Category: Sports

Champions Trophy winners list: India won a record third ICC Champions Trophy title as they take on New Zealand in their fifth final in the CT 2025 edition in Dubai on Sunday.

Having won the title previously in 2002 (shared with Sri Lanka) and 2013, India qualified for their third successive summit clash in the tournament on the back of an undefeated run since the group stage. Collectively, India won their seventh ICC title, only behind Australia (10). The title win also help India surpass Australia as the most successful team in the Champions Trophy.

The Aussies clinched the title in successive editions in 2006 and 2009 in their only two final appearances. Meanwhile, the current edition was the fifth time India made it to the final, having also endured defeats to the Kiwis (2000) and Pakistan in the previous edition in 2017.

Champions Trophy winners list

Year	Host(s)	Final
		Winner	Result	Runners Up
1998	Bangladesh	South Africa	South Africa won by 4 wickets	West Indies
2000	Kenya	New Zealand	New Zealand won by 4 wickets Scorecard	India
2002	Sri Lanka	India and Sri Lanka declared co-champions
2004	England	West Indies	West Indies won by 2 wickets Scorecard	England
2006	India	Australia	Australia won by 8 wickets (D/L method) Scorecard	West Indies
2009	South Africa	Australia	Australia won by 6 wickets	New Zealand
2013	England	India	India won by 5 runs	England
2017	England	Pakistan	Pakistan won by 180 runs	India
2025	Pakistan	India	India won by 4 wickets	New Zealand

India won the event while playing all their matches in Dubai. They were the only unbeaten team in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Previously, India had won the Champions Trophy title twice: sharing it with Sri Lanka in 2002 and then winning the 2013 edition. India has also lost the final twice: to New Zealand in 2000 and then to arch-rivals Pakistan in 2017, which was the last time the event was held before this year. Indian Express

James Harden put up his first 50-point night with the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday and moved closer to Kobe Bryant in the NBA record books.

During the Clippers’ 123-115 win over the Detroit Pistons at Inuit Dome, Harden recorded his 24th career 50-point game, putting him within one of Bryant for third-most in NBA history. As the 35-year-old guard posted 50 for the first time since December 2019, former President Barack Obama was in attendance with Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.

“Probably the reason why I played so well,” Harden said afterward.

Harden is averaging 22.1 points per game this season and has recorded four 40-point games this season. But scoring 50 is a mark that has eluded him since he did so 12 times during the calendar year of 2019, which included reaching 60 points three times.

As Harden closes in on Bryant, he still remains seven 50-point games away from Michael Jordan (31) and 94 from the record holder Wilt Chamberlain (118).

Harden’s 50-point game was the eighth in Clippers’ franchise history and first since January 2018 when Lou Williams did so against the Golden State Warriors. Harden is also part of a group of Clippers players that includes Williams, Bob McAdoo and World B. Free who have posted at least four 40-point games in a season.

He is also the second-oldest NBA player ever to score 50 points on zero days’ rest after putting up 21 points against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.

“To see him come out and score 50 on a back-to-back, at the age of 35, just says a lot about him,” said Clippers coach Tyronn Lue. “And competing every night and playing 38 minutes again on the back-to-back. But we needed every bit of it.”

Despite the historic night for Harden, he couldn’t get a photo with Obama after the game.

“He left,” Harden said. “I guess he wanted to beat the traffic.” Sports.Yahoo

Shastri joined host Sanjana Ganesan and made his selections for everything from the winner of the marquee event between India and New Zealand, to the Aramco Player of the Tournament.

Perhaps the biggest surprise was his pick for the Aramco Player of the Match, with Shastri highlighting three names that would be in contention for the prize.

“Player of the Match, I would go for an all-rounder,” he said in The ICC Review. “I’ll say Axar Patel or Ravindra Jadeja from India.

“From New Zealand, I think that Glenn Phillips has something up. He might just show flashes of brilliance in the field. He might come and smash a cameo of 40, 50 and probably surprise you by taking a wicket or two.”

The call comes on the back of Phillips’ outstanding performance in the semi-final against South Africa, where he smashed a quickfire 49 off just 27 balls to help New Zealand post the highest-ever total in Champions Trophy history.

He further showcased his versatility with the ball, picking up two wickets as New Zealand cruised to a comfortable victory to secure their spot in the final.

It was the latest in a line of match-turning performances in the tournament from Philips, including in the field where he has grabbed two momentum-shifting gravity-defying catches so far.

Axar and Jadeja have been crucial cogs for India, forming a crucial part of a spin quartet alongside Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy, and also providing the much-needed batting depth to the side.

Shastri also predicted Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra to play a crucial role on Sunday if their respective sides were to lift the title.

Williamson and Kohli have been in red-hot form, with a fifty and a hundred each in the four matches they have played. Ravindra too has been in sublime touch, with two tons to his name so far, including a Player of the Match-winning century against South Africa in the semi-final.

“Now (on) current form, Kohli. When these guys get hot and you let them get their first 10 runs, then they’re trouble. Whether it’s Williamson, whether it’s Kohli,” Shastri said.

“So from New Zealand, I would say Williamson. To an extent, Rachin Ravindra, he is a fabulous young player.

“But these guys when they smell the coffee and you let them, in a final, get to that 10-15, then they’re doubly dangerous.”

With the final set to be played in Dubai, a venue that has favoured spinners so far in the tournament, Shastri was asked whether there would be any changes to the playing XI by either side, especially for New Zealand who lost their group stage encounter against India at the same venue.

“I won’t be surprised if there might be a change for either side depending on the pitch,” Shastri said.

“Because the pitch we saw against Australia was the best pitch we’ve seen in the tournament.

“So the groundsman has another five days since the last game to prepare a surface and if it’s a 280-300 surface like the last one was, you might just want to think about it.

“But you won’t tinker with the side unless necessary.”

The two sides clashed in their last group-stage encounter – a week before Sunday’s final – where New Zealand proved to be India’s toughest challenge so far.

Pushing the game deep, the Black Caps tested India in both departments, ultimately requiring a brilliant bowling effort from India to secure the crucial two points.

“If there’s one team that can beat India, it’s New Zealand,” Shastri said. “So India start as favourites but only just.” ICC-Cricket

On Thursday, Jalen Brunson got hurt during a crucial moment of the thrilling New York Knicks-LA Lakers showdown in Crypto.com Arena. In the aftermath, fans went on social media to post their reactions, including some jabs at one Lakers player in particular.

With the Lakers up 107-105 under two minutes to go in overtime, Brunson attempted to go coast-to-coast after picking up a defensive rebound. Standing in his way underneath the rim was Austin Reaves, and in the layup attempt that ensued, Brunson ended up stepping on Reaves’ left foot.

Though the Knicks guard gutted it out to take his free throws, the impact of his apparent leg injury caused him to head to the locker room for the remainder of the game. Even as the Lakers picked up the 113-109 OT win, netizens posted their reactions as they processed what happened to Brunson:

The All-Star guard had 39 points, four rebounds, and 10 assists when he left the game. Now, the NBA community is waiting for the official medical report on Brunson’s injury.

Jalen Brunson on New York Knicks’ record against other top teams: “We got to wake the hell up”

Brunson’s importance to the Knicks is not only seen in the numbers that he contributes but also in his leadership skills on and off the court.

In a clip posted last week on the official X account of “The Roommates Show,” Brunson spoke to podcast co-host Josh Hart about the Knicks’ 0-7 record against top teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics:

It will be interesting to see how Brunson continues to challenge his teammates as he potentially misses a number of games. Sportskeeda

Indian pacer Mohammad Shami on Thursday (March 6) appealed to the ICC to lift the ban on using saliva to shine cricket balls that was introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since 2011, two balls have been used per innings in ODIs. This means that balls are not as scuffed up as they used to be. Add to this the prohibition on using saliva, generating reverse swing has gotten much more difficult.

“We are trying to reverse, but you are not getting the use of saliva into the game,” Shami told reporters in Dubai.

What is swing? Why does a cricket ball swing?
Swing refers to the lateral movement of a cricket ball in the air, before it lands on the pitch. It is essentially a product of an air pressure differential on either side of the ball.

A thin layer of air forms along the ball’s surface after it is released by the bowler. But the so-called “boundary layer” must separate from the surface at some point. Where this separation occurs on either side of the ball determines the air pressure on that side.

Bowlers generally tilt the seam towards one direction or the other. In a new ball, the raised seam disturbs the airflow on the side towards which it is tilted. This turbulent flow on the seam side sticks to the ball’s surface longer and travels faster than the smooth laminar flow on the other side.

According to Bernoulli’s principle, faster travelling air on the seam side results in a decrease of air pressure on that side, making the ball swing in that direction. In theory, a new ball that is held straight — with the seam perfectly aligned to the direction it is travelling — will not swing because the airflow on both sides of the ball is even.

What is reverse swing and why does it occur?
What has been discussed so far is conventional swing which generally occurs with a new ball. Things get more interesting when the ball gets older, its lacquer wears off, and its surface gets more abrasive. This is when the ball starts to reverse, that is, move in the direction opposite to the seam side.

From the moment they are handed the ball, the fielding team makes efforts to shine one side. Consequently, as the ball gets older, one side is smoother than the other. That said, the so-called shiny side is nonetheless rougher than a new ball. This means that this side still generates sticky, turbulent airflow.

However, the rougher side generates even more turbulent airflow than the shinier side, which can be further aggravated with the help of the seam. This extra turbulent airflow is not as sticky as the turbulent airflow on the other side. It shears off — meaning that the point of separation for the boundary layer moves towards the front of the ball. As a consequence, the air pressure on the seam side is now relatively higher than on that on the shiny side. This makes the ball swing on the side opposite to the seam.

To aid reverse swing, bowlers also try to ensure that the shiny side is slightly heavier than the other side. This gives the ball a natural tendency to fall in that direction.

Where does saliva figure in all this?
Cricketers have traditionally used saliva to shine one side of the ball, smoothen the surface, and make it a tad heavier on that side. The idea is to create as great of a contrast between the two sides of the ball as possible, which helps generate reverse swing. Cricketers have chewed on all kinds of mints and candy to aid the shining process — sugary saliva is heavier, and thus considered more effective for shining a cricket ball.

Can something else be used in saliva’s place? In theory, yes. But saliva is the most readily accessible shining agent that works the way cricketers want it to.

Take sweat, for example. Rubbing the ball with sweat is legal but sweat is not as good a polishing agent as saliva, presumably because it does not contain mucus.

Moreover, the ball tends to soak up sweat — too much sweat can soften the ball which is not something bowlers want. Softer balls do not bounce as much, they do not turn as quickly, or retain much pace after pitching. In short, they are easier for a batter to deal with.

Then there is the fact that unlike saliva, sweating is condition-dependent. Players simply do not sweat enough in cold conditions for it to be an effective shining substance.

Other substances like vaseline have also been touted, although they are not as effective. Notably, vaseline is lighter than sweat. As former Indian pacer Ashish Nehra once said: “Vaseline can help keep the shine, but it does not make the ball heavier on one side”. Indian Express

India and New Zealand are set to clash in a major tournament final in white-ball cricket for the first time in 25 years. New Zealand secured their place in the Champions Trophy 2025 final with a dominant performance against South Africa in the second semi-final in Lahore on Wednesday. The Black Caps will now face familiar rivals India in the grand finale on Sunday in Dubai.

India became the first team to book their spot in the final after defeating Australia by four wickets in Dubai on Tuesday. New Zealand, who lost their last Group A match against India, will now have the opportunity to avenge that defeat when they take on Rohit Sharma and his men at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

India and New Zealand have met twice before in ICC tournament finals. The last time they faced each other in a title match was in the 2021 ICC World Test Championship final in Southampton, where a Kane Williamson-led New Zealand outclassed India by eight wickets in a rain-affected contest that stretched over six days.

Interestingly, the last time these two teams played in a white-ball tournament final was in the 2000 ICC Knockout Trophy in Nairobi. On that occasion, New Zealand defeated India by four wickets to secure their first ICC title.

India vs New Zealand in ICC Tournament Finals

• 2000 ICC Knockout Final – Winner: New Zealand
• 2021 ICC World Test Championship Final: Winner New Zealand

When Chris Cairns broke India’s heart
India, led by Sourav Ganguly, posted 264/6 in 50 overs, with Ganguly scoring 117 and Sachin Tendulkar adding 69. India appeared poised for a bigger total, but the middle order, comprising Rahul Dravid, Vinod Kambli, and Yuvraj Singh, failed to capitalise.

New Zealand, captained by Stephen Fleming, successfully chased the target, thanks to Chris Cairns’ unbeaten 102 off 113 balls. Cairns played a match-winning knock despite battling injuries.

Since then, New Zealand have not won a global white-ball title in men’s cricket. They came close in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups but stumbled at the final hurdle.

Will Sunday be their day? Can they trouble the mighty Indian team in Dubai?

Just last week, India dismantled New Zealand, bowling them out for 205 and successfully defending a target of 249 in Dubai. Varun Chakravarthy took five wickets in his first match of the tournament as India’s spinners ran through New Zealand’s batting order. Shreyas Iyer starred with the bat, scoring 79 runs.

However, New Zealand will take confidence from their inspired performance against South Africa, who were knocked out despite finishing top of Group B. Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson hit centuries in Lahore, while Mitchell Santner led a dominant display with the ball. Santner claimed three wickets, while Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips took two each to stifle South Africa’s chase with spin.

Despite David Miller’s valiant 100, New Zealand secured a comfortable 50-run victory.

It was another disappointing end to an otherwise impressive campaign for South Africa, as they bowed out following their first defeat of the tournament. IndiaToday

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner led by example, taking three crucial wickets against South Africa to help his side to the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

They will face India in Dubai on Sunday (starting at 9am GMT).

It looked like South Africa might stage a challenge to New Zealand’s huge total of 362/6, with Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma forming a big-hitting hundred partnership for the second wicket.

Then Santner got involved, removing both of them plus Heinrich Klaasen (caught by Matt Henry) to leave the Proteas with an uphill struggle.

Despite David Miller’s best efforts, coming in at No 6 and top-scoring with 100, South Africa finished on 312/9 – meaning the Black Caps won by 50 runs.

Henry had taken the first wicket of the innings, luring opener Ryan Rickelton to play to Michael Bracewell for 17.

And Rachin Ravindra took the fifth with a sharp caught-and-bowled of Aiden Markram for 31 off 29 balls.

Bracewell removed Wiaan Mulder and Glenn Phillips began to mop up the tail, trapping Marco Jansen lbw and then tempting Keshav Maharaj to edge behind to Tom Latham.

He played a part in Kagiso Rabada’s dismissal too, catching him off a Henry ball in the 46th over, leaving South Africa with more than 100 required for the last wicket.

Earlier, Ravindra had made a key contribution with the bat – making a century, as did Kane Williamson – as New Zealand set a big total of 362/6.

Only twice in one-day international history has a total that big been successfully chased down in the second innings – and both times it was South Africa who did it.

Ravindra fell for a well-played 108 off 101 balls – caught by Klaasen off the bowling of Kagiso Rabada – with Williamson making 102 off 94 before being caught by Lungi Ngidi off Mulder.

Will Young had been the first wicket to fall, caught by Markram off Ngidi, leaving New Zealand on 48/1.

But Ravindra and Williamson created an excellent partnership, brought to an end only in the 34th over.

Latham managed only four before he was bowled by Rabada, and then Daryl Mitchell fell agonisingly short on 49 off 37 balls, with four fours and one six.

Bracewell was out on the penultimate ball of the innings having made 16 off 12 deliveries.

And Phillips missed out on taking the strike for the last ball of the innings, meaning he also missed out on a half-century, finishing with 49 off 27 balls – including six fours and a maximum.

Captain Santner had the last word, with two scampered from that last delivery.

The Proteas finished atop Group B, with two wins from three outings while their game against Australia was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

New Zealand on the other hand were the second ranked side in Group A, with convincing wins over Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Playing XI
South Africa: Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen(w), David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

New Zealand: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William ORourke. ICC-Cricket

South Africa face New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final on Wednesday in Lahore, looking to punch their ticket into Sunday’s decider.

One of these teams will have the chance to end their Champions Trophy dry spell, after the Proteas finished on top in 1998 and then the Black Caps in 2000.

The clash also shapes as a higher stakes rematch after the pair clashed only last month at the same Lahore venue. The two competed in a Tri-series with hosts Pakistan in the lead-up to the tournament. The Black Caps will hope recent history repeats, after coming out on top by six wickets in that affair.

However, those South Africa were missing several of their regular faces, and tournament cricket is, of course, an entirely different proposition.

South Africa have shown in the group stages that they, like New Zealand, have what it takes to go all the way.

Here’s where the game could be won and lost.

Squads:
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch. Travelling reserve: Kwena Maphaka.

New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Jacob Duffy.

Recent form:
South Africa: South Africa have been untroubled so far this tournament, with a 107-run win over Afghanistan in their opener and then a thumping seven-wicket win over England in their last group game. The real test, however, was likely to have come against Australia – a match that was abandoned without a single ball being bowled due to the weather. The semi-final will prove to be their toughest game thus far.

New Zealand: The Black Caps had won five ODIs on the bounce before India edged them in the Group A decider on Sunday, strong form that pre-dates the Champions Trophy. They’ve looked sharp in all three disciplines so far this tournament and will be seeking to get back to winning ways immediately.

How to watch
India: JioStar (Live streaming on Jio Hotstar, Television coverage on Star and Network 18 channels)

Pakistan: PTV and Ten Sports, Streaming options: Myco and Tamasha app

UAE and MENA: CricLife Max and CricLife Max2, Streaming option: STARZPLAY

UK: Live broadcasting on Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action, Digital coverage via SkyGO, NOW and Sky Sports App

USA and Canada: WillowTV, Streaming on Willow by Cricbuzz app (Hindi coverage available)

Caribbean: ESPNCaribbean on TV, Streaming via ESPN Play Caribbean app

Australia: PrimeVideo (coverage available in Hindi too)

New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ, digital coverage via Now and SkyGo app.

South Africa and sub-Saharan territories: SuperSport and SuperSport App

Bangladesh: Nagorik TV and T Sports for linear broadcast, digital via Toffee app

Afghanistan: ATN

Sri Lanka: Maharaja TV (TV1 on Linear), Digital via Sirasa

The games can also be viewed on ICC.tv (In select territories) ICC-Cricket

India entered the Champions Trophy final on Tuesday after a four-wicket win over Australia at the Dubai International Stadium. The Men in Blue will await the winner of the second semi-final on Wednesday between New Zealand and South Africa. India were helped chase down the target of 265 by a composed 84 from Virat Kohli and a 45 from Shreyas Iyer. Australia, on the other hand, were uncharacteristically shoddy in the field, dropping Rohit Sharma twice and Kohli once.

Earlier, Steve Smith (73) and Alex Carey (61) scored half centuries. Australia were looking set for a hefty target but they lost the wickets of Steve Smith (bowled by Mohammed Shami for 73 runs) and Glenn Maxwell (removed by Axar Patel) in quick succession. Carey was run out for 61 after some splendid work in the field from Shreyas Iyer. For India, Shami claimed three wickets after Steve Smith had opted to bat first.

India have been firing on all cylinders since the tournament started defeating all comers with Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer in top form while Varun Chakravarthy showed what he was capable of in just one match when he took 5 wickets vs New Zealand in the last Group A match. Skipper Rohit Sharma, however, hasn’t yet converted his starts and is due a big score in this tournament.

Australia, meanwhile are without a lot of their stars from the ODI World Cup winning campaign with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Mitch Marsh, Josh Hazlewood and Marcus Stoinis all unavailable due to various reasons. They, however, have Travis Head who has been a nightmare for India in recent years but he hasn’t yet played in Dubai this tournament. The transition from high scoring pitches in Pakistan to the sluggish Dubai surface will pose a challenge for Head and co. Indian Express

The Suns have fallen a long way since their memorable 2021 NBA Finals run. They made drastic changes to acquire Kevin Durant in hopes of getting over the hump. Instead, they sit near the bottom of the West and are at serious risk of missing the play-in tournament.

Phoenix tried to deal Durant at the trade deadline, but it fell through, so the two sides will likely part ways in the offseason. NBA insider Sam Amick reports that the Rockets are interested in both KD and Devin Booker.

The Suns won’t receive a player of Durant’s calibre in any trade, but they’ll likely get young talent and draft capital. Although the return doesn’t align with the Suns’ current timeline, it could influence their vision moving forward.

Amick made a guest appearance on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back to reveal the Suns’ struggles have opened up questions about their future concerning all players. Houston is among the teams willing to take advantage of that.

“[The Suns’ struggles are] now opening the door for anything and everything to be a possibility in Phoenix,” Amick said.

Phoenix nearly trading Durant without informing him has done irreparable damage to their relationship. The two-time NBA champion would be a member of the Warriors if he hadn’t objected to the deal.

Their willingness to move on from Durant has opened the door for all their star players to be traded.

Despite Booker being a home-grown talent, Amick believes he could get dealt. Bradley Beal’s situation is troublesome due to his no-trade clause, but the energy in Phoenix is so bleak that anything is truly a possibility.

Durant is aware the Suns will trade him
Following the botched Warriors deal at the deadline, there have been rumblings about Durant being traded in the offseason. ESPN insider Brian Windhorst revealed KD knows about and has accepted his potential move.

“[The Suns] are going to trade him, and he knows that,” Windhorst revealed. “KD is setting himself up for his last act. I think everybody’s intentions are crystal clear.”

Historically, Durant has been on the receiving end of criticism for his decisions. However, Windhorst applauds Durant for how he has handled the situation. He has shown the utmost professionalism and hasn’t thrown the organization under the bus throughout this process.

Unfortunately, the experiment with the Suns didn’t go as planned, but Durant has proven that he has plenty left in the tank to give a team one last push for a championship. The SportsRush