Yuvraj Singh and Marcus Stoinis (Agency Image)

Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has heaped praise on former India star Yuvraj Singh, describing him more as a mentor than a teammate and saying he commands “nothing but absolute respect.” “I played with Yuvraj Singh in the IPL. Although I was playing with him, I describe him more as a mentor. I was quite young, and he was obviously very experienced,” Stoinis said in a recent video released by the ICC.

He went on to highlight Yuvraj’s supportive nature, calling him “very helpful” and a “nice guy.” “Super talented, elegant, powerful. Not the typical power that maybe is on highlight around the world today. It was a more relaxed, rhythmical power. Very nice guy, very helpful. I mean, to a young overseas player coming to the IPL, he was very good to me. Nothing but absolute respect,” Stoinis added. Turning to Australia’s current form, the team has struggled at the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and is already out of the tournament. After starting with a convincing 67-run win over Ireland in the 14th match at R Premadasa Stadium, the Aussies were stunned by Zimbabwe in their next game, failing to chase 170 and being bowled out for 146. The struggles continued against co-hosts Sri Lanka, with Australia losing by eight wickets as Sri Lanka chased down 182 in just 18 overs. Their qualification hopes then depended on Ireland defeating Zimbabwe, but the match was washed out, giving one point to each team and ending Australia’s campaign prematurely. Australia will now take on Oman in their final group-stage match at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Friday, aiming to finish the tournament on a positive note.

Team Australia (Pic credit: ICC)

Australia’s shock group-stage exit from the T20 World Cup has sparked widespread outrage, with critics tearing into their bowling depth and branding the campaign “shambolic,” while former spinner Brad Hogg delivered the most damning verdict: “We probably deserve what we’ve got at this stage.” Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The 2021 champions were eliminated in Sri Lanka on Tuesday after Zimbabwe sealed qualification when their match against Ireland was washed out, leaving Australia stranded and unable to catch up in the points table.

The abrupt exit marks a stunning collapse for one of the tournament heavyweights, undone by injuries, questionable selections and a dramatic dip in performances. The absence of pace trio Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and retired T20 spearhead Mitchell Starc left the attack badly exposed. The Australian said the bowling unit was a “shadow of former glories,” adding that players central to previous success “have fallen off a cliff when the stakes are at their highest.”Australia’s campaign spiralled further amid fierce criticism of selection decisions, particularly the handling of Steve Smith. Despite strong form, Smith was initially overlooked and only added later as cover. “We still haven’t had a compelling answer as to why he wasn’t yet in Colombo,” the newspaper wrote, questioning why a proven performer against spin was missing during the crucial defeat to Zimbabwe and later left out again as the middle order collapsed against Sri Lanka.

Hogg said the problems exposed deeper structural concerns. “We don’t have that bowling depth, and that’s really shown,” he told Talksport, warning that selectors must urgently rethink the future. “They’ve got to look at their depth of bowling… what’s our next generation going to look like?”Adding to the humiliation, British broadcaster Piers Morgan mocked Australia’s exit, posting sarcastic condolences online.

Pathum Nissanka (ICC Photo)

NEW DELHI: Opener Pathum Nissanka turned a challenging chase into a masterclass on Monday, smashing a blistering 100 not out off 52 balls to guide Sri Lanka to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Australia at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.The win not only secured Sri Lanka’s spot in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup but also left Australia’s qualification hopes hanging by a thread. Australia will be eliminated if Zimbabwe beat Ireland on Tuesday.

Chasing a target of 182, Sri Lanka’s innings was anchored by Nissanka, who struck 10 fours and five sixes, and Kusal Mendis, who contributed a fluent 51 off 38 balls. The pair stitched together a 97-run partnership for the second wicket, keeping Sri Lanka comfortably ahead. Pavan Rathnayake added a quick 28 off 15 balls as the hosts raced to 184/2 in just 18 overs, maintaining a commanding run rate throughout.Australia, sent in to bat, got off to a flying start with Mitchell Marsh (54 off 27) and Travis Head (56 off 29) adding 104 runs in less than nine overs. Their power-hitting set Australia up for a total beyond 200, with boundaries and sixes flowing freely.However, Sri Lanka clawed their way back in the latter half of the innings. Leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha emerged as the standout bowler with figures of 3/37 in four overs, while Dushmantha Chameera and Dunith Wellalage picked up crucial wickets. Australia collapsed from 104/0 to 130/4 and eventually folded for 181. Pathum Nissanka also redeemed himself in the field, taking a brilliant diving catch to dismiss Glenn Maxwell.Sri Lanka suffered an early setback when Kusal Perera was caught at deep backward point, but Nissanka and Mendis ensured the chase remained under control. Even after Mendis’s dismissal by Marcus Stoinis, there was no stopping Nissanka, who carried the team over the line with 12 balls to spare.The result marks a dramatic turnaround for Sri Lanka, while Australia, who had earlier been humbled by Zimbabwe, now face a precarious path to the Super Eight. The hosts’ combination of explosive batting and clinical bowling proved too much for the Australians, highlighting Sri Lanka’s momentum and Australia’s vulnerability in the tournament.

Blessing Muzarabani of Zimbabwe celebrates the wicket of Tim David of Australia. (Getty Images)

Zimbabwe produced one of the biggest surprises of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, defeating injury-hit Australia by 23 runs in a gripping Group B clash on Friday. It marked only the second time the African side has toppled the former champions in this format, reviving memories of their famous 2007 triumph. Built on a calm batting effort and a ruthless bowling display, Zimbabwe’s collective performance outclassed a side that never truly recovered from an early collapse.SCORECARD: Australia vs Zimbabwe, T20 World CupAfter being asked to bat, Zimbabwe posted a competitive 169 for two on a sluggish surface, with opener Brian Bennett anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 64. Australia’s chase faltered almost immediately, and despite resistance from the middle order, they were bowled out for 146 in 19.3 overs, handing Zimbabwe a famous victory that has thrown Group B wide open.

The big talking points of the thrilling match at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo:Early collapse sets the toneAustralia’s pursuit of 170 turned disastrous within the Powerplay as four wickets fell for just 29 runs. The dismissals of Travis Head, Cameron Green and Tim David left the batting line-up under immense pressure, forcing them into a rebuilding mode on a pitch that offered assistance to disciplined bowling. Zimbabwe’s seamers kept things tight, refusing to allow boundaries during crucial phases and ensuring the asking rate climbed steadily.Bennett leads a smart batting blueprintZimbabwe’s innings was built on patience rather than brute force. Bennett’s composed knock, featuring seven boundaries, allowed partners to rotate strike and keep the scoreboard ticking. Tadiwanashe Marumani’s brisk 35 and a late flourish from skipper Sikandar Raza ensured the side crossed the 160-mark, which proved more than enough on a slow track. Even though the death overs were controlled well by Australia, Zimbabwe’s measured approach had already laid a winning platform.Muzarabani’s fiery spell breaks Australia’s backboneThe defining phase of the match came with the ball, as Blessing Muzarabani produced a sensational spell of pace and accuracy, returning figures of 4/17. Supported by Brad Evans and Wellington Masakadza, Zimbabwe maintained relentless pressure. Each breakthrough halted Australia’s momentum just as they threatened a comeback, turning the chase into a battle against both the scoreboard and disciplined bowling.Maxwell–Renshaw stand sparks hope, but Burl delivers the blowAustralia briefly revived their chances through a 77-run partnership between Matt Renshaw and Glenn Maxwell. Their stand steadied the innings and brought the equation down to a manageable rate before Ryan Burl struck a decisive blow, dismissing Maxwell and triggering another collapse. A stunning boundary catch from Bennett and sharp fielding in the closing overs sealed Zimbabwe’s dominance, with a dramatic run-out of Matthew Kuhnemann ending the contest.

Josh Hazlewood of Australia (Getty Images)

Australia’s T20 World Cup preparations have suffered a massive setback with veteran pacer Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the tournament, leaving the former champions without their famed “Big Three” quicks at a global event for the first time since 2011. The 35-year-old has not played since injuring his hamstring during a Sheffield Shield match in November, and selectors have now confirmed that his recovery timeline makes participation too risky.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!National selector Tony Dodemaide admitted the team had initially hoped Hazlewood would regain fitness during the latter stages of the tournament but recent medical updates forced a rethink. “We were hopeful Josh would be back to match fitness by the Super Eights stage but the latest indications are he is still some time away,” Dodemaide said. “Trying to accelerate his program will carry too much of a risk.”

Cricket Australia also confirmed that no immediate replacement would be named, with management opting to assess their needs as the tournament progresses.Hazlewood’s absence, combined with Pat Cummins’ injury and Mitchell Starc’s retirement from T20 Internationals, marks the first World Cup since March 2011 without any member of Australia’s iconic pace trio.

The development leaves captain Mitch Marsh short of experienced fast-bowling options ahead of the opening clash against Ireland in Colombo, with Xavier Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis currently the only fully fit frontline quicks. Nathan Ellis is racing against time to be match-ready, while Sean Abbott remains a travelling reserve who could be drafted in later.Despite the depleted pace stocks, Marsh remains optimistic about Australia’s balance, hinting at a spin-heavy strategy in Sri Lankan conditions. “We’ve been able to build a lot of depth within our squad… we’ve got a lot of confidence in the guys to do the job,” he said, praising Adam Zampa and Matthew Kuhnemann while highlighting the all-round value of Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green.Coming off a tough 3-0 series loss to Pakistan, Australia now face a defining challenge — reshaping their bowling identity.