Rinku Singh is set to rejoin the Indian squad ahead of their crucial Super 8 match against Zimbabwe on Thursday, February 26, after briefly leaving the camp due to a family emergency. The middle-order batter had flown home to attend to his father’s health concerns, raising doubts over his availability for the must-win fixture. With his return, India receive a timely boost as they prepare for a key encounter in the tournament. Team management is expected to assess his match readiness before finalising the playing XI. (PC: AP)

Sanju Samson was the focus at India’s training session in Chennai after Rinku Singh flew home due to a family emergency. Rinku is doubtful for the Super Eight match against Zimbabwe. He missed practice under lights at Chepauk. Samson had a long batting session. He faced both pace and spin. He also worked on his keeping. Coach Gautam Gambhir watched closely. If Rinku is unavailable, Samson could return to the XI. India are also reviewing their top-order options after the loss to South Africa. Axar Patel trained with bat and ball and may come back on the black-soil pitch. (PC: X)

Star India middle-order batter Rinku Singh has returned home from Chennai due to a family emergency, casting serious doubts over his availability for India's must-win ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s match against Zimbabwe on Thursday. A BCCI source confirmed to PTI that Rinku missed India's training session at MA Chidambaram Stadium. His father, Khanchand Singh, is reportedly hospitalised in serious condition in Greater Noida. Rinku has featured in all five of India's tournament matches but has struggled for form, scoring just 26 runs across five innings. If unavailable, wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav is likely to replace him. India's title defence hinges critically on Thursday's result in Chennai. (PC: X)

Sanju Samson was the focus at India’s training session in Chennai after Rinku Singh flew home due to a family emergency. Rinku is doubtful for the Super Eight match against Zimbabwe. He missed practice under lights at Chepauk. Samson had a long batting session. He faced both pace and spin. He also worked on his keeping. Coach Gautam Gambhir watched closely. If Rinku is unavailable, Samson could return to the XI. India are also reviewing their top-order options after the loss to South Africa. Axar Patel trained with bat and ball and may come back on the black-soil pitch. (PC: X)

India’s team management said Axar Patel’s absence against South Africa was a tactical call based on balance. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said the think tank had “spent so much time deliberating about the 11.” He said the choice was between Axar and Washington Sundar. “The decision was purely around match-ups and power-play plans,” he added. India wanted an extra batter in Rinku Singh and a bowler who could operate early. “It’s not to take anything away from Axar and his leadership,” he said. South Africa scored 187/7 and bowled India out for 111, winning by 76 runs.

Star Sports removed its ‘Cupcake’ promo after India’s heavy loss to South Africa in the T20 World Cup Super 8 match in Ahmedabad.   The ad had mocked South Africa’s past record and suggested India would win comfortably. However, India were beaten by 76 runs.   The promo was later deleted from digital platforms. The move has sparked discussion over the tone of cricket promotions before major matches.   Viewers questioned whether such campaigns assume victory too early and show little respect for the opposition.

Defending champions India slipped to the bottom of Group 1 after a big defeat to South Africa national cricket team in the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Super 8 round. South Africa moved to the top with two points and a strong net run-rate of 3.8. India now have a negative NRR of -3.8. India must beat Zimbabwe and West Indies to stay in the race. They may also need big winning margins if teams finish level on points. As per ICC rules, teams level on points are ranked by wins. If still tied, net run-rate decides. Head-to-head results are considered next. (PC: X)

Football across Mexico has been postponed following the eruption of widespread cartel violence triggered by the killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera during a Mexican military operation. The decision to suspend matches reflects the severity of the unrest gripping multiple Mexican states, with roads blocked by burning vehicles, public transport suspended, and businesses shuttered across Jalisco, Michoacán, Guerrero, and beyond. Jalisco state, notably scheduled to host four FIFA World Cup games this summer, had already cancelled all large public gatherings on Sunday. The football postponements underline the catastrophic scale of cartel retaliation, which has paralysed daily life, diverted flights, and prompted emergency shelter advisories from both US and Indian embassies.

India's unbeaten run in the T20 World Cup 2026 ended dramatically with a crushing 76-run defeat to South Africa in Ahmedabad, giving them a damaging net run rate of -3.8. The loss has validated former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir's bold pre-tournament prediction, where he notably excluded India from his semifinalists, favouring South Africa and West Indies instead. Pakistan batting legend Mohammad Yousaf took to social media praising Amir for "rattling India from the studio," while also lauding South Africa's all-round performance crediting their lower-order batting and exceptional bowling discipline. India, who won all four Group A matches, now face an uphill battle to qualify for the semifinals even with two remaining matches.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav said his team lost the match in the powerplay after a heavy defeat to South Africa national cricket team in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.   Chasing 188, India slipped to 26 for 3 inside five overs and were all out for 111. The 76-run loss is India’s biggest defeat in T20 World Cup history.   “You can’t win the game in the powerplay, but you might lose the game there,” Suryakumar said. He added that early wickets hurt the chase.   India had reduced South Africa to 21 for 3 but failed to stop the recovery. The loss has dented India’s semifinal hopes. (PC: X)