Cricket

Former South African captain Dane van Niekerk is set to make a highly anticipated return to professional cricket this summer after signing for provincial side Western Province. The 30-year-old all-rounder has been sidelined since August 2022 due to a thumb injury.Van Niekerk's return to the field marks a significant milestone in her career, as she aims to regain her place in the South African national team. However, she has emphasized that her immediate focus is on enjoying the game and regaining her form."My No.1 priority is to play again," van Niekerk said. "I have no expectations other than that. What will be, will be. I miss representing my country and playing at the highest level. It has nothing to do with anything other than that."Van Niekerk's absence from the international stage has been a major loss for South Africa. She is one of the most experienced and successful players in the country's history, having captained the team to numerous victories.Her return to domestic cricket will provide a much-needed boost to Western Province, who will be hoping to challenge for the provincial title. Van Niekerk's all-round abilities will be a valuable asset to the team, as she can contribute with both bat and ball.While van Niekerk's long-term goal is to return to international cricket, she is not setting any specific timelines. She is simply focused on playing as much as possible and regaining her confidence."I have no timeline," van Niekerk said. "I just want to play again and have fun. I'm not putting any pressure on myself. I just want to enjoy the game and see where it takes me."Van Niekerk's return to cricket is a testament to her resilience and determination. She has overcome numerous challenges in her career, including injuries and personal setbacks. Her return to the field is a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and perseverance.

Spectator's Unprecedented Act: Refusing to Return Match Ball in Tamil Nadu Premier LeagueIn a bizarre incident that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, a spectator at the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) match between Chepauk Super Gillies and Siechem Madurai Panthers refused to return a match ball that had landed outside the stadium.The incident occurred during the match held at the NPR College Ground in Dindigul on Sunday. A Siechem Madurai Panthers pacer bowled a delivery that was dispatched over the mid-wicket fence by a Chepauk Super Gillies batter. The ball soared out of the stadium, landing in the hands of a local man wearing a lungi and T-shirt.To the astonishment of everyone present, the man refused to throw the ball back into the ground. Instead, he expressed his anger towards the players, as if to say that he had had enough of the ball coming to him. He then nonchalantly walked away with the ball, still shouting angrily towards the ground.The incident was captured on camera by Star Sports Tamil and has since gone viral on social media. The footage shows the man later relaxing on a 'charpoy' as if nothing had happened.The match continued without the ball, and Siechem Madurai Panthers eventually emerged victorious by 9 runs. However, the incident has raised questions about the safety and security of players and spectators at sporting events.It is unclear why the man refused to return the ball. Some speculate that he may have been frustrated by the constant interruptions caused by balls landing outside the stadium. Others suggest that he may have been trying to make a statement about the lack of facilities at the ground.Whatever the reason, the man's actions have been widely condemned by the cricketing community. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar called the incident "unacceptable" and said that it "brought shame to the game."The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) has launched an investigation into the incident and has promised to take appropriate action against the man. The association has also appealed to spectators to cooperate with players and officials to ensure the smooth running of matches.

Cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has garnered support from legendary Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid. During a panel discussion, Dravid expressed his enthusiasm for the sport's Olympic debut, stating that players are already discussing the opportunity to compete for a gold medal.Dravid believes that the Olympics provide a unique platform for athletes to showcase their skills and experience the camaraderie of the Games Village. He anticipates that teams will prioritize preparation and competition for the cricket tournament, recognizing its significance."People are going to want to win that gold medal, stand on the podium, and be a part of the Games Village, a great sporting event, and interact with so many athletes," Dravid said. "As you get closer, I have no doubt that teams will be preparing and checking out facilities. They will take this seriously, and players will fight tooth and nail to be out there."ICC CEO Geoff Allardice echoed Dravid's sentiments, predicting that cricket will be a major attraction at the LA Olympics. He emphasized the global appeal of the sport and the excitement it will generate among fans."It's quite surreal to be here in Paris, seeing the energy around sport and how it's getting together. Cricket is starting to dawn on the global sporting community," Allardice said. "I think cricket will be one of the star attractions in Los Angeles...when you see global stars of big sports around the world competing in one city at a time."Dravid expressed his hope that India would emerge victorious in both the men's and women's cricket competitions at the LA Games. He also joked about his desire to be involved in the event in some capacity, even if it meant securing a media job.The men's and women's cricket tournaments will run concurrently at the LA Olympics, offering fans the opportunity to witness the world's best players compete for Olympic glory.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has announced that India will host the Men's Asia Cup in 2025, marking the return of the tournament to the T20 format. The 2023 edition, hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, was played in the 50-overs format.The 2025 Men's Asia Cup will feature six teams: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and a sixth team to be determined through a qualifying event. The tournament will consist of 13 matches, with the top two teams advancing to the final.The 2027 edition of the Men's Asia Cup will switch to the ODI format and will be hosted by Bangladesh. Both the 2025 and 2027 tournaments will include six teams, with 13 matches per edition.The next edition of the Women's Asia Cup (15 matches) will also be played in the T20 format and is scheduled for 2026. The 2024 Women's Asia Cup concluded in Dambulla on Sunday, with Sri Lanka winning their maiden title by stunning India in the final.In addition to the Men's and Women's Asia Cups, the ACC will also host four editions of the Under-19 Men's Asia Cup during this period, with each edition staging 15 matches.The ACC has also invited interested parties to submit their Expressions of Interest (IEOI) for ACC Sponsorship Rights for the period from 2024 to 2027. The document mentions that the details of the tournaments, including schedules, dates, years, formats, and venues, are tentative and may be subject to change at the discretion of the ACC.Meanwhile, the Indian Cricket Association (ICA) has decided to provide a one-time benefit to 26 former First-Class cricketers who are its members. These cricketers, who have played between 10-24 First-Class matches, are aged more than 70 and are not receiving any gratis from the BCCI or their state association.The ICA is also providing Group Health Insurance (Rs 2.5 lakhs) for its members who have played less than 10 First-Class matches and are not covered by BCCI medical reimbursement.

India's cricket team, led by captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli, will commence training on Monday in Colombo for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, which begins on August 2. The Indian contingent, including Rohit, Kohli, and newcomer Harshit Rana, arrived in Colombo on Sunday after the T20I team, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, played the final T20I in Pallekele on Tuesday.Rohit, Kohli, and Kuldeep Yadav will return to action after nearly a month since their pivotal roles in India's triumph at the T20 World Cup held in the Americas, marking India's second victory in the tournament. The ODI series against Sri Lanka will also witness the return of Shreyas Iyer to the national squad, who last played a limited-overs match for India against South Africa in December 2023.Joining the team is Delhi all-rounder Harshit Rana, who was part of the IPL-winning Kolkata Knight Riders squad earlier this year. The players will train under the supervision of India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar in Colombo, as per a PTI report.The three ODIs will be held at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The first match is scheduled for August 2, followed by the second and third matches on August 4 and 7, respectively.

India's triumph at the T20 World Cup in Barbados on June 29, 2024, marked a historic moment for the nation. One month later, the euphoria surrounding the victory continues to reverberate online, as fans celebrate the team's remarkable achievement.In the thrilling final against South Africa, India's batting duo of Virat Kohli (76 off 59) and Axar Patel (47 off 31) set the stage with a formidable total of 176 for 7. South Africa's chase seemed promising, with Heinrich Klaasen's blistering half-century bringing them within striking distance.However, Hardik Pandya's inspiring second spell proved decisive. He dismissed Klaasen (52 off 27) and David Miller (21 off 17), turning the tide in India's favor. Suryakumar Yadav's incredible catch at the boundary further cemented India's dominance.Pandya's three wickets, along with Jasprit Bumrah's (2 for 18) and Arshdeep Singh's (2 for 20) contributions, kept the pressure on South Africa in the dying stages. India's victory marked the end of an 11-year wait for an ICC title since the Champions Trophy in 2013. It also brought to a close Rahul Dravid's tenure as head coach, with Gautam Gambhir taking over the reins.The victory parade in Mumbai was a testament to the team's popularity, with lakhs of fans lining the streets to celebrate. The felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium capped off a memorable day for the champions.One month after the historic win, the joy among Indian fans remains palpable. Social media platforms are abuzz with posts expressing gratitude and admiration for the team's performance. The victory has not only brought glory to India but has also inspired a new generation of cricket enthusiasts.

In the eighth season of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), Siechem Madurai Panthers emerged victorious over Chepauk Super Gillies by a margin of nine runs at the N.P.R. College cricket ground. The Panthers' triumph denied the Gillies a chance to finish second on the points table and qualify for the playoffs.Lokeshwar, the Panthers' opener, set the tone for the match with a blistering 55 runs off 40 deliveries, including two fours and five sixes. His aggressive batting in the PowerPlay overs, particularly against left-arm spinner Rahil Shah, proved crucial.J. Kousik, batting at number four, played a vital role in the Panthers' innings, scoring an unbeaten 43 runs off 24 balls. His two sixes in the penultimate over helped boost the team's total to 191 for four.In response, Chepauk Super Gillies' Pradosh Ranjan Paul kept his team in the hunt with a well-paced 52 runs off 37 deliveries. He was involved in a 78-run third-wicket partnership with opener D. Santhosh Kumar (48).However, the Panthers' bowlers tightened their grip in the latter stages of the chase. Two wickets fell in three balls, with Arun Karthick being dismissed leg before and Nidhish Rajagopal being caught at cover.R. Ashwin, the former India off-spinner, played a key role in the Panthers' victory, claiming two wickets for 23 runs. His dismissal of Rithik Easwaran with a quicker delivery proved to be a turning point.In the second match of the day, Shivam Singh's 59-ball 70 helped Dindigul Dragons post 136 runs. Nellai Royal Kings, in pursuit of the target, were led by Arun Karthick's 45 runs and G. Ajitesh's unbeaten 43.However, the Dragons' spinners, led by P. Vignesh and R. Ashwin, pegged Nellai back. Vignesh dismissed Arun Karthick leg before, while Ashwin claimed two wickets, including that of Ajitesh.Nellai Royal Kings eventually fell short by four wickets, with Varun Chakaravarthy claiming two wickets for 15 runs. The loss also ended Dindigul Dragons' hopes of finishing second on the points table and qualifying for the playoffs.

India, under the leadership of coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav, is poised to complete a series whitewash against Sri Lanka in the third and final T20I on Tuesday. Having secured the series with dominant victories in the first two games, India remains determined to maintain their momentum.In the second T20I, India cruised to a seven-wicket victory in a rain-shortened match, thwarting Sri Lanka's attempts to recover. Throughout the series, Sri Lanka's struggles have been evident, particularly with their batting collapses in the middle overs. Despite promising starts, the hosts have faltered under pressure and failed to maintain momentum against India's formidable side.Team India has displayed their superiority, with Suryakumar Yadav leading effectively both in strategy and performance. He has made impactful bowling changes and contributed significantly with the bat, scoring 58 and 26 in the previous matches. India's aggressive approach from the start has been fruitful, including a formidable 200-plus score in the opener and a slight tweak in the batting order in the second game, leading to a seven-wicket win and sealing the series.Vice-captain and opener Shubman Gill, who missed the second game due to a stiff neck, remains a key player to watch. Sanju Samson, his replacement, had an unfortunate outing with a golden duck, but India will be seeking improved performances from the experienced batter.Yashasvi Jaiswal has been a standout performer, scoring 70 runs in two matches and posing a significant threat to Sri Lankan bowlers. For Sri Lanka, Pathum Nissanka, with 111 runs, and Kusal Perera, with 73, have shown promise at the top, but the middle order's recurrent failures remain a concern.Indian spinner Ravi Bishnoi had a crucial impact in the second game with figures of 3/26, highlighting Sri Lanka's difficulties against spin. "They play spin really well but I do not know what has happened, they are collapsing in the middle overs," Bishnoi remarked, suggesting a potential lack of skills and aptitude among Sri Lankan players across formats.Sri Lanka's bowlers, particularly Matheesha Pathirana, who had an expensive return of 4/40 in the first game, need significant improvement to salvage pride in the final match.As India aim for a whitewash, their aggressive gameplay and strategic execution will be closely watched, while Sri Lanka seek to avoid a clean sweep and conclude the series on a positive note.