Author: robin24

Borussia Dortmund host German Cup holders Stuttgart on Saturday in the Bundesliga with yet another shot at a title slowly slipping away from the grasp of Niko Kovac’s side. Appointed Dortmund coach with the club flailing last January, Kovac steadied the ship, pushing his side to claim 22 of a possible 24 points to sneak into Champions League qualification. The performance led to whispers Dortmund may be able to mount a title challenge this campaign, 14 years since the last time they lifted the shield. But this year, Dortmund already sit seven points behind Bayern Munich with just…

Kolkata: India’s Sai Sudharsan with head coach Gautam Gambhir (PTI Photo/Swapan Mahapatra) India’s evolving approach to their batting order has once again raised eyebrows, with head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management making another unexpected shuffle during the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens. In a move that surprised many, India fielded four frontline spinners and sent Washington Sundar in at number 3, a slot previously occupied by Sai Sudharsan in the West Indies series earlier this year. Before that, both Sudharsan and Karun Nair had been used at the same position during the tour of England.…

Milan takes centre stage on Sunday night as the city’s two football giants face off at the San Siro with top spot in Serie A up for grabs, while troubled Napoli try to reset after the international break. Inter Milan lead the pack, on goal difference from Roma, as Italy’s top flight returns to the iconic arena after it hosted the national team’s bracing defeat to Norway last weekend. Cristian Chivu’s team are two points ahead of AC Milan, who sit behind Roma in third place and ahead of the weekend’s headline clash. Inter have won 11 of…

India captain Shubman Gill, who has not trained since sustaining a neck spasm during the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata, and will take a fitness test on Friday to determine his availability for the second match, has been advised by former cricketer Aakash Chopra to take a break.Gill has become a central figure in Indian cricket this year. He is the only frontline batter who plays all three formats and also leads the team in Tests and ODIs. He has been made vice-captain in T20Is, signalling a possible leadership role in the shortest format if he keeps his…

NEW DELHI: Sarfaraz Khan’s continued absence from the Indian Test team has led to questions from several former players. The Mumbai batter has not played a Test since November 2024. Meanwhile, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra said Sarfaraz has been affected by a perception issue. Sarfaraz has played six Tests so far, scoring 371 runs at an average of 37.10, with three fifties and one century. His highest score in Tests is 150.”I think there is a clarity issue in the case of Sarfaraz. I think it is a case of perception and understanding. I am trying to think—they might…

PBKS reached the 2025 IPL final after a strong run, but fell in the final to RCB. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images) Punjab Kings co-owner Ness Wadia says the franchise is in such a stable position after the IPL 2026 retentions that the upcoming auction may hold little more than formality for them. After years of constant rebuilds, PBKS head into December’s event in Abu Dhabi with only four slots to fill and Rs 11.5 crore available, which is in stark contrast to last season, when they retained just two players and entered the auction with Rs 110.5 crore.IPL 2026…

Gautam Gambhir, Sitanshu Kotak NEW DELHI: India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has expressed strong displeasure over the criticism directed at head coach Gautam Gambhir after India’s defeat to South Africa in the opening Test in Kolkata. He said some of the criticism appears to come from people with personal motives.India lost the Kolkata Test by 30 runs. It was their fourth home Test defeat in the past year under Gambhir.”‘Gautam Gambhir, Gautam Gambhir’ (criticism) is being done. I am saying this because I am a staff and I feel bad. That’s not the way,” Kotak said on Thursday ahead of…

Kagiso Rabada’s availability for the 2nd Test still remains undecided despite the side bringing in Lungi Ngidi as his injury replacement. (Images via Getty) South Africa remain uncertain about Kagiso Rabada’s availability for the second Test against India, with bowling coach Piet Botha confirming that the team will wait another day before making a final call. Rabada, who missed the opening Test in Kolkata because of a rib injury, did not take part in Thursday’s training session at the Barsapara Stadium. Botha said the medical team is still assessing the pace spearhead ahead of the series decider starting November 22.…

During the 2019 Ashes Test at Lord’s, the Jofra Archer bouncer struck Steve Smith. (Photo/Agencies) NEW DELHI: Former England captain Michael Vaughan feels the Ben Stokes-led side has all the tools to beat an ageing Australian team. England’s five-pacer attack will be their quickest ever to tour Australia. Captain Ben Stokes has shown, countless times, his ability to inspire his team to sublime heights. Historically, England’s teams have made a habit of arriving with a defensive mentality. They dig in the moment they land and become even more entrenched with each passing day. England have managed a grand total of…

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting was recently asked to pick his best no. 4 batter in Test cricket ahead of the Ashes series beginning Friday.At first, given the choice to pick between Kevin Pietersen and Mahela Jayawardene, Ponting picked Pietersen. Then Ponting chose Kevin Pietersen (KP) over Mark Waugh, and then Pakistan’s former cricketer Javed Miandad over KP. Thereafter, the former Australian men’s cricket team captain chose fellow countryman Steve Smith over Miandad. He then picked Steve Smith over West Indies legend Brian Lara, and former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis. Sachin Tendulkar Recalls Receiving Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s Blessings…