Tag: india

Afghanistan’s premier leg-spinner, Rashid Khan, has made a remarkable revelation about his career, sharing that he turned down offers of citizenship and the chance to represent both India and Australia in international cricket.

The disclosure comes through his autobiography, Rashid Khan: From Streets to Stardom, where the 27-year-old sheds light on a defining moment that underlined his unwavering commitment to Afghanistan cricket.

According to Rashid, one such approach came during the 2023 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he was representing the Gujarat Titans. He revealed that he was told that a senior figure in Indian cricket wanted to meet him

“I went over and greeted him. We started talking, and he said: The situation in your country is very bad. Come stay in India. We will give you Indian documents, live here, play cricket here,” Rashid revealed.

The star spinner admitted the conversation caught him off guard, but his response was immediate and firm.

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“I was surprised by what he was saying and didn’t know how to respond. But I smiled and said, Thank you very much. I am playing for my country, Afghanistan,” he wrote.

Rashid Khan further disclosed that India were not the only ones to express interest. Australia had also explored the possibility of bringing him into their cricketing system, a testament to his stature in world cricket.

“I received such offers from both Australia and India. But I told them, ‘If I don’t play for my country, I won’t play for any other country either,’” he stated.

The leg-spinner’s decision reflects not just personal loyalty, but also his role as a symbol of Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket. Emerging from a war-affected nation, Rashid has become one of the most recognisable figures in the sport.

Since his debut, he has represented Afghanistan across all formats, featuring in 6 Tests, 117 ODIs and 115 T20Is, while picking up a combined 448 wickets. With the bat, he has contributed over 2,000 runs, further highlighting his all-round value.

READ: Pakistan’s Test selections raise more questions than answers

Afghanistan star spinner Rashid Khan has admitted that playing Test cricket on a regular basis may no longer be realistic for him, as he continues to manage ongoing back issues that have significantly shaped his workload across formats.

The 27-year-old, one of the most influential white-ball bowlers in world cricket, said medical advice has played a key role in his decision to step back from red-ball cricket, with a long-term focus now on preserving his career in limited-overs formats.

Speaking after a match-winning spell for the Gujarat Titans against the Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2026 in Delhi, Rashid opened up about the physical challenges that have forced him to rethink his involvement in Test cricket.

“Red-ball cricket is a little difficult because that was the first thing my doctor told me to stay away from red-ball cricket,” Rashid said. “I still went ahead and played.”

He revealed that following his back surgery in 2023, he was specifically advised to avoid the longest format due to the strain it places on his body.

“The doctor told me that if you don’t want to play cricket, you can keep playing red-ball cricket. He said it’s not going to help me and that I won’t be able to play for long,” he added.

Rashid Khan, who captains Afghanistan in T20Is, underwent surgery in the United Kingdom after playing through the ODI World Cup in 2023 while carrying an injury.

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Although he made a return to competitive cricket in 2024, the demands of continuous franchise and international cricket soon took a toll again, forcing him to reassess his schedule.

The spinner also reflected on the workload he has carried in the longest format, revealing how physically demanding his limited Test experience has been.

“In my last two Test matches, I bowled 126 overs, which is simply too much,” he said. “If I bowl a spell of 20–25 overs, I have to bowl the whole day. You can’t do that to yourself.”

Rashid has now indicated that he may restrict himself to just one Test per year, while prioritising ODI cricket and major tournaments such as the 2027 World Cup, where Afghanistan will be looking to build on their recent progress in the format.

“So yes, I will think about it. But ODI cricket, I really enjoy that format. I am in good shape to play ODIs for a longer period for Afghanistan,” he said. “Red-ball cricket is something that looks a bit difficult for me.”

Since Afghanistan gained Test status in 2017, opportunities in the format have been limited, and Rashid Khan himself has played only six Tests, though he has still managed to take 45 wickets at an impressive average of 20.44.

He briefly returned to red-ball cricket in early 2025 against Zimbabwe, where he produced a standout performance with 11 wickets in the match, but recurring back problems soon resurfaced later in the season, again affecting his rhythm.

READ: Daryl Mitchell backs Rawalpindiz to bounce back despite winless PSL start

The India cricket team is set to tour Zimbabwe for a three-match T20I series in July, the country’s cricket board said on Wednesday, packing more matches into their already-busy calendar.

The matches will all be played in Harare, on July 23, 25 and 26,  before the teams meet again in January next year for three ODI matches in India.

India last toured Zimbabwe in 2024, winning a five-match T20 series 4-1.

Top-ranked India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, won the T20 World Cup last month at home.

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Zimbabwe are a lowly 11th in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings but were a surprise package at the World Cup, topping their group to make it through to the second stage.

“Matches against India always generate enormous interest, and this is a fantastic opportunity for our players to test themselves against the world champions on home soil,” said Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) Managing Director Givemore Makoni.

“Following our encouraging performances at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, this series gives us a strong platform to build momentum and continue growing as a competitive force in international cricket.

“We are looking forward to competitive and high-quality cricket and we believe this engagement will further strengthen the relationship between the two cricketing nations while providing invaluable exposure for our team.”

Zimbabwe-India T20I Series Schedule

1st T20I – July 23

2nd T20I – July 25

3rd T20I – July 26

READ: Fakhar Zaman challenges ban over ball-tampering allegation: sources

India will host Australia in a high-profile five-match Test series starting January next year to end the 2026/27 home season, the country’s cricket board announced on Thursday.

“The season will culminate with the prestigious and much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, featuring a five-match Test series against Australia, beginning on January 21, 2027, in Nagpur,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said.

“The contest will then move to Chennai, Guwahati, Ranchi and Ahmedabad,” the board said.

India suffered a 2-0 Test whitewash against South Africa at home last year and are placed sixth in the World Test Championship (WTC) table, led by Australia.

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India’s home season will begin with a white-ball series, comprising three one-day matches and five T20 Internationals against the West Indies, starting on September 27.

The cricketing powerhouse will host Sri Lanka in December 2026 for a white-ball series, comprising three ODIs and three T20Is.

Zimbabwe will be in India for three 50-over matches in January.

India home fixtures 2026/27

West Indies Tour of India (2026)

• 1st ODI: Sun 27 Sep, 2:00 PM – Trivandrum
• 2nd ODI: Wed 30 Sep, 2:00 PM – Guwahati
• 3rd ODI: Sat 03 Oct, 2:00 PM – New Chandigarh
• 1st T20I: Tue 06 Oct, 7:00 PM – Lucknow
• 2nd T20I: Fri 09 Oct, 7:00 PM – Ranchi
• 3rd T20I: Sun 11 Oct, 7:00 PM – Indore
• 4th T20I: Wed 14 Oct, 7:00 PM – Hyderabad
• 5th T20I: Sat 17 Oct, 7:00 PM – Bengaluru

Sri Lanka Tour of India (2026)

• 1st ODI: Sun 13 Dec, 2:00 PM – Delhi
• 2nd ODI: Wed 16 Dec, 2:00 PM – Bengaluru
• 3rd ODI: Sat 19 Dec, 2:00 PM – Ahmedabad
• 1st T20I: Tue 22 Dec, 7:00 PM – Rajkot
• 2nd T20I: Thu 24 Dec, 7:00 PM – Cuttack
• 3rd T20I: Sun 27 Dec, 7:00 PM – Pune

Zimbabwe Tour of India (2027)

• 1st ODI: Sun 03 Jan, 2:00 PM – Kolkata
• 2nd ODI: Wed 06 Jan, 2:00 PM – Hyderabad
• 3rd ODI: Sat 09 Jan, 2:00 PM – Mumbai

Australia Tour of India (2027) – Border-Gavaskar Trophy

• 1st Test: Thu 21 Jan – Mon 25 Jan, 9:30 AM – Nagpur
• 2nd Test: Fri 29 Jan – Tue 02 Feb, 9:30 AM – Chennai
• 3rd Test: Thu 11 Feb – Mon 15 Feb, 9:00 AM – Guwahati
• 4th Test: Fri 19 Feb – Tue 23 Feb, 9:30 AM – Ranchi
• 5th Test: Sat 27 Feb – Wed 03 Mar, 9:30 AM – Ahmedabad

READ: PSL 11 final squads revealed ahead of season opener

India cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir has submitted a petition in the Delhi High Court over alleged use of his identity through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology.

According to Indian news outlets, Gambhir has stated in his petition that his name, voice, image, and overall persona have been widely exploited across social media platforms and e-commerce websites without his consent.

The plea submitted against 16 defendants, including social media accounts, intermediaries, and e-commerce platforms, requests a permanent ban from using or commercialising his identity without authorisation.

Gautam Gambhir has also sought interim relief, requesting that the court order the takedown of all infringing content and prevent its further circulation.

Moreover, the 44-year-old is also seeking damages of Rs25 million.

According to the petition, there has been a notable increase in false digital content created with AI tools such as face-swapping and voice cloning at the end of 2025.

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The plea mentioned several fake videos that falsely depict him announcing his resignation and making fabricated remarks about senior cricketers.

These videos have reportedly garnered millions of views, diverting the public and damaging his reputation.

Gambhir further alleged that his identity has been commercially exploited through the sale of unauthorised merchandise online without any licensing or approval.

He argued that his persona has been “weaponised” by anonymous accounts to spread misinformation and generate revenue, raising serious concerns about dignity and legal protection in the AI era.

The petition also invokes provisions of the Copyright Act, the Trade Marks Act, and the Commercial Courts Act, while relying on judicial precedents recognising personality and publicity rights.

READ: PSL 11: Javed Afridi confirms full availability of Peshawar Zalmi’s overseas players

Arch-rivals Pakistan and India have been drawn into the same pool for the 2026 Hockey World Cup, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced the complete schedule for the mega event.

The 16-team tournament co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands will be played from August 15 to 30.

The event will begin with the opening match scheduled between India and England at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen.

Pakistan are slotted alongside England and Wales, India in Pool B.

Following the annoucement, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) stated about the team’s upcoming fixture in the mega event.

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“The Pakistan hockey team has been placed in the challenging Pool ‘D’, where they will face formidable opponents including traditional rivals India, England, and Wales,” the PHF stated.

Pakistan will face fierce rival India on August 19 at 6pm PKT.

The top two teams from each pool will advance to the next stage, where the eight teams will be reorganized into two new groups of four.

The final of the event is scheduled on August 30 at the Belfius Hockey Arena.

FIH World Cup pools:

Pool ‘A’: Netherlands, Argentina, New Zealand, and Japan

Pool ‘B’: Belgium, Germany, France, and Malaysia

Pool ‘C’: Australia, Spain, Ireland, and South Africa

Pool ‘D’: India, Pakistan, England and Wales.

READ: Atif Aslam to light up PSL 11 with official anthem

MUMBAI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced a whopping $14 million in prize money for India’s men’s cricket team after they lifted the T20 World Cup for a record third time.

The co‑hosts and pre‑tournament favourites swept aside New Zealand by 96 runs in Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad to become the first team to retain the trophy and the first to win it on home soil.

Cricket commands an unrivalled following in the world’s most populous country, with top players enjoying star status and the game serving as a rare unifying force in an otherwise diverse nation.

BCCI praised the players, support staff, and selectors for the “historic achievement” as it announced the cash reward.

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The victory cemented India’s place “among the most successful teams in the history of the format”, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said in a statement.

The prize money will be shared among the entire team, including coaches and support staff.

The announced prize money is roughly $3m higher than the tournament’s overall prize pot of $11.25m.

The Indian team will separately receive $2.34 million from the International Cricket Council, while runners-up New Zealand will earn $1.17 million.

Midnight celebrations broke out across the country on Sunday as delirious fans in blue Indian shirts took to the streets, beating drums and dancing to Bollywood hits.

READ: Arshdeep Singh fined for Daryl Mitchell incident

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a whopping INR 131 crore cash reward for the Indian squad following their record-breaking defense of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 title.

India etched their name in history by defeating New Zealand in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, successfully retaining the T20 crown and becoming the first team to win the tournament three times.

With this victory, India also became the first nation to lift successive men’s T20 World Cups, breaking a trend where no defending champion had previously even reached the final.

The BCCI’s announcement did not specify the exact distribution, but the reward is expected to be shared among players, support staff, and selectors.

“The Board congratulates the players, support staff and selectors once again on this historic achievement and wishes them continued success in the future,” the BCCI said in a statement.”

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India’s dominant final performance saw them post 255 for 5, with half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan.

In response, New Zealand’s chase was dismantled by Jasprit Bumrah, who returned figures of 4 for 15 in four overs, as the hosts secured a 96-run victory.

This cash reward surpasses the INR 125 crore handed out after India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, where each of the 15 players received INR 5 crore, the coaching staff received INR 2.5 crore each, and the five-member senior selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, was awarded INR 1 crore apiece.

With this win, India now hold both the Champions Trophy and the T20 World Cup titles, and will eye the ODI World Cup next year to complete a remarkable collection of major ICC trophies.

WATCH: New Zealand bowler makes history with triple hat-trick

AHMEDABAD: Sanju Samson starred as dominant India thrashed New Zealand to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here on Sunday. 

Set a daunting 256, New Zealand were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs.

New Zealand were jolted early in a big chase as they were reduced to 47-3 in only 4.5 overs.

Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah were the chief tormentors as the BlackCaps could not get going.

With the asking rate rising, it was never an easy task for them. Tim Siefert resisted with a brisk half-century; his innings came to an end in the eighth over.

As a result, New Zealand were in dire straits with five down for 72 in 8.1 overs.

The game was long done and dusted as skipper Mitchell Santner scored a spirited 43 from 35 balls with the aid of three fours and two sixes, only reducing the margin of defeat.

For India, Jasprit Bumrah remained the standout bowler with four wickets to his name while Axar Patel managed to take three.

With this, India became the first team to win the T20 World Cup for a record third time and the first to successfully defend its title.

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Earlier, Sanju Samson top-scored with 89 as India posted a mammoth total.

Asked to bat first, India racked up 244-6 in their 20 overs.

The foundation for a big total was laid by openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. The pair added 98 in 7.1 overs before Rachin Ravindra got him. The southpaw made 52 from 21, striking three sixes and half a dozen fours.

Despite the wicket, India continued on to pile runs as Kishan joined Samson at the crease. The pair forged a 105-run partnership from 45 balls to put India in a dominant position with the scorecard now reading 202 in 15 overs.

With India eyeing a 300-run target, Jimmy Neesham somehow provided New Zealand a respite with a triple-wicket over.

He took three in an over to halt the host charge and put his team back in the competition. Neesham first picked up Samson, who made 89 from 46, whereas Kishan scored 54 from 25 balls.

New Zealand did well to stem the flow of runs, but it was Shivam Dube’s whirlwind knock that took the total to over 250 runs. The left-hander made 20 off eight with the aid of two sixes and three fours.

For New Zealand, James Neesham scalped three wickets.

READ: WATCH: New Zealand bowler makes history with triple hat-trick

AHMEDABAD: India opener Sanju Samson on Sunday broke multiple records with an epic knock against New Zealand in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here on Sunday. 

The right-hander top-scored with 89 from 44 balls, playing a pivotal role in the team’s mammoth total of 255 runs in 20 overs.

After scoring 89, he became the third batter to record consecutive half-centuries in the semi-final and final of the mega event.

He joined former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi and his compatriot Virat, who registered the feat in 2009 and 2014, respectively.

Half-century in semi-final and final of T20 World Cup

Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – in 2009

Virat Kohli (India) – in 2014

Sanju Samson (India) – in 2026

Moreover, his 89 is now also the highest score in the final of the T20 World Cup, surpassing Marlon Samuels’ record of 85 against England in 2016.

Highest individual scores in T20 World Cup final:

Sanju Samson (India) – 89 against New Zealand in 2026

Marlon Samuels (West Indies) – 85 against England in 2016

Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – 85 against Australia in 2021

Marlon Samuels (West Indies) – 78 against Sri Lanka in 2012

Virat Kohli (India) – 76 against South Africa in 2024

Besides this, the wicket-keeper batter is only the third batter to hit three consecutive 80-plus scores in the T20I format.

Samson has been in sublime form, having scored 97, 89, and 89 in his last three innings.

Consecutive 80-plus scores in T20Is

Mahela Jayawardene, (SL) 2010

Gustav Mckeon, (FRA) 2022

Sanju Samson, (IND) 2026

READ: WATCH: New Zealand bowler makes history with triple hat-trick