Abhishek Sharma (ICC Photo)

NEW DELHI: India’s star opener Sanju Samson praised his opening partner Abhishek Sharma, describing their partnership as effortless and well-balanced. He said their combination is like “fire and fire”, with both players taking turns to lead the attack. Samson also spoke about their natural Kerala-Punjabi bond that strengthens their understanding. He admired Abhishek’s bravery and composure and said he enjoys their camaraderie both on and off the field.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“We are not ice and fire, we are fire and fire. Sometimes he fires, sometimes I do. We have that kind of combination going. We have done this since 2024; we have a Kerala-Punjabi friendship in the middle. Everything comes pretty naturally to us, so we do not complicate it. He asks me, ‘How is the ball coming?’ I tell him that the ball is coming normally, and hit it for a six. It is really simple with him. Abhishek is very brave and collected. I love his character. I really love the partnership with him on and off the field,” Sanju Samson said at the India Today Conclave.

Samson also revealed that Indian players were once ‘jealous’ of Abhishek because of his early stardom.“Earlier, the boys used to get jealous because of the cheers for Abhishek. It was Abhishek, Abhishek everywhere. We were like, do people only see him or what? But yes, he is the superstar of the team now. Get married soon, bhai,” he added.Samson and Abhishek tore into the New Zealand bowlers in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final, putting on a 98-run opening partnership to give India a flying start in the powerplay. Their explosive beginning helped India post a massive total of 255 in the final.India created history by securing a record third T20 World Cup title and becoming the first team to successfully defend the trophy and win it on home soil, following a dominant 96-run victory over New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.Samson scripted a remarkable comeback during the T20 World Cup, overcoming inconsistency and time on the bench to finish as India’s leading run-scorer in the tournament. He delivered crucial performances, including a string of half-centuries from the virtual quarterfinal against West Indies to the title clash against New Zealand.Samson scored 321 runs in five innings at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37. He smashed 27 fours and 24 sixes and finished as the third-highest run-scorer of the T20 World Cup.

Image credit: Bangladesh Cricket Board

NEW DELHI: A dramatic moment in the second ODI between Pakistan national cricket team and Bangladesh national cricket team sparked huge debate online after Salman Ali Agha was involved in a controversial run-out. The incident quickly went viral, and even the Rawalpindi Traffic Police joined the conversation with a safety message inspired by the moment.During Pakistan’s innings, Agha was batting on 64 when the dramatic dismissal happened. Mohammad Rizwan played a shot towards bowler Mehidy Hasan Miraz. The ball deflected off Agha, and both batters tried to take a run. However, Miraz reacted quickly, picked up the ball and hit the stumps, catching Agha short of his crease.The decision led to intense reactions on social media, with many fans debating whether the dismissal was fair or against the spirit of the game. The situation became even more dramatic when Agha showed visible frustration while leaving the field. He threw his helmet and gloves and angrily gestured towards the Bangladeshi bowler, creating a moment that quickly spread across the internet.Soon after, Rawalpindi Traffic Police used the viral incident to deliver a message about safety and personal responsibility. Sharing an image from the match, they posted a reminder that awareness and quick thinking are important both in sports and everyday life.“Whether on the road or on the playing field, safety begins with personal responsibility. Trust yourself, stay alert, and make wise decisions to keep yourself and others safe,” it wrote on X.The police also added that depending completely on others can sometimes be risky. They stressed that making careful decisions, such as following traffic rules and staying aware of surroundings, helps protect everyone.

India vs Pakistan (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: Officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday held a press conference to address the team’s performance in the T20 World Cup, where India national cricket team went on to win the title. During the press conference, Pakistan selector Aaqib Javed spoke about the team’s results and also referred to the long-standing record against India in ODI World Cups.Speaking alongside former Pakistan players Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq, Javed said Pakistan should not keep using the India record as an excuse.

“Not being able to beat India in the World Cup is not an excuse, the result there is 8–0, and even the world’s best captains have played from 1975 to 2026, so set that aside. In the Super 8 stage, one match was washed out due to rain, and we lost one match nothing else happened,” he said.“Against Sri Lanka, winning by that margin wasn’t achievable. We lost only one match. We were eliminated only on net run rate. Making it such a huge issue is too much. It’s a big issue, but not so big that our cricket is destroyed or that we can’t compete anywhere in the world.”The discussion also brought back earlier controversy involving Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan. During the tournament, Shadab had strongly responded to criticism from former players after Pakistan’s defeat to India in Colombo. When asked about remarks from ex-cricketers such as Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Yousuf, he pointed out that their teams had never beaten India in World Cups, unlike Pakistan’s 2021 T20 World Cup victory over India. Shadab was part of the 2021 side.“Former cricketers have their own opinions. They (former players) were legends, but even they could not achieve what we have. We have beaten India in a World Cup,” he added.The message also carried nothing but a lack of respect for past players, including Shadab’s father-in-law Saqlain Mushtaq.Saqlain himself expressed disappointment with the remarks. “Those were unwanted comments, and most of the players had played with me. In fact, I am also one of them who had not won an ICC event, but we had won several big matches for Pakistan, Tests and ODIs,” Saqlain said on a Pakistani show.

Gautam Gambhir, SuryaKumar Yadav offer prayers at Shree Siddhivinayak Temple

Members of the India national cricket team continued their celebrations of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup triumph by visiting the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai on Saturday, even as their previous temple visit had triggered a debate following remarks by former cricketer-turned-politician Kirti Azad.Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav along side ICC Chairman Jay shah had earlier visited the temple with the trophy in Ahmedabad after the victory and, offering prayers despite the controversy surrounding the earlier visit.Kirti Azad questions temple visitThe debate began after Kirti Azad criticised the team’s decision to take the trophy to a temple, arguing that the World Cup victory belonged to all Indians regardless of religion.“140 crore people were excited when Team India, which includes people from all religions, won. A sportsperson or sports does not belong to any religion or caste but only to the sport,” Azad said. “Why not a mosque? Why not a church? Why not a gurudwara? The trophy belongs to 1.4 billion Indians of every faith, not one religion’s victory lap,” he added. Harbhajan Singh criticises Azad’s remarksFormer India spinner Harbhajan Singh strongly criticised Azad’s comments, accusing him of unnecessarily politicising the issue.“It’s absurd that someone is politicising the players taking the trophy to a temple. Kirti himself is a former cricketer, so I didn’t expect him to say such a thing. Perhaps he’s prioritising politics more and has forgotten he’s a sportsman,” Harbhajan said. “I was expecting more because when such a big task is undertaken, the reward should be even greater. But congratulations to the team for showing everyone how powerful India is,” he added.Gambhir also defends team’s celebrationGautam Gambhir also defended the team’s actions, saying the controversy was unnecessary and risked overshadowing the players’ achievements.“It is not even worth answering this question. It’s a huge moment for the entire country and we should celebrate the World Cup winners,” Gambhir said in a conversation with ANI.“If you want to dilute the achievements of those 15 players and their efforts, then tomorrow anyone can give any statement and we start taking it seriously. That isn’t fair to the boys.”“The boys have gone through so much pressure. If you give such statements today, you are degrading your own players and your own team.”Players brush aside controversyMeanwhile, India batter Ishan Kishan dismissed questions about the controversy, urging the media to focus on the team’s historic achievement instead.“Winning the World Cup is such a great thing. You people should ask good questions. What can I say about what Kirti Azad said? Please ask good questions so that it’s enjoyable,” Kishan said.

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif slammed Mehidy Hasan Miraz after a controversial run-out involving Salman Ali Agha during the second ODI between Bangladesh and Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Friday.The unusual dismissal sparked a major debate on social media, with Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz facing criticism for what many termed an unsportsmanlike act. Former India batter Kaif was among those who strongly condemned the incident.

Slamming the act, Kaif said: “This is so not done. No desperation of getting wickets can justify this run out. That too from a captain. Youngsters please remember, even if the World Cup final is on the line never do what the Bangladesh skipper did. Sports without fair play is no sports.”

The incident took place in the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings when the visitors were rebuilding after losing three early wickets. Agha and Mohammad Rizwan had steadied the innings with a 109-run partnership for the fourth wicket.On the fourth ball of the over, bowled by Miraz, Rizwan gently pushed the delivery down the ground. The ball rolled towards Agha, who had backed up and was standing outside the crease at the non-striker’s end.As the ball struck his pads, Agha instinctively bent down, picked it up and attempted to hand it back. Miraz, however, quickly grabbed the ball and dislodged the bails with Agha still outside the crease before appealing for a run-out.The on-field umpire referred the decision to the third umpire after the appeal was made, and the replay confirmed the dismissal in Bangladesh’s favour.The decision left Agha visibly frustrated as he walked back to the pavilion, with television visuals showing the Pakistan batter expressing his displeasure after the call.The incident also triggered brief exchanges between players from both teams on the field. Rizwan was seen having a discussion with the Bangladesh players, while Litton Das defended the appeal made by Miraz.The rare run-out quickly became the biggest talking point of the match, dividing opinion among fans online. While many supported Agha and criticised the spirit of the dismissal, others argued that the Pakistan batter should have ensured he returned to his crease.Meanwhile, Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 274 in 47.3 overs, with Maaz Sadaqat top-scoring with 75. Having already lost the first ODI, Pakistan needed a victory in the second match to keep the series alive.

Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman (AFP Photo)

There have only been four instances when a team following on has won a Test match. That’s four out of roughly 2,500 Tests over 149 years.And yet, when one talks about the third such instance in the game’s history, it’s not only about statistics, not player profile, not centuries scored or wickets taken. It’s about ‘atonement’ trumping a sense of ‘guilt’.

It’s about a cocky determination taking a bull-run by the scruff of its neck, about a David telling a Goliath that “the last word shall never be said” .

It’s like a Marlow in Joseph Conrad’s ‘Lord Jim’, making a profound philosophical exposition on a will to triumph beyond ambiguity, limitations and the near-impossibility of reaching at a definitive conclusion ‘until the last ball is bowled’!To continue with the Conradian analogy, the Eden Gardens Test, was in more ways than one a battle between sympathy and judgment; self and the other.Seated in the Press Box on the uppermost tier of the BC Roy Club House for five days, the imageries just kept flowing in a stream of consciousness — with poetic justice unmistakably ensconced in the 171-run win, after being dismissed for that exact same total in the first innings!

It’s one match that remains firmly etched in memory — as much for the dramatis personae as it was for the drama: Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly infamously keeping his Aussie counterpart Steve Waugh waiting for the toss; and Waugh ‘reciprocating’ with an open offside field when the Bengal southpaw came in to bat.Given Ganguly’s penchant for off-side strokeplay, Waugh threw the gauntlet, daring him to play to his strengths, while reposing faith in his own credentials to stymie the enemy after 16 Test wins on the trot.Having suffered a 10-wicket defeat in Mumbai days ago, India were yet again staring down the wrong end of the barrel by the third afternoon at Eden Gardens.The bitter memories of the 1996 IndiaSri Lanka World Cup semifinal and 1999 India-Pakistan Test came rushing in — leaving one to wonder whether ‘Blood, Bottle, and Bisleri’ would once again rain on Golgotha (a news magazine’s headline for its cover story).On both those occasions, crowd trouble over an imminent Indian defeat had seen all hell break loose at the venerated Eden.But destiny had something else in store on the banks of the Hooghly in 2001.For once, instead of objects being hurled from the stands in frustration, Eden Gardens saw 80,000-strong fans banging their empty plastic water bottles in a calypso to egg-on Ganguly’s men who were in hot pursuit of an improbable win.For once, ‘redemption’ for the home fans and their team alike came through the heroics of two soft-spoken but never-say-die crusaders.When Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman traded their capes for India caps.That Dravid, who until then had a bad patch, didn’t show up at the postmatch press meet, went to serve as a perfect foil to an Indian captain exhort -ing the media to ask questions “only in English” to hat-trick man Harbhajan Singh, leaving the off-spinner at his wits’ end and scribes in splits.Minutes later, as a composed Waugh walked in for the presser, it was ‘calm of mind, all passion spent’.Cricketing justice at its cathartic best.

VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid (AFP Photo)

NEW DELHI: VVS Laxman, former India batter and current head of the Board of Control for Cricket in India Centre of Excellence, looked back on the 25th anniversary of the famous fourth day of the historic India vs Australia Test at Eden Gardens 2001 — a match remembered as one of the greatest comebacks in cricket history.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!On March 14, 2001, India were on the brink of a crushing defeat on home soil. After losing the first Test of the series heavily, the hosts were forced to follow on in the second match at Eden Gardens.

When play began on the fourth morning in Kolkata, India’s situation looked dire. The team were 254 for 4 in their second innings — still trailing by 20 runs with six wickets remaining. Australia appeared to have complete control and an Indian defeat seemed inevitable.What followed, however, was one of the most remarkable batting performances in Test history. Laxman, who had resumed on 109 overnight, produced a masterclass with the bat that transformed the course of the match. By the end of the day’s play, he had raced to a stunning 275 not out.At the other end, Rahul Dravid provided the perfect support. Starting the day on just seven runs, Dravid went on to compile a magnificent 155 not out, building a legendary partnership with Laxman that would ultimately turn the Test on its head and earn a permanent place in cricket folklore.“25 years ago at Eden Gardens Rahul and I shared a partnership that will forever remain special. In a moment when the game looked beyond us we chose belief, patience and resilience. That stand was not just about runs but was about trust, teamwork and fighting for every session. Grateful to have shared that journey with Rahul and to be part of a Test that reminded us all that in cricket comebacks are always possible,” Laxman wrote on X while sharing a picture of him and Dravid.Laxman was eventually dismissed for a brilliant 281, which at the time was the highest individual Test score by an Indian batter. Dravid, his partner in the epic stand, also produced a marathon effort before being run out for 180. India eventually declared their second innings at a commanding 657/7.Chasing a daunting target, Australia collapsed in the fourth innings and were bowled out for just 212. Harbhajan Singh starred with the ball, picking up six wickets as India completed one of the most extraordinary victories in Test cricket history.

Kuldeep Yadav ties know with Vanshika Chadha (ANI Photo)

Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav has tied the knot with longtime partner Vanshika Chadha in a grand ceremony held in the scenic hill town of Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. The wedding comes shortly after Kuldeep was part of India’s victorious campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, making it a particularly special time in his life.The ceremony took place at The Savoy Hotel Mussoorie, where family members, close friends and several personalities from the cricketing world gathered to celebrate the occasion.

In the days leading up to the wedding, traditional pre-wedding ceremonies such as haldi, mehendi and sangeet were held, with pictures and videos from the celebrations quickly circulating on social media.After the wedding ceremony in Mussoorie, the couple is expected to host a grand reception in Lucknow on March 17. The reception is likely to be attended by several prominent names from cricket, politics and business.Here are a few viral clips and photos from the event:Many current and former members of the India national cricket team were invited to the celebrations. According to reports, the guest list included stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Sunil Gavaskar, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Suresh Raina, Mohammad Kaif and Piyush Chawla.Close friend and fellow spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who arrived in Dehradun for the wedding, shared his excitement about the celebrations.“I am very excited for my brother’s marriage. I will dance a lot and enjoy,” Chahal had earlier said.Meanwhile, Tilak Varma had mentioned that he had the plans to enjoy the wedding before turning his attention to cricket again.“We’re going to Kuldeep’s wedding to have fun. After that, we’ll prepare for IPL,” Tilak had shared.