India trained with clear focus on bowling length ahead of their Super 8 clash against West Indies cricket team at Eden Gardens in the T20 World Cup.   Head coach Gautam Gambhir measured specific areas on the pitch during nets. Markers were placed for Varun Chakravarthy to target. He bowled at those spots again and again. Axar Patel also worked on hitting the top of off stump.   The team expects a batting-friendly pitch. A big total is likely. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said, “Our condolences go out to Rinku and his family… we need to get around him.” (PC: BCCI)

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has backed Jammu & Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi for a national call-up ahead of India’s white-ball tour of England in July 2026, following Nabi’s standout performance in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 final. Ganguly praised the 29-year-old’s impressive five-wicket haul and overall season, emphasising that English conditions suit fast bowlers and could be the ideal stage for him to debut. Nabi’s domestic dominance has sparked debate about India’s selection strategy, with many viewing this as a strong case for his inclusion in the squad. (PC: X)

India aim to avenge the iconic 2016 ICC T20 World Cup semi‑final loss to West Indies, when Lendl Simmons’ unbeaten 82 led the Caribbean side to a stunning seven‑wicket victory at Wankhede Stadium, ending India’s campaign in dramatic fashion. Nearly a decade later, both teams meet in a crucial 2026 Super 8 showdown in Kolkata with semi‑final qualification at stake. India, stronger on paper and familiar with home conditions, seek to rewrite history, while West Indies carry fond memories of past success in T20 World Cups and Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. (PC: PTI)

The Indian Premier League (IPL) will begin on March 28, 2026, with the final scheduled for May 31, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo. The tournament’s start date has been pushed back by two days from the initially proposed March 26 window. The IPL Governing Council is expected to meet soon to finalise the complete schedule and confirm venues. The delay in announcing fixtures is reportedly linked to upcoming assembly elections in multiple states. Further clarity is also awaited on the venue for the opening match and playoff games. (PC: Getty Images)

India rediscovered their batting form in a must-win ICC T20 World Cup match against Zimbabwe in Chennai, posting a record 256/4 featuring 17 sixes. Tilak Varma revealed the team watched old videos of past performances to regain confidence and mindset before the game. Moved from No.3 to No.6, Tilak smashed an unbeaten 44 off just 16 balls. Coach Gautam Gambhir urged the batsmen to replicate their aggressive brand of cricket from recent series against New Zealand and South Africa. With openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma firing, India's batting unit clicked collectively. The strong showing has boosted India's confidence heading into their virtual knockout clash against West Indies on Sunday. (PC: X)

India defeated Zimbabwe by 72 runs in their T20 World Cup Super 8 clash at Chennai, keeping their title defence alive. Chasing 257, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 184/6, with Brian Bennett delivering a valiant unbeaten 97 off 59 balls in a losing cause. Arshdeep Singh was India's standout bowler with 3/24. Player of the match Hardik Pandya smashed an unbeaten 50 off 23 balls, anchoring India's record 256/4. Captain Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged India could have been more clinical with the ball but credited Zimbabwe's batting. India now face West Indies in a virtual quarterfinal on Sunday at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, with both teams needing a win to advance to the semifinals.

Legendary cricket umpire Steve Bucknor, 79, has finally admitted that his infamous LBW decision against Sachin Tendulkar during India's tour of Australia at Brisbane's Gabba in 2003-04 was a mistake. Speaking to the West Indies Cricket Umpires' Association, Bucknor acknowledged the error saying "mistakes happen" and that he has accepted it. Tendulkar, batting on just 3, had attempted to leave a delivery from Jason Gillespie that struck him high on the pads as television replays clearly showed the ball was going over the stumps. Commentator Tony Greig had famously called it "dreadful." Bucknor also wrongly dismissed Tendulkar in a 2005 Eden Gardens match against Pakistan. Tendulkar himself once jokingly suggested Bucknor should wear boxing gloves while umpiring. (PC: X/@DeccanChronicle) 

India defeated Zimbabwe by 72 runs in their must-win T20 World Cup Super 8 clash at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. Posting a record-breaking 256/4 marking the highest-ever total in T20 World Cup history, India restricted Zimbabwe to 184/6. Abhishek Sharma, returning from three successive ducks, blazed 55 off 30 balls while Hardik Pandya smashed an unbeaten 50 off just 23 balls. Tilak Varma contributed a stunning 44 not out off 14 balls as he and Pandya added 84 runs in 31 balls. India now face a virtual quarterfinal against West Indies on Sunday, with both teams locked on two points. The winner advances to the semifinals; the loser goes home. (PC: X)

India are cruising toward a commanding Super 8 victory at Chennai as Zimbabwe collapsed to 162/5, left chasing India's record-breaking 256/4. Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya both scored half-centuries while Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on a stunning 44 off just 16 balls to power India to their highest-ever T20 World Cup total. In response, Zimbabwe's innings crumbled after Brian Bennett's brave fifty and Sikandar Raza's cameo briefly threatened. India made two tactical changes, bringing in Sanju Samson and Axar Patel replacing Rinku Singh and Washington Sundar respectively. Zimbabwe, who won the toss and opted to bowl first, now face an uphill and near-impossible battle to salvage any respectability from the chase. (PC: News18)

Zimbabwe are fighting hard in their chase of 257 against India at Chennai, reaching 105/2 after 14 overs in the T20 World Cup Super 8 clash. Brian Bennett brought up a gutsy fifty off 34 balls, audaciously hitting Jasprit Bumrah for a six to reach his milestone, earning applause from the Chepauk crowd. Captain Sikandar Raza has also been fluent, dispatching Varun Chakravarthy for a wristy six. However, with 152 still needed off just 6 overs, India remain firmly in control. Axar Patel completed his four-over spell with figures of 1/35, also impressing in the field with a full-length diving stop to prevent a certain boundary. (PC: India Today)