Ricky Ponting (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has praised the India national cricket team after their dominant victory in the T20 World Cup 2026, calling the current Indian side one of the strongest T20 teams ever. India secured their third T20 World Cup title with a convincing 96-run win over the New Zealand national cricket team in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The win also made India the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup.

Ponting praises India’s depth and consistency

Ponting highlighted India’s impressive performances in recent ICC tournaments and their strong record in white-ball cricket. According to him, the team’s combination of talent, experience and depth makes them extremely difficult to beat.“It’s really hard to argue a point against that. If you look at this, not just the T20I team but their white-ball record in ICC events over the last five or six years, it’s quite remarkable,” Ponting said on International Cricket Council’s The ICC Review.“A lot of people probably identified before this tournament started the depth and the strength that this current Indian team had, and also the experience that they have.“This is a very, very strong Indian white-ball team, not just a T20 team. Back-to-back World Cups, hats off to them.”

Experience and IPL influence

The former Australian captain believes the players’ experience from both international cricket and the Indian Premier League has helped them handle pressure situations better.“The one thing that’s probably overlooked with this current team is the amount of experience and the amount of cricket a lot of these guys have played, whether it’s international cricket or even just the IPL,” said Ponting, who is also head coach of Punjab Kings.“The IPL games are every bit as big as international games anyway, so this Indian team came in well primed with great balance and a great squad.”

Learning from a rare defeat

India had suffered a defeat against the South Africa national cricket team during the Super Eight stage, but Ponting felt the loss actually helped the team refocus.“You win 12 matches on the trot, there’s bound to be an off day. And I am glad it’s come early. It might just be the shake-up India needed,” he said. “They would have learned from that experience and won’t take things for granted.”After that loss, India bounced back strongly with powerful batting displays, scoring over 250 runs in three matches, including the semifinal and the final.“Maybe it just allowed them to regroup, get together and talk about the things that are important to them as a team,” Ponting added. “They solidified what they felt was their strongest playing XI and didn’t make many changes at the back end of the tournament.”

NEW DELHI: Team India’s left-handed batter Ishan Kishan is the frontrunner to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad in the upcoming IPL 2026 season, as there is yet no clarity on when Pat Cummins will link up with the squad. TimesofIndia.com reliably understands that the SRH management has had a discussion in this regard, and Kishan has been identified as the most suitable candidate to have the armband in the Australian fast bowler’s absence.

Ishan’s stocks are on a bull run at the moment. The 27-year-old has had a brilliant T20 World Cup campaign, where he became the toast of the nation for his performances, initially as a top-order batter and then at No. 3 when Sanju Samson returned to the Playing XI.

Ishan Kishan’s performance in last IPL

Kishan has established himself as one of the most explosive wicketkeeper-batters in the IPL. Across 119 matches in the tournament, playing for three franchises including Sunrisers Hyderabad, he has scored 2,998 runs from 112 innings at an average of 29.10 and a strike rate of 137.64. His tally includes one century, 17 half-centuries, 288 fours and 134 sixes, underlining his aggressive batting style. Behind the stumps, Kishan has also contributed with 59 catches and five stumpings. In the 2025 season, his first after being picked for Rs 11.25 crore in the auction, he scored 354 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 152.58, including a century and a fifty.

Kishan’s heroics in T20 World Cup 2026

Kishan played a key role for the India national cricket team during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, finishing as India’s second-highest run-scorer with 317 runs in nine innings at an average of 35.22 and a strike rate above 193. His campaign included three half-centuries, including one in the final, helping India clinch the title. Speaking after the victory, he said, “Our team won, obviously, it is a very good thing, not only for us, but for the whole nation. We hope to continue playing cricket like this and keep winning.” He added, “It feels great because I believe the better I perform, the more motivation it will be for the young kids here who want to grow. I always try to ensure as many players as possible emerge from every corner. Now that we’ve played the World Cup, it shows that with hard work, you can succeed from anywhere.” On his future goals, Kishan said, “Nothing much, just keep scoring runs, keep playing, and keep winning.”

Paris: India’s HS Prannoy (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)

NEW DELHI: HS Prannoy has withdrawn from the Orleans Masters Super 300 badminton tournament after suffering a shoulder injury during last week’s Swiss Open in Basel. The experienced Indian shuttler was originally scheduled to face top seed Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei in the opening round.Prannoy first felt discomfort while travelling to the Swiss Open and decided to withdraw from his match against Koki Watanabe to avoid worsening the injury. After returning, scans revealed a minor tear in his shoulder.

“The shoulder pain developed after travelling to the Swiss Open. We didn’t know the reason then, so I decided to withdraw and fly back,” Prannoy told PTI.“After a scan it showed a slight tear. It is a minor thing and hopefully I should be okay soon,” he added. The Indian star is now aiming to recover in time for the upcoming Asian Championships scheduled in Ningbo, China.

Young Indian players lead the challenge

With Prannoy out, younger players will lead India’s campaign at the tournament. Rising star Ayush Shetty, seeded eighth and currently ranked world No. 25, will be one of the main contenders after winning the US Open Super 300 last year. He begins his campaign against Lee Chia Hao.Former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth will also be in action against Magnus Johannesen of Denmark. Other Indian players in the men’s singles include Tharun Mannepalli, who recently reached the quarterfinals at the Swiss Open, and Kiran George, who stunned former world champion Loh Kean Yew in Basel.

Focus on women’s and doubles events

In women’s singles, young talent Tanvi Sharma, silver medallist at the BWF World Junior Championships, will face Supanida Katethong. Malvika Bansod also returns after recovering from a long knee injury and will take on Sung Shuo Yun.India will also compete in doubles events. Pairs such as Hariharan Amsakarunan and M R Arjun in men’s doubles, and Dhruv Kapila with Tanisha Crasto in mixed doubles, will look to make strong runs and keep India’s hopes alive in the tournament.

Suryakumar Yadav (ANI Photo)

Suryakumar Yadav, who recently led the India national cricket team to a historic triumph in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, has admitted that while he dreams of playing Test cricket, the shortest format remains where he feels most comfortable.Speaking in an interview with PTI, the Indian captain reflected on his journey across formats, his love for red-ball cricket, and why T20 cricket has ultimately become his natural space.

Still dreams of playing Test cricket

“…what is written in your life, you get that only. I started with red-ball cricket itself, played Ranji Trophy for 10-12 years. I played a lot of red-ball cricket in Bombay because if you grow up in Bombay, you start with red ball itself, so everything is around red ball,” he said.

“But gradually, when we started playing white ball cricket, the inclination shifted a bit towards that. And after that, I came to this format (T20). I also tried a lot in One-Day cricket to play well in it, but nothing happened there,” he said.“T20 mein jaisa chal raha tha, usme apna haath set ho gaya hai, aisa bol sakte hain” (The way T20 was working out for me, I had become good at it; you can say that),” he said.

ODI cricket never worked for him

While Suryakumar has thrived in T20 cricket, he admitted that the 50-over format never quite suited his game.“I feel that as much as I have experienced ODI cricket closely and I have seen it, it is a format where you have to bat in three different ways. Sometimes if you go in early, if wickets fall quickly, then you have to bat like Test cricket.“Then you have to bat with a good strike rate like a One Day and then later at the end of the innings, you have to bat like (you do in) T20 format. So, that is one format that I never understood. I tried my best to play it. But then it’s a challenging format,” he said.Suryakumar last featured in an ODI during the 2023 Cricket World Cup final against Australia, where he scored 18 runs off 28 balls. India lost the final, and he has not played an ODI since then.

ODI cricket still has its charm

The Indian captain recalled the incredible atmosphere during the 2023 ODI World Cup, saying the tournament showed that the format still holds a unique appeal.Suryakumar also recalled the emotion that the format managed to stir during the 2023 World Cup.“…when I was with the team for the 2023 ODI World Cup and I played, then that vibe, the whole atmosphere of that format, the build-up going into the final. That was completely different than what we played in 2026 and 2024 T20 World Cup.“So, it’s charm is different, ODI cricket also has a different charm, T20 has a different one,” he explained.

India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav, right, and Ishan Kishan. (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav has revealed that one of the biggest selection calls of the tournament — choosing Ishan Kishan over Jitesh Sharma — was largely driven by instinct rather than pure numbers. The skipper admitted the decision was tough but insisted his gut feeling told him Kishan could be the “X-factor” India needed on the big stage.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Suryakumar said the call was a delicate balance between data and intuition. “It was completely on gut, little bit on data. It was very harsh on Jitesh Sharma at that time because he was playing with the team for over a year. Had he not been playing, then the story would have been different,” he said in a podcast interview with PTI Videos.

The captain revealed that the turning point came during a direct conversation with Kishan. “I called him and asked, ‘Chhotu, World Cup jitayega?’ He asked, ‘Bharosa karogey?’ I said, ‘Chal kiya.’ And the way he played was amazing,” Suryakumar recalled. “I always knew he could be the X-factor because he has no baggage.”Kishan justified that faith in style during the tournament, scoring 317 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of over 190 while opening the innings and batting at No. 3. His tally was the fourth-highest in the competition as India lifted the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup for the second consecutive time, following their triumph under Rohit Sharma in 2024.Suryakumar also highlighted Kishan’s determination to fight his way back into the national setup after a difficult phase. “He was going through a bad patch and had been out of the team for a while. But he travelled across India playing practice matches and smaller games just to stay ready,” he said.Another tactical call that proved decisive was the inclusion of Sanju Samson at the top of the order. According to Suryakumar, Samson’s arrival changed the momentum of India’s campaign. “After Sanju got included, the tide completely changed. It was also tactical because we had too many left-handers at the top and opposition off-spinners were finding it easy.”Samson responded with match-winning performances, including scores of 89 in both the semifinal and final, eventually earning the Player of the Tournament award.Reflecting on his own approach, Suryakumar described T20 batting as largely instinctive. “It’s a reaction-driven sport. Around 70 to 75 per cent of batting is reaction and the rest is instinct. On a given day, you just assess what the situation demands and bat accordingly,” he said.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav with his teammates. (ANI Photo)

NEW DELHI: India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav believes the country’s talent pool in the shortest format has grown so vast that multiple international-quality teams could be formed at the same time — a reflection of the depth created by domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Suryakumar said the current generation of players represents perhaps the strongest T20 group India has produced, highlighting how franchise cricket and domestic competitions continue to produce new stars every season.“If you talk about talent, I feel you can find talent regularly. There is IPL cricket, franchise cricket, then there is domestic cricket. You can see how many players come every year,” Suryakumar said in a podcast interview with PTI Videos.

“So I feel talent is unlimited. If you can make two-three playing XIs, our base is so strong, of the Indian team. So this is not a modest and diplomatic reply. But now it is so strong, so there is no shame in telling the truth.”Since taking over the captaincy after Rohit Sharma stepped down following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph in Barbados, Suryakumar has overseen a period of remarkable success. Under his leadership, India have won 42 of their 52 T20 Internationals, establishing themselves as one of the most dominant sides in the format.The 35-year-old credited the team’s impressive run to a collective mindset within the dressing room.“I don’t pay too much attention to statistics but I hate losing any game. If everyone in the dressing room moves in the same direction, only then can you achieve such a percentage,” he said, referring to India’s near 80 per cent win rate.Known for his innovative 360-degree strokeplay, Suryakumar also described T20 batting as largely instinctive and reactive once a player steps onto the field.“I feel batting is about 70–75 per cent reaction. The remaining 25 per cent is instinct, what you decide to do in the moment. Once you enter the ground, you are almost in autopilot mode. You try to bat with rhythm and according to the situation,” he explained.Suryakumar also highlighted his strong working relationship with India head coach Gautam Gambhir, revealing how closely aligned their thinking has been while building the current squad.“Out of 15 names we both suggested, 14 were common. That means the thinking was the same. When the goals are clear, there are no arguments, only discussions,” he said.

Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson (R) with Shaheen Afridi during a practice session. (PTI Photo)

Former Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad launched a blistering attack on the team’s leadership after Pakistan slumped to a 2-1 ODI series defeat against Bangladesh, warning that Pakistan cricket was slipping to alarming levels.Speaking after Pakistan’s 11-run loss in the third and final ODI in Dhaka, Shehzad criticised captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and head coach Mike Hesson, accusing the management of making excuses instead of addressing deeper issues within the team.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“After the pathetic T20 World Cup campaign, you did not make any changes. You brought youngsters out of nowhere. Now you have lost the series and you are giving excuses of having youngsters in the playing XI,” Shehzad said on his YouTube channel. “When you don’t accept your mistakes, you will never move ahead in life.”Pakistan were without senior batters Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman during the series, with conflicting explanations offered by the team management. While Afridi and Hesson said the pair had been rested, chief selector Aaqib Javed claimed the duo had sustained injuries during the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.Shehzad also questioned Pakistan’s tactical decisions, particularly Afridi’s call to bowl first in the series decider.“When you won the toss, why did you decide to bowl? It was a good pitch. You should have batted and put runs on the board, then bowled under lights,” he said. “When your senior players behave like this, what do you expect from the youngsters?”Bangladesh secured the series thanks to a standout performance from Tanzid Hasan, who smashed a run-a-ball 107 to guide the hosts to 290 for five at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Pakistan’s chase was led by a fighting 106 from Salman Ali Agha, but the visitors were eventually bowled out for 279, with Taskin Ahmed claiming four wickets.The defeat follows Pakistan’s disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup Super 8 stage — their fourth consecutive ICC event without reaching the semi-finals.Shehzad dismissed the management’s attempts to downplay the setbacks. “You say you beat Australia and South Africa, but they never played their full-strength teams. If you wanted to fix Pakistan cricket, you would have done it by now.”In his harshest criticism, Shehzad warned that Pakistan’s standing in international cricket was slipping dramatically.“You are becoming an associate team,” he said. “People are now treating Pakistan like Zimbabwe. And then you say we crashed out of the World Cup due to run rate. Have some shame.”

File Pic: Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha, left, with Shaheen Shah Afridi (AP Photo)

Pakistan’s troubles deepened on Sunday after a 2-1 ODI series defeat to Bangladesh triggered fierce criticism from former wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who questioned the state of the country’s cricket with a scathing remark: “If you don’t beat teams in matches, will you now steal ICC trophies and bring them home?”Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The outburst came after Bangladesh edged Pakistan by 11 runs in the third and final ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka to seal the series. The defeat compounds Pakistan’s struggles following their disappointing early exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.Bangladesh posted 290 for five after being asked to bat, powered by a superb century from Tanzid Hasan. The opener struck a fluent 107 off 98 balls, hitting six fours and seven sixes, and shared a 105-run stand with Saif Hassan, who made 36. Later contributions from Litton Das (41) and Towhid Hridoy (48) ensured the hosts set a challenging target.Pakistan’s bowling effort was led by Haris Rauf, who claimed three wickets, while captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and spinner Abrar Ahmed took one each.Chasing 291, Pakistan were rocked early and slumped to 82 for five before Salman Ali Agha mounted a spirited counterattack. Agha smashed 106 off 98 balls to keep Pakistan in the hunt, but his dismissal in the 48th over proved decisive as the visitors were bowled out for 279 off the final delivery.Taskin Ahmed starred with the ball for Bangladesh, taking four wickets, while Mustafizur Rahman chipped in with three.Reacting to the defeat on a television show, Akmal launched a blistering attack on Pakistan cricket’s administration and decision-making.“The condition is such that now even the Netherlands would want to play a series against us, beat us and get Test status. This is the condition of Pakistan cricket now,” Akmal said.He questioned Pakistan’s tactical choices as well. “It was a good pitch. Why did you choose to bowl first? They could have easily scored 350 today. Litton Das played slowly at the end and still they got 290, yet we lost.”Akmal also took a swipe at Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi, referencing the controversy surrounding the 2025 Asia Cup trophy presentation.“For God’s sake, think about Pakistan cricket. You have made a mockery of it. When you don’t win series against teams, how will you progress? If you don’t beat teams in matches, will you now steal ICC trophies and bring them home?”