News for 'Second XI'

Rested Or Dropped? What Next For Sanju Samson?

Rested Or Dropped? What Next For Sanju Samson?

Rediff.com7 Jul 2026

At 31, it would be too early and unwise to phase out a special talent like Sanju Samson, who despite the odd blip appears to be enjoying the best phase of his India career.

My Dear Friend Garry Sobers

My Dear Friend Garry Sobers

Rediff.com28 Jul 2026

Sir Garfield Sobers, who passed into the ages on July 17, would have turned 90 today, July 28. Former Pakistan captain Intikhab Alam remembers a dear friend who he believes was 'undoubtedly the greatest cricketer the world has ever seen.'

Sanjay Manjrekar Slams Sanju Samson's Exclusion In England T20

Sanjay Manjrekar Slams Sanju Samson's Exclusion In England T20

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised the team management's decision to drop T20 World Cup hero Sanju Samson for the second T20 against England, calling it "bizarre" despite the debut of teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. India lost the match, trailing 0-1 in the five-match series.

'What Logic Is There?': Gambhir's Decisions Face Heat

'What Logic Is There?': Gambhir's Decisions Face Heat

Rediff.com21 Jul 2026

Following India's disappointing limited-overs tour of the UK, head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management are facing intense scrutiny over selection decisions, particularly the omission of Kuldeep Yadav in the third ODI. Former cricketer Sadagoppan Ramesh criticised the team's logic, while also praising Rohit Sharma's century under pressure. The tour has sparked broader discussions about team selections and optimal talent utilisation.

Ganguly 'surprised' by India's white-ball slump, backs team to bounce back

Ganguly 'surprised' by India's white-ball slump, backs team to bounce back

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly expressed surprise at India's recent white-ball slump, which saw them suffer a crushing 125-run defeat against England and a 0-2 series loss to Ireland, but backed the team to recover, while also commenting on his upcoming biopic 'Dada'.

Need to adapt better, but reset will take time: Gambhir on India's struggles in UK

Need to adapt better, but reset will take time: Gambhir on India's struggles in UK

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has attributed the team's poor performance in the ongoing UK T20 tour to a transitional 'reset', a lack of game awareness, and failure to correctly read conditions, following their heaviest-ever T20I defeat.

Rashid denies Rohit fifty, Jaiswal fails to impress

Rashid denies Rohit fifty, Jaiswal fails to impress

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

Rohit Sharma was dismissed for 48 by Rashid Khan, while Yashasvi Jaiswal's return to the ODI side ended in disappointment as he was out cheaply. Both Indian openers failed to convert their starts in the second ODI against Afghanistan in Lucknow.

Ashmita Chaliha Continues Strong Comeback At Macau Open

Ashmita Chaliha Continues Strong Comeback At Macau Open

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

Indian shuttler Ashmita Chaliha has advanced to the women's singles semifinals of the Macau Open Super 300 tournament, defeating Kim Min Sun. This marks her first BWF tour event semifinal this year, following a successful return from injury. However, compatriot Anmol Kharb was eliminated in the quarterfinals.

Remembering Garry Sobers: The Greatest Cricketer Ever

Remembering Garry Sobers: The Greatest Cricketer Ever

Rediff.com18 Jul 2026

Sir Garfield Sobers, widely considered the greatest all-rounder in cricket history, passed away just days before his 90th birthday, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy that included a significant connection with India both on and off the field.

Xi Vs The Generals: Why It Matters To India

Xi Vs The Generals: Why It Matters To India

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

If Xi Jinping can establish control over the PLA Ground Force, relations between India and China will settle down to an even keel. The next few weeks will show whether Xi has finally succeeded in gaining control over the PLA Ground Force. That could bring about the substantive shift in India-China relations that both our leaders have been working for, observes Ambassador Prabhat Shukla.

Ex-India cricketers slam selectors over Sooryavanshi's omission from Ireland series

Ex-India cricketers slam selectors over Sooryavanshi's omission from Ireland series

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

Former India wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani reckons selectors missed an opportunity by leaving teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi out of the Ireland T20Is, and says he should now be backed for the white-ball series against England, starting on Wednesday (July 1).

Time For India To Unleash Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Time For India To Unleash Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

After yet another failure for Sanju Samson -- his third in a row -- 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could make his India debut in the second T20I against England on Saturday.

2nd T20I: Will India stick with Samson or pick Sooryavanshi?

2nd T20I: Will India stick with Samson or pick Sooryavanshi?

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

Sanju Samson heads into the second T20I against England with his place under the spotlight, as teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi waits in the wings after another underwhelming outing from the India opener.

India's Macau Open Campaign Ends As Chaliha Falls In Semis

India's Macau Open Campaign Ends As Chaliha Falls In Semis

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

Indian shuttler Ashmita Chaliha's campaign at the Macau Open Super 300 badminton tournament concluded after she lost to South Korea's Park Ga Eun in straight games in the women's singles semifinals. This defeat marked the end of India's challenge in the tournament.

Bowling Struggles, Fitness Woes: Why India Flopped In England ODIs

Bowling Struggles, Fitness Woes: Why India Flopped In England ODIs

Rediff.com21 Jul 2026

A look at what went wrong for India in the England ODI series.

'Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ready for international cricket but...'

'Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ready for international cricket but...'

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has stated that 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is ready for international cricket, but must follow the established process for selection.

Beyond Harman: Mithali backs Smriti for ODI captaincy, Shafali for T20

Beyond Harman: Mithali backs Smriti for ODI captaincy, Shafali for T20

Rediff.com16 Jul 2026

Smriti Mandhana is more suited to lead India in the longer formats after Harmanpreet Kaur's tenure ends while the much younger Shafali Varma can be handed the reins of the T20 side following another pre-mature exit from the World Cup, former captain legendary Mithali Raj said.

2025 Best Test XI: Gill, Rahul, Bumrah In

2025 Best Test XI: Gill, Rahul, Bumrah In

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

Temba Bavuma, who led South Africa to their maiden ICC World Test Championship title and a historic 2-0 series sweep in India, also made the cut, while four Australian players were included.

India Aim to Seal Series While Testing New Combinations Against Afghanistan

India Aim to Seal Series While Testing New Combinations Against Afghanistan

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

India will look to seal the ODI series against Afghanistan while continuing to test combinations for the 2027 World Cup, with Kuldeep Yadav and Yashasvi Jaiswal among those pushing for opportunities in the second match.

Ruturaj Gaikwad Penalised For Slow Over-Rate Against Gujarat Titans

Ruturaj Gaikwad Penalised For Slow Over-Rate Against Gujarat Titans

Rediff.com22 May 2026

Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during their IPL match against Gujarat Titans, resulting in a penalty of INR 24 lakhs.

The Great Collapse: How India's Big T20 Shake-Up Failed

The Great Collapse: How India's Big T20 Shake-Up Failed

Rediff.com13 Jul 2026

The Indian team, which looked invincible under Suryakumar Yadav, has suddenly hit rock bottom a few months after winning the T20 World Cup.

Should Harmanpreet continue as India's T20 captain?

Should Harmanpreet continue as India's T20 captain?

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

India's Women's T20 World Cup campaign ended in another group-stage exit, putting Harmanpreet Kaur's captaincy under scrutiny and exposing issues with team selection, batting approach, bowling balance and fielding that could trigger a major reset.

Trump Meets Xi: Check Out The Vibes!

Trump Meets Xi: Check Out The Vibes!

Rediff.com30 Oct 2025

After constantly threatening China with 100% plus tariffs, US President Donald John Trump was all chummy when he met Chinese President Xi Jinping at Gimhae international airport during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Busan, South Korea, on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

Indian Women's Badminton Stars Shine Bright At Australian Open

Indian Women's Badminton Stars Shine Bright At Australian Open

Rediff.com10 Jun 2026

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and teenager Tanvi Sharma led a strong performance by Indian women in the Australian Open Super 500 badminton tournament, both advancing to the round of 16. While Sindhu secured an easy win, Tanvi caused an upset. However, it was a disappointing day for Indian men's singles players, with all three bowing out in the opening round, though the mixed doubles pair of Dhruv Rawat and Maneesha K progressed.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Co-hosts Mexico kickstart campaign with dominant win over South Africa

FIFA World Cup 2026: Co-hosts Mexico kickstart campaign with dominant win over South Africa

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

Julian Quinones gave hosts Mexico a dream start as he scored in the ninth minute in the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening match against South Africa.

Anmol Kharb And Ashmita Chaliha Shine At Macau Open

Anmol Kharb And Ashmita Chaliha Shine At Macau Open

Rediff.com18 Jun 2026

Indian shuttlers Anmol Kharb and Ashmita Chaliha have successfully advanced to the women's singles quarterfinals at the Macau Open Super 300 badminton tournament. While Ashmita secured a straight-sets victory, Anmol progressed after her opponent retired. However, India's challenge in men's singles, women's singles (other players), and mixed doubles sections concluded in the earlier rounds.

Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Make India Debut in First T20I Vs Ireland?

Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Make India Debut in First T20I Vs Ireland?

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

Vaobhav Sooryavanshi, 15, stands a chance to become India's youngest international cricketer, potentially breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record.

Ireland T20Is: Batting coach Kotak urges fairness amid Sooryavanshi selection buzz

Ireland T20Is: Batting coach Kotak urges fairness amid Sooryavanshi selection buzz

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak discussed the potential debut of 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of the T20 series opener against Ireland. While acknowledging Sooryavanshi's talent, Kotak emphasised that a player scoring runs should not be benched to accommodate a new talent, highlighting the challenge of team selection with abundant talent in Indian cricket. He also touched upon captain Shreyas Iyer's leadership and the BCCI's system for nurturing young players.

Dropped Konstas gets chance in PM's XI vs England

Dropped Konstas gets chance in PM's XI vs England

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

Dropped Australia opener Sam Konstas will face England in a two-day tour match between the first and second Ashes Tests as part of the Prime Minister's XI squad.

Trump meets 'friend' Xi amid trade tension

Trump meets 'friend' Xi amid trade tension

Rediff.com30 Oct 2025

Trump also praised Chinese President as "a great leader of a great country" and said the two sides had "already agreed to a lot of things."

Sensex gains nearly 790 points, driven by telecom and banking sector buying

Sensex gains nearly 790 points, driven by telecom and banking sector buying

Rediff.com14 May 2026

Indian stock markets saw a significant rebound, with the Sensex jumping nearly 790 points, primarily fuelled by strong buying interest in telecom, pharma, and private banking shares, despite a volatile trading session and a weakening rupee.

Sooryavanshi Could Spark Test Cricket Revival, Says Srikkanth

Sooryavanshi Could Spark Test Cricket Revival, Says Srikkanth

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi can revive Test cricket if nurtured properly, urging patience and warning against excessive scrutiny of the young star.

Kohli misses Afghanistan ODIs due to hamstring injury; Gaikwad likely to join squad

Kohli misses Afghanistan ODIs due to hamstring injury; Gaikwad likely to join squad

Rediff.com4 Jun 2026

Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury, a rare occurrence for the exceptionally fit batsman. The news comes amidst uncertainty over Rohit Sharma's full availability for the series, also due to a hamstring issue, sparking discussions about the future of both senior players in the ODI format.

All-rounder Deepti Sharma's impact unmatched: Anjum Chopra

All-rounder Deepti Sharma's impact unmatched: Anjum Chopra

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

Former India captain Anjum Chopra hailed Deepti Sharma as one of cricket's most influential all-rounders after her five-wicket haul against Pakistan, while also highlighting the importance of Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur to India's Women's T20 World Cup campaign.

Why Taiwan Is At The Heart Of US-China Rivalry

Why Taiwan Is At The Heart Of US-China Rivalry

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

For the foreseeable future, the most likely outcome remains continuation of the status quo. Taiwan will remain self-governing without formally declaring independence, while China continues to apply sustained pressure short of war, predict Krishnan Srinivasan and Manoj Mohanka.

India's Unity Cup Campaign Ends With Loss To Zimbabwe

India's Unity Cup Campaign Ends With Loss To Zimbabwe

Rediff.com30 May 2026

India's Unity Cup campaign concluded with a 1-0 defeat against Zimbabwe in the third-place play-off, with Prince Dube's first-half penalty proving decisive.

IPL 2026: KKR's Rs 18 Cr Signing Pathirana Lasts Just 8 Balls

IPL 2026: KKR's Rs 18 Cr Signing Pathirana Lasts Just 8 Balls

Rediff.com17 May 2026

Matheesha Pathirana's debut for Kolkata Knight Riders was short-lived as he suffered an injury during his first match against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026, raising concerns about his fitness and KKR's playoff chances.

Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer gets hefty penalty for slow over-rate

Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer gets hefty penalty for slow over-rate

Rediff.com4 Apr 2026

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer has been fined Rs 24 lakh for a slow over-rate during their IPL 2026 match against Chennai Super Kings. This marks the team's second over-rate offence this season, leading to enhanced penalties for the captain and other players.

Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer gets hefty penalty for slow over-rate

Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer gets hefty penalty for slow over-rate

Rediff.com4 Apr 2026

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer has been fined Rs 24 lakh for a slow over-rate during their IPL 2026 match against Chennai Super Kings. This marks the team's second over-rate offence this season, leading to enhanced penalties for the captain and other players.

Indian Shuttlers Aim To Avenge Thomas Cup Defeat At Malaysia Masters

Indian Shuttlers Aim To Avenge Thomas Cup Defeat At Malaysia Masters

Rediff.com18 May 2026

Indian shuttlers are set to compete at the Malaysia Masters Super 500 tournament, seeking to avenge their recent Thomas Cup semifinal defeat against France. Several Indian players will face French opponents in the singles and doubles categories.