Tag: india

KOLKATA: India have won the toss and decided to bowl first against West Indies in the last Super Eight fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the Eden Gardens on Sunday. 

Playing XIs

KOLKATA: West Indies coach Daren Sammy believes history can repeat itself as he aims to mastermind a T20 World Cup victory to end India’s hopes, just as he did when captain 10 years ago.

Sammy led his side to a T20 World Cup semi-final win against India in Mumbai in 2016 and went on to lift the trophy as they beat England in the final in Kolkata.

It is on that same Eden Gardens pitch that Sunday’s clash will play out in front of 68,000 partisan fans.

Although it is nominally a Super Eights game, it is in reality a straight shootout — the winner will move on to the semi-finals and the loser go home.

“In order to win this tournament, you have to go through India at some point,” said Sammy. “Tomorrow is that day for us.”

“History could repeat, though it’s a different venue and two different teams.”

The West Indies have not reached the semi-finals since lifting their second T20 World Cup a decade ago.

But Sammy said earlier in the tournament that he believed “something special” was going to happen with his group of players, captained by Shai Hope.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“Because of the focus I saw in the team, the mindset, the attention to detail, the attention to their preparation, I still believe that,” said Sammy. “Let me see if my words come true tomorrow.”

West Indies skipper Hope has at his disposal a potent spin attack, seam bowlers with variety and incredible batting power. His side have already blasted 66 sixes, a record for a T20 World Cup.

India are next on the list, 63, which sets up the possibility of a high-scoring slugfest on Sunday.

“It’s a knockout,” said Sammy. “You win, you go through. You lose and then you start thinking about all the what-ifs.”

“That’s what makes an athlete, that’s what makes competition, that’s what makes a World Cup the pinnacle of your sport.”

Awaiting the winner should be a semi-final against England in Mumbai on Thursday.

The final is in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 8.

READ: Sahibzada Farhan breaks long-standing record of Virat Kohli

CHENNAI: Defending champions India produced a batting masterclass to dismantle Zimbabwe and, in the process, rewrote multiple records during their Super Eight clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday.

India piled up a staggering 256-4 in their allotted 20 overs, now their highest-ever total in T20 World Cup history.

The effort eclipsed their previous best of 218/4 against England in the inaugural 2007 edition.

India’s highest totals in T20 World Cups

256/4 vs Zimbabwe (2026)

218/4 vs England (2007)

210/2 vs Afghanistan (2021)

209/9 vs Namibia (2026)

205/5 vs Australia (2024)

The total also ranks as India’s fifth-highest score in men’s T20 Internationals overall, with their 297/6 against Bangladesh in 2024 still sitting at the top.

The 256-4 is also the second-highest total ever recorded in the history of the men’s T20 World Cup.

Only Sri Lanka’s 260/6 against Ireland in 2007 stands above it.

Highest totals in ICC Men’s T20 World Cups

Sri Lanka – 260/6 vs Ireland (2007)

India – 256/4 vs Zimbabwe (2026)

West Indies – 254/6 vs Zimbabwe (2026)

Ireland – 235/5 vs Oman (2026)

England – 230/8 vs South Africa (2016)

In doing so, India surpassed the West Indies’ 254-6, also made against Zimbabwe earlier in the ongoing Super Eight stage, while Ireland’s 235/5 slipped to third in the current edition’s rankings.

Notably, India’s 256-4 is now the highest total of the 2026 tournament so far.

The carnage was highlighted by an onslaught of sixes. Indian batters cleared the ropes 17 times, the most by India in a single T20 World Cup innings.

Their previous best was 15 sixes against Australia in the semi-final of the 2024 edition.

Most sixes in an innings at T20 World Cups

West Indies – 19 vs Zimbabwe (2026)

Netherlands – 19 vs Ireland (2014)

India – 17 vs Zimbabwe (2026)

Australia – 16 vs India (2010)

India – 15 vs Australia (2024)

While West Indies and the Netherlands jointly hold the overall record with 19 sixes in an innings, India’s 17 placed them third on the all-time list.

READ: Peshawar Zalmi rope in England fast bowler as direct signing

India batter Rinku Singh has left the team during the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in the middle of the tournament after the death of his long-ailing father, official sources told AFP.

The middle-order batter had rejoined India ahead of Thursday’s Super Eights victory against Zimbabwe, but did not feature in the playing XI in Chennai.

India hammered Zimbabwe by 72 runs to move into a winner-takes-all decider against the West Indies in Kolkata on Sunday for a last semi-final berth.

Notably, he has endured a difficult campaign in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026 so far, managing scores of 6, 1, 11* and 6 not out during the group stage.

His struggles continued in the Super Eight clash against South Africa in Ahmedabad, where he was dismissed for a two-ball duck in India’s 76-run defeat.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency said Rinku’s father, Khanchand Singh, had been battling liver cancer and died Friday morning at a hospital on the outskirts of New Delhi.

An attacking left-hander, 28-year-old Singh emerged as a finisher for his Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kolkata Knight Riders before making his place in the Indian T20 team.

Singh rose from a humble background, with viral videos of his father delivering gas cylinders emerging after he made his India debut in 2023.

Tributes poured in from former cricketers for Rinku’s father.

“This must be an especially difficult time for Rinku and his family,” former spinner Harbhajan Singh wrote on X.

READ: Ronaldo buys stake in Spanish club Almeria

CHENNAI: Dominant India sealed a massive win over Zimbabwe in the Group 1 crucial Super Eight fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday.

Set a massive 257, spirited Zimbabwe fell short, managing 184-6 despite Brian Bennett’s unbeaten 97*.

Zimbabwe, who stunned Australia and Sri Lanka to reach the Super Eights, were never in the chase despite a brisk start as the asking rate kept rising.

Opener Brian Bennett was not out 97, the highest individual score by a Zimbabwean in T20 World Cup history, as his side exited the semi-final reckoning with a game still to play.

Zimbabwe’s bowlers conceded 510 runs in 40 overs in two Super Eights matches after West Indies posted 254-6 against the tournament’s surprise packages on Monday.

India’s left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh took 3-24 from his four overs.

With this, South Africa have qualified for the semi-final while India will play West Indies in a virtual quarter-final.

Earlier, Abhishek Sharma’s brisk half-century, ably supported by cameos from the middle order, propelled India to a massive total

Put into bat first under lights at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, India racked up a massive 256-4 in their 20 overs, the second-highest target of World Cup history.

Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma provided a brisk start, adding 48 in 3.4 overs.

Samson made 24 from 15 balls with the help of two sixes and a four.

The rampage continued as Ishan Kishan joined the party, taking the score to 120 in 10.4 overs. Kishan made 38 from 24, striking four boundaries and a six.

Meanwhile, Sharma also continued the assault and reached his — maiden World Cup fifty, putting India into a dominant position.

He was eventually caught after scoring 55 off 30, including four maximums and four boundaries.

At this stage, India were 150-3 in 12.5 overs.

Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav (33 from 13) also flexed their muscles.

Pandya and Varma particularly provided the impetus in the final overs, with the former reaching his fifty on the final ball of the innings. The all-rounder hit four maximums and two fours on his way to 50* from 23.

Meanwhile, Varma 44 from 16 was laced with four sixes and three boundaries.

For Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza, Tinotenda Maposa, Blessing Muzarabani, and Richard Ngarava picked up a wicket each.

Playing XIs

India: 1 Abhishek Sharma, 2 Sanju Samson (wk), 3 Ishan Kishan, 4 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 5 Tilak Varma, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Shivam Dube, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Arshdeep Singh, 10 Varun Chakravarthy, 11 Jasprit Bumrah

Zimbabwe: 1 Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), 2 Brian Bennett, 3 Dion Myers, 4 Ryan Burl, 5 Sikandar Raza (capt), 6 Tony Munyonga, 7 Tashinga Musekiwa, 8 Brad Evans, 9 Tinotenda Maposa, 10 Blessing Muzarabani, 11 Richard Ngarava

READ: Shanaka seeks government help after T20 World Cup exit

Defending champions India are looking to bolster their faltering opening combination ahead of a dare-not-lose T20 World Cup clash against Zimbabwe to keep hopes of making the semi-finals alive.

Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson is an option at the top of the order, in India’s second Super Eights clash in Chennai on Thursday.

Opener Abhishek Sharma’s batting slump — including three consecutive ducks — has dented India’s campaign.

The team suffered a 76-run defeat to South Africa in their Super Eights opener.

India now face a straightforward equation — win their remaining two matches to keep qualification for the semi-finals largely in their own hands, or risk depending on other results.

Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak acknowledged that team combinations are under discussion for the high-stakes match.

“There can be changes, yes,” Kotak told reporters. “And obviously, it goes without saying that we discuss, because there are two leftie openers, number three is left-handed.”

While Kotak downplayed the imbalance, he admitted early setbacks had forced the team to reassess.

“I personally don’t think that there is any problem there but because we lost a wicket in the first over in three games, obviously, any team would think,” he said.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

India’s top and middle order is dominated by left-handers, offering opponents a clear tactical approach.

Teams including Pakistan, the Netherlands, and South Africa have targeted the vulnerability by opening the bowling with off-spin, dismissing one of the two openers in the first over with an off-spinner.

In the loss to South Africa, Abhishek’s opening partner Ishan Kishan fell for a fourth-ball duck after skipper Aiden Markram opened the bowling with off-spin.

Sanju Samson, a right-hander who played in the tournament with Abhishek unwell, could break the left-handed grip on the top of the order.

“People ask about Sanju as right-hander up front,” said Kotak. “Or you think of playing three spinners,” he added.

Zimbabwe, led by Sikandar Raza, have emerged as one of the surprise packages of the tournament, having stunned Australia and co-hosts Sri Lanka to reach the Super Eights.

The West Indies top the Super Eights Group 1 after defeating Zimbabwe, with South Africa second. Both India and Zimbabwe head into Thursday’s clash in urgent need of a victory.

“For us, every match is a must-win from here,” said Kotak.

“If you want to go and win the World Cup, you expect to beat all the sides you play.”

Indian middle-order batter Rinku Singh has left the team to attend to his ailing father and missed training ahead of the key match. But Kotak said Rinku will rejoin the team Wednesday evening.

READ: Sahibzada Farhan climbs to career-best third in ICC T20I rankings

CHENNAI: India batter Rinku Singh has returned home owing to a family emergency, casting serious doubt over his availability for the upcoming Super Eight fixture against Zimbabwe on February 26 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Rinku was notably absent from India’s training session at the Chepauk on Tuesday evening, while the rest of the squad went through their preparations ahead of the must-win encounter.

The left-hander has endured a difficult campaign in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026 so far, managing scores of 6, 1, 11* and 6 not out during the group stage.

His struggles continued in the Super Eight clash against South Africa in Ahmedabad, where he was dismissed for a two-ball duck in India’s 76-run defeat.

With the defending champions under pressure to stay alive in the tournament, Rinku’s potential absence adds another layer of concern.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

India are currently in a position where they must win both of their remaining Super Eight matches to strengthen their case for a semi-final berth.

If Rinku is ruled out for the Zimbabwe game, India have a couple of options on the bench.

Sanju Samson could come into the XI, though his inclusion would likely trigger a reshuffle in the batting order. Alternatively, Axar Patel can slot in at number eight, the position Rinku occupied in the previous outing.

Following the Zimbabwe fixture, India will conclude their Super Eight campaign against the West Indies in Kolkata on March 1.

Should they progress to the knockout stage, their semi-final is scheduled for March 5 in Mumbai. However, if they are drawn against Pakistan, the match will instead take place a day earlier in Colombo.

READ: Sialkot Stallionz owner Hamza Majeed denies bankruptcy rumours

DUBAI: The marquee clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India has been locked in for June 14 after the International Cricket Council (ICC) revealed the complete schedule for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be staged in England from June 12 to July 5.

The 10th edition of the tournament will feature 12 teams and 33 matches spread across seven venues, culminating in the final at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 5.

Hosts England will kick off proceedings against Sri Lanka on June 12 at Edgbaston, which will also stage the high-voltage India-Pakistan encounter two days later.

Pakistan have been drawn in a challenging Group A alongside defending champions Australia, India, South Africa, Bangladesh and tournament debutants the Netherlands.

The Dutch side qualified through the global qualifier in Nepal and will begin their campaign against Bangladesh, who went unbeaten in that event.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Group B comprises England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Ireland and Scotland.

Ireland and Scotland were among the four teams, along with Bangladesh and the Netherlands, to secure their spots via the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for June 30 and July 2 at The Oval. The grand finale will then be played at Lord’s, adding further prestige to the tournament climax.

Pakistan women’s team will open their campaign against India on June 14 at Edgbaston in what promises to be one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage.

They will then face South Africa (June 17), Bangladesh (June 20), Australia (June 23) and the Netherlands (June 27).

Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule

June 12: England v Sri Lanka, Edgbaston

June 13: Scotland v Ireland, Old Trafford Cricket Ground

June 13: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford Cricket Ground

June 13: West Indies v New Zealand, Hampshire Bowl

June 14: Bangladesh v Netherlands, Edgbaston

June 14: India v Pakistan, Edgbaston

June 16: New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Hampshire Bowl

June 16: England v Ireland, Hampshire Bowl

June 17: Australia v Bangladesh, Headingley

June 17: India v Netherlands, Headingley

June 17: South Africa v Pakistan, Edgbaston

June 18: West Indies v Scotland, Headingley

June 19: New Zealand v Ireland, Hampshire Bowl

June 20: Australia v Netherlands, Hampshire Bowl

June 20: Pakistan v Bangladesh, Hampshire Bowl

June 20: England v Scotland, Headingley

June 21: West Indies v Sri Lanka, Bristol County Ground

June 21: South Africa v India, Old Trafford Cricket Ground

June 23: New Zealand v Scotland, Bristol County Ground

June 23: Sri Lanka v Ireland, Bristol County Ground

June 23: Australia v Pakistan, Headingley

June 24: England v West Indies, Lord’s

June 25: India v Bangladesh, Old Trafford

June 25: South Africa v Netherlands, Bristol

June 26: Sri Lanka v Scotland, Old Trafford

June 27: Pakistan v Netherlands, Bristol

June 27: West Indies v Ireland, Bristol

June 27: England v New Zealand, The Oval

June 28: South Africa v Bangladesh, Lord’s

June 28: Australia v India, Lord’s

June 30: TBC v TBC (Semi Final 1), The Oval

July 2: TBC v TBC (Semi Final 2), The Oval

July 5: TBC v TBC (The Final), Lord’s

READ: Kandy weather update ahead of Pakistan-England Super Eight clash

Defending T20 World Cup champions India need “two big performances” to reach the semi-finals after Sunday’s huge defeat to South Africa, said their assistant coach.

India came into the T20 World Cup 2026 as hot favourites on home soil but were thrashed by 76 runs in the Super Eights as 80,000 fans at the massive Narendra Modi stadium were stunned into silence.

In their first chase of the tournament, India’s batting came up woefully short in the face of some disciplined South Africa bowling.

India collapsed to 111 all out in 18.5 overs in response to South Africa’s 187-7 as their 12-match win streak in the T20 World Cup came to a crashing end.

The magnitude of the defeat has left India with a desperate net run-rate of -3.8 and likely needing to win their last two Super Eight matches convincingly to make it to the semi-finals.

Anything less, and India will need to rely on a combination of other results going their way.

“Very disappointed in the performance,” said Ryan ten Doeschate. “When you set out to win a World Cup, don’t expect someone to come and deliver it to you halfway through”

“We’ve messed up on a grand scale, and now the onus is on this group of guys to turn it around and put in two solid performances,” the assistant coach added.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

India are grouped with South Africa, the West Indies and Zimbabwe in Super Eights, with the top two advancing to the semi-finals.

The West Indies face Zimbabwe on Monday night in Mumbai in their Super Eights opener.

India next face giant-killers Zimbabwe, who have already beaten Australia and Sri Lanka, on Thursday in Chennai.

South Africa play the West Indies the same day in Ahmedabad, where Aiden Markram’s side could put one foot firmly in the semi-finals with another win.

“Obviously, with the way the group goes, you need at least four points to get through now, and it’s going to need two big performances and a big bounce back from everyone,” said Ten Doeschate.

India’s fragile batting was exposed against an in-form bowling attack led by left-arm quick Marco Jansen, who returned figures of 4-22 from 3.5 overs. Keshav Maharaj took 3-24 with his left-arm spin.

The 2024 champions also have the weight of history against them. No team has ever retained the T20 World Cup, and no side have ever won the trophy on home soil.

READ: Sahibzada Farhan comments on potentially breaking Virat Kohli’s record

AHMEDABAD: David Miller’s brisk half-century and a commanding bowling performance powered South Africa to a big win over the defending champions India in the second Super Eight fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Set 188, India were blown away in the chase by South Africa, bowling them out for 111 in 18.5 overs.

India were off to a similar start, losing their top three batters inside four overs.

Hence, the only difference was the absence of a Miller and Brevis-like partnership, which could have carried them all the way.

As a result, India continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. The Nadir came when Corbin Bosch chipped in the wickets of skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Washington Sundar.

Yadav could manage only 18 from 2,2 while Sundar scored 11.

The slide continued, but it got a break with Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya’s partnership of 35, which provided them with a glimmer of hope.

But Keshav Maharaj’s 14th over proved to be a final nail in the coffin, as the hosts lost three wickets. Hardik (18 from 17 balls), Rinku Singh (0), and Arshdeep Singh (1) were all caught in a similar fashion on the boundary rope by Tristan Stubbs.

The innings quickly unraveled with South Africa sealing a decisive 76-run victory.

Marco Jansen remained prolific for South Africa with his four-wicket haul, while Keshav Maharaj snared three to put his name into the wickets column.

Earlier, opting to bat first under lights here at the Narendra Modi Stadium, South Africa huffed and puffed to 183-5 in their 20 overs.

The hosts were on top as they removed South Africa’s top three in the first four overs.

With the Proteas reeling at 20-3, David Miller and Dewald Brevis joined hands and took their side out of trouble.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The pair not only launched a steady recovery with a 97-run stand, but also put South Africa in a commanding position at 117 in 12.2 overs.

Shivam Dube provided India the much-needed breakthrough, removing Dewald Brevis for 45 from 29 balls. The right-hander hit three fours and three sixes in his enterprising knock.

Meanwhile, David Miller continued on, adding another 35 runs with Tristan Stubbs.

The southpaw got out just when South Africa were eyeing a massive total. He made 63 off 35, including three sixes and seven fours.

After his wicket, South Africa lost their way, thanks to a brilliant over from Jasprit Bumrah.

But it was Tristan Stubbs’ blitz in the final over that helped the 2024 runners-up finish strong. Stubbs tonked Hardik Pandya for 20 runs to finish strong.

The right-hander remained unbeaten on 44 from 23 balls, laced with three maximums and a four.

For India, Jasprit Bumrah remained the outstanding bowler, scalping three wickets while giving away just three runs.

READ: Sehrish Ali storms into German Junior Open 2026 final