Don't think players can get busy with family on tour: Veteran coach backs BCCI's recent diktat

IANS | January 17, 2025 7:30 PM

Chandigarh, Jan 17 (IANS) Veteran cricket coach Harish Sharma, who guided players like Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Mongia, VRV Singh, and Siddharth Kaul, has backed the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) strict guidelines for senior men's team to enforce discipline among squad members following their two consecutive Test series defeats against New Zealand and Australia.

Rohit can decide when to retire, though it’s up to selectors too, says Manjrekar

IANS | January 17, 2025 6:45 PM

New Delhi, Jan 17 (IANS) Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar said he has a strong belief in Rohit Sharma having the autonomy to decide when he retires from international cricket, though he thinks the selectors could also have a say in it. As India suffered a 3-1 Test series loss in Australia, Rohit made just 31 runs in five innings, and his decision to stand down from the Sydney Test increased speculation on his international future.

U19 World Cup: Objective is to win and successfully defend the title, says Niki Prasad

IANS | January 17, 2025 4:39 PM

New Delhi, Jan 17 (IANS) India skipper Niki Prasad said her team’s objective is to win the 2025 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup and successfully defend the title they won under Shafali Verma’s leadership in 2023. India are the defending champions in the tournament starting in Malaysia on Saturday, after having won the first edition in South Africa in 2023. They also come in on the back of winning the inaugural U19 Women’s Asia Cup in Malaysia last month.

Baroda, Lucknow, Bengaluru and Mumbai to host WPL 2025, Brabourne Stadium knockouts venue

IANS | January 16, 2025 8:44 PM

New Delhi, Jan 16 (IANS) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said Baroda, Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Mumbai will be the venues for the 2025 edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), with Brabourne Stadium to host the Eliminator and Final. In the tournament’s short history, it will be the first time four venues will host matches.

Inaugural season of International Masters League to be played in Navi Mumbai, Rajkot and Raipur from Feb 22

IANS | January 16, 2025 8:35 PM

Mumbai, Jan 16 (IANS) Sachin Tendulkar will lead India and Brian Lara will captain West Indies in the highly-anticipated International Masters League (IML), the inaugural edition of which is all set to be played from February 22 to March 16. Season 1 of the IML will witness the rekindling of rivalries, with all-time greats representing cricketing powerhouses like India, Sri Lanka, Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies.

Blair Tickner returns to Derbyshire for the 2025 season

IANS | January 16, 2025 6:59 PM

Derbyshire, Jan 16 (IANS) New Zealand pacer Blair Tickner will return to Derbyshire for the 2025 season, the county club announced on Thursday. The 31-year-old initially joined Derbyshire for the 2024 campaign and featured in seven matches across the County Championship and Vitality Blast, before returning to New Zealand early, after his wife Sarah was diagnosed with leukaemia.

It feels like a backward step, says Johnson on making Smith captain for SL Test tour

IANS | January 16, 2025 5:29 PM

New Delhi, Jan 16 (IANS) Former Australia fast-bowler Mitchell Johnson has expressed reservations over Steve Smith being named captain for the upcoming Test tour of Sri Lanka, saying it’s like a backward step being taken instead of cashing on the opportunity to try a long-term leadership candidate. Smith was named Australia’s captain for the two-match Test tour of Sri Lanka, starting in Galle on January 29, after regular skipper Pat Cummins opted out due to the birth of his second child and ankle soreness.