News for 'First Ball'

Harsh Dubey: 'My Big Strength Is My Ability To Turn The Ball'

Harsh Dubey: 'My Big Strength Is My Ability To Turn The Ball'

Rediff.com26 May 2026

'That has been the big factor behind me coming so far in my career.'

2nd Youth Test: Kushagra Ojha's unbeaten ton puts India in strong position vs Sri Lanka

2nd Youth Test: Kushagra Ojha's unbeaten ton puts India in strong position vs Sri Lanka

Rediff.com20 Jul 2026

Kushagra Ojha scored an unbeaten century, guiding India U-19 to a strong position of 253 for three against Sri Lanka on the opening day of the second Youth Test. After a shaky start where India lost two early wickets for no runs, Ojha, along with Yashbardhan Chauhan (78) and Manal Chauhan (55*), built crucial partnerships to stabilise the innings.

Injured Jasprit Bumrah Ruled Out Of Sri Lanka Tests; Auqib Nabi Set To Be Named Replacement

Injured Jasprit Bumrah Ruled Out Of Sri Lanka Tests; Auqib Nabi Set To Be Named Replacement

Rediff.com2 Aug 2026

Premier Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah will miss the upcoming two-Test tour of Sri Lanka due to a persistent knee injury.

Durand Cup: Samaleswari Sporting secure resounding win over Baghpat FC

Durand Cup: Samaleswari Sporting secure resounding win over Baghpat FC

Rediff.com30 Jul 2026

Samaleswari Sporting bounced back from an opening defeat to secure a commanding 4-1 victory over Durand Cup debutants Baghpat FC. Basit Ahmed Bhat scored twice, supported by goals from Marat Tareck and Gnohere Krizo, while Crispin Cleetus netted Baghpat's lone goal. The Odisha-based team controlled the second half, extending their lead and comfortably seeing out the match.

Messi back on the pitch after father's death, Miami Suffer Shock Exit

Messi back on the pitch after father's death, Miami Suffer Shock Exit

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Lionel Messi made an emotional return to the pitch for Inter Miami, who were eliminated from the Leagues Cup with a 2-3 loss to Leon, just days after his father, Jorge Messi, passed away. Messi shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, reflecting on his father's unwavering support, their shared World Cup dreams, and the profound pain of his loss.

Deschamps: No doubt France would advance despite Mbappe's penalty miss

Deschamps: No doubt France would advance despite Mbappe's penalty miss

Rediff.com10 Jul 2026

France coach Didier Deschamps expressed unwavering confidence in his team's ability to advance in the World Cup quarter-final against Morocco, even after Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty and several other chances in the first half.

Pujara's 'fanboy moment' with SRK

Pujara's 'fanboy moment' with SRK

Rediff.com7 Aug 2026

Former Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara shared memorable anecdotes from his IPL career, including a 'fanboy moment' meeting Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan and Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood's humorous refusal to bowl to him in the Chennai Super Kings nets.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: Confidence Key After Record-Breaking T20I Fifty

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: Confidence Key After Record-Breaking T20I Fifty

Rediff.com24 Jul 2026

India's teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, at 15 years and 118 days, became the youngest player to score a fifty in men's international cricket, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing record.

Solbakken raises spider-cam controversy after Norway's World Cup exit

Solbakken raises spider-cam controversy after Norway's World Cup exit

Rediff.com12 Jul 2026

FIFA rejects Norway coach Stale Solbakken's claim of spider-cam interference in Jude Bellingham's equaliser for England.

IPL Teams Pressuring Indian Players To Play Despite Injuries, Claims BCCI Source

IPL Teams Pressuring Indian Players To Play Despite Injuries, Claims BCCI Source

Rediff.com9 Aug 2026

A source at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru has expressed significant concerns regarding players competing in the Indian Premier League while injured, attributing this to franchise and financial pressures, which subsequently complicates their rehabilitation and return to international cricket.

Why brands still can't get enough of Sachin Tendulkar

Why brands still can't get enough of Sachin Tendulkar

Rediff.com6 Aug 2026

Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar maintains his position among India's top five celebrity brands, with a valuation of USD 125.9 million, according to the Kroll India Celebrity Brand Valuation 2025 report. His enduring reputation, trust, and authenticity continue to make him highly attractive to various brands, solidifying his status as the only retired athlete consistently in the top 10.

Raichandani, Virk hit 50s to lead India U-19's strong reply against Sri Lanka on Day 2

Raichandani, Virk hit 50s to lead India U-19's strong reply against Sri Lanka on Day 2

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

Openers Lakshya Raichandani and Sagar Virk made unbeaten 93 and 87 respectively as India Under-19 made a strong reply against Sri Lanka Under-19 on Day 2 of the first Youth Test in Galle on Tuesday.

'Let him play': Rahane's big message to BCCI on Rohit

'Let him play': Rahane's big message to BCCI on Rohit

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

Ajinkya Rahane has backed Rohit Sharma to play for India at the 2027 ODI World Cup, urging the BCCI to give the veteran opener clarity over his future.

Gurnoor Brar receives demerit point for Code Of Conduct breach

Gurnoor Brar receives demerit point for Code Of Conduct breach

Rediff.com16 Jul 2026

India pacer Gurnoor Brar received a warning and a demerit point for an "inappropriate and dangerous" throw during the first ODI against England in Birmingham, breaching the ICC Code of Conduct. He admitted the Level 1 offence, which occurred in the eighth over of England's innings.

Gambhir's Big Survival Test In Sri Lanka

Gambhir's Big Survival Test In Sri Lanka

Rediff.com7 Aug 2026

Already, the knives are out for Gautam Gambhir because of his poor record as coach in Test matches, and a potential defeat in Sri Lanka could prove to be the killer blow.

Ashwin: 'Test cricketers should earn their place through first-class cricket'

Ashwin: 'Test cricketers should earn their place through first-class cricket'

Rediff.com5 Jun 2026

Ravichandran Ashwin has called for urgent measures to safeguard Test cricket, stressing the importance of first-class cricket as the pathway to the longest format and warning that young players need stronger incentives to pursue red-ball careers.

Chase admits West Indies 'misread' pitch, rues lack of spinner in Pakistan Test

Chase admits West Indies 'misread' pitch, rues lack of spinner in Pakistan Test

Rediff.com6 Aug 2026

West Indies captain Roston Chase admitted that his side likely made an error in team selection for the second Test against Pakistan, underestimating the pitch's early assistance for spin and regretting the decision to field only one frontline spinner.

Scotland edge past Haiti for first World Cup win in 36 years

Scotland edge past Haiti for first World Cup win in 36 years

Rediff.com14 Jun 2026

Scotland defeated Haiti 1-0 in a World Cup Group C match, with John McGinn scoring the winning goal. This victory marks Scotland's first win in the tournament since 1990, placing them at the top of their group. Haiti, despite their pace, lacked the finishing touch.

Ben Stokes' Final Test: England Stumble In Pursuit Of Victory Target

Ben Stokes' Final Test: England Stumble In Pursuit Of Victory Target

Rediff.com28 Jun 2026

England are on the verge of defeat in Ben Stokes' final international match, needing 270 runs with only six wickets remaining against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. Despite Stokes' aggressive opening knock, England lost four quick wickets in their chase of 373, leaving New Zealand in a dominant position on day four. Daryl Mitchell's resilient century was a highlight for New Zealand.

'Wickets are so easy in IPL': Archer taunts India's batters

'Wickets are so easy in IPL': Archer taunts India's batters

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

England pace spearhead Jofra Archer attributed India's struggles in the T20I series to the return to 'normal' English conditions, contrasting them with the 'easy wickets and smaller boundaries' experienced during the IPL. Archer's 3/29 and Josh Tongue's 4/38 led to India's biggest T20I defeat by runs.

R Ashwin Wants Bhuvneshwar Kumar in India's 2027 ODI World Cup Squad

R Ashwin Wants Bhuvneshwar Kumar in India's 2027 ODI World Cup Squad

Rediff.com31 Jul 2026

Ashwin wants Bhuvneshwar Kumar in India's 2027 World Cup squad, saying the veteran seamer's swing bowling could be crucial in South African conditions.

Mridul Doley's Hat-Trick Powers FC Raengdai To Dramatic Durand Cup Victory

Mridul Doley's Hat-Trick Powers FC Raengdai To Dramatic Durand Cup Victory

Rediff.com3 Aug 2026

Debutants FC Raengdai secured a dramatic 4-3 victory over TRAU FC in the Durand Cup, with Mridul Doley netting a hat-trick. This win propelled FC Raengdai to the top of Group D, marking an unexpected strong start for the new team in only their second-ever Durand Cup fixture.

Delhi Capitals all-rounder Ashutosh Sharma joins Hampshire for One-Day Cup

Delhi Capitals all-rounder Ashutosh Sharma joins Hampshire for One-Day Cup

Rediff.com20 Jul 2026

Delhi Capitals all-rounder Ashutosh Sharma has been signed by English county Hampshire for the upcoming One-Day Cup. The move was facilitated by the GMR Group, which co-owns both teams. Sharma, known for his explosive batting and record-breaking T20 fifty, will bring his power-hitting skills to the 50-over domestic tournament in England.

IPL 2026: 'One ball at a time': Kishan opens up on his fearless batting approach

IPL 2026: 'One ball at a time': Kishan opens up on his fearless batting approach

Rediff.com23 May 2026

Ishan Kishan credits his maturity and shot selection for his success in the Indian Premier League, after scoring his sixth half-century. He also praised the team's support staff and captain Pat Cummins for their roles in the team's performance.

SA20: Ganguly changed everything, says Keshav Maharaj

SA20: Ganguly changed everything, says Keshav Maharaj

Rediff.com3 Aug 2026

Pretoria Capitals captain Keshav Maharaj credits head coach Sourav Ganguly for fostering a positive team culture that led to their strong performance in SA20 Season 4. Despite falling short in the final, Maharaj is optimistic about the upcoming Season 5, where they will face defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape, emphasizing a forward-looking approach and the importance of starting strong. He also lauded the Centurion crowd for their exceptional support.

Did Gambhir's Absence In Zimbabwe Help India? Fans Think So

Did Gambhir's Absence In Zimbabwe Help India? Fans Think So

Rediff.com24 Jul 2026

Following India's dominant T20I victory over Zimbabwe, social media erupted with fan discussions, with many attributing the team's relaxed performance to Gautam Gambhir's absence and V V S Laxman's oversight, while others cautioned against overreacting to a single match.

'Sheikh Hasina Has Pulled A Political Masterstroke'

'Sheikh Hasina Has Pulled A Political Masterstroke'

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

'After announcing that she will return to Bangladesh, if she does not, her credibility will suffer.'

England's World Cup exit: Tuchel blames 'DNA' not tactics, Messi's magic key

England's World Cup exit: Tuchel blames 'DNA' not tactics, Messi's magic key

Rediff.com17 Jul 2026

England's manager Thomas Tuchel has faced heavy criticism following their World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, but he attributes the loss to fundamental issues like a lack of 'ball possession DNA' rather than just tactical errors, while acknowledging the unstoppable brilliance of Lionel Messi.

Mridul Doley's Hat-Trick Powers FC Raengdai To Dramatic Durand Cup Victory

Mridul Doley's Hat-Trick Powers FC Raengdai To Dramatic Durand Cup Victory

Rediff.com3 Aug 2026

Debutants FC Raengdai secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over TRAU FC in the Durand Cup, with Mridul Doley scoring a hat-trick. This win propelled FC Raengdai to the top of Group D. Langsning FC also had a memorable debut, defeating Mumbay FC 5-0 in another fixture.

1st ODI: Axar, Gill shine as India crush England in Birmingham

1st ODI: Axar, Gill shine as India crush England in Birmingham

Rediff.com14 Jul 2026

India comfortably chased down 259 to beat England by six wickets in the first ODI, with Shubman Gill scoring 80 before Axar Patel and Washington Sundar guided the visitors home with unbeaten fifties.

3 Wickets, 12 Dot Balls: RR Had No Answers To Starc

3 Wickets, 12 Dot Balls: RR Had No Answers To Starc

Rediff.com2 May 2026

Mitchell Starc's return to the Delhi Capitals after an injury layoff proved pivotal as he delivered a match-winning performance against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026.

Rohit's Century In Vain As England Down India To Win ODI Series 2-1

Rohit's Century In Vain As England Down India To Win ODI Series 2-1

Rediff.com20 Jul 2026

Rohit Sharma got back among the runs with a blistering century but England managed to overpower India by 27 runs in the third and final ODI at Lord's on Sunday, to claim the three-match ODI series 2-1.

Women's T20 World Cup: England outclass Scotland for third win in a row

Women's T20 World Cup: England outclass Scotland for third win in a row

Rediff.com21 Jun 2026

England continued their unbeaten run at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 after some brutal power-hitting helped them to a 38-run win over Scotland.

Raichandani, Virk Lead India U-19's Strong Reply

Raichandani, Virk Lead India U-19's Strong Reply

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

Opener Lakshay Rajesh Raichandani scored an unbeaten 196, supported by Sagar Virk's 134, to lead India U-19 to 378 for three on day three of the first Youth Test against Sri Lanka U-19. India trails Sri Lanka's first innings total of 424 for nine by 46 runs.

Recipe: The Absolutely Yummy Mushroom Paratha That...

Recipe: The Absolutely Yummy Mushroom Paratha That...

Rediff.com31 Jul 2026

I love mushrooms in everything. Let me clarify here that I am talking about button mushrooms only -- all the others kinds, for a want of a better word, feel 'meaty' and I am vegetarian.

Rohit Silences All Doubts With Historic Century At Lord's

Rohit Silences All Doubts With Historic Century At Lord's

Rediff.com19 Jul 2026

Rohit Sharma silenced all doubts about his place in India's ODI team as he blasted his way to a 84-ball century in the series-deciding third and final One-Day International against England, at Lord's, on Sunday.

Axar Patel Breaks Into Top-10 Of ICC ODI Rankings For All-Rounders

Axar Patel Breaks Into Top-10 Of ICC ODI Rankings For All-Rounders

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

Indian all-rounder Axar Patel has surged into the top 10 of the ICC ODI rankings for all-rounders, reaching ninth position following his impressive performance against England.

Raichandani's double century highlights drawn India vs Sri Lanka Youth Test

Raichandani's double century highlights drawn India vs Sri Lanka Youth Test

Rediff.com16 Jul 2026

India's first Youth Test against Sri Lanka U-19 concluded in a draw, marked by opener Lakshay Raichandani's impressive double century (207) and Manav Krishna's patient hundred (100). Despite India securing a significant first-innings lead, Sri Lanka U-19 batted out the final day to ensure a stalemate.

Rohit bhai hasn't told us anything about retirement: Shubman Gill

Rohit bhai hasn't told us anything about retirement: Shubman Gill

Rediff.com20 Jul 2026

India skipper Shubman Gill has clarified that senior star Rohit Sharma has not discussed his international future with the team, despite intense media speculation.

Pujara lauds Rohit Sharma's calm approach after record Lord's century

Pujara lauds Rohit Sharma's calm approach after record Lord's century

Rediff.com20 Jul 2026

Veteran India batter Cheteshwar Pujara praised Rohit Sharma for staying calm despite intense scrutiny and outside criticism after his historic century against England at Lord's on Sunday, July 29, 2026.