SPORTS MANIA

Former England batsman Gary Ballance is set to make his Test debut for Zimbabwe on Saturday after being selected for the two-match series against West Indies in Bulawayo. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/gary-ballance-set-for-zimbabwe-test-debut-against-windies/articleshow/97516036.cms

Hosts South Africa have dropped regular captain Dane van Niekerk from their Women's Twenty20 World Cup squad after the all-rounder failed to meet fitness requirements. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/icc-womens-t20-world-cup/south-africa-axe-captain-dane-van-niekerk-from-womens-t20-world-cup-squad/articleshow/97513412.cms

England all-rounder Sam Curran has been fined 15 percent of his match fee and handed a demerit point for "excessively celebrating" his dismissal of South African captain Temba Bavuma in the second one-day international on Sunday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/sam-curran-fined-for-excessive-celebration-of-temba-bavuma-dismissal/articleshow/97509314.cms

India all-rounder Deepti Sharma has climbed to second spot and has the top position -- currently occupied by England's Sophie Ecclestone -- in her sights in the latest ICC T20I bowling rankings announced on Tuesday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/deepti-sharma-climbs-to-second-spot-closes-in-on-sophie-ecclestone-as-top-t20i-bowler/articleshow/97488017.cms

Former Australia captain Steve Smith, whose side had lost the series 1-2 when it toured India in 2017, indicated a lot of thinking had gone into the decision of not playing tour games on "irrelevant" Indian pitches ahead of the four-Test Border-Gavaskar series. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/australia-in-india/weve-made-the-right-decision-to-not-play-a-tour-match-in-india-steve-smith/articleshow/97486067.cms

It would be interesting to see if head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Hardik Pandya will give in to the clamour of including Prithvi Shaw in the playing XI in the series-deciding third T20 International against New Zealand in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-in-india/india-vs-new-zealand-3rd-t20i-with-series-on-the-line-will-team-india-play-prithvi-shaw/articleshow/97482082.cms

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar will join the officer-bearers of the BCCI in felicitating India’s Under-19 Women’s World Cup-winning team, just before the third T20 between India and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday night. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/sachin-tendulkar-bcci-to-felicitate-victorious-india-u-19-womens-team/articleshow/97456241.cms

Legendary Australian wicket-keeper Ian Healy has taken a potshot at India, saying the idea behind Pat Cummins' side not playing a tour game in the subcontinent ahead of the Test series is because "we no longer trust" the facilities provided by the host nation. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/australia-in-india/dont-like-home-sides-denying-touring-teams-quality-preparation-ian-healy-ahead-of-india-tour/articleshow/97473835.cms

Australia opener David Warner has expressed concern for the future of Test cricket, with emerging players focusing on "short term" interests as lucrative T20 leagues proliferate globally. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/david-warner-fears-for-future-of-test-cricket/articleshow/97471915.cms

Titas Sadhu had received her first player-of-the-match award from Jhulan Goswami. She was so overawed by the legendary cricketer's presence that she was left tongue-tied that day. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/u-19-t20-world-cup-a-cricketer-by-chance-titas-sadhus-journey-begins-now/articleshow/97470630.cms

All-rounder Cameron Green has not been ruled out of facing India in the first of four Tests next month despite his finger injury, Australia coach Andrew McDonald said on Monday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/australia-in-india/cameron-green-still-in-the-frame-for-india-opener/articleshow/97437701.cms

Having led India to title triumph in the U-19 T20 World Cup in Potchefstroom on Sunday, Shafali Verma now wants to win the T20 World Cup title with the senior team too. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/not-content-with-u-19-t20-world-cup-triumph-shafali-verma-sets-sights-on-senior-t20-world-cup/articleshow/97436551.cms

Shafali Verma and her team of courageous cricketers made history on Sunday by winning the inaugural edition of the Women's u-19 World Cup. They steamrolled England by 7 wickets after dismissing the English for a paltry 68 runs. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/womens-u-19-world-cup-the-top-individual-performers/articleshow/97434089.cms

Parshavi Chopra, the 16-year-old right-handed batter and bowling all-rounder of the Indian Under-19 women's cricket team, whose three-wicket haul against New Zealand restricted the Kiwis' run score to 107, allowing India an easy target and a clear road to the finals of the ICC Women's U-19 T20 World Cup on Friday source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/bulandshahr-girl-whose-3-wicket-haul-led-india-into-world-cup-finals-big-shane-warne-fan/city/meerut/bulandshahr-girl-whose-3-wicket-haul-led-india-into-world-cup-finals-big-shane-warne-fan/articleshow/97408862.cms

source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-in-india/india-vs-new-zealand-second-twenty-20-live-updates-ekana-cricket-stadium/liveblog/97419094.cms

source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-england-womens-u19-t20-world-cup-live-cricket-score-updates/liveblog/97417375.cms

source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/south-africa-vs-england-second-odi-live-updates-mangaung-oval/liveblog/97414994.cms

Inspired by England's daredevilry in Pakistan, Australian batter Travis Head will shun his conservative approach on spinning pitches and enter the Test series against India with an aim to dominate the opposition bowling attack. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/australia-in-india/ind-vs-aus-inspired-by-england-travis-head-aims-to-attack-india/articleshow/97414095.cms

India take on New Zealand in a must win T20I match later today in Lucknow. The Men in Blue were stunned by the Black Caps by 21 runs in the first match in Ranchi. Ahead of the second T20I, TimesofIndia.com here takes a look at some interesting stats and trivia for India vs New Zealand in T20Is. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-in-india/in-12-points-india-vs-new-zealand-interesting-t20i-stats-and-trivia/articleshow/97412661.cms

Years after elder daughter Swati quit cricket to focus on academics, Shweta is now just a step away from becoming an U-19 World Cup winner. She is the star batter of the team which will clash with England in the final on Sunday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/shweta-sehrawat-from-playing-with-boys-as-a-kid-to-under-19-world-cup-cricket-star/articleshow/97410301.cms

Ahead of Australia's Test and ODI tour of India, former spinner Steve O'Keefe has raised the pitch for separate coaches for different formats, saying that it would help reduce the pressure on one individual. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/australia-in-india/australia-should-have-separate-coaches-for-test-and-white-ball-like-england-okeefe/articleshow/97400217.cms

New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell believes stand-in T20 captain Mitchell Santner is currently one of the best spinners in white-ball cricket after the left-arm tweaker's impressive outing against India in the series opener. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-in-india/santner-currently-best-spinner-in-white-ball-cricket-lucky-to-have-him-daryl-mitchell/articleshow/97398315.cms

India will have to raise their game a few notches as the Hardik Pandya-led side faces a must-win situation to level the three-match T20I series against New Zealand on Sunday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-in-india/2nd-t20i-india-aim-to-keep-series-alive-against-new-zealand/articleshow/97396601.cms

India cricketer Washington Sundar termed their defeat to New Zealand in the first T20I as a "one-off" defeat. The star allrounder also backed the Men in Blue to bounce back in the series. The second T20I will be played at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, in Lucknow, on Sunday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-in-india/india-vs-new-zealand-it-was-just-one-off-game-says-washington-sundar/articleshow/97393033.cms

Ajinkya Rahane, who led India to a sensational Test series win against Australia in 2020-21 , wants all Ranji Trophy matches to be played over five days. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/ranji-trophy-matches-should-be-played-over-five-days-ajinkya-rahane/articleshow/97391438.cms

England opener Jason Roy smashed his way back into form with 113 from 91 balls but the tourists lost from a commanding position as South Africa claimed victory by 27 runs in the first One-Day International at Manguang Oval in Bloemfontein on Friday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/1st-odi-rassie-van-der-dussen-hits-ton-as-south-africa-beat-england-by-27-runs/articleshow/97390422.cms

India suffered a 21-run loss in the first T20I at the hands of New Zealand at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. India captain Hardik Pandya said they were left "surprised" by the grip and turn the pitch offered but admitted the team paid the price for allowing New Zealand to walk away with too many runs. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-in-india/india-vs-new-zealand-the-wicket-surprised-us-says-hardik-pandya/articleshow/97389687.cms

The first T20I between India and New Zealand witnessed a sensational effort from bowler Washington Sundar that left the crowds and players stunned in Ranchi on Friday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-in-india/watch-washington-sundars-one-handed-blinder-in-his-follow-through/articleshow/97380705.cms

India batter Prithvi Shaw, who had last played for India in an international match in a T20I against Sri Lanka in July 2021, termed his recall to the national side as an unexpected one since the current players are doing exceptionally well. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-in-india/didnt-expect-recall-prithvi-shaw-on-return-to-indian-team/articleshow/97377330.cms

In a significant first for world cricket, the ICC on Friday named an all-female panel of match officials, including the Indian trio of GS Lakshmi, Vrinda Rathi and Janani Narayanan, for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/icc-announces-all-female-panel-of-match-officials-for-womens-t20-world-cup/articleshow/97373307.cms

On the face of it, it is just another ILT20 game, Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates, but Friday night’s contest at the Dubai International Stadium could be a first of its kind on a cricket field with many more to come in the future. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/ambani-vs-adani-on-the-cricket-field-gulf-giants-take-on-mi-emirates-tonight-in-ilt20/articleshow/97367602.cms

After wrapping up yet another ODI series win at home, Team India will now go toe to toe with the visiting Kiwis in a 3 match T20I series. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-in-india/india-vs-new-zealand-1st-t20i-predicted-playing-xis-big-talking-points-head-to-head-weather-report-when-and-where-to-watch-full-squads-and-venue-details/articleshow/97366377.cms

A three-match T20 International series ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the big-ticket ICC event, the 50-over World Cup later in the year, feels much like a shy person going to a rave party – without much to look forward to. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-in-india/india-vs-new-zealand-1st-t20i-young-guns-have-chance-to-fire-and-shine/articleshow/97362752.cms

Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni gave Team India players a pleasant surprise on Friday as he visited the team's dressing room ahead of the first T20I against New Zealand in Ranchi. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-in-india/watch-ms-dhoni-visits-team-india-dressing-room-in-ranchi-ahead-of-1st-t20i-against-nz/articleshow/97353615.cms

It was double delight for Pakistan skipper Babar Azam as he was picked for both the 'ODI Cricketer of the Year' and the 'Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Men's Cricketer of 2022' on Thursday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/double-delight-for-pakistan-skipper-babar-azam-in-icc-awards/articleshow/97349144.cms

South Africa great AB de Villiers feels it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep players "inspired" for all three formats amid the punishing schedule, creating a pressing need for cricket boards and cricketers to have an honest communication over the latter's preferred choice of formats. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/its-global-cricketing-issue-to-keep-players-inspired-for-all-three-formats-ab-de-villiers/articleshow/97347768.cms

Former New Zealand cricketer Craig Cumming is unhappy with head coach Gary Stead's persistence with opener Finn Allen, who failed with the bat in the recently-concluded three-match ODI series against India. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-in-india/finn-allen-experiment-is-failing-look-at-the-way-rohit-sharma-plays-former-kiwi-opener-cumming/articleshow/97346151.cms

India are set for a T20 appetiser ahead of their marquee Test series against Australia when they face the touring New Zealand in a three-match series beginning on Friday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-in-india/india-brace-for-t20-appetiser-against-new-zealand-ahead-of-marquee-australia-test-series/articleshow/97344765.cms

MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya's camaraderie, both on and off the field, is no secret. On Thursday, Pandya, who credits Dhoni for instilling a sense of composure in him in tense finishes, shared a photo with the India legend on an old bike with a sidecar. Pandya took to Twitter, posted the photo, and captioned it "Sholay 2 coming soon". source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/off-the-field/ms-dhoni-and-hardik-pandya-turn-jai-viru-sholay-2-coming-soon/articleshow/97339125.cms

Read more on TOI Sports source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/web-stories/top-10-rohit-sharmas-best-knocks-as-an-odi-opener/photostory/97309926.cms

England's dominant run in limited overs cricket in recent years is no secret. They are the defending ODI World champions as well as the defending World champions in the T20I format, after winning the last edition in Australia to become just the second team after the West Indies to win the T20 World Cup title twice. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/joe-root-ben-stokes-odi-world-cup-2023-england-cricket-steve-smith-kane-williamson-team-india/articleshow/97307243.cms

India pacer Mohammed Siraj on Wednesday became number one in the ICC rankings for ODI bowlers, a testament to his rapid rise in international cricket. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-in-india/mohammed-siraj-becomes-world-number-one-odi-bowler/articleshow/97305384.cms

Australia batter Matt Renshaw has conceded that spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will be one of the toughest bowlers to face in the four-Test series in India beginning February 9. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/australia-in-india/ashwin-will-be-one-of-the-toughest-challenges-during-india-series-renshaw/articleshow/97299622.cms

Opener Devon Conway is delighted to have added the sweep and reverse sweep to his repertoire on New Zealand's ongoing tour of the sub-continent with the ODI World Cup scheduled in India later this year. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-in-india/devon-conway-happy-to-have-developed-spin-game-ahead-of-odi-world-cup/articleshow/97299288.cms

The only complaint that you can have with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, who represent the bright present and future of Indian cricket, after the third ODI against New Zealand at the Holkar Stadium on Tuesday is that they couldn't carry on after their sparkling centuries. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-in-india/rohit-sharma-and-shubman-gill-india-revel-in-new-opening-pair/articleshow/97296712.cms

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke cannot fathom why Pat Cummins' side is not playing practice or tour games ahead of the Border-Gavaskar series, beginning in India on February 9. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/australia-in-india/dont-understand-why-australia-is-not-playing-a-tour-game-in-india-michael-clarke/articleshow/97273859.cms

source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-in-india/india-vs-new-zealand-third-odi-live-updates/liveblog/97271306.cms

Axed from Mumbai’s senior team for the last league match after playing three Ranji Trophy games this season, Musheer Khan has responded in roaring fashion. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/musheer-khan-replies-to-snub-with-339/articleshow/97269344.cms

Five months after suffering a ligament tear in his right knee during the Asia Cup, India allrounder Ravindra Jadeja will return to competitive cricket with Saurashtra’s Ranji Trophy game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday. How his body holds up in this match against Tamil Nadu could determine his role in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting February 9 in Nagpur. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/australia-in-india/ranji-trophy-test-for-ravindra-jadeja-ahead-of-australia-series/articleshow/97267107.cms

Pakistan's former batter Haroon Rasheed has been appointed as the chief selector of the national selection committee. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/haroon-rasheed-appointed-chief-selector-of-pakistan-cricket/articleshow/97253349.cms