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Salman Agha marked his return to international cricket with a century as Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the one-day tri-series opener in Rawalpindi on Sunday (Oct 18). The 32-year-old scored a 90-ball 107 with a six and 10 fours to anchor Pakistan's 305 in 49.5 overs, before skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi grabbed 3-55 to keep Sri Lanka down to 268 in 48.1 overs. The hosts now play England in the second match on Tuesday -- also in Rawalpindi -- in the series seen as a build-up for next year's 50-over World Cup in southern Africa.&nbsp;Pavan Rathnayake (79) and Janith Liyanage's 60 kept the visitors in the chase during a fighting 119-run fifth wicket stand. Opener Kamindu Mendis also contributed with a fluent 44. Rathnayake cracked two sixes and six boundaries while Liyanage's knock had five boundaries, but once both fell only Dasun Shanaka (28) really troubled the scorers as Sri Lanka lost their last five wickets for just 15 runs.&nbsp;Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf chipped in with two wickets apiece for Pakistan.&nbsp;Earlier, Agha, coming out of a miserable last three months, propelled Pakistan to victory.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/salman-agha-responds-t20i-axe-century-sri-lanka-odi-tri-series-1792330139321">Pakistan's Salman Agha responds to T20I axe with 107 vs Sri Lanka in ODI tri-series opener</a>&nbsp;He was sent home ahead of the third Test in England in August after captaining the team in the first match.&nbsp;"These times come on you and I thought that I will go back in domestic cricket and make things right with my performances," said Agha, who was also sacked as Pakistan's T20I captain. "I was looking to hit the ball in the pockets to rotate the strike so that we can take our team beyond 300 so we batted aggressively in the end."&nbsp;Agha hit two consecutive boundaries off pacer Asitha Fernando to complete his fourth one-day international hundred, finally falling to the same bowler in the 47th over. He added 97 runs for the fifth wicket with Hasan Nawaz (37) and another 64 for the sixth with Arafat Minhas, who made 18.&nbsp;Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka had jolted Pakistan with the wickets of openers Saim Ayub (seven) and Fakhar Zaman (16).&nbsp;Debutant Saad Baig scored a brisk 40-ball 39 with two sixes and three fours. Along with Babar Azam (45), the pair lifted the score during their 74-run stand.&nbsp;Fast bowler Eshan Malinga dismissed both in successive overs to halt Pakistan's progress before Agha came into his own. Malinga was the pick of the Sri Lanka bowlers with a career-best 4-46, while Fernando took 3-59.

Salman Agha’s brilliant 107 and a late bowling blitz led Pakistan to a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka in the ODI tri-series opener in Rawalpindi.

Salman Agha marked his return to international cricket with a century as Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the one-day tri-series opener in Rawalpindi on Sunday (Oct 18). The 32-year-old scored a 90-ball 107 with a six and 10 fours to anchor Pakistan's 305 in 49.5 overs, before skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi grabbed 3-55 to keep Sri Lanka down to 268 in 48.1 overs. The hosts now play England in the second match on Tuesday -- also in Rawalpindi -- in the series seen as a build-up for next year's 50-over World Cup in southern Africa. Pavan Rathnayake (79) and Janith Liyanage's 60 kept the visitors in the chase during a fighting 119-run fifth wicket stand. Opener Kamindu Mendis also contributed with a fluent 44. Rathnayake cracked two sixes and six boundaries while Liyanage's knock had five boundaries, but once both fell only Dasun Shanaka (28) really troubled the scorers as Sri Lanka lost their last five wickets for just 15 runs. Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf chipped in with two wickets apiece for Pakistan. Earlier, Agha, coming out of a miserable last three months, propelled Pakistan to victory. Also read| Pakistan's Salman Agha responds to T20I axe with 107 vs Sri Lanka in ODI tri-series opener He was sent home ahead of the third Test in England in August after captaining the team in the first match. "These times come on you and I thought that I will go back in domestic cricket and make things right with my performances," said Agha, who was also sacked as Pakistan's T20I captain. "I was looking to hit the ball in the pockets to rotate the strike so that we can take our team beyond 300 so we batted aggressively in the end." Agha hit two consecutive boundaries off pacer Asitha Fernando to complete his fourth one-day international hundred, finally falling to the same bowler in the 47th over. He added 97 runs for the fifth wicket with Hasan Nawaz (37) and another 64 for the sixth with Arafat Minhas, who made 18. Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka had jolted Pakistan with the wickets of openers Saim Ayub (seven) and Fakhar Zaman (16). Debutant Saad Baig scored a brisk 40-ball 39 with two sixes and three fours. Along with Babar Azam (45), the pair lifted the score during their 74-run stand. Fast bowler Eshan Malinga dismissed both in successive overs to halt Pakistan's progress before Agha came into his own. Malinga was the pick of the Sri Lanka bowlers with a career-best 4-46, while Fernando took 3-59.

Salman Agha’s brilliant 107 and a late bowling blitz led Pakistan to a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka in the ODI tri-series opener in Rawalpindi.

PAK vs SL 2026: Salman Agha and pacers power Pakistan to 37-run win in tri-series opener

Salman Ali Agha responded to his T20I axe as captain and player with a brilliant 107 off just 90 balls against Sri Lanka in the ODI tri-series opener in Rawalpindi on Sunday (Oct 18). The PCB and the selectors replaced Agha with Sahibzada Farhan as the new T20I captain and dropped him from the squad for the concluded three-match series against Sri Lanka. His departure from the T20I setup came shortly after the board sent him home along with six other players midway through the away England tour. &nbsp;Embarrassed and hurt over his exclusion from the two formats, Agha channelled his energy into responding to his critics with a befitting reply in the first ODI. The right-hander smashed his fourth ODI hundred -- all scored batting five or below -- with this being his quickest in the One-Day format. His heroics with the bat, which included 10 fours and a six, powered Pakistan to 305 in the first innings.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pcb-omits-atherton-hussain-tri-series-commentary-imran-khan-row-1792322325970">PCB omits Atherton, Hussain from tri-series commentary panel over Imran Khan interview row</a> &nbsp;Walking out to bat in the 20th over, Agha held one end and stitched a 97-run partnership with Hasan Nawaz for the fifth wicket, lifting Pakistan from 118 for four at one stage. The two calculated the innings’ pace and played accordingly, frustrating the Sri Lankan bowlers. Following Nawaz’s dismissal on 37, Agha and Arafat Minhas added crucial 64 runs for the sixth wicket. &nbsp;He completed his fastest ODI hundred in 82 balls before eventually falling to Asitha Fernando in the 47th over. &nbsp;Earlier, Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to field first. The visitors reduced Pakistan to 32 for two inside the first six overs before talismanic batter Babar Azam and newbie keeper-batter Saad Baig bailed the team out of trouble by stitching a 74-run stand for the third wicket. &nbsp;For the Islanders, seamer Eshan Malinga picked up four wickets for 46 runs, while Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka returned with three and two wickets each.&nbsp; &nbsp;In reply, Sri Lanka lost one wicket for 42 runs in 10 overs, with captain Mendis and opener Kusal Mendis at the crease.

Pakistan's Salman Ali Agha responded to his T20I omission with his fastest ODI century against Sri Lanka in the tri-series opener in Rawalpindi.

Salman Ali Agha responded to his T20I axe as captain and player with a brilliant 107 off just 90 balls against Sri Lanka in the ODI tri-series opener in Rawalpindi on Sunday (Oct 18). The PCB and the selectors replaced Agha with Sahibzada Farhan as the new T20I captain and dropped him from the squad for the concluded three-match series against Sri Lanka. His departure from the T20I setup came shortly after the board sent him home along with six other players midway through the away England tour. Embarrassed and hurt over his exclusion from the two formats, Agha channelled his energy into responding to his critics with a befitting reply in the first ODI. The right-hander smashed his fourth ODI hundred -- all scored batting five or below -- with this being his quickest in the One-Day format. His heroics with the bat, which included 10 fours and a six, powered Pakistan to 305 in the first innings. Also read| PCB omits Atherton, Hussain from tri-series commentary panel over Imran Khan interview row Walking out to bat in the 20th over, Agha held one end and stitched a 97-run partnership with Hasan Nawaz for the fifth wicket, lifting Pakistan from 118 for four at one stage. The two calculated the innings’ pace and played accordingly, frustrating the Sri Lankan bowlers. Following Nawaz’s dismissal on 37, Agha and Arafat Minhas added crucial 64 runs for the sixth wicket. He completed his fastest ODI hundred in 82 balls before eventually falling to Asitha Fernando in the 47th over. Earlier, Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to field first. The visitors reduced Pakistan to 32 for two inside the first six overs before talismanic batter Babar Azam and newbie keeper-batter Saad Baig bailed the team out of trouble by stitching a 74-run stand for the third wicket. For the Islanders, seamer Eshan Malinga picked up four wickets for 46 runs, while Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka returned with three and two wickets each. In reply, Sri Lanka lost one wicket for 42 runs in 10 overs, with captain Mendis and opener Kusal Mendis at the crease.

Pakistan's Salman Ali Agha responded to his T20I omission with his fastest ODI century against Sri Lanka in the tri-series opener in Rawalpindi.

Pakistan's Salman Agha responds to T20I axe with 107 vs Sri Lanka in ODI tri-series opener

The West Indies’ wait for a bilateral series win in India since 2002 continues after the fifth T20I was abandoned following just 46 balls of India’s innings. The visitors had lost all three of their previous bilateral T20I series in India, winning only one of seven matches. However, they put up a much stronger fight this time, with head coach Daren Sammy calling their performance a “massive step” towards achieving their goals.&nbsp;Sammy praised his team’s fighting spirit against India, saying the West Indies had “outplayed” the hosts in certain areas, even on their home turf.&nbsp;Under Shai Hope’s captaincy, the West Indies showed both determination and power-hitting throughout the series, managing to draw 2-2 against the reigning ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions.&nbsp;“We understand what success means to us, we don’t ever take for granted where we are as a team and the challenges that we face. We just look to make those strides, and I think after this series we’ve taken a massive step. We played against the defending champions, and we’ve matched them, and in certain areas we’ve outplayed them, especially in their backyard, ’’Sammy said at the post-match press conference.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2027-trade-ashwin-hardik-pandya-rajasthan-royals-csk-kkr-1792327321379">IPL 2027 Trade: Ravi Ashwin suggests new franchise for Hardik Pandya amid CSK rumours</a>&nbsp;Sammy also said the 2-2 result reflected the teams’ performances throughout the series. He added that his players had proved their critics wrong, as many had given the West Indies little chance before the series began.&nbsp;“It’s a true reflection of how all the teams have played, especially for our guys. I’m pretty sure when the series started, we probably didn’t have a chance. But that was just the opinion of others,” he added.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sunil-gavaskar-hardik-pandya-irreplaceable-team-india-replacement-1792325273165">Stop searching for Hardik Pandya's replacement; he’s irreplaceable: Gavaskar</a>&nbsp;India will now travel to New Zealand for an all-format tour beginning on Oct 22. Meanwhile, the West Indies will head to Bangladesh for a two-match series in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27.&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

Daren Sammy hailed West Indies’ fighting performance after their T20I series against India ended 2-2, calling it a “massive step” towards their goals and praising the team for outplaying the defending champions in certain areas.

The West Indies’ wait for a bilateral series win in India since 2002 continues after the fifth T20I was abandoned following just 46 balls of India’s innings. The visitors had lost all three of their previous bilateral T20I series in India, winning only one of seven matches. However, they put up a much stronger fight this time, with head coach Daren Sammy calling their performance a “massive step” towards achieving their goals. Sammy praised his team’s fighting spirit against India, saying the West Indies had “outplayed” the hosts in certain areas, even on their home turf. Under Shai Hope’s captaincy, the West Indies showed both determination and power-hitting throughout the series, managing to draw 2-2 against the reigning ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions. “We understand what success means to us, we don’t ever take for granted where we are as a team and the challenges that we face. We just look to make those strides, and I think after this series we’ve taken a massive step. We played against the defending champions, and we’ve matched them, and in certain areas we’ve outplayed them, especially in their backyard, ’’Sammy said at the post-match press conference. Also Read - IPL 2027 Trade: Ravi Ashwin suggests new franchise for Hardik Pandya amid CSK rumours Sammy also said the 2-2 result reflected the teams’ performances throughout the series. He added that his players had proved their critics wrong, as many had given the West Indies little chance before the series began. “It’s a true reflection of how all the teams have played, especially for our guys. I’m pretty sure when the series started, we probably didn’t have a chance. But that was just the opinion of others,” he added. Also Read - Stop searching for Hardik Pandya's replacement; he’s irreplaceable: Gavaskar India will now travel to New Zealand for an all-format tour beginning on Oct 22. Meanwhile, the West Indies will head to Bangladesh for a two-match series in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27. With inputs from agencies

Daren Sammy hailed West Indies’ fighting performance after their T20I series against India ended 2-2, calling it a “massive step” towards their goals and praising the team for outplaying the defending champions in certain areas.

'We’ve outplayed them...': Head coach Sammy praises West Indies’ fighting display against India

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya could be on his way out of the star-studded franchise ahead of IPL 2027, with the rumour mill suggesting former champions Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders as his potential destinations. Since returning to MI as captain ahead of the 2024 edition, Pandya hasn’t felt at home, with Mumbai Indians also parting ways with head coach Mahela Jayawardene recently. Addressing speculations around his potential trade before the window closes, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin picked a new franchise for Pandya. &nbsp;Amid online chatter that CSK veteran MS Dhoni could personally convince Pandya to make a shock move to CSK ahead of the next season, Ashwin thinks this deal is far from materialising.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sunil-gavaskar-hardik-pandya-irreplaceable-team-india-replacement-1792325273165">Stop searching for Hardik Pandya's replacement; he’s irreplaceable: Sunil Gavaskar tells Team India</a> &nbsp;"There have been conversations that Dhoni will personally convince Hardik Pandya to come to CSK. It will be a great addition for CSK. But in my opinion, it is a real far-shot," Ashwin said of Pandya’s potential trade on his YouTube Channel. &nbsp;Ashwin claimed that Pandya’s likely new home in the IPL could be the inaugural winners, Rajasthan Royals. &nbsp;"From what I've heard, RR are at the top of the list in the Hardik trade," he added. &nbsp;Although Rajasthan hasn’t been active so far in the current IPL trade window, Pandya’s move could bolster their attack, which also includes fellow India veteran Ravindra Jadeja, who rejoined RR from CSK ahead of the last season. Chennai swapped Jadeja for Sam Curran and Sanju Samson.&nbsp;<h2>Why Not CSK for Pandya?</h2>CSK recently appointed India bowling great and former MI backroom staff member Zaheer Khan as head coach, who, per a Cricbuzz report, had a fallout with Pandya during their time together at Mumbai Indians. The report also claimed that the new CSK management, along with Dhoni’s contribution, could mend the equation between the two for this dream deal to go ahead. &nbsp;Although nothing has been formalised yet, Pandya’s trade talks would likely gather pace, with November 15 set as the deadline.&nbsp; &nbsp;Latest reports also suggested Goa as a potential destination for the IPL 2026 auction on December 16. &nbsp;Pandya, meanwhile, continues to recover at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE), with the selectors overlooking the unfit all-rounder for the white-ball leg of India’s upcoming tour of New Zealand.&nbsp;

Ravichandran Ashwin downplays Hardik Pandya's rumored moves to CSK or KKR, naming Rajasthan Royals as the frontrunners in the IPL 2027 trade window.

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya could be on his way out of the star-studded franchise ahead of IPL 2027, with the rumour mill suggesting former champions Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders as his potential destinations. Since returning to MI as captain ahead of the 2024 edition, Pandya hasn’t felt at home, with Mumbai Indians also parting ways with head coach Mahela Jayawardene recently. Addressing speculations around his potential trade before the window closes, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin picked a new franchise for Pandya. Amid online chatter that CSK veteran MS Dhoni could personally convince Pandya to make a shock move to CSK ahead of the next season, Ashwin thinks this deal is far from materialising. Also read| Stop searching for Hardik Pandya's replacement; he’s irreplaceable: Sunil Gavaskar tells Team India "There have been conversations that Dhoni will personally convince Hardik Pandya to come to CSK. It will be a great addition for CSK. But in my opinion, it is a real far-shot," Ashwin said of Pandya’s potential trade on his YouTube Channel. Ashwin claimed that Pandya’s likely new home in the IPL could be the inaugural winners, Rajasthan Royals. "From what I've heard, RR are at the top of the list in the Hardik trade," he added. Although Rajasthan hasn’t been active so far in the current IPL trade window, Pandya’s move could bolster their attack, which also includes fellow India veteran Ravindra Jadeja, who rejoined RR from CSK ahead of the last season. Chennai swapped Jadeja for Sam Curran and Sanju Samson. Why Not CSK for Pandya? CSK recently appointed India bowling great and former MI backroom staff member Zaheer Khan as head coach, who, per a Cricbuzz report, had a fallout with Pandya during their time together at Mumbai Indians. The report also claimed that the new CSK management, along with Dhoni’s contribution, could mend the equation between the two for this dream deal to go ahead. Although nothing has been formalised yet, Pandya’s trade talks would likely gather pace, with November 15 set as the deadline. Latest reports also suggested Goa as a potential destination for the IPL 2026 auction on December 16. Pandya, meanwhile, continues to recover at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE), with the selectors overlooking the unfit all-rounder for the white-ball leg of India’s upcoming tour of New Zealand.

Ravichandran Ashwin downplays Hardik Pandya's rumored moves to CSK or KKR, naming Rajasthan Royals as the frontrunners in the IPL 2027 trade window.

IPL 2027 Trade: Ravi Ashwin suggests new franchise for Hardik Pandya amid CSK rumours

Kenya’s Charles Matata delivered a record-breaking performance to win the men’s elite title at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026 on Sunday, clocking 58 minutes and 52 seconds to rewrite the course record. However, the Kenyan runner believes his achievement is only another step towards what he can accomplish in the future. Matata bettered the previous course record of 58:53, set by Ethiopia’s Amedework Walelegn in 2020, by one second. His performance also marked a personal best in the half marathon, capping an impressive outing on the streets of the national capital.&nbsp;Speaking after his victory, Matata revealed that he had arrived in Delhi well prepared, having maintained his fitness following his previous racing commitments in Riga. The Kenyan was familiar with the course, having finished second at the Delhi Half Marathon in 2023, and believed he could improve on his earlier performance. “I was not expecting to break the course record, but I was expecting to run 59:20. Because today’s weather was very good, and the course I knew because I was here in 2023, I had a very strong mind that maybe I would run my personal best,” Matata said.<h2>‘No human is limited’: Matata eyes more sub-59-minute runs</h2>For Matata, the course record is not a reason to slow down. The Kenyan believes consistent training, patience and the willingness to push his limits can help him achieve more in the coming races. Asked whether he expects to run more half marathons in the 58-minute range, Matata was emphatic about his ambitions. “I believe so because no human is limited, and I am ready,” he said.&nbsp;The runner credited his training routine and the competitive environment within his group for helping him develop the confidence to aim higher. He also pointed to the influence of his brother, Alex Matata, who won the men's elite title at the 2025 edition of the Delhi Half Marathon. “If someone like Kiplimo can run 56-something, why not me?” Matata said, referring to the performances at the top end of men's half-marathon running.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kenya-s-charles-matata-sets-course-record-as-wudinesh-alemu-wins-women-s-tile-at-delhi-half-marathon-ankita-smashes-personal-best-1792325318600">Kenya's Charles Matata sets course record as Wudinesh Alemu wins women's tile at Delhi Half Marathon; Ankita smashes personal best</a><h2>How Matata approached his solo charge</h2>One of the defining moments of Matata’s race came when he moved to the front after approximately eight kilometres and continued to lead for the remainder of the contest. Rather than being distracted by the possibility of running alone, the Kenyan relied on the mentality he has developed through training and competition. “Sometimes when we go to the race, we just focus on pushing ourselves. If we have patience and they are not so strong, and we are strong, we decide to just move on,” he explained.&nbsp;For Matata, the objective is not limited to setting records. The emphasis is on maintaining the discipline required to compete for the top positions. “If we are focusing on being a winner, not only to break the course record, but being a winner, you have to focus, and you have to aim to become top three,” he said. He added that he and his brother follow a similar approach during training in Kenya, continuing to push themselves even when others in their group struggle to maintain the pace. “That is our slogan, because even my brother, he does the same as me,” Matata said.<h2>A possible Matata double act in Delhi?</h2>Alex Matata’s victory in 2025 and Charles Matata’s record-breaking triumph in 2026 have given the family consecutive men's elite titles at the Delhi Half Marathon. The prospect of both brothers competing in the same race in the future is one that Charles is keen to explore. Reflecting on the possibility, he suggested that he and his brother had already discussed the idea of returning together, hinting that a future appearance could be on the cards.

Delhi Half Marathon 2026 champion Charles Matata discusses his 58:52 course record, solo race strategy, sub-59-minute ambitions and brother Alex

Kenya’s Charles Matata delivered a record-breaking performance to win the men’s elite title at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026 on Sunday, clocking 58 minutes and 52 seconds to rewrite the course record. However, the Kenyan runner believes his achievement is only another step towards what he can accomplish in the future. Matata bettered the previous course record of 58:53, set by Ethiopia’s Amedework Walelegn in 2020, by one second. His performance also marked a personal best in the half marathon, capping an impressive outing on the streets of the national capital. Speaking after his victory, Matata revealed that he had arrived in Delhi well prepared, having maintained his fitness following his previous racing commitments in Riga. The Kenyan was familiar with the course, having finished second at the Delhi Half Marathon in 2023, and believed he could improve on his earlier performance. “I was not expecting to break the course record, but I was expecting to run 59:20. Because today’s weather was very good, and the course I knew because I was here in 2023, I had a very strong mind that maybe I would run my personal best,” Matata said. ‘No human is limited’: Matata eyes more sub-59-minute runs For Matata, the course record is not a reason to slow down. The Kenyan believes consistent training, patience and the willingness to push his limits can help him achieve more in the coming races. Asked whether he expects to run more half marathons in the 58-minute range, Matata was emphatic about his ambitions. “I believe so because no human is limited, and I am ready,” he said. The runner credited his training routine and the competitive environment within his group for helping him develop the confidence to aim higher. He also pointed to the influence of his brother, Alex Matata, who won the men's elite title at the 2025 edition of the Delhi Half Marathon. “If someone like Kiplimo can run 56-something, why not me?” Matata said, referring to the performances at the top end of men's half-marathon running. Also Read: Kenya's Charles Matata sets course record as Wudinesh Alemu wins women's tile at Delhi Half Marathon; Ankita smashes personal best How Matata approached his solo charge One of the defining moments of Matata’s race came when he moved to the front after approximately eight kilometres and continued to lead for the remainder of the contest. Rather than being distracted by the possibility of running alone, the Kenyan relied on the mentality he has developed through training and competition. “Sometimes when we go to the race, we just focus on pushing ourselves. If we have patience and they are not so strong, and we are strong, we decide to just move on,” he explained. For Matata, the objective is not limited to setting records. The emphasis is on maintaining the discipline required to compete for the top positions. “If we are focusing on being a winner, not only to break the course record, but being a winner, you have to focus, and you have to aim to become top three,” he said. He added that he and his brother follow a similar approach during training in Kenya, continuing to push themselves even when others in their group struggle to maintain the pace. “That is our slogan, because even my brother, he does the same as me,” Matata said. A possible Matata double act in Delhi? Alex Matata’s victory in 2025 and Charles Matata’s record-breaking triumph in 2026 have given the family consecutive men's elite titles at the Delhi Half Marathon. The prospect of both brothers competing in the same race in the future is one that Charles is keen to explore. Reflecting on the possibility, he suggested that he and his brother had already discussed the idea of returning together, hinting that a future appearance could be on the cards.

Charles Matata reflects on his record-breaking Delhi Half Marathon 2026 win, his ‘no human is limited’ mindset and ambitions for faster times

‘No human is limited’: Charles Matata reveals mindset behind setting Delhi Half Marathon 2026 course record

Kenya’s Charles Matata delivered a record-breaking performance to win the men’s title at the 21st edition of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon (VDHM) 2026. Ethiopia’s 19-year-old Wudinesh Alemu Keneni claimed the women’s crown, overcoming several pre-race favourites in the World Athletics Gold Label Road Race.&nbsp;<h2>Charles Matata smashes Delhi Half Marathon record</h2>The 29-year-old Kenyan arrived in Delhi with strong credentials, having previously finished second at the event in 2023. A seasoned competitor with around a dozen half marathons to his name, Matata broke the 60-minute barrier for the first time earlier in 2026, winning the Rimi Riga Marathon in May with a time of 59:15. He also had a family legacy to uphold. His twin brother, Alex Matata, won the 2025 Delhi Half Marathon in 59:50.&nbsp;Favourable weather and an early-morning start helped the elite men maintain a blistering pace. Pacer Emmanuel Yegon led the field through the opening 5K in 13:56, putting the runners on course for a potential record. Drawing on his experience, Charles gradually separated himself from the chasing pack, which included Ethiopia’s two-time champion Birhanu Legese. The Kenyan crossed the 10K mark in 27:41 and reached 15K in 41:39, strengthening his chances of rewriting the course record.&nbsp;His 20K split of 55:53 confirmed that a historic finish was within reach. Matata eventually crossed the finish line in a personal best of 58:52, narrowly improving on the previous event record of 58:53 set by Amedework Walelegn in 2020.Kenya dominated the men’s race, sweeping all three podium positions. Samwel Nyamai Mailu finished second in 59:24, followed by Stanley Mburu in 59:33. Legese’s attempt to secure a third Delhi Half Marathon title ended in fourth place, nearly a minute behind Mburu.&nbsp;&nbsp;An elated Charles said, “I came to Delhi well prepared, having maintained my fitness as I knew I would be racing here. I was hoping to run in the 59-minute range, but the excellent weather and my familiarity with the course from 2023 helped me deliver an even stronger performance and set a course record. I believe no human is limited, and I am ready to push myself further.” Reflecting on his return to competitive running after an injury, Samwel said, “My comeback was not easy, as I suffered an injury in February that forced me to cancel several races and a marathon. I am grateful to have returned strongly and finished on the podium,”<h2>Wudinesh Alemu stuns favourites to win women’s title</h2>Ethiopia’s Wudinesh Alemu Keneni produced an impressive performance to win the women’s title, despite having limited experience in half-marathon racing. Before arriving in Delhi, the teenager had competed in just one half marathon. Primarily a track athlete, she finished third at the Oysho Cardiff Half Marathon last year in 1:08:08. Kenya’s Irine Cheptai took the initiative early, leading her compatriots through the first 5K in 15:55. Alemu remained in the leading group before making her decisive move during the final quarter of the race.&nbsp;Cynthia Chepkwony, Selah Busienei and Cheptai stayed within striking distance, trailing the Ethiopian by approximately 50 metres as the race entered its closing stages. However, Alemu maintained her composure and extended her advantage in the final kilometre. The 19-year-old crossed the finish line in 1:06:35 to secure the title. Busienei finished second in 1:07:01, while Chepkwony claimed third in 1:07:32. Pre-race favourite Cheptai finished fourth in 1:07:33 after making a late attempt to overtake Chepkwony.&nbsp;Reflecting on her victory, Alemu said, “I am very happy with my performance. I ran a strong race from the start and maintained my pace throughout. This is only my second international half marathon, and I have improved my personal best by almost two minutes, which makes me very happy,” She also spoke about her ambitions and the experience she hopes to gain in the coming years. “I have been running for only two years, so I am still learning and developing as an athlete. I hope to continue improving, gain more experience and build a strong career in distance running,”<h2>Shailesh Kushwaha dominates in men’s Indian elite race</h2>Twenty-year-old Shailesh Kushwaha won the Indian Elite men’s title in 1:05:05 after a closely fought contest. He broke away from a five-man leading group shortly after halfway and maintained his advantage to finish six seconds ahead of Gaurav Mathur, who clocked 1:05:11. Hemant Singh completed the podium in third place with a time of 1:05:37.&nbsp;Kushwaha was determined to deliver a strong performance following disappointment at the 65th National Open Athletics Championships 2026. “I wasn’t happy with how I did at the 65th National Open Athletics Championships 2026, so I was eager to give this run my absolute best. It’s tough to find the confidence to break early and lead for most of the race, but today I was able to do it. I definitely felt the pressure because Gaurav was right behind me all the way to the end.”<h2>Ankita Dhyani dominates women’s Indian elite race</h2>Ankita Dhyani, a World University Games silver medallist in the steeplechase, delivered an outstanding performance to win the Indian Elite women’s title in 1:12:46. The athlete, who trains in the United States, broke away from the Indian field early and ran alongside the international elite competitors. Her winning time was more than five minutes faster than her previous personal best.&nbsp;Debutant Soniya finished second in 1:14:56, while Bhagirathi took third place in 1:15:51. Former champion Lili Das finished fourth in a personal best of 1:16:20. Dhyani expressed satisfaction with her performance while suggesting that Indian women could make further progress in half-marathon running. “I’ve been training well, and to be honest, the way my training has been going, I think I could have done a little bit better. If Indian women focus more on the half marathon, we’ll soon see the national record broken. I’m very happy that all three of us on the podium are from Uttarakhand. The state supports us a lot, and we are happy with the achievement,”

Charles Matata sets a course record of 58:52 at the 2026 Delhi Half Marathon, while Ethiopia’s Wudinesh Alemu wins the women’s title in 1:06:35

Kenya’s Charles Matata delivered a record-breaking performance to win the men’s title at the 21st edition of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon (VDHM) 2026. Ethiopia’s 19-year-old Wudinesh Alemu Keneni claimed the women’s crown, overcoming several pre-race favourites in the World Athletics Gold Label Road Race. Charles Matata smashes Delhi Half Marathon record The 29-year-old Kenyan arrived in Delhi with strong credentials, having previously finished second at the event in 2023. A seasoned competitor with around a dozen half marathons to his name, Matata broke the 60-minute barrier for the first time earlier in 2026, winning the Rimi Riga Marathon in May with a time of 59:15. He also had a family legacy to uphold. His twin brother, Alex Matata, won the 2025 Delhi Half Marathon in 59:50. Favourable weather and an early-morning start helped the elite men maintain a blistering pace. Pacer Emmanuel Yegon led the field through the opening 5K in 13:56, putting the runners on course for a potential record. Drawing on his experience, Charles gradually separated himself from the chasing pack, which included Ethiopia’s two-time champion Birhanu Legese. The Kenyan crossed the 10K mark in 27:41 and reached 15K in 41:39, strengthening his chances of rewriting the course record. His 20K split of 55:53 confirmed that a historic finish was within reach. Matata eventually crossed the finish line in a personal best of 58:52, narrowly improving on the previous event record of 58:53 set by Amedework Walelegn in 2020. Kenya dominated the men’s race, sweeping all three podium positions. Samwel Nyamai Mailu finished second in 59:24, followed by Stanley Mburu in 59:33. Legese’s attempt to secure a third Delhi Half Marathon title ended in fourth place, nearly a minute behind Mburu. An elated Charles said, “I came to Delhi well prepared, having maintained my fitness as I knew I would be racing here. I was hoping to run in the 59-minute range, but the excellent weather and my familiarity with the course from 2023 helped me deliver an even stronger performance and set a course record. I believe no human is limited, and I am ready to push myself further.” Reflecting on his return to competitive running after an injury, Samwel said, “My comeback was not easy, as I suffered an injury in February that forced me to cancel several races and a marathon. I am grateful to have returned strongly and finished on the podium,” Wudinesh Alemu stuns favourites to win women’s title Ethiopia’s Wudinesh Alemu Keneni produced an impressive performance to win the women’s title, despite having limited experience in half-marathon racing. Before arriving in Delhi, the teenager had competed in just one half marathon. Primarily a track athlete, she finished third at the Oysho Cardiff Half Marathon last year in 1:08:08. Kenya’s Irine Cheptai took the initiative early, leading her compatriots through the first 5K in 15:55. Alemu remained in the leading group before making her decisive move during the final quarter of the race. Cynthia Chepkwony, Selah Busienei and Cheptai stayed within striking distance, trailing the Ethiopian by approximately 50 metres as the race entered its closing stages. However, Alemu maintained her composure and extended her advantage in the final kilometre. The 19-year-old crossed the finish line in 1:06:35 to secure the title. Busienei finished second in 1:07:01, while Chepkwony claimed third in 1:07:32. Pre-race favourite Cheptai finished fourth in 1:07:33 after making a late attempt to overtake Chepkwony. Reflecting on her victory, Alemu said, “I am very happy with my performance. I ran a strong race from the start and maintained my pace throughout. This is only my second international half marathon, and I have improved my personal best by almost two minutes, which makes me very happy,” She also spoke about her ambitions and the experience she hopes to gain in the coming years. “I have been running for only two years, so I am still learning and developing as an athlete. I hope to continue improving, gain more experience and build a strong career in distance running,” Shailesh Kushwaha dominates in men’s Indian elite race Twenty-year-old Shailesh Kushwaha won the Indian Elite men’s title in 1:05:05 after a closely fought contest. He broke away from a five-man leading group shortly after halfway and maintained his advantage to finish six seconds ahead of Gaurav Mathur, who clocked 1:05:11. Hemant Singh completed the podium in third place with a time of 1:05:37. Kushwaha was determined to deliver a strong performance following disappointment at the 65th National Open Athletics Championships 2026. “I wasn’t happy with how I did at the 65th National Open Athletics Championships 2026, so I was eager to give this run my absolute best. It’s tough to find the confidence to break early and lead for most of the race, but today I was able to do it. I definitely felt the pressure because Gaurav was right behind me all the way to the end.” Ankita Dhyani dominates women’s Indian elite race Ankita Dhyani, a World University Games silver medallist in the steeplechase, delivered an outstanding performance to win the Indian Elite women’s title in 1:12:46. The athlete, who trains in the United States, broke away from the Indian field early and ran alongside the international elite competitors. Her winning time was more than five minutes faster than her previous personal best. Debutant Soniya finished second in 1:14:56, while Bhagirathi took third place in 1:15:51. Former champion Lili Das finished fourth in a personal best of 1:16:20. Dhyani expressed satisfaction with her performance while suggesting that Indian women could make further progress in half-marathon running. “I’ve been training well, and to be honest, the way my training has been going, I think I could have done a little bit better. If Indian women focus more on the half marathon, we’ll soon see the national record broken. I’m very happy that all three of us on the podium are from Uttarakhand. The state supports us a lot, and we are happy with the achievement,”

Kenya’s Charles Matata sets a Delhi Half Marathon record of 58:52, while Ethiopia’s Wudinesh Alemu wins the women’s title in 1:06:35

Kenya's Charles Matata sets course record as Wudinesh Alemu wins women's title at Delhi Half Marathon; Ankita smashes personal best

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has asked the team management to stop seeking a like-for-like replacement for injured all-rounder Hardik Pandya, whom he calls irreplaceable. Pandya has been away from all cricket action since IPL 2026 and was not picked for the white-ball leg of the away New Zealand series starting October 22. His absence was also felt during the concluded five-match T20I series against the West Indies, which ended 2-2 following the washout in the series decider in Bengaluru. &nbsp;Speaking of India’s relentless efforts to find someone with a similar skill set to Pandya, Gavaskar said India must look to seek other all-rounders and restrategise their playing module. Against the West Indies, India played Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel and Naman Dhir as all-rounders, as all impressed with brief performances.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/shubman-gill-flops-ranji-trophy-return-punjab-vs-chhattisgarh-bowled-for-1-1792317040829">Ranji Trophy: Shubman Gill flops on return, bowled for 1 against Chhattisgarh</a> &nbsp;“We sometimes get a little bit carried away with trying to find a replacement for Hardik Pandya. Hardik Pandya is irreplaceable. If you can’t find somebody of his calibre, then go with somebody who will do a slightly different job,” Gavaskar said on JioStar after the fifth T20I. &nbsp;A top performer across departments for India, Pandya has seen persistent injury setbacks causing a major headache for selectors and team management. Although he hasn’t played an ODI since the ICC Champions Trophy final in February 2025, Pandya last featured for India during the triumphant T20 World Cup final in early March 2026. &nbsp;Crucial with both bat and ball, Pandya maintains the right balance in India’s white-ball setup. However, Punjab all-rounder Dhir has impressed Gavaskar with his exploits during the white-ball series against the West Indies. During the washed-out T20I in Bengaluru, the right-hander smoked three sixes and a four in his unbeaten 24 off six balls, helping India accelerate in a rain-hit fixture. &nbsp;“Naman Dhir is doing that job. He’s bowling his overs well, and look at the way he batted in this game,” he said, referring to Dhir’s unbeaten six-ball 24 in the rain-hit series decider, in which only 7.4 overs of play were possible. &nbsp;“The takeaway from the series is that, in their bowling, they have to play with at least four regular bowlers. A fifth bowler and a sixth can be your all-rounders, somebody who can bat as well. Somebody like a Naman Dhir, who’s more of a batter but who can come in and bowl two or three overs. Axar Patel, who can bowl his four overs,” said Gavaskar.

Sunil Gavaskar advises Team India to stop searching for a like-for-like replacement for Hardik Pandya, calling the star fast-bowling all-rounder irreplaceable.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has asked the team management to stop seeking a like-for-like replacement for injured all-rounder Hardik Pandya, whom he calls irreplaceable. Pandya has been away from all cricket action since IPL 2026 and was not picked for the white-ball leg of the away New Zealand series starting October 22. His absence was also felt during the concluded five-match T20I series against the West Indies, which ended 2-2 following the washout in the series decider in Bengaluru. Speaking of India’s relentless efforts to find someone with a similar skill set to Pandya, Gavaskar said India must look to seek other all-rounders and restrategise their playing module. Against the West Indies, India played Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel and Naman Dhir as all-rounders, as all impressed with brief performances. Also read| Ranji Trophy: Shubman Gill flops on return, bowled for 1 against Chhattisgarh “We sometimes get a little bit carried away with trying to find a replacement for Hardik Pandya. Hardik Pandya is irreplaceable. If you can’t find somebody of his calibre, then go with somebody who will do a slightly different job,” Gavaskar said on JioStar after the fifth T20I. A top performer across departments for India, Pandya has seen persistent injury setbacks causing a major headache for selectors and team management. Although he hasn’t played an ODI since the ICC Champions Trophy final in February 2025, Pandya last featured for India during the triumphant T20 World Cup final in early March 2026. Crucial with both bat and ball, Pandya maintains the right balance in India’s white-ball setup. However, Punjab all-rounder Dhir has impressed Gavaskar with his exploits during the white-ball series against the West Indies. During the washed-out T20I in Bengaluru, the right-hander smoked three sixes and a four in his unbeaten 24 off six balls, helping India accelerate in a rain-hit fixture. “Naman Dhir is doing that job. He’s bowling his overs well, and look at the way he batted in this game,” he said, referring to Dhir’s unbeaten six-ball 24 in the rain-hit series decider, in which only 7.4 overs of play were possible. “The takeaway from the series is that, in their bowling, they have to play with at least four regular bowlers. A fifth bowler and a sixth can be your all-rounders, somebody who can bat as well. Somebody like a Naman Dhir, who’s more of a batter but who can come in and bowl two or three overs. Axar Patel, who can bowl his four overs,” said Gavaskar.

Sunil Gavaskar advises Team India to stop searching for a like-for-like replacement for Hardik Pandya, calling the star fast-bowling all-rounder irreplaceable.

Stop searching for Hardik Pandya's replacement; he’s irreplaceable: Sunil Gavaskar tells Team India

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) omitted English cricketers-turned-broadcasters Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain from the ODI tri-series commentary panel over the Imran Khan sons' interview row. With Pakistan hosting England and Sri Lanka in the tri-series, and the tournament opener between Pakistan and Sri Lanka already underway in Rawalpindi, the PCB announced a six-member commentary panel, notably excluding the English duo, who interviewed jailed Imran Khan’s sons, Kasim and Sulaiman Khan, during the home Test series earlier this year. &nbsp;Long considered two of the most respected voices in world cricket broadcasting, Atherton and Hussain have called out games at all ICC events and home and away bilateral series over the years. Their absence comes two months after Atherton interviewed Imran’s sons ahead of the start of the second Test at Lord’s. The PCB, however, hasn’t provided any reasoning for the duo’s absence from the commentary panel.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sa-vs-aus-2nd-test-rain-delay-rabada-returns-boland-in-playing-xi-1792314820883">SA vs AUS 2nd Test: Rain delays start as Rabada returns; Boland replaces Lyon for Australia</a> &nbsp;British broadcaster Sky Sports televised Imran’s sons' interview, which lasted 18 minutes and raised concerns over their father’s deteriorating health in Pakistan’s prison. Imran’s sons Kasim and Sulaiman alleged that the authorities were ‘blatantly trying to kill him’ through neglect and isolation.&nbsp; &nbsp;The interview broadcast triggered widespread reaction from the PCB and Pakistan government, which were also reported to have warned ECB of repercussions. Several reports also claimed that the PCB threatened to boycott the Lord’s Test should the interview go ahead, but eventually continued.&nbsp; &nbsp;Sky Sports went ahead with the interview despite the pressure, although Pakistan’s state broadcaster PTV censored the segment and played advertisements instead. Atherton also raised concerns around this controversy on a podcast with Hussain, defending his involvement in conducting the interview and saying that Pakistan was attempting to ‘airbrush Imran out of existence’. &nbsp;Meanwhile, the six commentators named for the ODI tri-series include Waqar Younis, Aamir Sohail, Bazid Khan, Urooj Mumtaz, Roshan Abeysinghe and England’s Mark Butcher. Pace veteran Younis will join the panel from the second game onwards, when Pakistan will host England in Rawalpindi on October 20.

PCB has omitted Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain from the ODI tri-series commentary panel over their controversial interview with Imran Khan’s sons.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) omitted English cricketers-turned-broadcasters Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain from the ODI tri-series commentary panel over the Imran Khan sons' interview row. With Pakistan hosting England and Sri Lanka in the tri-series, and the tournament opener between Pakistan and Sri Lanka already underway in Rawalpindi, the PCB announced a six-member commentary panel, notably excluding the English duo, who interviewed jailed Imran Khan’s sons, Kasim and Sulaiman Khan, during the home Test series earlier this year. Long considered two of the most respected voices in world cricket broadcasting, Atherton and Hussain have called out games at all ICC events and home and away bilateral series over the years. Their absence comes two months after Atherton interviewed Imran’s sons ahead of the start of the second Test at Lord’s. The PCB, however, hasn’t provided any reasoning for the duo’s absence from the commentary panel. Also read| SA vs AUS 2nd Test: Rain delays start as Rabada returns; Boland replaces Lyon for Australia British broadcaster Sky Sports televised Imran’s sons' interview, which lasted 18 minutes and raised concerns over their father’s deteriorating health in Pakistan’s prison. Imran’s sons Kasim and Sulaiman alleged that the authorities were ‘blatantly trying to kill him’ through neglect and isolation. The interview broadcast triggered widespread reaction from the PCB and Pakistan government, which were also reported to have warned ECB of repercussions. Several reports also claimed that the PCB threatened to boycott the Lord’s Test should the interview go ahead, but eventually continued. Sky Sports went ahead with the interview despite the pressure, although Pakistan’s state broadcaster PTV censored the segment and played advertisements instead. Atherton also raised concerns around this controversy on a podcast with Hussain, defending his involvement in conducting the interview and saying that Pakistan was attempting to ‘airbrush Imran out of existence’. Meanwhile, the six commentators named for the ODI tri-series include Waqar Younis, Aamir Sohail, Bazid Khan, Urooj Mumtaz, Roshan Abeysinghe and England’s Mark Butcher. Pace veteran Younis will join the panel from the second game onwards, when Pakistan will host England in Rawalpindi on October 20.

PCB has omitted Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain from the ODI tri-series commentary panel over their controversial interview with Imran Khan’s sons.

India ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill flopped on his return to the Ranji Trophy competition for Punjab against Chhattisgarh on Sunday (Oct 18). After missing the first match for his state side due to personal reasons, Gill was picked for the second game, only to last five balls in the first innings on day one at the New Chandigarh Stadium in Mullanpur. &nbsp;Following a career-best ODI series against the West Indies, where he scored a hundred and a match-winning double century (223*) in back-to-back matches, Gill was bowled on just one, with the left-arm spinner Ajay Mandal picking up the prize wicket.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-a-tour-new-zealand-live-streaming-telecast-coaching-staff-1792245620541">India ‘A’ Tour of New Zealand: Coaching staff announced, live streaming and telecast details inside</a> &nbsp;Batting in his usual Test position, Gill walked in at number four in the 26th over. He got off to the mark with a single off the second delivery he faced, but failed to convert it afterwards. Mandal beat Gill’s defence with a straightener as it went through the gap between the bat and the pad before crashing into the middle stump. Gill’s dismissal left Punjab reeling at 68/3 at that stage, bringing an early end to his first outing for Punjab in Ranji this season.&nbsp;WATCH Gill's Dismissal -

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">https://t.co/LXUc7UXSX9&mdash; ' (@stumpsrattled) <a href="https://x.com/stumpsrattled/status/2111698637831209021?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<h3>One More Innings before Gill flies to NZ</h3>Gill will have another innings to make amends for his first-innings failure before leaving for New Zealand for the full tour starting October 22. Gill will lead the Men in Blue for the first three ODIs before T20I captain Shreyas Iyer takes over for the remaining two One-Dayers.&nbsp; &nbsp;Gill, along with several Test starters, including KL Rahul, will miss the last two ODI matches to prepare for the two Tests that follow.&nbsp; &nbsp;Several reports also suggest that the Indian ODI captain will have <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/shubman-gill-personal-net-bowlers-new-zealand-tour-1792240523647">four to five personal net bowlers travelling exclusively for him</a>, whose flights, accommodation, and expenses he will cover out of pocket. &nbsp;The 27-year-old, however, will not feature in three four-day ‘A’ games, but plans to arrive in New Zealand earlier than the ODI and Test squads to acclimatise to the challenging conditions. &nbsp;Gill will play his first-ever Test match on New Zealand soil.&nbsp;

Shubman Gill flopped on his Ranji Trophy return for Punjab, bowled for just 1 run by Chhattisgarh's Ajay Mandal. Read match details and his upcoming NZ tour plans.

India ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill flopped on his return to the Ranji Trophy competition for Punjab against Chhattisgarh on Sunday (Oct 18). After missing the first match for his state side due to personal reasons, Gill was picked for the second game, only to last five balls in the first innings on day one at the New Chandigarh Stadium in Mullanpur. Following a career-best ODI series against the West Indies, where he scored a hundred and a match-winning double century (223*) in back-to-back matches, Gill was bowled on just one, with the left-arm spinner Ajay Mandal picking up the prize wicket. Also read| India ‘A’ Tour of New Zealand: Coaching staff announced, live streaming and telecast details inside Batting in his usual Test position, Gill walked in at number four in the 26th over. He got off to the mark with a single off the second delivery he faced, but failed to convert it afterwards. Mandal beat Gill’s defence with a straightener as it went through the gap between the bat and the pad before crashing into the middle stump. Gill’s dismissal left Punjab reeling at 68/3 at that stage, bringing an early end to his first outing for Punjab in Ranji this season. WATCH Gill's Dismissal -

Shubman Gill flopped on his Ranji Trophy return for Punjab, bowled for just 1 run by Chhattisgarh's Ajay Mandal. Read match details and his upcoming NZ tour plans.

Ranji Trophy: Shubman Gill flops on return, bowled for 1 against Chhattisgarh

Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has revealed that he underwent surgery after being stretchered off during Chelsea’s Premier League match against Everton. The goalkeeper suffered a head injury following a collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in the second half at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Chelsea won the match 2-0.&nbsp;“Thanks to everyone for the messages, the operation went well. The most important thing is that we won and with a clean sheet. I’ll be back in a few weeks,” Martinez wrote in an Instagram post. He also shared a picture of himself lying in a hospital bed wearing a hospital gown.&nbsp;The incident took place when Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall delivered a free kick into the penalty area. Martinez collided with Branthwaite while attempting to deal with the ball. Although Branthwaite was able to get back on his feet after receiving treatment, Martinez needed medical attention from paramedics.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sa-vs-aus-2nd-test-rain-delay-rabada-returns-boland-in-playing-xi-1792314820883">SA vs AUS 2nd Test: Rain delays start as Rabada returns; Boland replaces Lyon for Australia</a>&nbsp;The 34-year-old was eventually strapped to a stretcher and carried off the pitch before being taken to hospital for further tests.&nbsp;Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso provided an update on Martinez’s condition after the match.&nbsp;“It was a concussion but beyond that I don’t know. I have only seen one clip of the incident, so we need to wait,” Alonso said. “What we know is that he left the stadium conscious and right now he is in hospital doing precautionary tests. We need to wait. Hopefully it won’t be too bad but we need to wait.”&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/keep-telling-him-you-will-get-your-opportunities-iyer-opens-up-on-conversations-with-sooryavanshi-1792301284963">'You will get your opportunities': Iyer on his conversations with Sooryavanshi</a>&nbsp;Martinez’s injury also gave Mike Penders his Premier League debut and the 21-year-old goalkeeper helped Chelsea record their first clean sheet in the league since January.&nbsp;According to media reports, Martinez is expected to remain out of action for at least 40 days following surgery on his jaw.&nbsp;&nbsp;Chelsea will host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League next Saturday. They will then travel to face Liverpool in the fourth round of the League Cup on Oct 28 before welcoming Manchester United for a league match three days later.

Emiliano Martinez suffered a head injury following a collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in the second half of Chelsea’s 2-0 victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has revealed that he underwent surgery after being stretchered off during Chelsea’s Premier League match against Everton. The goalkeeper suffered a head injury following a collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in the second half at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Chelsea won the match 2-0. “Thanks to everyone for the messages, the operation went well. The most important thing is that we won and with a clean sheet. I’ll be back in a few weeks,” Martinez wrote in an Instagram post. He also shared a picture of himself lying in a hospital bed wearing a hospital gown. The incident took place when Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall delivered a free kick into the penalty area. Martinez collided with Branthwaite while attempting to deal with the ball. Although Branthwaite was able to get back on his feet after receiving treatment, Martinez needed medical attention from paramedics. Also Read - SA vs AUS 2nd Test: Rain delays start as Rabada returns; Boland replaces Lyon for Australia The 34-year-old was eventually strapped to a stretcher and carried off the pitch before being taken to hospital for further tests. Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso provided an update on Martinez’s condition after the match. “It was a concussion but beyond that I don’t know. I have only seen one clip of the incident, so we need to wait,” Alonso said. “What we know is that he left the stadium conscious and right now he is in hospital doing precautionary tests. We need to wait. Hopefully it won’t be too bad but we need to wait.” Also Read - 'You will get your opportunities': Iyer on his conversations with Sooryavanshi Martinez’s injury also gave Mike Penders his Premier League debut and the 21-year-old goalkeeper helped Chelsea record their first clean sheet in the league since January. According to media reports, Martinez is expected to remain out of action for at least 40 days following surgery on his jaw. Chelsea will host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League next Saturday. They will then travel to face Liverpool in the fourth round of the League Cup on Oct 28 before welcoming Manchester United for a league match three days later.

Emiliano Martinez suffered a head injury following a collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in the second half of Chelsea’s 2-0 victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

‘Be back in few weeks’: Emi Martinez shares first update after head clash in Premier League match

Rain has delayed the start of the second Test between South Africa and Australia at St George's Park in Gqeberha on Sunday (Oct 18). Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to field first, with the two captains making at least one change to their playing XI. While Cummins has benched off-spinner Nathan Lyon for Scott Boland, Proteas captain Temba Bavuma confirmed three changes, including Kagiso Rabada’s inclusion. Marques Ackerman debuts for the hosts, while ODI mainstay Matthew Breetzke also returns to the Test side. Among those who miss out are Kyle Verreynne, Keshav Maharaj, and Tristan Stubbs.<h3>Playing XIs of both teams –</h3>South Africa: Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (captain), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje &nbsp;Australia: Nic Maddinson, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/brendan-taylor-overtakes-andy-flower-to-become-zimbabwe-s-leading-odi-run-scorer-1792298464919">Brendan Taylor overtakes Andy Flower to become Zimbabwe’s leading ODI run-scorer</a><h3>Here is what the two captains said at the toss –</h3>Pat Cummins, Australia captain – “We're going to have a bowl. Obviously, a little bit of clouds about, a bit of weather, and the pitch looks pretty good, so have the first crack at it.&nbsp; &nbsp;“Yeah, just one change (on team changes). Nathan Lyon comes out, and Scotty Boland comes in. I think partly conditions, and Scotty Boland has been incredible whenever he's played Test cricket. So felt like it aligned this week and was the right time to insert him.&nbsp; &nbsp;“It was a great win last week, but I think there's still some areas that we weren't ruthless enough in. So that's been a lot of the conversation this week. Different conditions, obviously, a couple of changes for the South African side as well. So got to be right on from this first morning.&nbsp; &nbsp;“So, we're in a great position, 1–0 up. We're desperately going to give it our best shot,” he said. &nbsp;Temba Bavuma, South Africa captain – “Yeah, look, I mean, we were a little bit undecided, but that being said, the decision has been made on our behalf. Probably going to be tougher in the morning. Overhead conditions look quite moist, the wicket, but we'll have to fight it out the first session and then set it up for the guys to come in and put a competitive score.&nbsp; &nbsp;“We've got three changes. We've got a debutant, Ackerman, Breetzke as well; he comes into the team, and then obviously Kagiso Rabada. From a bowling perspective, we've got the one spinner - Simon Harmer. Keshav misses out. We've got Kyle Verreynne; he misses out. And Stubbs,” Bavuma continued. &nbsp;Meanwhile, the weather forecast suggests rain interruption on the first two days of the second Test.&nbsp; &nbsp;Australia won the series opener in Durban by 214 runs, taking a 1-0 lead in this three-match series.

Rain delays the start of the SA vs AUS 2nd Test in Gqeberha. Pat Cummins elects to field as Scott Boland comes in for Nathan Lyon and Kagiso Rabada returns for South Africa. Read the full toss updates and playing XIs.

Rain has delayed the start of the second Test between South Africa and Australia at St George's Park in Gqeberha on Sunday (Oct 18). Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to field first, with the two captains making at least one change to their playing XI. While Cummins has benched off-spinner Nathan Lyon for Scott Boland, Proteas captain Temba Bavuma confirmed three changes, including Kagiso Rabada’s inclusion. Marques Ackerman debuts for the hosts, while ODI mainstay Matthew Breetzke also returns to the Test side. Among those who miss out are Kyle Verreynne, Keshav Maharaj, and Tristan Stubbs. Playing XIs of both teams – South Africa: Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (captain), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje Australia: Nic Maddinson, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland Also read| Brendan Taylor overtakes Andy Flower to become Zimbabwe’s leading ODI run-scorer Here is what the two captains said at the toss – Pat Cummins, Australia captain – “We're going to have a bowl. Obviously, a little bit of clouds about, a bit of weather, and the pitch looks pretty good, so have the first crack at it. “Yeah, just one change (on team changes). Nathan Lyon comes out, and Scotty Boland comes in. I think partly conditions, and Scotty Boland has been incredible whenever he's played Test cricket. So felt like it aligned this week and was the right time to insert him. “It was a great win last week, but I think there's still some areas that we weren't ruthless enough in. So that's been a lot of the conversation this week. Different conditions, obviously, a couple of changes for the South African side as well. So got to be right on from this first morning. “So, we're in a great position, 1–0 up. We're desperately going to give it our best shot,” he said. Temba Bavuma, South Africa captain – “Yeah, look, I mean, we were a little bit undecided, but that being said, the decision has been made on our behalf. Probably going to be tougher in the morning. Overhead conditions look quite moist, the wicket, but we'll have to fight it out the first session and then set it up for the guys to come in and put a competitive score. “We've got three changes. We've got a debutant, Ackerman, Breetzke as well; he comes into the team, and then obviously Kagiso Rabada. From a bowling perspective, we've got the one spinner - Simon Harmer. Keshav misses out. We've got Kyle Verreynne; he misses out. And Stubbs,” Bavuma continued. Meanwhile, the weather forecast suggests rain interruption on the first two days of the second Test. Australia won the series opener in Durban by 214 runs, taking a 1-0 lead in this three-match series.

Rain delays the start of the SA vs AUS 2nd Test in Gqeberha. Pat Cummins elects to field as Scott Boland comes in for Nathan Lyon and Kagiso Rabada returns for South Africa. Read the full toss updates and playing XIs.

SA vs AUS 2nd Test: Rain delays start as Rabada returns; Boland replaces Lyon for Australia

From Virat Kohli to Rohit Sharma, here's a look at the top five batters in latest ICC ODI rankings 2026. This list also includes Daryl Mitchell, Ibrahim Zadran and Shubman Gill

From Virat Kohli to Rohit Sharma, here's a look at the top five batters in latest ICC ODI rankings 2026. This list also includes Daryl Mitchell, Ibrahim Zadran and Shubman Gill

Meet top 5 batters in latest ICC ODI rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top

Indian skipper Shreyas Iyer has revealed that he continues to encourage young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to trust his process and stay focused, assuring the teenager that he will get his chances. India’s five-match T20I series against the West Indies ended in a 2-2 draw after the rain-hit fifth match in Bengaluru was abandoned. The game was reduced to nine overs per side before rain forced an early end.&nbsp;Sooryavanshi did not play a single match in the series and his last appearance for India came in the Asian Games final against arch-rivals Pakistan. The youngster has scored 246 runs in eight T20Is at a strike rate of over 186, including two half-centuries.&nbsp;India continued to back Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma as their openers. Samson scored 168 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 195.34, while Abhishek made 145 runs at a strike rate of 181.25. Both batters registered two half-centuries in the series.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/success-doesn-t-have-to-be-wi-skipper-hope-after-t20i-series-draw-against-india-1792296762183">'Success doesn't have to be...': Hope after T20I series draw against India</a>&nbsp;Speaking during the post-match proceedings about Sooryavanshi, Iyer said, “I just keep telling him Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, you will get your opportunities. If you are consistent with your process, mindset a bit light and not think too much about not getting an opportunity….you have to wait sometimes. We have two fantastic openers who’ve been consistent throughout.”&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/brendan-taylor-overtakes-andy-flower-to-become-zimbabwe-s-leading-odi-run-scorer-1792298464919">Brendan Taylor overtakes Andy Flower to become Zimbabwe’s leading ODI run-scorer</a>&nbsp;Reflecting on the high-scoring series, Iyer admitted that India could have achieved a different result if their bowlers had performed better in the second and fourth matches, when they conceded more than 240 runs. The West Indies also pulled off a massive 250-run chase in the second T20I, making it one of the standout moments of the series.&nbsp;“Could have been a different series scoreline if we had bowled well in the 2nd and 4th game. Batting has been sensational, execution we fell short. Credit where due, they batted phenomenally well. Kudos to Shai Hope; he was superb. The ability to bounce back even after a loss among the big plusses. We were not able to be consistent throughout, so great learning. Even today, the way we went about our batting was outstanding. Gonna be a challenging series in New Zealand now,” he signed off.

Despite being named in the squad, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi did not feature in any of the five T20Is against the West Indies.

Indian skipper Shreyas Iyer has revealed that he continues to encourage young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to trust his process and stay focused, assuring the teenager that he will get his chances. India’s five-match T20I series against the West Indies ended in a 2-2 draw after the rain-hit fifth match in Bengaluru was abandoned. The game was reduced to nine overs per side before rain forced an early end. Sooryavanshi did not play a single match in the series and his last appearance for India came in the Asian Games final against arch-rivals Pakistan. The youngster has scored 246 runs in eight T20Is at a strike rate of over 186, including two half-centuries. India continued to back Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma as their openers. Samson scored 168 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 195.34, while Abhishek made 145 runs at a strike rate of 181.25. Both batters registered two half-centuries in the series. Also Read - 'Success doesn't have to be...': Hope after T20I series draw against India Speaking during the post-match proceedings about Sooryavanshi, Iyer said, “I just keep telling him Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, you will get your opportunities. If you are consistent with your process, mindset a bit light and not think too much about not getting an opportunity….you have to wait sometimes. We have two fantastic openers who’ve been consistent throughout.” Also Read - Brendan Taylor overtakes Andy Flower to become Zimbabwe’s leading ODI run-scorer Reflecting on the high-scoring series, Iyer admitted that India could have achieved a different result if their bowlers had performed better in the second and fourth matches, when they conceded more than 240 runs. The West Indies also pulled off a massive 250-run chase in the second T20I, making it one of the standout moments of the series. “Could have been a different series scoreline if we had bowled well in the 2nd and 4th game. Batting has been sensational, execution we fell short. Credit where due, they batted phenomenally well. Kudos to Shai Hope; he was superb. The ability to bounce back even after a loss among the big plusses. We were not able to be consistent throughout, so great learning. Even today, the way we went about our batting was outstanding. Gonna be a challenging series in New Zealand now,” he signed off.

Despite being named in the squad, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi did not feature in any of the five T20Is against the West Indies.

'keep telling him you will get your opportunities': Iyer opens up on conversations with Sooryavanshi

Former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor has made history by becoming his country’s highest run-scorer in ODIs after returning to international cricket last year following a reversal of his retirement decision. The 40-year-old achieved the milestone on Saturday (Oct 17) during Zimbabwe’s match against Bangladesh in the first game of the ODI tri-series in the UAE. Batting at No. 4, he scored 81 runs off 101 balls to help Zimbabwe post 271/8 in 50 overs.&nbsp;During his innings, Taylor went past Andy Flower’s record of 6,786 ODI runs to become Zimbabwe’s leading run-scorer in the format. He needed 31 runs to break the record and reached the mark with the fifth ball of the 16th over, bowled by Mosaddek Hossain.&nbsp;Taylor, who led Zimbabwe at the 2015 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, made his ODI debut in 2004. He has now scored 6,837 runs in 211 matches, including 11 centuries and 40 half-centuries.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/success-doesn-t-have-to-be-wi-skipper-hope-after-t20i-series-draw-against-india-1792296762183">'Success doesn't have to be...': WI skipper Hope after T20I series draw against India</a>&nbsp;Flower, widely regarded as one of Zimbabwe’s greatest cricketers, scored 6,786 runs in 213 ODIs between 1992 and 2003.&nbsp;In the list of Zimbabwe’s highest run-scorers in ODIs, Taylor and Flower are followed by Grant Flower and Hamilton Masakadza. Grant scored 6,571 runs in 221 matches during his 18-year ODI career, while Masakadza finished with 5,658 runs in 209 matches between 2001 and 2019.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-wi-5th-t20i-rain-washes-out-decider-bhuvneshwar-kumar-return-1792265921097">Rain washes out 5th T20I as India-West Indies share honours 2-2</a><h3>Most runs in ODIs for Zimbabwe</h3>

<figure class="table"><table><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>Time Span</th><th>M</th><th>R</th><th>BS</th><th>Average</th><th>SR</th><th>100</th><th>50</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Brendan Taylor</td><td>2004-2026</td><td>211</td><td>6837</td><td>145*</td><td>35.24</td><td>76.55</td><td>11</td><td>40</td></tr><tr><td>Andy Flower</td><td>1992-2003</td><td>213</td><td>6786</td><td>145</td><td>35.34</td><td>74.59</td><td>4</td><td>55</td></tr><tr><td>Grant Flower</td><td>1992-2010</td><td>221</td><td>6571</td><td>142*</td><td>33.52</td><td>67.58</td><td>6</td><td>40</td></tr><tr><td>Hamilton Masakadza</td><td>2001-2019</td><td>209</td><td>5658</td><td>178*</td><td>27.73</td><td>73.21</td><td>5</td><td>34</td></tr><tr><td>Sean Williams</td><td>2005-2025</td><td>164</td><td>5217</td><td>174</td><td>37.53</td><td>86.95</td><td>8</td><td>37</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>

Brendan Taylor made history on Saturday (Oct 17) by becoming Zimbabwe’s highest run-scorer in ODI cricket.

Former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor has made history by becoming his country’s highest run-scorer in ODIs after returning to international cricket last year following a reversal of his retirement decision. The 40-year-old achieved the milestone on Saturday (Oct 17) during Zimbabwe’s match against Bangladesh in the first game of the ODI tri-series in the UAE. Batting at No. 4, he scored 81 runs off 101 balls to help Zimbabwe post 271/8 in 50 overs. During his innings, Taylor went past Andy Flower’s record of 6,786 ODI runs to become Zimbabwe’s leading run-scorer in the format. He needed 31 runs to break the record and reached the mark with the fifth ball of the 16th over, bowled by Mosaddek Hossain. Taylor, who led Zimbabwe at the 2015 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, made his ODI debut in 2004. He has now scored 6,837 runs in 211 matches, including 11 centuries and 40 half-centuries. Also Read - 'Success doesn't have to be...': WI skipper Hope after T20I series draw against India Flower, widely regarded as one of Zimbabwe’s greatest cricketers, scored 6,786 runs in 213 ODIs between 1992 and 2003. In the list of Zimbabwe’s highest run-scorers in ODIs, Taylor and Flower are followed by Grant Flower and Hamilton Masakadza. Grant scored 6,571 runs in 221 matches during his 18-year ODI career, while Masakadza finished with 5,658 runs in 209 matches between 2001 and 2019. Also Read - Rain washes out 5th T20I as India-West Indies share honours 2-2 Most runs in ODIs for Zimbabwe

Brendan Taylor made history on Saturday (Oct 17) by becoming Zimbabwe’s highest run-scorer in ODI cricket.

West Indies captain Shai Hope said his team’s performance in the 2-2 T20I series draw against India showed how much the side had improved as a unit. He also stressed that “success does not necessarily have to be series wins”. The high-scoring series ended without a result after rain forced the fifth and final T20I to be abandoned following just 7.4 overs of play. With no result possible in the decider, captains Shreyas Iyer and Shai Hope shared the trophy after their teams delivered strong performances in the first four matches.&nbsp;However, West Indies are still waiting for a bilateral series win in India, as their last such success came during the 2002-03 tour, when they won the ODI series 4-3.&nbsp;Speaking after the match, Hope reflected on his team’s progress and the importance of taking the series to a 2-2 draw.&nbsp;“We have not won a series here in 20-plus years. To get this far in the series shows what we’ve done as a unit. Success does not necessarily have to be series wins, to see the way the guys have been progressing has been commendable.”&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-w-vs-zim-w-2nd-t20i-when-and-where-to-watch-live-streaming-in-india-1792244074722">IND-W vs ZIM-W, 2nd T20I: When and where to watch live streaming in India?</a>&nbsp;Hope also praised his bowling attack, particularly Shamar Springer, Keemo Paul and Roston Chase, for their contributions throughout the series. Springer took seven wickets, while Paul finished with eight and Chase claimed six.&nbsp;&nbsp;Paul also picked up a five-wicket haul in the previous match in Hyderabad, helping West Indies defend a huge total of 248 runs.&nbsp;“Bowling front, saw Shamar Springer come in and play a crucial role at the back end, wickets and death overs. Keemo Paul similarly, Roston has been bowling well. The way we play our cricket in general, everyone was chipping in. Pleasing from the bowling side of things,” he said.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sa-vs-aus-2nd-test-rabada-return-bavuma-team-changes-1792248097107">SA vs AUS 2nd Test: Kagiso Rabada set to return as Bavuma signals team changes</a>&nbsp;Hope, who was named Player of the Series, also spoke about the importance of confidence and sticking to his usual approach. He scored two centuries during the T20I series and has now hit four centuries across the ODI and T20I formats.&nbsp;“Still have to have self-belief; when I cross the line, I still believe I can get the job done. My process never changes; I try and stay as neutral as I can,” he concluded.

West Indies captain Shai Hope highlighted his team’s progress after the 2-2 T20I series draw against India, saying success is not always measured by series victories.

West Indies captain Shai Hope said his team’s performance in the 2-2 T20I series draw against India showed how much the side had improved as a unit. He also stressed that “success does not necessarily have to be series wins”. The high-scoring series ended without a result after rain forced the fifth and final T20I to be abandoned following just 7.4 overs of play. With no result possible in the decider, captains Shreyas Iyer and Shai Hope shared the trophy after their teams delivered strong performances in the first four matches. However, West Indies are still waiting for a bilateral series win in India, as their last such success came during the 2002-03 tour, when they won the ODI series 4-3. Speaking after the match, Hope reflected on his team’s progress and the importance of taking the series to a 2-2 draw. “We have not won a series here in 20-plus years. To get this far in the series shows what we’ve done as a unit. Success does not necessarily have to be series wins, to see the way the guys have been progressing has been commendable.” Also Read - IND-W vs ZIM-W, 2nd T20I: When and where to watch live streaming in India? Hope also praised his bowling attack, particularly Shamar Springer, Keemo Paul and Roston Chase, for their contributions throughout the series. Springer took seven wickets, while Paul finished with eight and Chase claimed six. Paul also picked up a five-wicket haul in the previous match in Hyderabad, helping West Indies defend a huge total of 248 runs. “Bowling front, saw Shamar Springer come in and play a crucial role at the back end, wickets and death overs. Keemo Paul similarly, Roston has been bowling well. The way we play our cricket in general, everyone was chipping in. Pleasing from the bowling side of things,” he said. Also Read - SA vs AUS 2nd Test: Kagiso Rabada set to return as Bavuma signals team changes Hope, who was named Player of the Series, also spoke about the importance of confidence and sticking to his usual approach. He scored two centuries during the T20I series and has now hit four centuries across the ODI and T20I formats. “Still have to have self-belief; when I cross the line, I still believe I can get the job done. My process never changes; I try and stay as neutral as I can,” he concluded.

West Indies captain Shai Hope highlighted his team’s progress after the 2-2 T20I series draw against India, saying success is not always measured by series victories.

'Success doesn't have to be...': WI skipper Hope after T20I series draw against India

India Women will look to seal the three-match T20I series when they face Zimbabwe Women in the second match at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Sunday (Oct 18). India lead 1-0 after a close four-wicket win in the opening game. After choosing to bowl, India restricted Zimbabwe to 114 for five, with Sharne Mayers scoring an unbeaten 43 and Kelis Ndhlovu making 42. Nandani Sharma took two wickets for 11 runs.&nbsp;India struggled during the chase, slipping to 19 for four as Nyasha Gwanzura dismissed Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Anushka Sharma. Deepti Sharma then scored 49 off 37 balls and shared an 82-run partnership with debutant Niki Prasad, who remained unbeaten on 39. India reached 116 for six in 15.4 overs.&nbsp;The match marked Mandhana’s first game as full-time captain and the first women’s international at the Raipur venue. Zimbabwe will now aim to build on their bowling performance and level the series.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-wi-5th-t20i-toss-result-bhuvneshwar-kumar-return-1792251523260">IND vs WI 5th T20I: WI bowl first in 9-over match as Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns</a><h2>India vs Zimbabwe Women, 2nd T20I: Match Details</h2><h2>When will the 2nd T20I be played?</h2>The India Women vs Zimbabwe Women 2nd T20I is scheduled for Oct 18, with the match set to begin at 07:00 pm IST. The toss will take place at 06:30 pm IST.<h2>Where is the match being played?</h2>The match will be held at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-wi-5th-t20i-rain-washes-out-decider-bhuvneshwar-kumar-return-1792265921097">Rain washes out 5th T20I as India-West Indies share honours 2-2</a><h2>Where can fans watch the match on television?</h2>The India Women vs Zimbabwe Women 2nd T20I live telecast will be available on the Star Sports in India.<h2>Where to livestream India-W vs Zimbabwe-W, 2nd T20I?</h2>The India Women vs Zimbabwe Women 2nd T20I will be streamed live on the JioHotstar app and website.

As the crucial clash between India Women and Zimbabwe Women approaches, here’s a look at the live streaming details for fans in India.

India Women will look to seal the three-match T20I series when they face Zimbabwe Women in the second match at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Sunday (Oct 18). India lead 1-0 after a close four-wicket win in the opening game. After choosing to bowl, India restricted Zimbabwe to 114 for five, with Sharne Mayers scoring an unbeaten 43 and Kelis Ndhlovu making 42. Nandani Sharma took two wickets for 11 runs. India struggled during the chase, slipping to 19 for four as Nyasha Gwanzura dismissed Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Anushka Sharma. Deepti Sharma then scored 49 off 37 balls and shared an 82-run partnership with debutant Niki Prasad, who remained unbeaten on 39. India reached 116 for six in 15.4 overs. The match marked Mandhana’s first game as full-time captain and the first women’s international at the Raipur venue. Zimbabwe will now aim to build on their bowling performance and level the series. Also Read - IND vs WI 5th T20I: WI bowl first in 9-over match as Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns India vs Zimbabwe Women, 2nd T20I: Match Details When will the 2nd T20I be played? The India Women vs Zimbabwe Women 2nd T20I is scheduled for Oct 18, with the match set to begin at 07:00 pm IST. The toss will take place at 06:30 pm IST. Where is the match being played? The match will be held at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. Also Read - Rain washes out 5th T20I as India-West Indies share honours 2-2 Where can fans watch the match on television? The India Women vs Zimbabwe Women 2nd T20I live telecast will be available on the Star Sports in India. Where to livestream India-W vs Zimbabwe-W, 2nd T20I? The India Women vs Zimbabwe Women 2nd T20I will be streamed live on the JioHotstar app and website.

As the crucial clash between India Women and Zimbabwe Women approaches, here’s a look at the live streaming details for fans in India.

IND-W vs ZIM-W, 2nd T20I: When and where to watch live streaming in India?

Rain had the last laugh in Bengaluru as the fifth and final T20I was washed out, resulting in India and the West Indies sharing honours 2-2. The series decider was already reduced to a nine-over side, with the visitors winning the toss and sending India in to bat first. First-half action kept the fans at the iconic M Chinnaswamy engrossed before rain returned to abandon all proceedings and put curtains on a memorable T20I series between two powerhouses.<h2>Bhuvneshwar Returns After Nearly 4 Years</h2>For the first time in nearly four years, veteran quick <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-wi-5th-t20i-toss-result-bhuvneshwar-kumar-return-1792251523260">Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned to the Indian team</a> as part of two changes made to the playing XI for the fifth T20I, captain Shreyas Iyer confirmed at the toss. The crowd erupted into joy after hearing Bhuvneshwar’s inclusion in the side, replacing Mayank Yadav. Shivam Dube was another change, replacing fellow all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. &nbsp;India lost Abhishek Sharma in the first over, before Ishan Kishan opened his arms and entertained the crowd with his blistering yet brief stay at the crease. His 30 off 10 balls, including two sixes and three fours, helped India gain early momentum.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Into the orbit 🚀 

Ishan Kishan got the Bengaluru crowd going with a quick-fire 3⃣0⃣(10) 🎇

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/hpGnrNyZVS 

#TeamIndia | #INDvWI | @mflone_ | @ishankishan51 https://t.co/CdeDA9r87n&mdash; BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://x.com/BCCI/status/2111488852997357951?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Ishan’s wicket in the third over, followed by Sanju Samson’s dismissal on 16 off seven balls soon after, brought Iyer and Tilak Varma to the crease. The two could add 22 for the fourth wicket before Hyderabad game hero Keemo Paul picked up his second of the night.<h3>Dhir Stuns West Indies</h3>In walked Naman Dhir. The right-hander didn’t waste any time before going berserk, smashing sixes and fours for fun. Before rain finally halted proceedings, Dhir had smashed three maximums and a boundary for his unbeaten 24 off just six balls, with India’s scorecard reading 118/5 in 7.4 overs. His exploits brought the crowd back to its feet, with everyone cheering the Punjab all-rounder’s clean hitting.&nbsp;WATCH -

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">How about that for a start? 💥

🎥 Naman Dhir's mighty hits from the get-go 💪

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/hpGnrNyZVS 

#TeamIndia | #INDvWI | @mflone_ https://t.co/JjTjDoqYj3&mdash; BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://x.com/BCCI/status/2111498386683887724?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2026</a></blockquote>
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For the West Indies, Paul and Shamar Springer returned with two wickets each, while Shamar Joseph picked up one during India’s innings. &nbsp;The rain never allowed cricket to resume after that point, with two captains and teams shaking hands to call off a memorable T20I series.

Rain has the final say in Bengaluru as the 5th T20I is washed out. India and West Indies share the series 2-2 despite fireworks from Naman Dhir & Ishan Kishan.

Rain had the last laugh in Bengaluru as the fifth and final T20I was washed out, resulting in India and the West Indies sharing honours 2-2. The series decider was already reduced to a nine-over side, with the visitors winning the toss and sending India in to bat first. First-half action kept the fans at the iconic M Chinnaswamy engrossed before rain returned to abandon all proceedings and put curtains on a memorable T20I series between two powerhouses. Bhuvneshwar Returns After Nearly 4 Years For the first time in nearly four years, veteran quick Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned to the Indian team as part of two changes made to the playing XI for the fifth T20I, captain Shreyas Iyer confirmed at the toss. The crowd erupted into joy after hearing Bhuvneshwar’s inclusion in the side, replacing Mayank Yadav. Shivam Dube was another change, replacing fellow all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. India lost Abhishek Sharma in the first over, before Ishan Kishan opened his arms and entertained the crowd with his blistering yet brief stay at the crease. His 30 off 10 balls, including two sixes and three fours, helped India gain early momentum.

Rain has the final say in Bengaluru as the 5th T20I is washed out. India and West Indies share the series 2-2 despite fireworks from Naman Dhir &amp; Ishan Kishan.

Rain washes out 5th T20I as India-West Indies share honours 2-2

West Indies won the toss and elected to field first against India in the fifth and final T20I in Bengaluru on Saturday (Oct 17). Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to the playing XI for the first time in nearly four years, as rain reduced the series decider to a 9-overs-a-side contest. While India made two changes to the playing XI, bringing in Shivam Dube and Bhuvi, West Indies remain unchanged for the series decider. The match will get underway at 9:15 PM IST.&nbsp;WATCH -

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 Toss 🚨

West Indies have won the toss and elected to bowl first in Bengaluru.

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/hpGnrNyZVS 

#TeamIndia | #INDvWI | @mflone_ https://t.co/KIlkFuJpHY&mdash; BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://x.com/BCCI/status/2111481784047439875?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<h3>Check out the Playing XIs –</h3>West Indies - Shai Hope(w/c), Jewel Andrew, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Keemo Paul, Shamar Springer, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph &nbsp;India - Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer(c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/shubman-gill-personal-net-bowlers-new-zealand-tour-1792240523647">Shubman Gill to pay out of pocket for personal net bowlers for New Zealand tour: Report</a><h3>Here is what the two captains said at the toss –</h3>Shai Hope, West Indies Captain – “(on bowling first and conditions) Yeah, it does, but obviously rain around as well. Expected to get a little bit wetter. But yeah, it's a good pitch, and we just want to give ourselves the best chance of chasing. &nbsp;“We've got to start with the ball. That's our main focus right now: make sure we execute as best as we can in a shortened game and give ourselves the best chance.&nbsp; &nbsp;“I just think we just got to continue from in this vein and hopefully, we can finish the series strong, but we can give ourselves an opportunity to do something very special in India. So, guys are looking forward to it. Same team.” &nbsp;Shreyas Iyer, Indian Captain – “Yeah, I would have fielded as well. It's a quick turnaround. Wasn't anticipating a game, honestly, looking at the rains. But yeah, the way the drainage system is over here, it's phenomenal. And talking about the wicket, it looks pretty good.&nbsp; &nbsp;“Well, we just have to be aggressive in our approach and see to it that we are in a top-notch attitude, not get pressed too much by the pressure, or, you know, they've been playing amazing cricket as well, but that doesn't mean that we are going to shrink. It's important that we put our best foot forward and see to it that we seize the game.&nbsp; &nbsp;“We've got two changes: Shivam Dube comes in, and Bhuvi comes in,” Iyer said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, the five-match series is tied at 2-2, with the winner of the fifth T20I walking away with the win.

West Indies win the toss and elect to bowl in a rain-curtailed 9-over 5th T20I in Bengaluru. Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to India's playing XI. Check team news.

West Indies won the toss and elected to field first against India in the fifth and final T20I in Bengaluru on Saturday (Oct 17). Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to the playing XI for the first time in nearly four years, as rain reduced the series decider to a 9-overs-a-side contest. While India made two changes to the playing XI, bringing in Shivam Dube and Bhuvi, West Indies remain unchanged for the series decider. The match will get underway at 9:15 PM IST. WATCH -

West Indies win the toss and elect to bowl in a rain-curtailed 9-over 5th T20I in Bengaluru. Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to India's playing XI. Check team news.

IND vs WI 5th T20I: WI bowl first in 9-over match as Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns

In a massive boost to South Africa, their ace seamer Kagiso Rabada is set to return to the playing XI for the second Test against Australia starting at St George's Park on Sunday (Oct 18), team captain Temba Bavuma said. Rabada missed the series opener in Durban, which the hosts lost by 214 runs, but trained with the team as he completed his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury. &nbsp;With rain set to spoil the first two days, both captains Bavuma and Pat Cummins have deferred from finalising their playing XIs until match day. Bavuma, however, said that Rabada was ‘raring to go’ against his favourite Test opponent in his preferred format.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/shubman-gill-personal-net-bowlers-new-zealand-tour-1792240523647">Shubman Gill to pay out of pocket for personal net bowlers for New Zealand tour: Report</a> &nbsp;Against Australia in Tests, Rabada has picked up 58 wickets at 21.39 in 11 outings, including nine wickets in the crucial World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s in June 2025.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Kagiso Rabada, just riveting! 🤩🔥

#Unbreakable #SAvAUS https://t.co/qBhulewpAj&mdash; Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) <a href="https://x.com/ProteasMenCSA/status/2111011477666832807?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2026</a></blockquote>
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His absence proved vital in the series opener despite express pace Anrich Nortje’s return, who also impressed, as Australian batters enjoyed scoring runs against the Proteas quicks. &nbsp;"The bowlers feed massively off him," said Bavuma. "There's an aura and a lot of belief in KG (Rabada), and that rubs off on the other players." &nbsp;Bavuma also indicated more changes to the playing XI for the must-win game in Gqeberha, with ODI performer Matthew Breetzke and uncapped Marques Ackerman likely to be included in the playing XI alongside Rabada. The hosts have dropped Tristan Stubbs for the second Test, with Ryan Rickelton asked to keep wickets and bat lower down the order in the second Test. &nbsp;"The first innings was where we fell short," he said. “To concede a lead like that on a wicket like that was rather criminal.”<h3>Changes in AUS’s XI for Second Test</h3>The visitors landed the first blow in this three-match Test series, courtesy of Matt Renshaw’s wonder outings at Kingsmead. With his team reeling at 124/6 at one stage, Renshaw powered Australia to 390 with his career-best 190 in the first innings. The left-hander scored 82 in the second innings to keep Australia’s nose in front, and eventually helped them win the Test match. &nbsp;Amid talks around promoting Renshaw up the order, considering he usually opens in red-ball cricket, Cummins revealed that Renshaw is happy to occupy the number five spot. &nbsp;"He just said, 'yep, no worries, whatever the team needs',” Cummins said. &nbsp;While Nic Maddinson is likely to retain his place at the top alongside another makeshift opener Travis Head, Cummins said all-rounder Cameron Green was still unready to play after suffering an abdominal injury in the ODI series against South Africa last month. &nbsp;Meanwhile, Josh Inglis, who broke his finger on the Zimbabwe tour, is ‘close’ to being ready and available for selection.

Kagiso Rabada is set to return for South Africa in the 2nd Test against Australia as captain Temba Bavuma signals team changes. Read the full playing XI updates.

In a massive boost to South Africa, their ace seamer Kagiso Rabada is set to return to the playing XI for the second Test against Australia starting at St George's Park on Sunday (Oct 18), team captain Temba Bavuma said. Rabada missed the series opener in Durban, which the hosts lost by 214 runs, but trained with the team as he completed his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury. With rain set to spoil the first two days, both captains Bavuma and Pat Cummins have deferred from finalising their playing XIs until match day. Bavuma, however, said that Rabada was ‘raring to go’ against his favourite Test opponent in his preferred format. Also read| Shubman Gill to pay out of pocket for personal net bowlers for New Zealand tour: Report Against Australia in Tests, Rabada has picked up 58 wickets at 21.39 in 11 outings, including nine wickets in the crucial World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s in June 2025.

Kagiso Rabada is set to return for South Africa in the 2nd Test against Australia as captain Temba Bavuma signals team changes. Read the full playing XI updates.

SA vs AUS 2nd Test: Kagiso Rabada set to return as Bavuma signals team changes

India is set to tour New Zealand for five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Tests, starting October 22, with three four-day 'A' matches scheduled to start two days later on October 24. With around 50 players picked across all four squads, all eyes will be on the packed tour, which also overlaps with India and ‘A’ matches. &nbsp;With Sony Sports Network owning overseas rights for Indian men’s and women’s cricket, they will also host the India ‘A’ matches scheduled from October 24 to 27, October 31 to November 3, and November 7 to 10. In an unprecedented move, Sony Sports will not only telecast India ‘A’ matches but also produce them, with several Test starters included in the squad. &nbsp;Similar to its coverage of India’s warm-up fixture in Sri Lanka earlier this year, Sony Sports will deliver live action from New Zealand—a Test fortress India last conquered in 2009.&nbsp; &nbsp;While Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln will host the first and third ‘A’ games, Hagley Oval in Christchurch will be the venue for the second match. With the T20I series and ‘A’ matches coinciding with each other, the Sony Sports Network will televise both games simultaneously.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/shubman-gill-personal-net-bowlers-new-zealand-tour-1792240523647">Shubman Gill to pay out of pocket for personal net bowlers for New Zealand tour: Report</a> &nbsp;The ‘A’ and Test matches will start at 03:30 AM IST, whereas the T20Is will get underway at 12:30 PM IST. &nbsp;The five ODI matches will start at 07:30 AM IST.<h3>CoE Staff to Coach India ‘A’ Squad</h3>While India head coach Gautam Gambhir will continue to oversee the main squads during the away New Zealand tour, BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) staff members, including Hrishikesh Kanitkar (batting coach), Sunil Joshi (spin bowling coach) and Lakshmipathy Balaji (pace bowling coach) will be coaches for the India ‘A’ games. &nbsp;Physio Thulasi and trainer Harrsha will accompany the India ‘A’ squad for the shadow New Zealand tour. &nbsp;India ‘A’ squad for New Zealand series – &nbsp;Dhruv Jurel (captain), Kumar Kushagra, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Ravichandran Smaran, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, Manav Suthar, Washington Sundar, Mukesh Choudhary, Yash Rathod, Anshul Kamboj, Auqib Nabi, Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar

Where to watch India ‘A’ tour of New Zealand live? Get full telecast details, Sony Sports live streaming info, match timings, and CoE coaching setup here.

India is set to tour New Zealand for five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Tests, starting October 22, with three four-day 'A' matches scheduled to start two days later on October 24. With around 50 players picked across all four squads, all eyes will be on the packed tour, which also overlaps with India and ‘A’ matches. With Sony Sports Network owning overseas rights for Indian men’s and women’s cricket, they will also host the India ‘A’ matches scheduled from October 24 to 27, October 31 to November 3, and November 7 to 10. In an unprecedented move, Sony Sports will not only telecast India ‘A’ matches but also produce them, with several Test starters included in the squad. Similar to its coverage of India’s warm-up fixture in Sri Lanka earlier this year, Sony Sports will deliver live action from New Zealand—a Test fortress India last conquered in 2009. While Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln will host the first and third ‘A’ games, Hagley Oval in Christchurch will be the venue for the second match. With the T20I series and ‘A’ matches coinciding with each other, the Sony Sports Network will televise both games simultaneously. Also read| Shubman Gill to pay out of pocket for personal net bowlers for New Zealand tour: Report The ‘A’ and Test matches will start at 03:30 AM IST, whereas the T20Is will get underway at 12:30 PM IST. The five ODI matches will start at 07:30 AM IST. CoE Staff to Coach India ‘A’ Squad While India head coach Gautam Gambhir will continue to oversee the main squads during the away New Zealand tour, BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) staff members, including Hrishikesh Kanitkar (batting coach), Sunil Joshi (spin bowling coach) and Lakshmipathy Balaji (pace bowling coach) will be coaches for the India ‘A’ games. Physio Thulasi and trainer Harrsha will accompany the India ‘A’ squad for the shadow New Zealand tour. India ‘A’ squad for New Zealand series – Dhruv Jurel (captain), Kumar Kushagra, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Ravichandran Smaran, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, Manav Suthar, Washington Sundar, Mukesh Choudhary, Yash Rathod, Anshul Kamboj, Auqib Nabi, Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar

Where to watch India ‘A’ tour of New Zealand live? Get full telecast details, Sony Sports live streaming info, match timings, and CoE coaching setup here.

India ‘A’ Tour of New Zealand: Coaching staff announced, live streaming and telecast details inside

In an unprecedented move in Indian cricket, the ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill will take along four or five personal net bowlers with him on the away tour of New Zealand. Part of the squad for the first three ODIs and the two Tests that follow, Gill has gone the extra mile to prepare for the crucial series. The right-handed batter will leave on October 23 or 24 -- just days after the T20I opener on October 22 -- and bear all expenses, including travel, stay and food, for his personal net bowlers, who will train exclusively with him. &nbsp;"This is interesting. Gill isn't playing India A Tests as he also has to play ODIs. Hence, he is leaving for New Zealand on October 23 or 24. The four to five bowlers accompanying him will have all their expenses paid by Gill," a BCCI official told PTI on condition of anonymity.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ramesh-powar-leads-race-replace-ajit-agarkar-bcci-selection-committee-1792237979234">Ramesh Powar leads race ahead of Jaffer to replace Ajit Agarkar in India men’s selection panel</a> &nbsp;Soon after taking over Test captaincy from Rohit Sharma ahead of the away England Tests last year, Gill broke several batting records in the UK. The right-handed batter, who replaced Virat Kohli at number four in Tests, amassed 754 runs in five Tests, including his maiden double hundred at Edgbaston (269). He averaged 75.40 with the bat, hitting four hundreds in challenging conditions. &nbsp;While the BCCI will also send a separate set of net bowlers to help players prepare for the two-match Test series, Gill’s decision to arrange dedicated net bowlers for himself represents an unusual step in his preparation for the demanding series. &nbsp;Unlike other Test regulars, including KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal, Gill will not feature in India ‘A’ matches, but is reaching New Zealand earlier than the remainder of the ODI and Test squads to acclimatise to the conditions.<h3>Gill to play for Punjab in Ranji Trophy</h3>Gill missed Punjab’s opening Ranji Trophy match due to personal reasons but is set to return to the playing XI for the second fixture against Chhattisgarh, starting October 18 in Mullanpur.&nbsp; &nbsp;The Ranji fixture will also provide Gill an opportunity to get some red-ball practice ahead of the New Zealand series.

In a rare move, India captain Shubman Gill will personally fund 4 to 5 net bowlers for the New Zealand tour to sharpen his prep. Get all details here.

In an unprecedented move in Indian cricket, the ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill will take along four or five personal net bowlers with him on the away tour of New Zealand. Part of the squad for the first three ODIs and the two Tests that follow, Gill has gone the extra mile to prepare for the crucial series. The right-handed batter will leave on October 23 or 24 -- just days after the T20I opener on October 22 -- and bear all expenses, including travel, stay and food, for his personal net bowlers, who will train exclusively with him. "This is interesting. Gill isn't playing India A Tests as he also has to play ODIs. Hence, he is leaving for New Zealand on October 23 or 24. The four to five bowlers accompanying him will have all their expenses paid by Gill," a BCCI official told PTI on condition of anonymity. Also read| Ramesh Powar leads race ahead of Jaffer to replace Ajit Agarkar in India men’s selection panel Soon after taking over Test captaincy from Rohit Sharma ahead of the away England Tests last year, Gill broke several batting records in the UK. The right-handed batter, who replaced Virat Kohli at number four in Tests, amassed 754 runs in five Tests, including his maiden double hundred at Edgbaston (269). He averaged 75.40 with the bat, hitting four hundreds in challenging conditions. While the BCCI will also send a separate set of net bowlers to help players prepare for the two-match Test series, Gill’s decision to arrange dedicated net bowlers for himself represents an unusual step in his preparation for the demanding series. Unlike other Test regulars, including KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal, Gill will not feature in India ‘A’ matches, but is reaching New Zealand earlier than the remainder of the ODI and Test squads to acclimatise to the conditions. Gill to play for Punjab in Ranji Trophy Gill missed Punjab’s opening Ranji Trophy match due to personal reasons but is set to return to the playing XI for the second fixture against Chhattisgarh, starting October 18 in Mullanpur. The Ranji fixture will also provide Gill an opportunity to get some red-ball practice ahead of the New Zealand series.

In a rare move, India captain Shubman Gill will personally fund 4 to 5 net bowlers for the New Zealand tour to sharpen his prep. Get all details here.

Shubman Gill to pay out of pocket for personal net bowlers for New Zealand tour: Report

Former India spinner Romesh Powar leads the race ahead of fellow contender and opener Wasim Jaffer to replace Ajit Agarkar in India's men’s selection panel, headed by interim chair Pragyan Ojha. After the deadline closed on October 14, the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) interviewed four or five candidates for the vacant position. &nbsp;A Cricbuzz report claims that all interviews took place on October 15, including Jaffer, Connor Williams and Jacob Martin, the&nbsp;two former Baroda players and Mumbai’s Salil Ankola.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-odi-squad-new-zealand-jadeja-jaiswal-dropped-1792235500862">No Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal in India’s 2027 ODI World Cup plans: Report</a> &nbsp;Powar, the former two-time head coach of the Indian women’s cricket team, has represented India in two Tests and 31 ODIs, picking 40 wickets across two formats. A domestic giant like Jaffer, Powar has played 148 first-class and 113 List-A matches, having retired from competitive cricket in late 2015.<h2>Jaffer’s Strong Credentials</h2>Elsewhere, Jaffer has played for India in 31 Tests, hitting five hundreds and two double tons against Pakistan and the West Indies. His eight-year India career spanned from 2000 to 2008, during which he scored 1,944 runs at 34.10. The Mumbai opener also played two ODI matches in 2006.&nbsp;&nbsp;If selected ahead of Powar, Jaffer would have the highest Test appearances among all candidates being considered for the chairman’s position, and would therefore be elected as the head of the selection panel. The right-handed opener has played seven more Tests than the interim chair Ojha, who has 24 Test caps. Besides Ojha, the remaining four selectors are RP Singh, Ajay Ratra and Shiv Sunder Das. &nbsp;Meanwhile, the report claims the selection panel would now have a permanent representative from the Centre of Excellence (CoE), which explains why VVS Laxman attended the selection meeting in Guwahati. It is also understood that Laxman was also part of Friday’s online selection meeting to pick the squads for the longer formats for the New Zealand tour.&nbsp; &nbsp;Laxman will continue to attend such meetings, providing a better understanding of players’ injury and availability status. &nbsp;Meanwhile, former keeper-batter Parthiv Patel, another strong contender to head the new selection panel, reportedly had not applied for the position, at least not among those interviewed.

Ramesh Powar leads Wasim Jaffer in the race to replace Ajit Agarkar on the BCCI selection panel. Here are the key details on CAC interviews and panel updates.

Former India spinner Romesh Powar leads the race ahead of fellow contender and opener Wasim Jaffer to replace Ajit Agarkar in India's men’s selection panel, headed by interim chair Pragyan Ojha. After the deadline closed on October 14, the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) interviewed four or five candidates for the vacant position. A Cricbuzz report claims that all interviews took place on October 15, including Jaffer, Connor Williams and Jacob Martin, the two former Baroda players and Mumbai’s Salil Ankola. Also read| No Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal in India’s 2027 ODI World Cup plans: Report Powar, the former two-time head coach of the Indian women’s cricket team, has represented India in two Tests and 31 ODIs, picking 40 wickets across two formats. A domestic giant like Jaffer, Powar has played 148 first-class and 113 List-A matches, having retired from competitive cricket in late 2015. Jaffer’s Strong Credentials Elsewhere, Jaffer has played for India in 31 Tests, hitting five hundreds and two double tons against Pakistan and the West Indies. His eight-year India career spanned from 2000 to 2008, during which he scored 1,944 runs at 34.10. The Mumbai opener also played two ODI matches in 2006. If selected ahead of Powar, Jaffer would have the highest Test appearances among all candidates being considered for the chairman’s position, and would therefore be elected as the head of the selection panel. The right-handed opener has played seven more Tests than the interim chair Ojha, who has 24 Test caps. Besides Ojha, the remaining four selectors are RP Singh, Ajay Ratra and Shiv Sunder Das. Meanwhile, the report claims the selection panel would now have a permanent representative from the Centre of Excellence (CoE), which explains why VVS Laxman attended the selection meeting in Guwahati. It is also understood that Laxman was also part of Friday’s online selection meeting to pick the squads for the longer formats for the New Zealand tour. Laxman will continue to attend such meetings, providing a better understanding of players’ injury and availability status. Meanwhile, former keeper-batter Parthiv Patel, another strong contender to head the new selection panel, reportedly had not applied for the position, at least not among those interviewed.

Ramesh Powar leads Wasim Jaffer in the race to replace Ajit Agarkar on the BCCI selection panel. Here are the key details on CAC interviews and panel updates.

Ramesh Powar leads race ahead of Jaffer to replace Ajit Agarkar in India men’s selection panel

Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been left out of India’s ODI squad for the forthcoming New Zealand tour, with Test specialist Yashasvi Jaiswal also overlooked. Pragyan Ojha-led men’s selection committee picked the One-Day and Test squads late on Friday evening (Oct 16), indicating the end of the road for Jadeja in 50-over cricket. Axar Patel, Naman Dhir and Nitish Kumar Reddy were picked ahead of Jadeja in the pecking order. &nbsp;Jadeja returned to the squad for the three-match ODI series against the West Indies, bagging figures of 0/54 and 2/75 in the two matches before the management and the captain decided to rest him for the final match.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bcci-names-india-s-odi-squad-for-new-zealand-tour-gill-and-iyer-to-share-captaincy-1792167774707">BCCI names India’s ODI squad for New Zealand tour, Gill and Iyer to share captaincy</a> &nbsp;“Firstly, I don’t think Jaddu bhai was dropped. We rested him because we had an opportunity today to give game time to other players. When a series is only three matches long, it becomes very difficult to give experience to players sitting outside,” Gill said of Jadeja’s absence from the playing XI for the 3rd ODI against the West Indies. &nbsp;Before this series, Jadeja last played an ODI against New Zealand in January this year. He also missed the away England One-Day series, which India lost. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and the management decided to look at alternatives as part of long-term planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup in Africa. &nbsp;Axar Patel, a prominent player in the T20I setup, remains a frontrunner to replace Jadeja in the ODI squad for the showpiece event. A like-for-like replacement for Jadeja, Axar has made inroads into India’s white-ball setup, with the selectors backing the in-form all-rounder to seal the lower-order spot. &nbsp;A Times of India (TOI) report suggests that Jadeja appears to have fallen out of place for the World Cup.<h2>Jaiswal ‘Unlikely’ for 2027 ODI WC</h2>Besides Jadeja, opener and Test mainstay Yashasvi Jaiswal also seems to be drifting out of the conversation for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Despite making himself available for selection and India resting opener and ODI skipper Shubman Gill for the final two ODIs against New Zealand, Jaiswal failed to make the cut. Instead, he will feature in India ‘A’ matches and the two Tests that follow.&nbsp; &nbsp;With Rohit Sharma and Gill established as the first-choice opening pair, and Ishan Kishan picked as backup, Jaiswal must wait for his turn in the 50-over format.<h3>Check out India squads for ODI series against New Zealand –</h3>For the first three ODIs - Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer [VC], KL Rahul [WK], Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan [WK], Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna* and Kuldeep Yadav &nbsp;For fourth and fifth ODIs: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan [WK, VC], Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra [WK], Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav

Ravindra Jadeja and Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped from India’s ODI squad for the New Zealand series. Here is the full team list and the reason behind the decision.

Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been left out of India’s ODI squad for the forthcoming New Zealand tour, with Test specialist Yashasvi Jaiswal also overlooked. Pragyan Ojha-led men’s selection committee picked the One-Day and Test squads late on Friday evening (Oct 16), indicating the end of the road for Jadeja in 50-over cricket. Axar Patel, Naman Dhir and Nitish Kumar Reddy were picked ahead of Jadeja in the pecking order. Jadeja returned to the squad for the three-match ODI series against the West Indies, bagging figures of 0/54 and 2/75 in the two matches before the management and the captain decided to rest him for the final match. Also read| BCCI names India’s ODI squad for New Zealand tour, Gill and Iyer to share captaincy “Firstly, I don’t think Jaddu bhai was dropped. We rested him because we had an opportunity today to give game time to other players. When a series is only three matches long, it becomes very difficult to give experience to players sitting outside,” Gill said of Jadeja’s absence from the playing XI for the 3rd ODI against the West Indies. Before this series, Jadeja last played an ODI against New Zealand in January this year. He also missed the away England One-Day series, which India lost. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and the management decided to look at alternatives as part of long-term planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup in Africa. Axar Patel, a prominent player in the T20I setup, remains a frontrunner to replace Jadeja in the ODI squad for the showpiece event. A like-for-like replacement for Jadeja, Axar has made inroads into India’s white-ball setup, with the selectors backing the in-form all-rounder to seal the lower-order spot. A Times of India (TOI) report suggests that Jadeja appears to have fallen out of place for the World Cup. Jaiswal ‘Unlikely’ for 2027 ODI WC Besides Jadeja, opener and Test mainstay Yashasvi Jaiswal also seems to be drifting out of the conversation for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Despite making himself available for selection and India resting opener and ODI skipper Shubman Gill for the final two ODIs against New Zealand, Jaiswal failed to make the cut. Instead, he will feature in India ‘A’ matches and the two Tests that follow. With Rohit Sharma and Gill established as the first-choice opening pair, and Ishan Kishan picked as backup, Jaiswal must wait for his turn in the 50-over format. Check out India squads for ODI series against New Zealand – For the first three ODIs - Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer [VC], KL Rahul [WK], Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan [WK], Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna* and Kuldeep Yadav For fourth and fifth ODIs: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan [WK, VC], Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra [WK], Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav

Ravindra Jadeja and Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped from India’s ODI squad for the New Zealand series. Here is the full team list and the reason behind the decision.

No Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal in India’s 2027 ODI World Cup plans: Report

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said on Saturday (Oct 17) if he were winger Vinicius Junior he would have left the club this summer. The Brazilian was sent off during Madrid's win over Villarreal last weekend for hair pulling and was banned for four matches, meaning he will miss the Clasico clash against Barcelona on October 25. Vinicius, 26, has also been targeted regularly by opposition fans and been racially abused on many occasions since joining Madrid in 2018.&nbsp;"He's a spectacular kid who it's easy to have a good relationship with," Mourinho told reporters. "He's a fantastic boy, tremendous credit to him for the fact that he keeps living and surviving and still having a smile...&nbsp;"If it were me in his place, probably I wouldn't be here. In this last summer I would have forced an exit to a league, a country, to somewhere there are rival clubs and stadiums that respect him."&nbsp;In the summer Vinicius signed a new contract with Real Madrid until 2032.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/uefa-champions-league-psg-crush-man-city-4-2-real-madrid-stun-roma-with-late-fightback-1792134702752">UEFA Champions League: PSG crush Man City 4-2, Real Madrid stun Roma with late fightback</a>&nbsp;Question marks remain over whether Madrid can line up with attacking superstars Vinicius, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham together, without losing balance.&nbsp;"Because he loves Real Madrid, for loving the club and the city, for believing that things can always improve, he renewed and he keeps on smiling," continued Mourinho. "No one or nobody can... well, influence him negatively yes, because he's human... but take away his joy of living and working and being with his team-mates, no, no one can do that."&nbsp;Mourinho took Vinicius off during the 4-3 Champions League win at Roma on Wednesday, with the winger still struggling to return to the form that helped him win the competition twice under Carlo Ancelotti.&nbsp;Mourinho said he was happy that Vinicius's ban was four matches, saying he thought some hidden figures at the Spanish football federation's disciplinary committee "would give him one or two more".<h3>‘There are limits’</h3>Madrid face Sevilla on Sunday aiming not to fall further behind league leaders Barcelona, who visit Real Betis later on Saturday.&nbsp;Hansi Flick's Barcelona have won every single match this season and are six points ahead of fourth-placed Real Madrid.&nbsp;Los Blancos and Mourinho have blamed referees for some of their results, including the 2-1 derby defeat by Atletico Madrid in September. On Friday (Oct 16), Real Madrid called for La Liga president Javier Tebas to resign after he compared the club's efforts to discredit referees to the techniques of Nazi propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels.&nbsp;Tebas later attempted to clarify that he was drawing comparisons with "those propaganda techniques" and not with the ideology of the Nazis.&nbsp;"I don't want to talk about this, there are limits and there are limits. You can only excuse it if it's a clinical case -- otherwise there's no excuse," said Mourinho. "I don't want to go down that road. Madrid and its fans understands what it is up against.&nbsp;"For the prestige that the league has abroad, for being the current world champions, it's better if we try to keep this here and not let it get out (to the world)."

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho backed Vinicius Jr amid his four-match La Liga ban, stating he would have left the club this summer if he were in the Brazilian’s position.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said on Saturday (Oct 17) if he were winger Vinicius Junior he would have left the club this summer. The Brazilian was sent off during Madrid's win over Villarreal last weekend for hair pulling and was banned for four matches, meaning he will miss the Clasico clash against Barcelona on October 25. Vinicius, 26, has also been targeted regularly by opposition fans and been racially abused on many occasions since joining Madrid in 2018. "He's a spectacular kid who it's easy to have a good relationship with," Mourinho told reporters. "He's a fantastic boy, tremendous credit to him for the fact that he keeps living and surviving and still having a smile... "If it were me in his place, probably I wouldn't be here. In this last summer I would have forced an exit to a league, a country, to somewhere there are rival clubs and stadiums that respect him." In the summer Vinicius signed a new contract with Real Madrid until 2032. Also read| UEFA Champions League: PSG crush Man City 4-2, Real Madrid stun Roma with late fightback Question marks remain over whether Madrid can line up with attacking superstars Vinicius, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham together, without losing balance. "Because he loves Real Madrid, for loving the club and the city, for believing that things can always improve, he renewed and he keeps on smiling," continued Mourinho. "No one or nobody can... well, influence him negatively yes, because he's human... but take away his joy of living and working and being with his team-mates, no, no one can do that." Mourinho took Vinicius off during the 4-3 Champions League win at Roma on Wednesday, with the winger still struggling to return to the form that helped him win the competition twice under Carlo Ancelotti. Mourinho said he was happy that Vinicius's ban was four matches, saying he thought some hidden figures at the Spanish football federation's disciplinary committee "would give him one or two more". ‘There are limits’ Madrid face Sevilla on Sunday aiming not to fall further behind league leaders Barcelona, who visit Real Betis later on Saturday. Hansi Flick's Barcelona have won every single match this season and are six points ahead of fourth-placed Real Madrid. Los Blancos and Mourinho have blamed referees for some of their results, including the 2-1 derby defeat by Atletico Madrid in September. On Friday (Oct 16), Real Madrid called for La Liga president Javier Tebas to resign after he compared the club's efforts to discredit referees to the techniques of Nazi propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels. Tebas later attempted to clarify that he was drawing comparisons with "those propaganda techniques" and not with the ideology of the Nazis. "I don't want to talk about this, there are limits and there are limits. You can only excuse it if it's a clinical case -- otherwise there's no excuse," said Mourinho. "I don't want to go down that road. Madrid and its fans understands what it is up against. "For the prestige that the league has abroad, for being the current world champions, it's better if we try to keep this here and not let it get out (to the world)."

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho backed Vinicius Jr amid his four-match La Liga ban, stating he would have left the club this summer if he were in the Brazilian’s position.

Jose Mourinho on ‘Special Kid’ Vinicius: ‘I’d have left Madrid if I were in his place’

Mahela Jayawardene has stepped down as head coach of Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of the 2027 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, ending his second stint with the franchise. Jayawardene coached Mumbai Indians from 2017 to 2022 before returning to the role in 2024. The franchise confirmed his departure in a press release on Saturday. “Mumbai Indians, today, announced that Mahela Jayawardene will be stepping down as Head Coach, bringing to a close a decade-long association with the #OneFamily,” the franchise said. Under Jayawardene’s leadership, Mumbai Indians won three IPL titles. The franchise also credited him with helping build its team culture, focusing on discipline, teamwork and collaboration during his two stints as head coach. “Across his two stints in the role, from 2017 to 2022 and again from 2024 to 2026, he has played a defining role in shaping the franchise’s culture, fostering a strong team environment and championing an approach rooted in discipline, collaboration and a team-first ethos,” MI said.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/still-some-time-for-the-olympics-neeraj-chopra-opens-up-about-injury-and-comeback-plans-1792220650963">'Still some time for the Olympics': Neeraj Chopra opens up about injury and comeback plans</a> Jayawardene thanked the franchise owners, players, coaching staff and fans for their support over the years. He described Mumbai Indians as a special part of his journey and said he was proud of what they had achieved together. “Mumbai Indians has been a very special part of my journey for over a decade now. The players, coaching team, the incredible support of the #OneFamily and above all the fans have made this an experience I will always treasure. Together, we have shared some unforgettable moments, overcome challenges and built something we can all be proud of. I want to sincerely thank Mrs. Nita Ambani and Akash Ambani for their unwavering trust, support and friendship over the years. I leave with immense pride in what we have achieved together and will always carry a special place in my heart for MI. I wish the team every success in the years ahead,” he said.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-w-vs-zim-w-1st-t20i-deepti-sharma-niki-prasad-shine-as-india-beat-zimbabwe-by-four-wickets-1792193421106">IND-W vs ZIM-W: Deepti Sharma, Niki shine as India beat Zimbabwe by four wickets</a> Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani also thanked Jayawardene for his contribution to the franchise, praising his leadership, integrity and commitment to the game. She added that he would always remain a part of the MI family. “Mahela has made a significant contribution to Mumbai Indians over the years. His calm leadership, integrity and deep love for the game have meant so much to us. On behalf of the entire MI family, I want to thank Mahela for his immense contribution and unwavering commitment over the years. We will always cherish the journey we have shared and the memories we have created together. Mahela will always be a part of our #OneFamily, and we wish him every happiness and success in the journey ahead,” she said. In 2022, Jayawardene moved into the role of Global Head of Performance, overseeing the expansion of the Mumbai Indians brand across international T20 leagues. He worked with coaching teams across the franchise to develop a common cricketing approach. During his tenure, Mumbai Indians’ global teams - MI Women, MI New York and MI Emirates, also won titles, strengthening the franchise’s presence in international cricket.

Mahela Jayawardene guided Mumbai Indians to three IPL titles in 2017, 2019 and 2020 during his tenure as head coach.

Mahela Jayawardene has stepped down as head coach of Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of the 2027 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, ending his second stint with the franchise. Jayawardene coached Mumbai Indians from 2017 to 2022 before returning to the role in 2024. The franchise confirmed his departure in a press release on Saturday. “Mumbai Indians, today, announced that Mahela Jayawardene will be stepping down as Head Coach, bringing to a close a decade-long association with the #OneFamily,” the franchise said. Under Jayawardene’s leadership, Mumbai Indians won three IPL titles. The franchise also credited him with helping build its team culture, focusing on discipline, teamwork and collaboration during his two stints as head coach. “Across his two stints in the role, from 2017 to 2022 and again from 2024 to 2026, he has played a defining role in shaping the franchise’s culture, fostering a strong team environment and championing an approach rooted in discipline, collaboration and a team-first ethos,” MI said. Also Read - 'Still some time for the Olympics': Neeraj Chopra opens up about injury and comeback plans Jayawardene thanked the franchise owners, players, coaching staff and fans for their support over the years. He described Mumbai Indians as a special part of his journey and said he was proud of what they had achieved together. “Mumbai Indians has been a very special part of my journey for over a decade now. The players, coaching team, the incredible support of the #OneFamily and above all the fans have made this an experience I will always treasure. Together, we have shared some unforgettable moments, overcome challenges and built something we can all be proud of. I want to sincerely thank Mrs. Nita Ambani and Akash Ambani for their unwavering trust, support and friendship over the years. I leave with immense pride in what we have achieved together and will always carry a special place in my heart for MI. I wish the team every success in the years ahead,” he said. Also Read - IND-W vs ZIM-W: Deepti Sharma, Niki shine as India beat Zimbabwe by four wickets Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani also thanked Jayawardene for his contribution to the franchise, praising his leadership, integrity and commitment to the game. She added that he would always remain a part of the MI family. “Mahela has made a significant contribution to Mumbai Indians over the years. His calm leadership, integrity and deep love for the game have meant so much to us. On behalf of the entire MI family, I want to thank Mahela for his immense contribution and unwavering commitment over the years. We will always cherish the journey we have shared and the memories we have created together. Mahela will always be a part of our #OneFamily, and we wish him every happiness and success in the journey ahead,” she said. In 2022, Jayawardene moved into the role of Global Head of Performance, overseeing the expansion of the Mumbai Indians brand across international T20 leagues. He worked with coaching teams across the franchise to develop a common cricketing approach. During his tenure, Mumbai Indians’ global teams - MI Women, MI New York and MI Emirates, also won titles, strengthening the franchise’s presence in international cricket.

Mahela Jayawardene guided Mumbai Indians to three IPL titles in 2017, 2019 and 2020 during his tenure as head coach.

Mahela Jayawardene resigns as Mumbai Indians head coach

Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has said he is working towards making a strong comeback next year after suffering an injury and his main focus is to return to top form and deliver strong performances ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games. The 28-year-old won gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the men’s javelin throw, however, an ankle ligament injury sustained during a training session forced him to miss the 2026 Asian Games in Japan and end his season early.&nbsp;Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the launch of the 2026 Audi Q3 in Mumbai, Chopra said, “There’s still some time for the Olympics; it is going to be held in 2028. As you might know, I sustained an injury, but I am now in the process of making a comeback. My focus now is on staging a strong, solid comeback next year and delivering the kind of performance I’ve been aiming for.”&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/chaminda-vaas-appointed-delhi-capitals-fast-bowling-coach-for-ipl-2027-1792212468000">Chaminda Vaas appointed Delhi Capitals’ fast bowling coach for IPL 2027</a>&nbsp;Chopra also praised Indian javelin throwers Yash Vir Singh and Rohit Yadav for their performances at the 2026 Asian Games and said that their success, despite his and Kishore Jena’s absence, showed the growing strength of India’s young javelin talent.&nbsp;&nbsp;He also advised them to take care of their fitness and enjoy the sport.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wickets-have-been-extremely-flat-india-bowling-coach-reacts-to-high-scoring-t20i-series-against-wi-1792195182357">‘Wickets have been...’: India coach reacts to high-scoring T20I series vs WI</a>&nbsp;Yash Vir won silver, while Rohit claimed bronze in the men’s javelin throw event at the Asian Games, giving India two medals in the competition.&nbsp;“I think Yashvir and Rohit performed exceptionally well. At the last Asian Games, we secured two medals—a gold and a silver. This time around, even in the absence of Kishore (Kishore Jena) and me, we still managed to bring home two medals. The emergence of these new, young athletes is a very positive sign for India, showing that we have no shortage of talent. I wish them all the best for the future; I’d also advise them to take good care of themselves, stay injury-free, and simply enjoy their sport,” he added.

Two-time Olympic medallist and world champion Neeraj Chopra is targeting a strong comeback next year after suffering an ankle ligament injury.

Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has said he is working towards making a strong comeback next year after suffering an injury and his main focus is to return to top form and deliver strong performances ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games. The 28-year-old won gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the men’s javelin throw, however, an ankle ligament injury sustained during a training session forced him to miss the 2026 Asian Games in Japan and end his season early. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the launch of the 2026 Audi Q3 in Mumbai, Chopra said, “There’s still some time for the Olympics; it is going to be held in 2028. As you might know, I sustained an injury, but I am now in the process of making a comeback. My focus now is on staging a strong, solid comeback next year and delivering the kind of performance I’ve been aiming for.” Also Read - Chaminda Vaas appointed Delhi Capitals’ fast bowling coach for IPL 2027 Chopra also praised Indian javelin throwers Yash Vir Singh and Rohit Yadav for their performances at the 2026 Asian Games and said that their success, despite his and Kishore Jena’s absence, showed the growing strength of India’s young javelin talent. He also advised them to take care of their fitness and enjoy the sport. Also Read - ‘Wickets have been...’: India coach reacts to high-scoring T20I series vs WI Yash Vir won silver, while Rohit claimed bronze in the men’s javelin throw event at the Asian Games, giving India two medals in the competition. “I think Yashvir and Rohit performed exceptionally well. At the last Asian Games, we secured two medals—a gold and a silver. This time around, even in the absence of Kishore (Kishore Jena) and me, we still managed to bring home two medals. The emergence of these new, young athletes is a very positive sign for India, showing that we have no shortage of talent. I wish them all the best for the future; I’d also advise them to take good care of themselves, stay injury-free, and simply enjoy their sport,” he added.

Two-time Olympic medallist and world champion Neeraj Chopra is targeting a strong comeback next year after suffering an ankle ligament injury.

'Still some time for the Olympics': Neeraj Chopra opens up about injury and comeback plans

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'Still some time for Olympics': Chopra opens up about injury and comeback plans