India cricketer Hardik Pandya’s ex-wife Natasa Stankovic Instagrammed this message to herself on her 34th birthday, on Wednesday: “Hey little girl, we’re doing well. I know I have just started. This little girl still has many dreams to fulfil.” The post received nearly three lakh ‘likes’. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @natasastankovic__
05 March,2026 09:31 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentFormer India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel reversed special praise for pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah’s performances at the ongoing T20 World Cup, ahead of India’s semi-final clash against England at the Wankhede Stadium. “Bumrah is not a banker. He is the bank. India has looked up to him most of the time, and he has never disappointed. That [taking wickets] is what he does most often. You are playing in a format right now, where the only way you can stop a batter is by getting him out, and Bumrah does that,” said Patel. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
05 March,2026 08:32 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSThe Pakistan Test squad is set to have its youngest ever head coach with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) offering the role to former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed. The PCB is awaiting his final confirmation from the 38-year old Sarfaraz. Pakistan have a busy test schedule this year as part of the ICC World Test Championship with two tests scheduled in Bangladesh in May followed by tours to West Indies and England. Pakistan's last Test series was at home against South Africa late last year. It was drawn 1-1 with former all-rounder, Azhar Mahmood working as interim head coach. A reliable source said since Azhar's contract was ended by the PCB with mutual consent, Sarfaraz is now set to take over as permanent head coach. Pakistan have never come close to qualifying for the prestigious WTC in its previous three editions. Last year the board had appointed the wicketkeeper batsman as manager and mentor of the Pakistan Shaheens and under-19 sides. He was also with the team in the ICC World Youth Cup held this year in Zimbabwe and Namibia. He also managed the Shaheens and juniors in the Asia Cup Rising Stars event and junior Asia Cup. At 38 years Sarfaraz would be the youngest person to be given the responsiblity of being head coach of the test side. He played 54 tests, 117 ODIs and 61 T20 internationals for Pakistan leading them to a under-19 WC title and the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy title. He was sacked unceremoniously as captain and dropped as player in 2019 after Misbahul Haq became head coach and chief selector of the national side in all formats. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
05 March,2026 08:26 AM IST | Karachi | PTIThe Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) unveiled the Honours Board at the Wankhede Stadium’s Balasaheb Thackeray Press Box, in association with the Sports Journalists’ Association of Mumbai (SJAM), recognising the contribution of Mumbai’s sports journalists to the growth and promotion of cricket in the city. “Mumbai’s cricket legacy has been built not only by players, but also by journalists, who have chronicled its journey with integrity and passion,” said MCA President Ajinkya Naik at the unveiling, with MCA’s Apex Council and SJAM members.
05 March,2026 08:18 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentAs all-rounder Shivam Dube, 32, gears up for the T20 World Cup semi-final against England at his Wankhede home ground on Thursday, his childhood coach Nilesh Bhosle believes his ward’s familiarity with the venue could prove to be crucial factor for the hosts. “Shivam has played some small, but very crucial knocks in almost every game for India, be it at the Asia Cup or in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Shivam [with his strokeplay] has always helped release the pressure off his batting partner. Though some of his innings were small, but the knocks were game-changing, and he can do the same against England tomorrow [Thursday],” Bhosle told mid-day on Wednesday. Nilesh Bhosle Dube’s carnage in 2018 Bhosle, who is currently the Joint Secretary of the Mumbai Cricket Association, recalled how Dube hammered five consecutive sixes against Baroda left-arm spinner Swapnil Singh in a Ranji Trophy match at Wankhede in 2018. “I remember how Shivam smashed those five sixes against Baroda at this ground. Wankhede is his home ground, so he is well aware of the conditions here and I’m confident he will put his best effort and help our team beat England. His batting style is such that if he gets the ball in his radar, then whoever the bowler is, he will go for the big hit. I’m expecting the same from him against England,” said Bhosle. Dube has scored 166 in seven games and claimed five wickets in this tournament so far. Recalling Dube’s early days when their school – Hansraj Morarji Public School — emerged Giles Shield champions in 2007, Bhosle, who was the school team’s coach then, said: “Since childhood, Shivam’s strength has been big-hitting. We beat Shardashram Vidyalaya [English] in the U-14 Giles Shield final at Shivaji Park Gymkhana in 2007. Shivam and Jaideep Pardeshi used to open for us and gave us good starts. He was a regular at practice and never missed a day. His dad [Rajesh] even made a pitch at home for extra practice so credit to him and his passion for the game.” Bhosle revealed how Dube never played age-group cricket for Mumbai, but directly made it to the Ranji team. From fat to fit “When Shivam was 13, his weight was around 75 kg. He stopped playing cricket for a few years, primarily due to a back injury. He was a bit too fat in those days. But later, when he started playing club cricket and competitive cricket, he realised the importance of fitness and started working on it and began doing well at the senior level,” Bhosle signed off. 05No. of wickets claimed by Shivam Dube in seven games at this T20 World Cup 166No. of runs scored by Shivam Dube @33.2 in the ongoing T20 World Cup 156.6Shivam Dube’s strike rate in the ongoing T20 WC; the third best among Indian players, behind Sanju Samson (195.9) and Ishan Kishan (185.1)
05 March,2026 08:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh MayureAs India opener Abhishek Sharma struggles to get his form back, the team’s bowling coach Morne Morkel wants him to recall his 54-ball 135 against England at the Wankhede Stadium on February 2 last year. “He’s [Abhishek] not a guy who worries too much about technique. Normally, those sort of players take a lot more time to get into confidence. It’s a fresh page for him tomorrow [Thursday], an opportunity to go and do well. He has scored 100 here against England not so long ago. So, for him, it’s just about tapping into those little videos and looking at his feel-good moments and building a blueprint and knowing he’s starting on zero tomorrow,” Morkel said on the eve of India’s T20 World Cup semi-final at the Wankhede. England skipper Harry Brook during practice at the Wankhede on Thursday. Pic/Ashish Raje Abhishek has managed just 80 runs in six matches so far, but Morkel reckoned it’s only a matter of a couple of good strokes for him to hit form again. “Coming back to his form, Abhishek, his way of playing is one or two shots that can find him that rhythm that can give him that confidence back. And that, for me, is a pleasing sign,” added Morkel. The former South African pacer also felt this is a learning phase for Abhishek, some similar to what Sanju Samson went through recently before emerging to score a match-winning 97 against West Indies. “Sometimes this game can be hard, cruel on you. It’s a similar situation that Sanju found himself in; in your career, you’re going to find moments like this. It’s a good learning for him [Abhishek]. This will only help him down the line,” added Morkel. Meanwhile, England skipper Harry Brook wants his team to play a brave brand of cricket. “We’re obviously going into the game very confident; playing some good cricket. We haven’t quite played that perfect performance, but I feel it’s just around the corner. Hopefully, it’s tomorrow [Thursday]; we go out there and play with freedom, play brave,” said Brook.
05 March,2026 07:45 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh MayureTwo down, two to go. That’s what India’s vast legion of supporters must be thinking, ahead of Thursday’s second semi-final of the T20 World Cup against England. The team itself will entertain no such thoughts, their focus trained entirely on the immediate task which is to get the better of Harry Brook’s side. It’s the third edition in a row where the two sides are locking horns at this stage of the competition. England surged to a 10-wicket victory in Adelaide in November 2022 on their way to the title, India returned the compliment with a 68-run romp in Providence in June 2024. There is little the teams don’t know about each other, though they haven’t faced off since January last year. India’s Abhishek Sharma drops a catch against the West Indies in Kolkata on Sunday At this stage, history counts for little. It’s all about current form, managing and embracing pressure, keeping emotions in check and not letting the occasion take over. India have had first-hand experience in the last week alone of must-win encounters. Having played themselves into a corner following their Super Eight opener loss to South Africa, they came surging through with convincing wins against Zimbabwe and West Indies. England, by contrast, were untroubled in the corresponding round in Sri Lanka, when they breezed past New Zealand, Pakistan and the hosts. England will need to make a mental shift from challenging batting tracks in the Emerald Isle to a truer surface at the Wankhede Stadium. Brook and the management group will be hoping that’s the trigger Jos Buttler needs to rediscover form. The former captain has mustered a mere 62 runs in seven innings but England have entertained no designs of replacing him simply because of his value that extends beyond tangible numbers. Buttler will be itching to repay the faith; what better occasion than the semi-final to do so? India have ticked over like a well-oiled machine either side of the Protean mauling, but they haven’t been anywhere close to the perfect game. Their catching, especially, has been abysmal, an extension of their recent woes across formats; England won’t be as accommodating as some of the other outfits, so India must bring their ‘A’ game if they are to keep their title defence alive. It was at the Wankhede, 25 days back, that Suryakumar Yadav masterminded a glorious fightback against United States with a memorable unbeaten 84. The captain hasn’t had a defining innings since; maybe, just maybe, he too has been waiting for a return to his home ground. 17-12India’s win-loss record against England across 29 T20Is 71.7 percentIndia’s catching efficiency at the ongoing T20 World Cup — the worst among the Super Eight teams 13No. of catches dropped by India at this T20 World Cup — the most for any team 3This is the third time in a row India face England in the semis of the T20 World Cup — England won in 2022, while India won in 2024
05 March,2026 07:39 AM IST | Mumbai | R KaushikIn the semi-final 1 of the T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa, New Zealand emerged victorious by nine wickets at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. With this, New Zealand has sealed its berth for the title clash of the marquee event. Having put to chase a target of 170 runs, the "Black Caps" scored 173 runs for the loss of just one wicket in 12.5 overs. Wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Seifert scored 58 runs off 33 balls, including seven boundaries and two maximums. Fellow opening batsman Finn Allen delivered a match-winning knock of an unbeaten 100 runs in just 33 balls, which was laced with 10 boundaries and eight maximums. Rachin Ravindra also stayed unbeaten on 13 runs, which came in 11 balls, with the help of two boundaries. South Africa's lead pacer Kagiso Rabada claimed one wicket for 28 runs in three overs. Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, and Keshav Maharaj went wicketless in the semi-final 1 of the T20 World Cup 2026 against New Zealand. Earlier, having put to bat first, South Africa skipper Aiden Makram scored 18 runs in 20 balls, including a boundary and a maximum. Wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock departed after scoring 10 runs in eight balls, with the help of a boundary and a maximum. Ryan Rickelton was dismissed on a one-ball duck. Dewald Brevis managed to score a crucial 34 runs off just 27 deliveries. His knock was laced with three boundaries and two maximums. David Miller also returned with six runs in six balls. Later, Tristan Stubbs scored 29 runs off 24 balls, including two boundaries and a maximum. Marco Jansen played an unbeaten knock of 55 runs off 30 deliveries. He also smashed two boundaries and five maximums. With this, the Proteas posted a total of 169 runs for the loss of eight wickets. New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra and Cole McConchie bagged two wickets each. James Neesham also chipped in with one wicket. Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, and skipper Mitchell Santner went wicketless in the semi-final 1 of the T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa. T20 World Cup 2026: Upcoming clash The semi-final 2 of the T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be played between Team India and England on March 5 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
04 March,2026 11:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentEngland is set to take on Team India in the semi-final 2 of the T20 World Cup 2026. The match will be played on March 5 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Ahead of the match, England skipper Harry Brook said that his team is often seen as a poor-performing side against spin. He then stated that the "Three Lions" have defeated Sri Lanka in their own backyard and have gained confidence for playing on turning tracks. "I feel like England always get a bad rap about playing against spin. We have gone to Sri Lanka, and we have won six games in a row against the subcontinent side, who are very good in their own backyard, and we have got a lot of confidence playing on turning pitches," he said. The skipper then said that he will try to score as many runs as possible against Team India's mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy. "Chakravarthy is one of the best bowlers in the world, and I will try my best to face him and score as many runs as I can against him," said Brook. In the ongoing global showpiece, England stalwart Jos Buttler is struggling with his form. So far in seven innings, the right-handed batsman has scored 62 runs. Speaking about him, the skipper labelled Buttler as a "powerhouse" and said that there should be no questions regarding his place in the team. "I think leaving him alone is probably the best thing to do. He's been a powerhouse of a cricketer for many years, as we've all seen. I have been asked this question thousands of times now, and I just think there should be no reason to question why he is in the team," said the 27-year-old cricketer. T20 World Cup 2026, IND vs ENG: Full Squads India: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan (WK), Rinku Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma. England: Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Jos Buttler (WK), Jamie Overton, Ben Duckett, Jofra Archer, Luke Wood, Sam Curran, Phil Salt (WK), Josh Tongue, Harry Brook (C), Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Jacob Bethell, Rehan Ahmed. (With ANI Inputs)
04 March,2026 09:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTeam India is set to lock horns with England in the semi-final 2 of the T20 World Cup 2026. The match is scheduled to be played on March 5 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Ahead of the match, BookMyShow shared a post on its official social media handle, announcing the sale of tickets. "Additional tickets for the Semi Final 2 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup go live at 6 PM today!," read the post's caption. Several cricket fans, however, expressed disappointment over not being able to book the tickets. A few fans received a pop-up on their screens stating "You've Been Added To The Queue...". I want to understand this scam 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/zeMDQ1Kzvh — Parag Mandpe (@ParagMandpe) March 4, 2026 Although a few fans complained about the website showing available tickets, but were unable to book. pic.twitter.com/Yne0tQQt13 — ♥ lilsoftie ⁷ ° (@nnaaannnnuuuuu) March 4, 2026 pic.twitter.com/8efN5WHXEu — pratik10789 (@10789pratik) March 4, 2026 Missed it by milliseconds ig pic.twitter.com/sgzTlLbED1 — Chirag Khatri (@ChiragKhatri32) March 4, 2026 98,890 people ahead of me in the queue. 😢 pic.twitter.com/oGwNkrQbSr — Sandeep Parkhi (@sparkhi) March 4, 2026 T20 World Cup 2026: Top 3 Team India players to watch out for ahead of England's clash Ahead of the game, management will expect Abhishek Sharma to deliver big performances against the "Three Lions". The left-handed batsman is struggling to find himself among the runs. So far, having played six matches, he has managed to score 80 runs, with a top score of 55 runs. On the other hand, Ishan Kishan is having a decent run in the ongoing global showpiece. Donning the Indian jersey in seven games, he has accumulated 224 runs, with a top score of 77 runs. Despite a fine run, he has been dropped to the number three position in the batting lineup. Sanju Samson has moved upto the opening slot along with Abhishek. Team India's think tank will also expect Suryakumar Yadav's deputy, Axar Patel, to score crucial runs down the order. The 32-year-old cricketer will also look to strike important wickets for the "Men in Blue" in the semi-final 2. T20 World Cup 2026, IND vs ENG: Full Squads India: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan (WK), Rinku Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma. England: Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Jos Buttler (WK), Jamie Overton, Ben Duckett, Jofra Archer, Luke Wood, Sam Curran, Phil Salt (WK), Josh Tongue, Harry Brook (C), Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Jacob Bethell, Rehan Ahmed.
04 March,2026 09:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTeam India is set to lock horns with England in the semi-final 2 of the T20 World Cup 2026. The match is scheduled to be played on March 5 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Ahead of the clash, Team India players paid a visit to the Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai. Team India's vice-captain Axar Patel, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan were seen performing rituals in the temple. PHOTO | Members of the Indian cricket team paid a visit to Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai ahead of their semi-finals against England tomorrow.Source: Third Party pic.twitter.com/9UH7RgtlBW — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 4, 2026 Team India's management will expect Abhishek to deliver big performances against the "Three Lions". The left-handed batsman is struggling to find himself among the runs. So far, having played six matches, he has managed to score 80 runs, with a top score of 55 runs. On the other hand, Ishan Kishan is having a decent run in the ongoing global showpiece. Donning the Indian jersey in seven games, he has accumulated 224 runs, with a top score of 77 runs. Despite a fine run, he has been dropped to the number three position in the batting lineup. Sanju Samson has moved upto the opening slot along with Abhishek. Team India's think tank will also expect Suryakumar Yadav's deputy, Axar, to score crucial runs down the order. The 32-year-old cricketer will also look to strike important wickets for the "Men in Blue" in the semi-final 2. Before the clash between Team India and England, the cricket fans will witness semi-final 1 between South Africa and New Zealand. The match will be played on March 4 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. T20 World Cup 2026, IND vs ENG: Full Squads India: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan (WK), Rinku Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma. England: Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Jos Buttler (WK), Jamie Overton, Ben Duckett, Jofra Archer, Luke Wood, Sam Curran, Phil Salt (WK), Josh Tongue, Harry Brook (C), Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Jacob Bethell, Rehan Ahmed.
04 March,2026 07:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
