I was armed with two dictaphones -- and a bottle of whisky that the editor had paid for, to lubricate the conversation.
Akash Deep and Harshit Rana are unlikely to be fit for the upcoming home series against Afghanistan and the white ball tour of United Kingdom as they are still some time away from getting fully match-fit, sources in BCCI said.
The Hitman still probably hurts over missing World Cup glory in 2011 and his stellar career rightfully deserves one last hurrah at the ODI World Cup.
India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has opened up about his challenging decision to leave Rajasthan Royals after over a decade, citing his strong bond with MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad as a key factor in his smooth transition to Chennai Super Kings.
Rohit Sharma answered the retirement rumours in the best possible way - by smashing a record-breaking century at Lord's.
Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar has expressed confidence in Rohit Sharma's ability to open for India in the upcoming 50-over World Cup, despite ongoing scrutiny. Gavaskar believes the England ODI series will be a crucial platform for Sharma to demonstrate his consistent performance. He also touched upon the continuous pressure on senior players like Rohit and Virat Kohli, emphasising the need for consistent delivery and physical fitness as they age. Additionally, Gavaskar commented on Ben Stokes' surprising retirement timing.
Sophie Molineux has recovered from a back injury and will captain Australia at the women's Twenty20 World Cup in England. Australia will aim for a record-extending seventh title after losing in the semi-finals in 2024.
Uncapped all-rounder James Coles and fast bowlers Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue were on Friday named in England's 16-member side to face India in a three-match ODI series later this month.
The third ODI between India and England at Lord's on Sunday could be Rohit Sharma's final game in international cricket with the national selection committee unlikely to pick the white-ball great beyond the ongoing series in the UK.
India spinner Sai Kishore has signed a six-match deal with English county side Gloucestershire for the remainder of the season.
Former India cricketer and ex-chief selector MSK Prasad has questioned the consistent dropping of Sanju Samson from the T20I squad, calling it a 'big mistake' given his strong performances, while also defending head coach Gautam Gambhir against early criticism for recent series losses.
Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thushara withdraws his lawsuit against Sri Lanka Cricket over denial of IPL 2026 NOC, apologises to board as tournament nears completion.
T Natarajan discusses his comeback to form in the IPL after a collarbone injury, attributing his resurgence to improved fitness, rigorous practice, and the support of the team management.
India's most-capped hockey player Manpreet Singh idolises Virat Kohli and credits his longevity to fitness, saying he has drawn inspiration from the star cricketer's fitness regime.
Sooryavanshi, at just 15 years old, made his emotional T20I debut for India, becoming the youngest player to achieve this feat. He received his maiden cap from Tilak Varma amidst applause from his teammates, marking a dream come true.
India's new T20I captain Shreyas Iyer reflected on the team's disastrous series losses to Ireland and England, admitting they failed to adapt to English conditions. Despite the setbacks, Iyer views the experience as a crucial learning opportunity for himself as a leader and for the team, especially concerning future overseas tours and World Cup preparations. He highlighted the need for better adaptation, improved fielding, and strategic team combinations.
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has announced a player contract system to professionalise and streamline its structure ahead of the 2026-2027 season. This makes MCA the first state cricket body to introduce such an arrangement, offering financial security and development pathways for cricketers.
Batting-order flexibility has become a key factor in modern white-ball cricket, and former India all-rounder Vijay Shankar believes players who can seamlessly adapt to different roles are increasingly valuable in a format driven by situational demands.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi plays some unreal shots with his hand-eye coordination, which makes his batting unbelievable, says former India captain and chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar.
Sanju Samson's biggest opponent isn't the opposition, it's the selection committee. Samson has never been given a long rope; all he receives is a thin thread.
At 15, a talent like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should play right through the year without being rested as it would help him learn from mistakes while gaining invaluable experience in all conditions, former India spinner L Sivaramakrishnan said on Sunday.
England coach Brendon McCullum revealed he tried to convince Ben Stokes not to retire, calling the Test captain a "leader of men" whose leadership and presence will be impossible to replace as England prepare for a new era.
Sri Lankan fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has filed a case in the Colombo District Court seeking a court order to secure his playing rights in the ongoing IPL after Sri Lanka Cricket refused to grant him a No Objection Certificate due to "failed fitness tests".
The Indian cricket team faces a significant selection challenge regarding the inclusion of 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, especially after recent losses to Ireland. The article explores various scenarios and opinions, including Sunil Gavaskar's strong recommendation, on how to integrate Sooryavanshi into the playing XI for the upcoming T20 series against England without disrupting the team's balance.
Christian Pulisic and Virat Kohli headline a unique RCB-AC Milan crossover, exchanging jerseys and sports in a global campaign blending cricket, football and fan culture.
Babar Azam has returned to lead Pakistan's Test cricket team after Shan Masood was axed from the role.
Urvil Patel's sensational 13-ball half-century in IPL 2026, equalling the fastest fifty record, has ignited discussions about India's emergence as a hub for fearless power-hitters, challenging traditional notions of batting prowess.
Avesh Khan remains determined for a India comeback, hoping to catch the selectors' attention with strong Ranji Trophy performances this season.
Australia has announced a 13-man squad for the upcoming two-Test home series against Bangladesh, featuring the return of captain Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon from injury. The series, part of the World Test Championship, sees competition for fast bowling spots with Scott Boland's strong performance, while Jake Weatherald and Cameron Green retain their places despite recent struggles. The squad aims to solidify Australia's top position in the WTC standings.
The Indian team, which looked invincible under Suryakumar Yadav, has suddenly hit rock bottom a few months after winning the T20 World Cup.
RCB suffer early IPL 2026 setback as Nuwan Thushara fails Sri Lanka Cricket fitness test, delaying his availability for the tournament opener.
ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta hailed the ground breaking of the cricket venue for the 2028 Olympics as a historic moment, fulfilling a long-awaited promise to bring the sport to the global stage.
The ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta marked the ground breaking of the cricket venue for the 2028 Olympics as a historic moment, fulfilling a 128-year promise to bring cricket back to the global stage. The venue, also home to the Los Angeles Knight Riders, signifies cricket's growing global appeal and its integration into the Olympic movement.
Former India cricketer Syed Kirmani says wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant needs to check his flamboyance, work on his physical fitness and "vulnerable" temperament if he wishes to play all formats for the country again.
The England and Wales Cricket Board has moved the start times of the upcoming five T20 Internationals against India an hour earlier to 10:00 pm IST, aiming to maximise television viewership in the subcontinent. This decision, made after consulting broadcasters, highlights English cricket's financial reliance on high-value series featuring India. The tour also includes a sold-out ODI series, with uncertainty surrounding Virat Kohli's participation due to injury.
Badani backs impact over consistency, says Axar fit for SRH game
Jos Buttler rolled back the years with a blistering century, while skipper Harry Brook hammered a quickfire 95 as England annihilated an out-of-sorts India by 56 runs in the fifth and final T20 International.
Sarfaraz Khan discusses his focus on fitness and strike rate during his two-year absence from the Indian Premier League, highlighting his comeback with Chennai Super Kings and his dedication to continuous improvement.
India have rested Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya from the Ireland and England tours as selectors prioritise the pacer's role in the World Test Championship and Pandya's importance to India's ODI World Cup plans.
'Our biggest opportunity lies with the younger age-group teams.' 'If you look at the senior national team, our chances are about 50-50.' 'The gap becomes smaller as you move down the age groups.' 'At the Under-20 level, it's closer to 60-40.' 'By the Under-17 level, it's around 80-20. That's where I feel we have our best chance.'
