SPORTS MANIA

Former captain and batting mainstay Steve Smith started the Australian summer with a bang hitting a record-equaling hundred on the second day of the first Test against West Indies at Perth. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/steve-smith-equals-don-bradmans-29-test-centuries-record/articleshow/95904394.cms

source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/pakistan-vs-england-1st-test-live-cricket-score-commentary-updates/liveblog/95903273.cms

source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/australia-vs-west-indies-1st-test-live-cricket-score-commentary-updates/liveblog/95869644.cms

source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-new-zealand/new-zealand-vs-india-3rd-odi-live-cricket-score-commentary-updates-hagley-oval-christchurch/liveblog/95869102.cms

source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/australia-vs-west-indies-1st-test-live-cricket-score-commentary-updats/liveblog/95869644.cms

Maharashtra batter Ruturaj Gaikwad, who scripted history by hitting seven sixes in an over, recalled the moment a day after as he remembered Yuvraj Singh, at that particular juncture, who hit six sixes in an over against England's Stuart Broad in the 2007 T20 World Cup. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/its-a-great-feeling-to-be-alongside-yuvraj-singh-ruturaj-gaikwad-on-hitting-seven-sixes/articleshow/95863080.cms

BCCI ethics officer Vineet Saran has served a conflict of interest notice to board president Roger Binny. The complainant has alleged that Binny is conflicted as his daughter-in-law works for Star Sports which has home season media rights for Indian cricket. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/bcci-serves-conflict-of-interest-notice-to-its-president-roger-binny/articleshow/95861200.cms

The pace-spin combo of Navdeep Saini and Saurabh Kumar impressed the most as India A grabbed the opening-day honours after a commanding performance against Bangladesh A in the first unofficial Test on Tuesday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/all-round-india-a-take-opening-day-honours-against-bangladesh-a-in-first-unofficial-test/articleshow/95859190.cms

A recharged England, playing swashbuckling cricket under skipper Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, will get their first taste of Pakistan conditions in 17 years when the first Test begins in Rawalpindi on Thursday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/recharged-england-face-pakistan-challenge-in-long-awaited-series/articleshow/95848366.cms

With Australia set to take on West Indies in a home Test series, captain Pat Cummins denied that the players had been distracted by former head coach Justin Langer's inflammatory comments adding there are "no cowards" in the Australia cricket team. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/pat-cummins-denies-justin-langers-cowards-comment-in-australia-team/articleshow/95845916.cms

Riyan Parag smashed a superb 116-ball 174 to help Assam chase down a mammoth target of 351 in 46.1 overs against Jammu & Kashmir in their quarterfinal on Monday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/vijay-hazare-trophy-riyan-parags-blistering-174-powers-assam-into-semis/articleshow/95832409.cms

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who is undergoing rehab after suffering a knee injury during the Asia Cup in September, is set to be ruled out of the Test series in Bangladesh as well, with left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar likely to replace him in the squad, TOI has learnt. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-bangladesh/saurabh-kumar-set-to-replace-unfit-ravindra-jadeja-for-test-series-in-bangladesh/articleshow/95814426.cms

Terming an overdose of advice to be "counter-productive", former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee wants India coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma to shield rising left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh from suggestions from various quarters. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-new-zealand/rahul-dravid-rohit-sharma-must-shield-arshdeep-singh-from-advice-overdose-brett-lee/articleshow/95825882.cms

Finishing with 220 not out in 159 balls, including a jaw-dropping 16 sixes besides 10 fours, Maharashtra batter Gaikwad hit a hapless Shiva Singh of Uttar Pradesh for 6-6-6(no-ball)-6-6-6-6 in the over, which also equalled the List-A world record of 43 runs in an over. Gaikwad's blitzkrieg powered Maharashtra to 330/5 in their 50 overs. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/watch-7-sixes-in-an-over-ruturaj-gaikwad-makes-cricket-history/articleshow/95823350.cms

England coach Brendon McCullum said Rehan Ahmed has a fantastic opportunity to showcase his talent in the three-Test series in Pakistan and has no doubts the 18-year-old has the confidence and ability to overcome the challenges he will face on tour. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/pakistan-vs-england-pakistan-tour-a-terrific-opportunity-for-rehan-ahmed-says-brendon-mccullum/articleshow/95818533.cms

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who is undergoing rehab after suffering a knee injury during the Asia Cup in September, is set to be ruled out of the Test series in Bangladesh as well, with left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar likely to replace him in the squad, TOI has learnt. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/saurabh-kumar-set-to-replace-unfit-ravindra-jadeja-for-test-series-in-bangladesh/articleshow/95814426.cms

Unperturbed by criticism of their conservative approach to batting in the T20 World Cup recently, New Zealand coach Gary Stead on Sunday said there's "still room for pure batsmanship" in the slam-bang format. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-new-zealand/theres-still-room-for-pure-batsmanship-in-t20-cricket-gary-stead/articleshow/95805719.cms

The white ball series between India and New Zealand saw the two matches being abandoned due to rain and the one game ended in a tie on par DLS score. The second ODI of the three-match series was washed out on Sunday in Hamilton after the first T20I in Wellington also had the same destiny. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-new-zealand/shubman-gill-frustrated-as-another-india-new-zealand-match-washed-out/articleshow/95805037.cms

source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/sri-lanka-vs-afghanistan-2nd-odi-live-cricket-score-commentary-updates/liveblog/95802902.cms

The United Arab Emirates will host Afghanistan's 'home' matches over the next five years, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said on Sunday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/uae-to-be-afghanistans-home-for-next-five-years/articleshow/95802384.cms

Former West Indies wicket-keeper David Murray has died at the age of 72, Cricket West Indies (CWI) said in a statement on Saturday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/former-west-indies-wicket-keeper-david-murray-dies-at-72/articleshow/95797197.cms

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir, who captained Kolkata Knight Riders to two Indian Premier League (IPL) trophies in 2012 and 2014, feels that the introduction of the tournament has been the best thing to have ever happened to Indian cricket in the last couple of years. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/ipl-is-the-best-thing-to-happen-to-indian-cricket-gautam-gambhir/articleshow/95791374.cms

Uttar Pradesh took full advantage of an under-strength Mumbai side as they romped home by eight wickets in a lopsided pre-quarterfinal match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Saturday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/up-thrash-depleted-mumbai-by-8-wickets-to-reach-vijay-hazare-quarterfinals/articleshow/95790662.cms

India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket series since 2012 due to ever present political tensions between the south Asian neighbours. The arch-rivals have played each other only in the World Cups and Asia Cups and India have not toured Pakistan since 2008. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/we-will-adopt-aggressive-approach-ramiz-raja-on-india-boycotting-asia-cup-in-pakistan/articleshow/95790331.cms

The Adelaide Strikers claimed the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) title on Saturday with a 10-run win over the Sydney Sixers at the North Sydney Oval. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/adelaide-strikers-win-first-wbbl-title/articleshow/95787000.cms

India would expect a better approach from skipper Shikhar Dhawan and young Shubman Gill in the Powerplay overs when the team clashes with New Zealand in the do-or-die second one-day international in Hamilton on Sunday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-new-zealand/india-vs-new-zealand-2nd-odi-indian-batting-needs-fresh-approach-to-save-series/articleshow/95783176.cms

In partnership with Sri Lanka Cricket, the first edition of the T10 League in the island nation has already been announced and will be held in June. The organisers are confident of staging one in Zimbabwe in March and two more in Europe and North America in the near future. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/t10-league-plans-expansion-to-five-locations-after-thumbs-up-from-two-icc-full-members/articleshow/95781714.cms

India captain Shikhar Dhawan admitted that his bowlers were too short and failed to execute their plans against an attacking batter like Tom Latham, who made a mockery of the Indian bowling line-up and registered his career-best ODI score on Friday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-new-zealand/bowlers-fail-to-execute-their-plans-admits-india-skipper-shikhar-dhawan/articleshow/95766488.cms

Star all-rounder Moeen Ali sees nothing wrong in rival teams trying to "copy" the much-talked-about England template in white-ball cricket following their resounding success in global events. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/in-90s-rival-teams-wanted-to-copy-australia-now-its-us-moeen-ali/articleshow/95764373.cms

Tom Latham made a mockery of a challenging total at Auckland's Eden Park on Friday, when, chasing India's 306/7, the left-handed batter struck 145 not out off just 104 balls to deflate India's bowling attack that at one point was inspired by debutant Umran Malik's two-wicket burst, but it didn't prove enough. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-new-zealand/india-vs-new-zealand-highlights-1st-odi-tom-latham-kane-williamson-deflate-india-with-massive-win/articleshow/95762710.cms

source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/sri-lanka-vs-afghanistan-1st-odi-live-cricket-score-commentary-updates/liveblog/95761057.cms

Fast bowler Jofra Archer said he was "fully back" from his long injury lay-off after marking his return to an England shirt by bowling for the Lions in a three-day match against the test side in the United Arab Emirates. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/englands-jofra-archer-fully-back-from-long-injury-layoff/articleshow/95759418.cms

Former Australia head coach Justin Langer has denied reports of a rift with captain Pat Cummins and his team, saying he remains in regular communication with the majority of the players and "can't wait" to catch up with them. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/utter-rubbish-justin-langer-rejects-reports-of-rift-with-australia-players/articleshow/95757044.cms

Star allrounder Shakib Al Hasan is available for Bangladesh's three-match one-day international series against touring India starting next week. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-bangladesh/return-of-shakib-al-hasan-bolsters-bangladesh-for-india/articleshow/95746122.cms

South Africa's hard-hitting batter David Miller is a big admirer of Hardik Pandya’s captaincy and is full of praise for the Indian all-rounder. The southpaw feels that Pandya can turn the Indian T20 team into a fearless group of players with his exemplary clarity of mind and work ethic. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-new-zealand/hardik-pandya-is-a-natural-leader-allows-you-to-play-the-way-you-feel-like-david-miller/articleshow/95741037.cms

After winning the T20I series 1-0, Team India are gearing up to take on New Zealand in a 3 match ODI series. Shikhar Dhawan is the India captain for the series, with Rishabh Pant as his deputy. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-new-zealand/india-vs-new-zealand-1st-odi-head-to-head-playing-xi-prediction-pitch-conditions-weather-forecast-and-more/articleshow/95738945.cms

Copping a lot of flak for its archaic approach in T20Is, the Indian cricket team is expected to turn a new leaf in a different format as it takes on New Zealand in a three-match ODI series, which will mark the start of preparations for next year's World Cup. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-new-zealand/india-vs-new-zealand-eye-on-2023-world-cup-india-start-50-over-auditions-under-temporary-leader-shikhar-dhawan/articleshow/95735353.cms

Dhawan, who usually leads the India ODI team in the absence of Rohit Sharma, was named captain for the three-match ODI tour of Zimbabwe in August this year but later was demoted by the former national selection committee once KL Rahul was declared fit and available. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-new-zealand/not-hurt-that-captaincy-was-taken-away-from-me-for-zimbabwe-tour-says-shikhar-dhawan/articleshow/95736365.cms

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson says increasing volume of cricket could be a reason for low attendance during the recent England-Australia series and going forward, bilateral series would require "more context" for attracting fans to the stadiums. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-new-zealand/india-vs-new-zealand-bilateral-series-require-more-context-says-kane-williamson/articleshow/95735340.cms

Teenage leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed could become England's youngest men's Test cricketer after being added to the squad on Wednesday for the three-match tour of Pakistan starting next week. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/teen-spinner-rehan-ahmed-set-to-make-history-for-england-in-pakistan/articleshow/95729306.cms

Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is unlikely to regain full fitness ahead of the Bangladesh Test series, starting December 14 in Chittagong, according to BCCI sources. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-bangladesh/jadeja-unlikely-to-get-fit-for-bangladesh-tests-will-new-committee-induct-surya-as-extra-batter/articleshow/95695789.cms

Star India batter Suryakumar Yadav retained his top spot while all-rounder Hardik Pandya reached joint-50th position in the latest ICC men's T20I batting rankings released on Wednesday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/icc-t20i-rankings-suryakumar-yadav-continues-to-stay-at-top/articleshow/95711396.cms

Bangladesh's cricket board has moved a one-day international against India next month from Dhaka after the country's opposition announced plans for a protest that could paralyse the capital the same day. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/bangladesh-move-india-match-from-dhaka-after-protest-threat/articleshow/95709296.cms

Dithering and indecision is a thing of past for Shikhar Dhawan, who as the leader of the pack does not hesitate in taking decisions which individuals may despise but are beneficial for the Indian team. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-new-zealand/india-vs-new-zealand-i-have-matured-as-leader-can-take-tough-decisions-says-shikhar-dhawan/articleshow/95707327.cms

England white-ball captain Jos Buttler is unfazed by their 3-0 whitewash in Australia and has urged the administrators to make sure bilateral cricket remains relevant. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/jos-buttler-unfazed-by-odi-whitewash-in-australia/articleshow/95706387.cms

Former Australia coach Justin Langer has reopened old wounds over his acrimonious resignation, lashing out at unnamed "cowards" in the team who complained in the media about his intense coaching style. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/justin-langer-tears-into-cowards-on-australia-team/articleshow/95703543.cms

Australia, fuelled by hundreds from Travis Head and David Warner, crushed England by 221 runs in the third one-day international to sweep the series in front of largely empty stands at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Tuesday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/3rd-odi-travis-head-david-warner-hundreds-help-australia-whitewash-england/articleshow/95689920.cms

The third and final rain-hit Twenty20 International (T20I) at McLean Park in Napier ended in a tie via the Duckworth-Lewis method as India clinched the three-match series 1-0. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-new-zealand/india-vs-new-zealand-3rd-t20i-how-india-escaped-with-a-tied-result-to-win-series/articleshow/95686374.cms

Bed-ridden after a freak accident, star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell feels he is unlikely to recover in time for the Australian team's tour of India next year and picking him could be a "big risk". source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/theres-a-high-chance-that-i-wont-make-it-glenn-maxwell-on-india-tour/articleshow/95681954.cms

With Meg Lanning still unavailable, Cricket Australia on Tuesday named seasoned wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy captain of a 15-member Australian women's team for the upcoming five-match T20 series against India. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/alyssa-healy-named-australia-captain-for-india-tour/articleshow/95677329.cms