Former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar (PTI Photo)

Sachin Tendulkar commemorated the birth anniversary of his late coach Ramakant Achrekar with a social media post on Wednesday. He shared a nostalgic photo on his X platform account.“Another day where I miss your presence… a little more so than usual. Happy heavenly birthday Achrekar Sir. Your legacy lives on through all the lives you touched and players you made. Thank you for everything,” the former Indian batter wrote. Achrekar, who mentored numerous Indian cricketers, received the Dronacharya Award in 1990 and was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2010. He passed away in January 2019. In Mumbai’s cricket circles, Achrekar was a distinguished figure who trained more than twelve international cricketers. Sachin Tendulkar, his most renowned student, began his international career at 16 and went on to set numerous batting records.Tendulkar maintains the record for the highest run total in international cricket. He scored 34,357 runs in 664 international matches with an average of 48.52, including 100 centuries and 164 half-centuries.In Test cricket, he accumulated 15,921 runs across 200 matches, averaging 53.78. His achievements include 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries, the most in Test cricket history.Tendulkar’s One Day International career spans 463 matches with 18,426 runs, the highest by any batsman in this format. He became the first male cricketer to score a double century in ODIs and achieved 49 centuries and 96 half-centuries.His career reached a pinnacle when India won the 2011 ICC ODI World Cup, defeating Sri Lanka by six wickets in Mumbai.

In a significant move to strengthen the state’s fight against substance abuse, Punjab’s Health Minister Balbir Singh on Friday launched the Leadership in Mental Health Programme as part of the ongoing anti-drug campaign Yudh Nashian Virudh. This pioneering initiative is the country’s first fellowship programme dedicated to reducing substance use and promoting mental well-being. It is a joint collaboration between the Punjab Health Department, Dr BR Ambedkar Institute of Medical Sciences, Mohali, and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. Speaking about the initiative, Balbir Singh said the fellowship will bring 35 mental health professionals from across India and abroad to enhance prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services in all 23 districts of Punjab. “Only a Swasth (healthy) Punjab can be a Rangla Punjab (vibrant Punjab). To counter the rising epidemic of drug abuse, Punjab needs talented and compassionate youth to lead our fight against ignorance, stigma, and apathy,” he added. The two-year fellowship will provide early-career professionals a unique opportunity to work with the Data Intelligence and Technical Support Unit (DITSU), which is at the forefront of the state’s comprehensive response to substance abuse. The fellows will undergo a two-week induction programme by TISS, Mumbai, before being deployed to the field. Emphasising the Punjab government’s commitment to institutionalising mental healthcare, Balbir Singh said, “The launch of the Leadership in Mental Health Programme underscores our focus on ensuring mental wellbeing for every person in Punjab.” “From providing public grounds for physical activities to offering unique fellowships to enhance mental health services, we are working towards providing accessible and compassionate healthcare to the people of Punjab,” Singh said. As part of the implementation, 23 fellows will be posted across Punjab’s 23 districts, 10 fellows will work at five Cluster Resource Centres, and two will be based at the DITSU headquarters in Mohali. Fellows will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 60,000 and benefit from specialised training, mentorship, and hands-on experience in public health infrastructure.

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli’s remarkable run in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa continues to underline why he remains one of the most consistent batters in world cricket. After announcing himself in the series with a brilliant century in the first ODI in Ranchi, Kohli followed it up with yet another fluent knock — a composed half-century in the second ODI at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. Kohli had scored 135 off 120 balls in India’s 17-run win on Ranchi. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The milestone came in classic Kohli fashion — a calm drive to sweeper cover for a single off Lungi Ngidi — bringing up his fifty as chants of “Kohli! Kohli!” echoed around the stadium.

The former India captain raised his bat and acknowledged the roaring crowd. The cameras quickly shifted to the Indian dressing room, where head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen applauding the star batter’s effort, reflecting the significance of the moment.Kohli’s recent ODI scores — 74(81), 135(120), and 50(47)** — highlight the form he is currently enjoying. This run also extends one of his most fascinating statistical achievements: Kohli has now registered 13 separate streaks of three or more consecutive 50-plus ODI scores. Watch the video hereNo other batter comes close — Rohit Sharma follows with 11, while Sachin Tendulkar has 10 such streaks, showcasing the elite company Kohli continues to dominate.His match-winning hundred in Ranchi, which was his 52nd ODI century, played a massive role in India’s 17-run win over South Africa. The innings not only helped India take the lead in the series but also boosted Kohli’s ICC ODI ranking. The 37-year-old climbed to No. 4 with 751 points, trailing Rohit Sharma (783), Daryl Mitchell (766), and Ibrahim Zadran (764). He also overtook Indian captain Shubman Gill, who slipped to No. 5 after missing the series due to injury.Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer remains steady at No. 9, while Kuldeep Yadav moved up to sixth after a four-wicket haul in the series opener. In the Test rankings, Yashasvi Jaiswal holds No. 9 among batters, while Jasprit Bumrah continues to dominate the Test bowling chart at the top with 879 points.

A tense atmosphere hangs over the Gabba, Brisbane, as the second Ashes Test will begin tomorrow, a day-night affair that presents a unique challenge to the touring England side. The Ashes 2025-26 series is already off to a dramatic start, with Australia drawing first blood in a low-scoring, rapid-fire contest. The tourists are desperate to level the score, but they face an Australian team that is historically dominant with the pink ball.

Ashes 2025-26: Series so far between England and Australia

The highly anticipated Men’s Ashes 2025-26 kicked off with a bang, but not the one England hoped for. The opening Test at the Optus Stadium, Perth, ended inside just two days, marking a historic and painful defeat for the tourists.

• First Test Result: Australia won by eight wickets against England.
• Series Score: Australia leads the five-match series 1-0.
• Next Test: The Second Test is a Day/Night (Pink Ball) match, starting on December 4, 2025, at the Gabba, Brisbane.
• Following Tests: The series moves to the Adelaide Oval for the Third Test (Day/Night), followed by the traditional Boxing Day Test at the MCG, Melbourne, and the New Year’s Test at the SCG, Sydney.

Ashes 2025-26: England’s pink ball test record ahead of Gabba game vs Australia

England’s history in day-night Test cricket with the pink ball has been a major source of concern heading into this crucial second Test. They have struggled to master the conditions and the movement the extra lacquer on the Kookaburra ball offers, especially under floodlights.

• Overall Pink Ball Test Record: Played 7, Won 2, Lost 5.
• Pink Ball Test Record in Australia: Played 3, Lost 3.

Crucially, England has never won a pink-ball Test against Australia. Their three previous encounters in Australia-in Adelaide (2017), Adelaide (2021), and Hobart (2022)-have all ended in heavy defeats. Australia, by contrast, holds a formidable record of 13 wins in 14 pink-ball Tests globally.

Ashes 2025-26: 3 England players who can trouble Australia in the pink-ball Test at Gabba

Despite the gloomy history, England possesses world-class players who have the skill and temperament to turn the tide. Here are three key players who could be the most potent threat to Australia in the day-night Test at the Gabba:

1. Harry Brook (Middle-Order Batter)

Harry Brook represents the future of England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach, and his limited but impactful pink-ball record suggests he is untroubled by the format’s idiosyncrasies. Brook has played just one day-night Test, but he made his mark by striking a confident and vital 89 in his single innings against New Zealand in 2023. This single performance gives him a pink-ball Batting Average of 44.50, which is very close to his exceptional career average, underscoring his ability to adapt his high-tempo, attacking game to the conditions.

The pink ball often swings more, especially under lights, but Brook’s aggressive footwork and ability to hit through the line can disrupt a bowler’s rhythm. His fearless approach is exactly what is needed to put pressure on a dominant Australian attack that relies on building pressure. If he can survive the initial movement, his penchant for scoring quickly could take the game away from Australia in a critical session.

2. Joe Root (Top-Order Batter)

Joe Root is the undisputed anchor of the English batting line-up and their most experienced player in the day-night format, having played in all seven of England’s pink-ball Tests. His wealth of experience in managing the tricky twilight periods—where the pink ball often exhibits maximum movement—is indispensable. Root has amassed 501 runs in D/N Tests, with a solid Batting Average of 38.53 that, while lower than his career mark, is crucial resilience against the moving ball. He boasts one century (136) and four fifties, highlighting his capacity to build substantial innings.

His technical skill and patience are key to surviving Mitchell Starc’s lethal spells with the new pink ball. For England to truly threaten Australia, Root must convert his starts into one of his signature monumental scores, providing the stability around which the rest of the aggressive batting order can play.

Also READ: Ashes 2025-26: ‘Piece of s*it’ – Usman Khawaja slams ICC over ‘very good’ rating for Perth pitch ahead of AUS vs ENG pink-ball Test

3. Jofra Archer (Pace Bowler)

Jofra Archer is England’s ultimate X-factor in pink-ball cricket. Although his overall pink-ball statistics are limited to one Tests due to injury, they in no way reflect his potential impact. He has taken 1 wickets in D/N Tests at a average of 24.00, but his value lies in the express pace and sharp, unsettling bounce he extracts, which is magnified on the fast Gabba surface and enhanced by the pink ball’s lacquer.