NEW DELHI: In Sunday’s Champions Trophy summit matchup against New Zealand, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has selected India as the favorite, but he has noted that the advantage will be negligible because the Black Caps are a strong team. With an all-win record, India advanced to the final after defeating Australia in the…

NEW DELHI: New Zealand opener Will Young is not deterred by his side’s loss to India in the group stage and is intent on taking advantage of Rohit Sharma‘s team’s shortcomings in Sunday’s Champions Trophy final in Dubai. Along with Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, Young has helped the Black Caps get off to a…

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand in Dubai, former cricketer Laxmi Ratan Shukla shared his thoughts on the highly anticipated clash, calling it a “nail-biter.”India and New Zealand will face off in the tournament final on March 9 at the Dubai International Stadium. India remain unbeaten…

Mohammed Shami (AFP Photo) NEW DELHI: Poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar has extended his support to Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami, who recently found himself at the center of controversy after Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, the President of All India Muslim Jamaat, labeled him “a criminal” for not observing ‘Roza’ during Ramzan.Akhtar urged Shami to disregard…

DUBAI: Just two days before the Champions Trophy final against India on Sunday, New Zealand are left sweating over the fitness of their in-form, most experienced pace bowler Matt Henry, who is currently the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 10 scalps in four matches.The 33-year-old injured his right shoulder while taking a catch to dismiss Hein…

NEW DELHI: India’s spin bowling arsenal has long been a cornerstone of its cricketing dominance. The ongoing ICC Champions Trophy has ensured the tradition carries on with the spin quartet of Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy being instrumental in India’s journey to the final.Each brings a distinct style and skill set,…

With so much uncertainty around Rohit Sharma continuing as Test captain, Bumrah is seen as the frontrunner to lead the side if the selectors don’t go for a younger captain, given the pacer’s fitness concernsNEW DELHI: Jasprit Bumrah‘s return to competitive cricket may take a while longer. TOI has learnt that the ace fast bowler…

Matt Henry (AP Photo) NEW DELHI: New Zealand pacer Matt Henry is doubtful for the Champions Trophy final against India due to a shoulder niggle, but coach Gary Stead remains hopeful that the in-form bowler will recover in time for Sunday’s clash. Henry currently tops the tournament’s wicket-taking charts with 10 scalps, including an impressive…

Sunil Gavaskar and Rohit Sharma NEW DELHI: Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has urged Indian skipper Rohit Sharma to build longer innings instead of being content with quick starts, emphasising that his prolonged presence at the crease could be a game-changer for India. Gavaskar believes that while Rohit’s aggressive approach in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) has given…

Varun Chakaravarthy (AP photo) DUBAI: When was the last time a cricketer playing just his third ODI emerged as such a threat to a team in an ICC final? Going into the Champions Trophy final against India at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, New Zealand aren’t too daunted by the reputation of their opponents.Nor…