Jammu and Kashmir captain Paras Dogra has been fined 50 percent of his match fee and handed two demerit points for head-butting Karnataka substitute fielder K.V. Aneesh during day two’s play in the Ranji Trophy final at the KSCA Ground on Wednesday. A BCCI official told IANS that Dogra has been fined 50 percent of his match fee shortly after day two’s play ended. “In addition to this, two demerit points have been added to Dogra’s disciplinary record, as per the playing conditions for men’s multi-day matches,” further said the official. The incident occurred in the 101st over of J& K’s first innings, when Dogra and Kanhaiya Wadhawan attempted to steady the innings after early setbacks. Shortly after edging a delivery from Prasidh Krishna to the boundary, Dogra exchanged words with Aneesh, who was stationed at silly point. Dogra then advanced towards Aneesh and headbutted him while still wearing his helmet, prompting immediate intervention from on-field umpires Rohan Pandit and Ulhas Gandhe, as well as Karnataka opener Mayank Agarwal and captain Devdutt Padikkal. Later, Dogra was seen apologising to Aneesh. The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) said it would comply with the aforementioned decision, noting that the sanction was in line with established norms by the BCCI and the match referee’s ruling. “Whatever has been done now is as per the BCCI norms and we have to follow them. Plus, we have to follow the decision made by the match referee for this final, who is Vengalil Narayanan Kutty,” said a JKCA official to IANS. A source in the J& K team further said the head-butt from Dogra to Aneesh may have happened in the heat of the moment. “We have no idea yet on what exactly transpired on-field, but it looks like some sledging may have led to that. Otherwise, a very calm and ethics following person like Dogra wouldn’t ever react this way, especially when on-field,” said the source. Coming to the match, Dogra and Kanhaiya Wadhawan struck 70 each while Sahil Lotra was unbeaten on 57 to ensure Jammu & Kashmir, chasing their first Ranji Trophy title, reached 527/6 in 126 overs at the end of day two’s play, before bad light brought an early end to the proceedings. 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
26 February,2026 08:43 AM IST | Hubballi | IANSThe Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) inaugurated the MCA Knowledge Centre 2026 at the MCA Sharad Pawar Indoor Cricket Academy & Recreation Centre, BKC, on Wednesday. The MCA Knowledge Centre will offer certified courses for coaches, physiotherapists, strength & conditioning coaches, performance analysts, curators, umpires, scorers and other cricket support professionals. “The MCA Knowledge Centre is not just about shaping champions on the field, but also about preparing individuals for a successful and dignified second innings beyond their playing careers. Through structured courses and expert mentorship, we aim to build a strong foundation for cricket professionals,” said MCA president Ajinkya Naik.
26 February,2026 08:43 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentJammu and Kashmir skipper Paras Dogra on Wednesday downplayed the on-field incident in which he head-butted Karnataka player KV Aneesh, saying it wasn't a "big thing" during the second day's play in the Ranji Trophy final here. Dogra was involved in a heated exchange with substitute fielder Aneesh and head-butted him on the helmet shortly after hitting a four off Prasidh Krishna. The J&K batter, who eventually fell for 70, was squared up by the India pacer with the ball flying past the slip cordon, which led to words being exchanged on the field. Asked to sum up the day in which J&K seized control reaching a massive 527/6, Dogra told reporters, "Very good, to be honest. We are in a good position." "That's what matters for me. All that keeps happening and especially when you are playing a final or something (like that), a bit of it happens," he said. "It was just in a little heat of the moment. Not a big thing. Yeah, it is all settled now. That's (a hot day) a different thing and it was momentary. We started talking and chatting after that so it's all well," Dogra added. Dogra said Jammu and Kashmir will look to bat as long as possible to force a result in the summit clash on the basis of first-innings lead. "No, we haven't set a target, to be honest. We can get the result from the first innings lead as well so we will try to bat as long as we can," he said. "Mostly everyone (in J&K camp) is satisfied but still we can go (bat) long. Everyone knows Karnataka is a good batting side. We would try to put as many runs as we can," Dogra said. Dogra, who put on 110 runs for the sixth wicket with Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70), said the discussion between them was to "dig in". "(We spoke about) having a good partnership. Let's dig in because this time won't come again. Try to give your best and take the team in a good position," he said. Dogra said he did a one-hour drill against short bowling before play began but refused to comment on the toil for Karnataka bowlers. "I can't comment on all those things. But we have worked hard. We have batted really well and that's why we have put a good score on the board. I will never say anything about the bowlers," he said. "I had a talk with Ajay Sharma sir and Dishant Yagnik, our fielding coach. In the morning (when) I came, I did a one-hour drill for it (short pitch bowling)." 153No. of First-Class matches played by Dogra (including this final) 10,587No. of First-Class runs scored by Dogra 70No. of runs scored by Paras Dogra against Karnataka on Wednesday Brief scoresJ&K 527-6 (S Pundir 121, Y Hassan 88, P Dogra 70, K Wadhawan 70, A Samad 61, S Lotra 57*; P Krishna 3-90) vs Karnataka 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
26 February,2026 08:42 AM IST | Hubballi | PTIUpset at Pakistan's defeat against England in the T20 World Cup Super Eights match, cricket fans posted threatening messages directed at the family of captain Salman Agha. Salman's wife, Sabe, posted on her Instagram account that by abusing and threatening her or her son, Pakistan will not win the T20 World Cup. The fans also resorted to posting abusive language to other players after Pakistan lost the match by two wickets in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, on Tuesday. Meanwhile, many social media users condemned the use of abusive and threatening language against players and their families with former captain Moin Khan recalling similar experiences when Pakistan had lost the final of the 1999 World Cup. "It is totally unacceptable and the cyber crimes wing should investigate these threatening posts and punish them," he said. Pakistani cricket fans have been known to get hyper emotional whenever the team lost in a major ICC events. In 1996, when Pakistan lost in the quarterfinals to India, angry protesters had attacked the residences of some players, including captain Wasim Akram. 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
26 February,2026 08:20 AM IST | London | PTILeft-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj does not believe that staying put at one venue offers South Africa any significant advantage, saying the key lies in adapting quicker than the opposition as they gear up for a crucial T20 World Cup Super 8 clash against the West Indies here on Thursday. The Proteas have travelled outside Ahmedabad only once so far when they clashed with the UAE in New Delhi and will do one more time to compete against Zimbabwe on March 1. "It's nice to not travel, but from a pitch point of view every game has been very different. The four matches that we've played here, conditions have varied throughout. I won't see it too much as an advantage. It's about adapting quicker rather than later and focusing on execution," Maharaj said on the eve of the contest. South Africa head into the contest high on confidence after a morale-boosting win over India, but Maharaj maintained that the team is not getting carried away. "There was a real energy and buzz in the camp after beating probably the best side in the competition. But we're not getting carried away. There's still a lot of cricket to be played. It's about dusting ourselves off, doing things better and focusing on the positives." With both teams unbeaten in the Super 8 stage, a win could virtually seal a semifinal berth for South Africa. Maharaj, however, stressed the importance of taking it one game at a time. "It was a huge game for us against India. West Indies played an amazing game against Zimbabwe. It's back to the drawing board. We know the danger they possess from an explosive point of view." Having shared dressing rooms with several West Indies players in franchise cricket, Maharaj said the Proteas are well aware of the firepower the Caribbean side possesses. "They've got batters in form and bowlers who are fighting with them. It's about coming up with nice and simple plans and focusing on our execution." On how the challenge differs from facing India, he said the stakes are equally high. "At this stage of the tournament, it's a huge game. If we get over the line, it gives us qualification into the semifinals. West Indies have a way of turning up in these events, so they can't be taken for granted." The match will be South Africa's first afternoon fixture of the tournament, and Maharaj acknowledged that adapting to a 3 pm start will be crucial. "Generally the bowlers give feedback early. Quinton (de Kock) is brilliant behind the stumps in assessing conditions. It's about communication, whether it's slower balls, cutters or lengths , and then adjusting accordingly." With semifinal qualification within touching distance, Maharaj made it clear that clarity of plans and swift adaptation will be decisive against a side known for its explosive strokeplay. "It's about finding those one-percenters on the day. If we're clear in what we want to do and execute well, that's all we can control," he signed off. 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
26 February,2026 08:20 AM IST | Ahmedabad | PTIFormer India coach Ravi Shastri considers the defeat against South Africa in the Super 8s as a blessing in disguise and feels the "shakeup" was much needed for the defending champions to "reflect and reset" going into the business end of the T20 World Cup. India will be desperate to make a strong comeback against Zimbabwe here on Thursday after the heavy 76-run defeat at the hands of South Africa in their Super 8 opener in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The loss against the Proteas, incidentally, was India's first defeat after 12 successive victories across the last two editions of the T20 World Cup. "You win 12 matches on the trot, there's bound to be an off day. And I'm glad it has come early. It might just be the shakeup India needed," Shastri told on the latest episode of The ICC Review. "It might also make them rethink their strategy as to the composition of the side going ahead. "They would have learned from that last experience that they're not going to take things for granted because in this Super Eight if you lose one more (match), then you're really putting yourself under serious pressure." Talking about the team composition for Thursday's crucial match, Shastri advised India to play an extra spinner keeping in mind the spin-friendly Indian conditions. He is in favour of bringing in vice-captain Axar Patel, who was replaced by Washington Sundar in the last match. "They have to bring him (Axar Patel) back. You need that experience. I would say play both (Patel and Sundar). Give yourself that extra option. Because on a given day, you're bound to have one bowler who's going to have an off day. Like for example, Varun Chakravarthy on Sunday," Shastri noted. "If Axar Patel is playing, he might be batting at No.8. You have got Hardik Pandya at No.5, you've got Shivam Dube at No.6, you've got Washington Sundar at No.7. Axar can go at No.5 as well. "Now, if eight batters can't do the job in T20 cricket, then something's wrong, especially with that kind of firepower. Where you're missing out is you're not giving yourself that extra option of a bowler, which I think is important." Australia legend and ICC Hall of Famer, Ricky Ponting too feels that India missed a trick by not playing Axar against the Proteas, and expects the hosts to field their best possible XI. "Listening to the commentary, the reason Axar didn't play (against South Africa) is because of the left handers in the opposition side. But there's still some right handers there. It just comes down to the art of the captain of being able to use Axar at the right time," said Ponting, who has led Australia to two ODI World Cup triumphs. "I would be going back to the basics. I'd be just looking at their lineup. Who's our best XI for the conditions in Chennai? "If that has Axar Patel in it, great. If it has Kuldeep Yadav in it, that's the other one that I'd be thinking about bringing back because it doesn't matter with him if it's left-hand or right-hand. He can bowl wrong ones and spin the ball away from the left-hand outside edge of both those batters," he added. 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
26 February,2026 08:19 AM IST | Chennai | PTIZimbabwe all-rounder Ryan Burl accepted the enormity of facing India in their backyard, but hoped the pressure of playing a clutch T20 World Cup game in front of a vociferous home crowd could bog down Suryakumar Yadav's team here on Thursday. The Group 1 Super Eights game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium is a must-win affair for both India and Zimbabwe after their respective defeats against South Africa and the West Indies. "Yeah, it is a must-win match for us, but it's also a must-win game for India. There's obviously a lot at stake here, being a World Cup game and if we are to progress to the semifinals, we both want to look at winning tomorrow's game," Burl said in the pre-match press conference. "Obviously, we don't get to play India a lot, so it's something that we really have been looking forward to. Playing India in India is a challenge in itself. They obviously got a home ground advantage, but the added pressure of both teams needing to win tomorrow's game. "Pressure does funny things to teams. And obviously it being a World Cup, there's that added pressure as well. We hope to execute our process tomorrow," he added. Burl hoped that the variety in their bowling would stand Zimbabwe in good stead against India. "We're doing a lot of our homework. Obviously, India's got that firepower where they obviously go really hard in the power play and if they don't lose wickets, they've got guys that can go hard throughout. We've obviously got a lot of options (in bowling) and that's probably one of the advantages of the Zimbabwe lineup. "We've got left-arm seamer, right-arm seamer, we've got a couple of leg-spinners, we've got an off spinner, we've got a left arm offie. So, we do have quite a lot of depth and I think it will probably just come down to what are the match-ups depending on the batters that are out there and, obviously, the combinations that we do look to go for," he added. The all-rounder said Zimbabwe have put behind a heavy hammering meted out to them by West Indies. "To be honest, I think we can only take positives from that defeat. It sounds weird, but we hadn't really had a bad game until then. So there is massive learning in that. "And in saying that, India obviously also had their bad game against South Africa. So we're both looking to bounce back, and no better place than to do that tomorrow," he said. Burl said skipper Sikandar Raza is fit to play against India after taking a blow in the match against the Caribbeans. "Sikandar Raza is 100% playing. Good luck telling him that he's not going to play against India. Yeah, he's going to be playing," he added. 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
26 February,2026 08:19 AM IST | Chennai | PTIBatting coach Sitanshu Kotak acknowledged pressure on India ahead of the must-win T20 World Cup Super Eights match against Zimbabwe but expressed confidence in his side's ability to handle the crunch situation. The heavy 76-run defeat against South Africa in Ahmedabad has made it mandatory for India to win the remaining two Super Eight matches against Zimbabwe here on Thursday, and against the West Indies in Kolkata on March 1. "See obviously, World Cup in India, there will be pressure and a lot of expectations. I am a big believer that any international game you play, you will feel pressure. And this is a big pressure game, obviously, when you are representing a country," Kotak said in the pre-match press conference here on Wednesday. But Kotak did not suspect Indian players' mental fortitude. "I honestly believe just because we lost one game and we did not have a good partnership and all, people talk more about it (pressure). "But I honestly think they all are good enough to handle that pressure. If we want to win the World Cup, we have to handle that pressure. "So, it's just, I'm personally looking for that momentum. Once we start getting that momentum again, if we do it from tomorrow, I think they will be picking up at the right time," he added. One part of the process of regaining momentum, for Kotak, is for the openers to fire in tandem. Ishan Kishan has been scoring freely, but Abhishek Sharma has been underwhelming so far in the ICC showpiece. "See in all the bilateral (series vs New Zealand and SA) our batting was really clicking. I think in this World Cup, the last game was a little concerning because in like a year-and-a-half, roughly, a couple of times only we got less than 150. "I think we should take it in our stride that it was the worst game we played in two years, so we should just honestly I feel we should just don't think about it too much and move ahead. "Our openers have not clicked as well as we want. Ishan played brilliantly against Pakistan, but Abhishek had a little rough patch, two or three games. It is fine, and once they start firing it will be a different environment," he explained. But Kotak said India will stick to its template of aggressive batting going forward in the tournament. "Definitely, we will play the same brand of cricket. I think we have to be very positive and play the same brand of cricket which has given us the success and clearly that is the way we will play, there will not be any difference. "Yes, if the wicket is different and you have to adjust to the wicket like in Colombo we did, that is fine, that is part of the game," he noted. The domestic stalwart said middle-order batter Rinku Singh might rejoin the squad later in the day. The left-hander had left the squad for New Delhi on Tuesday to be with his ailing father. "And Rinku, his father wasn't well so he went back and I think he is coming back today evening. So, hopefully he will be back today evening," he added. 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
26 February,2026 08:19 AM IST | Chennai | PTIVarun Chakravarthy had just finished an obligatory long bowl on the practice pitches. Away from the main arena, Tilak Varma was hard at work at the adjacent nets, receiving throwdowns. More Morkel, the bowling coach, kept throwing glances at his wristwatch as he walked-run around the perimeter of the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Ahead of their first must-win encounter against Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup on Thursday, India took the ‘optional’ training session to heart, with only the aforementioned two players feeling the need to top up their skills. This duo, and 12 of the other 13 members – Rinku Singh was given leave of absence to visit his ailing father — had an extended, extensive stint on Tuesday night that ran to nearly four hours. There was focus on range-hitting, obviously, but there were also numerous discussions between Gautam Gambhir and Sitanshu Kotak, the coaches, on one side and different batters at different stages on the other, including Tilak, the hapless Abhishek Sharma, his touted replacement Sanju Samson and skipper Suryakumar Yadav. Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza. Pic/AFP The heavy loss to South Africa in Ahmedabad might have been a one-off, but its inopportune timing and massive ramifications have catalysed discussions on whether India need to veer from their two-lefties opening combination. Team India have lost a first-over wicket four times in five games, while in Delhi, Samson was dismissed in the second. The last three matches have seen off-spinners get into business in the first over. Sikandar Raza, the Zimbabwean captain who also bowls off-spin, will try to make it four in a row by taking matters into his own right hand. Zimbabwe rained on Australia’s parade by knocking them out of Group B and celebrated their entry into the Super Eights with a stunning conquest of Sri Lanka. Their stars have been Brian Bennett, the opener with 180 runs, and Blessing Muzarabani, the tall pacer who has taken 11 wickets, second only to Shadley van Schalkwyk’s 13. Zimbabwe are also a gun fielding and catching side, potentially the best in the competition, and if India aspire to get on the points table, they will have to win the match because Zimbabwe won’t hand it over on a platter. India are primed to make changes, though whether Samson comes in for Abhishek or plays alongside him is up for debate. No matter who plays, though, the objective is simple — get a ‘W’, and live to fight another night. 2002The year India and Zimbabwe last faced each other in international cricket on Indian soil; the hosts won this fifth ODI by 101 runs to clinch the five-match series 3-2 ZeroNo. of T20Is India have played against Zimbabwe at home 10-3India’s win-loss record against Zimbabwe; the two teams have played 12 T20Is in Harare, while one match took place during the 2022 T20 World Cup in Melbourne 100India’s biggest victory margin (by runs) vs Zimbabwe; the visitors won this T20I at Harare in July 2024 How India can make it to the semis Scenario 1 If South Africa and India win both their remaining matches.Points tally: SA finish on top with 6 points, while India end second with 4 points.Result: SA (1st) and India (2nd) qualify for the semis. Scenario 2 If WI beat SA and the Proteas beat Zimbabwe, while India win both their remaining matches.Points tally: India, SA, and WI will all end up on 4 points.Result: It comes down to Net Run Rate. Since India’s NRR is currently -3.800 and WI’s is +5.350, India will need massive victory margins in both games (vs Zimbabwe and WI) to leapfrog them. As India and WI play the last league match of the Super 8 stage, both teams will be aware of the NRR scenario. Scenario 3If South Africa lose both their remaining games and India win both their matches.Points tally: India and WI will end up on 4 points, while SA and Zimbabwe will finish on 2 points each.Result: India and WI will qualify as the top 2 teams. However, given India’s NRR is currently -3.800 and WI is +5.350, WI are most likely to finish above India. Scenario 4If India lose to Zimbabwe, while SA beat WI and Zimbabwe. Then India have to beat WI by a big margin.Points tally: SA finish on top with 6 points, while India, WI, and Zimbabwe finish on 2 points each.Result: SA (1st) qualify, while one of India, WI, or Zimbabwe qualify on the basis of NRR.
26 February,2026 08:18 AM IST | Chennai | R KaushikIn the Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2026 against Sri Lanka, New Zealand emerged victorious by 61 runs at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. In an attempt to chase a target of 169 runs, Sri Lanka managed to reach 107 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs. Opening the innings, Pathum Nissanka was dismissed on a one-ball duck. Wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis scored 11 runs in 22 balls, including a boundary. Charith Asalanka scored five runs in nine balls, including a boundary. Pavan Rathnayake departed after scoring 10 runs in 18 balls. Kamindu Mendis accumulated 31 runs in 23 balls, laced with four boundaries. Skipper Dasun Shanaka scored three runs in five balls. Dushan Hemantha also scored three runs in six balls. Dunith Wellalage smashed 29 runs off 23 deliveries, including two boundaries and a maximum. Dushmantha Chameera and Maheesh Theekshana stayed unbeaten on seven and one runs, respectively. Chameera's innings included 12 balls, whereas Theekshana faced just one ball. New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra returned with the figures of four wickets for 27 runs in four overs. Matt Henry bagged two wickets by conceding three runs in two overs. Skipper Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips claimed one wicket each. Cole McConchie, Lockie Ferguson, and Ish Sodhi went wicketless in the T20 World Cup 2026 match against Sri Lanka. Earlier, having put to bat first, New Zealand's wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Seifert scored eight runs in nine balls, including a boundary. Fellow opening batsman Finn Allen accumulated 23 runs in just 13 balls, with the help of three boundaries and a maximum. Facing 22 deliveries, Rachin Ravindra played a knock of 32 runs, which was laced with three boundaries and a maximum. Glenn Phillips departed after scoring 18 runs in 18 balls. His knock also included a boundary. Daryl Mitchell scored just three runs in seven balls. Mark Chapman was dismissed on a two-ball duck. Later, skipper Mitchell Santner delivered a stunning knock of 47 runs off just 26 deliveries, which was laced with two boundaries and four maximums. Shouldering him was Cole McConchie stayed unbeaten on the score of 31 runs. Facing 23 balls, he smashed three boundaries and two maximums. With this, the "Black Caps" posted a total of 168 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana claimed three wickets for just 30 runs in his spell of four overs. Dushmantha Chameera also bagged three wickets by conceding 38 runs in four overs. Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha, and Charith Asalanka went wicketless in the T20 World Cup 2026 match against New Zealand.
25 February,2026 11:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTeam India is set to take on Zimbabwe in the Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2026. The match will be played on February 26 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Ahead of the match, Team India will need to secure a win by a huge margin of runs to improve their net run rate in the ongoing marquee event. But former Team India cricketer Irfan Pathan feels that the "Men in Blue" should prioritise winning the clash. "I really hope that approach of playing for net run-rate does not come into play at the start of the game. The priority should be winning the game first. So, perform well and try to win. Only then should you think about the run-rate," he said. "If you start thinking about chasing the net run-rate of, say, the West Indies, that is almost impossible. That would mean beating teams like Zimbabwe and the West Indies by a margin of 100 runs, which is not easy in T20 cricket. So, I sincerely hope that when the Indian team plays these next two matches, the main focus is simply on winning first," added Pathan. He also feels that Team India skipper Suryakumar Yadav should come to bat at number three and also explained the reason behind it. "I think Surya can bat at number three. If you look at it from the team's point of view, I completely understand the conservative approach from Surya, especially because Abhishek has been getting out early. In the last game, Ishan Kishan got out in the first over. You do not want to expose Suryakumar Yadav at number three when he is so effective in the middle overs, striking at 160. If something goes wrong with the new ball, just one good delivery can get him out. So, I understand the thinking. However, they still need to consider batting Suryakumar Yadav at number three to break the monotony of having three left-handers at the top," said the 41-year-old former cricketer. T20 World Cup 2026, Super 8: India vs Zimbabwe- 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. Zimbabwe: Graeme Cremer, Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Dion Myers, Blessing Muzarabani, Tony Munyonga, Brad Evans, Ben Curran, Tadiwanashe Marumani (WK), Tashinga Musekiwa, Clive Madande (WK), Brian Bennett, Tinotenda Maposa. (With ANI Inputs)
25 February,2026 09:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
