World Cup will only begin in earnest when India reach New Zealand in October, since most of the first-choice players will not be available for the ODI series against West Indies at home from September 27. A full-strength T20 team is also scheduled to travel to ****** an for the Asian Games at the same time.
"Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill feel there isn't any backup ready for the middle order. With Hardik Pandya and Nitish ****** ar Reddy being ****** e to injuries, they want someone in the top order who can at least chip in with four overs in an ODI," a BCCI source said.
Over the last year, the team management has been compelled to play either Washington Sundar or Axar Patel at No. 5 or No. 6 to balance the playing XI. In the last series in England, Ishan Kishan was sent in ahead of vice-captain Iyer.
"The team has to be prepared for conditions in South Africa in the World Cup. Iyer got injured in Australia and his game against pace and bounce is untested of late. The team already has two ageing players in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. They are having niggles as well. KL Rahul too will be over 35 by the time the World Cup comes around. Ravindra Jadeja isn't a certainty either. The fielding of the team has suffered due to fitness issues. The team management feels that they need younger backups ready," the source said.
The selectors, it is learnt, are not comfortable with playing batters out of position. Last year, Ruturaj Gaikwad was played at No. 4 and scored a hundred against South Africa in Raipur. But he has not been picked in the ODI team since.
"Gaikwad was picked as backup opener since Gill was injured. The team management feels Tilak could have been tried in that place. That's why they don't want to rush Devdutt Padikkal in the ODI setup because he found his calling in white-ball cricket while opening the batting," the source said.
The team for the West Indies series, however, will be an anomaly since Iyer, Tilak, Ishan and Axar will not be available. The selectors are more focused on picking another wicketkeeper for the series.
The selection committee is due to meet by September 3 to pick the team for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in Delhi from September 13.
Sources said that the selectors are l
2 months ago
Rohit Sharma snubbed: Rajat Patidar picks all-time IPL XI, but five-time ******* le-winning ex-MI captain fails to make the cut originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
RCB captain Rajat Patidar named his all-time IPL XI, notably leaving out five-time champion Rohit Sharma.
The team featured Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, and Suryakumar Yadav, but no place for the former Mumbai Indians skipper.
Patidar recently led RCB to back-to-back IPL ******* les, joining MS Dhoni and Rohit on that exclusive list.
Rajat Patidar has stirred up plenty of debate with his pick of an all-time IPL XI, as he left out Rohit Sharma, who is one of the league's most decorated captains with five championships and a record to match.
#rohit #sharma
RCB captain Rajat Patidar named his all-time IPL XI, notably leaving out five-time champion Rohit Sharma.
The team featured Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, and Suryakumar Yadav, but no place for the former Mumbai Indians skipper.
Patidar recently led RCB to back-to-back IPL ******* les, joining MS Dhoni and Rohit on that exclusive list.
Rajat Patidar has stirred up plenty of debate with his pick of an all-time IPL XI, as he left out Rohit Sharma, who is one of the league's most decorated captains with five championships and a record to match.
#rohit #sharma
2 months ago
NEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant continued his remarkable rise through India's Test record books on Monday, surpassing captain Shubman Gill to become the country's highest run-scorer in ICC World Test Championship history. Pant was unbeaten on 63 at lunch on the second day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo as India reached 419/6.
Pant now has 2,948 runs from 42 Tests in the World Test Championship, moving ahead of Gill's 2,917 from the same number of matches. Rohit Sharma is third among Indian batters with 2,716 runs from 40 Tests, followed by Ravindra Jadeja (2,675 from 50) and Virat Kohli (2,617 from 46). Among current Indian players, Yashasvi Jaiswal is next with 2,588 runs from 30 Tests.
The latest milestone came during a crucial partnership with Dhruv Jurel, who also reached his half-century. The pair had added an unbeaten 112 runs for the seventh wicket by lunch, helping India build a commanding first-innings total after losing six wickets.
Pant's latest achievement came on the back of another significant milestone earlier in the innings. The wicketkeeper-batter also moved past MS Dhoni to become India's highest run-scorer as a designated wicketkeeper in away or neutral Tests.
Pant crossed 2,500 runs in the category, edging beyond Dhoni's 2,496. He has done so at an average of almost 42, compared with Dhoni's 32.84.
Farokh Engineer is third on the list with 1,209 runs at an average of 32.67, while Syed Kirmani has 1,109 at 21.74 and Kiran More 901 at 29.06.
Pant's latest landmarks have come despite an injury scare on the opening day. He had retired hurt after being struck on the left arm by a short delivery from Sri Lanka pacer Lahiru ***** ara, having scored only three runs.
Pant returned on Day 2 after Sri Lanka dismissed debutant Saransh Jain for six and immediately helped India regain control alongside Jurel. The pair negotiated Sri Lanka's pace attack and took India beyond 400 before the lunch interval.
The total of 419/6 is only the 11th time a team has posted 400 or more in the first innings of a Test at this venue. Six of the previous 10 instances resulted in victories, while four ended in draws.
The century partnership between Pant and Jurel is also only the second time India have registered a 100-plus stand for the seventh wicket or lower in a Test in Sri Lanka. The previous instance came at the same venue in 2015, when Cheteshwar Pujara and Amit Mishra added 104.
#tests #latest
Pant now has 2,948 runs from 42 Tests in the World Test Championship, moving ahead of Gill's 2,917 from the same number of matches. Rohit Sharma is third among Indian batters with 2,716 runs from 40 Tests, followed by Ravindra Jadeja (2,675 from 50) and Virat Kohli (2,617 from 46). Among current Indian players, Yashasvi Jaiswal is next with 2,588 runs from 30 Tests.
The latest milestone came during a crucial partnership with Dhruv Jurel, who also reached his half-century. The pair had added an unbeaten 112 runs for the seventh wicket by lunch, helping India build a commanding first-innings total after losing six wickets.
Pant's latest achievement came on the back of another significant milestone earlier in the innings. The wicketkeeper-batter also moved past MS Dhoni to become India's highest run-scorer as a designated wicketkeeper in away or neutral Tests.
Pant crossed 2,500 runs in the category, edging beyond Dhoni's 2,496. He has done so at an average of almost 42, compared with Dhoni's 32.84.
Farokh Engineer is third on the list with 1,209 runs at an average of 32.67, while Syed Kirmani has 1,109 at 21.74 and Kiran More 901 at 29.06.
Pant's latest landmarks have come despite an injury scare on the opening day. He had retired hurt after being struck on the left arm by a short delivery from Sri Lanka pacer Lahiru ***** ara, having scored only three runs.
Pant returned on Day 2 after Sri Lanka dismissed debutant Saransh Jain for six and immediately helped India regain control alongside Jurel. The pair negotiated Sri Lanka's pace attack and took India beyond 400 before the lunch interval.
The total of 419/6 is only the 11th time a team has posted 400 or more in the first innings of a Test at this venue. Six of the previous 10 instances resulted in victories, while four ended in draws.
The century partnership between Pant and Jurel is also only the second time India have registered a 100-plus stand for the seventh wicket or lower in a Test in Sri Lanka. The previous instance came at the same venue in 2015, when Cheteshwar Pujara and Amit Mishra added 104.
#tests #latest
3 months ago
By Rohith Nair
Aug 17 (Reuters) - FIFA said on Monday that Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour had left the organisation, weeks after he publicly criticised Gianni Infantino's plan to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup and other tournaments.
Lamour joined the senior leadership group of soccer's global governing body in November 2024, having previously been part of the inner circle that campaigned for Infantino's election as FIFA president in 2016.
"FIFA can confirm that the working relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour as FIFA's Chief Operating Officer has ended on 17 August 2026," a FIFA spokesperson said on Monday.
"FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him the best of luck for the future. No further comment will be made on the matter."
#fifa #lamour #Monday
Aug 17 (Reuters) - FIFA said on Monday that Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour had left the organisation, weeks after he publicly criticised Gianni Infantino's plan to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup and other tournaments.
Lamour joined the senior leadership group of soccer's global governing body in November 2024, having previously been part of the inner circle that campaigned for Infantino's election as FIFA president in 2016.
"FIFA can confirm that the working relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour as FIFA's Chief Operating Officer has ended on 17 August 2026," a FIFA spokesperson said on Monday.
"FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him the best of luck for the future. No further comment will be made on the matter."
#fifa #lamour #Monday
3 months ago
Rohit Sharma's 2027 World Cup future has become a talking point again, but former India teammate Ajinkya Rahane believes there should be no uncertainty surrounding the veteran opener's place in the squad.
Rahane, who retired from all forms of cricket last month, has called on the Indian team management to give Rohit a clear commitment over his World Cup future rather than ***** sing his place from one series to another.
The debate around Rohit's international career intensified during India's ODI tour of England last month. Speculation grew after a media report claimed that the former India captain could call time on his career at the end of the tour.
Those reports were subsequently dismissed by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and Rohit himself. The uncertainty, however, has not completely disappeared, with reports now suggesting that the selectors may have reservations about including the veteran in India's squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Rahane, though, feels there should be no discussion about Rohit's place if the opener is willing to continue until the tournament.
"I think it's important to tell Rohit Sharma that he's going to play the 2027 World Cup," Rahane said. "If you see his contribution throughout so many years, it's been amazing. So you need the experience of such a player in the World Cup. That discussion shouldn't even happen. If you say once, 'Rohit Sharma, you're going to play,' that's it. You can't go series by series because he's such a big player."
According to Rahane, constantly questioning an experienced player's position can have an impact on his mindset and rhythm. He believes players perform best when they know where they stand within the team.
"If you treat a big player like that, because as I said, it's about rhythm. Cricket is about rhythm. No matter how many matches you've played, whether you're a youngster or an experienced player in the team, it's about rhythm. If your mind is free, you can play with that mindset."
Rahane also insisted that Rohit's credentials and experience should not be up for debate, particularly with a major tournament such as the 2027 World Cup on the horizon.
"As for Rohit's quality, there's no need to even speak about it. Such experience is needed in the team, so this debate shouldn't even happen between the team management and the captain. Agar unko khelna hai 2027 World Cup, toh unko khelna hai," he added. (If he wants to play in the 2027 World Cup, then he should play.)
The latest round of speculation comes despite Rohit making a strong statement on the field during the England series.
Saikia had previously rejected reports that the third ODI against England would be Rohit's final match in the format. Rohit followed that up with a commanding century in the game, providing a timely reminder of his value to the Indian side.
Yet, the questions returned shortly afterwards. Some media reports claimed that the BCCI leadership and selectors were not completely
Rahane, who retired from all forms of cricket last month, has called on the Indian team management to give Rohit a clear commitment over his World Cup future rather than ***** sing his place from one series to another.
The debate around Rohit's international career intensified during India's ODI tour of England last month. Speculation grew after a media report claimed that the former India captain could call time on his career at the end of the tour.
Those reports were subsequently dismissed by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and Rohit himself. The uncertainty, however, has not completely disappeared, with reports now suggesting that the selectors may have reservations about including the veteran in India's squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Rahane, though, feels there should be no discussion about Rohit's place if the opener is willing to continue until the tournament.
"I think it's important to tell Rohit Sharma that he's going to play the 2027 World Cup," Rahane said. "If you see his contribution throughout so many years, it's been amazing. So you need the experience of such a player in the World Cup. That discussion shouldn't even happen. If you say once, 'Rohit Sharma, you're going to play,' that's it. You can't go series by series because he's such a big player."
According to Rahane, constantly questioning an experienced player's position can have an impact on his mindset and rhythm. He believes players perform best when they know where they stand within the team.
"If you treat a big player like that, because as I said, it's about rhythm. Cricket is about rhythm. No matter how many matches you've played, whether you're a youngster or an experienced player in the team, it's about rhythm. If your mind is free, you can play with that mindset."
Rahane also insisted that Rohit's credentials and experience should not be up for debate, particularly with a major tournament such as the 2027 World Cup on the horizon.
"As for Rohit's quality, there's no need to even speak about it. Such experience is needed in the team, so this debate shouldn't even happen between the team management and the captain. Agar unko khelna hai 2027 World Cup, toh unko khelna hai," he added. (If he wants to play in the 2027 World Cup, then he should play.)
The latest round of speculation comes despite Rohit making a strong statement on the field during the England series.
Saikia had previously rejected reports that the third ODI against England would be Rohit's final match in the format. Rohit followed that up with a commanding century in the game, providing a timely reminder of his value to the Indian side.
Yet, the questions returned shortly afterwards. Some media reports claimed that the BCCI leadership and selectors were not completely
3 months ago
It's been a year since a young Indian team came out of a grueling five-Test tour of England with a memorable 2-2 scoreline. "Our next four Test matches are going to be in India. And that's going to be a different challenge. We have enough talent. This series was very important for us. Every player would feel a lot mature after the end of the series and that would really help us in the long run in this WTC cycle," Shubman Gill, otherwise measured with his words during the tour, found an ***** ertive tone to his speech after the dramatic win in the fifth Test at The Oval.
Well, the subsequent home season ended up derailing India's World Test Championship campaign with South Africa steamrolling India in the two Test matches in Nov. If the heroics in England was deemed as India's Test redemption for the preceding forgettable tour of Australia, the consolidation post the English summer never arrived. Instead, an undeniably edgy Indian team has now arrived in Sri Lanka for a two-Test series with the desperation of staying alive in the WTC.
Gill became the face of India's Test cricket in England. But the mind was undoubtedly head coach Gautam Gambhir's. Gill arrived in England understandably like deer in the headlights after being thrust to captaincy post the debacle in Australia which saw the retirements of three stalwarts in Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin. Gambhir was his shepherd in the chaos. "Before the start of the series, Gauti bhai (Gambhir) said we are a young team but we want to be looked at as a gun team," Gill had revealed Gambhir's nerve-settling words.
Gambhir did the heavy-lifting to ensure Gill the batter didn't succumb to the pressures of leading an inexperienced team in England. One can't write off Gambhir's overbearing influence in Test and T20 teams in the last one year. Perhaps, it's time Gill came out of Gambhir's shadow to resurrect India's reputation as a Test team.
When he steps out for the toss in Galle on Aug 15, it will be his 10th Test as India captain which includes a Test against South Africa where he was ruled out due to a neck injury after playing three ***** in the game. He has led in 12 ODIs. Technically, his captaincy career is still in its nascent stage. But current circumstances won't allow him much time before the swords are pulled out.
It's unusual for Indian cricket to have a captain playing the second fiddle in the engine room. Every Indian team is eventually remembered by the captain it had. TOI understands that the power forces in the BCCI have been encouraging Gill to have a firmer say in planning. If the last two ODI series are anything to go by, one may say that Gill has been taking the initiative to drive his point across with the senior players in the team. He was ***** ertive in his demand for bigger windows for preparing for crucial Test series.
The team management, with Gambhir facing the heat for India's Test performances, would want to retain Gill batting with as
Well, the subsequent home season ended up derailing India's World Test Championship campaign with South Africa steamrolling India in the two Test matches in Nov. If the heroics in England was deemed as India's Test redemption for the preceding forgettable tour of Australia, the consolidation post the English summer never arrived. Instead, an undeniably edgy Indian team has now arrived in Sri Lanka for a two-Test series with the desperation of staying alive in the WTC.
Gill became the face of India's Test cricket in England. But the mind was undoubtedly head coach Gautam Gambhir's. Gill arrived in England understandably like deer in the headlights after being thrust to captaincy post the debacle in Australia which saw the retirements of three stalwarts in Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin. Gambhir was his shepherd in the chaos. "Before the start of the series, Gauti bhai (Gambhir) said we are a young team but we want to be looked at as a gun team," Gill had revealed Gambhir's nerve-settling words.
Gambhir did the heavy-lifting to ensure Gill the batter didn't succumb to the pressures of leading an inexperienced team in England. One can't write off Gambhir's overbearing influence in Test and T20 teams in the last one year. Perhaps, it's time Gill came out of Gambhir's shadow to resurrect India's reputation as a Test team.
When he steps out for the toss in Galle on Aug 15, it will be his 10th Test as India captain which includes a Test against South Africa where he was ruled out due to a neck injury after playing three ***** in the game. He has led in 12 ODIs. Technically, his captaincy career is still in its nascent stage. But current circumstances won't allow him much time before the swords are pulled out.
It's unusual for Indian cricket to have a captain playing the second fiddle in the engine room. Every Indian team is eventually remembered by the captain it had. TOI understands that the power forces in the BCCI have been encouraging Gill to have a firmer say in planning. If the last two ODI series are anything to go by, one may say that Gill has been taking the initiative to drive his point across with the senior players in the team. He was ***** ertive in his demand for bigger windows for preparing for crucial Test series.
The team management, with Gambhir facing the heat for India's Test performances, would want to retain Gill batting with as
3 months ago
'They are legends': Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli backed to deliver 2027 World Cup glory for India by former teammate originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Shikhar Dhawan backs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to lead India's 2027 World Cup charge.
He praises Rohit's Lord's century and Kohli's fitness and consistency.
Rohit shut out retirement rumours after scoring the ton against England.
Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has voiced his confidence in longtime teammates Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and backed the duo to play a decisive role in India's pursuit of the 2027 ODI World Cup ***** le.
#World #Cricket
Shikhar Dhawan backs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to lead India's 2027 World Cup charge.
He praises Rohit's Lord's century and Kohli's fitness and consistency.
Rohit shut out retirement rumours after scoring the ton against England.
Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has voiced his confidence in longtime teammates Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and backed the duo to play a decisive role in India's pursuit of the 2027 ODI World Cup ***** le.
#World #Cricket
3 months ago
India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal looked back at a memorable moment involving former captain Rohit Sharma as the team prepared for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka.
Jaiswal shared a set of pictures from India's training session as preparations began for the two-Test series. However, it was his caption that caught the attention of fans.
The left-handed batter referred to one of Rohit's well-known on-field instructions from India's tour of Australia.
"Because once a legend said 'jab tak khelega nahi, tab tak uthneka nahi'," Jaiswal wrote on Instagram.
The caption was a reference to an incident during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Jaiswal was fielding at forward silly point when he briefly stood up before Steve Smith had completed his shot.
Rohit, who was captaining India at the time, noticed it immediately and reminded Jaiswal to stay low until the ball had been played.
"Ae Jaisu, gully cricket khel raha hai kya? Neeche baith ke rah ("Are you playing gully cricket? Stay down. Don't get up until the ball has been played!)" Rohit was heard saying on the stump microphone.
The exchange quickly went viral and became one of the lighter moments of India's tour of Australia.
Jaiswal's Instagram post brought back memories of that moment as India prepare for the Sri Lanka series.
The Shubman Gill-led team has started training in Colombo ahead of the two-match Test series. Jaiswal is expected to open the batting with KL Rahul when India face Sri Lanka in the first Test at the Galle International Stadium on August 15.
#jaiswal #lanka #stay
Jaiswal shared a set of pictures from India's training session as preparations began for the two-Test series. However, it was his caption that caught the attention of fans.
The left-handed batter referred to one of Rohit's well-known on-field instructions from India's tour of Australia.
"Because once a legend said 'jab tak khelega nahi, tab tak uthneka nahi'," Jaiswal wrote on Instagram.
The caption was a reference to an incident during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Jaiswal was fielding at forward silly point when he briefly stood up before Steve Smith had completed his shot.
Rohit, who was captaining India at the time, noticed it immediately and reminded Jaiswal to stay low until the ball had been played.
"Ae Jaisu, gully cricket khel raha hai kya? Neeche baith ke rah ("Are you playing gully cricket? Stay down. Don't get up until the ball has been played!)" Rohit was heard saying on the stump microphone.
The exchange quickly went viral and became one of the lighter moments of India's tour of Australia.
Jaiswal's Instagram post brought back memories of that moment as India prepare for the Sri Lanka series.
The Shubman Gill-led team has started training in Colombo ahead of the two-match Test series. Jaiswal is expected to open the batting with KL Rahul when India face Sri Lanka in the first Test at the Galle International Stadium on August 15.
#jaiswal #lanka #stay
3 months ago
By Rohith Nair
Aug 5 (Reuters) - FIFA apologised to its members for mistakes made over its abandoned proposal to sell commercial rights to the World Cup as the body's leadership reaffirmed its support for President Gianni Infantino after a crisis meeting in Morocco on Wednesday.
The proposal to sell a 20% stake in a new commercial rights entity to private investors in a deal that would have raised about $4.2 billion provoked a fierce backlash and was withdrawn last Friday.
Infantino bore the brunt of the criticism, including some from inside FIFA, which raised questions over his re-election as president next March.
"Following a meeting in Rabat, Morocco, the FIFA Secretary General and members of the FIFA management board in attendance reaffirmed their full support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino," the statement said.
#fifa #proposal
Aug 5 (Reuters) - FIFA apologised to its members for mistakes made over its abandoned proposal to sell commercial rights to the World Cup as the body's leadership reaffirmed its support for President Gianni Infantino after a crisis meeting in Morocco on Wednesday.
The proposal to sell a 20% stake in a new commercial rights entity to private investors in a deal that would have raised about $4.2 billion provoked a fierce backlash and was withdrawn last Friday.
Infantino bore the brunt of the criticism, including some from inside FIFA, which raised questions over his re-election as president next March.
"Following a meeting in Rabat, Morocco, the FIFA Secretary General and members of the FIFA management board in attendance reaffirmed their full support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino," the statement said.
#fifa #proposal
3 months ago
By Rohith Nair
Aug 5 (Reuters) - FIFA said on Wednesday it had apologised to its member ***** ociations for mistakes made over its abandoned proposal to sell commercial rights linked to the World Cup, as the governing body's leadership reaffirmed its support for president Gianni Infantino after a crisis meeting in Morocco.
Following the meeting in Rabat, attended by Infantino, secretary general Mattias Grafstrom and members of FIFA's management board, FIFA said its leadership had reaffirmed its full support for the president while acknowledging that the handling of the withdrawn FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal should have been different.
In a statement, FIFA said a separate letter had been sent to FIFA Council members and the 211 member ***** ociations apologising for the errors and promising a review.
It added that, with the proposal withdrawn, FIFA would "no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process" and would take all necessary measures to protect its reputation.
#support
Aug 5 (Reuters) - FIFA said on Wednesday it had apologised to its member ***** ociations for mistakes made over its abandoned proposal to sell commercial rights linked to the World Cup, as the governing body's leadership reaffirmed its support for president Gianni Infantino after a crisis meeting in Morocco.
Following the meeting in Rabat, attended by Infantino, secretary general Mattias Grafstrom and members of FIFA's management board, FIFA said its leadership had reaffirmed its full support for the president while acknowledging that the handling of the withdrawn FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal should have been different.
In a statement, FIFA said a separate letter had been sent to FIFA Council members and the 211 member ***** ociations apologising for the errors and promising a review.
It added that, with the proposal withdrawn, FIFA would "no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process" and would take all necessary measures to protect its reputation.
#support
3 months ago
Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif believes Rohit Sharma has made up his mind not to retire from ODI cricket on his own and will instead leave it to the selectors to decide when his journey with the national team should end.
Rohit's future has been under intense scrutiny since India's ODI series against England. Reports ahead of the tour claimed that the senior selection committee had informed the veteran opener he was not part of India's plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with the selectors keen to invest in younger opening options, including Yashasvi Jaiswal.
The speculation gathered further pace after Rohit managed a slow-paced 26 off 47 ******* in the second ODI at Cardiff. Questions over his future intensified, with reports suggesting the series decider at Lord's on July 19 could be his final ODI appearance for India.
However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed those claims before the match, stating that no decision had been taken to make the Lord's fixture Rohit's farewell game. While the clarification ended immediate speculation, it did not confirm whether Rohit remained part of India's long-term plans leading up to the 2027 World Cup.
The veteran opener responded in style, smashing 138 from just 110 deliveries during India's chase of 388 at Lord's. His innings, featuring 17 fours and five sixes, made him the first Indian batter to score an ODI century at the iconic venue, although India eventually fell 27 runs short and lost the series 2-1.
Following the match, captain Shubman Gill said Rohit had not informed the team about any retirement plans, while Rohit himself insisted his only focus was on scoring runs for India.
Sharing his views on the situation, Kaif said Rohit's recent actions suggest he has no intention of stepping away voluntarily.
"Yes, one thing has become clear," Kaif said during a discussion. "Rohit Sharma is effectively saying, 'If I am not playing well, you take the call yourselves. Drop me.'
"The fact that he has not stepped away or announced his retirement, the enthusiasm he is showing, the way he is approaching his batting and the hundred he scored at Lord's — all of this shows that he is now focused entirely on playing. Whatever the selectors want to do after that is up to them. Perhaps earlier there was an attempt to convince him about certain things internally. The problem at the moment is that it is difficult to understand who stands where. There is a lot of confusion," Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
Kaif also questioned the lack of clarity from the team management regarding Rohit's long-term future. While coaches have repeatedly backed the opener to play with freedom, the former India batter believes the management should clearly state whether Rohit remains part of its World Cup plans.
"At times, members of the coaching staff come out and say, 'We have given Rohit Sharma complete freedom to play his natural game.' But ******* ody has yet made a clear statement saying, 'Ro
Rohit's future has been under intense scrutiny since India's ODI series against England. Reports ahead of the tour claimed that the senior selection committee had informed the veteran opener he was not part of India's plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with the selectors keen to invest in younger opening options, including Yashasvi Jaiswal.
The speculation gathered further pace after Rohit managed a slow-paced 26 off 47 ******* in the second ODI at Cardiff. Questions over his future intensified, with reports suggesting the series decider at Lord's on July 19 could be his final ODI appearance for India.
However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed those claims before the match, stating that no decision had been taken to make the Lord's fixture Rohit's farewell game. While the clarification ended immediate speculation, it did not confirm whether Rohit remained part of India's long-term plans leading up to the 2027 World Cup.
The veteran opener responded in style, smashing 138 from just 110 deliveries during India's chase of 388 at Lord's. His innings, featuring 17 fours and five sixes, made him the first Indian batter to score an ODI century at the iconic venue, although India eventually fell 27 runs short and lost the series 2-1.
Following the match, captain Shubman Gill said Rohit had not informed the team about any retirement plans, while Rohit himself insisted his only focus was on scoring runs for India.
Sharing his views on the situation, Kaif said Rohit's recent actions suggest he has no intention of stepping away voluntarily.
"Yes, one thing has become clear," Kaif said during a discussion. "Rohit Sharma is effectively saying, 'If I am not playing well, you take the call yourselves. Drop me.'
"The fact that he has not stepped away or announced his retirement, the enthusiasm he is showing, the way he is approaching his batting and the hundred he scored at Lord's — all of this shows that he is now focused entirely on playing. Whatever the selectors want to do after that is up to them. Perhaps earlier there was an attempt to convince him about certain things internally. The problem at the moment is that it is difficult to understand who stands where. There is a lot of confusion," Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
Kaif also questioned the lack of clarity from the team management regarding Rohit's long-term future. While coaches have repeatedly backed the opener to play with freedom, the former India batter believes the management should clearly state whether Rohit remains part of its World Cup plans.
"At times, members of the coaching staff come out and say, 'We have given Rohit Sharma complete freedom to play his natural game.' But ******* ody has yet made a clear statement saying, 'Ro
3 months ago
Rohit Sharma's chances of playing 2027 ODI World Cup: Doubt remains on India star's long-term future originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Ajit Agarkar's exit could reshape Rohit Sharma's 2027 World Cup chances.
The Indian selection committee reportedly wanted Rohit dropped.
Rohit's Lord's century complicates selectors' plans.
Speculation continues to swirl around Rohit Sharma's future in Indian cricket, with the 2027 ODI World Cup less than 16 months away.
#World #Cricket #preferred
Ajit Agarkar's exit could reshape Rohit Sharma's 2027 World Cup chances.
The Indian selection committee reportedly wanted Rohit dropped.
Rohit's Lord's century complicates selectors' plans.
Speculation continues to swirl around Rohit Sharma's future in Indian cricket, with the 2027 ODI World Cup less than 16 months away.
#World #Cricket #preferred
3 months ago
Former India captain Rohit Sharma paid tribute to T Dilip after the former India fielding coach was replaced by Subhadeep Ghosh, thanking him for his work with the team over the last five years.
Taking to Instagram Stories, Rohit wrote: "You are a legend, Dilip garu. You created magic within the group and [you are] a behind the scenes workhorse. Best wishes ahead."
Dilip worked as India's men's fielding coach under both Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir. He first joined the support staff in 2021 and served until the end of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He returned for a second stint during India's Test tour of England in 2025 on a one-year contract but was not retained after it ended.
During his time with the Indian team, India won the T20 World Cups in 2024 and 2026, along with the 2025 Champions Trophy.
One of Dilip's most recognised ideas was the 'Best Fielder of the Match' medal, introduced during the 2023 ODI World Cup. The post-match fielding medal ceremony became popular among fans because of the creative ways in which the winner was announced.
The initiative was aimed at building a stronger fielding culture within the team and encouraging players to take more risks and improve their athleticism in the field. Players such as KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were among the medal winners during the ceremony's run.
After his departure, Dilip shared a farewell message on Instagram, thanking the team and reflecting on his journey.
"Five years. It is difficult to find the right words for a journey that has meant so much. When I first walked into this setup, I came in with one simple intention, to give everything I had every single day. Fielding has always been my way of contributing to the game I love, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have played a part in this team's journey."
He also said the fielding medal ceremony would remain one of his favourite memories.
"The fielding medal will always hold a very special place in my heart. Seeing the excitement it created in the dressing room, the smiles it brought and the value the players attached to it are memories I'll carry with me forever."
#dilip
Taking to Instagram Stories, Rohit wrote: "You are a legend, Dilip garu. You created magic within the group and [you are] a behind the scenes workhorse. Best wishes ahead."
Dilip worked as India's men's fielding coach under both Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir. He first joined the support staff in 2021 and served until the end of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He returned for a second stint during India's Test tour of England in 2025 on a one-year contract but was not retained after it ended.
During his time with the Indian team, India won the T20 World Cups in 2024 and 2026, along with the 2025 Champions Trophy.
One of Dilip's most recognised ideas was the 'Best Fielder of the Match' medal, introduced during the 2023 ODI World Cup. The post-match fielding medal ceremony became popular among fans because of the creative ways in which the winner was announced.
The initiative was aimed at building a stronger fielding culture within the team and encouraging players to take more risks and improve their athleticism in the field. Players such as KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were among the medal winners during the ceremony's run.
After his departure, Dilip shared a farewell message on Instagram, thanking the team and reflecting on his journey.
"Five years. It is difficult to find the right words for a journey that has meant so much. When I first walked into this setup, I came in with one simple intention, to give everything I had every single day. Fielding has always been my way of contributing to the game I love, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have played a part in this team's journey."
He also said the fielding medal ceremony would remain one of his favourite memories.
"The fielding medal will always hold a very special place in my heart. Seeing the excitement it created in the dressing room, the smiles it brought and the value the players attached to it are memories I'll carry with me forever."
#dilip
3 months ago
NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas has thrown his weight behind Indian batting icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, insisting that both veterans still have plenty left in the tank and should be part of India's squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The legendary Pakistan batter, popularly known as the 'Asian Bradman', dismissed concerns surrounding the duo's age and said their skill, experience and continued ability to score runs make them automatic contenders for the marquee tournament, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
"Both are very, very good in terms of skill and, given their experience, I don't see any reason why they should not play the World Cup. Age should not be a factor as long as they are fit and continue scoring runs," news agency PTI quoted Zaheer as saying on a Pakistani television channel.
Zaheer, regarded as one of Pakistan's finest batters after scoring more than 100 first-class centuries during his illustrious career, believes Kohli and Rohit possess qualities that only grow stronger with time.
According to the former Pakistan skipper, scoring runs becomes second nature for players of their calibre after spending years at the highest level, while their experience remains invaluable in major ICC tournaments.
He also ******* sed the fitness of the two Indian greats, saying Kohli continues to maintain exceptional physical standards.
"Kohli is still supremely fit, while Rohit just needs to pay a little more attention to his fitness," Zaheer observed.
The Pakistan great added that India would benefit immensely from having both veterans in the dressing room during the 2027 World Cup campaign.
His remarks come at a time when speculation over the future of India's senior stars continues despite both producing match-winning performances in the ODI format.
Zaheer reserved special praise for Rohit after watching the former Indian captain's recent century against England, saying the opener's batting remains a delight to watch.
"I watched Rohit score a hundred against England, and it is still a pleasure to watch him bat. He plays so effortlessly and with such sweet timing," he said.
Rohit's knock against England once again underlined his credentials in the 50-over format, while Kohli has also continued to deliver consistently, strengthening the argument that the experienced pair could still play a crucial role at the next World Cup.
Reflecting on the changing nature of modern cricket, Zaheer acknowledged that T20 cricket has introduced several innovative strokes into the game. However, he insisted that the fundamentals remain just as important, saying every batter aspiring to succeed across formats must master traditional shots like the cover drive and the cut shot.
The former Pakistan captain also spoke about his country's cricketing future, expressing confidence that better days lie ahead.
"Hopefully, the return of Babar Azam as Test captain will turn thing
The legendary Pakistan batter, popularly known as the 'Asian Bradman', dismissed concerns surrounding the duo's age and said their skill, experience and continued ability to score runs make them automatic contenders for the marquee tournament, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
"Both are very, very good in terms of skill and, given their experience, I don't see any reason why they should not play the World Cup. Age should not be a factor as long as they are fit and continue scoring runs," news agency PTI quoted Zaheer as saying on a Pakistani television channel.
Zaheer, regarded as one of Pakistan's finest batters after scoring more than 100 first-class centuries during his illustrious career, believes Kohli and Rohit possess qualities that only grow stronger with time.
According to the former Pakistan skipper, scoring runs becomes second nature for players of their calibre after spending years at the highest level, while their experience remains invaluable in major ICC tournaments.
He also ******* sed the fitness of the two Indian greats, saying Kohli continues to maintain exceptional physical standards.
"Kohli is still supremely fit, while Rohit just needs to pay a little more attention to his fitness," Zaheer observed.
The Pakistan great added that India would benefit immensely from having both veterans in the dressing room during the 2027 World Cup campaign.
His remarks come at a time when speculation over the future of India's senior stars continues despite both producing match-winning performances in the ODI format.
Zaheer reserved special praise for Rohit after watching the former Indian captain's recent century against England, saying the opener's batting remains a delight to watch.
"I watched Rohit score a hundred against England, and it is still a pleasure to watch him bat. He plays so effortlessly and with such sweet timing," he said.
Rohit's knock against England once again underlined his credentials in the 50-over format, while Kohli has also continued to deliver consistently, strengthening the argument that the experienced pair could still play a crucial role at the next World Cup.
Reflecting on the changing nature of modern cricket, Zaheer acknowledged that T20 cricket has introduced several innovative strokes into the game. However, he insisted that the fundamentals remain just as important, saying every batter aspiring to succeed across formats must master traditional shots like the cover drive and the cut shot.
The former Pakistan captain also spoke about his country's cricketing future, expressing confidence that better days lie ahead.
"Hopefully, the return of Babar Azam as Test captain will turn thing
3 months ago
The debate surrounding Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's ODI future refuses to die down despite both continuing to deliver for India. While neither head coach Gautam Gambhir nor chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar has publicly committed to their participation in the 2027 World Cup, keeping the speculation around their future alive.
India's recent 1-2 ODI series defeat against England only added fuel to the conversation. Rohit silenced critics with a match-winning century in the series finale, registering his 34th ODI hundred amid speculation that the Lord's fixture could be his final international appearance. Kohli, meanwhile, chipped in with two half-centuries during the series after both senior batters struggled in the opening match.
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta believes there is no need to question Rohit and Kohli's places in the side, but stressed that both must make an immediate impact whenever a series begins instead of taking time to settle.
"That has to be a conversation with everyone, not just them (Kohli and Rohit), that they have to start the series well and hit the ground running. That is a challenge. You can't take one or two games to get into the groove. But that's where the support staff comes in and has conversations with the players by creating an environment to get the best out of everyone," Deep Dasgupta said on his YouTube channel.
Dasgupta insisted that the standards applied to the two stalwarts should remain unchanged despite the increasing scrutiny around their careers.
"There is no conversation needed with them about their places in the team. Four years back, it wasn't like they had to be reminded before every series that they would be in the team. They knew they would be in the team based on their performances. So how does that change now? It does not and should not change," he added.
Questions over the future of Rohit and Kohli have surfaced repeatedly since both retired from Test cricket last year, leaving ODIs as their only international format. Before the Lord's ODI against England, reports suggested that the selection committee was considering moving on from Rohit ahead of the 2027 World Cup to create an opening for Yashasvi Jaiswal.
However, the BCCI leadership dismissed reports that the Lord's encounter would be Rohit's final international appearance.
Dasgupta believes the constant speculation is largely because the pair now feature in only one international format, making every ODI performance subject to greater scrutiny.
132677492
"This discussion about their future is getting exaggerated because they play only one format. When you play multiple formats, if you fail in one but score in the other, the failure is forgotten. So that's a challenge for these two that can't be denied. People will remember what they last did in this format because they play only one format. But the conversation with them should be the same as it was three years ago," he added.
#dasgupta #intern
India's recent 1-2 ODI series defeat against England only added fuel to the conversation. Rohit silenced critics with a match-winning century in the series finale, registering his 34th ODI hundred amid speculation that the Lord's fixture could be his final international appearance. Kohli, meanwhile, chipped in with two half-centuries during the series after both senior batters struggled in the opening match.
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta believes there is no need to question Rohit and Kohli's places in the side, but stressed that both must make an immediate impact whenever a series begins instead of taking time to settle.
"That has to be a conversation with everyone, not just them (Kohli and Rohit), that they have to start the series well and hit the ground running. That is a challenge. You can't take one or two games to get into the groove. But that's where the support staff comes in and has conversations with the players by creating an environment to get the best out of everyone," Deep Dasgupta said on his YouTube channel.
Dasgupta insisted that the standards applied to the two stalwarts should remain unchanged despite the increasing scrutiny around their careers.
"There is no conversation needed with them about their places in the team. Four years back, it wasn't like they had to be reminded before every series that they would be in the team. They knew they would be in the team based on their performances. So how does that change now? It does not and should not change," he added.
Questions over the future of Rohit and Kohli have surfaced repeatedly since both retired from Test cricket last year, leaving ODIs as their only international format. Before the Lord's ODI against England, reports suggested that the selection committee was considering moving on from Rohit ahead of the 2027 World Cup to create an opening for Yashasvi Jaiswal.
However, the BCCI leadership dismissed reports that the Lord's encounter would be Rohit's final international appearance.
Dasgupta believes the constant speculation is largely because the pair now feature in only one international format, making every ODI performance subject to greater scrutiny.
132677492
"This discussion about their future is getting exaggerated because they play only one format. When you play multiple formats, if you fail in one but score in the other, the failure is forgotten. So that's a challenge for these two that can't be denied. People will remember what they last did in this format because they play only one format. But the conversation with them should be the same as it was three years ago," he added.
#dasgupta #intern
3 months ago
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Farokh Engineer believes teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has already done enough to earn an ODI call-up and wants the 15-year-old to open alongside Rohit Sharma ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Engineer feels India should reshuffle their batting order by moving Shubman Gill to No. 4, allowing Sooryavanshi to partner Rohit at the top while Virat Kohli slots in at No. 3.
"The ideal situation is Shubman Gill and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Gill is a class player. Gill, I think, is the best batsman in the team now. So, Gill should come at four," Engineer told PTI.
The former India star said the combination of a right-handed Rohit and left-handed Sooryavanshi would provide the ideal balance in ODI cricket.
"Gill is not a guy who lifts the ball. So, a left-right combination would be ideal in ODIs. So, if Rohit is playing, and I think he should be playing, let him open with Sooryavanshi.
"A batsman like him (Sooryavanshi) is much better at opening because he finds bigger gaps in the field. Virat Kohli can come third. Gill can come fourth and then we've got a solid batting line-up," he said.
Engineer's remarks come after Sooryavanshi enjoyed a breakthrough T20I series against Zimbabwe. The youngster finished as the leading run-scorer with 151 runs, including two half-centuries, and was named Player of the Series as India completed a 3-0 clean sweep.
According to Engineer, those performances are enough to fast-track the teenager into India's 50-over plans.
"This is probably the right time to draft Sooryavanshi into India's ODI side. I don't know why people distinguish so much between ODI and T20 because for me, a half-volley is a half-volley. He's been getting runs and he's got the confidence to open the innings.
"He'll win more matches for you than lose you. When he gives a start like that, the other players can have time to consolidate the innings and put on a big score," Engineer noted.
While Sooryavanshi struggled during India's T20I tour of England earlier this month, the Zimbabwe series showcased his ability to adapt. He produced a measured 81 off 49 ***** in the final T20I on a slow Harare surface after blasting a rapid half-century in the series opener.
The teenager has also shown areas that still require improvement, including handling short-pitched bowling, adapting quickly to overseas conditions and refining his shot selection. However, Engineer urged India not to overburden the youngster with technical changes, insisting his natural game is what makes him special.
"Anything which is slightly short of length, in Sooryavanshi's curve, is going to go for a six. He learned from his mistakes, he has learned to curb himself. But don't try to over-coach him. He's not from the MCC book of manual, which is completely out of date.
"He's a genius. Nor was Viv Richards. Viv was the best batsman I've ever seen play. But persevere with Sooryavanshi. He'll be a tremendous ***** et for In
Engineer feels India should reshuffle their batting order by moving Shubman Gill to No. 4, allowing Sooryavanshi to partner Rohit at the top while Virat Kohli slots in at No. 3.
"The ideal situation is Shubman Gill and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Gill is a class player. Gill, I think, is the best batsman in the team now. So, Gill should come at four," Engineer told PTI.
The former India star said the combination of a right-handed Rohit and left-handed Sooryavanshi would provide the ideal balance in ODI cricket.
"Gill is not a guy who lifts the ball. So, a left-right combination would be ideal in ODIs. So, if Rohit is playing, and I think he should be playing, let him open with Sooryavanshi.
"A batsman like him (Sooryavanshi) is much better at opening because he finds bigger gaps in the field. Virat Kohli can come third. Gill can come fourth and then we've got a solid batting line-up," he said.
Engineer's remarks come after Sooryavanshi enjoyed a breakthrough T20I series against Zimbabwe. The youngster finished as the leading run-scorer with 151 runs, including two half-centuries, and was named Player of the Series as India completed a 3-0 clean sweep.
According to Engineer, those performances are enough to fast-track the teenager into India's 50-over plans.
"This is probably the right time to draft Sooryavanshi into India's ODI side. I don't know why people distinguish so much between ODI and T20 because for me, a half-volley is a half-volley. He's been getting runs and he's got the confidence to open the innings.
"He'll win more matches for you than lose you. When he gives a start like that, the other players can have time to consolidate the innings and put on a big score," Engineer noted.
While Sooryavanshi struggled during India's T20I tour of England earlier this month, the Zimbabwe series showcased his ability to adapt. He produced a measured 81 off 49 ***** in the final T20I on a slow Harare surface after blasting a rapid half-century in the series opener.
The teenager has also shown areas that still require improvement, including handling short-pitched bowling, adapting quickly to overseas conditions and refining his shot selection. However, Engineer urged India not to overburden the youngster with technical changes, insisting his natural game is what makes him special.
"Anything which is slightly short of length, in Sooryavanshi's curve, is going to go for a six. He learned from his mistakes, he has learned to curb himself. But don't try to over-coach him. He's not from the MCC book of manual, which is completely out of date.
"He's a genius. Nor was Viv Richards. Viv was the best batsman I've ever seen play. But persevere with Sooryavanshi. He'll be a tremendous ***** et for In
3 months ago
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has firmly rejected rumours over Rohit Sharma's international future, stating there is "no question" of the India opener retiring at this stage despite growing speculation during the recent England tour.
Questions over Rohit's future gathered pace after a prolonged lean patch with the bat, with reports suggesting the third ODI against England at Lord's could potentially be his final appearance for India. However, the 39-year-old answered those doubts in emphatic fashion by smashing 138 off 110 **** , becoming the first Indian batter to score an ODI century at the iconic venue.
Speaking to reporters, Shukla rubbished the retirement rumours and insisted there was no truth to the speculation.
"Rohit Sharma is a part of our team and is continuing to play. The things being circulated in the media and on social media have no meaning. As of now, there is no question of his retirement," Shukla said.
Rohit's century at Lord's also reinforced his own stance on his future. The India opener has consistently maintained that he wants to continue representing the country and remains determined to secure a place in India's squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
In an interview with BCCI.tv after his match-winning innings, Rohit made it clear that outside speculation would not distract him from his responsibilities.
"My job is with the bat. Come and play, represent my country, represent my team. That's what I have been told to do since my debut so that's what I am going to do," Rohit said.
"The noise since I made my debut was there. And till the time I am going to stay here, it is always going to be there. So it doesn't really matter too much. What matters is what I do on the field, try and contribute to the success of the team. That's all my focus is right now. And let the noise be there. If there is no noise, there is no fun."
Shukla also brushed aside calls for changes in India's leadership group following criticism directed at captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir.
"Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but the decision on who stays in the team and who does not rests with the selectors. The Indian team is performing well and winning matches, so there is no need for any changes at present," Shukla said.
Although Rohit's century at Lord's was one of the highlights of the tour, India finished the United Kingdom leg on a disappointing note. The visitors lost the ODI series against England 2-1 after earlier suffering a 2-0 defeat to Ireland and a 4-0 loss in the T20I series against England.
#england #noise
Questions over Rohit's future gathered pace after a prolonged lean patch with the bat, with reports suggesting the third ODI against England at Lord's could potentially be his final appearance for India. However, the 39-year-old answered those doubts in emphatic fashion by smashing 138 off 110 **** , becoming the first Indian batter to score an ODI century at the iconic venue.
Speaking to reporters, Shukla rubbished the retirement rumours and insisted there was no truth to the speculation.
"Rohit Sharma is a part of our team and is continuing to play. The things being circulated in the media and on social media have no meaning. As of now, there is no question of his retirement," Shukla said.
Rohit's century at Lord's also reinforced his own stance on his future. The India opener has consistently maintained that he wants to continue representing the country and remains determined to secure a place in India's squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
In an interview with BCCI.tv after his match-winning innings, Rohit made it clear that outside speculation would not distract him from his responsibilities.
"My job is with the bat. Come and play, represent my country, represent my team. That's what I have been told to do since my debut so that's what I am going to do," Rohit said.
"The noise since I made my debut was there. And till the time I am going to stay here, it is always going to be there. So it doesn't really matter too much. What matters is what I do on the field, try and contribute to the success of the team. That's all my focus is right now. And let the noise be there. If there is no noise, there is no fun."
Shukla also brushed aside calls for changes in India's leadership group following criticism directed at captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir.
"Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but the decision on who stays in the team and who does not rests with the selectors. The Indian team is performing well and winning matches, so there is no need for any changes at present," Shukla said.
Although Rohit's century at Lord's was one of the highlights of the tour, India finished the United Kingdom leg on a disappointing note. The visitors lost the ODI series against England 2-1 after earlier suffering a 2-0 defeat to Ireland and a 4-0 loss in the T20I series against England.
#england #noise
4 months ago
England's 2-1 ODI series triumph over India has been rewarded in the latest ICC Men's ODI Batting Rankings, with veteran batter Joe Root returning to the top 10 after a sensational series in which he remained unbeaten throughout.
Root, who was named Player of the Series, produced unbeaten scores of 76, 99 and 74 to anchor England's first bilateral ODI series victory over India since 2018. His consistency has lifted him four places to No. 8 in the ICC rankings, marking his return to the top 10 for the first time since 2020.
England opener Ben Duckett was another major beneficiary after his record-breaking 141 in the third ODI at Lord's. The left-hander jumped 11 places to joint-19th, with his match-winning knock becoming the highest individual score in a Men's ODI at the iconic venue, according to an ICC media release.
Despite India losing the series, several Indian batters made gains in the latest rankings following strong individual performances.
Rohit Sharma's magnificent 138 in the Lord's decider helped him reduce the gap on Virat Kohli to just nine rating points. Rohit remains fourth in the ODI batting rankings, while Kohli occupies third. India captain Shubman Gill continues to hold the No. 2 position and is just one rating point behind New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell, who remains the world's top-ranked ODI batter with 802 rating points.
Middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer also climbed two places to 13th after scoring a fighting 66 in the second ODI at Cardiff.
Rank
Player
#root #player #rohit
Root, who was named Player of the Series, produced unbeaten scores of 76, 99 and 74 to anchor England's first bilateral ODI series victory over India since 2018. His consistency has lifted him four places to No. 8 in the ICC rankings, marking his return to the top 10 for the first time since 2020.
England opener Ben Duckett was another major beneficiary after his record-breaking 141 in the third ODI at Lord's. The left-hander jumped 11 places to joint-19th, with his match-winning knock becoming the highest individual score in a Men's ODI at the iconic venue, according to an ICC media release.
Despite India losing the series, several Indian batters made gains in the latest rankings following strong individual performances.
Rohit Sharma's magnificent 138 in the Lord's decider helped him reduce the gap on Virat Kohli to just nine rating points. Rohit remains fourth in the ODI batting rankings, while Kohli occupies third. India captain Shubman Gill continues to hold the No. 2 position and is just one rating point behind New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell, who remains the world's top-ranked ODI batter with 802 rating points.
Middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer also climbed two places to 13th after scoring a fighting 66 in the second ODI at Cardiff.
Rank
Player
#root #player #rohit
4 months ago
Sanju Samson has revealed how Rohit Sharma's reassuring words during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 initially failed to convince him after being left out of India's playing XI in the latter stages of the tournament. However, the wicketkeeper-batter eventually rediscovered his confidence and responded with one of the defining knocks of India's campaign against the West Indies.
After Samson endured a disappointing five-match T20I series against New Zealand heading into the World Cup, Rohit made it clear that the Kerala batter still had an important role to play in India's campaign.
"Dukhi mat ho bhai. It is a long tournament, kabhi bhi mauka aa sakta hai." ("Don't be disheartened, brother. It is a long tournament. You'll get your chance. The opportunity can come anytime,") Rohit had told Samson while embracing him.
Reflecting on that difficult phase, Samson admitted he was too disappointed to believe his captain's words at the time.
"To be honest, I didn't believe him at that time. Sorry. He might have spoken from his heart or from his experience, but that day I wasn't able to see what he was seeing. You could see it on my face; I was a bit off that day," Samson told JioStar.
The Kerala batter said the disappointment lingered even after India's World Cup campaign began, making it difficult for him to move on immediately.
"Our World Cup campaign started two days after the New Zealand series, and it takes me at least a week to recover. I don't like to bottle things up, so it shows on my face if I'm not feeling 100 per cent. I went through that phase for four or five days before getting myself back on track," he added.
Samson said the setback eventually turned into an opportunity for self-reflection, helping him reconnect with his purpose as a cricketer.
"You know you've failed, so what's next? You're at the bottom, so from there, you can only go up. I started working on myself mentally. I started asking myself questions, why do I play cricket? What's my purpose? It was like I was rediscovering myself while the World Cup was going on. And then everything just came back," Samson said.
Sanju Samson scripted one of the greatest redemption stories in T20 World Cup history, finishing as the Player of the Tournament as India lifted the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup on home soil. After initially missing out on the playing XI following a lean run of form, Samson fought his way back into the side and ended the tournament as India's highest run-scorer and the third-highest overall, amassing 321 runs in just five matches at an outstanding average of 80.25 and a blistering strike rate of 199.37. He also smashed a tournament-record 24 sixes, the most by any batter in a single T20 World Cup edition.
#samson #World #campaign #back
After Samson endured a disappointing five-match T20I series against New Zealand heading into the World Cup, Rohit made it clear that the Kerala batter still had an important role to play in India's campaign.
"Dukhi mat ho bhai. It is a long tournament, kabhi bhi mauka aa sakta hai." ("Don't be disheartened, brother. It is a long tournament. You'll get your chance. The opportunity can come anytime,") Rohit had told Samson while embracing him.
Reflecting on that difficult phase, Samson admitted he was too disappointed to believe his captain's words at the time.
"To be honest, I didn't believe him at that time. Sorry. He might have spoken from his heart or from his experience, but that day I wasn't able to see what he was seeing. You could see it on my face; I was a bit off that day," Samson told JioStar.
The Kerala batter said the disappointment lingered even after India's World Cup campaign began, making it difficult for him to move on immediately.
"Our World Cup campaign started two days after the New Zealand series, and it takes me at least a week to recover. I don't like to bottle things up, so it shows on my face if I'm not feeling 100 per cent. I went through that phase for four or five days before getting myself back on track," he added.
Samson said the setback eventually turned into an opportunity for self-reflection, helping him reconnect with his purpose as a cricketer.
"You know you've failed, so what's next? You're at the bottom, so from there, you can only go up. I started working on myself mentally. I started asking myself questions, why do I play cricket? What's my purpose? It was like I was rediscovering myself while the World Cup was going on. And then everything just came back," Samson said.
Sanju Samson scripted one of the greatest redemption stories in T20 World Cup history, finishing as the Player of the Tournament as India lifted the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup on home soil. After initially missing out on the playing XI following a lean run of form, Samson fought his way back into the side and ended the tournament as India's highest run-scorer and the third-highest overall, amassing 321 runs in just five matches at an outstanding average of 80.25 and a blistering strike rate of 199.37. He also smashed a tournament-record 24 sixes, the most by any batter in a single T20 World Cup edition.
#samson #World #campaign #back
4 months ago
'It made the difference!' - Mohammad Kaif reveals how Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma reshaped India's team dynamics and energy in Edgbaston win originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Mohammad Kaif credits senior stars' return for lifting India's energy in Edgbaston win.
Jasprit **** rah becomes India's top ODI wicket-taker in England after sensational spell.
India aim to seal series in second ODI at Cardiff on Thursday.
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif, believes that it wasn't just about the runs, but having Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit **** rah back in the fold brought something harder to measure.
Mohammad Kaif credits senior stars' return for lifting India's energy in Edgbaston win.
Jasprit **** rah becomes India's top ODI wicket-taker in England after sensational spell.
India aim to seal series in second ODI at Cardiff on Thursday.
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif, believes that it wasn't just about the runs, but having Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit **** rah back in the fold brought something harder to measure.
4 months ago
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday announced two changes to India's squads for the upcoming series of England and Zimbabwe after injuries to Harshit Rana and Varun Chakravarthy.
Fast bowler Prince Yadav has replaced Harshit Rana in India's squad for the ODI series against England. Harshit has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, meanwhile, has been drafted into India's squad for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe later this month, replacing Varun Chakravarthy.
Bishnoi was not part of the original squad but has now been included after it was confirmed that Varun will need more time to recover from the hamstring injury that also ruled him out of the final two T20Is against England.
Bishnoi featured in the first two matches of India's five-match T20I series in England. India did not bowl in the opening game after rain washed it out. In the second T20I at Old Trafford, Bishnoi conceded 60 runs in his four overs. He also bowled three back-foot no-balls and gave away two sixes and a four from the resulting free-hits.
Varun will now report to the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru for further ****** sment and rehabilitation. Harshit Rana will also join him there after suffering a hamstring injury that has ruled him out of the three-match ODI series against England.
Varun had only recently returned to action during the T20I series in Ireland before playing the first two T20Is against England. The latest injury is another setback after he fractured his left toe during the latter stages of IPL 2026. He played through the injury before missing the T20I series against Afghanistan and Ireland while recovering at the CoE.
Chakravarthy also struggled for form in England, taking just one wicket while conceding runs at an economy rate of 10.28.
India's updated squad for England ODIs: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain), KL Rahul (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit ****** rah, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav
India's updated squad for Zimbabwe T20Is: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Ravi Bishnoi
Fast bowler Prince Yadav has replaced Harshit Rana in India's squad for the ODI series against England. Harshit has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, meanwhile, has been drafted into India's squad for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe later this month, replacing Varun Chakravarthy.
Bishnoi was not part of the original squad but has now been included after it was confirmed that Varun will need more time to recover from the hamstring injury that also ruled him out of the final two T20Is against England.
Bishnoi featured in the first two matches of India's five-match T20I series in England. India did not bowl in the opening game after rain washed it out. In the second T20I at Old Trafford, Bishnoi conceded 60 runs in his four overs. He also bowled three back-foot no-balls and gave away two sixes and a four from the resulting free-hits.
Varun will now report to the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru for further ****** sment and rehabilitation. Harshit Rana will also join him there after suffering a hamstring injury that has ruled him out of the three-match ODI series against England.
Varun had only recently returned to action during the T20I series in Ireland before playing the first two T20Is against England. The latest injury is another setback after he fractured his left toe during the latter stages of IPL 2026. He played through the injury before missing the T20I series against Afghanistan and Ireland while recovering at the CoE.
Chakravarthy also struggled for form in England, taking just one wicket while conceding runs at an economy rate of 10.28.
India's updated squad for England ODIs: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain), KL Rahul (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit ****** rah, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav
India's updated squad for Zimbabwe T20Is: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Ravi Bishnoi
4 months ago
India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill added another memorable moment to his England tour after receiving an invitation to watch the ongoing Wimbledon 2026 Championships from the iconic Royal Box.
With the invitation, Gill became only the fourth Indian cricket captain to be hosted in the prestigious enclosure, joining the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Reserved for distinguished guests from sport, entertainment, politics and public life, the Royal Box is among the most exclusive seating areas at the All England Club and is regarded as one of Wimbledon's highest honours for visiting personalities.
Gill's visit has also generated significant buzz on social media. A video showing the India captain in conversation with tennis great Roger Federer has gone viral, with fans delighted to see two sporting icons sharing a moment at the Championships.
The 26-year-old was also spotted watching the action alongside Sachin Tendulkar and his wife Anjali Tendulkar, adding another high-profile moment to his Wimbledon appearance.
Gill is currently in England with the Indian team ahead of the upcoming three-match ODI series against England. Despite a busy international schedule, he has managed to attend two of Britain's biggest sporting events during the tour.
Earlier this week, Gill experienced his first Formula 1 race after attending the British Grand Prix at Silverstone as a VIP guest.
The Indian skipper enjoyed behind-the-scenes access throughout the race weekend, visiting the paddock, interacting with members of the Formula 1 fraternity and getting a close look at areas typically reserved for teams, drivers and special invitees.
On the field, Gill has been in excellent touch during the bilateral series. He remained unbeaten on 84 in the opening match before producing a commanding 154 in the second game. In the third and final fixture, the opener moved himself down the batting order as India sealed a comfortable nine-wicket victory.
India will now take on England in the fifth and final T20I at Southampton on Saturday before shifting focus to the three-match ODI series.
With the invitation, Gill became only the fourth Indian cricket captain to be hosted in the prestigious enclosure, joining the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Reserved for distinguished guests from sport, entertainment, politics and public life, the Royal Box is among the most exclusive seating areas at the All England Club and is regarded as one of Wimbledon's highest honours for visiting personalities.
Gill's visit has also generated significant buzz on social media. A video showing the India captain in conversation with tennis great Roger Federer has gone viral, with fans delighted to see two sporting icons sharing a moment at the Championships.
The 26-year-old was also spotted watching the action alongside Sachin Tendulkar and his wife Anjali Tendulkar, adding another high-profile moment to his Wimbledon appearance.
Gill is currently in England with the Indian team ahead of the upcoming three-match ODI series against England. Despite a busy international schedule, he has managed to attend two of Britain's biggest sporting events during the tour.
Earlier this week, Gill experienced his first Formula 1 race after attending the British Grand Prix at Silverstone as a VIP guest.
The Indian skipper enjoyed behind-the-scenes access throughout the race weekend, visiting the paddock, interacting with members of the Formula 1 fraternity and getting a close look at areas typically reserved for teams, drivers and special invitees.
On the field, Gill has been in excellent touch during the bilateral series. He remained unbeaten on 84 in the opening match before producing a commanding 154 in the second game. In the third and final fixture, the opener moved himself down the batting order as India sealed a comfortable nine-wicket victory.
India will now take on England in the fifth and final T20I at Southampton on Saturday before shifting focus to the three-match ODI series.
4 months ago
FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who has been hopscotching around North America for most of the last month to attend as many World Cup matches as humanly possible (we've wondered at times whether he has a teleportation device and/or a body double), can't outrun the biggest controversy of the tournament.
The about-face regarding the suspension resulting from U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's red card in the Round of 32, apparently instigated by a phone call from President Trump to Infantino, has had consequences well beyond Belgium trolling Trump with his trademark two-fisted dance.
Rohith Nair of Reuters reports that FairSquare, a human-rights group, has said it file a complaint with the International Olympic Committee over Infantino's "repeated breach of political neutrality rules," specifically as a result of Infantino's arguable kowtowing to Trump.
Previously, FairSquare filed a complaint with the FIFA Ethics Committee in December 2025, based on multiple instances in which Infantino "expressed his public support for the actions and policies" of Trump. The group also complained about Infantino awarding Trump the previously nonexistent FIFA Peace Prize.
Separately, at least 35 European lawmakers have asked the national football ***** ociations of the various European Union countries to request the FIFA Ethics Committee to investigate whether political pressure on Infantino from the top of the U.S. government was a factor in the lifting of the Balogun suspension, along with "other potential breaches of political neutrality" by Infantino — including the phony-baloney Peace Prize, per the ***** ociated Press.
The about-face regarding the suspension resulting from U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's red card in the Round of 32, apparently instigated by a phone call from President Trump to Infantino, has had consequences well beyond Belgium trolling Trump with his trademark two-fisted dance.
Rohith Nair of Reuters reports that FairSquare, a human-rights group, has said it file a complaint with the International Olympic Committee over Infantino's "repeated breach of political neutrality rules," specifically as a result of Infantino's arguable kowtowing to Trump.
Previously, FairSquare filed a complaint with the FIFA Ethics Committee in December 2025, based on multiple instances in which Infantino "expressed his public support for the actions and policies" of Trump. The group also complained about Infantino awarding Trump the previously nonexistent FIFA Peace Prize.
Separately, at least 35 European lawmakers have asked the national football ***** ociations of the various European Union countries to request the FIFA Ethics Committee to investigate whether political pressure on Infantino from the top of the U.S. government was a factor in the lifting of the Balogun suspension, along with "other potential breaches of political neutrality" by Infantino — including the phony-baloney Peace Prize, per the ***** ociated Press.
4 months ago
NEW DELHI: Amid the rising football fever during the ongoing FIFA season, India cricketer Yashasvi Jaiswal was spotted enjoying the France vs Sweden Round of 32 match at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford.
The Instagram reel was captioned "Bucket List", highlighting the cricketer's long-standing desire to watch a FIFA fixture and his interest in football.
Even though France and Sweden were playing, Jaiswal showed where his loyalties lay by wearing Lionel Messi's Argentina No. 10 jersey to the match, reflecting his admiration for the football icon while soaking up the competition's atmosphere.
Watch:
Away from the Indian squad, Jaiswal appeared to be making the most of his time off.
The opener was left out of the squad following the inclusion of veteran batter Rohit Sharma, giving rise to much speculation, as Rohit has been under scrutiny for a long period.
A day after scoring an unbeaten 110 against Afghanistan in Chennai, the 24-year-old found himself dropped from India's ODI squad for the series against England.
Since then, Jaiswal has been away from competitive action.
Being one of only six batters to score a century in all three formats for the Men in Blue, Jaiswal enjoyed another successful phase with the bat.
Jaiswal is expected to return to action in India's upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand in November.
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The Instagram reel was captioned "Bucket List", highlighting the cricketer's long-standing desire to watch a FIFA fixture and his interest in football.
Even though France and Sweden were playing, Jaiswal showed where his loyalties lay by wearing Lionel Messi's Argentina No. 10 jersey to the match, reflecting his admiration for the football icon while soaking up the competition's atmosphere.
Watch:
Away from the Indian squad, Jaiswal appeared to be making the most of his time off.
The opener was left out of the squad following the inclusion of veteran batter Rohit Sharma, giving rise to much speculation, as Rohit has been under scrutiny for a long period.
A day after scoring an unbeaten 110 against Afghanistan in Chennai, the 24-year-old found himself dropped from India's ODI squad for the series against England.
Since then, Jaiswal has been away from competitive action.
Being one of only six batters to score a century in all three formats for the Men in Blue, Jaiswal enjoyed another successful phase with the bat.
Jaiswal is expected to return to action in India's upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand in November.
132132861
