SPORTS MANIA

T20 specialist David, who was raised in Western Australia, burst into the spotlight in the Pakistan Super League last season and has become hot property as a finishing batsman in global leagues. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/australia-pick-singapore-born-tim-david-in-t20-world-cup-squad/articleshow/93918906.cms

Much of the talk leading to the Asia Cup in UAE has been around how the conditions have become as good as home conditions for India and Pakistan. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/asia-cup-afghanistan-revelling-in-familiar-conditions/articleshow/93918684.cms

Jonathan Trott was the epitome of grit in the English batting line-up when the England Test team became world-beaters 15 years ago. When he pulled out of an Ashes tour in Australia due to stress-related illness, his case was seen in isolation. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/world-now-more-understanding-aware-of-mental-health-jonathan-trott/articleshow/93918365.cms

source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/web-stories/asia-cup-virat-kohli-suryakumar-yadav-power-india-into-super-four/photostory/93916612.cms

The Zimbabwe-born Kiwi said a range of factors had played a part in his decision, not least his struggles with injury and the increasing competition for places in all three formats. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/new-zealands-colin-de-grandhomme-retires-from-international-cricket/articleshow/93895992.cms

Former India captain Kohli was the joint top-scorer, along with Ravindra Jadeja, for India in their win against Pakistan in the Asia Cup campaign opener in Dubai. Kohli played a solid knock of 35 of 34 balls. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/it-wont-take-too-long-for-virat-kohli-to-be-back-in-form-kapil-dev/articleshow/93894725.cms

Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa collected three wickets apiece in Australia's eight-wicket demolition of Zimbabwe in the second one-day international on Wednesday, giving the home side an unassailable 2-0 series lead in Townsville. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/mitchell-starc-and-adam-zampa-help-australia-steamroll-zimbabwe-in-second-odi/articleshow/93895205.cms

Sanyam Jaiswal, 42, reached late for the India-Pakistan Asia Cup T20 match in Dubai this week. At the packed stadium, he looked for an Indian team jersey but they were all sold out. There was a Pakistan jersey on sale, though, and he bought it. He had little idea about the storm it would trigger back home. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/indian-fan-who-played-prank-in-pakistani-jersey-at-dubai-match-gets-threats-back-home-in-ups-bareilly/city/bareilly/indian-fan-who-played-prank-in-pakistani-jersey-at-dubai-match-gets-threats-back-home-in-ups-bareilly/articleshow/93887014.cms

Veteran Steve Smith is enjoying his revamped batting role and believes he can play a part in Australia's title defence at the T20 World Cup to be held at home later this year, if he continues in the same vein. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/free-of-mr-fix-it-tag-steve-smith-eyes-t20-world-cup-spot/articleshow/93873520.cms

Pakistan pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi has travelled to London to continue his recovery from a knee injury but the country's cricket board is optimistic of his participation in the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia later this year. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/pakistan-optimistic-of-shaheen-afridi-playing-world-cup-after-london-rehab/articleshow/93871071.cms

Mitchell Marsh will miss the rest of the ODI series against Zimbabwe and matches versus New Zealand after suffering a minor ankle injury, with Australia taking no chances ahead of the T20 World Cup. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/mitchell-marsh-out-of-zimbabwe-new-zealand-series-with-injury/articleshow/93871616.cms

​Both India and Pakistan failed to complete their quota of overs within the stipulated time, which forced them to put an extra fielder inside the circle towards the end of the innings, as mandated by the new overrate penalty laws. This proved to be a particularly important factor during India's chase. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/asia-cup-2022-why-india-pakistan-paid-in-match-penalties-for-slow-over-rates/articleshow/93867258.cms

Bhuvneshwar Kumar's potency with the new ball has overshadowed his capabilities at the deep end of a game. The dream run continued till the 2019 World Cup. A never-ending wait to recover from a hamstring injury saw a host of fast bowlers springing up from India's massive resource pool. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/asia-cup-2022-india-vs-pakistan-how-survivor-bhuvneshwar-kumar-swung-it-his-way/articleshow/93866694.cms

International cricket is at a crossroads. While the International Cricket Council (ICC) is planning an aggressive drive to globalise the sport with an attempt to jump on to the Olympic bandwagon, T20 leagues are mushrooming across major cricket-playing nations. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/asia-cup-2022-afghanistan-vs-bangladesh-ftp-leaves-afghans-yearning-for-more-quality-cricket/articleshow/93868192.cms

Hardik Pandya would have "fancied" his chances even if India needed 15 runs rather than the seven that they scored in the final over to win their Asia Cup opener against Pakistan. Pandya had a dream game, first taking 3 for 25 in 4 overs and then finishing the match with a six off Mohammed Nawaz. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/asia-cup-2022-india-vs-pakistan-even-if-we-needed-15-i-would-have-fancied-myself-says-hardik-pandya/articleshow/93843980.cms

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam heaped praise on India all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who took Men in Blue to a thrilling victory in their Asia Cup 2022 match in Dubai on Sunday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/asia-cup-2022-india-v-pakistan-the-way-he-finished-off-game-was-great-babar-azam-praises-hardik-pandya/articleshow/93845670.cms

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday congratulated the Indian team for winning against arch-rivals Pakistan by five wickets in their Asia Cup 2022 match on Sunday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/asia-cup-2022-india-vs-pakistan-anurag-thakur-congratulates-team-india/articleshow/93844676.cms

An interesting thing happened during the team huddle before India started with their warm-ups, around an hour before the match against Pakistan on Sunday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/asia-cup-2022-india-vs-pakistan-why-dinesh-karthik-was-preferred-ahead-of-rishabh-pant/articleshow/93843701.cms

Hardik Pandya's all-round brilliance powered India to a thrilling five-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in an Asia Cup game on Sunday. Pandya ended with figures of 3/25 in 4 overs while restricting Pakistan to 147 in 19.5 overs and then smashed 33* off 17 balls with the winning six in the last over bowled by left-arm spinner Mohammed Nawaz. Ravindra Jadeja contributed with 35 off 29 balls. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/asia-cup-2022-india-vs-pakistan-highlights-hardik-pandya-ravindra-jadeja-star-in-indias-nervy-5-wicket-win/articleshow/93840747.cms

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated the Indian cricket team for its win over Pakistan in an Asia Cup game, and said it displayed superb skill and grit. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/team-india-put-up-spectacular-all-round-performance-in-asia-cup-match-pm-modi/articleshow/93840836.cms

Goosebumps are a norm when Indian star batsman Virat Kohli smashes runs, and so continued the track as the former Indian skipper crossed over 300 boundaries during thrilling India versus Pakistan match at Asia Cup in Dubai. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/asia-cup-2022-virat-kohli-crosses-300-t20i-fours-in-his-100th-match/articleshow/93840277.cms

Head coach Rahul Dravid has tested negative for COVID-19 and is set to join the Indian team ahead of its much-awaited Asia Cup opener against Pakistan here on Sunday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/asia-cup-2022-head-coach-rahul-dravid-recovers-from-covid-set-to-join-indian-team/articleshow/93829339.cms

Team India's preparation for the T20 World Cup has hit a hurdle as Virat Kohli has struggled to regain form. As the team management and selectors endure anxious times and fret over taking a tough call on Kohli, he has decided to talk about his problems and conceded he was "faking intensity over the last few months." source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/asia-cup-virat-kohli-brings-focus-back-on-mental-health-issues/articleshow/93828870.cms

Scan the videos the BCCI social media handle puts out on Rishabh Pant's training and you will only find balls flying in the air off his bat. That his game is built around a strong defensive technique is lost in the anonymity of the regular training sessions. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/exclusive-if-youre-true-in-your-heart-theres-nothing-to-be-scared-of-says-rishabh-pant/articleshow/93828424.cms

Victory by an innings and 85 runs, with more than two days to spare, brought England level in this three-match series at 1-1, following South Africa almost as dominant innings-and-12-run triumph at Lord's last week. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/2nd-test-ben-stokes-hails-benchmark-win-as-england-level-series-against-south-africa/articleshow/93828832.cms

South Africa were bowled out for 151 and 179 and lost the second Test inside three days, after their equally thumping win at Lord's in the opening match of the series. But with the deciding third Test at The Oval starting on September 8, there is plenty of time for reflection. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/england-vs-south-africa-no-panic-for-sa-captain-dean-elgar-but-tough-decisions-to-be-made-ahead-of-third-test/articleshow/93828965.cms

James Anderson hailed England’s all-round improvement and called inspirational captain Ben Stokes a "freak" as they thumped South Africa by an innings and 85 runs in the second Test at Old Trafford on Saturday, setting up a series decider at The Oval. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/england-vs-south-africa-2nd-test-smiling-james-anderson-hails-freak-ben-stokes-following-englands-win/articleshow/93829058.cms

India-Pakistan fixtures have always drawn big investments. In the past decade, the rivalry has become more intense, because the two teams meet only in multi-nation tournaments these days. That's the reason the organisers have ensured they will meet at least twice in the tournament here - thrice if they both qualify for the final on September 11. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/asia-cup-2022-india-vs-pakistan-india-and-pakistan-resume-the-worlds-greatest-cricket-rivalry/articleshow/93827874.cms

The T20 World Cup is round the corner and the Indian captain Rohit Sharma said a few days ago that 80-90% of the squad is settled. Even though the trend post Covid is to carry 18 players, including three stand-byes, Rohit was probably talking about the final 15 who will be part of the World Cup team. The Indian team has quite a few T20s scheduled in the next couple of months, starting with the Asia Cup, and it’s the perfect platform for the fringe players to make an impression. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/fringe-india-players-eye-asia-cup-as-ticket-to-t20-world-cup/articleshow/93811469.cms

Even as Rohit Sharma assumed all-format captaincy by March, Rahul Dravid remained the captain of the ship all through. Unavailability of top players prompted India to field seven captains across formats in the last eight months. For a man who has forever harped on the need for consistency, Dravid’s journey as Team India coach has ironically been a topsy turvy one. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/asia-cup-2022-default-captain-rahul-dravids-test-begins-in-his-absence/articleshow/93811167.cms

When India take field to play archrivals Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday to start their Asia Cup 2022 campaign, star batter Virat Kohli will represent the country in his 100th T20I match, becoming the first Indian player to feature in hundred or more matches in each format of the game internationally. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/india-vs-pakistan-asia-cup-2022-virat-kohli-set-to-become-first-indian-to-play-100-matches-in-all-formats/articleshow/93812838.cms

England captain Stokes declared at 415 for nine, with South Africa trailing by 241 runs at the close after surviving a tricky nine over spell before stumps. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/2nd-test-england-lead-south-africa-by-241-runs-after-centuries-by-ben-stokes-and-ben-foakes/articleshow/93810776.cms

Ben Stokes hit his first century since being appointed England's full-time captain and wicketkeeper Ben Foakes also reached three figures as the hosts established a commanding lead over South Africa in the second Test in Manchester on Friday. Stokes made 103, with Foakes a Test-best 113 not out after completing his second century at this level when his skipper declared England's first innings on 415-9, a lead of 264 runs, after South Africa had been dismissed for a meagre 151. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/ton-up-ben-stokes-and-ben-foakes-add-to-south-africas-agony-in-second-test/articleshow/93807206.cms

India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana struck a scintillating half-century to help Southern Brave crush Trent Rockets by 10 wickets and book their place in the knockout stages of The Hundred. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/the-hundred-smriti-mandhana-dazzles-with-fifty-in-southern-braves-10-wicket-win/articleshow/93795000.cms

Having just taken over the reigns of the Shah Rukh Khan-owned franchise, the ‘Alex Ferguson of Ranji Trophy,’ as Dinesh Karthik put it, is ready for clearly what is the biggest challenge of his coaching career so far. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/my-becoming-kkr-coach-will-motivate-other-indian-coaches-chandrakant-pandit/articleshow/93788692.cms

Sridharan Sriram said he has clarity about his role with the Bangladesh squad after the former India all-rounder was effectively put in charge of the Twenty20 squad until the end of the World Cup in Australia this year. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/asia-cup-2022-sridharan-sriram-says-he-is-clear-about-his-role-with-bangladesh/articleshow/93793755.cms

England great James Anderson marked becoming the first player to appear in 100 home Tests by leading the attack with three wickets as South Africa were dismissed for just 151 on Thursday's first day of the second Test at Old Trafford. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/england-vs-south-africa-2nd-test-james-anderson-strikes-before-zak-crawley-and-jonny-bairstow-hold-firm-against-south-africa/articleshow/93789773.cms

It’s been a tough year for the 31-year-old. He hasn’t played for the country since the day-night Test against Sri Lanka in March and as skipper of Punjab Kings, he turned in a sub-par 196 runs in 12 innings in the Indian Premier League. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/career-at-crossroads-mayank-agarwal-returns-to-basics/articleshow/93790049.cms

India spin legend Anil Kumble's stint as head coach at Punjab Kings has ended after the IPL franchise decided against renewing his contract. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/punjab-kings-decide-not-to-renew-head-coach-anil-kumbles-contract-report/articleshow/93784438.cms

The Asia Cup begins on Saturday with top cricketers, including Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and India superstar Virat Kohli, in action in the United Arab Emirates. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/red-hot-babar-azam-to-struggling-virat-kohli-five-to-watch-at-asia-cup/articleshow/93766703.cms

Hong Kong qualified for the Asia Cup on Wednesday, where they will face India and Pakistan, after defeating the United Arab Emirates by eight wickets in the final qualifying round. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/hong-kong-qualify-for-asia-cup-will-face-india-and-pakistan/articleshow/93765038.cms

Australian Chris Lynn will play both his home Big Bash League (BBL) and in the new Twenty20 cricket league in the United Arab Emirates early next year after signing a groundbreaking part-season deal with the Adelaide Strikers. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/chris-lynn-signs-groundbreaking-part-season-big-bash-deal/articleshow/93767061.cms

Hours after PriceWaterHouseCoopers (PWC) stepped down as auditors for the ongoing media rights sale of the International Cricket Council (ICC), prospective bidders wrote to the game's governing body, asking the latter to explain the accounting firm's exit, and have also pressed for the rights to now be sold by way of an e-auction. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/after-pwc-exit-broadcast-industry-calls-icc-media-rights-tender-a-joke-insists-on-e-auction/articleshow/93764923.cms

Kane Williamson has returned from injury and will captain New Zealand in the Chappell-Hadlee one-day international series against Australia while fast bowler Trent Boult is also included, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said on Thursday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/williamson-boult-in-new-zealand-squad-for-chappell-hadlee-series/articleshow/93761688.cms

Fast bowler Ollie Robinson has returned to the England team in place of Matthew Potts for the second Test against South Africa which will begin at Old Trafford on Thursday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/robinson-returns-to-englands-team-for-second-south-africa-test/articleshow/93753008.cms

Indian batter Mayank Agarwal, who had a disappointing run in Indian Premier League 2022 while leading Punjab Kings, has been working on his white-ball performance by "opening up four-five areas". source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/not-going-to-give-up-mayank-agarwal-on-his-international-future/articleshow/93751385.cms

Earlier this week, speculations were rife in the media that Mayank Agarwal, the captain of the side in IPL 2022, would be replaced by England wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/ipl-punjab-kings-quash-rumours-on-possible-change-in-captaincy/articleshow/93749624.cms

Global accounting and auditing firm PriceWaterHouseCoopers UK (PWC), advising the International Cricket Council (ICC) on the sale of media rights for the next cycle beginning with the India market, are learnt to have quit the process. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/icc-media-rights-audit-firm-pwc-opts-out-of-bid-process-cricket-body-says-they-were-on-board-for-due-diligence/articleshow/93750700.cms

The head of the global cricketers union (FICA) warns the drain of talent from the international game to Twenty20 leagues is a bigger concern than ever and the official 2023-2027 calendar will do nothing to address the issue. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/players-body-flags-talent-drain-from-international-game-to-t20-leagues/articleshow/93750115.cms

After breaking new ground in the Caribbean, New Zealand have little time to rest before heading to Australia for a one-day international series that was repeatedly shelved due to COVID-19. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/caribbean-conquered-new-zealand-turn-focus-to-australia/articleshow/93748749.cms

Stokes kept the dialogue on mental health going as the all-rounder revealed he was still on anxiety medication after returning from a six-month break to focus on his well-being. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/joe-root-praises-ben-stokes-for-being-open-about-mental-health/articleshow/93744399.cms