Sunday, May 03
Ravichandran Ashwin expressed concern over Kuldeep Yadav's confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup following a challenging ODI series against New Zealand. Ashwin urged Kuldeep to experiment more against in-form batters like Daryl Mitchell, who exploited the spinner's predictability. He also suggested both Indian spinners need to expand their game creatively.
India’s badminton star Saina Nehwal has confirmed her retirement, revealing a chronic knee condition and arthritis left her unable to meet elite demands. The 2012 Olympic bronze medallist last played in 2023 and said she stepped away quietly on her own terms. Persistent knee degeneration, worsened since a Rio 2016 injury, ultimately ended her career.
Virat Kohli's magnificent 124 in the series decider against New Zealand, though in a losing effort, cemented his legendary status. This 54th ODI century, his seventh against the Kiwis, saw him rewrite multiple records, including most international hundreds against them and highest runs at No.3 in ODIs. Despite India's loss, Kohli's consistent brilliance shone through.
India's bowlers struggled against New Zealand's centurions, with Kuldeep Yadav's poor form a major concern ahead of the T20 World Cup. Despite past brilliance, Yadav's recent performances have been concerning, raising questions about his current rhythm and effectiveness as the team prepares for the upcoming tournament.
Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja faced an awkward moment during the toss of a BPL 2025–26 match when his call to “make some noise” was met with near silence. The clip went viral on social media, drawing mixed reactions. While some mocked the moment, others defended Raja, citing poor acoustics or early crowd turnout. Raja quickly moved on and continues as a prominent voice in the league.
The ICC is confident that all T20 World Cup visas for Pakistani origin players, staff, and officials will be secured on time. Despite some recent delays, including for England's spinners, the global body is actively working with Indian missions. Visas for several nations are already processed, with others scheduled soon, aiming for all clearances by January 31.
South Africa comprehensively dominated the West Indies in the 1998-99 Test series, securing a 5-0 whitewash. The final Test saw South Africa win by 351 runs, leading to the entire Proteas team being named Player of the Match in a rare decision.
