NEW DELHI: Pacer Jacob Duffy was included in New Zealand’s squad for the Twenty20 World Cup on Wednesday, capping an outstanding 2025 in which he claimed 81 international wickets. The 31-year-old surpassed Richard Hadlee’s 40-year-old record of 79 wickets in a calendar year and climbed to second place in the world T20 bowling rankings. Despite being part of a New Zealand squad that collectively boasts 1,064 T20 international caps, Duffy is the only player yet to feature in a T20 World Cup.Duffy slots into an experienced pace unit featuring Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne and all-rounder Jimmy Neesham for the tournament in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Kyle Jamieson will travel with the squad as the reserve fast bowler.

The squad will be led by all-rounder Mitchell Santner, who anchors a spin group that includes specialist Ish Sodhi along with Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra. Both Santner and Sodhi were part of New Zealand’s campaign at the 2016 T20 World Cup in India.Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell and Tim Seifert make up the specialist batting contingent. Seifert, who will also keep wicket, is set to join the squad after the conclusion of Australia’s Big Bash League.Allen (finger/hamstring), Chapman (ankle), Ferguson (calf), Henry (calf) and Santner (adductor) are currently undergoing treatment. Ferguson and Henry are also likely to be granted short-term paternity leave during the tournament.Duffy led New Zealand’s pace attack across all three formats during the domestic season in the absence of Henry, Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears, Jamieson, Nathan Smith and Ferguson, who were all sidelined with injuries. His 81 wickets in 2025 came from 36 matches at an average of 17.New Zealand will play a white-ball series in India in January, followed by a warm-up match against the United States, before beginning their World Cup campaign in Group D alongside Afghanistan, UAE, South Africa and Canada.New Zealand squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi.

Aryna Sabalenka (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images for Tennis Australia)

World number one Aryna Sabalenka has pushed back against the criticism surrounding her much-debated “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios, saying the negative reaction left her feeling “sad” and misunderstood. The Belarusian, who lost 6-3, 6-3 to Kyrgios in the high-profile Dubai exhibition in late December, addressed the controversy while speaking at the season-opening Brisbane International on Tuesday. The event drew widespread attention but also sparked questions about its purpose, with critics suggesting it was driven more by money and broadcast appeal than sporting value. The match was organised by the agency that represents both players. “What I’m sad about is that some people got it wrong, the whole idea of that event,” Sabalenka said. She insisted the exhibition was never meant to prove a point or settle a gender debate, but rather to showcase tennis in a different light. “It was fun. It was a great challenge. I think we brought so many eyes on tennis,” she added. “It wasn’t about proving something to anyone.” Sabalenka explained that the intention was to demonstrate the sport’s ability to attract attention beyond traditional formats. “It was about to show that tennis can be really huge and we can bring a lot of attention on the exhibition match, which usually never happen, and we just proved that. That’s all it was about,” she said. Not everyone in the women’s game shared that view. World number two Iga Swiatek questioned the need for such an event, saying on Saturday that women’s tennis did not require a crossover spectacle to validate itself “because I feel like women’s tennis stands on its own right now”. The choice of Kyrgios as Sabalenka’s opponent also fuelled debate. The Australian has previously admitted to assaulting an ex-girlfriend in 2021 and has, in the past, been forced to distance himself from misogynistic comments, adding another layer of controversy to the exhibition. Held on December 28, the match featured modified rules designed to offset physical differences between the players, but it drew inevitable comparisons to the original and iconic 1973 Battle of the Sexes. That historic encounter, between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, carried far greater significance. At the time, the women’s professional tour founded by King was fighting for recognition, equal prize money and legitimacy. King, then at the peak of her career, defeated the 55-year-old Riggs in straight sets, creating a defining moment in sporting and social history.

Sanjay Manjrekar, Virat Kohli

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar’s reaction to Virat Kohli’s Test retirement has brought back memories of a comment he made more than a decade ago, when Kohli’s place in the Indian Test side was under question during the 2011–12 tour of Australia.In Januray 2012, after India’s heavy loss in the second Test in Sydney, Manjrekar suggested giving Virat one more Test just to be sure “he does not belong here”. The remark came at a time when Kohli had managed modest scores in his first two Tests of the series and faced growing scrutiny over his spot in the XI.More than a decade later, Manjrekar is again speaking about Kohli, this time expressing disappointment over his decision to retire from Test cricket. The former batter said it was saddening to see Kohli walk away from the format while contemporaries Joe Root, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson continue to perform consistently in Test cricket.Posting on his official Instagram account, Manjrekar said the decision made him feel sad, particularly when he watches players like Root, Smith and Williamson continue to score runs and shape their Test careers.Manjrekar added that despite his struggles in recent years, Kohli still had the fitness and desire to attempt a return to form. He felt Kohli could have tried more options before deciding to retire from Test cricket.“I just feel sad that people like Joe Root and Steve Smith, Kane Williamson are really making a name for themselves in Test Cricket. It was okay, Virat Kohli just walked away from cricket, retired from all cricket. But that he’s chosen to play one day cricket actually disappoints me more, because this is a format which for a top-order batter, I’ve said before as well, is the easiest format,” he added.This is not the first time Manjrekar has publicly commented on Kohli’s career.Kohli had a difficult start to his Test career during India’s tour of the West Indies. He scored 4 and 15 on debut in Kingston, followed by a duck in Kingstown. Those performances did not secure his place immediately.He then made two half-centuries in the home series after being left out of the tour of England, which helped him earn selection for the Test series in Australia later that year.After two matches in Australia, Kohli’s place again came under scrutiny. He scored 11 and 0 in the Melbourne Test, followed by 23 and 9 in Sydney. With India losing the second Test by an innings and 68 runs, selection questions intensified before the third Test at the WACA.After the second Test, Manjrekar wrote on Twitter: “I would still drop VVS [Laxman] & get Rohit [Sharma] in for next Test. Makes long term sense. Give Virat one more test just to be sure he does not belong here.”Kohli was retained for the third Test. India were dismissed for under 200 in both innings, but Kohli top-scored in each. He made 44 in the first innings and 75 in the second before being caught behind off Peter Siddle.Rahul Dravid was the only other Indian batter to score more than 14 runs in the match, while seven players failed to reach double figures. After the Test, Kohli addressed the criticism in a press conference, saying: “I don’t know why people were even after me after the first game.”In the following Test, Kohli scored his maiden Test century. He again top-scored and batted with the tail to reach the hundred with one wicket remaining. That innings became the first of his 30 Test centuries, placing him fourth on India’s all-time list.That phase marked the beginning of Kohli’s long Test career, after he chose to ignore calls for his exclusion.

Mustafizur Rahman (Photo by Kerry Marshall/Getty Images)

Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful has said that Mustafizur Rahman remains unaffected by the circumstances surrounding his release from Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. The Bangladesh pacer was let go by KKR following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, issued amid heightened tensions between the two countries. Speaking in his role as assistant coach of Rangpur Riders in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League, Ashraful revealed that Mustafizur has shown no signs of distraction and is fully committed to his current assignment.

“He is completely chill. He is not worried at all about all the off-field talk – whether it’s BCB, India, BPL or ICC,” Ashraful told reporters after Rangpur Riders’ match against Chattogram Royals. Ashraful, who also serves as Bangladesh’s batting coach, said the left-arm pacer’s focus is firmly on performing for Rangpur before turning his attention to whatever lies ahead. “Right now he is focused on playing for Rangpur Riders, and after this, whatever assignment comes next, he will focus on that. He is a person of a different level,” he said. Assessing Mustafizur’s performances in the BPL so far, Ashraful acknowledged a slow start but highlighted his impact in Rangpur’s recent win over Dhaka. “If you talk about Mustafizur in the first two matches, his performances were a bit below par, but especially the way we won the last match against Dhaka was an outstanding victory. And the way Mustafizur bowled those last two overs – I think he is a world champion for this format, that’s how important he is,” he added. In the aftermath of the BCCI’s decision, the Bangladesh Cricket Board held an emergency meeting on Sunday and later confirmed that it had formally approached the International Cricket Council. The BCB has requested that all of Bangladesh’s matches in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup be moved to venues outside India, citing safety and security concerns. India and Sri Lanka are slated to co-host the tournament from February 7 to March 8, with games scheduled across several venues in both countries. Bangladesh’s stance has the potential to complicate the tournament calendar, as they are currently scheduled to face the West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9, and England on February 14 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, before playing Nepal on February 17 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Liam Rosenior (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Chelsea have confirmed Liam Rosenior as their new manager, signing the 41-year-old on a six-year contract until 2032 after he left French side Strasbourg on Tuesday. Rosenior, known for his attack-minded approach, becomes only the second Black manager in Chelsea’s history, following Ruud Gullit. Rosenior earned praise for transforming Strasbourg into a competitive Ligue 1 side, guiding them to a seventh-place finish last season and European qualification. “Liam has shown that he can build teams with a clear way of playing while setting the highest standards with players on and off the pitch. While there will continue to be a focus on player development, the club’s expectations and ambitions remain high,” Chelsea said in their announcement. Before Strasbourg, Rosenior had a stint as assistant coach at Derby under Wayne Rooney, who commended his “incredible” work ethic and attention to detail. Despite his success in France, Rosenior has never managed a Premier League side. He succeeds Enzo Maresca, who left after 18 months at the helm. Chelsea, currently fifth in the league and 17 points behind leaders Arsenal, offer Rosenior a higher-profile and more pressurised stage. Reflecting on the opportunity, Rosenior said: “I am excited to work with this extremely talented group of players and staff, to build strong connections on and off the pitch, and to create an environment where everyone feels united and driven by the same goal.” The move also carries personal significance. Rosenior added: “This opportunity for me is something I can’t turn down at this moment in my life… It means that I can go home and see my kids. I’m away from my children, I missed them. And I wanted to make the sacrifice of not seeing them worth it, with the success that we have here.” Son of former player and coach Leroy Rosenior, Liam had a 16-year professional playing career in England, representing Fulham, Reading, Hull, Brighton, and England Under-21s. He returned to Hull as his first head coach in 2022 before joining Strasbourg in 2024, leaving the French club with European football secured and a spot in the knockout phase of the UEFA Conference League. Rosenior defended his decision to move to Chelsea, stating: “I don’t think anyone can question how hard I’ve worked for the club, my integrity in the way I’ve worked for this club. I don’t think anyone can question the decision I’ve made to move on with my career.” This appointment marks a rare top-level opportunity for a Black British coach in the Premier League, and Chelsea will hope Rosenior can bring stability and consistency to a side that has seen five permanent managers since the BlueCo takeover in 2022.

Sikandar Raza of Paarl Royals celebrates getting the wicket of MI Cape Town captain Rashid Khan during match 13 of the Betway SA20 season 4 between MI Cape Town (MICT) and Paarl Royals (PR) held at the Newlands Cricket Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa on the 4th January 2026. (Photo Credit: Shaun Roy / Sportzpics for SA20)

TimesofIndia.com in Cape Town: Sikandar Raza’s journey from Sialkot to Zimbabwe was far from straightforward. It took him through unexpected detours that included dreams of becoming a pilot and earning a degree in computing from a university in Glasgow, before cricket finally took centre stage after his family moved to Zimbabwe.After a sombre few years in international cricket, followed by a life-threatening bone marrow infection in 2021, the all-rounder, now in the twilight of his career has reinvented himself as a bona fide globetrotter across T20 leagues worldwide. Last week, he added another milestone by becoming the first cricketer from Zimbabwe to make an appearance in the SA20.

In a professional career spanning close to two decades, the 39-year-old Raza has featured for a whopping 43 teams, 22 just in different leagues, and continues to shuttle between tournaments with ease. One such move was ahead of him after wrapping the ILT20 campaign with the Sharjah Warriorz as he was set to join the Paarl Royals in South Africa. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The veteran, however, faced one of the biggest setbacks in his life as he lost his 13-year-old brother in Harare on December 29. It happened around the time he was scheduled to join his SA20 team for the ongoing fourth edition of the T20 tournament. Putting the personal tragedy aside, Raza made a strong statement by joining the Paarl Royals for the SA20 and has made an instant impact in his two outings so far.

Paarl Royals Sikandar Raza celebrates a wicket. (Photo Credit: Halden Krog / Sportzpics for SA20)

“I think that part of my life will always be difficult,” Raza said in a select media interaction after the Royals beat MI Cape Town on Sunday. “But I did say to my team as well, if I wasn’t mentally, physically and emotionally ready, I wouldn’t be here. ‘The fact that I think that I can add value, I’ve decided to join you, and I will take nothing away from you. I’ll give as much as I can to the team, the energy, the experience, whatever you ask me to do, I’ll do it’. So yeah, it’s nice to be here,” he further added.Every wicket he took in the backdrop of the table top mountain at Newlands was celebrated with renewed gusto. The slight arch of the back, arms spread wide and the feisty fist pump with gentle raise of the right knee happened not once but on four occasions as he ran through the MI unit with figures of 4/13. A street-smart cricketer who offers a complete package in the shortest format, Raza has had outings in leagues like IPL, BPL, PSL and ILT20 and feels good performances by Zimbabweans opens up more doors for players back home.

Sikandar Raza of Paarl Royals sends down a delivery during match 13 of the Betway SA20 season 4 between MI Cape Town (MICT) and Paarl Royals (PR) held at the Newlands Cricket Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa on the 4th January 2026. (Photo by Shaun Roy / Sportzpics for SA20)

“That is the whole idea, and that is the point as well. If you look at the last few years, whenever a Zimbabwean has gone to a league and done well, it has certainly opened doors for more Zimbabweans. I really feel blessed by the fact that I am the first Zimbabwean to play the SA20, and hopefully my performances can open doors for other Zimbabweans as well,” said Raza.Raza is a story of grit, faith and belief in the game. The personal challenges, professional setbacks have only pushed him to do better.“I remember there was a time when I used to look at the cricketers that used to do the circuit and I always used to say, Allah, when will my turn come? Now that my turn is here, I am grateful for every opportunity, for every team that have signed me, for every country I’ve been to. And I will not take anything for granted. I used to pray for times like this. Now that Allah has granted me this time, I will be forever grateful to Allah and to every single team that I’ve been part of,” explained an emotional Raza.

Zimbabwe’s captain Sikandar Raza, right, successfully appeals for LBW during the T20 International cricket match between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, at the Harare Sports Club, in Harare, Zimbabwe, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Wonder Mashura)

While there are rare off days in an year for Raza the T20 freelancer and he chooses to spend them indoors. Limelight isn’t something which excites him but the veteran does hope that his actions can inspire other Sikandars in Zimbabwe.“To be honest with you, when cricket is done, I try and stay away from the limelight, from people. I just try and stay indoors. I don’t like to hear or speak about myself, but if the conversations are happening, then Alhamdulillah, I feel very blessed. But having said that, hopefully my actions will inspire rather than hearing about what people think of me or what others are thinking about me. All I’m looking at is trying to keep doing the things I’m doing at the best of my ability, and hopefully my performances can inspire the other Sikanders in Zimbabwe and all over the world,” said the all-rounder.In around a month’s time, Raza will have the Zimbabwe jersey on for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Having beaten Pakistan in the 2022 edition of the multi-nation tournament, the captain is geared up for the challenge and asserts how respect in world cricket is earned by good performances in the World Cup.

“Well, that’s the idea because the World Cup is really crucial in every cricketer’s life. And I always think for Zimbabwe to gain more respect in world cricket, World Cups play a huge part. So we have the mindset to go there and try and do really well so that we can come back with our goals set high and so that our people back home can have their heads high as well,” said Raza.Raza has had ideal preparation for the T20 World Cup with outings in the ILT20 and SA20, and would now hope that the rest of the group finds inspiration to punch above the weight when the T20 extravaganza gets underway next month.

Australia’s Travis Head (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Travis Head produced another commanding statement with the bat on Day 3 of the fifth Ashes Test, powering Australia to a dominant 518 for 7 in reply to England’s first-innings total of 384. Head’s magnificent 163 not only put Australia firmly in control of the contest but also took him past the 600-run mark in the ongoing Ashes series. Reflecting on his rich vein of form, Head admitted the run-scoring spree has been deeply satisfying, even if he does not usually see himself as the side’s main contributor. “It’s nice to contribute the way I have in the series like this. I am not normally the one who is doing the heavy lifting as such,” Head told reporters after stumps.

The left-hander was quick to credit his teammates, especially those who have traditionally carried Australia’s batting in Tests. “The likes of Marnus (Labuschagne) or Smudge (Steve Smith) have been the heavy lifters. The guys who have really driven the game. Davey (David Warner) in the past as well,” Head said. He added that batting alongside them has been a privilege. “I have been very lucky to bat around those guys. Nice that I have put a finger out and help them out on the other side. But yeah, I wouldn’t have come into the series thinking that I will have a series that I have.” Head has now piled up 600 runs from nine innings in the series, averaging 66.67 and scoring three centuries, numbers that underline his impact across the five-Test contest. One of the defining moments of the series for both Head and Australia came in the opening Test in Perth, when he was promoted to open the batting. The move paid instant dividends as Head struck a match-winning hundred, setting the tone for the series. Asked whether his success at the top of the order has secured that position for the future, Head remained measured. “We have got a lot of time, haven’t we? Right now, you sit here and go, yeah, the next test we play, I will have come off a hundred while opening the batting. It’s probably got to look likely,” he said. However, Head stressed that team balance remains the priority. “But this role and order and where we think guys are going to match up and where we are going to fit the guys in, I think, is still where my head’s at. And I think with the leadership of the group and the selectors, we have been pretty open about that. How we match up and how we want to best suit this team. This series is the most important thing right now,” he added. Looking back at the call made in Perth, Head felt the decision had been vindicated. “I feel it was the right call in Perth to go that way, very pleased that I was able to get an opportunity to do that. There are never guarantees that I’m going to get the job done, but I feel like it helped set our team really well.” Australia currently hold a 3-1 lead in the Ashes and sit atop the ICC World Test Championship standings, having won six of their seven Tests in the current cycle, with Head’s form playing a central role in their dominance.

Nepal announces squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup

KATHMANDU: The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) on Tuesday announced a 15-player squad, captained by Rohit Paudel, for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. In the squad, Dipendra Singh Airee has been given the role of the vice captain. India and Sri Lanka will jointly host the tournament, which will run from February 7 to March 8, according to a release from CAN. The 15-member squad, led by Paudel, features a blend of experienced players and young talents. The team is expected to adopt an aggressive approach in the World Cup, where Nepal is scheduled to face strong opponents in the group stage.The 10th edition of the global event will feature 20 teams, with 29 days of high-intensity cricket played across eight venues in India and Sri Lanka, commencing on February 7.In the 10th edition of the mega-event that brings together cricket enthusiasts, Nepal’s spin attack will once again revolve around Sandeep Lamichhane, whose experience across leagues and international tournaments provides a genuine wicket-taking threat in the middle overs. Left-arm spinner Lalit Rajbanshi adds variety, while Dipendra and Basir Ahamad offer additional spin options.All-round depth remains a key strength of the squad. Dipendra, Gulshan Jha, Aarif Sheikh, and Sompal Kami provide Nepal with flexibility with both bat and ball.At the top of the order, Kushal Bhurtel’s aggressive intent will be crucial in providing quick starts, while Aasif Sheikh offers stability with the glove, and Lokesh Bam offers solidity and shot-making ability through the middle order. Sundeep Jora and Nandan Yadav further bolster the batting unit, giving Nepal depth well beyond the top six.The pace department will be spearheaded by Sompal Kami and Karan KC, both of whom bring experience, movement with the new ball and the ability to execute at the death. They are supported by Nandan Yadav and Sher Malla, adding pace, variety and bench strength.Nepal’s previous outing at the T20 World Cup in 2024 saw them eliminated in the group stage with no wins from four games.Nepal squad: Rohit Paudel (Captain); Dipendra Singh Airee (Vice-captain); Sandeep Lamichhane; Kushal Bhurtel; Aasif Sheikh; Sundeep Jora; Aarif Sheikh; Bashir Ahmad; Sompal Kami; Karan KC; Nandan Yadav; Gulshan Jha; Lalit Rajbanshi; Sher Malla, and Lokesh Bam.

Photo credit: X/@tndragonshockey

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Dragons moved to the top of the men’s Hockey India League (HIL) table with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over JSW Soorma Club here on Tuesday. Dominant for much of the match, the Dragons were pushed to the limit in the closing stages as Soorma mounted a late fightback, but the hosts held firm to claim an important win. Selvaraj Kanagaraj (28th), Uttam Singh (30th) and Blake Govers (47th) scored for the Dragons, while Maninder Singh (45th) and captain Harmanpreet Singh (58th) kept Soorma in contention until the final moments. Soorma began the match with patient possession in their own half, but the Dragons pressed high and forced an early save from goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch inside the first minute. Both teams entered the circle regularly but struggled to create clear chances. Dragons captain Amit Rohidas carried the ball forward in the 10th minute but found no support. The Dragons earned the first penalty corner in the 12th minute, which Soorma defended well through Victor Wegnez. Harjeet was later shown the green card as the opening phase ended scoreless, with both sides cancelling each other out. The intensity rose as the game progressed in the second quarter. The Dragons won another penalty corner through good work by Sander Kauffman, but Blake Govers’ flick was saved and his rebound attempt failed to trouble Vincent. Karthik then made a strong run down the flank and found Nathan inside the circle, but the shot went wide. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Selvaraj Kanagaraj finished cleanly after a well-timed pass from Chandan Yadav on the right. The goal gave the Dragons momentum, and they struck again just before half time. Uttam Singh doubled the lead in the 30th minute with a fine reverse hit to make it 2-0, moments after Soorma’s Gurjant Singh was shown a green card. In the third quarter, Soorma responded after the break with greater urgency. Captain Harmanpreet Singh, playing on his birthday, won their first penalty corner in the 36th minute but failed to convert. Akashdeep Singh later went close from a tight angle, while the Dragons remained disciplined in defence. Soorma’s best chance came in the 42nd minute when Vivek Prasad found space in the circle, but Dragons goalkeeper David Harte produced a sharp save. The closing seconds of the period brought drama as Nathan Ephramus goal for the Dragons was disallowed for a back-stick. From the resulting free hit, Harmanpreet sent a lofted ball into the circle, and a deflection fell to Maninder Singh, who fired home with just one second left. After a referral, the goal stood, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Soorma carried that momentum into the final quarter and continued to attack. Harte was tested again and stood firm. Against the run of play, the Dragons struck decisively when Tom Craig made a superb run from deep and slipped a precise pass to Blake Govers, who calmly finished in the 47th minute to make it 3-1. Soorma refused to give up and earned a series of late penalty corners. Rohidas blocked Harmanpreet’s effort in the 56th minute, and Harte saved another attempt soon after. Harmanpreet finally converted in the 58th minute with a powerful drag-flick to make it 3-2. The final minutes were tense as Soorma won two more penalty corners, but the Dragons’ defence held strong. Under heavy pressure, the hosts showed composure to close out the match and move to the top of the men’s Hockey India League table with five points.