NEW DELHI: India opener Shafali Verma has once again shown why she is one of the most exciting batters in women’s cricket. After a series of strong performances against Sri Lanka, the 21-year-old has moved up to sixth place in the latest ICC Women’s T20I batting rankings.Shafali, who was once the world No. 1 batter in T20Is, jumped four spots after scoring runs consistently in the ongoing series.

She played a match-winning knock of 69 not out off just 34 balls in the second T20I. She followed it up with two more unbeaten innings of 79, one off 42 balls and the other off 46 balls, in the third and fourth matches in Thiruvananthapuram.Her aggressive batting at the top has given India quick starts and put pressure on the Sri Lankan bowlers early in the innings.India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana also had a positive outing. After struggling for runs earlier, she returned to form with a smooth 80 in the fourth T20I. Mandhana has managed to hold on to her third position in the ICC rankings. Meanwhile, middle-order batter Jemimah Rodrigues slipped down one place and is now ranked 10th.In the bowling department, experienced all-rounder Deepti Sharma continues to lead the charts. She remains the No. 1 T20I bowler in the world. Fellow Indian pacer Renuka Singh Thakur has also made good progress. Renuka climbed eight places to reach joint sixth after her brilliant spell of four wickets for 21 runs in the third match. Her performance helped India win the game by eight wickets and seal the series.India’s young left-arm spinners have also impressed. Shree Charani moved up 17 places to reach 52nd position, while Vaishnavi Sharma made a massive jump of 390 places to reach 124th. This is Vaishnavi’s first international series, and her rise reflects India’s strong bench strength as they prepare for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2026, to be held in England and Wales.Sri Lankan players also saw some improvement. Opener Hasini Perera moved up 114 places to 71st after steady scores of 22, 25 and 33. All-rounder Kavisha Dilhari also climbed three spots to reach 79th in the batting rankings.

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen once again found himself in the spotlight, not for his chess moves, but for his angry reaction at the board. The incident happened on Monday during the World Blitz Championship in Doha, after Carlsen lost to India’s Arjun Erigaisi.Carlsen, a five-time world champion, was playing under heavy time pressure when he eventually lost the game on time. Moments later, he slammed the table, pushed his chair back and walked away. A video of the incident quickly went viral on social media, drawing mixed reactions from fans and players.

Chris Bird, the arbiter who was on duty during the game, later explained what happened. He posted on X to calm speculation around the incident.“No pieces, chessboards or tables were harmed during the filming of this video and for those wondering, Magnus immediately apologized to his opponent and me,” Chris Bird wrote on X.However, the incident did not sit well with several in the chess community. Grandmaster Levon Aronian responded strongly, saying such behaviour should not be treated lightly.“Chris, i don’t think we as should be normalizing tantrums like that. It does affect players who are in a middle of a game who hear loud noises. In many sports such acts are penalized as unsportsmanlike behavior in order to send a message to younger athletes,” Aronian wrote.Bird replied once again, clarifying his stand and stating that he did not support Carlsen’s reaction.“Certainly not my intention to make it seem like I was OK with this behavior. I think in the video you can see I briefly spoke with Magnus, who like I said apologized. Beyond that point the issue was handed to my superiors to deal with as they saw fit,” he added.The loss itself was a major moment in the tournament. Arjun defeated the defending blitz champion in the ninth round, one of the biggest shocks of the event. Before the game, six players, including Arjun and Carlsen, were tied at the top with 6.5 points. After the win, Arjun moved to 7.5 points and shared the lead with Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov.Arjun’s win was even more impressive as he played with the black pieces, which are usually considered slightly disadvantageous. He stayed calm throughout, won a pawn, and slowly built pressure. Though Carlsen fought back, time ran out.This was not Carlsen’s first emotional outburst at the event. Earlier, after losing to Vladislav Artemiev, he walked away angrily and pushed a camera aside. Earlier this year, he also slammed a table after losing to India’s D Gukesh, a moment that went viral online.

MUMBAI: When the 2025-26 domestic season began, Vidarbha’s young opening batter Aman Mokhade was given a ‘simple’ task by his Mumbai-based coach and mentor Jwala Singh, who is also the childhood coach/mentor of India’s star opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. “‘You have to finish the season amongst the top 10 run-getters in the Ranji Trophy,’ I told him,” Jwala Singh told TOI on Tuesday.Considering that Mokhade had scored just 107 runs in four matches at 13.37 in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, struggling to even make it to the Vidarbha XI, Jwala’s ‘task’ seemed to be a tall ask for the young gun.

However, so far, Mokhade has exceeded Jwala’s expectations. For someone who has a modest record so far -he has scored 870 runs in 13 first-class matches at 39.54, 563 runs in 11 games in List A cricket, and 306 runs in 14 matches in T20 cricket- the Nagpur-based opener is enjoying a breakout season.At this point, the left-hander, who seems to have finally come of age, is this edition’s highest run-getter in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, having scored 331 runs in three matches at 110.33, and a strike rate of 109.60, with two hundreds. He scored 110 off 99 balls against a Bengal attack which had Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, and Shahbaz Ahmed, who have all played for India. On Monday, Mokhade slammed 139 off 125 balls against Jammu & Kashmir. In sizzling form, Mokhade has managed to outscore even India’s ‘keeper-bat Dhruv Jurel (307 runs in three matches), who has been in superb touch. In the first leg of the Ranji Trophy, the 24-year-old has scored 577 runs in five matches at 96.16, with three hundreds and a fifty and a highest score of 183, and is perched amongst the top six run-getters in the red-ball tournament.In the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, Mokhade made 206 runs in six matches at 34.33, with three fifties, and was the top run-getter for Vidarbha along with Dhruv Shorey.Talking about Jwala Singh helped him hone his game, Mokhade said, “He helped me a lot in arranging practice sessions, like open nets scenarios. And playing on different surfaces, like on plastic cover, wet cement pitches. He also helped me with mental preparation.”Recalling how he came in contact with Jwala around three years back, the Vidarbha batter said, “Since he was coaching Jaiswal and Prithvi Shaw, I knew Jwala sir for a long time. A friend of mine praised him a lot and showed me his videos too. I liked his coaching style, and hence went to him to develop my game,” Mokhade said.“Like Yashasvi, Aman too is a left-handed opener! I was initially reluctant to coach him, but Vidarbha batsman Apoorv Wankhede, who trains under me, convinced me. The boy has serious talent,” Jwala said.“I want to play for India and I also want an opportunity to play in the IPL,” Mokhade said.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: India’s batting depth got a stern stress test under Thiruvananthapuram’s evening skies against Sri Lanka. But captain Harmanpreet Kaur stood calm as a lighthouse in choppy waters to score a dazzling 43-ball 68, after the hosts were asked to take first strike. A late ambush — 47 runs plundered from the final three overs — was turbocharged by Arundhati Reddy’s jaw-dropping 27 off 11 (4×4, 1×6), lifting India to a commanding 175/7.Arundhati’s late onslaught proved decisive as Sri Lanka’s chase fizzled despite a mid-innings surge to 99/2 in 13 overs. Lacking the firepower to sustain the charge, the visitors closed on 160/7, falling 15 runs short. India sealed a comprehensive victory and completed a commanding 5–0 series sweep.

This was the first such series defeat for Sri Lanka in bilateral T20Is.En win, allrounder Deepti Sharma became the highest wicket-taker in women’s T20Is, when she trapped Nilakshika Silva for 3 in the 14th over.India wore a distinctly experimental look tonight, with an in-form Smriti Mandhana rested and Jemimah Rodrigues still sidelined while recovering from fever.Shafali Verma fell early, while debutant opener Gunalan Kamalini showed flashes of promise. Her 12 off 12, studded with two boundaries, hinted at intent before she was trapped lbw. Harleen Deol tried to keep things moving, but wickets kept arriving in clusters.Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma couldn’t quite impose themselves as Sri Lanka, led by Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu and a tidy spell from Kavisha Dilhari, applied the pressure. Amanjot Kaur’s lively 21 provided the thrust, while Harmanpreet made sure the batting didn’t unravel, playing a knock that crackled with authority. Nine fours pierced the infield, a lone six sailed over it, and the tempo never dipped when she was around.Sri Lanka, though, missed a trick, with Dilhari, their best bowler of the night, was strangely restricted to just two overs, despite finishing with excellent figures of 2/11.Sri Lanka’s chase of 176 stuttered early but was steadied by the halfway mark under lights. Athapaththu’s stay was fleeting, falling cheaply to Reddy, leaving the visitors wobbling at 7/1. From there, Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani stitched together a calm, counterpunching stand. Perera played with intent, racing to her maiden T20 fifty in 37 balls, while Dulani swept her way to half-century as well.At 75/1 after 10 overs, Sri Lanka stayed afloat. But India kept chipping away with timely scalps, courtesy Vaishnavi Sharma, Amanjot and Sneh Rana. When Sree Charani bowled Hasini for 42-ball 65, Sri Lankans needed 44 from 22. By then, you could sense that the match was beyond the visitors’ grasp.

Sri Lanka have brought back one of its biggest cricket heroes ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Former fast bowler Lasith Malinga has been appointed as a consultant fast bowling coach for the national team.Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed the news in an official statement, with the board also conveying that Malinga’s role will be for a short period.

His appointment will run from December 15 to January 25, 2026. The timing of the appointment is important as it comes just before the T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka will co-host.Malinga is one of the most famous bowlers Sri Lanka have ever produced. He led the team to their only T20 World Cup title in 2014, when Sri Lanka beat India in the final. Because of his vast experience, especially in T20 cricket, the team management believes he can guide the fast bowlers well. The ICC website also highlighted how valuable his knowledge will be for the team.The 42-year-old played 84 T20 internationals for Sri Lanka and took 107 wickets. He is best known for his deadly yorkers and calm bowling at the death. Even after retiring from all forms of cricket in 2021, Malinga has coached and mentored sides in T20 franchise leagues around the world.In 2022, he served as the bowling strategy coach. Now, with the World Cup around the corner, Sri Lanka hopes to make full use of his skills and experience.The T20 World Cup will begin on February 7, 2026. Sri Lanka have been placed in Group B along with Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Oman. The former champions will start their campaign against Ireland on February 8. The match will be played at the R Premadasa International Stadium in Colombo.

The news did not arrive with drama. It did not wait for a farewell match, a final lap around the ground on the shoulders of fellow teammates, or a long speech explaining the moment. It arrived as a press release. No association was allowed to turn the moment into an event. There were no speeches. There was not even a farewell press conference.Without any ceremony, 44 minutes after MS Dhoni finished his post-match press conference following the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the BCCI sent out a press release. The news came an hour after India had managed to draw an away Test — the first time in the previous 14 Australia-India Tests that the visiting team had not lost. It came in the middle of a series. Nothing about the moment suggested an ending. But it was.

Dhoni was batting on 24 when the match was called off early at the MCG. Four overs were left and India still had four wickets in hand. During the customary captain’s press conference at the end of the match, he made no mention of retirement. The announcement followed shortly through a BCCI press release, which cited “the strain of playing all formats” as the reason for his decision.Virat Kohli was named India’s captain for the final Test of the series in Sydney, a series India had already lost.In the months leading up to his retirement, Dhoni had dealt with fitness issues. He missed five One-Day Internationals against Sri Lanka in November due to a hand injury. The same injury ruled him out of the first Test against Australia in Adelaide. Since the start of 2008, counting international matches across formats as well as IPL and Champions League T20 games, Dhoni had played 398 matches. That was the most by any cricketer in that period. Suresh Raina was next with 369 games.Dhoni’s place in the Test side was not under question, but his batting returns dipped in 2014. He averaged 33 from 17 innings that year. India’s overseas results had also suffered under his leadership. From 2011 onwards, India won only two of their 22 away Tests and lost 13.But Dhoni’s Test career was never only about numbers.

From ticket collector to Test captain

Dhoni’s journey to the top of Indian Test cricket had not followed a familiar path. He broke what many saw as a metropolitan hold on the game and carved out a distinct place in India’s Test history. His rise took him from working as a ticket collector with Indian Railways to leading the Indian Test team.His first Test as captain came against South Africa in Kanpur in April 2008, after regular captain Anil Kumble was ruled out due to injury. Dhoni took over the role full-time later that year when Kumble retired after the Delhi Test against Australia in October. Under Dhoni, India reached the No. 1 position in the ICC Test rankings in 2009, a spot they held until the tour of England in 2011.Across his Test career, Dhoni played 90 matches after making his debut in 2005. He scored 4,876 runs at an average of 38, with a highest score of 224 against Australia in Chennai in 2013. As a wicketkeeper, he accounted for 294 dismissals.Long before international success arrived, those close to Indian domestic cricket believed Dhoni was meant for bigger things. Yet, his career nearly took a different turn early on. After not being informed of his selection for the East Zone side, Dhoni accepted a lift to Kolkata airport. The car broke down midway, and he missed the flight. That allowed Deep Dasgupta to play the Duleep Trophy match the next morning. Dhoni was left out. The setback delayed his progress, but did not stop it.He continued to work his way through domestic cricket and finally earned his first Test cap against Sri Lanka in Chennai in 2005. Over time, the city would claim him as one of its own. Dhoni was never seen as a traditional Test cricketer. His methods, both behind the stumps and with the bat, stood apart. For him, the game was as much about decision-making as it was about skill.He did not hide his limitations. Instead, took over an Indian Test side in its twilight and handed it back, just before dawn. In the process, he became India’s most successful Test captain in terms of wins at the time, leading the team to 27 victories. He also presided over India’s 18-month run at the top of the Test rankings between 2009 and 2011.Dhoni’s Test career spanned 90 matches. He scored 4,876 runs at an average of 38, with a highest score of 224 against Australia in Chennai in 2013. Behind the stumps, he completed 294 dismissals, the fifth-highest tally in Test history.Before the Melbourne Test in 2014, the last drawn Test between India and Australia had come in Delhi in 2008. That match marked Anil Kumble’s final appearance in Tests. Six years later, after another drawn Test, Dhoni stepped away.There was no announcement from the podium, no moment set aside for reflection. Just a line in a press release, sent out 44 minutes after a routine media interaction, closing the chapter on one of India’s most significant Test careers.As he did so, the message was unspoken but clear: “Over to you, Virat!”

NEW DELHI: World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen was involved in another dramatic incident at the FIDE World Blitz Championship 2025 in Doha, where he lost his Round 14 game by forfeit after knocking over several pieces on the board on Tuesday. The episode added to a difficult few days for the former world champion, who has struggled to control his emotions under intense time pressure.

The incident happened when Carlsen was playing Armenian grandmaster Haik Martirosyan. With just two seconds left on his clock, Carlsen tried to make a move but accidentally knocked over four pieces at the same time. In a hurry, he pressed the clock before properly placing the pieces back on the board. Martirosyan immediately stopped the clock and called arbiter Chris Bird to the table.Watch:After a long discussion between the officials, the decision went against Carlsen. He accepted the ruling and lost the game by forfeit. At the time of the incident, Martirosyan still had ten seconds on his clock, giving him a clear advantage.As the moment unfolded live, a Chess.com commentator summed up the chaos at the board. “What on earth is happening. Magnus has no control over pieces. Every single piece just tumbled. Even trying to set them back up, he knocked more pieces down,” the commentator said.The unusual scene attracted the attention of several top players nearby. Grandmasters Fabiano Caruana, Arjun Erigaisi, Alexander Grischuk and Wesley So all stopped to watch. While Wesley So appeared amused, Erigaisi paused his own game to see what was happening.Carlsen badly needed a win in this round to stay in the title race. He had nine points after 13 rounds and was already trailing the leaders by one point. The loss further hurt his chances in the Blitz event, where he has found it hard to match his usual standards. He is currently placed fifth with 12 points.On Monday, he slammed the table, showing frustration after losing on time to India’s Arjun Erigaisi. SEE ALSO: World Blitz Championship: Magnus Carlsen slams table, this time after loss to Arjun Erigaisi

India vs Sri Lanka Live Score, 5th Women’s T20I: India’s women are on a commanding 4–0 lead against Sri Lanka, showcasing the kind of dominance expected from a side several levels above their opponents.

The batters played with freedom, boundaries came in clusters, and the bowlers applied constant pressure. On paper, it was a flawless series. On the field, however, a familiar weakness resurfaced — sloppy fielding.

Despite controlling every major moment, India repeatedly let themselves down in the basics. These were not difficult chances or athletic dives gone wrong. They were regulation catches that should be taken every time at international level. In the fourth T20I, Smriti Mandhana dropped a simple catch at long-on after a mistimed shot ballooned into her hands.

Soon after, Deepti Sharma spilled another straightforward chance, allowing the ball to trickle away for four instead of ending the over with a dot or wicket.

Such moments were not isolated. India dropped five catches in the series opener in Visakhapatnam, three of them straightforward. The pattern continued through the series, with missed chances punctuating otherwise dominant performances. That these errors did not change results is both reassuring and concerning. India’s depth in batting and discipline with the ball ensured Sri Lanka never capitalised, but repeated mistakes risk becoming habits when they go unpunished.

Wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh tried to put things in perspective after the fourth T20I.

“We had an off day in the field. It’s understandable, but everyone in this team is working really hard on their fielding drills. I won’t say anything about the fielding for this one game,” she said.

Head coach Amol Muzumdar will likely see this series as a reminder that dominance alone is not enough. India’s batting looks fearless and the bowling unit increasingly sharp, but fielding remains the missing piece. At the highest level, matches and tournaments are decided by moments — sharp catches, quick stops and saved runs.

With the T20 World Cup just six months away, India have time to address the issue. Sri Lanka were forgiving. Stronger opponents will not be.

SLW vs INDW Squads:

Sri Lanka Women Squad: Hasini Perera, Chamari Athapaththu(c), Imesha Dulani, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Rashmika Sewwandi, Kaushani Nuthyangana(w), Malsha Shehani, Kawya Kavindi, Nimasha Madushani, Malki Madara, Shashini Gimhani, Vishmi Gunaratne, Inoka Ranaweera

India Women Squad: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Richa Ghosh(w), Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Vaishnavi Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, Shree Charani, Jemimah Rodrigues, G Kamalini, Kranti Gaud, Sneh Rana

The Indian Street Premier League (ISPL), India’s trailblazing tennis-ball T10 cricket tournament, is set to illuminate Surat for Season 3 from January 9 to February 6, 2026, at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium.Known as one of the nation’s most exciting tennis-ball leagues, ISPL continues to elevate the game with elite talent, electrifying batting displays, and nail-biting finishes.

Eight high-octane franchises will clash for supremacy when the season begins: Majhi Mumbai, Chennai Singams, Tiigers of Kolkata, Falcon Risers Hyderabad, Bengaluru Strikers, Srinagar Ke Veer, Ahmedabad Lions, and Delhi Superheroes.With a stellar mix of proven match-winners and emerging stars, spectators can expect towering sixes, high-pressure chases, and memorable individual performances. As anticipation builds for the season opener, here are the top five batters to watch in ISPL Season 3 — players capable of turning games on their head and defining the tournament with the bat.Vijay Pawle – Majhi Mumbai

Vijay Pawle has built a reputation as a clutch performer, and his ISPL exploits have made him one of the league’s most valuable players. The West Zone star returned to Majhi Mumbai for Season 3 with the highest-ever ISPL bid, Rs 32.50 lakh, via the Right to Match (RTM) card.Known as the “Speed Master” of Indian tennis-ball cricket, Pawle combines explosive batting with sharp game awareness. His all-round value adds depth to his game, and he captained Majhi Mumbai to the Season 2 title. A previous Best Fielder Award in Season 1 underscores his athleticism. As Majhi Mumbai aim to defend their crown, Pawle’s influence with the bat will again be pivotal.Ketan Mhatre – Chennai Singams

Among the most destructive opening batters in ISPL tennis-ball cricket, Ketan Mhatre remains a name that commands attention. From Waklan village in Thane district, Mhatre was retained by Chennai Singams for Rs 26.40 lakh via RTM, the second-highest bid of Season 3. A fearless top-order attacker, he has built a reputation for aggressive stroke play and explosive power-hitting. Across 16 matches in Seasons 1 and 2, he totaled 384 runs at a striking rate of 180.75. As Chennai Singams prepare for another campaign, all eyes will be on Mhatre to provide explosive starts from ball one.Saif Ali – Tiigers of Kolkata

Earlier known as Sagar Ali, Saif Ali has emerged as one of the most consistent and dependable batters in the ISPL. A left-hander from Kashiara village in West Bengal, Saif was picked up by Tiigers of Kolkata for Rs 23.65 lakh, making him one of the season’s top bids. In Season 2, he became the first ISPL player to score back-to-back fifties, highlighting his composure under pressure. Across 19 matches over two ISPL seasons, Saif has 595 runs with four half-centuries, cementing his status as a reliable run-scorer. He has also represented West Bengal at the youth level.Fardeen Kazi – Bengaluru Strikers

Fardeen Kazi’s defining moment came in Season 2 with a dramatic last-ball chase against Chennai Singams, a performance that announced him as a premier finisher. Needing 22 runs off the final over, Kazi led a calculated assault, culminating in a match-winning six off the last ball, one of ISPL’s most memorable victories. Among the top-priced batsmen in Season 2, Kazi continued to command premium value in Season 3, joining Bengaluru Strikers for Rs 22.30 lakh. Now with Bengaluru, Kazi is expected to be a go-to player in high-pressure moments.Jagannath Sarkar – Chennai Singams

Jagannath Sarkar has quietly become one of the ISPL’s most reliable and entertaining openers. Retained by Chennai Singams for Rs 20.02 lakh, the Tarakeswar-born batsman from West Bengal enters Season 3 with stronger form. In Season 2 (2025), he enjoyed a breakthrough campaign, scoring 226 runs in 10 matches to finish as the fourth-highest run-scorer. He combines aggression with control, posting a strike rate of 162.59 and hitting 16 sixes in Season 2. His performance peaked in a high-stakes clash against Majhi Mumbai, where he scored an unbeaten 50 to steer Chennai Singams to a crucial win.