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Arjun Rajput (Pc-Instagram) Arjun Rajput is enjoying a phase that every young cricketer dreams of. But while his recent performances are putting him in the spotlight, the story behind his rise is one of perseverance, family support and sacrifices made long before the runs and wickets started coming. Playing for Ludhiana Lions in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League 2026, Rajput produced a memorable all-round performance against Bathinda Royals at the I.S. Bindra Stadium in Mohali. He first picked up 4/27 in four overs before smashing a match-winning 82 off 45 balls, helping Ludhiana chase down 166 with three wickets to spare. The performance comes at an important stage of his career. Rajput has now been selected in the India U-19 squad for the upcoming one-day series against Australia U-19, having previously been part of the India U-19 side that faced Sri Lanka. It is another opportunity for the young cricketer to test himself at international level. For Rajput, however, the journey starte...

  Bharath Ramraj, COE Somewhere, a sportsperson touches his or her nirvana behind the scenes in a training workshop — when an athlete’s body is aching, and yet there is an urge to push for a while longer in order to attain peak fitness levels. With the Duleep Trophy semifinals being played behind closed doors at the Centre of Excellence, far away from the hub of Bengaluru city, Mohammed Shami might have felt as if he was still in his training arena. On Day 3 of the East Zone-Central Zone game, all that one could hear was a generator from a nearby place running at full speed. Even the crows, a quintessential part of stadiums in the subcontinent, were missing from the action. For Shami, all that seemed to matter was his inner voice. When Shami charged to the crease, one could visualise his inner voice coaxing or asking the veteran bowler, ‘What extra have you got?’ The body certainly responded to the question posed by the reservoirs of his willpower. He ushered in a short ball to...

  Pakistan Cricket Board (PC: X) In the middle of a series, Pakistan pressed the panic button – and how. They have sent seven players home from England, removed the coaches and tried to make an example of them. But what example? One of disrespect and humiliation? Of insult and abusive behaviour? By doing what they have done, what signal are they sending to other players in Pakistan? What signal are they sending to coaches worldwide and, most importantly, what signal are they sending to their fans? Players are on the chopping block. Coaches have been removed. But what about the officials? Why not a word? Why this total silence of convenience? How are they not accountable? How is it that no one will say a thing to them and they will continue to function as if nothing happened? The truth is that players are soft targets and sacrificial pawns. You can treat them with disdain and get away with it. And given that you are in a position of power and can harm people, no one will dare qu...

Maia Bouchier, ENG-W vs IRE-W, 1st ODI (PC: X) England pulled off their highest successful chase in WODIs as they chased down the 282-run target in the first ODI against Ireland in Leicester. Maia Bouchier smashed her second ODI century as the home side completed the chase with six wickets and 71 balls to spare. The previous best was 267/8 against Australia in Bristol in 2023. Ireland, meanwhile, posted their highest-ever total in a WODI against England, scoring 281/5 in 50 overs. A 136-run partnership between Amy Hunter (62 off 90) and skipper Gaby Lewis (69 off 89) laid the platform, while Rebecca Stokell (unbeaten 54 off 48) and Leah Paul (29 off 39) provided a strong finish with an 84-run partnership. In reply, England got off to a flying start, courtesy of a 143-run opening partnership between Sophia Dunkley (73 off 61) and Bouchier (104 off 95). Dunkley continued the impressive form she showed for Trent Rockets during their maiden Women’s Hundred title-winning campaign, while ...

Pakistan Women (PC: ICC) Pakistan are yet to bag their maiden Women’s Asia Cup title. So far, their best finish in the tournament’s history has been finishing as runners-up twice – in 2012 and 2016. However, in the last two editions (2022 and 2024), they were knocked out in the semi-finals. Now, in the 2026 edition, the Women in Green will aim for their maiden Asia Cup title as they are placed in Group A alongside India, Thailand and Hong Kong, China. Captain: Fatima Sana Head coach: Wahab Riaz A former Pakistan men’s cricketer and cricket administrator who also served as Pakistan’s chief selector from November 2023 to July 2024. Played 154 matches for Pakistan across all formats, taking 237 wickets. Squad Fatima Sana (captain), Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Sadaf Shamas, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar Key Players : Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali ...

Virat Kohli leading his team out of the ground. (PC: BCCI) On 30 June 2020, Virat Kohli took to social media to revisit a Test match that had taken place six years earlier: the 2014 Adelaide Test. It was an unusual trip down memory lane. By then, India were sitting at the top of the ICC Test rankings, a far cry from the side that had walked into Adelaide in 2014 struggling for consistency in the longest format. India had lost that Test by 48 runs, yet the defeat remained special to Kohli. It was not merely because it was his first Test as captain. Adelaide was where Kohli, the leader, truly began to take shape. Kohli made a dream start to his captaincy career with the bat, scoring centuries in both innings. Australia set India a target of 364 in the fourth innings. Anything over 300 is difficult to chase in the fourth innings even today. Back then, it was a young Indian team up against a full-strength Australian side. India could have opted for the cautious route and tried to draw ...