Author: robin24

KOLKATA: Sunday saw India suffer their fourth consecutive Test defeat to a SENA country at home, all of them mostly on turning wickets. A cause for concern, surely. Either the wickets are not suiting India or the technique of playing on them is lacking. Despite playing with four spinners, a relatively unknown Simon Harmer dazzled.And despite the presence of KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant, Temba Bavuma, who has far less exposure in facing spin, dished out a batting masterclass.Was the Eden Gardens pitch an ideal one for India? Yes, it was, India head coach Gautam Gambhir said with…

Democratic Republic of Congo ended Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup with a penalty shootout victory in the African play-offs final on Sunday. DR Congo and Nigeria drew 1-1 after extra time in the tie in Rabat and the central Africans won 4-3 on penalties to book a place in inter-confederation play-offs in Mexico next March. In a nerve-riddled shootout in which four spot-kicks were saved and another missed, DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba defied a bottle thrown toward him and torrential rain to convert the winning penalty as his country seek a return to the global…

South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj and Ryan Rickelton celebrate the wicket of India’s Mohammed Siraj. (ANI Photo) NEW DELHI: The Eden Gardens pitch has become the centre of a heated debate after India’s first Test against South Africa ended within three days, exposing deep divisions among cricketing greats and raising fresh questions about India’s struggles on turning tracks.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Head coach Gautam Gambhir strongly defended the surface, rejecting suggestions that the pitch was responsible for India’s 30-run defeat. “This is exactly the pitch we wanted and the curator was very helpful. There was nothing…

Norway qualified for their first World Cup since 1998 after Erling Haaland struck again in a 4-1 thumping of Italy on Sunday which sealed a spot in next summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Haaland scored the decisive brace in the space of seconds at a soaking San Siro for Norway, who completed Group I with a perfect 24 points from their eight qualifying matches. Norway would have had to lose by nine goals or more in order to be overtaken by Italy for the group’s only automatic place for next summer’s finals in North…

Gautam Gambhir (PTI Photo/Swapan Mahapatra) Former India batter Wasim Jaffer has offered advice to Gautam Gambhir following India’s 30-run loss to South Africa in the Kolkata Test.The pitch at Kolkata continues to face criticism despite support from India head coach Gautam Gambhir. The first Test concluded in just two and a half days, with South Africa taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.’When you don’t play well, this is what happens’: Gautam Gambhir reacts to 1st Test defeat, points out what India lackedIndia, playing without Shubman Gill, failed to chase a target of 124, being dismissed for 93 in…

Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham© X/FabrizioRomano England coach Thomas Tuchel says Jude Bellingham must accept his decisions after the midfielder expressed frustration at being substituted near the end of a 2-0 win over Albania in World Cup European qualifying on Sunday. Bellingham had been booked in the 80th minute of the match and he was taken off four minutes later after making his first England start since June. The 22-year-old Real Madrid star put his arms in the air in frustration just after the second goal, having seen Morgan Rogers waiting to replace him on the touchline. “That’s…

The final installment of the “Sincaraz” rivalry for 2025 went to Jannik Sinner. The second-ranked Sinner beat top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (4), 7-5 for the ATP Finals trophy on Sunday in the sixth meeting this year between the two players who are dominating men’s tennis. Sinner defended the title before his home Italian fans for only his second victory over Alcaraz this year after also beating the Spaniard in the Wimbledon final. “It was an incredible season,” Sinner said. “To finish it this way, before my Italian fans, is very special for me.” Alcaraz had already secured the…

India beat Pakistan by eight wickets in a Women’s T20 World Cup for the Blind match at the Katunayake BOI Grounds in Colombo on Sunday. India chased 136 for the loss of two wickets in 10 overs, registering their fifth straight win of the tournament.Pakistan, in their second match of the event, were all out for 135 after their top order fell to 23 for 4. Mehreen Ali made 66 and Bushra Ashraf scored 44 to lift the total, but India produced seven run-outs in the innings.Mohsin Naqvi Cornered At ICC Meet In Dubai; Asia Cup Trophy Dispute Turns Into…

South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj and teammates celebrate (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi) India suffered a stunning defeat in the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens, bowled out for just 93 while chasing a modest target of 124. The 30-run loss marked South Africa’s first Test win in India in 15 years and highlighted how tricky low targets can be on subcontinental pitches.Chasing 124, India’s hopes were dented by the absence of Shubman Gill, ruled out due to neck surgery. The Proteas, led by Temba Bavuma’s resilient 55 not out and a crucial 44-run partnership with Corbin Bosch, set the tone…

South Africa vs India in Kolkata (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi) Simon Harmer’s exceptional bowling performance, with eight wickets in the match, guided South Africa to a dramatic 30-run victory over India in the first Test, completed within three days.India faced a challenging target of 124 runs but managed only 93 runs. The team was notably missing captain Shubman Gill, who was hospitalised due to a neck injury from Saturday. Shubman Gill Press Conference: Team India captain opens up about India’s bowling plan for SA TestHarmer, who took 4-30 in India’s first innings, delivered crucial blows in the second session, including dismissing…