Sanjeev Kumar

Some matches become immortal almost immediately. Australia’s 434 and South Africa’s 438 at Johannesburg in 2006 remains one of ODI cricket’s defining games, recalled every time a team threatens an enormous chase. Three years later, however, India and Sri Lanka produced something nearly as outrageous in Rajkot, only for it to gradually disappear from the … Read more

In response to several key players missing crucial series over the past few months due to recurring injuries, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering a major policy shift for awarding annual Central Contracts. Moving forward, seniority and performance on the field alone may not be sufficient; a player’s overall availability … Read more

Elena Rybakina delivered a devastating performance to dethrone two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka with a 6-4 5-7 6-2 win in the US Open final on Saturday, earning a third Grand Slam crown to accompany her ascent to world number one. The Russian-born Kazakh’s icy composure on the grand stage helped her snap Sabalenka’s 20-match winning … Read more

Miami:LionelMessiscoredaspectaculargoalbutSamSurridgestruckininjurytimeasNashvilleSCfoughtbacktoholdInterMiamiCFtoa2-2drawinatop-twoMLSEasternConferenceclashonSaturday. TheresultleavesInterMiamininepointsbehindNashvilleintheraceforthetopseeding,withnineregular-seasongamesremaining. NashvillemadeadreamstartwhenEnglishstrikerSurridgebeattheoffsidetrapandfiredalowshotintothebottomcornerinthefourthminute. Miamirespondedinthe19thminute,withMessionceagainatthecentreoftheaction.Hisdangerousin-swingingcornerfoundNashvilledefenderReedBaker-Whiting,whoglancedtheballintohisownnettobringthehostslevel. MessicameclosetoputtingMiamiaheadearlyinthesecondhalfwhenhiseffortstrucktheundersideofthecrossbarinthe50thminute. TheArgentineeventuallyfoundthebreakthroughinthe62ndminute.MessicombinedwithformerArgentinateammateRodrigoDePaulontheedgeofthepenaltyareabeforecurlingasuperbeffortbeyondthereachofNashvillegoalkeeperBrianSchwaketomakeit2-1. Messiwasdeniedasecondgoalwhenanothereffortstruckthepostinthe78thminute.HealsohadalateattemptheadedclearbyNashvilledefenderJeissonPalaciosasMiamisearchedforadecisivethirdgoal. Thatfailuretoextendtheirleadprovedcostly. NashvilleremainedinthecontestandSurridgedeliveredagainininjurytime,bundlingtheballhometoscorehissecondgoalofthenightandearnthevisitorsashareofthepoints. The39-year-oldMessihasnowscored17goalsin14appearancesagainstNashvilleinallcompetitionssincejoiningInterMiamiin2023. TheArgentinecouldhaveaddedtothatremarkablerecordonSaturday,butthecrossbar,postandNashville’slatedefensiveinterventiondeniedhim. ThedrawallowedNashvilletomaintaintheiradvantageoverMiamiatthetopoftheEasternConference,whileInterwerelefttoruemissedopportunitiesaftertwicehittingthewoodworkandfailingtoprotecttheirlatelead.

Birmingham: England captain Joe Root added another remarkable chapter to his Test career on Saturday, surpassing Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar ‘s record for the most half-centuries in Test cricket during England’s eight-wicket victory over Pakistan at Edgbaston. Root remained unbeaten on 62 off 39 balls, striking nine fours, as England successfully chased a target … Read more

India will begin their three-match T20I series against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, with the reigning T20 world champions looking to put their recent struggles behind them. The Indian team returns to home conditions after an inconsistent run in T20Is. They swept Zimbabwe 3-0 in July but struggled during their tour … Read more

Birmingham: Pakistan captain Babar Azam has hinted at a major review of the team’s Test setup after England completed a 3-0 series whitewash with an eight-wicket victory at Edgbaston. Babar said Pakistan’s management and selectors would sit down to assess the team’s mistakes, discuss player combinations and decide on the best possible playing XI for … Read more

So, finally, the Asia Cup final is upon us. Later today at 8 pm at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, India and Sri Lanka take the field and try to outdo each other. There is very little surprise that these two teams have made the final, if truth be told. India beat Bangladesh rather comfortably … Read more

Birmingham: England completed a commanding 3-0 Test series sweep over Pakistan with an eight-wicket victory in the third and final Test at Edgbaston on Saturday, further changing the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. The result did not change England’s position in the nine-team WTC table, but their win percentage improved to 38.54%. Pakistan, meanwhile, remained … Read more

For captain Shreyas Iyer and a few of his teammates, the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in New Delhi, beginning on Sunday, is about putting the house in order before the Asian Games later this month. However, one of the key elements for Team India in this series will be the workload of Jasprit Bumrah, … Read more