In the first T20I match against South Africa, Team India emerged victorious by 101 runs at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. In an attempt to chase a target of 176 runs, the Proteas were bowled out for just 74 runs in 12.3 overs. Dewald Brevis was the highest run-scorer for the visitors as he scored 22 runs in 14 balls. His knock included three boundaries and a maximum. Skipper Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs registered scores of 14 runs each. Marco Jansen also scored 12 runs off 12 balls, including two maximums. Team India's Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Axar Patel bagged two wickets each. Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube chipped in with one wicket each. Having put to bat first, Team India posted a total of 175 runs for the loss of six wickets. Hardik Pandya's unbeaten half-century was the highlight of the hosts' innings. Facing just 28 balls, he garnered an unbeaten 59 runs, which was laced with six boundaries and four maximums. Team India's swashbuckling opening batsman, Abhishek Sharma, registered a score of 17 runs in 12 balls. His knock was laced with two boundaries and a maximum. Shubman Gill managed to score just four runs in two balls. His knock also included a boundary. The right-hander had returned to action after recovering from a neck injury. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav accumulated 12 runs after facing 11 deliveries. His innings included a boundary and a maximum Later, Tilak Varma and Axar Patel delivered crucial knocks. Facing 32 balls, Tilak smashed 26 runs, with the help of two boundaries and a maximum, whereas Axar scored 23 runs off 21 balls, including a maximum. Shivam Dube garnered 11 runs in nine balls. His knock also included two boundaries. Along with Pandya, Jitesh Sharma scored an unbeaten 10 runs in five balls, with the help of a maximum. Lungi Ngidi was the most successful bowler for South Africa. Completing his quota of four overs, he claimed three wickets by conceding 31 runs. Lutho Sipamla also bowled a decent spell. Bowling four overs, he leaked 38 runs and bagged two wickets. Donovan Ferreira picked up one wicket by conceding 13 runs in two overs.
09 December,2025 10:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe three-time title winners, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), are all set to enter the auction of the IPL 2026 with a new approach under the head coach Abhishek Nayar. Since his appointment, he has made bold decisions to free up a major portion of their purse. Speaking on the JioStar, former Team India cricketer Saba Karim feels that KKR will bid for Venkatesh Iyer, whom they bought for Rs. 23.75 crore in the previous edition's auction. He feels that the franchise had released him to free up a huge amount of their purse. "There is a strong possibility that KKR may buy him back. He was released at 23 crores which freed up a huge amount in their purse and chances are high that he may not go for that much money now in the mini-auction," said the former cricketer. Karim then said that Abhishek Nayar will keep players who he feels can win him matches. "This is a trademark Abhishek Nayar move because he always wants to start fresh. He only keeps players he feels are part of a winning combination and will be regular in the playing eleven. The rest, he buys back in the auction. I think he will build his team that way. I've always seen Abhishek Nayar work like this. So I feel the KKR management believes that maybe Venkatesh Iyer has exhausted his utility, similar to how they valued Andre Russell for years," said the 58-year-old former cricketer. Additionally, KKR's veteran all-rounder Andre Russell announced his retirement from the league. In 2021, Venkatesh arrived as a storm, scoring 370 runs in ten games, which was his debut season, as KKR reached the final, but they lost to Chennai Super Kings (CSK). In their title-winning year in 2024, the southpaw again scored 370 runs. Things looked difficult in 2025, as he scored 142 runs in 11 games, with one fifty, at an average of 20.28. The Indian Premier League (IPL) auction for the upcoming edition is scheduled on December 16. In the previous season, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emerged victorious under the captaincy of newly-appointed captain Rajat Patidar. (With ANI Inputs)
09 December,2025 09:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Indian Premier League (IPL) auction for the upcoming edition is scheduled on December 16. Ahead of the auction, it will be interesting to see which player emerges as the most expensive buy this year. The official social media handle of the cash-rich league has shared a post on its official social media handle in which the names of all expensive players from each edition have been mentioned. 1⃣8⃣ #TATAIPL auctions and some historic bids along the way 🔨💰Who will join this list in the upcoming auction? 🤔Follow the #TATAIPLAuction 2026 on December 16 on https://t.co/4n69KTSZN3 💻 pic.twitter.com/7mKa3x6TwD — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) December 9, 2025 The franchises may engage in a serious bid for the veteran batsman Quinton de Kock ahead of the auction. Having played 96 T20I matches for South Africa so far, the left-hander has smashed 2615 runs, including a century and 16 half-centuries. He also has 11,452 T20 runs under his name. Over the years, Quinton has served as one of the pillars for the Proteas' batting lineup across all formats of the game. Rachin Ravindra is also in the race as he has scored 549 runs in 38 T20I matches for New Zealand. The franchises may also look at the 26-year-old batsman as a reliable option for the future. Ravindra has also registered 1922 runs in 116 T20 games. Swashbuckling batsman Liam Livingstone can also be an option for the middle-order batting lineup. The right-handed batsman has been a valuable player for England in the lower order. He has garnered 955 runs in 60 T20I matches for the "Three Lions". Australia's Steve Smith, who has been in fine touch, may be another player that the franchises may bid for. He has accumulated 1094 runs in 67 T20I matches for the Aussies. Prithvi Shaw, who showcased his form in domestic cricket, will be one of the interesting players to see this season. Considering his recent form in the domestic leagues, will Shaw get a buyer in the IPL 2026 auction? Pace spearhead Navdeep Saini can also bolster the bowling line-up of any team. So far, the pacer has played 87 T20 matches and has bagged 77 wickets. In the previous editions of the cash-rich league, Saini was seen making batsmen uncomfortable with his sheer pace. Similarly, there are several players who can walk out with a hefty amount of money during the auction, scheduled on December 16.
09 December,2025 07:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn the first T20I match against Team India, South Africa skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and elected to bowl first at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Team India's star batsman Shubman Gill and all-rounder Hardik Pandya have returned to the team after missing out on the previous action due to injuries. Fans will keep a tab on Pandya, while Team India's think tank will expect him to make crucial contributions in the series opener. Additionally, it will be interesting to see how Gill performs after recovering from his neck injury. After winning the toss, South Africa skipper Markram said that the side is adjusting from Test cricket and ODIs to T20Is. He also added that the contest will help the Proteas to test themselves against the "Men in Blue". "We'll bowl first, expecting the conditions to be tricky. Dew's a factor, and it might get worse later on. We're adjusting quickly from Tests to ODIs to T20Is, it's all about mindset. We're looking to make the most of this series and test ourselves against India. We're hoping for some seam movement early on, and our team is ready to adapt," said Markram. Meanwhile, Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav said that his side was not sure about the decision, considering that the pitch appeared different to the hosts. The right-hander also stated that his team will be focusing on playing a fearless brand of cricket. "Losing the toss made me laugh, we were undecided anyway! The pitch looked different today, so it was a guess either way. We're fine batting first, it's a good challenge to put runs on the board. We'll treat the dew as a challenge and find ways to work around it. These next six months are massive for us, and we're focused on playing fearless cricket," said the 35-year-old cricketer. The five-match T20I contest will also serve as the preparatory series for both teams ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. IND vs SA 1st T20I: Confirmed Playing XI India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy. South Africa: Aiden Markram (C), Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi.
09 December,2025 07:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAhead of the first T20I match against South Africa, former cricketer Sanjay Bangar feels that Team India's management should provide opportunities to Jitesh Sharma to take over the finisher's role. The first T20I match between Team India and South Africa is scheduled to be played on Tuesday at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Speaking on JioStar, Bangar feels that Sanju Samson has done well for India in Shubman Gill's absence, but with the inclusion of players such as Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya, the Kerala-born cricketer won't find a place in the middle order. "The Indian team management did give chances to Sanju Samson. He opened the innings and performed really well when Shubman Gill was absent, scoring hundreds against Bangladesh and South Africa. He also had a run of low scores. But his best spot in T20 cricket is still at the top. With players like Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, or Hardik Pandya available, there may not be a place for him at number four, five, or six," said the former cricketer. Further speaking, he also said that Team India's think tank has tried Samson in different roles, but has not received the required results. Bangar added that Jitesh has delivered performances regularly in the Indian Premier League (IPL). "If you need someone who can hit sixes with the older ball, you have Jitesh Sharma. He has done it in the past and does it regularly in the IPL. It is good to back a player who has done it for longer. Once your number four, five, and six are sorted, give the number seven spot to a guy who has done that job more often," said the 53-year-old cricketer. "I think Jitesh will now get the number seven spot. The Indian team has tried to fit in Sanju Samson and tried him in different roles. But they have not got the required returns from him at number four, five, or six. Jitesh Sharma has shown he is quite a capable player. He can bat lower down the order and look to hit the big shots even with a slightly older ball," Bangar added. IND vs SA 1st T20I: Full Squads India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma(w), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana. South Africa: Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram(c), Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Reeza Hendricks, Ottneil Baartman, Donovan Ferreira, Kwena Maphaka, George Linde. (With ANI Inputs)
09 December,2025 05:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTeam India all-rounder Hardik Pandya took to his official social media handle to share a story alleging that his girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma, was photographed from an inappropriate angle. "I understand that living in the public eye comes with attention and scrutiny, its's part of the life I've chose. But today something happened that crossed a line," his story read. The cricketer then stated the incident of his girlfriend being recorded from an inappropriate angle. "Mahieka was simply walking down a staircase at a Bandra restaurant when paparazzi decided to capture her from an angle that no woman deserves to be photographed from. A private moment was turned into cheap sensationalism. This isn't aboyt headlines or who clicked what, it's about basic respect. Women deserve dignity. Everyone deserves boundaries," read his story. "To the media brother who work hard every day: I respect your hustle, and I always cooperate. But I'm requesting you all, please be a little more mindful. Not everything needs to be captured. Not every angle needs to be taken. Let's keep sime humanity in this game. Thank you," added Pandya. The 32-year-old star all-rounder will soon be in action for the first T20I match between Team India and South Africa. The first T20I match is scheduled to be played on Tuesday at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Shubman Gill has also been included in India's squad for the shortest format series. Earlier, he sustained a neck injury during the first Test match, following which the right-hander was ruled out of the second Test game and the ODI series against the Proteas. Lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah will also feature in the contest. Earlier, he was provided rest for the three-match ODI series against the Proteas. Meanwhile, South Africa welcomed back veteran David Miller as they field a full-strength squad for the series. Anrich Nortje is also returning, and several players will be using the series as an opportunity to showcase their skills ahead of the IPL auction on December 16. The first match will mark the first meeting of both the teams in the format since the T20 World Cup 2024 final. The T20I series will also serve as a preparatory contest for both teams ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. Earlier, South Africa had registered a 2-0 whitewash against Team India in the Test series, whereas the "Men in Blue" clinched the ODI series by 2-1 against the visitors. IND vs SA 1st T20I: Full Squads India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma(w), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana. South Africa: Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram(c), Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Reeza Hendricks, Ottneil Baartman, Donovan Ferreira, Kwena Maphaka, George Linde.
09 December,2025 05:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAhead of the first T20I match against South Africa, Team India players, along with head coach Gautam Gambhir, visited the Shri Jagannath Temple in Odisha's Puri to seek blessings of the deity. The first T20I match between Team India and South Africa is scheduled to be played on Tuesday at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Team India skipper Suryakumar Yadav, with his wife Devisha, and Tilak Varma, were among those who visited the temple. They entered the temple amid tight security arrangements. Indian cricketers, head coach Gautam Gambhir visit Shri Jagannath Temple in Odisha ahead of 1st T20I vs South AfricaRead @ANI Story | https://t.co/fbCG12Zn9r#ShriJagannathTemple #INDvsSAT20I #INDvsSA #GautamGambhir #SuryakumarYadav #TilakVarma pic.twitter.com/YzzoPkK4r4 — ANI Digital (@ani_digital) December 9, 2025 Meanwhile, Shubman Gill has also been included in India's squad for the shortest format series. Earlier, he sustained a neck injury during the first Test match, following which the right-hander was ruled out of the second Test game and the ODI series against the Proteas. The hosts will also have the likes of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya and lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah. South Africa on the other hand welcomed back veteran David Miller as they field a full-strength squad for the series. Anrich Nortje is also returning, and several players will be using the series as an opportunity to showcase their skills ahead of the IPL auction on December 16. The match will mark the first meeting of both the teams in the format since the T20 World Cup 2024 final. The T20I series will also serve as a preparatory contest for both teams ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. Earlier, South Africa had registered a 2-0 whitewash against Team India in the Test series, whereas the "Men in Blue" clinched the ODI series by 2-1 against the visitors. IND vs SA 1st T20I: Full Squads India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma(w), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana. South Africa: Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram(c), Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Reeza Hendricks, Ottneil Baartman, Donovan Ferreira, Kwena Maphaka, George Linde. (With ANI Inputs)
09 December,2025 05:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA total of 350 cricketers -- 240 Indians and 110 overseas players -- will go under the hammer in the Indian Premier League auction to take place in Abu Dhabi on December 16, with South Africa's wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock, who recently came out of his ODI retirement, featuring in the final list. De Kock is a late addition to the list at a base price of Rs 1 crore. The list also includes Australia batter Steve Smith at a base price of Rs 2 crore. Smith last played in the IPL in 2021. A total of 1390 players registered for the Player Auction. The number was pruned to 1005 players before 350 were finally shortlisted to battle for 77 slots available across the 10 teams for the 19th edition of the world's biggest T20 league. The first set of players in the auction includes India and Mumbai batters Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan, who both have kept their base price at Rs 75 lakh each. The list shared by the IPL features two Australians in Cameron Green and Jake Fraser-McGurk, along with New Zealand and former Chennai Super Kings opener Devon Conway and South Africa's David Miller, with each of them keeping a base price of Rs 2 crore. Venkatesh Iyer, who was released by Kolkata Knight Riders, has listed himself at a base price of Rs 2 crore. Three-time winners KKR will go into the auction with the biggest purse of Rs 64.3 crores, followed by five-time champions CSK with Rs 43.4 crores. Sunrisers Hyderabad, who have won the IPL once, have the third highest purse of Rs 25.5 crores. 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.
09 December,2025 12:05 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIMukesh Ambani’s Reliance-owned JioStar has reportedly informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that it wants to pull out from its media rights contract for cricket events, due to financial challenges. As per a report in the Economic Times, JioStar have conveyed to the ICC that it will not be able to fulfil the remaining period of its USD 3 billion broadcast rights contract that ends in 2027. JioStar had acquired the media rights in India from the ICC for the period 2024-2027 for USD 3 billion. However, according to the broadcaster, it suffered huge losses, mainly from the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. It is learnt that JioStar’s sports vertical’s content losses shot up from around Rs 12,000 crore to a whopping Rs 25,000 crore in a single financial year. It is learnt that ICC, who will now need a new media rights partner, have already started a fresh process for the sale of the India rights for the 2026-2029 cycle for around USD 2.4 billion. 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
09 December,2025 09:22 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesEngland captain Ben Stokes has demanded his players toughen up after another embarrassing defeat to Australia left the Ashes hanging by a thread, making clear the team is “not a place for weak men”. Two Tests into the five-match series and England are reeling, crashing by eight wickets in both Perth and Brisbane and waking Monday to yet more fierce criticism. Facing an almost impossible task to win the last three Tests to regain the Ashes, Stokes wants to see more fire from his players. “There is a saying that we have said a lot here — Australia is not for weak men,” Stokes told the BBC. “A dressing room that I am captain of is not a place for weak men either.” Stokes was particularly critical of England crumbling in pressure moments, in contrast to Australia who have been able to dig deep and get the upper hand. “Do we need to start thinking about what mentality we are taking into those pressure moments?” Stokes said. Close encounters “When we are on top, we are great and when behind the game we are also very good, but when that moment is neck and neck, we are not coming out on top on enough occasions.” Australian media had a field day at England’s expense with headlines including “Humiliated”, “Humbled” and “Bazball in Ashes”, referring to the aggressive style favoured by Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum that has failed so far. Former England great Geoffrey Boycott was scathing in his assessment. “Brisbane was a horror show: irresponsible batting, bowling too short, too wide or too full and catches dropped,” he said in a newspaper column. “With this batting and bowling, they couldn’t win an egg cup, let alone the Ashes urn.” England have more than a week to regroup before the must-win third Test in Adelaide on December 17, where Australia are set to be strengthened by the return of skipper Pat Cummins. But a scheduled four-day mini holiday on the beach at tourist playground Noosa after two crushing defeats may not be the best look. Welcome break Stokes defended the decision, saying it was important for players to decompress. “We have been here four weeks and they have been pretty full on. As physical as this game is, a huge part of it is also the mental side of it. I know that. I have experienced that. I know what the game can do to you when things aren’t quite feeling right or going well. Trust me when I say it is so, so important for teams to be able to go away as a team and almost put the pressures aside for a couple of days,” he added. 2011The year England won their last Test match in Australia 17No. of matches England have been winless in Australia. The hosts have won 15, while two have ended in a draw 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
09 December,2025 09:20 AM IST | Brisbane | AFPOpener Ajinkya Rahane struck unbeaten 56-ball 95 as heavyweights Mumbai made short work of Odisha en route to a nine-wicket victory in a Group ‘A’ match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy here on Monday. After Odisha posted what seemed a respectable 167-7, riding on a collective effort from their top and middle-order batters, Rahane took charge of the situation while putting on 74 runs for the first wicket with Sarfaraz Khan, who scored 15-ball 28 to put Mumbai in command. As far as the Mumbai bowling unit is concerned, Suryansh Shedge was the most successful on the day with figures of 3-46 in four overs. Meanwhile, in Hyderabad Baroda wicketkeeper-batter Amit Passi has equalled the world record for the highest score on T20 debut with his 44-ball century in their last league match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Passi, 26, scored 114 off 55 balls, featuring 10 fours and nine sixes, to guide Baroda to a 13-run win over Services. His innings matched Pakistan’s Bilal Asif, who scored 114 from 48 balls for the Sialkot Stallions in a domestic T20 match in Faisalabad in May 2015, tying the world record for the highest individual score in men’s T20 debut. Brief scoresOdisha 167-7 in 20 overs (S Pattnaik 31, S Baral 28, A Swain 28; S Shedge 3-46, S Patil 2-42) lost to Mumbai 168-1 in 16 overs (A Rahane 95*, A Raghuvanshi 38*) by nine wickets 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
09 December,2025 09:14 AM IST | Lucknow | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
