Category: Sports

  • Unbreakable feats: 5 Indian cricket records that stand the Test of time

    Unbreakable feats: 5 Indian cricket records that stand the Test of time

    The Indian Cricket Team has firmly established itself as a dominant force in world cricket, boasting an illustrious history of achievements. From World Cups to Champions Trophies, Indian cricket has showcased its brilliance on every stage. Over the years, India has been home to some of the greatest cricketers the world has ever seen, players who have set extraordinary benchmarks that may never be surpassed.

    Here are five iconic records held by Indian cricketers that seem impossible to break:

    1. MS Dhoni: Most Stumpings in International Cricket MS Dhoni, one of India’s finest captains and wicket-keepers, holds the record for the most stumpings in international cricket. Across 350 matches, Dhoni executed 123 stumpings, a testament to his lightning-fast reflexes behind the stumps. Given the physical demands of wicket-keeping and the length of his career, it’s unlikely anyone will match his incredible feat.
    2. Sachin Tendulkar: 100 International Centuries Sachin Tendulkar, the ‘God of Cricket,’ achieved the seemingly unthinkable by scoring 100 centuries in international cricket. With modern players often limited to one or two formats due to packed schedules and the rise of T20 leagues, replicating Tendulkar’s longevity and consistency is near impossible. Even Virat Kohli, the closest contender, has a steep mountain to climb to match this unparalleled milestone.
    3. Rohit Sharma: Highest Individual Score in ODIs Rohit Sharma rewrote history in 2014 when he smashed 264 runs off 173 balls against Sri Lanka. Despite the aggressive batting approaches and frequent double centuries in ODIs, breaking Rohit’s record would require an extraordinary display of endurance and precision. With three double centuries already to his name, Rohit’s dominance in the format is unmatched.
    4. Rahul Dravid: Most Balls Faced in Test Cricket Known as ‘The Wall,’ Rahul Dravid’s patience and technique made him a nightmare for bowlers in Test cricket. Over his illustrious career, he faced a staggering 31,258 deliveries in 164 matches—the most by any player in the format’s history. In an era of fast-paced cricket, such an enduring feat remains highly unlikely to be replicated.
    5. Bapu Nadkarni: 21 Consecutive Maiden Overs Bapu Nadkarni, a master of accuracy, achieved a remarkable record by bowling 21 consecutive maiden overs during a Test match against England in 1964. Conceding just 5 runs in 32 overs, his economical spell remains an iconic achievement in Test cricket. In the fast-evolving nature of the game, such precision and restraint are hard to find.

    MSN

  • NBA All-Star voting 2025: Takeaways from first fan vote returns to decide starting lineups

    NBA All-Star voting 2025: Takeaways from first fan vote returns to decide starting lineups

    Voting for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game is underway and the first returns from fan voting are set to be revealed.

    From Dec. 19 to Jan. 20, fans can vote daily for the players they want to see start in this year’s All-Star Game. As in previous years, the fan vote accounts for 50 percent of the vote to determine starters. The other 50 percent is split evenly between current players and a media panel.

    This year, the NBA All-Star Game will feature a new mini-tournament format, but the voting process is unaffected by the changes made to the game itself.

    Beginning with the returns shared on Thursday, Jan. 2, the NBA will provide voting updates three times in January. Starters will be revealed near the end of the month and the all-new NBA All-Star draft will take place in early February.

    Here are the first returns from All-Star Game voting and important things to know about the process ahead of this year’s game.

    NBA All-Star Game voting results 2025
    Top 10 vote-getters

    1. Giannis Antetokounmpo — 1,710,630
    2. Nikola Jokic — 1,422,121
    3. Jayson Tatum — 1,385,851
    4. Kevin Durant — 1,268,799
    5. LeBron James — 1,167,661
    6. Karl-Anthony Towns — 1,099,966
    7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — 1,053,683
    8. Anthony Davis — 999,540
    9. LaMelo Ball — 947,444
    10. Victor Wembanyama — 928,501

    If NBA All-Star voting ended today, fan-voted starters would be…

    East Position West
    LaMelo Ball Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
    Donovan Mitchell Guard Luka Doncic
    Giannis Antetokounmpo Frontcourt Nikola Jokic
    Jayson Tatum Frontcourt Kevin Durant
    Karl-Anthony Towns Frontcourt LeBron James

    The tightest races for starting spots
    Through the first fan vote, things are particularly tight in both backcourts.

    In the Western Conference, Luka Doncic holds a lead of less than 60,000 votes over Stephen Curry for the second backcourt spot. With Doncic out for extended time due to a calf injury, that could flip by the next voting returns.

    In the East, Damian Lillard trails Donovan Mitchell by fewer than 15,000 votes for the second backcourt spot. Interestingly, both have plenty of ground to make up to catch LaMelo Ball, who leads all guards and ranks ninth overall.

    It’s also worth noting LeBron James has a lead of less than 70,000 votes over teammate Anthony Davis in the West frontcourt. James is looking to make his 21st consecutive NBA All-Star Game start but has now fallen to fifth in overall fan voting in his 22nd season.

    Also receiving votes
    Victor Wembanyama rounds out the top 10 but is currently on the outside looking in as he lands fifth among frontcourt players in the Western Conference.

    Among other notable potential first-timers are Alperen Sengun (314,223), Cade Cunningham (247,046), Franz Wagner (221,787), Jalen Williams (188,722) and Evan Mobley (145,623). 10th-year guard Norman Powell is enjoying a career year and ranks 10th among West backcourt players with 110,222 votes.

    At 31, Powell is also looking to make his first All-Star appearance.

    Despite limited time on the floor this season, Joel Embiid ranks eighth among frontcourt players in the East with 170,420 votes.

    When will the NBA share fan vote returns?
    The NBA will share returns from All-Star Game fan voting on the first three Thursdays in January. Voting concludes on Monday, Jan. 20 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

    Thursday, Jan. 2: First fan vote return
    Thursday, Jan. 9: Second fan vote return
    Thursday, Jan. 16: Final fan vote return

    When will the NBA All-Star Game starters be announced?
    Starters for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game will be revealed on Thursday, Jan. 23.

    When is the 2025 NBA All-Star Game

    • Date: Sunday, Feb. 16
    • Time: 8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT
    • Location: Chase Center, San Francisco’

    The 2025 NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, Feb. 16 at the Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors. The game is scheduled to tip off around 8 p.m. ET.

    2025 NBA All-Star schedule

    Friday, Feb. 14

    • NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, 7 p.m. ET
    • NBA Rising Stars Game, 9 p.m. ET

    Saturday, Feb. 15

    • NBA HBCU Classic (Morehouse College vs. Tuskegee University), 5 p.m. ET
    • NBA All-Star Saturday Night, 8 p.m. ET

    Sunday, Feb. 16

    • NBA All-Star Game, 8 p.m. ET

    Sporting News

  • The ICC Awards 2024 shortlist of four nominees is revealed

    The ICC Awards 2024 shortlist of four nominees is revealed

    All the shortlists across multiple categories for the annual ICC Awards 2024.

    It’s that time of the year when the ICC celebrates the standout performances from an action-packed year of cricket through the annual ICC Awards, honouring stars from both the men’s and women’s game.

    With nine categories in total, cricket fans around the world have the opportunity to cast their votes and help decide the winners of the ICC Awards 2024.

    Explore the categories and vote for your favourite players now!

    ICC Emerging Men’s Cricketer of the Year

    • Saim Ayub (Pakistan)
    • Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka)
    • Shamar Joseph (West Indies)
    • Gus Atkinson (England)

    ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year

    • Shreyanka Patil (India)
    • Saskia Horley (Scotland)
    • Annerie Dercksen (South Africa)
    • Freya Sargent (Ireland)

    ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year

    • Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe)
    • Travis Head (Australia)
    • Babar Azam (Pakistan)
    • Arshdeep Singh (India)

    ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year

    • Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)
    • Melie Kerr (New Zealand)
    • Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)
    • Orla Prendergast (Ireland)

    ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of The Year

    • Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan)
    • Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka)
    • Sherfane Rutherford (West Indies)
    • Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka)

    ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year

    • Annabel Sutherland (Australia)
    • Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)
    • Smriti Mandhana (India)
    • Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)

    ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year

    • Joe Root (England)
    • Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka)
    • Harry Brook (England)
    • Jasprit Bumrah (India)

    Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year

    • Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)
    • Melie Kerr (New Zealand)
    • Annabel Sutherland (Australia)
    • Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)

    TheNewsBit Bureau

  • Jasprit Bumrah nominated for Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy and Test Cricketer of the Year Award

    Jasprit Bumrah nominated for Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy and Test Cricketer of the Year Award

    Indian pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah has been nominated for the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for Men’s Cricketer of the Year and the Test Cricketer of the Year Award. The International Cricket Council has shortlisted the star pacer for the two prestigious honours alongside a few other stars.

    England stars Harry Brook and Joe Root, Australia’s Travis Head and Bumrah have been nominated for the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for Men’s Cricketer of the Year award. Meanwhile, Bumrah, Root and Brook have also been shortlisted for the Test Cricketer of the Year award alongside Kamindu Mendis.

    Bumrah has had a sensational year for India. He has taken 71 wickets from 13 Tests at an unbelievable average of 14.92. He has taken 15 wickets in the T20I format too. The 31-year-old is in some serious form in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he has picked 30 wickets in only four Test matches.

    Root, Brook and Mendis were also in sensational form in 2024. He has made 1556 runs from 17 Tests at an average of 55.57 with six centuries. Brook slammed 1100 runs in 17 Tests at an average of 55 with four tons to his name.

    Mendis has also been incredibly consistent. He created the world record for fifty-plus scores in the most consecutive Test matches—8. Mendis scored 1049 runs in 9 Tests at an average of 74.92, with five centuries and three fifties. IndiaTVNews

  • Steady leadership unmatched wisdom India’s sports community mourns Dr Singh’s demise

    Steady leadership unmatched wisdom India’s sports community mourns Dr Singh’s demise

    India’s sports fraternity on Thursday joined the nation in mourning the demise of two-time former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, paying homage to his “calm leadership and wisdom” in stirring condolence messages.

    Singh, 92, died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here after losing consciousness at his home owing to age-related ailments.

    “Sad news of the passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. A visionary leader and a true statesman who worked tirelessly for India’s progress. His wisdom and humility will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones,” World Cup-winning former cricketer Yuvraj Singh posted on X.

    Similar sentiments were expressed by his former teammate and Aam Aadmi Party’s Rajya Sabha member Harbhajan Singh, who described Singh as a thorough gentleman and visionary leader.

    “What truly set him apart was his calm and steady leadership in times of crisis, his ability to navigate complex political landscapes, and his unwavering belief in India’s potential,” he wrote.

    It was during Singh’s second tenure that India hosted the 2010 Commonwealth Games in the national capital.

    It was the first international multi-sport extravaganza to be held in the country after the 1982 Asian Games, also hosted by Delhi.

    Former wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who is now a Congress MLA in Haryana, called Singh a man of “extraordinary wisdom, simplicity and vision.”

    “Dr. Manmohan Singh was not just a Prime Minister, but he was a thinker, economist and a true patriot. His calm leadership style and economic vision gave the country a new direction, from the 1991 economic reforms to establishing India’s reputation on the global stage.

    “There was depth in his humility and wisdom in his every word. His services and contributions to the country will always be remembered. You will always live in our hearts, Sir,” she wrote in her emotional tribute on social media.

    Former cricketers Virender Sehwag and VVS Laxman and ex-women’s hockey team captain Rani Rampal were also among those who expressed their sadness at his death.

    Before serving as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, Singh was finance minister in the P V Narasimha Rao-led government and was the brain behind the economic reforms of 1991 that marked the beginning of liberalisation in the country.

    Widely respected for his intellect and grace in public life, Singh had retired from active politics in April this year after over a three-decade run as a Rajya Saha MP. The Week

  • Nazara acquires another 10.26% in subsidiary Absolute Sports for Rs 72.73 crore

    Nazara acquires another 10.26% in subsidiary Absolute Sports for Rs 72.73 crore

    Gaming platform company Nazara Technologies has acquired another 10.26% stake in Absolute Sports – a subsidiary – for Rs 72.73 crore, raising its stake in the company to 81.94%, an exchange filing said on December 26.

    Nazara has a share purchase agreement (SPA), dated September 18, 2024 with subsidiary Absolute Sports and founding shareholders Porush Jain and Srinivas Cuddapah for the acquisition of 19.35% stake. This stake acquisition by Nazara is part of the existing SPA, the statement has said. “…we wish to inform you that the Company, today, i.e., December 26, 2024, has acquired 21,830 equity shares of INR 1/- each, representing 10.26% of the equity share capital of Absolute, from its Founding Shareholders.”

    Absolute Sports is the parent of Sportskeeda, and Nazara Tech is purchasing the stake from the founding shareholders. Sportskeeda has maintained its ranking among top 10 US sports news websites as of September 30. Absolute Sports has increased its revenue and EBITDA by 22% and 18% respectively in H1 FY25.

    In H1FY25, gaming contributed 36% to the company’s revenue, while e-sports contributed 57% to it. Nazara operates in three business segments; Gaming, Esports, and Ad-tech. North America remains Nazara’s largest market with 39% share in revenue, while India and Rest of the World are at 31% and 30% respectively in H1FY25.

    Sportskeeda’s business continues to grow well in terms of revenue and EBITDA, however, it saw a short term dip during Pro Football Network, which recorded an on-year decline in EBITDA. “Pro Football Network was impacted during September which affected its traffic flow when the NFL season was starting. We believe this is a temporary glitch and the site should recover in the next few quarters,” said the company. Moneycontrol

  • India to play Champions Trophy games in Dubai after refusal to visit Pakistan

    India to play Champions Trophy games in Dubai after refusal to visit Pakistan

    India’s matches at the 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in Dubai, the International Cricket Council confirmed on Tuesday.

    Pakistan, the tournament hosts, selected the United Arab Emirates as a neutral venue for India’s fixtures with the team not able to play matches in Pakistan because of political tensions.

    The hosts’ Group A game against India will now be played in Dubai, along with India’s games against Bangladesh and New Zealand. The decision also means that the venue for the final on 9 March will change from Lahore to Dubai if India qualify.

    Last month the Board of Control for Cricket in India, citing government advice, told the ICC it would not send a team to the tournament, which begins in February. India have not toured Pakistan since 2008; Pakistan last visited their neighbours to take part in the 50-over World Cup in 2023.

    “The three group matches involving India, as well as the first semi-final, will be played in Dubai,” the ICC said in a statement. “Lahore will host the final on 9 March, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai. Both the semi-finals [the second of which will be in Lahore] and the final will have reserve days.”

    This will be the first Champions Trophy event since 2017, which was won by Pakistan after they defeated India by 180 runs in the final at the Oval in London. The eight-team, 50-over format competition begins in Karachi on 19 February, with Pakistan taking on New Zealand. Rawalpindi will also host three group-stage matches.

    England are in Group B with Afghanistan, Australia and South Africa in an early test for Brendon McCullum as he takes over white-ball coaching duties. England will face Australia on 22 February and Afghanistan on 26 February – both in Lahore – and then take on the Proteas on 1 March in Karachi.

    “We are pleased that an agreement has been reached based on the principles of equality and respect, showcasing the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that defines our sport,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, said.

    “Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the ICC members who played a constructive role in helping us achieve a mutually beneficial solution,” he added. “Their efforts have been invaluable in promoting the interests of international cricket.” The ICC said last week that tournament matches between India and Pakistan, organised in either nation, would be played at neutral venues until at least 2027.

    The tournament will be the first ICC event to be held in Pakistan since the 1996 50-over World Cup, which was co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka. “Our country is known for its great hospitality and I am sure the fans will not only support our team, but also appreciate the performances of other teams,” said the Pakistan white-ball captain, Mohammad Rizwan. The Guardian

  • Heat’s Jimmy Butler reportedly prefers trade out of Miami before NBA trade deadline

    Heat’s Jimmy Butler reportedly prefers trade out of Miami before NBA trade deadline

    According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Miami Heat star “prefers” a trade out of town by the Feb. 6 trade deadline. However, he reportedly hasn’t formally asked the Heat for a trade.

    Butler, 35, is in his 14th year in the NBA. He’s been with the Heat since 2019. Miami is reportedly open to listening to offers for Butler, who wants a trade to a “win-now contender” above all. The teams Butler is open to reportedly include the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets.

    Butler and the Heat weren’t able to come to terms on a contract extension this summer, meaning he has only a $52 million player option left on his Heat contract. According to Charania, Butler does not plan to exercise that option, which means he’d become a free agent in July. He’s currently averaging 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists this season.

    The Heat have been to the playoffs in five of Butler’s six full seasons in Miami. He hoped the Heat could be his chance to win the NBA Finals and get his long-awaited championship ring, and they got close several times. The Heat made it to the finals in 2020, Butler’s first season in Miami, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 in the COVID-19 bubble Finals. Three years later, the Heat were back in the Finals, but lost 4-1 to the Denver Nuggets.

    The 2023-24 season was the first time the Heat weren’t in the playoffs since Butler joined the team. They’re currently sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 14-13 record, above the play-in line, but there are still quite a few games left to play.

    While several teams have reportedly called to inquire about Butler’s availability, the Heat don’t have to trade him. It’s their only shot to get a return on Butler, who can leave at the end of the season, but with Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro set up as Miami’s future, the Heat could absolutely keep Butler around and see if they can make one last run at the Finals before the Butler era comes to an end. Yahoo

  • Stephen Curry says ‘end is near’ for NBA career

    Stephen Curry says ‘end is near’ for NBA career

    NBA great Stephen Curry said he is appreciating his 16th season, knowing he is closing in on the end of his record-setting career.

    “It’s OK to accept and acknowledge that the end is near,” Curry said in a clip of an interview posted to the NBA on ESPN’s account on X. “But only because it allows you to enjoy what’s happening right now. But I think the more you talk about it and the more you acknowledge it, the more it levels up the sense of urgency in the moment, now.”

    Curry, 36, has led the Golden State Warriors to four NBA titles. He’s a two-time league Most Valuable Player, a 10-time All-Star and the all-time leader in 3-point shots made with 3,841.

    And despite being limited to two points in a blowout loss to the Memphis Grizzlies last week — he was 0-for-7 shooting — Curry remains a highly productive NBA player.

    This season, he’s averaging 21.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. And while his scoring output is down from 29.4 points per game in 2022-23 and 26.4 last season, he’s exceeding his career averages in rebounds (4.7) and assists (6.4).

    He’s playing 31.0 minutes per game, down almost four minutes from two seasons ago. And he’s shooting 36.3 percent from 3-point range, well off his career average of 39.7 percent, but his numbers from 2-point territory are well above his lifetime output (.571 this season vs. .517 career).

    Curry is 21 games shy of 1,000 played in the regular season, plus he’s played 147 more in the playoffs. And he’d certainly like at least one more postseason run.

    The Warriors meet the Los Angeles Lakers in a California Christmas showdown on Wednesday, standing in eighth place in the Western Conference, a half-game behind the Lakers.

    Curry didn’t hit at when he might retire, hinting only that he thinks about retirement “more than I probably have before.”

    He is under contract with Golden State through the 2026-27 season after signing a one-year. $62.59 million contract extension on Aug. 29. Deccan Herald

  • Virat Kohli fined 20% of match fee after Sam Konstas clash in Boxing Day Test

    Virat Kohli fined 20% of match fee after Sam Konstas clash in Boxing Day Test

    India’s Virat Kohli has been fined 20% of his match fees following a clash of shoulders with the debutant Australia opener Sam Konstas in the Boxing Day Test between the sides in Melbourne on Thursday.

    Kohli was booed by the crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after bumping into the 19-year-old as Konstas walked down the pitch for a chat with opening partner Usman Khawaja at the end of the 10th over on the opening day of the fourth Test.

    https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/dec/26/australia-india-fourth-test-day-one-match-report

    Kohli and Konstas turned to face each other and exchanged words, prompting umpire Michael Gough and Khawaja to step in to defuse the moment.

    Match referee Andy Pycroft found Kohli guilty of breaching the International cricket Council’s (ICC) code of conduct relating to “inappropriate physical contact”.

    “No formal hearing was needed as Kohli accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft,” the ICC said in a statement.

    Kohli also incurred one demerit point but is free to play the fifth and final test in Sydney.

    Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who was covering the game for host broadcaster Seven Network, said veteran batsman Kohli was clearly the offender. “That man [Kohli] might have a few questions to answer,” Ponting said. “When you’re out there batting, the batsman owns the wicket. The crease is his. Especially between overs like that.”

    Konstas downplayed the incident after Australia went to stumps at 311 for six. “I think he accidentally bumped me, but I think that’s just cricket, just the tension,” he told reporters.

    India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar told reporters he had not seen the incident and that emotions were natural in a big game. “But I’m pretty sure that it’s not as big as it seems,” he said.

    Kohli had shrugged off a dire run of form with a century in the series-opener in Perth but has managed just 21 runs in three innings since in the series.

    With the temperature surging past 30C (86°F)in the morning, his mood may not have been helped by Konstas surviving a nick off Bumrah that fell just short of him in the slips.

    Kohli had earlier laughed openly at Konstas when the teenager botched two attempts to scoop Bumrah behind the wicket. Konstas succeeded on his next three efforts with the T20-style shot, scoring boundaries on each.

    Konstas was eventually dismissed for 60 off 65 balls when trapped lbw by Ravindra Jadeja before lunch. The Guardian