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The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) set a new Guinness World Record for the 'Largest Cricket Ball Sentence,' using 14,505 balls to form the phrase "Fifty Years of Wankhede Stadium."

Mumbai Cricket Association commemorates 50 years of Wankhede Stadium with a Guinness World Record

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) set a new Guinness World Record for the 'Largest Cricket Ball Sentence,' using 14,505 balls to form the phrase "Fifty Years of Wankhede Stadium."

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Thursday achieved a monumental milestone by securing the Guinness World Records title for the 'Largest Cricket Ball Sentence.'
This accomplishment was part of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The record was set on the anniversary of the first-ever international match held at the stadium in 1975, when India faced the West Indies in a memorable Test match from January 23 to 29.
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/6792270190d05_1737631489.jpg" width="581" height="306">
MCA dedicated this extraordinary feat to the late Eknath Solkar, who scored a century in that historic match, and to other departed Mumbai players who made significant contributions to the sport.
The MCA, known for its unwavering commitment to excellence, arranged 14,505 leather cricket balls on the Wankhede Stadium field to create the sentence: "Fifty Years of Wankhede Stadium."
The record-breaking arrangement was achieved in the presence of MCA President Ajinkya Naik, alongside office-bearers and Apex Council Members. The breakdown of the balls used for each word is as follows:
<ul>
<li>FIFTY: 1,902 balls</li>
<li>YEARS: 2,831 balls</li>
<li>OF: 1,066 balls</li>
<li>WANKHEDE: 4,990 balls</li>
<li>STADIUM: 3,672 balls</li>
<li>FULL STOP (.): 44 balls</li>
<li>Total: 14,505 balls</li>
</ul>
The MCA will donate the balls used in this record to aspiring cricketers from schools, clubs, and NGOs across the city, encouraging them to be inspired by this achievement and aim for even greater milestones in their cricketing careers.
"Mumbai cricket has contributed significantly to the sport and it holds a special place in cricket's history. The city has produced some of the greatest cricketers the world has ever seen. Wankhede Stadium is the pride of Mumbai and has witnessed countless historic moments. This Guinness World Records title is a reflection of Mumbai cricket's passion, legacy, and relentless pursuit of excellence. It is also a special tribute to all the players, officials, and unsung heroes who have contributed to Mumbai's cricketing legacy," said Ajinkya Naik, President of the Mumbai Cricket Association.
In addition to this achievement, the MCA had hosted a series of events earlier to commemorate the stadium's golden jubilee. These included honoring the captains of Mumbai&rsquo;s men's and women&rsquo;s teams, the members of the Mumbai team that played the first-ever first-class match at Wankhede Stadium in 1974, and former Elected Managing Committee members.
The Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai and the association&rsquo;s groundsmen were also felicitated, with a special Polly Umrigar Health Camp and lunch organized for them in recognition of their invaluable contributions.
The grand celebrations on January 19 were attended by cricket legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Diana Edulji, Rohit Sharma, and Ajinkya Rahane, in front of a packed stadium.
The evening also featured mesmerizing performances by Ajay-Atul and Avadhoot Gupte, followed by a stunning laser show that capped off the event.

Jannik Sinner clinched his third Grand Slam title at 23, beating Zverev in Australian Open. Despite facing doping controversy, he shows unmatched talent and potential.

Jannik Sinner: Truly ‘Sin-sensational’!

At 23, Jannik Sinner wins his third Grand Slam, beating Zverev in the Australian Open final. Despite doping appeal challenges, his on-court prowess is unmatched.

Jannik Sinner claimed his third Grand Slam title. Challenges loom with doping appeals in 2024, but his prowess on the court continues to impress.

Jannik Sinner is making tennis history with every tournament he plays. At just 23, the world number one won his third Grand Slam title by defeating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 in the Australian Open final. With this win, he became the first Italian man to win three major titles, cementing his place as one of the sport&rsquo;s brightest stars.&nbsp;
15 Months of Dominance
Sinner&rsquo;s rise over the past 15 months has been incredible. Many fans will remember the moment in October 2023 when he was visibly sick and vomiting courtside during a match at the China Open. Despite this, Sinner won that match...the tournament, and has been almost unstoppable ever since.
His maturity has been a big part of his success. Co-coach Darren Cahill praised him, saying, &ldquo;Sometimes you don&rsquo;t believe he&rsquo;s only 23. He&rsquo;s more mature than his age.&rdquo;
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/679737cf5b1f0_1737963471.jpeg" width="365" height="205">
His stats say the same story. &nbsp;In 2024, Sinner saved 73.7% of break-points and ranked second for tie-break wins (75%). His serve has also improved significantly, with a 29% increase in aces compared to the year before.
What truly sets Sinner apart is his ability to shine in big moments. He hasn&rsquo;t faced a single break point in his last 10 straight-set wins against top-10 opponents&mdash;a record unmatched since ATP rankings began in 1973.
What&rsquo;s Next for Sinner?
However, Sinner&rsquo;s future isn&rsquo;t entirely certain. In 2024, he tested positive for the banned substance Clostebol. While an independent tribunal cleared him of any wrongdoing, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed the decision. A hearing in April will determine if he faces a ban.
Despite the uncertainty, Sinner continues to thrive under pressure. His coach Simone Vagnozzi believes Sinner performs best in challenging situations, saying, &ldquo;He likes to be in a storm.&rdquo; As tennis legend Pat Cash put it, &ldquo;Sinner, if he&rsquo;s not already, is going to be one of the greatest players we&rsquo;ve ever seen.&rdquo; While questions linger off the court, Sinner&rsquo;s dominance on it leaves no doubt about his potential to shape the future of men&rsquo;s tennis.

Vinesh Phogat announces her return to wrestling, saying the “fire never left,” as she prepares for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics with renewed motivation.

Vinesh Phogat Returns from Retirement for LA 2028 Olympics

Vinesh Phogat announces her return to wrestling, saying the &ldquo;fire never left,&rdquo; as she prepares for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics with renewed motivation.

Star Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Friday announced that she would be coming out of retirement to take another shot at an elusive Olympic medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Games as the "the fire never left" her and was merely buried under "exhaustion and noise".
The 31-year-old had walked away from the sport after the heartbreak of the Paris Games last year, where she was dramatically disqualified for being 100 grams over the permissible weight limit ahead of her 50kg category gold medal bout.
She had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking a joint silver medal, but the verdict remained unchanged, leading her to announce her retirement and join politics to be elected as an MLA from Haryana's Julana constituency.
"People kept asking if Paris was the end. For a long time, I didn't have the answer. I needed to step away from the mat, from the pressure, from the expectations, even from my own ambitions. For the first time in years, I allowed myself to breathe," Vinesh posted on her social media accounts.
"I took time to understand the weight of my journey the highs, the heartbreaks, the sacrifices, the versions of me the world never saw. And somewhere in that reflection, I found the truth, I still love this sport. I still want to compete."
She along with her husband Somvir Rathee welcomed a baby boy into their family in July.
"In that silence, I found something I'd forgotten 'the fire never left'. It was only buried under exhaustion and noise. The discipline, the routine, the fight... it's in my system. No matter how far I walked away, a part of me stayed on the mat."
Vinesh said she will begin her journey towards LA28 with renewed spirit and her son by her side.
"So here I am, stepping back toward LA28 with a heart that's unafraid and a spirit that refuses to bow. And this time, I'm not walking alone my son is joining my team, my biggest motivation, my little cheerleader on this road to the LA Olympics," she added.
Vinesh had already scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic gold-medal bout.
A three-time Olympian, she has won gold medals at both the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Suryakumar Yadav, and other Team India members sought blessings at Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri ahead of the T20 series against South Africa.

Team India Seeks Blessings at Jagannath Temple Before T20 Clash

Head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Suryakumar Yadav, and other Team India members sought blessings at Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri ahead of the T20 series against South Africa.

Ahead of the first T20 International against South Africa at Cuttack&rsquo;s Barabati Stadium, four members of Team India, including head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav, visited the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri on Tuesday to seek blessings.
Suryakumar, accompanied by his wife Devisha Shetty, entered the 12th-century shrine amid tight security.
"Jai Jagannath," the skipper chanted as he walked into the temple, escorted by security personnel and Puri SP Prateek Singh. Players Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar also offered prayers.
"We had made special arrangements for the visiting Team India players who arrived here for the blessings of Lord Jagannath. Everything was smooth, and they had &lsquo;darshan&rsquo; of the sibling deities &mdash; Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath &mdash; inside the temple," Singh told reporters.
Servitor Rabi Pratihari organised a special puja for the players and performed a ceremonial lamp offering, praying for Team India&rsquo;s success in the upcoming series.
The team members returned to Bhubaneswar after the darshan, the SP added.&nbsp;

A total of 350 players, including Quinton de Kock and Steve Smith, will go under the hammer in the IPL auction on December 16 in Abu Dhabi, with 77 slots available across 10 teams.

IPL 2026 auction to feature 350 players including 240 Indians; Quinton de Kock added

A total of 350 players, including Quinton de Kock and Steve Smith, will go under the hammer in the IPL auction on December 16 in Abu Dhabi, with 77 slots available across 10 teams.

A total of 350 cricketers, including 240 Indians, will go under the hammer in the IPL auction to take place in Abu Dhabi on December 16, with South Africa's comeback man Quinton de Kock a surprise late addition to the final list.
Wicketkeeper-batter De Kock, who recently came out of his ODI retirement, has been kept at a base price of Rs 1 crore.
The list also includes Australia batter Steve Smith at a base price of Rs 2 crore. Smith last played in the IPL in 2021.
A total of 1,390 players registered for the Player Auction. The number was pruned to 1,005 players before 350 were finally shortlisted to battle for 77 slots available including 31 for overseas players, across the 10 teams for the 19th edition of the world&rsquo;s biggest T20 league.
The first set of players in the auction includes India and Mumbai batters Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan, who both have kept their base price at Rs 75 lakh each. Shaw had a regular run in the IPL from 2018 to 2024 but had gone unsold in the auction for the last edition, whereas Sarfaraz has not played in the competition since 2021.
The list shared by the IPL features two Australians in Cameron Green and Jake Fraser-McGurk, along with New Zealand and former Chennai Super Kings opener Devon Conway and South Africa&rsquo;s David Miller, with each of them keeping a base price of Rs 2 crore.
Venkatesh Iyer, who was released by Kolkata Knight Riders, has listed himself at a base price of Rs 2 crore.
Among domestic players, Kunal Chandela and Ashok Kumar, who are among the leading run-getters and wicket-takers respectively in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, are also in the final list.
Three-time winners KKR will go into the auction with the biggest purse of Rs 64.3 crores, followed by five-time champions CSK with Rs 43.4 crores. Sunrisers Hyderabad, who have won the IPL once, have the third highest purse of Rs 25.5 crores.
As many as 21 England players feature in the list, including wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith, pacer Gus Atkinson, Liam Livingstone and Test opener Ben Duckett.
Green, expected to garner a lot of attention in this auction, leads the list of 19 Australians, with Josh Inglis, Matthew Short, Cooper Connolly and Beau Webster being the other prominent names.
De Kock and Miller are among the 15 Proteas players in the IPL auction, along with fast bowlers Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Gerald Coetzee and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder.
Fast bowlers Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph, Ackeem Auguste, Shai Hope and Roston Chase are among the nine players from the West Indies in the auction.
Sri Lankan spinners Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana and Traveen Matthew will be among the dozen players from the island nation in the auction, along with Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera.
Conway and Rachin Ravindra, who were released by CSK, are among the 16 New Zealand players in the auction.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Naveen ul Haq feature in the list of 10 players from Afghanistan.

Australia’s Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the Ashes due to hamstring and Achilles issues, shifting his focus to the T20 World Cup, while Pat Cummins is expected to return for the Adelaide Test.mins is expected to return for the third Test.

Josh Hazlewood Out of Ashes, Focuses on T20 World Cup Preparation

Australia’s Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the Ashes due to hamstring and Achilles issues, shifting his focus to the T20 World Cup, while Pat Cummins is expected to return for the Adelaide Test.

Australia&rsquo;s Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the Ashes due to hamstring and Achilles issues, shifting his focus to the T20 World Cup, while Pat Cummins is expected to return for the Adelaide Test.

Australian pace bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the Ashes series with hamstring and Achilles injuries.
Hazlewood missed Australia's two eight-wickets wins over England in Perth and Brisbane but had been expected to return later in the five-match series.
Australia coach Andrew McDonald on Tuesday said the veteran paceman would now be targeting a return for the Twenty20 World Cup early next year.
&ldquo;He'll be out of the series and his preparation will then shift toward the World Cup, which is an incredibly important campaign for us," McDonald said. &ldquo;It's really flat for him. A couple of setbacks we didn't see coming &mdash; we thought he'd play a huge part in the series.&rdquo;
Hazlewood has been a key member of Australia's regular bowling attack for a decade.
There was better news for skipper Pat Cummins, who is expected to return for the third test in Adelaide starting Dec. 17 after missing the first two tests while he recovers from a back problem.
The 32-year-old paceman increased his training workload at Allan Border Field in Brisbane while the Australians were playing the second test against England at the Gabba.
He is set to be recalled as captain when the match squad is announced Wednesday.
Steve Smith has been leading the Australia XI in the absence of Cummins.
&ldquo;We feel as though he'll be as best prepared as can be," McDonald said. "Us seeing him further advanced, we feel he'll be really well placed for the challenges of Adelaide.
&ldquo;We feel as though the simulation in the nets has got him skill ready. His body's ready to go. Barring anything else happening in the next week, I'd be expecting Pat to be tossing the coin and putting the blazer on.&rdquo;
The under-fire England squad, which needs a win in Adelaide to have any chance of reclaiming the Ashes, is taking a few days out this week to rest and relax at one of Australia's iconic beach towns.
The fourth test starts Boxing Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Sydney will host the fifth test from Jan. 4.
England hasn't won an Ashes test in Australia since the 2010-11 series.
Mitchell Starc, the only regular member of the Australian attack involved in the first two tests, is the leading bowler in the series so far with 18 wickets and has won back-to-back man-of-the-match awards.

India start their five-match T20I series against South Africa in Cuttack with the returns of Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya, as Suryakumar Yadav’s form and the Sanju Samson–Jitesh Sharma wicketkeeper debate remain key talking points.

Gill, Hardik return as India begin official T20I WC build-up vs South Africa

India start their five-match T20I series against South Africa in Cuttack with the returns of Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya, as Suryakumar Yadav&rsquo;s form and the Sanju Samson&ndash;Jitesh Sharma wicketkeeper debate remain key talking points.

The return of Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya will lend fresh sheen and much-needed completeness to reigning world champions India when they begin their official march towards the home T20 World Cup with the opening match of a five-game series against South Africa, in Cuttack on Tuesday.
This series marks the start of India's formal build-up to the February showpiece, where they will play 10 T20Is -- five against South Africa followed by another five against New Zealand -- before opening their title defence against the USA at the Wankhede on February 7.
The defending champions will look to enter this phase with clarity of intent as they refine roles, streamline combinations and settle the XI that will carry the weight of expectations in front of home crowds.
India have been a formidable T20I unit post their World Cup triumph in the format last year, where they won eight matches in a row to lift the title. Since then, they have extended their tally to 26 wins with only four losses, including a seven-match streak during their Asia Cup victory in Dubai. They have not lost a T20I series in this period, and with only minor tweaks needed, they will be hoping to sharpen the edges against the side they defeated in the T20 World Cup final.
Gill's return Gill's return comes after he missed almost a month of cricket owing to a neck spasm suffered while attempting a slog sweep during the opening Test against the Proteas. Having played non-stop cricket since the last IPL and with India facing a packed season ahead, his workload management will be closely monitored.
But for Gill, who has 837 runs from 33 T20Is at an average of 29.89, this series also doubles up as vital preparation heading into the ICC event. His reunion with Abhishek Sharma brings back a high-impact opening pair that marries brute force with clean, classical strokeplay.
Abhishek, fresh from a standout tour of Australia where he topped India's scoring charts with 163 runs in the 2-1 victory, has been in monstrous domestic touch. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s, the Punjab left-hander hammered 304 runs at an average of 50.66 and a staggering strike rate of 249-plus, including a breathtaking 52-ball 148 against Bengal as Punjab posted 310/5.
 Pandya comeback Hardik Pandya's comeback is equally significant. Out for more than two months after a quadricep injury during the Asia Cup, the all-rounder marked his return in style with a 42-ball 77 not out for Baroda in the SMAT before bowling four overs at full tilt for 1/52.
He arrived here a day ahead of the squad, trained solo at the Barabati Stadium, bowled for 20 minutes and went through an extended physical routine. His presence not only deepens India's batting but restores the balance of a bowling attack built heavily on flexibility.
 SKY's form One of the central conversations ahead of the series has been skipper Suryakumar Yadav's prolonged lean patch. The contrast between his dazzling IPL 2025, where he amassed 717 runs for Mumbai Indians, and his underwhelming T20I returns have been striking.
Since taking over as full-time T20I captain in July last year, his form has dipped to an average of 15.33 with 184 runs in 15 innings, he has not scored a fifty in the last 20 games, and his strike rate has reduced to 127.77 from the 187-plus he clocked in 2022. Even in the SMAT this season, he failed to reach a fifty, scoring 165 runs from five matches. Any drastic move before the World Cup looks unlikely, but the next 10 T20Is will add fodder to conversations surrounding both his form and captaincy.
 Sanju vs Jitesh The wicketkeeper-batter debate -- Sanju Samson or Jitesh Sharma -- remains equally tantalising. India's handling of the pair during the Australia series raised eyebrows, with Samson batting only once, promoted to No. 3, before Jitesh was backed for the last three T20Is.
Since India's World Cup triumph, Samson has been the team's third-highest run-getter, flourishing as an opener with three centuries, including two in South Africa. But Gill's return as vice-captain pushed Samson down the order into a role he rarely occupies in T20 cricket.
In the recent SMAT, Samson looked in excellent touch with two fifties, two 40s and a 56-ball 73 not out against Andhra, while Jitesh managed modest returns for Baroda with a top score of 41 from six outings.
 SA notes South Africa, for their part, welcome back tearaway pacer Anrich Nortje for his first international appearance since last year's T20 World Cup final. Marco Jansen's evolution as a genuine all-rounder adds heft to the visitors; his blistering 93 in the Guwahati Test and 70 off 39 balls in Ranchi underscored a renewed authority with the bat to go with his established potency with the ball.
Veteran left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj also returns to the white-ball fold, though the Proteas will sorely miss star batter Tony de Zorzi and young fast bowler Kwena Maphaka, both ruled out of the five-match series due to injury.
Teams (from): India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy.
South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Ottineil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donnovan Ferreria, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Tristan Stubbs.
Match Starts: 7pm IST.

Rory McIlroy makes a thrilling comeback to survive the cut at the Australian Open. He sits seven strokes behind the leaders.

Rory McIlroy Survives Cut at Dramatic Australian Open

Rory McIlroy survives the cut at Royal Melbourne with a 3-under 68, trailing co-leaders by seven shots, poised for the weekend's challenge.

Rory McIlroy secures a weekend spot at the Australian Open with a 3-under 68, trailing co-leaders by seven shots.

&nbsp;
Melbourne, Dec 5 (AP) - Rory McIlroy Survives Cut at Thrilling Australian Open.
Amidst dramatic scenes on the back nine of Royal Melbourne, Rory McIlroy has secured his spot for the weekend at the Australian Open. A determined round of 3-under 68 on Friday allowed him to finish inside the crucial 36-hole cut line.
At 2-under for the tournament, McIlroy sits seven strokes behind the co-leaders, Daniel Rodriques, who shot a stunning 64, and Rasmus Neergaard-Peterson with a solid 66. Both leading golfers boast impressive 9-under totals of 133.
Rodriques and Neergaard-Peterson enjoy a slender one-shot advantage over third-place Min Woo Lee, who carded a 65. Australian favorites Adam Scott matched the co-leader with a 66, while Cameron Smith, with a 65, shrugged off recent form concerns to share fourth place after breaking his streak of seven missed cuts.
Starting his day at 1-over after a first-round 72, McIlroy was in a lowly tie for 57th, seven shots off the pace. Hovering precariously, just one shot above the anticipated cut of 2-over, he needed something special.
McIlroy&rsquo;s front nine saw him record one birdie alongside eight pars. His troubles emerged on the par-5 14th where a wayward drive found him struggling under a tea tree. After whiffing on his shot due to entangled branches, he salvaged a bogey, bringing him back under cut pressure.
But champion mentality stayed McIlroy&rsquo;s friend. A birdie on the challenging par-3 15th brought him back to even-par and within safe distance. He steadyed with a par on 16, then electrified the crowd with a remarkable birdie on 17, recovering from the rough under a bush, capitalizing on a near eagle attempt.
Concluding his round with an inspiring birdie on the 18th, McIlroy climbed approximately 20 places on the leaderboard, settling at 1-under to see out the day.
Reflecting on a turbulent day, McIlroy remarked, &ldquo;With the wind, it played like a different golf course today. I certainly haven't played my best over the past couple of days but it was nice to finish the way I did. Delighted to be here for the weekend . . . seven isn't too far back.&rdquo; On his earlier mishap under the trees, he mused, &ldquo;Not one of my finer moments but nice to be able to come back over the last few holes.&rdquo;
Co-leader Neergard-Peterson is eager to prove his mettle after missing the cut at the recent Australian PGA Championship. &ldquo;Certainly I feel like I've proved over the last year or so that I have the level to compete out here and be in the thick of things on Sunday,&rdquo; he stated confidently.
Royal Melbourne has seen its fair share of surprises, particularly as McIlroy critiqued its standing among local sandbelt courses before the tournament. His opening round showcased a rollercoaster ride of six bogeys against five birdies.
Returning to the Australian Open since his last appearance in 2015, McIlroy recalls fond memories after clinching the title in 2013. This year&rsquo;s winner earns an exempt spot at next year&rsquo;s Masters, and for the top three finishers not yet exempt, a coveted place at the 2026 British Open at Royal Birkdale. (AP) APA APA
&nbsp;
(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
&nbsp;

Argentine football star Lionel Messi arrives in Delhi for the last leg of his G.O.A.T India tour following a delayed Mumbai flight. He will attend a meet-and-greet, ticketed event, and photoshoot before returning to Miami.

Lionel Messi Wraps Up G.O.A.T India Tour With Delayed Arrival in Delhi

Lionel Messi's G.O.A.T India Tour Ends in Delhi

Argentine football star Lionel Messi arrives in Delhi for the last leg of his G.O.A.T India tour following a delayed Mumbai flight. He will attend a meet-and-greet, ticketed event, and photoshoot before returning to Miami.

Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi arrived in Delhi on Monday for the final leg of his G.O.A.T India Tour after his flight from Mumbai was delayed considerably due to inclement weather.&nbsp;
Messi, who was in Mumbai for the second day of his three-day whirlwind trip to India, was to land in the national capital around 10:45am but his charter flight was held up due to foggy conditions. He landed at the Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport around 2:30pm, and straightaway proceeded to the Leela Palace Hotel where he will have a Meet and Greet session for around an hour with a select group of people.&nbsp;
His final set of engagements includes an appearance at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium for a ticketed event and a photo-shoot programme at Purana Qila before leaving for the airport for the return to Miami, his current base.&nbsp;
The World Cup winner regaled fans in Mumbai last evening, posing alongside cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and a bevy of Bollywood stars and politicians.&nbsp;
Before Mumbai, he also made similar appearances in Hyderabad and Kolkata. The Kolkata leg was marred by chaotic scenes at the venue as frustrated fans ripped apart seats and stormed the Salt Lake Stadium pitch after failing to catch a glimpse of the superstar, who was surrounded by politicians and officials.&nbsp;

Sports

Cameron Green, Venkatesh Iyer, Liam Livingstone and other all-rounders are set to dominate the IPL 2025 mini-auction, with KKR and CSK expected to make aggressive bids.

Cameron Green, KKR, CSK Eye IPL Mini-Auction Windfall

Cameron Green in Demand at IPL Mini-Auction

Cameron Green, Venkatesh Iyer, Liam Livingstone and other all-rounders are set to dominate the IPL 2025 mini-auction, with KKR and CSK expected to make aggressive bids.

Cameron Green could well be the biggest beneficiary of IPL's skewed demand-supply market dynamic surrounding seam-bowling all-rounders during the mini-auction in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday with Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings seemingly ready to break the bank for the Australian.
The 10 teams need to fill up 77 slots with a cumulative purse of Rs 237.55 crore and among them, Mumbai Indians (Rs 2.75 crore) will hardly have any role to play save picking a few uncapped players at their base price. Green, along with out-of-favour India all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer and English dasher Liam Livingstone, is likely to enjoy a handsome payday.
Kolkata Knight Riders, with a purse of 64.30 crore and an eye on rebuilding the outfit with 13 slots to fill, can only be challenged by Chennai Super Kings, who enter the mini-auction with a purse of Rs 43.40 crore.
The mini-auction is always more intriguing than the mega auction as franchises come with specific choices and are always ready to go the distance to procure the services of players with distinct skill-sets.
Pace bowling all-rounders always come at a premium and therefore, the troika of Green, Venkatesh Iyer and West Indies' Jason Holder, all coming at the highest base price of Rs 2 crore (USD 220,000), are set to headline the bidding war. If one looks at their IPL stats, Green, especially, has middling numbers -- 704 runs and 16 wickets in the 29 matches -- but the mini-auction is more demand-driven activity and an Australian all-format regular is certain to get traction.
When it comes to Venkatesh, everyone save KKR CEO Venky Mysore, believed that an auction bid of Rs 23.75 crore was way too high and the player had his worst season trying to justify the price.
Having also released Andre Russell, who is the team's new "Power Coach", KKR are in need of at least two good top order batters and one all-rounder. The third of three pace-bowling all-rounders, Holder, may be a low key name but he is equally adept at using the long handle and bowl those heavy balls, making him useful in a smaller auction with lesser options.
Green will get only Rs 18 crore
There is buzz that Green might surpass countryman Mitchell Starc (Rs 24.75 crore) to become the overseas player with the highest price tag at an IPL auction but there would still remain a catch.
Even if Green's bid goes northwards of Rs 25 crore, his salary for the season would still be Rs 18 crore (USD 1.9 million). The bid amount and players' salary would be mutually exclusive with the former being deducted from team's annual player purse.
The reason being IPL's "maximum-fee" rule which states that a foreign player's maximum fee at a mini auction will be the lower value between the highest retention slab (Rs 18 crore) and the highest price at the previous mega auction (Rs 27 crore for Rishabh Pant in 2025).
In case of Venkatesh, it will be interesting if his bid value goes over and above Rs 10 crore (USD 1.1 million), which is a fair deal given his skill-set and capabilities. In a mini-auction, there is no scope for using the Right To Match (RTM) card and hence KKR, if they want to get back Venkatesh, will have to make some smart calls.
Livingstone, De Kock could be in high demand
England swashbuckler Liam Livingstone, who can also bowl handy spin is another player, who can hit the million dollar mark (Rs 9 crore) along with Quinton de Kock, who has time and again shown that he is a match-winner with the bat aside from being safe as a house behind the stumps. For Livingstone, destroying Rashid Khan's mystery by smashing him for 26 runs in a 'Hundred' game for Birmingham Phoenix is likely to make him sought-after name.
Uncapped Indians Prashant Veer, and Mukul Choudhary will attract bidders while Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan would also hope that their low base price of Rs 75 lakh finds takers.
Pathirana, Duffy and uncapped Ashok Sharma&nbsp;
Matheesha Pathirana was released by CSK but teams like Lucknow Super Giants (purse of Rs 22.95 crore) might bid aggressively as their fast bowling resources look depleted despite the presence of Mohammed Shami and a perennially injured Mayank Yadav. However, Pathirana is believed to have remodelled his action but whether CSK will be interested in him is a big question.
Also on the list is Jacob Duffy, the New Zealand paceman who has already made a name for himself in the T20I circuit and is one of the top-rated players in the ICC rankings. Among uncapped Indians, Ashok Sharma, who has previously been a part of IPL teams and is in the midst of a fine Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign, is expected to attract very good bids.

India’s fast bowlers produced a stunning swing bowling display before Abhishek Sharma’s brisk knock powered a comfortable seven-wicket win over South Africa in the third T20I at Dharamsala.

Pacers shine bright in India's seven-wicket win over SA in 3rd T20I

India&rsquo;s fast bowlers produced a stunning swing bowling display before Abhishek Sharma&rsquo;s brisk knock powered a comfortable seven-wicket win over South Africa in the third T20I at Dharamsala.

Abhishek Sharma played a sparkling little innings after the pacers produced a riveting exhibition of swing bowling, powering India to a smooth seven-wicket victory in the third T20I in Dharamsala on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 118 for a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, vice-captain Gill (28, 28 balls) and his opening partner Abhishek (35, 18 balls) added 60 runs in 5.2 overs as India achieved their target without much effort in 15.5 overs.
The lone point of interest in India&rsquo;s chase was whether the South African pacers could emulate their Indian counterparts with the new ball, and make the opponents&rsquo; task tougher. However, Abhishek and Gill never allowed the South African bowlers to settle, as the former carted Lungi Ngidi for 16 runs in the first over. In fact, the very first ball of the chase went for a six -- an early indicator of the Indian openers&rsquo; intention.
In the second over, Gill too joined his partner to garner 16 runs as India sped to 32 for no loss in the initial two overs. Abhishek, as is his wont, batted in a single gear and it required a gem of a catch by Aiden Markram in the deep off Corbin Bosch to snap his stay.
Once the left-hander was dismissed, India's chase of the remaining 58 runs settled into a much more sedate rhythm as Gill, who was saved by a DRS call early in his innings, and Tilak Varma (26 not out) did not look for any adventure. Gill's run-a-ball 28 will certainly not rank among his fluent ones, but it might have boosted his confidence after two lukewarm outings in the first two matches of the series.
He eventually dragged a Marco Jansen delivery back on to his stumps, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav too failed to remain till the end. But those were the minor aberrations on the night.
All the credit for this canter should go to India&rsquo;s pacers, who produced a mesmerizing spell of swing bowling to bundle out South Africa for a below-par 117. Leading India&rsquo;s show with early wickets were Arshdeep Singh (2/13), Harshit Rana (2/34) and Hardik Pandya (1/23) after the hosts chose to bowl.
Skipper Markram offered a tiny spark for South Africa with a spirited 46-ball 61. Undoubtedly, the brightest stars under a cool sky were India&rsquo;s quick bowlers, who procured lethal swing and lateral movement with the new ball. It had its effect on the low-key power play effort of South Africa -- 25 for three -- and the phase contained just two fours.
Arshdeep, who had a horror outing at Mullanpur a couple of days back, redeemed himself with a dream first spell (3-0-9-1). He bowled three deliveries which angled away from Reeza Hendricks and then jagged one back to trap the South African opener leg before with the help of DRS.
Rana did precisely the same to Quinton de Kock, a nip-backer, trapping the frozen-legged left-hander inside the crease. Dewald Brevis was slightly unfortunate to get castled while attempting a release shot off a wide delivery from Rana.
South Africa suddenly found themselves at 7 for 3 in 3.1 overs, and it was always going to be an uphill climb for them from there. Markram crunched a couple of sweet drives in between to keep the board moving but Tristan Stubbs and Bosch departed in quick succession to further derail South African innings.
Stubbs&rsquo; wicket helped all-rounder Pandya to complete 100 wickets in T20Is, the third Indian bowler to do so after Arshdeep and Jasprit Bumrah, who did not play this match after returning home to attend to a personal situation. The BCCI said his availability for the remainder of the series will be announced in due course.
Kuldeep Yadav too came into the eleven for an unwell Axar Patel. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy (2/11 in 4 overs) too reached a milestone, capturing his 50th T20I wicket while flattening the stumps of Donovan Ferreira (20, 15 balls).
The big-hitting Ferreria was dropped on 13 by Arshdeep at long-on off Shivam Dube, but that did not hurt India. Chakravarthy cut open the lower-order with his bottomless bag of tricks as the pitch also continued to offer good pace and carry. The spinner also added the wicket of Jansen to keep South Africa pinned to the mat.
Markram completed his fifty off 41 balls with a slashed six off Rana, as the 18th over produced 19 runs. But the South African surge came tad too late.

The 2025 Ashes series between Australia and England promises high drama, historic rivalries, and key battles featuring stars like Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Steven Smith, and Mitchell Starc, across five Tests starting in Perth.

The Ashes: What to know about cricket's most storied rivalry

The 2025 Ashes series between Australia and England promises high drama, historic rivalries, and key battles featuring stars like Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Steven Smith, and Mitchell Starc, across five Tests starting in Perth.

Few sporting contests carry the history, drama, and aura of the Ashes.&nbsp;
Born from a mock newspaper obituary in 1882 and symbolized by a tiny urn, the rivalry between Australia and England has shaped more than a century of Test cricket.&nbsp;
Ahead of one of the biggest contests on the cricket calendar, here's what to know about the upcoming five-match series.
<h3> The Origins</h3>
The Ashes is one of the oldest and most iconic rivalries in international sport, featuring Test cricket contests between Australia and England. Cricket tests between English and Australian teams started in 1877.
According to the Marylebone Cricket Club, the Lord's-based custodian of the laws of the game, the term &ldquo;Ashes&rdquo; was first used in August 1882 in a satirical obituary for English cricket printed in The Sporting Times after the representative team lost on home soil to Australia for the first time.
The obituary reported that the body of English cricket would be cremated and the Ashes taken to Australia.
English captain Ivo Bligh led a team to Australia later that year with a vow to reclaim &ldquo;the ashes.&rdquo;
A fan presented Bligh with a small terracotta urn as a symbol of the Ashes after an England victory &mdash; and that's how the Ashes and the urn became intrinsically connected.
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/691c03853da10_1763443589.jpg" width="576" height="523">
Bligh met his future wife on that day. The couple moved to England and took the urn with them, keeping it in the family until after Bligh died, when it was bequeathed to the MCC.
The Ashes series has evolved into a regular event, held approximately every two years and alternating between the two countries.
<h3> Some Classic Moments</h3>
1932&ndash;33 &ldquo;Bodyline&rdquo; Series: England used hostile &ldquo;fast leg theory&rdquo; bowling tactics to intimidate Australian batters, especially Don Bradman. England reclaimed the Ashes, but the rules were later modified to restrict similar tactics.
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/691c04265d4fe_1763443750.png" width="575" height="320">
&nbsp;
Shane Warne&rsquo;s &ldquo;Ball of the Century&rdquo; (1993): At Old Trafford, Warne&rsquo;s first Ashes delivery for Australia drifted and spun almost incomprehensibly to bowl Mike Gatting, announcing Warne as a generational star.
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/691c04922a6e8_1763443858.png" width="570" height="317">
&nbsp;
Ben Stokes&rsquo; Headingley Innings (2019): His unbeaten 135, mixing supreme composure with fearless hitting, dragged England to an improbable one-wicket victory and etched a new legend into Ashes folklore.
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/691c057bbba75_1763444091.jpg" width="565" height="315">
&nbsp;
Jonny Bairstow Controversy (2023): England&rsquo;s Jonny Bairstow was controversially stumped at Lord's after wandering out of his crease, believing the ball to be out of play.
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/691c0605be560_1763444229.jpg" width="567" height="316">
While entirely within the laws, the incident sparked fierce debate over the spirit of cricket, igniting a storm across the cricketing world.
<h3> Recent History</h3>
Australia has held the Ashes since 2017, retaining the urn with series wins at home and drawn series in England, including a 2-2 result in a highly charged tour two years ago.
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/691c06e08fe61_1763444448.jpg" width="562" height="313">
England has not won an Ashes Test in Australia since 2011 &mdash; also the last time it won a series in Australia. That span includes a 5-0 loss in 2013-14, and 4-0 defeats in 2017-18 and 2021-22.
The 3-1 series loss to England in 2010-11 was Australia&rsquo;s only Ashes series loss at home since it reclaimed the urn in England in 1989.
<h3> England Players to Watch</h3>
Joe Root: No. 1-ranked batter and second-highest scorer in Test cricket, but he has never scored an Ashes century in Australia. His average of 35.68 in 14 Tests here lags far behind his career mark of 51.29.
Ben Stokes: England&rsquo;s talismanic captain and &ldquo;Bazball&rdquo; figurehead. Stokes can win matches almost single-handedly. Despite being Test cricket's leading six-hitter, he averages just 28.61 with the bat and 41 with the ball in Australia.
Jofra Archer: Playing his first Ashes in Australia but already famous for his express pace, including the 2019 blows to Smith and Labuschagne. Injuries have stalled his career since his 22-wicket breakout series, and England will hope he stays fit.
<h3> Australia Players to Watch</h3>
Steven Smith: Australia&rsquo;s premier batter for more than a decade and anchor of an unsettled lineup. With 10,447 runs, 36 centuries, and an average of 56.02, he sits just behind Bradman among Australia&rsquo;s Test greats. Smith has 12 Ashes hundreds, including a best of 239 at Perth.
Mitchell Starc: The last fit member of Australia&rsquo;s first-choice pace trio, with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood sidelined due to injuries. Starc has 402 wickets in 100 Tests, placing him fourth on Australia&rsquo;s all-time list.
Scott Boland: A cult hero since his remarkable 6-7 on debut at the MCG in 2021. His 62 wickets at 16.53 in 14 Tests would make him an automatic pick, though the 36-year-old has often been squeezed out behind Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood.
<h3> The Schedule</h3>
The five-Test series starts Friday in Perth, Western Australia.
Second Test: Day-nighter at the Gabba in Brisbane, starting Dec. 4.
Third Test: Adelaide Oval, Dec. 17&ndash;21.
Fourth Test: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Boxing Day Test, starting Dec. 26.
Fifth Test: Sydney, starting Jan. 4.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar will be honored with the prestigious C K Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award at the BCCI’s annual gala on Saturday.

Sachin Tendulkar to get BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award

Tendulkar, known for his iconic career and record-breaking runs in Test and ODI formats, continues to be a symbol of excellence in international cricket.

The legendary Sachin Tendulkar, renowned for his iconic batting records and profound impact on international cricket, will be honored with the BCCI&rsquo;s Lifetime Achievement Award at the Board's annual gala on Saturday.&nbsp;
At 51 years old, Tendulkar has played 664 international matches for India and holds the record for the most Test and ODI runs in cricket history.&nbsp;
"Yes, he will be the recipient of the C K Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award for the year 2024," a Board source confirmed to PTI. His 200 Test appearances and 463 ODIs remain unmatched in the history of the game. Over his illustrious career, he accumulated 15,921 runs in Tests and a staggering 18,426 in ODIs.
Though he played only one T20 International, Tendulkar&rsquo;s career is defined by his remarkable achievements across formats.&nbsp;
In 2023, the award was presented to former India head coach Ravi Shastri and wicketkeeping great Farokh Engineer.&nbsp;
Regarded as the greatest batter of his era, Tendulkar was not just known for his run-scoring feats but also for being a symbol of cricketing excellence.&nbsp;
He made his debut at the age of 16 in 1989 against Pakistan and went on to enjoy a career that spanned more than two decades.&nbsp;
Apart from his batting records, Tendulkar was also a pivotal figure in India&rsquo;s 2011 World Cup-winning team, marking his sixth and final appearance in the prestigious tournament.
At his peak, the sight of Tendulkar walking out to bat was enough to captivate an entire nation. His wicket was the most coveted among opposition teams, many of whom admitted that Tendulkar was the only Indian batter capable of intimidating them.&nbsp;
Tendulkar will be the 31st recipient of the C K Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, which was established in 1994 in honor of India&rsquo;s first captain, Col. C K Nayudu, who also made significant contributions as a cricket administrator.&nbsp;
Nayudu&rsquo;s extraordinary 47-year-long first-class career, which spanned from 1916 to 1963, remains a world record.

Virat Kohli's much-anticipated return to the Ranji Trophy ended early with a dismissal for just six runs. Himanshu Sangwan claimed the prized wicket as Kohli's brief stay at the crease left Delhi trailing Railways.

Virat Kohli dismissed for six runs in Ranji Trophy return leaving fans disappointed

Virat Kohli's much-anticipated return to the Ranji Trophy ended early with a dismissal for just six runs. Himanshu Sangwan claimed the prized wicket as Kohli's brief stay at the crease left Delhi trailing Railways.

Virat Kohli's return to the Ranji Trophy was cut short as he was dismissed for just six runs on Friday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.&nbsp;
Kohli's brief innings was ended by Himanshu Sangwan, who claimed the prized wicket after Kohli had faced only 15 deliveries.
Kohli displayed a brief moment of brilliance, playing a beautiful straight drive off Sangwan, but the very next delivery proved his downfall.&nbsp;
The ball, angled in on a fullish length just outside off, seamed in sharply as Kohli attempted another drive but missed, leaving a gap between his bat and pad. The ball clipped the off-stump, sending the bails flying.
The dismissal was a significant moment for Sangwan, whose wicket of Kohli seemed to deflate the stadium, as thousands of fans who had gathered to witness a Kohli masterclass were left disappointed. Following Kohli's exit, Delhi was at 87/3, still trailing Railways by 140 runs.
However, there may still be a chance for redemption. If Delhi gets a second innings, Kohli will have another opportunity to shine.&nbsp;
On Day 1 of the match, the stadium was buzzing with excitement as fans turned out in large numbers to support their cricketing icon, whose recent performances have been below expectations.
Over 15,000 fans attended the match, with additional gates opened and increased security. In a dramatic turn, a fan managed to breach security, rushing onto the field to meet Kohli.&nbsp;
The fan touched Kohli&rsquo;s feet before being escorted off by security personnel. Kohli, displaying his characteristic calm, requested security to handle the fan gently and avoid any harsh treatment.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, Delhi's opening bowlers, Navdeep Saini and Siddhant Sharma, had put Railways in trouble at 21/3, showing promise for the remainder of the match.

Jasprit Bumrah has been awarded the prestigious ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2024 and the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy after an exceptional performance across formats.

Jasprit Bumrah named ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2024, wins Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy

Jasprit Bumrah has been awarded the prestigious ICC Men&rsquo;s Cricketer of the Year 2024 and the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy after an exceptional performance across formats.

Jasprit Bumrah has added another incredible achievement to his already impressive career, being named the ICC Men&rsquo;s Cricketer of the Year for 2024.&nbsp;
Following his win as the ICC Men&rsquo;s Test Cricketer of the Year, Bumrah also claimed the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, solidifying his status as one of the world&rsquo;s best fast bowlers.
Bumrah triumphed over fellow nominees Travis Head, Joe Root, and Harry Brook to secure the award, becoming the fifth Indian player to receive this recognition.&nbsp;
Previous Indian recipients include Rahul Dravid (2004), Sachin Tendulkar (2010), Ravichandran Ashwin (2016), and Virat Kohli (2017, 2018).
The ICC highlighted Bumrah&rsquo;s exceptional performances across formats in 2024, describing his year as a &ldquo;masterclass in skill, precision, and relentless consistency,&rdquo; with the fast bowler continuing to break records and establish himself as the world&rsquo;s premier pacer.
Bumrah had a stellar year in both T20Is and Tests. He played a pivotal role in India&rsquo;s triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024, finishing as the Player of the Tournament with 15 wickets at an extraordinary average of 8.26 and an economy rate of just 4.17.
In Tests, Bumrah took 71 wickets, outpacing England&rsquo;s Gus Atkinson, who claimed 52 wickets in 11 matches. Bumrah's average was a phenomenal 14.92, and his strike rate was just 30.1 for the year.&nbsp;
His 71 wickets made him only the fourth Indian bowler in history to take more than 70 Test wickets in a calendar year, joining the ranks of Ravichandran Ashwin, Anil Kumble, and Kapil Dev.
Bumrah&rsquo;s year began with a stellar performance in the Cape Town Test against South Africa, where he took eight wickets across two innings, helping India to victory. He then dominated England at home, claiming 19 wickets in four Tests as India won 1-4. H
owever, his finest performance came during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) tour of Australia, where he bagged an incredible 32 wickets in five Tests and was named Player of the Series.
Bumrah&rsquo;s remarkable year saw him surpass the milestone of 200 Test wickets, becoming the 12th Indian bowler to achieve this feat. He also became the fastest Indian pacer to reach this mark, with a bowling average of less than 20, the best in history.
Bumrah&rsquo;s dominance was further reflected in his ICC Test Bowling Rankings, where he surpassed 900 rating points, ending the year with an unprecedented 907 points&mdash;setting a new record for the most points by any Indian bowler in history.

Rishabh Pant, sold to Lucknow Super Giants for a record Rs 27 crores in the IPL 2025 auction, has been named captain of the franchise. 

Rishabh Pant named Lucknow Super Giants captain for IPL 2025

Rishabh Pant, sold to Lucknow Super Giants for a record Rs 27 crores in the IPL 2025 auction, has been named captain of the franchise.&nbsp;

Rishabh Pant, the trailblazing wicketkeeper, has been appointed as the captain of the Lucknow Super Giants for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, the franchise announced on Monday.
The 27-year-old, who made history during the IPL auction in November by being sold to Lucknow for Rs 27 crores ($3.2 million), joins the team for the upcoming edition of the lucrative T20 tournament.
Pant, known for his flamboyant left-handed batting, returned to captain Delhi Capitals last season after a 14-month hiatus from elite cricket due to a car accident. However, he parted ways with the Capitals after the team finished sixth in the 2024 IPL season standings.
"I see a born leader in Rishabh Pant. From my point of view, he will be probably the best captain IPL has seen," said Sanjiv Goenka, the owner of Lucknow, during a special TV broadcast. "Surely Rishabh Pant will play for at least 14-15 years for us, we hope at least five IPL titles in these years."
Pant has represented India in 150 international matches across all three formats, amassing 5,028 runs, including seven centuries.
The 18th edition of the IPL is set to commence on March 21, with the opening match scheduled to be held in Kolkata, while the final will take place on May 25, according to reports from Indian media.
The IPL continues to be a major revenue generator for Indian cricket, contributing more than $11 billion annually to the economy. It has also played a pivotal role in popularizing T20 cricket globally, inspiring similar events worldwide.

Cricket

Australia defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs in the first Test, with Matthew Kuhnemann taking career-best figures of 9-149. Sri Lanka’s batting collapse saw them lose their last five wickets for just nine runs, sealing the heavy defeat.

Australia crushes Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs in historic Test victory

Australia defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs in the first Test, with Matthew Kuhnemann taking career-best figures of 9-149. Sri Lanka&rsquo;s batting collapse saw them lose their last five wickets for just nine runs, sealing the heavy defeat.

Sri Lanka suffered their heaviest defeat in Test cricket history on Saturday as Australia flexed their muscles to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series with a crushing victory by an innings and 242 runs.
The contest was wrapped up before tea on day four, with rookie left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann's match-winning spell delivering him career-best figures of 9-149 over both innings.
"We were put under pressure," Sri Lanka skipper Dhananjaya de Silva said afterwards. "The batters should have put up a better show."
Kuhnemann underwent surgery only two weeks ago on a broken right thumb sustained during the Big Bash League and battled through the match in pain, requiring constant medical attention.
He was well-supported by the ever-dependable Nathan Lyon, who spun a web around the Sri Lankan batters to finish with seven match wickets.
Sri Lanka's heaviest defeat before Saturday was in Nagpur in 2017, when India hammered them by an innings and 239.
Sri Lanka resumed on 136 for five overnight but their first innings folded for 165, losing their last five wickets for a mere nine runs.
Put straight back in to bat chasing 489, they lost three wickets before lunch and then capitulated in the second session -- a humiliating finish for a team once renowned for its prowess on turning tracks.
Dinesh Chandimal had waged a lonely battle in the first innings to top-score with 72 and, with Angelo Mathews, stitched together one of only two 50-plus partnerships in the second.
However, he was sent back for 31 on the last ball before lunch when he gloved Lyon to Travis Head at short leg.
Oshada Fernando failed to make an impact in his return to the side, undone by a sharp inswinger from Mitchell Starc that trapped him plumb in front for six to go with his first innings seven.
Former skipper Dimuth Karunaratne's horror run with the bat continued after an avoidable dismissal for nought by Todd Murphy.
 - 'Tough place to play' -
Rain forced an early lunch on day three before washing out the final two sessions.
Australia declared on 654-6 late on the second day after opener Usman Khawaja's career-best 232.
"Galle is a tough place to play cricket and we are very happy with this win," Khawaja said.
"I've played a lot of cricket in Sri Lanka, this being my fifth tour. I've made lot of mistakes before. I guess all that experience came in handy in this game."
Stand-in skipper Steve Smith also had a game to remember, becoming only the fourth Australian to breach the 10,000-run mark in Test cricket on the first ball he faced.
He finished his innings with a masterful 141, while wicketkeeper Josh Inglis hit a century on debut.
Galle will host the second and final match of the series next week before a two-match ODI series in Colombo.

India’s batting faltered again as Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav continued their lean run, handing South Africa a 51-run win in the second T20. Quinton de Kock’s blistering 90 powered the visitors to 213/4 before Indian batters collapsed.

South Africa level series after de Kock special; Gill, SKY misfire again

India&rsquo;s batting faltered again as Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav continued their lean run, handing South Africa a 51-run win in the second T20. Quinton de Kock&rsquo;s blistering 90 powered the visitors to 213/4 before Indian batters collapsed.

The lean run of Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav was extended as Indian batters stumbled on a good batting surface to lose the second T20 against South Africa by 51 runs in Mullanpur on Thursday.&nbsp;
Quinton de Kock made an effortless 90 of 46 balls, pushing South Africa to a challenging 213 for four after India opted to field.
India were expected to chase down the steep target but South Africa removed Indian trio of Abhishek Sharma (17), Gill (0) and Suryakumar Yadav (5) inside the powerplay to put the hosts on the backfoot. India were eventually bowled out for 162 in 19.1 overs with Tilak Varma (62 off 34) playing a lone hand.
The five match series now stands at 1-1 with the third match scheduled in Dharamsala on December 14. The local crowd was expecting their home heroes, Gill and Abhishek, to fire but it was not to be.
Yet to realise his potential in the shortest format, vice-captain Gill, facing his very first ball, got a beauty from Lungi Ngidi that seamed away from length to take a thick outside edge. Abhshek was caught behind in the following over from Marco Jansen. Next to depart was skipper Suryakumar who too got a faint edge after Jansen angled it away from the India skipper.
Batting at three, Axar Patel (21 off 21) was pouched at cover with Reeza Hendricks just about managing to have his fingers under the ball. From thereon, Tilak batted at a high tempo but lack of partnerships and soaring run rate pushed the game out of India's reach..
Earlier, de Kock entertained the crowd with his remarkable strokeplay. When in full flow, De Kock is among the most attractive batters in the game and he flaunted his special skills on a true pitch. He was mainly dealing in sixes in the middle and majority of his seven maximums came in the deep square leg region.
De Kock, who recently reversed his ODI retirement and was not sure about his T20 future post the World Cup last year, is back with a renewed purpose and remains on top of his game. An innings like this just less than a week before the mini auction will also create the buzz among the franchises, who might indulge in a bidding war for the multi-skilled cricketer.
Arshdeep Singh, who had De Kock caught behind in the series opener, was at the receiving end on Thursday. De Kock began the assault with a pick up shot for six off Arshdeep before pulling the left-arm pacer for a maximum over deep mid-wicket.
Jasprit Bumrah too conceded 16 runs in his second over after being disdainfully pulled for six by Reeza Hendricks. The right-hander missed a skidder from Varun Chakravarthy in the following over to give India a welcome breakthrough but De Kock maintained the pressure on the opposition, taking his team to 53-1 in the powerplay.
Brought back into the attack in 11th over, Arshdeep lost his usual calm under pressure after being smashed for a six down the ground by De Kock. The Indian pacer tried to bowl wide yorkers from thereon but failed miserably and ended up bowling as many as seven wides in a 18-run over.
The South African opener looked certain to cross the 100-run mark for the second time in his T20 career but was run out in a bizarre fashion by wicket-keeper Jitesh Sharma after attempting a non existent single.
The big hits kept coming even after de Kock's fall with Donavan Ferreria (30 not off 16) and David Miller (20 not out off 12) doing the damage in the death overs.
Arshdeep's new ball partner Bumrah too had an off day and conceded 18 runs in the 20th over after being hammered for two towering sixes by Ferreira. India leaked 123 runs in the last 10 overs.

India’s left-handed star Smriti Mandhana shared her love for cricket, recalling her 12-year journey, World Cup victory, and the inspiration drawn from wearing the Indian jersey at the Amazon Sambhav Summit.

I don't think I love anything more than cricket: Smriti Mandhana

India&rsquo;s left-handed star Smriti Mandhana shared her love for cricket, recalling her 12-year journey, World Cup victory, and the inspiration drawn from wearing the Indian jersey at the Amazon Sambhav Summit.

It has been 12 years since she first donned India colours and in all these years Smriti Mandhana has realised one thing --- that there is nothing in the world that "she loves more" than the game of cricket.
India's greatest left-handed woman batter, Mandhana reflected on her journey from making her debut back in 2013 to playing a big role in team's World Cup triumph a month back.
Reflecting on what drives her, Mandhana added, "I don't think I love anything more than cricket. Wearing that Indian jersey is the motivation that drives us. You keep all your problems aside, and that thought alone helps you focus on life," she said at the Amazon Sambhav Summit here on Wednesday.
She always had clarity about her ambition. "As a kid, the madness for batting was always there. No one understood it, but in my mind, I always wanted to be called a world champion."
Mandhana said the trophy felt like a culmination of the team&rsquo;s long struggle. "This World Cup was the reward for the battle we fought over the years. We were waiting for it so badly. I&rsquo;ve been playing for more than 12 years &mdash; many times things didn&rsquo;t go our way. We visualised it before the final, and when we finally saw it on the screen, it gave us goosebumps. It was an incredible, special moment," the Indian vice-captain said.
Mandhana said the presence of veterans Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami at the final heightened the emotion. "We really wanted to do it for them, badly. Seeing tears in their eyes made it feel like women's cricket itself was winning. It was a battle won for all of them," she said.
Mandhana said the World Cup reinforced two enduring lessons. "You always start an innings at zero, no matter if you scored a hundred before. And don't play for yourself - that's what we kept reminding each other," she said.
Incidentally, this was Mandhana's first public appearance since she called off her marriage with musician Palash Mucchal.

Shubman Gill looks to find form while India aim to continue dominance over South Africa in the second T20 International at Mullanpur, with Hardik Pandya returning and key players under scrutiny.

2nd T20I: Pressure mounts on Gill as India look to press advantage in Mullanpur

Shubman Gill looks to find form while India aim to continue dominance over South Africa in the second T20 International at Mullanpur, with Hardik Pandya returning and key players under scrutiny.

Yet to stamp his authority in the shortest format, Shubman Gill would be eying major gains on home soil when a well-rounded India look to extend their dominance over South Africa in the second T20 International in Mullanpur on Thursday.
With only a travel day separating the first two games of the five-match series, Gill won't mind getting straight into the middle in search of a substantial knock. India steamrolled South Africa in the series opener but the middling returns from Gill, since his T20 comeback in Asia Cup back in September, remains a talking point.
Following an impressive debut as Test captain in the UK, Gill was brought back into the T20 setup. Even though Sanju Samson and his Punjab teammate Abhishek Sharma were doing the job at the top of the order, the team management showed immense faith in Gill's abilities as a T20 opener.
The batter from Kerala was displaced and he has since then struggled to find a place in the playing eleven. The Test and ODI captain can seamlessly perform the role that Virat Kohli performed for India till the T20 World Cup last year but the team, with batting options till number eight, has doubled down on its fearless approach since the triumph in Barbados, leaving little room for an anchor.
Gill certainly can't go hammer and tongs like Abhishek Sharma in the powerplay and therefore needs to figure out what works best for him.
Besides Gill, captain Suryakumar Yadav, who has failed to find consistency over the past 12 months, is also facing additional scrutiny. Couple of months down the line, Suryakumar would be leading India's World Cup defence at home and considering the added responsibility, flow of runs from his bat form a crucial piece of the puzzle heading into the ICC showpiece.
In the colder environment of New Chandigarh, India are unlikely to tinker with the winning combination. Returning to national duty from injury, Hardik Pandya reaffirmed his status as the leading all-rounder in the game. His 28-ball 59 made a massive difference on a sticky wicket while it took him one ball to make an impact with the ball.
The selection on Tuesday also indicated that two strike bowlers, Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav, will not be part of the same eleven due to the need for batting till number eight. Arshdeep got the nod on this occasion and India's leading wicket-taker in the format was once again able to provide the early wickets bowling alongside Jasprit Bumrah.
South Africa, on the other hand, would be looking for a drastically better outing with the bat after being bundled out for 74 in the run chase of 176. There is no time to reflect on the scale of the defeat and that can only be a good thing for the visitors.
"Nowadays in T20 cricket, there's not much time to look around and absorb. But the biggest factor was obviously not being able to build partnerships, settling after losing wickets and getting some momentum on our side. So yeah, we'll have brief conversations," said skipper Aiden Markram.
The venue would be hosting its first ever T20 International after hosting two women's ODIs back in September. During the last IPL, the pitches produced were not the easiest to bat on with scores ranging from excess of 200 to as low as 101.
On the sidelines of the fixture, stands named after Yuvraj Singh and Harmanpreet Kaur would also be unveiled.
Squads:
India: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson.
South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Quinton de Kock (wk), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donnovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lutho Sipamla, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Reeza Hendricks, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Ottneil Bartman.
Match starts at 7pm IST.

Virat Kohli jumps to No. 2 in the latest ICC ODI rankings after a stellar series against South Africa, closing in on Rohit Sharma. Kuldeep Yadav, KL Rahul, Mitchell Starc and others also make major gains across formats.

Virat Kohli Nears ODI Top Spot as ICC Rankings Shift

Virat Kohli jumps to No. 2 in the latest ICC ODI rankings after a stellar series against South Africa, closing in on Rohit Sharma. Kuldeep Yadav, KL Rahul, Mitchell Starc and others also make major gains across formats.

India great Virat Kohli&rsquo;s push to regain the top ODI batter spot received a boost as he moved up to the second place in the latest ICC rankings released on Wednesday.
Kohli hasn't held the No.1 position for ODI batters since he was displaced by Pakistan's Babar Azam in April 2021.
But the right-hander is closing in on the top spot following his superb recent efforts for India in the three-match ODI series against South Africa.
The 37-year-old was adjudged Player of the Series for his 302 runs across the three matches and he was duly rewarded on the latest set of rankings as he improved two places to second overall behind teammate Rohit Sharma.
Rohit amassed 146 runs across the series to hold on to his spot at the top of the rankings, with Kohli closing to within eight rating points on the back of his unbeaten innings of 65 not out in the series finale in Visakhapatnam.
It helped India clinch the three-match series 2-1.
India ODI skipper Shubman Gill retained his fifth spot despite missing the three-match series while stand-in skipper KL Rahul rose two places to 12th overall after making two fifties in the rubber.
Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav moved up three spots to third in the bowlers' chart.
South Africa trio of Quinton de Kock (up three rungs to 13th), Aiden Markram (up four places to 25th) and Temba Bavuma (up three spots to 37th) also made gains on the rankings for ODI batters.
In the T20I rankings, the trio of Axar Patel (up two spots to 13th), Arshdeep Singh (up three places to 20th) and Jasprit Bumrah (up six rungs to 25th) made gains, following their comprehensive 101-run victory in Cuttack.
All of them had a good outing in the first T20I, taking two wickets apiece as India bowled out the Proteas for 74, their lowest-ever total in the shortest format.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, who recently scored his maiden ODI hundred against SA in Visakhapatnam, remained the top ranked Indian batter in the Test rankings at number eight while Gill and Rishabh Pant have moved a step each to 11th and 13th respectively.
Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has made a big jump on the latest rankings for Test bowlers led by Jasprit Bumrah.
The left-armer moved up three spots to third overall on the back of consecutive Player of the Match performances during the first two Ashes Tests against England.
Starc has 18 wickets from the two contests and finds himself moving to a new career-high rating and a best-ever ranking of third as a result.
The Indian trio of Mohammad Siraj (12th), Ravindra Jadeja (13th) and Kuldeep (14th) have all climbed up a spot.
England's lack of runs Down Under sees Harry Brook drop two places to fourth overall on the list for Test batters, with Kane Williamson (second) and Steve Smith (third) each gaining one spot behind Joe Root, who made a hundred in the Brisbane Test, at the top.

Hardik Pandya’s unbeaten fifty and disciplined Indian bowling dismantled South Africa for 74 as India sealed a dominant 101-run win in the Cuttack T20I series opener.

Pandya's blazing fifty, ruthless bowlers earn India 101-run win over SA

Hardik Pandya&rsquo;s unbeaten fifty and disciplined Indian bowling dismantled South Africa for 74 as India sealed a dominant 101-run win in the Cuttack T20I series opener.

Hardik Pandya made a memorable comeback to competitive cricket, striking a mood-lifting unbeaten fifty and then took a key wicket as India etched a dominant 101-run win over South Africa in the opening match of the five-match series in Cuttack on Tuesday.
The victory helped India take a 1-0 lead in the rubber and it also pushed South Africa to their lowest-ever T20I total. Their previous lowest was also against India -- 87 all out in Rajkot in 2022.
India had been pushed onto the back-foot after SA asked them to bat first on a tacky red-soil surface, but Pandya&rsquo;s commanding 59 not out off 28 balls rescued them from early turbulence. India posted a competitive 175/6.
On a pitch that demanded discipline, South Africa showed none, to be all out for a mere 74 in 12.3 overs, as the hosts&rsquo; bowlers ran through them with relentless accuracy.
Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel grabbed two wickets each, while Pandya fittingly chipped in with the prized scalp of David Miller. It was also South Africa&rsquo;s first defeat in three T20Is in Cuttack, and if India had started shakily, South Africa began disastrously.
Arshdeep set the tone with a superb away-swinger that kissed past Quinton de Kock&rsquo;s tentative prod for a two-ball duck.
In his next over, Arshdeep produced another beauty -- a length ball that jagged back into the in-form Tristan Stubbs (14).
India went upstairs for the review, and UltraEdge confirmed a thick inside edge onto the elbow before Jitesh Sharma completed a sharp take as South Africa were 18/2 inside four overs.
Axar was introduced in the final over of the powerplay and struck immediately.
Aiden Markram, shuffling back to work a skiddy, straight delivery, was beaten on the inside edge to get bowled. At 28/3 in six overs, South Africa were already in a hole.
Pandya then added to their misery, dismissing Miller.
Chakravarthy, operating with sharp drift and deceptive pace, got into action after the powerplay. Donovan Ferreira was late to react to a delivery that held back, and could only nick behind to Jitesh.
Marco Jansen, who had fielded brilliantly earlier, was undone by Chakravarthy&rsquo;s googly as South Africa slid to 68/6.
The end arrived quickly thereafter with Bumrah cleaning up Dewald Brevis and Keshav Maharaj in the space of four deliveries.
Earlier, coming back after 74 days following a left quadricep injury that forced him out of the Asia Cup, Pandya walked in at No. 6 and immediately changed the tempo of the match.
India had slipped in both the power play and middle overs losing six wickets, but Pandya, who had proved his fitness at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Baroda with a 42-ball 77 not out, counter-attacked with clean, fearless hitting to finish en route his sixth T20I fifty.
He began with two towering sixes against Maharaj just after a well-set Tilak Varma (26) fell. Pandya then ripped into Anrich Nortje with a 17-run over, even stepping out to a 149kph thunderbolt to punch it for four.
Jansen tried to rush him with short balls, but Pandya pulled one with vengeance before racing towards fifty that lifted the mood in the stadium.
He struck a six and four off Lutho Sipamla (2/38) in the 19th over, and reached his half-century in 25 balls with a ramped six over third man off Nortje in the final over, celebrating it with a muted raise of the bat.
Pandya's late fireworks helped India add 71 runs in the last six overs.
But on a fresh red-soil surface offering two-paced bounce, India struggled early. Abhishek Sharma (17), Shubman Gill (4) and Suryakumar Yadav (12) all fell inside seven overs as Lungi Ngidi (3/31) exploited the conditions superbly with clever variations.
He removed Gill early as the batter chipped to Jansen at mid-off, and later had skipper Suryakumar holding out to Markram to have India 17/2.
Abhishek tried to force the pace after the field restrictions lifted, but fell to Sipamla, thanks to a stunning sliding catch by the 2.06m Jansen sprinting across from long leg to fine leg.
His brief stay of 17 off 12 balls ended just as he began to find rhythm with back-to-back boundaries as India soon slipped to 48/3 in 6.3 overs.
Varma looked set while smashing a towering six off Nortje and with two fours in his 32-ball 26 but the Indian innings started to wobble again with him and Axar (23) dismissed by Ngidi and Sipamla respectively.

Cristiano Ronaldo could miss Portugal’s opening match at the 2026 World Cup after receiving a red card for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O’Shea during a crucial qualifier in Dublin.

Cristiano Ronaldo Faces Possible World Cup Opening Match Ban

Cristiano Ronaldo could miss Portugal&rsquo;s opening match at the 2026 World Cup after receiving a red card for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O&rsquo;Shea during a crucial qualifier in Dublin.

Cristiano Ronaldo is at serious risk of being banned for the first game of the 2026 World Cup if Portugal qualifies as expected.
The soccer superstar was sent off for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O'Shea in the second half of a qualifying game Thursday that Portugal lost 2-0 in Dublin.
Ronaldo will serve a mandatory one-game ban imposed for any red card when Portugal hosts Armenia on Sunday knowing a win will secure a place at the World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
FIFA disciplinary rules require its judges to impose a ban of &ldquo;at least two matches for serious foul play.&rdquo; The ban should be &ldquo;at least three matches for violent conduct&rdquo; or &ldquo;at least three matches or an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing.&rdquo; A FIFA ban would apply to competitive games and could not be served in pre-tournament exhibitions.
Ronaldo spun round and swung his right elbow into O'Shea's back as they waited for the ball to be crossed around the hour mark at Aviva Stadium with Ireland holding a surprise 2-0 lead.
The referee issued a yellow card but minutes later upgraded it to red after a video review at the pitchside monitor.
Ronaldo curled his lips in a wry look as he walked off the field being jeered and mocked by Ireland fans. He stopped and looked at the fans, clapped his hands toward them and raised two thumbs up in an apparent sarcastic gesture.
Ronaldo, who turns 41 in February, is aiming to play at a record sixth World Cup tournament. The tournament draw is made Dec. 5 in Washington DC when Portugal, if it qualifies, will learn its schedule of three opponents in the group stage.
Ireland forward Troy Parrott had scored twice in the first half Thursday to revive Irish hopes of qualification likely through the playoffs ahead of facing second-place Hungary on Sunday.
Portugal tops Group F with 10 points, two ahead of Hungary. Ireland is third with seven points.

Football

Kylian Mbappé’s brace sent France to the 2026 World Cup with a 4-0 win over Ukraine, while Cristiano Ronaldo received his first international red card in Portugal’s 2-0 loss to Ireland, delaying their qualification.

France qualifies for 2026 World Cup; Ronaldo sent off as Portugal loses to Ireland

Kylian Mbapp&eacute;&rsquo;s brace sent France to the 2026 World Cup with a 4-0 win over Ukraine, while Cristiano Ronaldo received his first international red card in Portugal&rsquo;s 2-0 loss to Ireland, delaying their qualification.

Kylian Mbapp&eacute; and France are going to the 2026 World Cup. And Cristiano Ronaldo might be banned from Portugal's first game there if his team finally wins its European qualifying group.
Two goals from star striker Mbapp&eacute; helped two-time champion France qualify with a 4-0 home win against Ukraine on Thursday. But Ronaldo was ejected for the first time in his international career, and Portugal will have to wait until Sunday to secure a qualifying spot for the seventh straight time after it was stunned 2-0 by Ireland in Dublin.
Midfielder Michael Olise and substitute forward Hugo Ekitik&eacute; added the other goals in a dominant second half from France, the World Cup runner-up in 2022.
Mbapp&eacute; sent the penalty straight down the middle to break the deadlock in the 55th minute before Olise turned inside the penalty area to curl home the second goal in the 76th at Parc des Princes in western Paris.
Mbapp&eacute; poked in France's third goal from close range in the 83rd following a goal-mouth scramble. He moved onto 55 goals &mdash; just two behind Olivier Giroud as France's all-time top scorer.
&ldquo;The French national team will always be better with him in it,&rdquo; coach Didier Deschamps said about Mbapp&eacute;. &ldquo;He makes things easier for us. He performed his role perfectly this evening, as both a player and the captain of the national team.&rdquo;
Mbapp&eacute; went close to a hat trick moments later but blazed over after going clean through.
France has won Group D with 13 points. Ukraine and Iceland are tied on seven points and will play for second place when they meet on Sunday.
Ronaldo's 1st international red card
Portugal will host last-place Armenia in the final qualifying game on Sunday, when Hungary hosts Ireland at the same time.
Portugal tops Group F with 10 points, two ahead of Hungary. Ireland is third with seven points.
Ronaldo was sent off for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O'Shea on the hour. The referee issued a yellow card but minutes later upgraded it to red after a video review.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said he thought the ejection was &ldquo;a bit harsh,&rdquo; pointing out that Ronaldo "has never been sent off before in 226 games.&rdquo;
Ronaldo will serve a mandatory one-game ban imposed for any red card when Portugal plays Armenia. FIFA disciplinary rules require judges to impose a ban of &ldquo;at least two matches for serious foul play.&rdquo;
Troy Parrott put the hosts ahead with a close-range header following a corner in the 17th minute against the run of play, with Portugal dominant. Parrott added his second in the final minute before the break, beating Diogo Costa with a low shot from inside the area. Haaland's double
Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway moved closer to qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1998 by beating Estonia 4-1 in Oslo.
The win virtually secures a spot for the high-scoring Norwegians in next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Italy had to rely on late goals from Gianluca Mancini and substitute Francesco Pio Esposito to win 2-0 at Moldova and is second in Group I, trailing leader Norway by three points.
Italy will likely have to settle for the playoffs, where the four-time World Cup champion was eliminated in the past two editions. It hosts Norway on Sunday and would have to win by a nine-goal margin to directly qualify because of Norway's vastly superior goal difference.
Haaland has scored 14 of Norway's European-best 33 goals in seven group-stage games. The Manchester City striker was born two years after Norway last reached the World Cup.
&nbsp; Still perfect England Already-qualified England continued to cruise.
It beat Serbia 2-0 at Wembley Stadium to keep a perfect record in Group K and is yet to concede a goal.
Bukayo Saka fired England ahead on a rebound with a left-foot volley in the 28th minute after an initial shot by Nico O'Reilly was blocked. Substitute forward Eberechi Eze added the second in the 90th off a pass from another substitute, Phil Foden.
Albania beat Andorra 1-0 in the same group to secure the runner-up spot.

Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, says the 2026 World Cup will mark the end of his illustrious career. The Portuguese superstar plans to retire from football in the next one to two years while continuing at Al Nassr.

Cristiano Ronaldo confirms 2026 World Cup will be his last

Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, says the 2026 World Cup will mark the end of his illustrious career. The Portuguese superstar plans to retire from football in the next one to two years while continuing at Al Nassr.

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday said next year's World Cup would be his last as he winds down one of the all-time great careers.
The 40-year-old forward, with more than 950 club and international goals, also said he would retire from football in "one or two years".
"Definitely, yes," he told a Saudi forum by video link, when asked if 2026 would be his final World Cup. "I'm gonna be 41 years old and I think it will be the moment."
Ronaldo, who began a lucrative stint at Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr in 2023, also elaborated on comments last week when he said he would retire "soon".
"Let's be honest, when I mean soon, it's probably one or two years I'll still be at the game," he said.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is hoping to play at a sixth World Cup next year. He came closest to lifting the trophy on debut in 2006, when Portugal lost to France in the semi-finals.
Portugal have yet to qualify for the 2026 tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico, but can secure their spot if they beat Ireland on Thursday.
Last month, Ronaldo became the top goalscorer in World Cup qualifying history when he netted twice against Hungary to reach 41 goals, overtaking retired Guatemalan international Carlos Ruiz's 39.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward is also the all-time leading international goalscorer with 143 strikes.
During an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored last week, Ronaldo opened up further about the realities of his looming retirement.
"It will be difficult? Yes. Probably will cry, yes. I'm an open person. It will be very, very difficult, yes," he said.
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr after leaving Manchester United for a second time in late 2022, a move that heralded a influx of late-career stars to the oil-rich kingdom.
Ronaldo initially signed for 200 million euros a year, according to a source close to Al Nassr at the time, and inked a two-year contract extension in June.
Last month, he was named by Bloomberg as the sport's first billionaire, and topped the Forbes list of highest-paid footballers for the sixth time in a decade.
With on-and off-field earnings of an estimated $280 million, Ronaldo will earn more than double that of second-placed rival Lionel Messi during the upcoming season, according to Forbes.
Saudi Arabia, which is spending big on sports and entertainment as part of its economic diversification plan, was named as host of the 2034 World Cup last December.

PSG’s Ousmane Dembele lifted the 2025 Ballon d’Or after his Champions League heroics, while Spain’s Aitana Bonmati secured the women’s prize for the third straight year.

Dembele beats Yamal to Ballon d'Or as Bonmati retains women's award

PSG&rsquo;s Ousmane Dembele lifted the 2025 Ballon d&rsquo;Or after his Champions League heroics, while Spain&rsquo;s Aitana Bonmati secured the women&rsquo;s prize for the third straight year.

Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele won the Ballon d'Or on Monday as a reward for his starring role in the club's Champions League triumph last season, while Spain's Aitana Bonmati claimed the women's prize for the third year in a row.
Dembele, 28, edged out Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal to succeed Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri, who took the trophy in 2024, as the winner of the most prestigious individual prize in football -- an award that for many years had been dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Former Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona forward Dembele, who was part of the France team that won the World Cup in 2018, scored 35 goals in all competitions as PSG claimed a French league and cup double as well as winning the Champions League.
With Dembele converted into a centre-forward following Kylian Mbappe's departure for Real Madrid, PSG went on to hammer Inter Milan 5-0 in the final in Munich to win the European Cup for the first time in their history.
"I really don't have the words. It was an incredible season with PSG," an emotional Dembele said on the stage at the Theatre du Chatelet in central Paris.
He added that his boss Luis Enrique -- who won the award for club coach of the year -- had been "like a father" to him.
"It is an individual trophy but it was really the collective that won it," insisted Dembele, who was one of nine members of the triumphant PSG team from last season to be nominated for the prize.
"The Ballon d'Or has not really been an objective for me in my career but I worked hard for the team to win the Champions League."
The 18-year-old Yamal, who was a teammate of Dembele's at Barcelona when he first broke through in 2023, did earlier win the Kopa Trophy for the best player aged under 21 -- the second year running he has taken that award.
Dembele was at the ceremony to pick up his prize while his PSG teammates were losing 1-0 in a Ligue 1 game in Marseille at the same time -- that match had been scheduled for Sunday but was put back 24 hours due to bad weather in the south of France.
 - Three in a row -
Barcelona and Spain midfielder Bonmati won the women's prize by edging out her international teammate Mariona Caldentey, with whom she played in the Spain side who were beaten on penalties by England in the Women's Euro 2025 final.
Bonmati, 27, also lost the Women's Champions League final with her club last season, at the hands of Caldentey's Arsenal.
Bonmati was named player of the tournament at the Euros, despite not starting either of Spain's first two matches as she recovered from a bout of viral meningitis.
"I am very proud," said Bonmati, who credited her teammates for their role in her personal triumph.
"I think I am here for the third consecutive time because of the teams I play in, so all of this is because of them."
Alessia Russo, one of the nominees from the triumphant England European Championship team and also of Arsenal, came third.
Bonmati's run of three in a row follows back-to-back victories for her Barcelona and Spain teammate Alexia Putellas.
Norway's Ada Hegerberg and USA star Megan Rapinoe are the only other players to have won the Women's Ballon d'Or since it was introduced in 2018.
The Ballon d'Or is voted for by a panel of journalists, one from each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA world rankings for the men, and from the top 50 for the women.
Vicky Lopez, the 19-year-old forward who is a teammate of Bonmati's with Barcelona and Spain, was named best young women's player.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, who excelled in the PSG team that swept all aside last season before moving to Manchester City, claimed the Yashin trophy for best goalkeeper.
England's Euro winner Hannah Hampton claimed the best women's goalkeeper award, while her international manager Sarina Wiegman was named best women's coach.

Mbappé, Ronaldo and Kane led France, Portugal and England to key wins in World Cup qualifying; Haaland netted five in Norway’s 11-1 rout.

European Giants Edge Closer to 2026 World Cup Qualification

Mbapp&eacute;, Ronaldo and Kane led France, Portugal and England to key wins in World Cup qualifying; Haaland netted five in Norway&rsquo;s 11-1 rout.

Kylian Mbapp&eacute; got France out of trouble, Cristiano Ronaldo helped Portugal do the same with a record-equaling goal, and England finally got its Thomas Tuchel era into gear.
Three of Europe's soccer powerhouses took big steps closer to the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, all while Erling Haaland scored five goals in an 11-1 win with fresh stitches in his face.
England's statement win&nbsp;
Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi all scored their first goals for England, which beat Serbia 5-0 for a win which could be a turning point in Tuchel's tenure.
Despite Tuchel's recent talk of being prepared to win ugly with long passing, this win was more about managing the game and shutting down Serbia, which had made England fight hard for a 1-0 win at Euro 2024. Harry Kane was crucial, finding space to score the opening goal with a header from Declan Rice's corner.
The captain cemented England's advantage late on with smart movement to get in behind the defense on a move that ended with a red card for Nikola Milenkovic, who denied a clear scoring chance by Kane. Guehi scored England's fourth from the resulting free kick.
&ldquo;The energy has been higher and the level has been higher,&rdquo; Kane told BBC radio. &ldquo;Serbia are a good team, and we made them look average tonight.&rdquo; England is seven points clear at the top of Group K from Albania, which beat Latvia 1-0. A win and two draws in its last three group games would be enough for Tuchel's team to qualify for the World Cup.
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford didn't have to make a save as Serbia didn't manage a shot on target. England had 12.
&ldquo;We were very strong,&rdquo; Tuchel said. &ldquo;I think it was teamwork in its purest form. We helped each other out, we had the right intensity in the right moments."
France clings on&nbsp;
France held on with 10 men to beat Iceland 2-1 after coming from behind thanks to a goal and assist from Mbapp&eacute;.
Iceland took a surprise lead when Michael Olise gave away the ball in his own penalty area and Andri Gudjohnsen pounced on it to score. Mbapp&eacute; finally got France into the game when he converted a penalty just before halftime after being shoved by Mikael Anderson.
Mbapp&eacute; led a break for the second goal and set up Bradley Barcola to score in the 62nd but France's task got harder when Aur&eacute;lien Tchouam&eacute;ni was sent off soon after for a reckless lunging tackle.
France leads Group D after winning its first two games, with Iceland second. Oleksandr Zinchenko conceded a penalty for handball as third-place Ukraine's chances of qualifying plunged in a 1-1 draw with Azerbaijan, which had fired ex-Portugal coach Fernando Santos following its 5-0 loss to Iceland last week.
Cancelo gets Portugal over the line&nbsp;
Joao Cancelo scored the winning goal in the 86th to give Portugal a 3-2 victory over Hungary, its second win to start the qualifying campaign, after two goals from Barnabas Varga had given Hungary hope of an upset.
Ronaldo scored an earlier penalty to give Portugal a 2-1 lead. It was his 39th goal in World Cup qualifying, tying the record set by Guatemala's Carlos Ruiz, and raised his overall international goals total to 141.
Also in Group F, Ireland's hopes of a first World Cup appearance since 2002 took a heavy blow with a 2-1 loss to Armenia.
Stitched-up Haaland scores in 11-1 win&nbsp;
Playing with stitches in his face following an accident with a bus door, Erling Haaland scored five goals, including a first-half hat trick, as Norway demolished Moldova 11-1 to extend its lead over Italy at the top of Group I to six points. Norway has played one more game.
Austria on track&nbsp;
Konrad Laimer and Marcel Sabitzer scored to lift Austria to a 2-1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina which brings it closer to a first World Cup qualification since 1998. Austria is level with Bosnia-Herzegovina on 12 points in Group H but has an extra game to play. Cyprus and Romania drew 2-2.

FIFA and AFC have given AIFF a deadline of October 30 to ratify a new constitution, warning of suspension that could bar Indian football teams from international competitions.

Indian Football Faces FIFA Suspension Amid AIFF Governance Crisis

FIFA and AFC have given AIFF a deadline of October 30 to ratify a new constitution, warning of suspension that could bar Indian football teams from international competitions.

Indian football is staring at an international ban with world governing body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation issuing a stern ultimatum to the embattled AIFF that it must adopt and ratify a new constitution by October 30 or risk suspension.
In a hard-hitting two-page letter on Tuesday, addressed to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, the two international bodies expressed "profound concern" at the federation's failure to finalise its constitution despite the matter being pending in the Supreme Court since 2017. The top court is scheduled to take up the matter on Thursday.
A suspension would mean national teams and clubs being barred from all international competitions, besides throwing into uncertainty, India's ambitious bid for the 2036 Olympic Games in Ahmedabad.
FIFA and AFC have directed the Chaubey-led AIFF to secure a "definitive order" from the Supreme Court approving the revised constitution, align it with the mandatory statutes of FIFA and AFC, and ratify it at the next General Body meeting before the October 30 deadline.
"Failure to meet this schedule will leave us with no alternative but to refer the matter to the relevant FIFA decision-making body for consideration and decision... including the possibility of suspension," the letter mentions without any ambiguity.
The missive is jointly signed by FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer Elkhan Mammadov and AFC Deputy General Secretary (Member Associations) Vahid Kardany.
This is not the first time Indian football has faced such embarrassment.
In August 2022, FIFA had suspended India for "third-party interference" after a Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) temporarily ran the AIFF.
That ban, imposed when the nation was celebrating its 75th year of independence, was lifted within two weeks after the CoA was dissolved and elections were held when Chaubey defeated football icon Bhaichun Bhutia in a lopsided result.
The world bodies expressed concern at the "continued failure to finalise and implement the revised Constitution of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), a matter that has remained under consideration since proceedings before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in 2017." "Despite repeated assurances, the absence of a clear and compliant governance framework has now created an untenable vacuum and legal uncertainties at the heart of Indian football," it stated.
Calling it a "prolonged impasse" that has "precipitated a governance and operational crisis," the letter said: "Clubs and players remain uncertain regarding the domestic competition calendar." "Commercial partnerships beyond December 2025 remain unconfirmed; and essential functions relating to development, competitions, and marketing are increasingly compromised.
Lambasting the lack of financial stability and its "profoundly negative impact on India's football ecosystem", the two bodies said they are worried about the impact on footballers employed by clubs participating in the Indian Super League.
"We have received concerning reports from FIFPRO of the unilateral termination of players' employment contracts by various clubs, as a direct consequence of the current impasse, affecting the players&rsquo; livelihoods and careers," the letter stated.
Accordingly, the AIFF has been directed to take three immediate steps by the deadline.
"Secure a definitive order from the Supreme Court of India approving the revised AIFF Constitution. Ensure full alignment of the AIFF Constitution with the mandatory provisions of the FIFA and AFC Statutes and regulations.
"Obtain formal ratification of the AIFF Constitution at the next AIFF General Meeting." Failure to adhere to this obligation may result in sanctions outlined in the FIFA and AFC Statutes, "including the possibility of suspension".
"A suspension of the AIFF would result in the loss of all of its rights as a FIFA and AFC member, as defined in the FIFA and AFC Statutes," it added.
The Supreme Court is set to hear the matter relating to the Master Rights Agreement between AIFF and its commercial partner Football Sports Development Limited on Thursday.
The agreement expired on December 8 last year.
The FSDL last month put the upcoming season "on hold" citing uncertainty over MRA renewal.
That decision forced at least three clubs to suspend operations or delay salaries, and prompted all 11 ISL clubs to warn of an "existential crisis." On August 22, the Supreme Court permitted AIFF and FSDL to hold talks to work out interim measures so that the season can start on time.
Chaubey said the federation would "endeavour to arrive at mutually agreeable measures" with FSDL in good faith, while clubs pressed for an early judgment as it had paralysed the entire football calendar, threatening the survival of players, staff, among others.

Khalid Jamil becomes the head coach of the Indian men's football team, marking the first Indian at the helm since 2012. He will guide the team for two years with possibilities of extending his term based on performance.

Khalid Jamil Appointed Indian Football Team Head Coach

Khalid Jamil is appointed as the head coach of the Indian football team for a two-year term. With his robust background in Indian football, including a historic I-League win with Aizawl FC, Jamil is set to lead the team into upcoming international challenges.

Khalid Jamil is the new coach of the Indian football team for two years, marking the first Indian appointment since 2012. He aims to prepare the team for upcoming international challenges with his extensive coaching experience.

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New Delhi, Aug 13 (PTI): Khalid Jamil has officially taken charge of the Indian senior men's football team, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on Wednesday. He will lead the team for a two-year term with the option to extend for an additional year based on performance.
Khalid Jamil's appointment follows his departure from his role at Indian Super League (ISL) club, Jamshedpur FC. He is set to commence his tenure with a training camp starting August 15 at the Dravid-Padukone Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru.
His first competitive challenge with the "Blue Tigers" will be the CAFA Nations Cup. In Group B, India will face Tajikistan on August 29, Iran on September 1, and Afghanistan on September 4. In the October FIFA International Window, India will face critical AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying matches against Singapore on October 9 and 14.
Jamil expressed his sentiments by saying, "I am both deeply proud and immensely privileged to have been entrusted with the responsibility of leading our national team. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to train Indian players, and I've grown to understand their strengths and weaknesses intimately. These insights will be fundamental to everything we do as we prepare for the CAFA Nations Cup and the upcoming crucial Asian Cup Qualifiers against Singapore."
Jamil takes over from Manolo Marquez, following his contract's termination by the AIFF the previous month. Notably, Jamil becomes the first Indian since Savio Medeira in 2012 to lead the men's national team.
With a robust background in Indian football, Jamil has extensive coaching experience in the ISL and I-League with teams such as Jamshedpur FC, NorthEast United FC, Aizawl FC, East Bengal FC, Mohun Bagan AC, and Mumbai FC. His crowning achievement was leading Aizawl FC to an unbelievable I-League title in the 2016-17 season.
The 48-year-old's recent tenure with Jamshedpur FC was marked by notable performances, including reaching the finals of the 2025 Super Cup and semi-finals in the 2024-25 ISL play-offs and the 2024 Super Cup.
As a former India international, Jamil earned 15 caps. He debuted in the 1997 SAFF Championship in Nepal, where India prevailed as champions and was part of the squads for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and the 2001 Merdeka Tournament.
In his club career, Jamil tasted success with Mahindra United, winning the National Football League, two Federation Cups, and two IFA Shields. He also played for Air India and Mumbai FC.
In the Santosh Trophy, he represented Maharashtra, clinching the title in 1999.
(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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