Monday, May 04
Leg-spinner KC Cariappa has announced his retirement from BCCI cricket at 31. After a memorable IPL debut for KKR where he dismissed AB de Villiers, Cariappa played 11 IPL matches. He also had a productive domestic career representing Mizoram, taking 75 first-class wickets.
Virat Kohli's masterful 93 guided India to a four-wicket victory, chasing 301 in the first ODI. His seventh consecutive fifty-plus score highlights remarkable consistency. Ravichandran Ashwin lauded Kohli's liberated approach, attributing it to enjoying the game. Shreyas Iyer also impressed on his comeback with a crucial 49, showcasing his ODI reliability.
Bangladesh's sports advisor claimed the nation would boycott the 2026 T20 World Cup in India, citing security concerns and an alleged ICC assessment. However, the ICC has firmly refuted these claims, stating their independent risk assessments found no specific threats and did not recommend squad changes or election postponements. Bangladesh's matches remain scheduled in India.
India achieved a historic four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first ODI, successfully chasing down a target of 301. This win marked their 20th successful pursuit of 300-plus totals in ODIs, a world record. Virat Kohli's 93 anchored the chase, with crucial late contributions from Harshit Rana and KL Rahul sealing the win.
Chasing a target of 255, Karnataka were 187 for 1 in 33 overs when rain stopped play at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1 in Bengaluru. At that stage, the VJD par score was 132, with Karnataka well ahead. Devdutt Padikkal was unbeaten on 81 off 95 balls, while Karun Nair was not out on 74 from 80 deliveries.
KL Rahul revealed the significant challenge of managing India's run chase when Washington Sundar was unable to run effectively due to a back issue. Rahul had to balance aggression with caution, focusing on strike rotation and preventing dot balls to secure the win. His composure and strategic management proved crucial in the tense finish.
India faces a significant setback as all-rounder Washington Sundar is ruled out of the remaining ODIs against New Zealand due to a side strain. This injury casts doubt on his availability for the upcoming T20 series, adding to team concerns ahead of the T20 World Cup. The BCCI is expected to announce his replacement shortly.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes' X account was hacked post-FA Cup defeat, posting bizarre, taunting messages about the club's struggles and even resurfacing Liverpool's 7-0 win. The hacker also tagged various personalities and entities. United confirmed the breach, warning fans not to engage, as the incident highlights athletes' online vulnerabilities.
