NEW DELHI: Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad is in great form as he has now scored four first-class centuries in a row. He reached this milestone during the Ranji Trophy match against Delhi. His recent scores read 127, 170, 104, and now 103, and this run has placed him among famous Indian cricket legends.Delhi batted first in the match, and the team scored 221 runs. Opener Sanat Sangwan made a century, and no other batter could build a big score. Only three more Delhi players crossed double digits, and Mumbai pacer Mohit Avasthi took five wickets and controlled the innings.

Mumbai had a shaky start, and the team lost two wickets for 18 runs and then another at 44. Siddhesh Lad walked in at a difficult time, and he joined Musheer Khan at the crease. Both players added 63 runs together, and Musheer reached his fifty and steadied the innings. Lad was leading the side as stand-in captain because Shardul Thakur was unavailable after the mid-season break. Lad then built a strong 136-run partnership with Suved Parkar for the sixth wicket, and he brought up his fourth straight first-class hundred during this stand. Mumbai finished their first innings at 317 runs and the team secured a 96-run lead.Earlier this month, Lad had scored 104 runs against Hyderabad, and Mumbai won that match by nine wickets. Before the break he had scored 127 against Himachal Pradesh and 170 against Puducherry and both matches ended in innings victories for Mumbai. With four consecutive centuries, Lad has joined great Indian names like Vijay Merchant and Sachin Tendulkar. Parthiv Patel holds the Indian record with five centuries in a row in first-class cricket, and the world record stands at six, and it is shared by CB Fry, Don Bradman, and Mike Procter. Lad still has a chance to equal this record if his form continues.

Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Live Score, U19 World Cup 2026: Bangladesh U19 have won the toss and have opted to bat against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club in Harare.

Teams:

Bangladesh U19 (Playing XI): Zawad Abrar, MD Rifat Beg, Md Azizul Hakim Tamim(c), Kalam Siddiki Aleen, Md Rizan Hossan, Md Abdullah, Md Farid Hasan Faysal(w), Md Samiun Basir Ratul, Shahriar Ahmed, Al Fahad, Iqbal Hossain Emon

Zimbabwe U19 (Playing XI): Nathaniel Hlabangana, Kupakwashe Muradzi(w), Kian Blignaut, Brandon Ndiweni, Leeroy Chiwaula, Michael Blignaut, Simbarashe Mudzengerere(c), Tatenda Chimugoro, Panashe Mazai, Shelton Mazvitorera, Webster Madhidhi

Squads:

Bangladesh U19 Squad: Zawad Abrar, MD Rifat Beg, Md Azizul Hakim Tamim(c), Kalam Siddiki Aleen, Md Rizan Hossan, Md Abdullah(w), Md Samiun Basir Ratul, Shahriar Ahmed, Shadhin Islam, Al Fahad, Iqbal Hossain Emon, Md Farid Hasan Faysal, Sheikh Paevez Jibon, Saad Islam Razin, Shahria Al-Amin

Zimbabwe U19 Squad: Nathaniel Hlabangana(w), Dhruv Patel, Kian Blignaut, Brandon Senzere, Leeroy Chiwaula, Tatenda Chimugoro, Michael Blignaut, Simbarashe Mudzengerere(c), Takudzwa Makoni, Panashe Mazai, Webster Madhidhi, Shelton Mazvitorera, Brandon Ndiweni, Benny Zuze, Kupakwashe Muradzi

Saina Nehwal’s retirement, announced in a podcast, was generally received with a sense of ennui. Out of circuit for almost two years, the badminton world accepted the former world No.1’s absence as a receding hairline. The inevitable that happens with an athlete as years and injuries pile on. Reassessment and retrospection followed almost immediately after Saina’s confession though she has refused to make her plans official. “I actually felt that I entered the sport on my own terms and left on my own terms, so there was no need to announce it.” She may apparently be rather casual about her absence, but history of Indian sport will not let her be.Saina Nehwal’s name will glow not merely as a champion, but a catalyst. Long before badminton became a household conversation, before packed stadiums and prime-time broadcasts, before young girls across India picked up racquets with professional ambition, there was Saina — dreaming, daring and grinding away on the courts, to challenge a global order dominated by China and Europe. Her legacy is not defined only by medals or rankings, but by the irreversible transformation she brought to Indian badminton.

Saina’s rise was neither accidental nor convenient. Emerging from a country where cricket overwhelms the sporting imagination, she chose a path strewn with little infrastructure, limited financial backing, and scarce international exposure. Yet, emerging stronger from every setback, Saina turned adversity into opportunity. In 2008, she announced her arrival on the world stage by becoming the first Indian woman to win the BWF World Junior Championships. The same year, her quarterfinal finish at the Beijing Olympics marked another first for Indian badminton, signalling that India was ready to compete with the best.The milestones continued relentlessly. In 2009, Saina became the first Indian woman to win a BWF Super Series title at the Indonesia Open, a tournament long considered a fortress for badminton’s elite nations. Each win cemented the belief that Indians can make a mark in the sport globally. Saina didn’t just win matches — she showed how to blow away the windmills of the mind.Her defining moment came at the London 2012 Olympics, where she won the bronze medal, albeit off a walkover, but it made her the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal. For India, the medal was historic; for Saina, it was acknowledgement of years of sacrifice, pain, and perseverance. It was also a moment that changed public perception. Badminton was no longer a niche sport — it had a national hero.

If the Olympic medal established Saina as a champion, her ascent to World No.1 three years later anointed her as a legend. She became the first Indian woman and only the second Indian after Prakash Padukone to achieve the top world ranking. At a time when women’s singles badminton was fiercely competitive, Saina dared to challenge the Chinese hegemony. Tournaments began to be described as “Saina vs China,” a phrase that captured both her dominance and defiance, and a nation’s imagination.That rise to the summit was deeply emotional. Saina herself admitted she never dreamt of being world No. 1 — it was her mother’s dream for her to win an Olympic medal. When Carolina Marin’s defeat at the India Open confirmed her top ranking, Saina struggled to put the moment into words. Wiping sweat from her brow, glancing at the Indian flag stitched into her kit, she could only say, “Oh my God, world No. 1…” It was a moment of disbelief, humility, and triumph —facets that would remain hallmarks of her career.But Saina’s legacy cannot be measured in rankings alone. Over a career spanning nearly two decades, she won over 24 international titles, including 11 Super Series titles, and achieved feats such as becoming the first Indian woman to win two Commonwealth Games singles gold (2010 and 2018). These accomplishments reflect not just talent, but extraordinary longevity in one of the most physically demanding sports.What truly separates Saina from her contemporaries is her impact beyond the court. Her success fundamentally altered the place of badminton in India. Television viewership surged. Corporate sponsorships followed. Saina is the first Indian woman athlete to sign a multi-million dollar sponsorship deal. Badminton academies mushroomed across the country. Parents who once hesitated to support non-cricketing careers began to see badminton as a viable profession.Coach Vimal Kumar, who guided her to that No. 1 spot, told TOI, “You know, she really brought Indian women’s badminton to the forefront because no woman prior to that has excelled so much at the world stage.”Most importantly, Saina inspired a generation. PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth, and countless others grew up watching her fight against the world’s best. Sindhu herself has often acknowledged Saina’s role in paving the way for Indian women in badminton. Where Saina walked alone, others followed with belief.Her journey was never smooth. Injuries, coaching changes, form slumps, and public scrutiny tested her resolve. Yet Saina’s work ethic — acknowledged by coaches like P Gopichand and Vimal Kumar — never wavered. She shifted cities, reinvented her game, and adapted her style to remain competitive. Even when younger players emerged, Saina continued to fight, proving that resilience, not comfort, defines champions.The nation rewarded her with the highest sporting and civilian honours — the Arjuna Award, Khel Ratna, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan. Yet her greatest award remains the revolution she ignited. Prakash Padukone introduced India to world badminton. Saina Nehwal sparked the renaissance. She made Indian badminton fearless, visible, and aspirational. She showed that an Indian woman could dominate a global sport through grit, discipline, and belief. She coded a new data architecture for success in an individual sport — and left the template for the rest to follow. Saina did not merely play badminton. She changed Indian badminton forever.

NEW DELHI: England reinforced their status as strong contenders for the upcoming T20 World Cup after grinding out an 11-run Duckworth-Lewis-Stern victory over Sri Lanka in the opening T20I at Pallekele on Friday.Sam Curran proved the decisive factor, claiming a hat-trick as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 133 in 16.2 overs. Opener Phil Salt, the world’s second-ranked T20I batter, anchored England’s chase with a fluent 46 off 35 balls as the visitors went 1-0 up in the three-match series, which serves as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup.

“Our execution was good tonight. We are happy with the progress we have made and it’s all about building up nicely for the World Cup. Sam Curran was awesome. He had a tough start tonight, but he bounced back so well,” England captain Harry Brook said.Sri Lanka had surged to 76 for one inside seven overs before spin turned the tide. Leg-spinner Adil Rashid struck three times to stall the hosts’ momentum and was named Man of the Match.Curran became only the second England player after Chris Jordan to register a T20I hat-trick, wrapping up the Sri Lankan innings just as the hosts threatened to post a competitive total. He began by having skipper Dasun Shanaka caught at mid-off, then saw Maheesh Theekshana hole out to long-on, before producing a full, swinging delivery to bowl Matheesha Pathirana.The last pair managed just four runs before Jamie Overton dismissed Wanindu Hasaranga for 14, as Sri Lanka collapsed from 129 for six to 133 all out in the space of five deliveries.In reply, Salt set the tone with an authoritative knock, while Tom Banton provided momentum with a rapid 29 off 15 balls that included three fours and two sixes. Sri Lanka’s sloppy fielding, which featured two dropped regulation catches, further hurt their cause, though the hosts were already defending an under-par total against a formidable England line-up.England required only nine runs from the final two overs with six wickets in hand when rain halted play. With the visitors well ahead on DLS calculations, they were declared winners. Earlier, rain had already reduced the match to 17 overs per side.“Very disappointed with the way we handled things out in the middle. We need to be better with the options that we take. We have the potential no doubt, but we aren’t delivering out in the middle,” Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said.The two sides meet again at the same venue on Sunday, with the series set to conclude on Tuesday.

Pakistan have suffered a major setback ahead of their mouth-watering Under-19 clash against India at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, a match that will decide the fourth semi-finalist of the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Zimbabwe. Afghanistan and England joined Australia as the latest entrants into the semi-finals on Friday following impressive performances in their Super Six clashes, with an unbeaten England becoming the first team from Group 2 to reach the final four. Sunday’s marquee India-Pakistan encounter now shapes up as a virtual knockout.Pakistan’s preparations were dented after wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Shayan was ruled out due to injury, the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed.

“Pakistan U19 wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Shayan has been ruled out of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup after being struck on the nose by a ball while wicketkeeping to a fast bowler during a scenario-based practice match,” the PCB said in a statement. He was taken to hospital, where X-rays confirmed a fracture, with a replacement set to be named in due course.Australia had already progressed to the final four from Group 1, while Afghanistan grabbed the remaining spot following a commanding 191-run win over Ireland. England sealed qualification from Group 2 after defeating New Zealand by 65 runs, courtesy a five-wicket haul from Manny Lumsden. India currently enjoy an advantage heading into their clash with Pakistan, sitting on six points from three matches with a superior net run rate, while Pakistan have four points.In Harare, Afghanistan rode on a scintillating 163 from Faisal Khan to post 315/7 after electing to bat first. Faisal struck 18 fours and a six in his 142-ball knock, which stands as the highest individual score by an Afghan batter in tournament history. Afghanistan were in early trouble at 27/2 before a 75-run third-wicket partnership between Faisal and Uzairullah Niazai steadied the innings. The game swung decisively in Afghanistan’s favour during a 188-run fourth-wicket stand between Faisal and captain Mahboob Khan, who scored 89 off 79 balls with five fours and two sixes.Ireland’s Reuben Wilson and Olly Riley picked up three wickets apiece, but the Irish chase never took off. Ireland were bowled out for 124, with Marko Bates (34) and Wilson (31) adding 55 for the sixth wicket in a brief show of resistance. Abdul Aziz led Afghanistan’s bowling with 3/21, while leg-break bowler Aqil Khan wrapped up proceedings with three wickets for 36 runs.Earlier in Bulawayo, New Zealand, already out of semi-final contention, restricted England to 234/7 on a tricky surface. Ben Dawkins made a cautious 42, while Ben Mayes (53) and Caleb Faloner (47) chipped in with vital contributions. Mason Clarke was the pick of New Zealand’s bowlers with 2/38. However, Lumsden turned the game on its head with figures of 5/17 as New Zealand were bowled out for 169 in 38.5 overs, despite Senith Reddy’s 47 and a 58-run stand with Callum Samson.

Thiruvananthapuram: India’s final T20I against New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday may wear the look of a dead rubber, but scratch the surface and it is anything but. With the series already sealed 3-1, the immediate result matters far less than the larger destination. Every road now leads to the T20 World Cup, and this game represents India’s final dress rehearsal — the last chance to bring clarity to combinations, roles and intent before the real business begins on Feb 7.

For the team management, this is about polishing the rough edges and turning promise into a well-oiled machine. Winning has been reassuring, but the focus has shifted decisively towards preparation. Against an ultra-competitive New Zealand, India have been able to test depth, temperament and adaptability — precisely the boxes they need to tick ahead of a showpiece event.Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak was candid on the eve of the match about the series’ importance in shaping India’s World Cup blueprint. Rhythm, he stressed, comes from time in the middle — from playing across conditions, experimenting with combinations and giving players clearly defined opportunities.“It’s been a very important series for us,” Kotak said. “Before the World Cup, as many days as you play, you start finding your rhythm, your combinations, and you try to give players opportunities. That’s what these games are for.”That philosophy has guided India’s selection calls so far. Kotak underlined that decisions are being made with balance and long-term planning in mind, rather than being driven by short-term numbers. The emphasis is on building a batting unit that can attack relentlessly without losing its structural integrity.At the heart of those discussions is the top order. India are keen to lock in combinations that allow aggression in the powerplay while retaining flexibility for different match scenarios. Tilak Varma continues to be central to that thinking — a batter who embodies the aggressive core India want, but with the adaptability to adjust gears as situations demand.The wicketkeeper-batter slot is another moving piece. Kotak acknowledged the value Ishan Kishan brings whenever he plays, highlighting his ability to keep wickets and bat at the top — a versatility that mirrors what Sanju Samson offers. “Whenever Ishan plays, he tends to bat well,” Kotak noted.“He is most likely to feature tomorrow, subject to final clearance from the physio,” Kotak added.That call could shape India’s batting template, particularly with an eye on explosive starts in the powerplay — a non-negotiable in modern T20 cricket.For India, this final outing is about arriving at the World Cup with a settled framework and clear roles. The jigsaw puzzle is nearly complete; Thiruvananthapuram offers the last chance to fit the final piece.

Mumbai Indians’ season has been marked by experimentation, particularly with their overseas combination. Injuries and availability issues forced changes early on, and the balance often felt unsettled.

Hayley Matthews’ absence hurt Mumbai in the powerplay, where their scoring rate dipped. Nicola Carey, however, made herself undroppable with consistent all-round performances. The dilemma deepened when Matthews returned, leading to difficult selection calls.

Dropping Amelia Kerr against Delhi proved costly, removing one of the league’s best spinners. Carey’s injury before the RCB game, though, pushed Mumbai back to their preferred combination. The result was emphatic.

With Nat Sciver-Brunt, Matthews and Kerr all contributing, Mumbai finally looked complete. Whether they stick with this combination against Gujarat could decide their playoff fate.

Veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh’s exclusion from India’s core hockey probables on disciplinary grounds was strongly opposed by chief coach Craig Fulton, who even offered to resign before being convinced by Hockey India officials to stay on, news agency PTI reported, quoting sources.According to the PTI report, Fulton viewed the decision to drop Manpreet from the February 1–7 camp for 33 core probables in Rourkela as “external interference”.The two-time Olympic bronze medallist was left out of the core probables for the first time in 15 years after it emerged that he had abused a recreational drug during India’s tour of South Africa in December last year.

During the meeting to finalise the list of probables, Fulton was reportedly “disturbed” when Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, secretary general Bhola Nath Singh and chief selector RP Singh jointly conveyed that Manpreet should be omitted.“Fulton argued from the point of Manpreet being a mentor to younger players. But on that, Dilip said players will learn from other seniors. A few players were unhappy with the way HI behaved with Manpreet,” a source was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.An angry Fulton offered to step down a day after the Chennai leg of the recently concluded Hockey India League. However, after repeated persuasion from Tirkey, he agreed to go along with the official stand that the senior midfielder was being “rested”.The source said Fulton pushed for Manpreet’s inclusion by citing the 33-year-old’s fitness levels. Manpreet was reportedly among the top four in fitness within the core group.Despite this, Tirkey and chief selector RP Singh did not change their position.Fulton’s ‘Defend to Win’ approach places importance on structure and experience, and he has frequently spoken about Manpreet’s fitness and form during the HIL.The chief coach wants Manpreet to remain part of the plans at least until this year’s Asian Games and the World Cup. The World Cup is scheduled in August, followed by the Asian Games in September.Fulton believes Manpreet’s experience in pressure situations would be useful in both tournaments.“Let people say whatever they want but the fact is that Manpreet sought rest and had conveyed it to HI,” Bhola Nath Singh was quoted as saying PTI.Hockey India on Thursday announced the list of probables, also excluding forward Dilpreet Singh and goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak due to disciplinary reasons. The official statement did not specify the nature of the alleged violations.The Pro League season will begin next month in Rourkela. Manpreet had co-captained Ranchi Royals to the Hockey India League final, where he delivered strong performances.Manpreet is also one match away from equalling Dilip Tirkey’s record of 412 appearances as India’s most capped hockey player.The India leg of the FIH Pro League will be held in Rourkela from February 10 to 15, with India opening their campaign against Argentina on February 11.