Category: Cricket

Sanju Samson has moved up to 34th in the ICC T20I batting rankings with 566 rating points, a small but meaningful jump in a stop-start international journey. The wicketkeeper-batter’s rise follows a blistering purple patch last season that included back-to-back T20I hundreds. His strike rate of 152.39 in 43 T20Is keeps him in India’s plans, but consistency remains the big test ahead of future tournaments.

Rain threatened the KKR vs RCB IPL 2025 match at Eden Gardens with forecasts flagging thunderstorms and gusty winds over Kolkata. IMD warned of 40–60 kmph winds, while hourly models showed high morning rain chances easing to just 7% by match time. With playoff stakes high, a washout or shortened game could reshape plans, DLS tactics, and points. Ground staff stayed on standby with full covers.

Steve Smith will captain Australia on a two-Test tour of Sri Lanka with Pat Cummins unavailable due to paternity leave and a minor ankle issue. The Galle series, from Jan 29 to Feb 10, doubles as Australia’s final red-ball hit-out before the World Test Championship 2024-25 final. Cooper Connolly earns a first Test call-up; Josh Inglis and Sean Abbott could debut. Spinners Todd Murphy and Matt Kuhnemann return.

India is set to open their Asia Cup 2025 campaign against UAE with Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma at the top. Kuldeep Yadav may return to the XI, and Jasprit Bumrah leads the pace attack. The team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, is aiming for a strong start ahead of a crucial clash with Pakistan.

KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant powered India to a commanding position against England in the first Leeds Test, each scoring centuries to set a formidable 371-run target. Pant made history as the first Indian wicketkeeper with twin Test tons. Five Indian batters hit centuries, leaving England a tough chase on Day 5.

Tim David blasted a record 16-ball fifty and a 37-ball century, leading Australia to a dominant six-wicket victory over West Indies and locking in a 3-0 T20I series lead. David's unbeaten 102, partnered with Mitch Owen's quickfire 36, stunned the hosts despite Shai Hope’s century.

Australia continues its supremacy, defeating West Indies for a 4-0 advantage in their T20I series. Despite fielding a changed lineup in the fourth game at Basseterre, Australia’s deep batting and effective squad rotation proved too much for the hosts, exposing West Indies' ongoing fielding struggles.

England’s bold call to bring back 35-year-old Liam Dawson for the Manchester Test against India comes after Shoaib Bashir’s finger injury. Dawson, out of Test cricket since 2017, grabbed the chance with both hands, picking a key wicket and showcasing his matured bowling skills.

India Women trounced England by 97 runs in the first T20I, with Smriti Mandhana smashing a blazing 112. On captaincy duty, she became the first Indian woman to score centuries in all international formats. Debutant N Shree Charani's 4-wicket haul and strong fielding sealed England's heaviest T20I defeat.

A rain-affected WCL clash between South Africa and West Indies took an intense turn as the match ended in a tie and was decided by a rare bowl-out. South Africa emerged victorious 2-0 after both teams fought hard, with standout moments from JP Duminy and Sheldon Cottrell.