MUMBAI: When Team India lines up for the National Anthem at the Wankhede Stadium prior to their T20 World Cup opener against USA on Saturday, they will be watching former captain Rohit Sharma place the coveted trophy — which he lifted on June 29, 2024 in Barbados — on the podium. Rohit is the tournament ambassador for this edition of the World Cup.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!While his selfless explosiveness as opener is being probably matched by another Sharma, in Abhishek, one wonders whether Rohit, who has been part of every T20 World Cup since 2007, will be missed more as a leader. Of course, under Suryakumar Yadav too, India have built up a stellar record in the shortest format.

In a pressure-soaked environment of a home World Cup though, Rohit, who often was the zen architect with excellent man-management skills, coupled with tactical empathy for his bowlers and clutch composure, will probably be on SKY’s speed dial during the course of the event.Former India pacer and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, who combined superbly with head coach Rahul Dravid and skipper Rohit Sharma for three ICC events (2022 T20 WC, 2023 ODI WC and 2024 T20 WC), feels the current regime’s pragmatic approach is based on the reality that Rohit is not with the squad. “The question of missing him does not arise.”Mhambrey, though, hails the impact of Rohit the captain, especially when India ended an 11-year ICC trophy drought in the USA and West Indies. He also endorsed Jasprit Bumrah’s views of Rohit as a “bowler’s captain”, who allows the bowlers to set fields and steps in only when their plans do not work. Paras explains the reasons why he became such a bowler’s captain, despite being such a destructive and classy opening batter who prioritised impact over milestones.

“He was completely involved during bowlers’ meetings. When you’re the captain and are playing a World Cup, there’s so many other things happening. Yet, he gave so much of his time to the bowlers and to us as coaches. He was there for discussions. That gave us great communication on the field, knowing the captain was very clear with plans. The bowlers were locked in on them too. If things didn’t work out, he h a d o p t i o n s ready. And what really makes great captains is instincts to read situations and rely on an option which is contrary to the popular one.”That perhaps explains the way he rotated his resources in two high-stakes encounters in the 2024 T20 WC. In the defence of 119 in the league phase vs Pakistan in New York, he kept holding Bumrah back rather than use him up in desperate search of wickets on a pitch that had begun to ease out. Conversely, in the final, when South Africa needed 30 off 30 balls with six wickets left in Barbados, he used Bumrah in the 16th and 18th over, rather than waiting for him to bowl the 18th and 20th.Paras feels the bowlers and the team look for calmness in the leader when things are not going well, and that is something which Rohit gave them. “Rohit is not very expressive and exudes a calm body language. That dilutes pressure and stops it from getting transferred to the bowler. In that game vs Pakistan, despite him wanting the bowlers to defend 120 and look for wickets, he never looked desperate.”Apart from prioritising high batting tempo in the powerplay, the Rohit-Rahul Dravid era will also go down in history probably as India’s most data-driven think-tank. Paras conforms to that view and highlights how Rohit often called Hari Prasad Mohan, the analyst, late at night before games during the WC, saying he needed data on some player.“Another fab guy, Hari, who worked very hard behind the scenes. During conversations, he used to often tell me and Rahul: ‘Rohit called me late at night, wanting a particular bit of data.’ Just shows how much Rohit was thinking all the time,” Paras stresses.The challenge, though, in team environments is often making people see your point of view or buy into what plans you have. Data, something which Rohit was heavily invested in, was one aspect. How did he make others accept the fact that data is important and filter it in a way that did not complicate things? “I don’t think anyone told him that they weren’t comfortable with data,” reveals Paras, and adds that he had the gift of filtering information in a way that the bowlers felt comfortable using. “Maybe, individual X wanted to know four points. Someone else wanted to know only two, depending on what stage of the game he was bowling and to whom. He addressed both quite well.”While SKY has imbibed most things from Rohit’s captaincy style, Paras feels it would be wrong to compare individuals. “When you entrust a captain with responsibility, you got to allow him to function the way he wants. Not every game will run the way you want it to run, but as long as you are consistent with your thought processes, things should be fine.”

—Stats: Rajesh Kumar

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won their second Women’s Premier League (WPL) title after beating Delhi Capitals (DC) by six wickets in the final on Thursday in Vadodara, completing a record chase with two balls to spare. It was another disappointing end for Delhi Capitals, who were playing their fourth straight final in as many seasons and again finished runners-up.Chasing 204, RCB were led by captain Smriti Mandhana, who scored 87 off 41 balls, and Georgia Voll, who made 79 off 54 deliveries. The pair added 165 runs for the second wicket, a partnership that decided the contest. With this win, RCB drew level with Mumbai Indians (MI) as the most successful teams in the WPL.

Delhi Capitals had earlier posted 203 for four after being asked to bat. Skipper Jemimah Rodrigues top-scored with 57 off 37 balls, anchoring the innings after Shafali Varma and Lizelle Lee provided a strong start. Chinelle Henry provided the late push with 35 off just 15 balls. Laura Wolvaardt remained unbeaten on 44 off 25 balls, while Lizelle Lee made 37 off 30 deliveries. Shafali Verma also contributed at the top before falling in the powerplay.RCB began well with the ball, as Lauren Bell and Sayali Satghare conceded only nine runs in the first three overs. The pressure eased in the fourth over when Lee struck Satghare for two sixes. That over also included a stumping appeal created by Richa Ghosh and a difficult caught-and-bowled chance that Satghare could not hold. Delhi reached 36 after five overs.Arundhati Reddy was brought into the attack and removed Shafali Verma with a short ball, which was taken by Ghosh behind the stumps. Wolvaardt and Lee then increased the scoring, with Lee taking on Shreyanka Patil for two fours and a six as Delhi moved to 72 for one in seven overs. Nadine de Klerk broke the partnership by dismissing Lee, who was caught by Grace Harris running in from long-on.Rodrigues and Wolvaardt added 76 runs for the next wicket, keeping the innings on track. Henry’s late hitting ensured Delhi crossed the 200 mark.In reply, RCB lost Grace Harris early for nine, but Mandhana and Voll kept the chase under control. They scored freely through the middle overs and reached 100 at the halfway stage, needing 104 from 60 balls. Mandhana brought up her fifty in 23 balls and continued to find boundaries, while Voll matched her at the other end.RCB reached 150 in the 14th over, needing 54 from 36 balls. Voll was dismissed by Minnu Mani, briefly giving Delhi hope, but RCB stayed calm and finished the chase. The result meant RCB once again defeated Delhi Capitals in a final, repeating the outcome of the 2024 title match.

NEW DELHI: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wrote a letter to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday, urging it to reconsider its decision to boycott the India vs Pakistan fixture at the T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled for February 15 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.TimesofIndia.com is in possession of the two-page letter written by SLC, in which it reminded the PCB of Sri Lanka’s past support to Pakistan during challenging times and urged the board to reconsider its stance. The letter also highlights significant financial, logistical and reputational consequences for the co-hosts if the game does not go ahead as planned.

“We wish to place on record that Sri Lanka is highly anticipating the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, particularly in its capacity as a host venue for matches assigned to Sri Lanka. All commercial, operational, logistical and security-related arrangements in respect of these matches have already been finalised. This includes, inter alia, hospitality planning and the sale of match tickets,” the letter read.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“It is pertinent to note that ticket sales for the matches scheduled to be hosted in Sri Lanka, in particular the India versus Pakistan fixture, have already been finalised and have recorded exceptionally strong demand, with tickets being sold fast, reflecting unprecedented public interest and significant commercial expectations for Sri Lanka Cricket. Any non-participation in a scheduled marquee fixture of this nature would therefore have wide-ranging implications, including substantial financial exposure for SLC and the potential loss of anticipated tourism inflows and broader economic benefits arising from heightened international interest in the tournament.”The board pointed out that tickets for matches in Sri Lanka, especially the India–Pakistan fixture, have been sold amid exceptional demand, underscoring unprecedented public interest and significant commercial expectations.SLC cautioned that non-participation in a marquee fixture of this scale would have far-reaching consequences, exposing the board to major financial losses while also impacting tourism inflows and the broader economy.“The Government of Sri Lanka is attentive to the potential impact of a boycott, given the significant economic benefits expected from hosting these matches. Any change to the scheduled fixtures would therefore affect not only Sri Lanka Cricket but also the wider range of stakeholders involved in ensuring the successful conduct of the tournament.” Six Sri Lankan players were wounded in March 2009 when gunmen opened fire on their team bus as it was driving to Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for a Test match.The incident led to international teams staying away from Pakistan for nearly a decade. That streak was broken when Sri Lanka became the first to play a Test match in Pakistan after a 10-year gap (in 2019). “In this context, we respectfully recall that Sri Lanka Cricket and the Sri Lanka National Team have, on several occasions, toured Pakistan and participated in international fixtures notwithstanding exceptionally challenging and sensitive circumstances, including serious security-related incidents. These have included, inter alia, the attack on the national team convoy, as a result of which certain Sri Lankan players and officials sustained injuries, some of whom continue to carry physical impacts from those injuries to date, while others were left with profound and lasting psychological trauma. In more recent instances, further security incidents, including bombings in the region, placed additional emotional and professional strain on team members, with some compelled to contemplate withdrawal from ongoing engagements,” SLC said in the letter.Newswire, a Sri Lankan media outlet, has reported that Sri Lanka’s tourism and hospitality sector has already felt the impact of Pakistan’s reported decision to skip the February 15 match in Colombo, with widespread hotel booking cancellations across several Colombo-based properties.“Notwithstanding the gravity of these circumstances, Sri Lanka Cricket, in close coordination with the Government of Sri Lanka, remained steadfast in its support of Pakistan and the Pakistan Cricket Board, and continued to honour its commitments to international cricket in the broader interests of the game and international solidarity, at times when several other cricketing nations were hesitant or unwilling to tour Pakistan,” the letter read.“In light of this longstanding support and cooperation, SLC respectfully expects the same spirit of reciprocity and mutual respect to prevail, particularly where the matches in question are scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka, a country that has extended every assurance with regard to security, neutrality and professionalism.“In view of the foregoing, and if any decision has indeed been taken to boycott or abstain from participating in the India vs Pakistan match scheduled for February 15, 2026, we respectfully and earnestly request the PCB to reconsider such a decision. We urge you to take into account the exceptional circumstances, the enduring relationship between our two Boards and the broader interests of the game of cricket.“We humbly request that the Pakistan team participate in all scheduled matches in Sri Lanka, including the aforesaid fixture, in the true spirit of sportsmanship and without selective abstention, for the benefit of the tournament, its stakeholders and the millions of cricket fans worldwide.“We thank the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Government of Pakistan for the highest consideration given to this matter and respectfully look forward to receiving a positive response at your earliest convenience.”

On Sunday, the Pakistani government announced that its men’s cricket team will not take the field against arch-rivals India on February 15, without stating the reason behind the decision.“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026; however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on February 15 against India,” the Pakistan government said in a post on X.

With Suryakumar Yadav leading India into the T20 World Cup 2026, much of the attention will naturally centre on the hosts. Yet beyond India’s title defence, the tournament carries another fascinating Indian connection — several associate nations will be captained by players of Indian origin, adding an extra narrative to the global event. Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the 2026 edition will feature associate sides such as the Netherlands, USA, Nepal, Namibia, Oman, UAE and Canada, all arriving with growing confidence and ambition. Having battled through demanding qualification pathways, these teams are no longer content with simply taking part. They are intent on challenging established sides and leaving a mark on the tournament.

The gap between associate teams and full members has steadily narrowed in recent years. The Netherlands have repeatedly sprung surprises at ICC events, supported by a solid domestic system and players with county and franchise exposure. USA and Canada have benefited from expanding domestic competitions and increased international opportunities, while Nepal continue to draw strength from passionate crowds and a strong spin culture. Namibia’s rise has been built on discipline and tactical clarity, while Oman and UAE bring valuable experience from multiple ICC tournaments and an ability to handle pressure situations. For Indian fans, the presence of Indian-origin captains leading associate sides adds another layer of intrigue — leaders keen to prove their credentials on the biggest stage.Monank Patel (USA) Monank Patel’s journey to international leadership has been far from conventional. Born on May 1, 1993, in Anand, Gujarat, he progressed through India’s age-group system, representing Gujarat at Under-16 and Under-19 level and even sharing the field with Jasprit Bumrah in his junior days. Despite early promise, his path in Indian cricket stalled.

After securing a green card in 2010, Monank moved permanently to the United States in 2013. At one stage, he seriously considered stepping away from the game altogether. Instead, he rebuilt his career from the ground up, making his international debut for USA in both ODIs and T20Is in 2019. Since then, he has been the backbone of the USA batting line-up, scoring 2,288 ODI runs at an average of 34.66, with three centuries and 18 half-centuries. In T20Is, he has also registered a century against the Bahamas. Appointed captain in 2021, Monank led USA to a historic victory over Pakistan at the 2024 T20 World Cup, earning the Player of the Match award. His performances in Major League Cricket for MI New York, including a career-best 93 in 2025, have further highlighted his ability to deliver in big moments.Dilpreet Bajwa (Canada) Dilpreet Singh Bajwa has emerged as one of the most exciting young batters in associate cricket and now carries the responsibility of leading Canada. Born on January 26, 2003, in Gurdaspur, Punjab, Bajwa’s early cricketing education took place in India. He trained at the Government College grounds under coach Rakesh Marshal and studied at Guru Arjun Dev School in Dhariwal, following the traditional age-group pathway with long hours in the nets.

Before leaving India, Bajwa produced a standout innings of 130 in an Under-19 match against Patiala, an effort widely expected to earn him selection for the Punjab Under-19 side. When that opportunity did not materialise, his family made a decisive move. In 2020, with his father Harpreet Singh working in the Agriculture Department and his mother Harleen Kaur a government school teacher, the family relocated to Canada. Bajwa made his T20I debut in September 2023 against Bermuda and his ODI debut in February 2024 against Nepal. In T20Is, he has already scored four half-centuries at a strike rate of 133.22. He also created history in Global T20 Canada by becoming the first Canadian to score a century, finishing unbeaten on 100 from 55 balls. Appointed captain for the T20 World Cup 2026, Bajwa is central to Canada’s long-term ambitions.Jatinder Singh (Oman) Jatinder Singh’s rise is rooted in persistence rather than privilege. Born on March 5, 1989, in Ludhiana, Punjab, he moved to Oman at a young age and began his cricketing journey without the support of formal academies. His early development came on cement wickets, followed by Astro turf, before transitioning to turf cricket in 2011 — a progression that shaped his adaptability.

Inspired first by Sachin Tendulkar’s discipline and later by Virat Kohli’s intensity and fitness standards, Jatinder steadily worked his way through Oman’s domestic structure. A right-handed top-order batter, he made his T20I debut in 2015 and his ODI debut in 2019, quickly becoming a mainstay of the national side. In ODIs, he has accumulated 1,704 runs, including four centuries and nine half-centuries, with a highest score of 118 against Papua New Guinea. In T20Is, he leads Oman’s run charts with 1,605 runs from 72 matches. Appointed captain in 2025, Jatinder guided Oman to their maiden Asia Cup qualification, marking a landmark moment for both player and country. As the T20 World Cup unfolds, these Indian-origin leaders will not only carry the hopes of their teams but also embody the global spread and evolving depth of the modern game.

As the Indian men’s team prepares to begin its T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, messages of encouragement have flowed in from the Women in Blue. Fresh from their historic triumph at the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025, members of the Indian women’s side have extended their best wishes to the men as they look to defend their crown in the global event. India enter the tournament as defending champions after lifting the T20 World Cup in 2024 with a tense final victory over South Africa. The support from the women’s team has underlined the strong sense of unity and shared purpose that runs through Indian cricket.

Leading the messages was women’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who expressed full faith in the men’s squad. “Wishing Team India all the best for T20 World Cup. Play with full of your heart, enjoy, and we all know you are going to win this. Wishing all the luck,” she said. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana also shared her encouragement, while acknowledging the expectations that come with defending the title. “Wishing the best for the Indian Team, looking really good, we all are looking forward to another cup. But no pressure, and hopefully we can play some good cricket,” she stated. All-rounder Deepti Sharma, who was a key figure in India’s ODI World Cup success and earned the Player of the Series award, highlighted the significance of the tournament being held at home. “Wishing all the very best, this is going to happen in India and it will be very special. Go get the cup home,” she said. Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh added her voice to the chorus of support, sending a simple message of encouragement ahead of the marquee event. “Wishing you all the very best for the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, good luck guys,” she said. The Indian women’s team, which created history by winning the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025 for the first time since the competition began, has once again highlighted the collective spirit across Indian cricket. As the Men in Blue get ready to open their World Cup campaign against the USA on Saturday, the Women in Blue are preparing for their own international assignment. Their multi-format tour of Australia begins on February 15, starting with a three-match T20I series, followed by three ODIs and a one-off Test match.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha had said earlier on Monday the team will abide by whatever decision is taken by the government and the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding the proposed boycott of the T20 World Cup match against India on February 15 in Colombo. Speaking to the media before departing from Lahore, Salman said the players were informed of the decision by the team manager after their match against Australia.

“We are players contracted to the Board and whatever decision our government and Board have taken all the players are on board with it,” Salman said. He added that the World Cup was not solely about India, stressing, “We have three other group matches so we will try to win all of them and qualify for next round.”

Several former captains and players backed the stance. Rashid Latif said, “What the ICC did to Bangladesh… it was time someone took a stand,” while Shahid Afridi admitted disappointment but said he understood the reasons. Moin Khan remarked, “The ICC now has to decide which path it wants to take in the larger interests of world cricket.”

Pakistan have left for Colombo and will open their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7, with further matches against USA and Namibia.

NEW DELHI: India all-rounder Tilak Varma marked a spirited return from injury with an impactful performance and an emotional message of gratitude after the defending champions defeated South Africa by 30 runs in their T20 World Cup warm-up match at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Fresh from rehabilitation, Tilak admitted he did not expect to be back in action so soon and credited the BCCI and the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for accelerating his recovery. “To be honest, I did not expect that I will be back on the field this early. Really thankful for CoE and BCCI. I always say that playing the World Cup is my biggest dream,” he said in a video shared by the BCCI.

Walking into a packed stadium chanting his name gave the youngster an emotional lift. “When I entered the ropes and everyone was shouting ‘Tilak, Tilak,’ I really felt nice. It boosted me a lot,” he added, describing the electric atmosphere even during a warm-up game.Inspired by the aggressive intent around him, Tilak said the team’s batting energy pushed him to play freely. “The way Ishan was batting, the way Abhishek and everyone was going, I was also like, ‘Mai bhi maarunga jaake.’ The vibe was really terrific, and yeah — Tilak and the Indian team is ready for the World Cup,” he said.On the field, Tilak backed up his words with a brisk 45 off 19 balls as India piled up 240 for five, building on Ishan Kishan’s explosive start. The bowlers then held their nerve to restrict South Africa to 210, sealing a confident win.With his comeback timed perfectly, Tilak’s return has added fresh energy to India’s campaign as they shift focus to their World Cup opener against the USA on Saturday.

In-form Ishan Kishan continued his red-hot form with a rapid half-century as India secured a 30-run win over South Africa in their only warm-up match ahead of the T20 World Cup on Wednesday at DY Patil Stadium. The wicketkeeper-batter raced to 53 off just 20 balls, smashing seven sixes and two boundaries, cementing his spot in the top order alongside Abhishek Sharma. The Indian batters collectively posted a daunting 241 for five on a flat track, with Ishan and Abhishek putting on an explosive 80-run partnership inside the powerplay. Abhishek contributed 24 off 17 balls before retiring, allowing Ishan to continue his onslaught and retire unbeaten after reaching his fifty, ensuring both got a final hit ahead of India’s opener against the USA on February 7.

India rotated their bowling arsenal, using nine different bowlers, including Abhishek Sharma, who picked up 2/32 in three overs, to restrict the Proteas to 210/7. Harshit Rana, however, was forced to leave after just one over due to discomfort in his run-up. South Africa’s experimental opening pair of George Linde (0) and Aiden Markram (38 retired out) failed to make an impact, with Linde dismissed for a duck by Arshdeep Singh. Ryan Rickelton top-scored for the visitors with 44 off 21 balls, while Jason Smith contributed 35 off 23. Dewald Brevis fell cheaply, but Tristan Stubbs provided resistance with a 21-ball 45 not out, including four sixes. Other notable performances for India included Tilak Varma, who made a quick 45 off 19 balls before being bowled by Marco Jansen, and Suryakumar Yadav, who struck 30 off 16 balls. Vice-captain Axar Patel added 35 off 23, while Hardik Pandya finished with a fiery 30 from just 10 deliveries. Rinku Singh contributed 16 before being hit on the helmet. India’s batting dominance, combined with disciplined bowling, ensured a comfortable 30-run victory in their final warm-up ahead of the tournament. Brief scores: India 240/5 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 53, Tilak Varma 45; Marco Jansen 1/18) beat South Africa 210/7 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 44, Tristan Stubbs 45*; Abhishek Sharma 2/32) by 30 runs.