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Top 7 Indian players with most sixes in T20I cricket history: Rohit Sharma leads, Abhishek Sharma at 3rd, Sanju Samson at...; check full list

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner added another historic feather to his cap by becoming the first bowler in cricket history to register multiple four-wicket hauls against India in Men’s T20 Internationals. The 34-year-old Santner achieved the huge feat during the second T20I against India at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.  Defending a total of 180, the New Zealand captain introduced himself as India got off to a flying start. Santner halted the visitors’ early momentum in devastating fashion, triggering a top-and-middle-order collapse that saw India slide from 40 without loss to 112 for 6 inside 15 overs. He dismissed Abhishek Sharma (27), captain Shreyas Iyer (7, bowled), Axar Patel (11), and Naman Dhir (31).⁠Santner bowled with classic drift, dip, and subtle variations in pace to finish with figures of 4 for 21 from his quota of four overs.  Despite Santner’s brilliance, India recovered through an unbeaten 69-run seventh-wicket partnership between Tilak Varma (51* off 26 balls) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (26* off 13) to chase down the target in 19.5 overs and win by four wickets, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. <a href="https://english.zeenews.com/sports/article-ms-dhoni-breaks-silence-on-ipl-2027-participation-says-decision-to-be-made-before-december-3160510">ALSO READ: MS Dhoni breaks silence on IPL 2027 participation, says decision to be made before December</a>A Unique Milestone Against A Renowned Batting LineupPrior to this match, a handful of elite bowlers across international cricket had taken a single four-wicket (or five-wicket) haul against India in T20Is, but none had repeated the feat.Santner's previous four-wicket haul against India came in the 2016 T20 World Cup in Nagpur, where he took 4/11 as New Zealand defended a modest total and bowled India out for just 79 to secure a convincing win.  Only three other spinners have ever taken a four-wicket haul against India in T20Is: Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga (4/9 in Colombo in 2021), New Zealand legend Daniel Vettori (4/20 in Johannesburg during the 2007 T20 World Cup), and Scotland’s Gerhard Erasmus (4/20 in Delhi in 2026). Santner is the only one to do it twice.Santner’s T20I Mastery Against IndiaThe milestone further reinforces Santner's sustained dominance in New Zealand-India T20 encounters:Record-Setting Spells: Two four-wicket hauls (4/11 in Nagpur, 2016; 4/21 in Christchurch) against India in T20Is.  Leading Wicket-Taker: He remains New Zealand's most prolific wicket-taker against India in the shortest format, taking his tally to 29 wickets while maintaining a frugal economy rate under eight runs per over.  Middle-Overs Control: His ability to choke scoring rates and strike consistently through overs 7 to 15 has been central to New Zealand’s tactical plans against high-powered batting orders.While New Zealand ultimately fell short in the Christchurch contest despite the collapse, Santner’s bowling masterclass highlighted his longevity, craft, and tactical acumen at the highest level.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner etched his name into the record books with his sensational bowling performance during the second T20I against India at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

Mitchell Santner creates history, becomes first bowler in world to achieve unique T20I feat against India

Mitchell Santner becomes first bowler in world to achieve unique T20I feat vs India

Mumbai Ranji Team will be without the services of their experienced all-rounder Shardul Thakur, as he continues to recover from a finger injury and is set to miss the Elite round three clash against Haryana, which will be played at the BKC Complex from Monday.  Thakur, who has been sidelined since sustaining the injury during a training session ahead of the season’s opening round, has not regained full match fitness despite returning to training with the Mumbai squad. He was initially expected to miss at least the first two rounds, with the team hoping he would be available for the Haryana fixture.Mumbai, however, have decided against rushing his return and will field the same squad that registered a convincing victory over Himachal Pradesh in Bilaspur in their previous match, according to Cricinfo.The 34-year-old last featured in the Duleep Trophy quarter-final for West Zone against North Zone in late August. He took one wicket in 14 overs and scored 10 runs in his only innings as West Zone suffered a 54-run defeat.While working towards his return to competitive cricket, Thakur is also set to take up commentary duties for some of India’s ongoing T20 Internationals against New Zealand.Mumbai have made an impressive start to their Ranji Trophy campaign, securing consecutive innings victories to collect 14 points and move to the top of Elite Group D. They opened their campaign with an innings-and-155-run win over Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium before defeating Himachal Pradesh by an innings and 97 runs in Bilaspur.Mumbai will continue to manage their resources carefully with several players unavailable. Vice-captain Ayush Mhatre is recovering from a hamstring injury, while opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is in New Zealand for the upcoming Test series after featuring in the India A series.Haryana, meanwhile, also enter the contest after winning their opening two matches, setting up a meeting between the top two teams in the group.

Shardul Thakur  featured in the Duleep Trophy quarter-final for West Zone against North Zone in late August. He took one wicket in 14 overs and scored 10 runs in his only innings as West Zone suffered a 54-run defeat.

Shardul Thakur set to miss Mumbai's Ranji Trophy clash against Haryana; Here's why

Devdutt Padikkal and B Sai Sudharsan mounted a determined response to New Zealand A's first- innings dominance, but India A remained 98 runs behind at stumps on the second day of the opening unofficial Test here on Sunday, with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal enduring another disappointing outing.After being dismissed for 113 in their first innings, India A conceded 317 as New Zealand A built a commanding 204-run lead. The visitors ended the day at 106 for two in their second innings, with Padikkal unbeaten on 56 and Sai Sudharsan batting on 39 after sharing a 96-run partnership for the third wicket.The stand offered much-needed resistance following the early departures of the two senior batters expected to feature prominently in India's upcoming Test series. Rahul fell for four while attempting to deal with a delivery that deflected off his inside edge towards the stumps. Jaiswal managed only five before departing, leaving India A at 10 for two.The pair had also struggled in the first innings, with Jaiswal scoring 17 and Rahul failing to open his account. Their returns have raised concerns over their preparations ahead of India’s Test assignments, scheduled to begin in the third week of November.Padikkal and Sudharsan, meanwhile, showed greater composure against the New Zealand A attack. Although Padikkal was dropped at second slip off Kristian Clarke early in his innings, the left-hander capitalised on the reprieve to reach an unbeaten half-century. Sudharsan remained unbeaten after facing 104 deliveries.Earlier, Dean Foxcroft and the lower order extended New Zealand A’s advantage after the hosts resumed at 135 for three. India A pacer Anshul Kamboj initially made inroads, claiming three wickets to reduce the hosts to 218 for seven.Foxcroft, however, contributed 51 before falling to Washington Sundar, while Clarke’s aggressive 42 helped New Zealand A push towards 300. The tailender struck boundaries against the pace attack and added valuable runs alongside Zak Gibson before Akash Deep bowled him to end the innings.Kamboj and Auqib Nabi finished with three wickets apiece for India A, while Simon Keene and Fraser Sheat claimed one wicket each in the visitors’ second innings.New Zealand A’s first-innings total was also aided by 46 extras conceded by India A, further compounding the visitors’ difficult position.India A will need Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan to extend their partnership on the third day if they are to erase the deficit and give their bowlers an opportunity to influence the contest.Brief scores: India A 113 and 106/2 in 36 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 56 not out, B Sai Sudharsan 39 not out; Simon Keene 1-19, Fraser Sheat 1-26) trail New Zealand A 317 (Rhys Mariu 76, Dean Foxcroft 51; Anshul Kamboj 3-52, Auqib Nabi 3-69) by 98 runs.

Devdutt Padikkal (56*) and B Sai Sudharsan (39*) shared an unbeaten 96-run partnership to help India A reach 106/2 against New Zealand A on Day 2 of the first unofficial Test. India A trail by 98 runs after New Zealand A posted 317, while KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal disappointed again with scores of four and five, respectively.

India A vs New Zealand A Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan fight back after KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal fail again

India A vs New Zealand A: Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan fight back

India A vs New Zealand A: Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan fight back after KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal fail again

Left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma has replaced fast bowler Kranti Gaud as India won the toss and elected to bat first in the second ODI against Zimbabwe at the BCA Stadium on Sunday. India have a 1-0 lead and a win on Sunday will help them take an unassailable three-game series.After winning the toss, India captain Smriti Mandhana said that the call of resting Kranti was taken with the aim of giving game time to Vaishnavi, who made her ODI debut against Australia in Hobart earlier this year."Looks like a good wicket to bat on. We thought of resting Kranti and giving game time to Vaishnavi. To be fair, we just wanted to rest Kranti and give Vaishnavi some game time. It wasn't specifically about pacers versus spinners. But having said that, Vaishnavi bowled exceptionally well in the previous game, so bringing in another left-arm spinner is certainly not a bad option to have," she said.Smriti also said Shafali Verma will continue to bat at number three in this game, having hit an unbeaten 64 in the opening match. “Shafali has been in great form since the T20 series. With the kind of explosive batting she brings, she can change the course of a game within a few overs. Plus, she gives us a few useful overs with the ball. So yes, we’re going to stick with Shafali at number three and see how it goes,” she said.Asked about an aspect of her captaincy which she has enjoyed so far, Smriti stated, “I'd say the communication aspect, just understanding where the players are at mentally and keeping those lines open.“On a lighter note, managing 50 overs as captain feels like it goes by much faster than when you're just out there fielding! But overall, the best part has been interacting with the team; the players have been brilliant.For Zimbabwe, regular skipper Josephine Nkomo is back after missing the opening game due to a shoulder issue, and she believed the visitors need to showcase a bit more positive intent, with Sharne Mayers left out of the playing eleven."I think we just need to step up on our batting, just score, just be a little bit more positive, show some intent, and then make sure we have a strong innings getting into the last five overs. Hopefully, we will be able to use the conditions and take a few early wickets, because this wicket is absolutely fair."I think we’ve assessed the conditions quite well and adapted really well, I think. In terms of the weather, it’s quite similar to Mumbai, although it’s just a little bit hotter at this time. So it’s not something that we are actually facing for the first time," she said.<h2>Playing XIs</h2>India: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana (captain), Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Vaishnavi Sharma, Sayali Satghare, N Sree Charani, and Jintimani KalitaZimbabwe: Modester Mupachikwa (wk), Loryn Phiri, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Beloved Biza, Josephine Nkomo (captain), Nyasha Gwanzura, Chiedza Dhururu, Michelle Mavunga, Nomvelo Sibanda, Tendai Makusha, and Olinder Chare.

India captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and elected to bat first against Zimbabwe in the second ODI, with Vaishnavi Sharma replacing Kranti Gaud. India lead the three-match series 1-0 and will secure an unassailable lead with a victory, while Zimbabwe have welcomed back captain Josephine Nkomo.

India vs Zimbabwe 2nd ODI: Smriti Mandhana elects to bat as Vaishnavi Sharma replaces Kranti Gaud

India vs Zimbabwe 2nd ODI: Smriti Mandhana elects to bat as Vaishnavi replaces Gaud

All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy expressed his readiness to continue chipping in as a full-fledged all-rounder and potentially partner superstar Hardik Pandya in the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa next year, saying that for him, the thing is about gaining more experience ahead of the showpiece tournament.  Nitish continued to prove his worth as a pace-bowling all-rounder, taking a crucial wicket of Bevon Jacobs in his spell of 1/31 in three overs and scoring a useful 26* in 13 balls to take India to a four-wicket win, snatching it from the jaws of a defeat after India sunk to 112/6 in 14.5 overs in a chase of 181 runs.  After India's win, Nitish was asked if he was ready to continue chipping in as an all-rounder and potentially partner India seam all-rounder Hardik Pandya in South Africa next year. "When you are made to bowl in defensive situations, it helps," Nitish stated how bowling the crunch overs helped his game as quoted by ICC. "It is all about experience right now (ahead of the World Cup). It is all about getting more and more experience before the right time comes," he added.  In eight ODIs and five innings, Nitish has scored 109 runs at an average of 27.25, with a fifty and taken a total of three wickets. With 11 wickets in 11 T20Is at an average of 25.36, with best figures of 3/24, his bowling has flourished the most in the shortest format.  When asked about his brisk knock during a tense chase, Nitish discussed how he sought to put the pressure back on the New Zealand bowlers despite the tourists needing 69 off 31 with just four wickets in hand. "The moment I walked in. The moment when I got the four. We were just talking, 'Tilak we have to believe that we are going to get one strong, good over' and that is what the T20 game is all about. One good over and the pressure is back on the bowling side." "We managed to take twos of even the good balls. And off the bad balls, we managed to hit for boundaries. I think that's where the game really changed for us," he added.  Nitish also credited India head coach Gautam Gambhir for not adding any unnecessary expectations on the players and letting their natural game take over. "Gautam sir keeps telling us, whatever situation we are in, we have to keep believing. He did not put any other extra pressure that we have to go in and straightaway go bang bang. We are experienced players, and we played to ourselves, and the results came." Coming to the match, India won the toss and elected to bowl first. They had New Zealand down 41/3 within the powerplay. Glenn Phillips (70 in 46 balls, with four boundaries and sixes each) and Bevon Jacobs (58 in 46 balls, with five fours and a six) led New Zealand's recovery after an early top-order collapse against India after Kiwis were down 41/3 within powerplay, stitching a 116-run stand for the fourth wicket, taking NZ to 180/5 in 20 overs.  Besides Arshdeep's 2/33, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prince Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy got a wicket each.  While chasing 181 set by New Zealand, the world champions collapsed from 40/0 to 112/6, with Mitchell Santner's four-fer causing havoc in the middle overs. The hope was reinstated by a quickfire 31 in 17 balls (with a four and three sixes) by Naman Dhir, and it was Tilak (51* in 26 balls, with six fours and a six) and Nitish (26* in 13 balls, with a four and a six) who took India to victory with a ball left. India is 2-0 up in the five-match series.

Nitish Kumar Reddy aims to gain more experience ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, with hopes of partnering Hardik Pandya as India’s pace-bowling all-rounder. His unbeaten 26 off 13 balls and a crucial wicket helped India secure a four-wicket win over New Zealand in the second T20I, taking a 2-0 lead in the series.

Nitish Kumar Reddy eyes 2027 ODI world cup spot alongside Hardik Pandya after heroics against New Zealand

Nitish Kumar Reddy eyes 2027 ODI world cup spot alongside Hardik Pandya

FC Barcelona will host Real Madrid in the first 'Clasico' of the season at Camp Nou on Sunday night, in what is the biggest game of the season to date in Spain. The match is likely to be surrounded by controversy and could also go a long way towards deciding the title race.Barcelona go into the game having won their first nine La Liga matches of the season. Hansi Flick's side sits at the top of the standings with 27 points, six more than Real Madrid, who have won seven matches but suffered defeats away to Betis and Atletico Madrid.Another defeat would leave Real Madrid nine points behind Barcelona, a significant deficit to make up even at this relatively early stage of the campaign.The good news for Jose Mourinho's side is that they have bounced back strongly after the international break, beating Sevilla 4-1 at home last weekend before defeating RB Leipzig by the same scoreline in the Champions League on Wednesday night.Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler and Yan Diomande have been in excellent form, and their pace on the counter-attack could be a key factor on Sunday against a Barcelona side that likes to maintain possession and play with a high defensive line.Barcelona lost 4-2 away to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Tuesday, with the reigning European champions exploiting gaps in the Barca defence. Injuries to Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde, who looks certain to miss out with an ankle injury, have also limited Flick's defensive options, reports Xinhua.That is likely to mean Joao Cancelo continues at left-back, with 19-year-old Xavi Espart on the right and Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin in central defence.One potential change from Tuesday should be the return of Rodri in central midfield to provide additional control and protection in front of the back four.Real Madrid will be without Vinicius Jr., who is serving the second match of a four-game domestic suspension. That could mean Diomande returns to the starting line-up after the summer signing impressed with goals against Sevilla and Leipzig.Elsewhere, Fede Valverde is expected to continue at right-back, with former Barcelona youngster Marc Cucurella on the left and two of Dean Huijsen, Ibrahima Konate and Antonio Rudiger in central defence.Real Madrid have complained about refereeing decisions going against them this season, with Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez responding that the complaints "are becoming tiresome". Controversy is likely to surround the game, especially if Mourinho's men look to disrupt Barcelona's possession with tactical fouls.

Barcelona and Real Madrid are set to face off in the first El Clasico of the season at Camp Nou, with the high-stakes clash carrying major implications for the La Liga title race. Barcelona lead the standings with 27 points, six ahead of Real Madrid, who will look to close the gap despite missing Vinicius Jr. due to suspension.

Barcelona vs Real Madrid first El Clasico of the season set to ignite La Liga title race

Barcelona vs Real Madrid first El Clasico of the season set to ignite La Liga title

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned the decision to send Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at No.3 in the second T20I against New Zealand, suggesting that the young batter was uncomfortable in the unfamiliar role. Ashwin said the team management should consider making Sanju Samson bat at No.3 if India want to accommodate all three batters in the playing XI.Sooryavanshi got an opportunity in the second T20I in Christchurch after wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan was ruled out due to injury. However, the teenager managed just four runs off eight balls before getting dis missed, as India chased a target of 181 runs.Speaking to the broadcaster after the match, Ashwin described Sooryavanshi’s outing as a miss but cautioned against judging the youngster too harshly. "For a young cricketer like Vaibhav, 'miss' is too early I think to say, but because I have only two options of a hit or a miss, he just found himself a little like a fish out of water," Ashwin said.<h2>R Ashwin suggests change in India’s batting order</h2>Ashwin felt Sooryavanshi needed time to settle into the innings and could have benefited from guidance from an experienced batter at the other end. He noted that the youngster continued to play aggressively despite struggling to find his timing.According to Ashwin, walking in to bat during the sixth over was not an ideal situation for Sooryavanshi, who is more accustomed to playing at the top of the order. "Walking in during the sixth over is not his cup of tea," Ashwin said.The former India spinner also suggested that if the team management wants to play Sooryavanshi alongside Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, Samson could move down to No. 3, as he has done previously for India. "I'm not too sure Vaibhav has got to bat at number three, but it is what it is. Today it was a miss for Vaibhav," Ashwin added.<h2>Ashwin praises India’s middle order</h2>While Ashwin raised concerns about Sooryavanshi’s batting position, he praised India’s middle and lower-middle order for stepping up during the chase against New Zealand.India were in trouble at 70/5 before Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy produced unbeaten knocks to guide the team to a four-wicket victory with one ball remaining. Tilak scored 51 off 26 balls, while Nitish made 26 off 13 deliveries. Ramandeep Singh also contributed with a quickfire 18 off six balls.Ashwin highlighted the power in India’s batting line-up, particularly the contributions from positions six, seven and eight. He also praised Ramandeep’s ability to attack both pace and spin, while noting Tilak’s composure under pressure.India’s victory gave them a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, with the team looking to build on the performance in the remaining matches.

Ravichandran Ashwin said Vaibhav Sooryavanshi looked uncomfortable batting at No. 3 after scoring four off eight balls against New Zealand in the second T20I. Ashwin suggested that Sanju Samson should bat at No. 3 if India want to accommodate all three batters in the playing XI.

'Not his cup of tea...': R Ashwin questions Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s No. 3 role

New Zealand have begun reshaping their fast-bowling combination for the remainder of the T20I series against India, with Matt Henry ruled out of the remaining matches and Lockie Ferguson set to miss the third encounter as the hosts balance their immediate challenge with a demanding schedule ahead. India are leading the five-match series with consecutive four-wicket victories in Christchurch. With three matches still to come, New Zealand will make several personnel changes under a planned workload management programme, while also preparing for the subsequent ODI and Test assignments against India.Henry, who featured in the first two matches, will remain in Christchurch before linking up with the ODI squad in Auckland ahead of the opening one-day international on November 4. The fast bowler bowled just two overs in the second T20I before leaving the field with a tight calf, an issue captain Mitchell Santner disclosed after the match.Ferguson, meanwhile, will not travel with the team to Wellington for Tuesday’s third T20I. He is scheduled to head to Auckland on Sunday and return to the playing group for the fourth and fifth matches, which will be held in Auckland and Hamilton, respectively.The changes will also affect Kyle Jamieson, who has yet to feature in the series. The right-arm pacer will travel to Wellington for the third T20I but will subsequently turn his attention to domestic cricket, remaining in the city to represent Canterbury against Wellington in the second round of the Ford Trophy on October 31. He will then join New Zealand’s preparations for the ODI leg.Blair Tickner is set to strengthen the bowling group for the final three T20Is, while Josh Clarkson will be available for the last two matches after travelling to Auckland. Matt Fisher will accompany the squad to Wellington as cover for the third game before returning to the New Zealand A setup for its second four-day fixture against India A.Tickner and Clarkson had initially been named as replacements for Zak Foulkes and Mark Chapman, who were ruled out through injuries.Explaining the rotation strategy, New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said the team’s available resources would help them navigate the workload of their fast bowlers across the upcoming assignments.“We’re very fortunate with the depth in the squad to be able to call upon different players to help manage our pacers' workloads and to try and ensure they’re best placed to perform for the team for all the cricket coming up,” Walter said.New Zealand retain further pace-bowling options in Jacob Duffy, Nathan Smith and Adam Milne as they look to revive their campaign against an India side that has won both matches despite being pushed in the closing stages.The third T20I in Wellington will offer the hosts an opportunity to arrest India’s momentum before the series moves to Auckland and Hamilton. However, the workload considerations extend well beyond the current contest, with the teams scheduled to play five ODIs before concluding their India tour with two Tests in early December.New Zealand will subsequently travel to Australia for a four-Test series, adding further importance to managing the fitness and availability of their pace resources across formats.

New Zealand have made key changes to their squad ahead of the upcoming ODI series against India, with several familiar names in the mix. With the series approaching, the Black Caps have a few selection decisions to make as they prepare for the challenge.

Big blow for New Zealand! Matt Henry ruled out, Lockie Ferguson to miss third T20I against India

Big blow for New Zealand! Matt Henry ruled out, Lockie Ferguson to miss third T20I

Former India captain MS Dhoni has broken his silence on his participation in IPL 2027. Dhoni, who missed the entire IPL 2026 season due to injury, has offered an update on his plans for the upcoming season.The 45-year-old said he would decide on his participation before December after assessing his fitness. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) veteran made the remarks during a healthcare event in Bengaluru on October 24, leaving his return for the next season uncertain.Dhoni said he would undergo medical tests before deciding whether he could play another season of the Indian Premier League."Doc, I will have to go through the test. You will have to give me the report, and then before December, I will have to see, you know, how strong I am to maybe play one more season," Dhoni was quoted as saying by ANI.Dhoni also made a light-hearted remark about his fitness, comparing himself to a vintage vehicle. He said doctors would have to ensure that he was fit enough to continue playing if he wanted to return for another IPL season."And if I am not, then, you know, you will have to make sure that you do everything right with me and make sure that this old vintage vehicle is running well on the road. So all the pressure is on them," he added.Dhoni's comments suggest that a decision on his IPL future will depend on his fitness assessment and his ability to handle another season. The former CSK captain has not confirmed whether he will return to the tournament in 2027.Retirement speculation has surrounded Dhoni for several seasons, but he has continued to feature for Chennai Super Kings. His absence throughout IPL 2026 marked the first time since the league's inception that he did not play a single match in a season.CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan had also expressed optimism about Dhoni continuing with the franchise for another season. However, he said the final decision rested with the veteran cricketer."It's a question you need to ask him. I also have to ask him. He informs us of his decision when he arrives in Chennai. I have a feeling that the chances of him continuing to play for CSK are there. He is still a player, you know," Viswanathan had said.<h2>CSK make changes ahead of IPL 2027</h2>Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings have made a major change to their coaching setup, parting ways with head coach Stephen Fleming and appointing Zaheer Khan to the role.Dhoni's potential return will remain a key talking point for CSK supporters as the franchise prepares for the next season. However, his latest comments make it clear that he will assess his fitness before taking a final call.

MS Dhoni will decide on his IPL 2027 participation before December after assessing his fitness through medical tests. The Chennai Super Kings veteran missed the entire IPL 2026 season due to injury and has yet to confirm his return for the next season.

MS Dhoni breaks silence on IPL 2027 participation, says decision to be made before December

MS Dhoni breaks silence on IPL 2027 participation, says decision to be made...

India left-arm star bowler Arshdeep Singh achieved a significant milestone during the second T20I against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval here on Saturday as he became India's leading wicket-taker in T20Is in a calendar year.Arshdeep took 2-33 in the second match to achieve the feat as he now has 38 wickets in 2026. He surpassed newly-returned Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the record as Bhuvi had taken 37 wickets in 2022, the year he represented India last before his recent comeback.Arshdeep continued his strong year and reiterated his worth in the format with this milestone. He got the wickets of Tim Seifert early and Glenn Phillips later in the innings to own the record for India.The left-arm seamer needed 26 innings for his 38 scalps, while Bhuvi took 37 wickets in 2022 in 31 innings. Arshdeep now has the third-most wickets by players from full-member nations in a single year. He stands behind Ireland's Josh Little and Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga.Most wickets in a calendar year in T20Is (full-member teams):39 - Josh Little in 202238 - Wanindu Hasaranga in 202438 - Arshdeep Singh in 202637 - Bhuvneshwar Kumar in 2022Arshdeep's early strike helped India keep New Zealand to 43/3 at the end of the powerplay as Bhuvi and Prince Yadav also got wickets. The left-armer then also took the crucial wicket of Glenn Phillips, who made a strong 70 from 43 balls and partnered with Bevon Jacobs to take the hosts to 180/5 in their 20 overs.With New Zealand's backs against the wall at 41/3 after 5.2 overs, Phillips (70 off 43 balls) and Jacobs (58 off 46 balls) put up a fighting 116-run partnership for the fourth wicket to lead the comeback for the hosts in the second match, which was played on the same venue and the same pitch as that run-scoring first T20I.

Arshdeep Singh took 2-33 against New Zealand in the second T20I to become India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is in a calendar year, reaching 38 wickets in 2026. He surpassed Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s previous Indian record of 37 wickets in 2022, achieving the milestone in five fewer innings.

Arshdeep Singh breaks Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s record to become India’s leading T20I wicket-taker in a calendar year

Arshdeep Singh breaks Bhuvi’s record for most T20I wickets in a year

South Africa fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the series decider against Australia due to a mild groin injury, with Cricket South Africa (CSA) opting against naming his replacement in the squad.The three-match series is currently locked at 1-1, with the final Test starting at Newlands in Cape Town on Tuesday. Nortje suffered the injury while bowling in the first innings of the second Test in Gqeberha on Wednesday, and scans done on the following day confirmed the injury.The pacer walked off midway through his fourth over on the fourth morning at St George's Park and did not return, as he spent the rest of the match in the dressing room. The setback cut short a promising return to Test cricket for Nortje, who had not played a red-ball game in more than three-and-a-half years before the series opener in Durban.Nortje had been expected to be rested for the second Test, but South Africa retained him in the playing eleven after he came through the opener without any trouble. The length of Nortje’s lay-off is not yet clear.South Africa will now have to pick between Gerald Coetzee, who has not played a Test in nearly two years, all-rounder Corbin Bosch and pacer Dane Paterson to fill the slot left by Nortje’s absence in the playing eleven. The trio have been with the squad since the first Test.Should South Africa prefer a spinner, left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy could also come into contention. South Africa are also monitoring several other injured players ahead of a busy summer.Lungi Ngidi, who hurt his hamstring in the opening round of the domestic first-class competition, is expected to be back in action next month and could feature against Bangladesh. Ottneil Baartman, who also injured his hamstring, returned for the Dolphins in the Pro20 competition on Friday and picked 4-12.There is no update on left-arm pacer Kwena Maphaka or batter Tony de Zorzi, who injured his hamstring in the third ODI against Australia last month.South Africa squad for third Test: Temba Bavuma (captain), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, and Kyle Verreynne.

Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of South Africa’s third Test against Australia due to a mild groin injury, with CSA opting not to name a replacement. With the three-match series tied 1-1, South Africa will choose between Gerald Coetzee, Corbin Bosch and Dane Paterson to fill the fast bowler’s spot for the decider in Cape Town.

Anrich Nortje ruled out of South Africa vs Australia 3rd Test due to groin injury

<div><div><div><div><div>Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu advanced to the final of the French Open after defeating Japan’s Hina Akechi 21-10, 20-22, 21-16 in a one-hour-and-13-minute semifinal at the Arena Grand Paris on Saturday.Sindhu started strongly, comfortably taking the opening game 21-10. However, Akechi held the lead through the latter half of the second game, with Sindhu briefly moving ahead at 16 all and held it for the next two points, but the Japanese shuttler managed to level the game to force a decider.The decider saw a close contest, with the scores level at multiple points. Sindhu dominated most of the game before Akechi fought back to level the scores at 14-all and take a 16-15 lead. But the Indian star remained error-free, winning six consecutive points to close out the decider 21-16 and seal her place in the final.This marks Sindhu’s second BWF World Tour Super 750 final of the season, following her title-winning run at the Japan Open in July.Sindhu will face World No. 1 and reigning world champion An Se Young in Sunday’s final. The match will be their 11th meeting on the circuit and their third encounter this year. A win would mark Sindhu’s first victory over the South Korean.Looking ahead to the final against An Se Young, Sindhu said, "I have to give her a good fight, a tough fight. Every point matters. I know we've played a lot of times, and she's been doing really well. She's been at her top form. But I think tomorrow is a different day. Every day is a new day. I just have to go out there and give my best. Rest just decides on that particular day. So yeah, I'm ready to give a fight."</div></div></div></div></div>

PV Sindhu defeated Japan’s Hina Akechi 21-10, 20-22, 21-16 to reach the French Open final after a thrilling one-hour-and-13-minute semifinal. Sindhu will face World No. 1 An Se Young in Sunday’s final, aiming to claim her second BWF World Tour Super 750 title of the season.

French Open 2026: PV Sindhu beats Hina Akechi to reach final sets up clash with An Se Young

French Open 2026: PV Sindhu beats Hina Akechi to reach final

Tilak Varma came up with another clutch performance to headline India's come-from-behind win against New Zealand in the second T20I at the Hagley Oval here on Saturday.With their backs against the wall at 70/5 in 10.5 overs, Tilak smashed a match-changing and unbeaten 51 from 26 balls to guide India to a much-impressive four-wicket win with a successful chase of a strong 181 in Christchurch with one ball remaining.Nitish Kumar Reddy also put up a crucial and unbeaten hand of 26 from 13 balls and hit the winning runs for India on the second-to-last ball off Jacob Duffy to help the visitors achieve a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.This overpowered Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips' efforts, who had put New Zealand in strong positions. Santner displayed a stellar effort of 4-21 as spinners received great help from the surface, and even the speedsters gained from the slowness of the surface, which was the same as the opening match of the series, which saw India chase down 226. This time, the used surface gripped, with batters finding it hard to score.Earlier, Phillips had scored a crucial 70 from 43 balls, while Bevon Jacobs had made 58 from 46 deliveries to take the team to a strong total of 180/5 on a tricky surface.India began the chase with eight straight dot balls as Matt Henry bowled a maiden first over to Sanju Samson, beating his bat thrice in the six balls. The visitors were off to a mark on the ninth ball when Abhishek Sharma miscued Jacob Duffy at deep point.Abhishek could well have been dismissed for just one had Duffy not overstepped in the second over, as the Indian opener was caught out at deep square by Nathan Smith, only for the umpire to raise his hand for a no-ball.Abhishek hit a four on the next ball, and that kick-started India's chase as they raced to 37/0 from four overs after a maiden first over.However, the helpful conditions for the bowlers were soon on display when Duffy got Samson for 14 on a slower ball, caught at cover. Returnee Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could not make much of an impact as he fell on four from eight balls to Nathan Smith, with Daryl Mitchell taking a sharp catch at cover.New Zealand captain Santner came into his own and removed Abhishek in the first over he bowled, as the batter could not clear the long, deep mid-wicket. Santner put the visitors in further hole when he got Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel in the same 11th over, as the Men in Blue were in big trouble at 71/5 after 11 overs.In-form Naman Dhir put up a decent fight, and although he was dropped by Bevon Jacobs at point, which was a sitter, he gave hope to India for a chase. The all-rounder made 31 from 17 balls, and although most of the other batters struggled, he looked good, including against Michael Bracewell, whom he hit for a six and a four in the 14th over.However, Santner got Dhir in his final over to complete his four-wicket haul, and it became even more difficult for India. Nitish Kumar Reddy joined Tilak Varma in the middle, and the two did not give up.With 46 needed off 18 balls, Nitish and Tilak took 17 runs from Duffy's third over to keep India alive. Tilak hit back-to-back fours on the first two balls of the 18th over, with Glenn Phillips misfielding one at deep mid-wicket.The Indian vice-captain showed nerves of steel with a crucial pulled four and a six to end the over as the equation was brought to 11 off the final six balls.Duffy came for the final over with the hosts penalised for a slow over rate and forced to bring one extra fielder inside the 30-yard circle. Tilak drilled the bowler for a four through covers on the second ball and completed his fifty on the next ball with a couple.Tilak was disappointed with Nitish for not running a close second run, but Nitish finished things with a double towards the deep backward square leg on the second-to-last ball to finish the game.Earlier, Phillips and Bevon Jacobs put up impressive half-centuries to lead New Zealand to a decent total of 180/5.With New Zealand in trouble at 41/3 after 5.2 overs, Phillips (70 off 43 balls) and Jacobs (58 off 46 balls) put up a fighting 116-run partnership for the fourth wicket to lead the comeback for the hosts in the second match, which was played on the same venue and the same pitch as that run-scoring first T20I.The surface, however, behaved much better for the bowlers this time around, with the batters finding it hard to hit the hard lengths, and the Indian bowlers also bowled well, especially in the powerplay and then at the death.Arshdeep took two wickets, but the Kiwis had done well to put up 180/5, which was very much competitive, but it turned out to be a bit less in the end.Brief Scores: New Zealand 180/5 in 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 70, Bevon Jacobs 58; Arshdeep Singh 2-33, Prince Yadav 1-30) lose to India (Tilak Varma 51, Naman Dhir 31; Mitchell Santner 4-21, Nathan Smith 1-34) by four wickets.

Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 51 off 26 balls and Nitish Kumar Reddy’s quickfire 26 off 13 deliveries helped India beat New Zealand by four wickets in the second T20I in Christchurch. Chasing 181, India sealed the win with one ball to spare to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

IND vs NZ 2nd T20I: Tilak Varma’s unbeaten fifty powers India to thrilling four-wicket win in Christchurch

IND vs NZ 2nd T20I: Tilak Varma’s unbeaten fifty powers India to thrilling win

India opener Abhishek Sharma has created a new record in men’s T20 International cricket, becoming the first batter to hit 100 sixes in the powerplay. The left-handed batter achieved the milestone during the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, moving ahead of former India captain Rohit Sharma and New Zealand great Martin Guptill.<a href="https://english.zeenews.com/sports/article-tilak-varma-scripts-history-against-new-zealand-with-record-for-most-catches-in-t20is-in-a-calendar-year-3160468">ALSO READ: Tilak Varma scripts history against New Zealand with record for most catches in T20Is in a calendar year</a><h2>Abhishek Sharma surpasses Rohit Sharma and Martin Guptill</h2>According to the supplied statistics, Abhishek leads the list with 100 powerplay sixes. Rohit Sharma is second with 98, while New Zealand’s Martin Guptill occupies third place with 97 sixes.Ireland’s Paul Stirling follows with 94 sixes, while South Africa’s Quinton de Kock completes the top five with 87.Most sixes in powerplay in men’s T20Is- Abhishek Sharma - 100 - Rohit Sharma - 98 - Martin Guptill - 97 - Paul Stirling - 94 - Quinton de Kock - 87Abhishek’s tally puts him two sixes ahead of Rohit and three ahead of Guptill. The record highlights his ability to attack from the opening overs and make the most of the powerplay fielding restrictions.<h2>Abhishek Sharma’s six-hitting rate stands out</h2>Abhishek’s powerplay six-hitting rate further underlines his aggressive approach. As per reports, he hits a six once every 7.77 balls during the first six overs.Rohit Sharma, by comparison, hits a powerplay six once every 17.05 balls, while Guptill’s rate stands at one six every 16.58 balls. Quinton de Kock averages one six every 15.80 balls, while Stirling’s rate is one every 21.03 balls.<h2>Abhishek Sharma reaches 1,000 T20I runs in 2026</h2>Abhishek has also reached the 1,000-run mark in men’s T20Is in a calendar year, becoming the third Indian batter to achieve the feat.He joined Suryakumar Yadav, who scored 1,164 runs in 2022, and Ishan Kishan, who accumulated 1,159 runs in 2026, according to the supplied statistics.Abhishek reached the milestone during the second T20I against New Zealand after scoring the 15 runs he needed in just seven balls.

Abhishek Sharma became the first batter to hit 100 sixes in the powerplay in men’s T20Is, setting a new record. The India opener also crossed 1,000 T20I runs in 2026, becoming the third Indian to achieve the feat in a calendar year.

Abhishek Sharma creates history with record-breaking powerplay sixes in T20Is

New Zealand recovered from an early top-order collapse through half-centuries from Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs before India's bowlers struck back late to restrict the hosts to 180/5 in 20 overs in the second T20I match of the five-match series at Hagley Oval on Saturday. Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs led New Zealand's recovery after an early top-order collapse against India, setting the visitors a target of 181 runs to win the second match and take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series at Hagley Oval on Saturday. After being put in to bat, New Zealand lost three wickets inside the powerplay, with India's bowlers putting the hosts under pressure. Arshdeep Singh provided the first breakthrough in the second over, dismissing Tim Seifert for seven, who was caught by Tilak Varma. In the very next over, Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Daryl Mitchell (6) cheaply, while Prince Yadav dismissed opener Finn Allen for 16 with a full-length delivery in the sixth over. New Zealand were left struggling at 43/3 after the end of the first six overs, putting the onus on Phillips and Jacobs to rebuild the innings. India’s Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, and Nitish Reddy further tightened the screws on New Zealand’s scoring as they could only score 23 runs in the next four overs, standing at 63/3 in 10 overs. However, the duo of Jacobs and Phillips shifted the gears, reaching 104/3 in 14 overs, countering India's bowling attack and preventing further breakthroughs. Phillips brought up his half-century in the 16th over, reaching the milestone in 33 deliveries, while Jacobs also reached his fifty in the next over, off 40 balls as New Zealand reached 145/3 in 17 overs. The batters also brought up their 100-run stand in the same over. Just when the hosts appeared to be taking the game away from the visitors, Arshdeep returned and got rid of Phillips (70 runs off 43 balls with four sixes and four boundaries) in the 18th over. In the next over, bowled by Reddy, Bevon Jacobs slammed a six off the very first ball, but the bowler had the last laugh as he dismissed Jacobs on the fifth ball of the 19th over. New batter Michael Bracewell hit a six off the first ball he faced to take New Zealand’s score to 171/5 in 19 overs. Prince Yadav bowled the last over and did well to only concede nine runs as New Zealand finished at 180/5 in overs. For India, Arshdeep Singh registered figures of 2/33 in 4 overs, and Prince Yadav returned figures of 1/30 in 4 overs, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar went for runs as he conceded 50 runs for one wicket in his four-over spell.

Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs scored half-centuries to guide New Zealand to 180/5 in the second T20I against India. After losing three wickets in the powerplay, the hosts recovered strongly to set India a target of 181 runs to win.

IND vs NZ, 2nd T20I: Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs power New Zealand to 180/5 after early collapse

IND vs NZ, 2nd T20I: Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs power New Zealand to 180/5

India batter Tilak Varma created history on Saturday, October 24, by setting a new world record for the most catches by a fielder in a calendar year in men's T20 Internationals (T20Is).The Indian vice-captain reached the milestone during the second T20I against New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. He took catches to dismiss Tim Seifert and Daryl Mitchell, taking his tally to 26 catches in 2026 and surpassing the previous record of 25 held by Indonesia's Danilson Hawoe.<a href="https://english.zeenews.com/sports/article-ind-vs-nz-2nd-t20i-vaibhav-sooryavanshi-returns-as-india-opt-to-bowl-first-check-playing-xis-3160461">ALSO READ: IND vs NZ 2nd T20I: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi returns as India opt to bowl first, check playing XIs</a>Tilak achieved the feat in his 32nd T20I of the calendar year, while Hawoe had taken 25 catches in 41 matches for Indonesia in 2025. The milestone further highlights Tilak's contribution to India's fielding efforts in the shortest format.<h2>Tilak Varma breaks Danilson Hawoe's T20I record</h2>Before Tilak's achievement, Hawoe held the record for the most catches by an outfielder in men's T20Is in a calendar year, having taken 25 catches in 2025.United Arab Emirates batter Muhammad Waseem occupies the third position on the list with 24 catches in 2024. Malaysia's Sharvin Muniandy recorded 21 catches in 2025, while Uganda's Brian Masaba and Bangladesh's Tanzid Hasan took 20 catches each in 2023 and 2025, respectively.Most catches by a fielder in a calendar year in T20Is- 26 - Tilak Varma (India), 2026 - 25 - Danilson Hawoe (Indonesia), 2025 - 24 - Muhammad Waseem (UAE), 2024 - 21 - Sharvin Muniandy (Malaysia), 2025 - 20 - Brian Masaba (Uganda), 2023 - 20 - Tanzid Hasan (Bangladesh), 2025<h2>Tilak Varma's fielding record in 2026</h2>Tilak's record-breaking tally includes catches taken during India's T20 World Cup campaign and subsequent bilateral T20I matches.He took two catches against the USA in India's T20 World Cup opener on February 7 and also registered catches against Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and England during the tournament.In the final against New Zealand on March 8, Tilak took two catches, including the catch of Jacob Duffy that sealed India's victory in the summit clash.He also took three catches in India's second T20I against Afghanistan in Delhi on September 15. During the first T20I against New Zealand on October 22, Tilak caught Finn Allen near the boundary ropes.His latest catches against Seifert and Mitchell in Christchurch took him past Hawoe's record, establishing him as the leading fielder for catches in a single calendar year in men's T20Is.

Tilak Varma set a new record for the most catches by a fielder in men’s T20Is in a calendar year, taking his tally to 26 in 2026. The India star surpassed Indonesia’s Danilson Hawoe, who held the previous record with 25 catches in 2025.

Tilak Varma scripts history against New Zealand with record for most catches in T20Is in a calendar year

Tilak Varma scripts history against New Zealand with record for most catches in T20I

New Zealand A dominated the opening day of the first unofficial Test against India A, bowling out the visitors for 113 before reaching 135/3 at stumps to secure a 22-run lead at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln on Saturday.Simon Keene led the hosts' bowling attack with a five-wicket haul, while Zak Gibson claimed three wickets to expose India's batting struggles on a green-top surface. In reply, New Zealand A openers Rhys Mariu and Curtis Heaphy put together a 132-run partnership to give their team a strong start. However, India A fought back late in the day through Auqib Nabi, who struck twice in consecutive deliveries to reduce the hosts to 132/3. Heaphy remained unbeaten on 37, with Matthew Boyle not out on one as New Zealand A finished the day at 135/3 after 41 overs.<h2>Simon Keene, Zak Gibson rattle India A batting line-up</h2>Asked to bat first, India A endured a difficult start as KL Rahul was dismissed for a duck in the third over after facing eight deliveries.Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal attempted to steady the innings, adding 30 runs for the second wicket. However, Gibson broke the partnership by having Jaiswal caught by Boyle for 17.India A suffered another setback when Sai Sudharsan was bowled by Keene without scoring. Captain Dhruv Jurel also departed cheaply, making one before being caught by Mariu off Keene's bowling.Padikkal tried to rebuild the innings alongside Yash Rathod, but Gibson dismissed the left-hander for 32, which included five boundaries. Gibson struck again in his next over, removing Washington Sundar for a duck leaving India A struggling at the crease.<h2>Yash Rathod's 44 helps India A cross 100</h2>As the wickets were falling at regular intervals, Rathod and Anshul Kamboj attempted to revive India's innings. Their partnership ended when Kristian Clarke dismissed Kamboj for 10.Rathod continued to counter-attack with the lower order, striking boundaries to take India A past the 100-run mark. However, Keene returned to dismiss Auqib Nabi, Akash Deep and Mukesh Choudhary, completing his five-wicket haul as India A were bowled out for 113.Rathod remained unbeaten on 44 off a fighting innings that included three fours and three sixes. Padikkal's 32 was the next-highest score for India A.For New Zealand A, Keene finished with five wickets, while Gibson claimed three. Clarke and Fraser Sheat picked up one wicket each.<h2>Rhys Mariu, Curtis Heaphy give New Zealand A strong start</h2>New Zealand A responded confidently, with openers Mariu and Heaphy adding 132 runs for the first wicket to put the hosts in a commanding position.Mariu was the first to depart after scoring 76 off 117 deliveries, including 12 boundaries, with Mukesh Choudhary breaking the opening stand in the 39th over.Nabi then delivered a crucial double strike in the following over, dismissing Jayden Lennox and Tim Robinson off consecutive deliveries to give India A some momentum late in the day.Despite the late wickets, New Zealand A finished the opening day at 135/3, holding a 22-run lead over India A. Heaphy was unbeaten on 37 as the hosts retained the advantage heading into the second day.<h2>India A's New Zealand tour schedule</h2>India A are scheduled to play three four-day unofficial Tests against New Zealand A. The second match will begin at Hagley Oval on October 31, while the third and final fixture is scheduled to take place in Lincoln from November 7.

New Zealand A took a 22-run lead on Day 1 of the first unofficial Test after bowling India A out for 113 and reaching 135/3 at stumps. Simon Keene claimed five wickets, while Rhys Mariu scored 76 and Curtis Heaphy remained unbeaten on 37 for the hosts.

India A bowled out for 113 as New Zealand A take 22-run lead in first unofficial test

India A bowled out for 113 as New Zealand take 22-run lead in first unofficial test

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi returned as India opted to bowl first in their second T20I against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval here on Saturday.India made two changes to the Playing XI which registered a record 226-run chase against New Zealand in the first T20I at the same venue, with Prince Yadav coming in for Mayank Yadav as the other change.Sooryavanshi, who has had to warm the benches since the Asian Games, has made a return to the team and will be batting at No.3 and not at his usual opening slot, India captain Shreyas Iyer confirmed at the toss.With Ishan Kishan out due to a groin strain, Sooryavanshi's call-up was always on the cards. "We're going to bowl first. Yes, absolutely. That's one of the reasons (On dew being a factor). We have had a little bit of time to recover and catch up on some sleep. Everyone is in decent shape, I would say. Some of the players, including myself, do their training on match day. So, we are in a good place."It is important to maintain the aggression and repeat the things we did well in the first game. In addition, we need to be proactive in the field and ensure we don't have an extra fielder inside the circle, especially in the last over. Ishan is injured, so Vaibhav comes in for him. Prince comes in for Mayank, which is just a tactical change. Vaibhav is going to bat at number three," Shreyas said at the toss.Meanwhile, New Zealand also made a change to their Playing XI as Jacob Duffy came in for Adam Milne to manage their seamers with Test cricket coming up. "We know we are a good team; even though we were a bit off the ball, we still fought hard and had a great match. Yesterday was just a refresh day. Duffy is in for Milne; that's the only change - just a bit of rotation for the seamers with a lot of Test cricket coming up," New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner said.<h2>Playing XIs:</h2>New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Lockie FergusonIndia: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav.

India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bowl first against New Zealand in the second T20I, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi returning to the Playing XI at No. 3. India made two changes, bringing in Sooryavanshi and Prince Yadav, while New Zealand included Jacob Duffy in place of Adam Milne.

IND vs NZ 2nd T20I: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi returns as India opt to bowl first, check playing XIs

IND vs NZ 2nd T20I: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi returns as India opt to bowl first

India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar said having no expectations from himself and focusing on the work at hand helped him navigate his four-year absence from international cricket, adding that his preparation never suffered despite being away from the national team.Bhuvneshwar returned to the national setup after a four-year absence earlier this month when he was called up for the fifth T20I against the West Indies in Bengaluru as a replacement for injured Arshdeep Singh. However, the match got abandoned due to rain. He finally got to bowl in the 1st T20I against New Zealand.Speaking in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the experienced pacer said the key to his approach over the last three to four years had been staying in the present rather than worrying about the future."The headspace I am in is very simple. I have no expectations of myself. I think that’s how things worked out for me in the last 3-4 years. No expectations; just keep doing your work. Generally, we talk about being present; we don’t think about the future. I think that’s the headspace I am in right now. And that has happened in the last 3-4 years," he said.The 36-year-old said his time away from international cricket had brought maturity and that he had not spent the period actively chasing a comeback."I know I didn’t play for the country. But the things I did and the maturity that came in me as a person. I think that’s what he taught me: just be in the present," he said."Four years, I never chased this Indian jersey. So honestly, I didn’t even know when those four years would come. I think it evolved big time, and I think IPL has a big role in that."The pacer credited the Indian Premier League (IPL) and domestic cricket for keeping him connected to the game during his international absence. He said he had continued to prepare thoroughly for matches despite not knowing whether another India opportunity would come his way."The last two IPLs were like when I went to IPL; there were zero expectations. I had zero expectations from myself either. But it wasn’t like I didn’t prepare. I did all the preparation needed to prepare. From fitness to skills and mental aspects, I did all that. But yes, there was zero expectation as to what I would do," he said."Of course, I had to contribute for the team. But I never thought that I would go to IPL like this. That I would get two IPL titles in two years."Bhuvneshwar believes the IPL has also helped him understand the changing demands of T20 cricket, in which batters have become more aggressive and high scores are increasingly common."I know there is an impact player. But that impact player has opened up the batsman’s mindset a lot. They go after the ball from the first ball," he said."But I have always believed that we take bowlers as victims. But they are not. I think being a bowler, you can control the game. You can want them to hit where we want. So I think it’s just a perspective. What we have to do is being a bowler," he added.He added that the game had changed significantly in recent years, not just in franchise cricket but also at the international level.“100%. The game has evolved a lot in the last four years. Not just league cricket. Even international cricket. The way the score is being made. 200 is just a sparse score. When it becomes 200, I think there is something. But yes, it evolved big time,” he said.The experienced pacer also highlighted the challenges of playing overseas, particularly in SENA countries, where conditions can be difficult for both batters and bowlers.“No, it’s not a big deal. Because we are a young group. We have been playing for many years. But everyone else is young,” he said.“When you come on an away tour, it’s tough. The conditions are different. Generally, we come with expectations. That maybe we will get something from a fast bowler. But for the last four to five years, the way we have been seeing the white ball format, even on Mondays. There is not much support for bowlers,” he added.He said conversations among bowlers generally centred on assessing conditions and identifying the best way to execute their plans.“Whenever we talk, we talk about very basic things. What are the conditions? What can we do? But what I have realised is that T20 has become such a format where you need a lot of maturity as a bowler,” he said.Bhuvneshwar added that winning overseas tournaments brings a special sense of satisfaction and could help build confidence across formats."Whenever we come on a tour, the biggest mindset is to win there. Especially when we come to SENA countries. It’s not easy. Whether you are a bowler or a batsman, there are some challenges. And winning in such countries gives you a lot of satisfaction. That you came there, performed, contributed and won the tournament," he said.Reflecting on India’s opening win in the New Zealand T20I series, he said a successful start could have a positive impact on the team’s confidence for the remainder of the tour."And the way we won the first game, I know it was hard on bowlers. But the way the batsmen chased, the team’s confidence is super. And if on such tours, not just for T20s, if you get a start like this for all formats, then it carries on in different formats in different matches. Once you get a good start, everyone will be confident to do well and to win the series," he said.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar opened up about his four-year absence from international cricket, saying having zero expectations and focusing on his work helped him stay motivated. The India pacer credited the IPL and domestic cricket for keeping him prepared, while highlighting how T20 cricket has evolved and the growing demands on bowlers.

'No expectations, just keep doing your work': Bhuvneshwar Kumar on India comeback after 4 years

'No expectations, just keep doing your work': Bhuvneshwar Kumar on India comeback

Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany collapsed after a training session in Munich on Friday and was immediately taken to hospital by ambulance, with the club confirming that he would remain under medical care for further examinations.“Vincent Kompany had to seek medical treatment on Friday after collapsing during training for FC Bayern’s amateurs. The first-team coach had been watching the second team’s session. Kompany will undergo a thorough examination in the hospital and remain in medical care. For the time being, his coaching staff will manage training and match operations,” Bayern said in a statement.The incident comes days after Kompany complained of pain in his leg and hip ahead of Bayern’s UEFA Champions League match against Arsenal on Wednesday. The discomfort was believed to be linked to a virus he had been suffering from.Bayern Munich assistant coach Aaron Danks had addressed the media at the pre-match press conference in Kompany’s place, explaining that the manager needed time to recover.“It’s just a virus. The doctors, the experts, know way more than I do,” Danks had said.“The most important thing we’ve just encouraged is that he rests, he takes the time he needs, whatever that may be, however long that may be. Whether that’s tomorrow or whether that’s two, three days, I don’t know at this moment. Getting Vince to rest is a challenge,” he said.Despite his illness, Kompany was on the bench for Bayern’s match against RB Leipzig on Saturday. However, he appeared subdued and remained seated during the game.Bayern sporting director Max Eberl had also indicated that the manager was struggling physically, revealing that he needed assistance to climb the stairs and had been suffering from the virus.Kompany’s coaching staff will oversee training and match operations while he remains in hospital. The club has said that he will undergo further medical examinations, but no additional details about his condition or the expected duration of his absence have been announced.

Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany was hospitalised after collapsing following a training session in Munich on Friday.  The club confirmed that Kompany will undergo further medical examinations, with his coaching staff taking charge of training and match operations in his absence.

Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany hospitalised after collapsing during training

Mumbai Indians have appointed former West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard as their head coach, marking a new chapter in his 16-year association with the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions.The franchise announced Pollard's elevation on Saturday, October 24. He previously served as Mumbai Indians batting coach and will now take on the responsibility of leading the team.Pollard joined Mumbai Indians at the age of 22 and became a key figure during the franchise's successful run in the IPL. His performances as a player established him as one of the most prominent names in the team's history.After his playing career with Mumbai Indians, pollard transitioned into coaching and continued to work closely with the franchise. His experience in T20 cricket and familiarity with the team’s culture and players are expected to play an important role in his new assignment.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">LLORD's legacy from player to coach was built brick by brick! 🧱 https://t.co/HKwRt3HKdP— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) <a href="https://x.com/mipaltan/status/2113858174306652263?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2026</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>; <h2>Kieron Pollard reacts to Mumbai Indians Head Coach appointment</h2>Reacting to his appointment, Pollard expressed his gratitude to the franchise’s leadership and described the opportunity as an honour. "It is an honour to take on the role of Head Coach of Mumbai Indians. MI has been a huge part of my life and career, and the bond I share with this team, the players and the Paltan means a great deal to me," Pollard said.The former West Indies all-rounder also acknowledged the trust placed in him by Nita Ambani, Akash Ambani and the Mumbai Indians management.Pollard said he looks forward to working closely with the players and support staff, building on the franchise’s legacy and helping young talent develop. "Having experienced this journey as a player and then as a coach, I understand what Mumbai Indians stands for and the responsibility that comes with representing the Blue and Gold," he added.<h2>Kieron Pollard takes charge after serving as batting coach</h2>Pollard’s appointment marks another milestone in his long association with Mumbai Indians. Having experienced the franchise from both a player’s and a coach’s perspective, he will now be responsible for guiding the team in the head coach role.His extensive experience in franchise-based T20 cricket, along with his understanding of the format's tactical demands, will be central to his new responsibilities.Mumbai Indians will look to build on their IPL legacy under Pollard's leadership as the franchise prepares for its next phase of competition.

Mumbai Indians have appointed former West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard as their new head coach, marking a new chapter in his 16-year association with the five-time IPL champions. Pollard, who previously served as the franchise’s batting coach, will now lead the team, with co-owner Nita Ambani expressing confidence in his experience and commitment.

Kieron Pollard appointed Mumbai Indians Head Coach ahead of next IPL season

The Men’s Selection Committee has added Kumar Kushagra to the squad for the second T20I against New Zealand as cover for India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who has been ruled out due to a "low-grade right adductor strain", the BCCI said on Friday.Kushagra, who is currently in Christchurch with the India A squad, will join the India squad for the second T20I, BCCI's Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia informed in a release.The BCCI Medical Team will continue to monitor Ishan Kishan’s progress. Ishan sustained the injury during the first T20I of the series, which India won by four wickets in Christchurch."Ishan Kishan is ruled out of the second T20I against New Zealand due to a low-grade right adductor strain, which he sustained during the first T20I of the series. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress," the BCCI said in a statement.In the series opener, Ishan was seen batting at No. 5 with Tilak Varma coming at No. 3. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, while addressing batting order changes, said that the wicketkeeper-batter was dealing with a groin injury. Ishan's absence in the second T20I may open the door for teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to get a place in the playing 11."There was a lot of speculation I have also seen; just because Ishan had a strain in his groin, the batting order was changed,” Kotak told reporters. “If Ishan doesn’t play, unless he recovers completely, which the medical team will advise, Vaibhav (Sooryavanshi) could definitely step in for him. He is one of the strongest contenders," he added.India’s updated squad for 2nd T20: Shreyas Iyer [C], Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson [WK], Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Tilak Varma [VC], Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Kumar Kushagra [WK].

Kumar Kushagra has been added to India’s squad for the second T20I against New Zealand as cover for injured wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who has been ruled out with a low-grade right adductor strain. Kishan’s absence could open the door for teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to feature in the playing XI.

India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I: Kumar Kushagra added as Ishan Kishan ruled out with injury

India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I: Kumar Kushagra added as Ishan Kishan ruled out

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