Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli slammed half-centuries as Afghanistan outclassed West Indies by 38 runs in the first T20 International in Dubai on Monday.
A mouth-watering India-South Africa warm-up at the D Y Patil stadium did exactly that, igniting anticipation and hopes among fans.
Mohammed Siraj's burst on the final day of the Test series against England helped India win in dramatic fashion to level the five-match series at 2-2.
'But you'll see that something always happens before every World Cup. I can say this from my experience of three World Cups -- it does have an effect.'
Runs have dried up for Suryakumar, with his last T20I fifty coming back in October 2024. With the World Cup less than two months away, the pressure has begun to mount.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav would want the attacking batter in him to front up and bolster his leadership against New Zealand when the five-match T20I series gets underway in Nagpur on Wednesday, serving as a final dress rehearsal for India's World Cup title defence in less than three weeks' time.
'The only reason I come back is because of the love you (fans) give me'
Carlos Alcaraz beat his great rival Jannik Sinner 7-5, 7-6(8) to win their Hyundai Card Super Match exhibition event in Incheon, South Korea, on Saturday that marked the start of the season for the world's top two men's tennis players.
This is also the time when South Indian films started doing well, commercially and critically, on a Pan-India scale.
After the match, Yuvraj was quick to add a touch of humour, playfully reminding his protege of the gold standard.
All-rounder Ayush Badoni said he has been putting more work in his bowling in the last couple of years.
Ishan Kishan will play ahead of Shreyas Iyer in the series against New Zealand as he is a part of India's T20 World Cup squad and a like-for-like replacement for an injured Tilak Varma being a left-hander, skipper Suryakumar Yadav said on Tuesday.
New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson said the five-match T20I series against India, beginning on Wednesday, offers a perfect preparation opportunity for his side ahead of next month's T20 World Cup.
'The atmosphere he has created in the team -- he has tried to infuse a culture of playing for the team and not focusing on personal milestones.'
He also expressed satisfaction with the talent coming through in the Pakistan Shaheens squad and from domestic cricket, and claimed that 3-4 players were ready to step into international cricket.
'At 24 years of age, he's already scored a double hundred and averages just under 50. There's something special about this kid.'
IMAGES from all the action on Day 8 of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Sunday.
Here is the full list of teams that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
'Rohit played amazingly well. He was outstanding and played a fantastic hand.'
India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill signed off a defining 2025 with a message of gratitude and resolve
Mohammed Siraj's superb match-winning effort on the final day of the Test series against England that helped win The Oval Test match by six runs helped him clinch the award.
United's front three of Rashford, Martial and Daniel James showed electric pace on counter-attacks but Solskjaer reserved special praise for 19-year-old left back Brandon Williams, who was impressive in his first league start.
Two Indian origin players -- Aryan Sharma and John James -- have been named in Australia's 15-member squad for the men's U-19 World Cup scheduled to be held in Namibia and Zimbabwe from January 15 to February 6.
'They're those little moments as a squad that I think have got us across the line to four wins this series.'
The Indo-Japanese wild card pair displayed remarkable grit to upset Harrison and King 4-6, 6-3, 18-16 in a match that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats.
Former South Africa pace ace Dale Steyn feels Suryakumar Yadav's "secure, welcoming, and willing to adjust" captaincy brings out the best in the players, who in turn back their skipper.
Having made their best-ever start to a season, Gujarat Giants would back themselves to get past defending champions Mumbai Indians in the Women's Premier League (WPL) in Navi Mumbai on Tuesday.
Fast bowler Jofra Archer was ruled out of the rest of the Ashes series with a left side strain.
Just who are the big winners of the 83rd edition of Golden Globes awards?
Chopra focussing on rehabilitation of his back injury, season opener not known yet: Sumariwalla
Former India defender Ilyas Pasha dead, AIFF, East Bengal condole
The national selectors brought back wicketkeeper-batter Kishan along with Rinku Singh while dropping Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill who has been struggling in the T20 format.
A defiant Novak Djokovic is adamant he can still beat any player on his day but at 38 the Serb is no longer focusing on the Grand Slam record, saying he does not need the pressure it brings.
Besides his batting, he was just as exceptional behind the stumps, taking some really clean catches to prove his mettle as one of the best glovesmen in world cricket right now.
Mbappe fires Real Madrid to the summit, Bayern lose at home and Dortmund stay in the title hunt.
India's first World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev says a modern-day head coach's role is more about "managing" players than actually coaching them, amid criticism surrounding Gautam Gambhir's working style.
'I'm sure if it ever ... comes to it, I'll be asked my opinion and he'll be getting my full support and backing.'
'The only thing I can do is on the pitch -- to give my all. I won't always be technically perfect, but I will always give 100% for the team.'
Watson praised Nayar's knowledge about Indian cricket. The KKR assistant coach added that he was confident that even if the franchise missed out on a domestic player at the IPL auction, Nayar would have already covered.
Karnataka all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham, who made headlines by becoming the most expensive uncapped player in IPL history some years ago, announced his retirement from all forms cricket on Monday.
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