News for 'PLAY'

Cricket World Cup's Biggest Controversies!

Cricket World Cup's Biggest Controversies!

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

A look at some of the major controversies in past World Cups.

Sabalenka, Rybakina renew fierce rivalry in Australian Open title showdown

Sabalenka, Rybakina renew fierce rivalry in Australian Open title showdown

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Sabalenka primed for Rybakina rematch with eyes on third Australian Open crown

EPL: City collapse at Spurs; Man Utd keep winning streak

EPL: City collapse at Spurs; Man Utd keep winning streak

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

Manchester City blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday as a moment of magic by home forward Dominic Solanke handed Arsenal a huge Premier League title boost.

Australia unfazed by rushed build-up ahead of Pakistan T20Is

Australia unfazed by rushed build-up ahead of Pakistan T20Is

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said the team is ready for the Pakistan T20I series despite a short, interrupted build-up, calling the tour vital preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

'She made winners, I made errors': Sabalenka on AO loss

'She made winners, I made errors': Sabalenka on AO loss

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Aryna Sabalenka fell 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to Elena Rybakina on Saturday, the Russia-born Kazakh turning the tables on the Belarusian who beat her for the 2023 title.

India's economy projected to grow at 6.8 to 7.2% in FY27: Economic Survey

India's economy projected to grow at 6.8 to 7.2% in FY27: Economic Survey

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

The Economic Survey on Thursday projected the GDP growth in the range of 6.8 to 7.2 per cent in 2026-27, a tad lower than 7.4 per cent estimated in the current fiscal.

'South Africa well covered for T20 World Cup 2026'

'South Africa well covered for T20 World Cup 2026'

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

South Africa pace spearhead Anrich Nortje played down the Proteas' injury concerns ahead of the T20 World Cup, saying the team has the depth and quality to absorb the setbacks.

What Next For Sanju Samson?

What Next For Sanju Samson?

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

Opener Sanju Samson once again failed to get back among the runs, as he was dismissed for 24 from 15 balls in the fourth T20I against New Zealand.

Ex-India cricketer Jacob Martin arrested for drunk driving in Vadodara

Ex-India cricketer Jacob Martin arrested for drunk driving in Vadodara

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

Former India cricketer Jacob Martin rammed into three parked cars while driving his luxury SUV allegedly under the influence of alcohol in Vadodara.

T20 WC: No Cummins, no Hazlewood: Can Australia still deliver?

T20 WC: No Cummins, no Hazlewood: Can Australia still deliver?

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

A versatile and dynamic Australian unit, without key pacer Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, who is likely to miss the early stages of the tournament, will be going into the T20 World Cup with hopes of going deep in the tournament.

Gandhi Talks Review: Underwhelming

Gandhi Talks Review: Underwhelming

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

The fact that a major studio put out a silent film starring some of the biggest names in the industry in these concerning times for the film business is the one big takeaway from Gandhi Talks, notes Arjun Menon.

Out of Mumbai squad! Jaiswal kicks up yet another row

Out of Mumbai squad! Jaiswal kicks up yet another row

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

Jaiswal dilemma: "Non-responsive" India opener "not considered" for Mumbai selection

Scotland's late T20 WC squad packed with surprises

Scotland's late T20 WC squad packed with surprises

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

Last minute T20 World Cup entrants Scotland have included Afghan-born uncapped pacer Zainullah Ihsan in their 15-member squad for the ICC event beginning in India and Sri Lanka on February 7.

14-year-old Sooryavanshi's 175 steers India to U-19 World Cup crown

14-year-old Sooryavanshi's 175 steers India to U-19 World Cup crown

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

Batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi lit up the grand stage with a jaw-dropping 175 to power India to a record-extending sixth ICC Under-19 World Cup title after a 100-run victory over England in the final in Harare on Friday.

Root stars as England chase down Sri Lanka in style

Root stars as England chase down Sri Lanka in style

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

Joe Root's all-round performance has helped England defeat Sri Lanka by five wickets in the second ODI at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday.

Ready For Bridgerton Season 4?

Ready For Bridgerton Season 4?

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

Benedict Bridgerton romances Sophie Baek in the new season of the Netflix series, Bridgerton.

Thailand Masters: Baruah stuns second seed, storms into quarters

Thailand Masters: Baruah stuns second seed, storms into quarters

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

India's Isharani Baruah upset second seed Sung Shuo Yun of South Korea to enter the women's singles quarterfinals of the Thailand Masters badminton event, Bangkok, on Thursday.

PIX: Mandhana Magic Fires RCB To Second WPL Crown

PIX: Mandhana Magic Fires RCB To Second WPL Crown

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Mandhana, Voll power RCB to second WPL title as DC suffer another heartbreak

Afridi, Gillespie question ICC over Bangladesh T20 WC call

Afridi, Gillespie question ICC over Bangladesh T20 WC call

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

Former Australia pacer Jason Gillespie and ex-Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi criticise the ICC for double standards after Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland in the T20 World Cup over security concerns.

949 runs! Kohli-inspired Doseja lights up Ranji

949 runs! Kohli-inspired Doseja lights up Ranji

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Delhi's Ayush Doseja aims to follow the discipline and fitness regime of India superstar Virat Kohli as the 23-year-old finished the group stage of the Ranji Trophy with the highest individual run tally.

PIX: Tien dumps Medvedev out of Aus Open

PIX: Tien dumps Medvedev out of Aus Open

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

Medvedev had said he did not like playing Tien after a trilogy of matches that went the distance last year and the 20-year-old American proved him right with a clinical performance that included 33 winners.

NZ skipper Santner enjoys fruits of defensive bowling

NZ skipper Santner enjoys fruits of defensive bowling

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

Mitchell Santner explains his defensive T20I blueprint after a match-winning 3/26 against India in Visakhapatnam, detailing how pressure, match-ups and key wickets powered New Zealand's 50-run win.

'Kohli, Rohit playing like 28-year-olds'

'Kohli, Rohit playing like 28-year-olds'

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma still seem to have steam in them as batters and the two superstars should be allowed to take a call on their future, reckoned former India cricketer and selector Madan Lal.

5th T20I PIX: Kishan, Arshdeep power India to massive win over New Zealand

5th T20I PIX: Kishan, Arshdeep power India to massive win over New Zealand

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Ishan Kishan's thrill-a-second maiden T20I hundred compensated for Sanju Samson's familiar failure, and the knock in conjunction with Arshdeep Singh's fifer scripted India's 46-run romp over New Zealand in the fifth and final match in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.

Players wilt, fans stay away as heat wallops Australian Open

Players wilt, fans stay away as heat wallops Australian Open

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

The day session attendance of 51,048 was some 10,000 short of day six on Friday and even less than last year's corresponding session.

Aus Open: Musetti whips Fritz to set up Djokovic quarters

Aus Open: Musetti whips Fritz to set up Djokovic quarters

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

Lorenzo Musetti brushed aside Taylor Fritz in straight sets to reach his first Australian Open quarter-final, setting up a blockbuster last-eight clash with Novak Djokovic at Melbourne Park.

Tata Steel Chess: Gukesh's title hopes go up in smoke

Tata Steel Chess: Gukesh's title hopes go up in smoke

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

D Gukesh played out a draw with compatriot Aravindh Chithambaram, the result ending the reigning world champion's title hopes on a tough day for Indian players in the Tata Steel Masters 2026 in Wijk Aan Zee, The Netherlands, on Saturday.

Back to basics: Domestic grind fuels Bishnoi's comeback

Back to basics: Domestic grind fuels Bishnoi's comeback

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

Following India's emphatic eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third T20I, leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi said he focused on bowling in the right areas and worked extensively on his lengths after enduring a difficult Indian Premier League (IPL) season last year. Bishnoi delivered an impressive spell of 2/18 in four overs, playing a key role in restricting New Zealand to 153/9 in 20 overs. His disciplined bowling effort laid the foundation for India's dominant win in Guwahati. Speaking during the post-match press conference, Bishnoi said he worked closely with his coaches at home in Jodhpur after being left out of the Indian T20I side. The leg-spinner added that playing matches in the Vijay Hazare, Syed Mushtaq and Ranji Trophy tournaments has helped him to make a comeback. "It's always difficult when you are away from the side. You feel like you should be there, but you aren't. I had time to work on my own bowling. I worked a lot. I worked with my coaches at home in Jodhpur. Then I played domestic matches again. I played a few matches in the Vijay Hazare, Syed Mushtaq and Ranji Trophy tournaments. All those things helped me a lot to come back," Bishnoi said. The 24-year-old further stated that he consciously tried to bowl in the right areas and adapt his rhythm according to match conditions. "I was trying to bowl in the right areas. It depends on my rhythm on the given day. I have worked on my lengths. I didn't have a good IPL last season. I was a bit nervous and excited," he added. On Abhishek Sharma's blistering batting performance, Bishnoi said, "The way Abhishek is batting, India needs this. He practices a lot. Hope he continues this form for a long time." Sharma made an outstanding unbeaten 68 runs in just 20 balls, including seven fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 340. Abhishek Sharma's fifty, paired with Suryakumar Yadav's blistering unbeaten 57 off 26 balls, propelled India to a convincing eight-wicket win, chasing down 154 runs in just 10 overs. With this victory, India also took the five-match T20I series, winning all three T20Is.

Australian Open 2026: Rybakina stuns Swiatek, storms into semis

Australian Open 2026: Rybakina stuns Swiatek, storms into semis

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Fifth seed Elena Rybakina booked her place in the Australian Open semi-finals on Wednesday with a dominant second set display to hand six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek a 7-5, 6-1 defeat at Melbourne Park.

T20 World Cup 2026: Stars Set For Final Farewell

T20 World Cup 2026: Stars Set For Final Farewell

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

The 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka could be the last for several senior stars. From Glenn Maxwell to Mohammad Nabi, here are veterans who may be playing their final T20 WC.

Aus Open: Fresh pair Skupski-Harrison clinch doubles crown

Aus Open: Fresh pair Skupski-Harrison clinch doubles crown

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Neal Skupski and Christian Harrison won the Australian Open men's doubles crown, defeating Aussie wildcards Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans in straight sets in their first Grand Slam together.

Bangladesh skipping T20 WC in India is their loss: Azhar

Bangladesh skipping T20 WC in India is their loss: Azhar

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin criticised Bangladesh' refusal to play T20 World Cup matches in India, calling the security concerns unfounded.

FIR Against Ghooskhor Pandat; Promos Taken Down

FIR Against Ghooskhor Pandat; Promos Taken Down

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

'The story of Ghooskhor Pandat focuses on an individual's actions and choices and does not comment on or represent any caste, religion, or community. As a filmmaker, I approach my work with a deep sense of responsibility -- to tell stories that are thoughtful and respectful.'

India Game: Pakistan May Do A U-Turn

India Game: Pakistan May Do A U-Turn

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

Sunil Gavaskar mocks Pakistan's boycott of the India match, predicts a U-turn and warns of ICC action.

Pakistan rout exposes Australia's T20 World Cup worries

Pakistan rout exposes Australia's T20 World Cup worries

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

Australia's 3-0 T20I whitewash by Pakistan has underlined the world champions' World Cup concerns, with Josh Hazlewood unlikely to be fit for the early matches, Pat Cummins admits.

Gadecki-Peers break 37-year-old record at Aus Open

Gadecki-Peers break 37-year-old record at Aus Open

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Australian pair of Olivia Gadecki and John Peers became the first duo in 37 years to defend Australian Open mixed doubles crown on Friday.

What The 2026 Bride Really Wants

What The 2026 Bride Really Wants

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

'She understands her body, comfort level and personal style and no longer dresses to impress others.'

'Pakistan are going to suffer'

'Pakistan are going to suffer'

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

Former India cricketer Madan Lal said that the Pakistan Cricket Board are not doing the right thing at the moment and will suffer the consequences, after Pakistan decided to boycott its group-stage match against India in the ICC World T20 World Cup, scheduled for February 15.

BCB Chief Hopes For A Miracle From ICC!

BCB Chief Hopes For A Miracle From ICC!

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

Bangladesh Cricket Board President Aminul Islam said he has asked the governing body for time to talk to his government 'for one last time'.

Banton, Brook star as England sneak past SL to win series

Banton, Brook star as England sneak past SL to win series

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

Tom Banton and captain Harry Brook guided England to a thrilling win against Sri Lanka in the 2nd T20I to claim the series in Kandy.