India cricketers, along with coach Gautam Gambhir, visited Shri Jagannath Temple in Odisha's Puri on Tuesday to seek blessings ahead of the first T2OI of the five-match series against South Africa, set to be played on the same day at Cuttack's Barabati Stadium.
'The runs from his bat at the top of the order will be crucial for India's success in this five-match series against South Africa.'
Hardik Pandya made a memorable comeback to the Indian team, smashing a blistering half-century to power India to a thumping 101-run win over South Africa in the first T20 International.
At a loss to explain South Africa's capitulation in the series-opener, their batting coach Ashwell Prince said the visitors simply failed to answer the questions posed by India's "formidable" bowlers while being dismissed for their lowest T20I total of 74 Cuttack.
Abhishek a match-winner, an important wicket for us: Aiden Markram
Gill back in full flow, Hardik opts out of practice ahead of SA T20I series
Captain Suryakumar Yadav believes Hardik Pandya's return will restore the tactical depth and balance of India's T20 team.
Jitesh Sharma, who has emerged as India's preferred wicketkeeper-batter in T20 format with less than two months left for the World Cup, has played down his 'competition' with Sanju Samson in the squad, saying it only brings out his "A-game" to the fore, strengthening the side.
The T20 WC champions will look to enter this phase with clarity of intent as they refine roles, streamline combinations and settle the XI that will carry the weight of expectations in front of home crowds.
Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik launched the second T20 International between India and South Africa by ringing the bell at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday.
Odisha Cricket Association secretary Asirbad Behera has said that the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack is all set to regain its Test status after 21 long years having hosted a five-day game way back in 1995.
Varun Chakravarthy is the second oldest debutant for India in One-Day Internationals after Farokh Engineer.
Thousands of fans switched on their phone flashlights, creating a sea of light that illuminated the stadium.
Was she a lucky fan or someone closer to the cricket star? While some online users debated, a fan page of Kohli claimed she was a relative.
Catch the 4th episode of Sports and Pastime, a new podcast, featuring Prem Panicker and Faisal Shariff with Ramiz Raja as a special guest.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma has added another feather to his cap, becoming the second-highest six-hitter in One-day International (ODI) history.
Cricket fever gripped Cuttack on Wednesday as thousands of fans descended upon Barabati Stadium, desperate to secure offline tickets for the India vs England ODI on Sunday.
It may be hosting an ODI for the first time since December 22, 2019, but Cuttack has always served up belters and it may be no different this time.
Fans took to X to express their excitement, with hashtags like #RohitSharma #HitmanRising trending globally.
Before his dismissal, Kohli showcased glimpses of his class, creaming Gus Atkinson for a delightful four through mid-on with a gorgeous on-drive in the 18th over.
Rohit went past Tendulkar, Dravid, Gayle during his knock.
India claimed an unassailable 2-0 lead over England after captain Rohit Sharma's rapid hundred secured a four-wicket win in the second one-day international on Sunday.
Ankit Chatterjee, a 15-year-old left-handed batsman, made his Ranji Trophy debut for Bengal, becoming the youngest cricketer from the state to do so.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the second ODI against England on Sunday?
Images from the first One-Day International between India and England at the Barabati Stadium, in Cuttack, on Sunday.
The second game in the five match T20I series between India and South Africa will be played at the Barabati stadium in Cuttack, starting 1900 IST.
Ranveer Singh met Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ahead of the Men's Hockey World Cup opening ceremony.
India face South Africa in the 2nd T20I in Cuttack on Sunday.
Fans gathered in large numbers at the airport, outside their hotel and on both sides of the road for a glimpse of the cricketing stars.
The second match will be played on June 12.
Comeback man Heinrich Klaasen followed Rassie Van der Dussen's suit in turning out to be an unlikely hero with a career-best 81 as South Africa once again outwitted India by four wickets on a tricky pitch to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, International Hockey Federation president Tayyab Ikram and Hockey India chairman Dilip Tirkey were present at the glittering ceremony to welcome members of all the 16 participating teams.
David Miller lavished praise on fellow teammate Heinrich Klaasen for his 'phenomenal' knock.
Batting icon Sachin Tendulkar appealed for more maturity from cricket fans, saying the unruly crowd behaviour during the Twenty20 match between India and South Africa at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack was not good for the sport.
The Barabati stadium in Cuttack will host the one-off Twenty20 international between India and the West Indies on October 22, instead of the scheduled third ODI on October 14, the Orissa Cricket Association said.
Odisha home secretary Asit Kumar Tripathy, on Thursday, submitted his inquiry report with the state government on the water bottle-throwing incident during the Twenty20 International match between India and South Africa at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on October 7.
India's magnificent win by seven wickets is their third in a row at the Barabati Stadium, having won their previous two games -- by 20 runs against West Indies on January 24, 2007 and by six wickets against England on November 26, 2008.
'Overall, there is a room for improvement, I'm sure the guys have learnt from it and they will come back stronger. We have to start really well and do a lot of things right whether it's batting or bowling, and come out all guns blazing'
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the second T20I against South Africa?
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances