The BCA Stadium in Vadodara witnessed yet another masterclass in run-chasing on Sunday as India pulled off a thrilling four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first ODI. Chasing a competitive target of 301, the Men in Blue found their anchor in Virat Kohli, whose sublime 93 off 91 balls set the tone for the win. While New Zealand fought back late in the game, vital contributions from KL Rahul (29*) and Harshit Rana (29) ensured India crossed the finish line with an over to spare, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.

Virat Kohli claims Player of the Match award for his batting brilliance

It was a night of milestones for the former Indian captain. While he narrowly missed out on his 54th ODI century—falling to Kyle Jamieson at mid-on for a well-made 93—his innings was the difference between the two sides. Laced with eight fours and a six, Kohli’s knock stabilized the chase after the openers fell, showcasing his trademark precision and intent.

This match-winning performance earned Kohli his 45th Player of the Match (POTM) award in ODIs. In the post-match presentation, a humble Kohli revealed a heartwarming detail about his accolades, sharing that he sends all his trophies to his mother in Gurugram, who cherishes keeping them. With this latest honor, Kohli has further cemented his place among the pantheon of ODI greats, inching closer to the top spot on the all-time leaderboard.

Most Player of the Match awards in ODI history

With his heroics in Vadodara, Kohli has strengthened his hold in the elite list of players with most Man of the Match awards in the 50-over format. Let’s have a look at the legendary trio sitting at the top of this illustrious list:

3) Virat Kohli (India) – 45 Awards

Often hailed as the greatest chaser the game has ever seen, Kohli’s 45th award is a testament to his incredible consistency over nearly two decades. His ability to pace an innings and absorb pressure has led to countless Indian victories. Unlike the explosive openers above him on this list, Kohli’s awards often come from gritty, high-pressure knocks in the middle order, making his tally uniquely impressive. With his current form, he looks set to surpass the second spot very soon.

Also READ: Fans go berserk as Virat Kohli and Harshit Rana power India to thrilling ODI win over New Zealand in Vadodara

2) Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – 48 Awards

Sri Lanka legend Sanath Jayasuriya revolutionized ODI cricket in the 90s with his aggressive batting at the top of the order. He sits second on the list with 48 awards from 445 matches. A true all-rounder, Jayasuriya often earned the honor not just for his explosive centuries but also for his crafty left-arm spin, which broke many crucial partnerships. He remains one of the most impactful match-winners in the history of the format.

1) Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 62 Awards

Sitting comfortably at the summit is the phenom Sachin Tendulkar. With a staggering 62 awards in 463 matches, Tendulkar’s record seems almost untouchable. His career spanned generations, and his ability to dominate attacks across different eras and conditions gave him unmatched longevity. For Kohli to catch Tendulkar, he would need another sustained run of dominance, but for now, the Master Blaster reigns supreme.

Also WATCH: IND vs NZ: Prasidh Krishna cleans up Mitchell Hay with a jaffa in the first ODI

The 22nd match of the SA20 2025-26 season features a high-stakes clash between Pretoria Capitals and MI Cape Town at the lightning-fast SuperSport Park. With the playoff race heating up, both teams are desperate for a win to solidify their position in the top four.

Pretoria Capitals are riding high after a clinical defensive performance where they successfully defended 138 against the Paarl Royals. Shai Hope has been their standout performer, recently smashing a record-breaking 118 at Kingsmead.

MI Cape Town, the defending champions, have finally found their rhythm after a dismal start. Led by Ryan Rickelton, who is currently the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 317 runs (including two centuries), MICT has won two games on the bounce and must keep winning to stay in the hunt.

PC vs MICT, SA20 2025-26: Match details

• Date and Time: January 12 (Monday); 9:00 pm IST / 03:30 pm GMT / 5:30 pm Local
• Venue: SuperSport Park, Centurion

PC vs MICT, Head-to-Head Record in SA20:

Matches played: 6 | Pretoria Capitals won: 3 | MI Cape Town won: 3 | No result/Tied: 0

SuperSport Park Pitch Report

The pitch at SuperSport Park in Centurion is a traditional highveld surface, renowned for its extreme pace and steep bounce. Early in the innings, the grass cover and typical evening humidity will assist fast bowlers with significant seam movement. However, as the game progresses, it typically transforms into a high-scoring belter. The thin air at this altitude, combined with a quick outfield and relatively short boundaries, makes it a paradise for stroke-makers. With an average first-innings score of around 180.

Squads

Pretoria Capitals: Will Smeed, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Shai Hope, Dewald Brevis, Roston Chase, Andre Russell, Bryce Parsons, Codi Yusuf, Gideon Peters, Keshav Maharaj (c), Lungi Ngidi, Tymal Mills, Lizaad Williams, Sibonelo Makhanya, Wihan Lubbe, Keith Dudgeon, Junaid Dawood, Sherfane Rutherford, Jordan Cox, Daniel Smith, Meeka eel Prince

MI Cape Town: Ryan Rickelton (wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Nicholas Pooran, Jason Smith, Jacques Snyman, Tom Moores, George Linde, Rashid Khan (c), Kagiso Rabada, Trent Boult, Dane Piedt, Karim Janat, Thomas Kaber, Tiaan van Vuuren, Tristan Luus, Daniel Lategan, Reeza Hendricks, Dwaine Pretorius, Corbin Bosch

Also READ: Faf du Plessis recalls MS Dhoni’s iconic act after Donovan Ferreira’s stunning run-out for Joburg Super Kings in SA20 2025-26

PC vs MICT, SA20 2025-26: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• MI Cape Town wins the toss and bowls first
• Pretoria Capitals’ powerplay score: 45-55 (6 overs)
• Pretoria Capitals’ total score: 165-175

Case 2:

• Pretoria Capitals wins the toss and bowls first
• MI Cape Town’s powerplay score: 55-65 (6 overs)
• MI Cape Town’s total score: 175-185

Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest

Also WATCH: Dewald Brevis and Sherfane Rutherford unleash a flurry of sixes on MI Cape Town bowlers in SA20 2025-26

A sensational bowling performance from Wanindu Hasaranga powered Sri Lanka to a crucial 14-run victory [DLS] over Pakistan in a rain-shortened third T20I at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday. The match, reduced to a 12-overs-a-side contest due to persistent showers, saw Sri Lanka defend a challenging total to square the series in dramatic fashion.

Sri Lanka post massive total after aggressive batting display

After Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl, Sri Lanka came out with clear attacking intent despite losing Pathum Nissanka early. Kamil Mishara provided early momentum with a brisk 20 off eight balls, but it was Kusal Mendis who anchored the innings with a fluent 30 from just 16 deliveries, keeping the run rate well above 12 an over.

Middle-order contributions from Dhananjaya de Silva and Charith Asalanka ensured Sri Lanka maintained pressure despite regular wickets. Captain Dasun Shanaka then played a powerful cameo, smashing 34 off just nine balls as Sri Lanka surged past the 150-run mark in the final over.

Late hitting from Janith Liyanage (22 not out off 8) pushed Sri Lanka to an imposing 160 for 6 from 12 overs, a total that proved decisive on a damp surface. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Mohammad Wasim Jr, struggled with execution as the shortened format left little margin for error.

Pakistan’s chase falters despite Salman Agha’s blitz

Pakistan’s reply began brightly through Salman Agha, who played a breathtaking knock of 45 from just 12 balls. His clean striking briefly swung momentum in Pakistan’s favour, especially during a rapid 51-run partnership that raised hopes of a successful chase.

However, Sri Lanka struck back at crucial moments. The dismissal of Salman Agha by Matheesha Pathirana triggered a collapse as wickets fell in quick succession. Saim Ayub and Usman Khan were also dismissed in single digits, leaving Pakistan behind the required rate.

Also READ: Fans go berserk as Virat Kohli and Harshit Rana power India to thrilling ODI win over New Zealand in Vadodara

Wanindu Hasaranga turns the match with game-changing spell

Hasaranga delivered the decisive blow with a match-winning spell, claiming four wickets for 35 runs in his three overs. His scalps included key batters Khawaja Nafay and Shadab Khan, breaking Pakistan’s middle-order resistance. Supported by disciplined bowling from Pathirana and Eshan Malinga, Sri Lanka tightened the screws in the final overs.

Despite late resistance from the tailenders, Pakistan finished on 146 for 8, falling 14 runs short of the target.

Also READ: Fans go wild as Sophie Devine’s all-round show powers Gujarat Giants to thrilling win over Delhi Capitals in WPL 2026

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will square off against UP Warriorz (UPW) in the fifth match of Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai, on Monday.

RCB, buoyed by a thrilling three-wicket chase over Mumbai Indians (MI) in the opening match of the tournament, chase consolidation, while UPW hunts a first win post their narrow loss to Gujarat Giants (GG).

RCB vs UPW, WPL 2026: Match details

• Date and Time: January 12; 7:30 pm IST / 2:00 pm GMT
• Venue: Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai

RCB vs UPW, Head-to-Head Record in WPL

Matches played: 06 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru won: 03 | UP Warriorz won: 03 | No result/Tied: 0

Dr DY Patil Sports Academy Pitch Report

The Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy is a renowned batting paradise, offering a hard, flat surface with reliable bounce. For this evening fixture, the ball is expected to reach the bat smoothly, favoring aggressive stroke-makers. Although the red soil might provide pacers some early swing, the short boundaries and lightning-fast outfield heavily benefit the hitters.

A critical factor is the evening dew, which typically arrives during the second innings. This moisture makes the ball difficult for spinners to grip, often tilting the scales further toward the batting side. Given these conditions, the toss will be vital; captains are likely to bowl first to avoid the worst of the dew and capitalize on favorable chasing conditions under the lights.

Squads

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Smriti Mandhana (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Shreyanka Patil, Georgia Voll, Nadine de Klerk, Radha Yadav, Lauren Bell, Linsey Smith, Prema Rawat, Arundhati Reddy, Grace Harris, Gautami Naik, Prathyoosha Kumar, D. Hemalatha, Sayali Satghare

UP Warriorz: Ashleigh Gardner (c), Beth Mooney (wk), Sophie Devine, Renuka Singh Thakur, Bharti Fulmali, Titas Sadhu, Kashee Gautam, Kanika Ahuja, Tanuja Kanwer, Georgia Wareham, Anushka Sharma, Happy Kumari, Kim Garth, Yastika Bhatia, Shivani Singh, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Ayushi Soni

Also READ: WPL 2026 – Full list of commentators and presenters at the Women’s Premier League

RCB vs UPW, WPL 2026: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• RCB wins the toss and bowls first
• UP Warriorz powerplay score: 45-55 (6 overs)
• UP Warriorz total score: 190-200

Case 2:

• UP Warriorz wins the toss and bowls first
• RCB’s powerplay score: 40-50 (6 overs)
• RCB’s total score: 160-170

Match result: UP Warriorz to win the contest.

Also READ: Jemimah Rodrigues reveals how Richa Ghosh dismantled Alyssa Healy’s sledge with an unforgettable reply

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

The Big Bash League heads to the Sydney Showground Stadium for a pivotal mid-season encounter as the Sydney Thunder host the Melbourne Renegades in Match 33. With the tournament entering its business end, both teams will be desperate for points to solidify their standing on the ladder.

Sydney Thunder, led by the veteran batter David Warner, boast a side that is tailor-made for their home conditions – packed with technical batters and versatile bowlers. The presence of Daniel Sams and David Willey provides world-class left-arm seam options, while Chris Green and Tanveer Sangha will be the danger men on this turning surface.

On the other side, the Melbourne Renegades bring pure firepower. Jake Fraser-McGurk and Josh Brown can kill a chase in 10 overs, but they are prone to collapse if the ball moves. The inclusion of Mohammad Rizwan provides much-needed stability and class to anchor the innings.

ST vs MR, BBL|15: Match details

• Date and Time: January 12; 1:45 pm IST / 8:15 am GMT / 7:15 pm Local
• Venue: Sydney Showground Stadium, Sydney

ST vs MR, Head-to-Head Record in BBL

Matches played: 18 | Sydney Thunder won: 8 | Melbourne Renegades won: 10 | No result/Tied: 0

Sydney Showground Stadium Pitch Report

The surface at the Showground is historically known to be slightly tacky, often aiding spinners and bowlers who utilize cutters effectively. Scores in the 160-170 range are often competitive here. The powerplay will be crucial. Batters need to capitalize on the hard ball before the pitch slows down and grip increases for the spinners.

Squads

Melbourne Renegades: Josh Brown, Tim Seifert, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Caleb Jewell, Hassan Khan, Will Sutherland (c), Gurinder Sandhu, Brendan Doggett, Jason Behrendorff, Callum Stow, Harry Dixon, Sam Elliott, Adam Zampa

Sydney Thunder: Matthew Gilkes, David Warner (c), Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings (wk), Nic Maddinson, Daniel Sams, Chris Green, David Willey, Tanveer Sangha, Ryan Hadley, Wes Agar, Charlie Anderson, Tom Andrews, Sam Konstas

Also READ: BBL|15: Sam Harper’s electrifying 84 not out steers Melbourne Stars to a commanding win over Melbourne Renegades

ST vs MR, BBL|15: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Sydney Thunder wins the toss and bats first
• Sydney Thunder’s powerplay score: 40-50
• Sydney Thunder’s total score: 160-170

Case 2:

• Melbourne Renegades wins the toss and bats first
• Melbourne Renegades’ powerplay score: 45-55
• Melbourne Renegades’ total score: 165-175

Match result: Team batting first to win the contest

Also WATCH: Sean Abbott rattles Jack Wildermuth’s stumps with a peach of a delivery in BBL|15

A Bangladesh Cricket Board official confirmed that umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat is currently in India for the ongoing ODI series between India and New Zealand. He is officiating as a match official, and the board clarified that his presence in India is part of his duties as an ICC-appointed umpire for the series.

Saikat became the first umpire from Bangladesh to earn a place on the ICC Elite Panel. He has steadily built a strong reputation in international cricket as a top-level umpire. Saikat now regularly officiates in some of the biggest series in the world, including high-profile contests like the Ashes and other Test matches.

India-Bangladesh Cricket Ties Strained After Mustafizur Rahman’s Release

Cricket relations between India and Bangladesh have been strained after Mustafizur Rahman was released from the Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2026 squad following instructions from the Indian cricket board. The sudden decision upset Bangladesh officials and players.

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Notably, the Bangladesh Cricket Board raised concerns about the safety of its players in India. The board informed the ICC that it is not ready to tour India for the upcoming events, including the T20 World Cup. Bangladesh also took steps, such as stopping IPL telecasts, to show its displeasure.

The issue gained wider attention as ICC officials held meetings in Mumbai to discuss the growing dispute. Bangladesh officials described Mustafizur’s release as unfair and influenced by political pressure rather than cricketing reasons.

Amid the controversy, many were surprised to see Bangladeshi umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat officiating in India during the ODI series against New Zealand, despite Bangladesh’s strong stance on security concerns.

ICC Contract Allows Saikat to Officiate Without BCB NOC

Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat does not need special permission from the board to officiate matches outside the country. BCB umpire department chairman Iftekhar Rahman said that Saikat works directly under an ICC contract, and the BCB has no role whenever the ICC assigns him a match.

“He (Saikat) is ICC contracted umpire and we are saying this clearly that he is not contracted with us (BCB),” said Iftekhar, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

“Now, in our contract it is written that when he has any ICC assignment, he will automatically be on leave from us. It will be an automatic leave and I don’t need to give any NOC. In the job contract he has with me, it is written that if he has any ICC engagement, he must be automatically released. There is no authority for me to decide whether I give permission or not,” he added.

ICC Yet to Decide on Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 Match Venues

The T20 World Cup is set to begin on February 7, and Bangladesh are currently scheduled to play all four of their group matches in India. Three of those games are planned in Kolkata, while one match is set to be played in Mumbai.

Bangladesh have said they are not willing to travel to India due to security concerns. The International Cricket Council has not responded publicly so far and has asked Bangladesh to clearly explain the issues being raised.

Notably, the ICC has not shown any indication of shifting Bangladesh’s matches from India to Sri Lanka. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has said the ICC is open to discussions and willing to work with them to review the concerns. No final decision has been taken yet.

Also read: Pakistan declares itself T20 World Cup 2026 co-host, hijacks India’s Bangladesh matches

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women will face the UP Warriorz Women in the fifth match of the fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League. This article provides details about Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women’s Playing 11 vs UP Warriorz Women for the upcoming match.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women Playing XI vs UP Warriorz Women- Women’s Premier League 2026, Match 5:

Openers: Smriti Mandhana (c), Grace Harris

RCB Women would want to build on the win that they registered against the MI Women when they take on the UP Warriorz Women in the second match and consolidate their position in the points table in the early stage of the tournament.

Along with winning, the Smriti Mandana-led side would hope to win in a convincing fashion, having clinched a win on the last ball against the MI Women.

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The responsibility will be on the openers to get the team off to a good start and allow the incoming batters to capitalize on the start given by them.

The pair of Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris will be entrusted to get the job done both in partnership and as individual batters, also in order to gain confidence for the matches to come.

Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Dayalan Hemalatha, Richa Ghosh (wk), Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Arundhati Reddy

The openers will be followed by. middle order, which comprises Dayalan Hemalatha, Richa Ghosh, Radha Yadav, and Nadine de Klerk.

All eyes will be on Richa Ghosh to get into her element and take on the bowling attack of the UP Warriorz Women, especially the spin bowling duo of Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone.

Other than Richa Ghosh, the onus will be on Nadine de Klerk to replicate the performance she delivers against MI Women in the tournament opener and get her team beyond the finish line.

The pair of Richa and Nadine would also hope for other batters to provide them good support against the likes of Kranti Gaud and Deepti Sharma, so as to make things easy for them in the match in question in the ongoing season of the WPL.

Bowlers: Shreyanka Patil, Prema Rawat, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell

The bowlers did a fine job by restricting the MI Women batters to a below-par total in the first match and would be backed to do the same against the UP Warriorz Women, who possess a strong batting lineup that almost pulled off a chase against the Gujarat Giants.

If the bowlers are able to restrict UP Warriorz Women to a total of around 180-190 runs, they will give their batters a strong chance of chasing the target down, with dew expected to settle in in the second innings

Lauren Bell will be given the responsibility of picking wickets with the new ball in the first six overs, making the job for the spinners a bit easier.

The spinners will then have to take control of the proceedings in the middle overs by keeping the opposition batters in check by providing breakthroughs at regular intervals.