Pietersen wants Hundred-like tournament to save Test cricket in England

LONDON: A first-class competition modelled on the Hundred can help the English Test side “return to its former glories”, reckons ex-skipper Kevin Pietersen. Pietersen, who won the Ashes in 2005, 2009, 2010-11 and 2013, said the existing County Championship has lost its sheen and is “not fit to serve the Test team” in its current […]

Victory at Centurion testament to India’s all-round performance in Tests, says Virat Kohli

CENTURION: India skipper Virat Kohli says his team will pounce at any opportunity to win a Test match and the win at the Supersport Park against South Africa is a testament to the “all-round side” it has become in the longest format. India wrapped up a memorable 2021 in style by bringing down South Africa’s […]

Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin among four Indians included in Cricket Australia XI of 2021

MELBOURNE: India’s white-ball skipper Rohit Sharma and premier off-spinner R Ashwin were among four players from the country to have featured in the Cricket Australia (CA) XI of the year. Besides Rohit and Ashwin, the other two Indians in the team were swashbuckling keeper-batter Rishabh Pant and left-arm spinner Axar Patel. Rohit has been picked […]

At 29, Quinton de Kock announces retirement from Test cricket

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s star wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock on Thursday announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect, said the country’s apex body, CSA, hours after the team’s defeat in the first Test against India. A former Test captain, De Kock is only 29 and it is believed that he will continue playing in […]

Gary Kirsten interested in coaching England Test side

LONDON: Former India and South Africa coach Gary Kirsten has expressed interest in coaching England’s Test side, saying it would be a “lovely project ” to revive the fortunes of Joe Root and his men. Current head coach Chris Silverwood’s job hangs in balance as England’s Ashes hopes went up in smoke in 12 days […]

ISL 2021-22: Bengaluru win six-goal thriller against Chennaiyin FC

NEW DELHI: Inspired substitutions from Bengaluru FC head coach Marco Pezzaiuoli did the trick as his side ran out 4-2 winners over Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League on Thursday. Mirlan Murzaev’s fourth minute strike gave the hosts the lead before strikes from Cleiton Silva and Alan Costa gave Bengaluru the advantage heading into […]

India vs South Africa, 1st Test: Bumrah, Shami and Siraj bundle out South Africa as India go 1-0 up in Test series

CENTURION: India’s once-in-a-generation pace unit destroyed a listless South Africa with its relentless attack to fashion an emphatic 113-run win in the first Test on Thursday, setting the team on the path towards an elusive series-victory in the Rainbow nation. The 2021 started with India breaching the Fortress Gabba Down Under and it couldn’t have […]

‘He needs to pick better balls’: Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour on Virat Kohli’s form

CENTURION: Virat Kohli shouldn’t give up on expansive drives which has got him loads of runs but he does need to be judicious while choosing the right delivery for the perfect execution, feels Indian team batting coach Vikram Rathour. Kohli getting caught behind by the keeper or in the slip cordon while trying to lunge […]

Pacers performance hallmark of our team getting results in recent years: Kohli

CENTURION: Victorious Indian captain Virat Kohli on Thursday attributed the Test team’s fine results overseas in recent years to his pace attack and rated Mohammed Shami among the best three seamers in the world currently. The formidable India pace unit destroyed a listless South Africa to fashion an emphatic 113-run win in the first Test […]

J&K skier Arif Khan qualifies for 2 events in 2022 Winter Olympics

NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir-based alpine skier Arif Mohammed Khan has become the first Indian athlete to qualify for two different events of the Winter Olympics, set to be held in Beijing from February 4, next year. Khan achieved the rare feat recently by qualifying for his second event — giant slalom — a month […]