New Zealand players are seen during a practice session ahead of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup final against India in Ahmedabad.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has urged the team management to consider a bold change ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 final, suggesting that out-of-form opener Abhishek Sharma should be rested for the title clash against New Zealand national cricket team. India will face the Kiwis in the summit clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.Kaif believes the Indian think tank, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav, should not hesitate to make a change for such a crucial game. Abhishek has endured a difficult campaign in the tenth edition of the tournament, crossing the 50-run mark only once and repeatedly struggling against spin bowling.

Opposition teams have targeted this weakness by introducing spinners during the powerplay. On four occasions in the tournament, Abhishek has fallen to spin, often while trying to attack from the outset. The aggressive approach that usually defines his batting has not paid off this time, and he has struggled to adapt by rotating the strike or taking time to settle at the crease.The situation has also been complicated by a health issue before the tournament began. Abhishek suffered a stomach infection and had to be hospitalised shortly before the competition started. The illness resulted in noticeable weight loss, and the lack of physical strength appears to have affected his bat swing and overall confidence. His struggles have also extended to the field, with the left-hander dropping two catches during India’s Super 8s encounter against the West Indies cricket team.Considering these factors, Kaif believes the team could benefit from bringing in Rinku Singh for the final.“India can give Abhishek Sharma a break. He has played many matches now. There is no harm in making changes. You can make changes in the shortest format. Roston Chase opened against India as Brandon King was out of form. They backed him for five or six matches, but they gave him a break for a big match. I believe that, like you brought in Sanju, and he did a great job, so that change worked in your favour,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.“India have proven players. Rinku Singh scores runs everywhere, be it Tests, Ranji Trophy, or the IPL. Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj also take wickets everywhere. When you look in the dugout to see who can replace Abhishek Sharma, you see Rinku Singh sitting there. So, bring him in. A guy is struggling, and another guy is sitting outside despite doing well,” he added.Abhishek’s lack of runs at the top also prompted the team management to reintroduce Sanju Samson into the playing XI. The wicketkeeper-batter responded impressively, producing match-winning knocks against the West Indies and the England cricket team and earning Player of the Match awards in both games.Kaif also pointed out that Samson’s experience in high-pressure tournaments sets him apart from Abhishek, who is still relatively new to global events.“The biggest difference between Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson is that Abhishek Sharma is still quite new to ICC events. He has a fantastic record, if you leave ICC events aside. There is a big difference when playing in an ICC event like the World Cup,” said Kaif.“Sanju has scored over 8000 runs in T20S. Be it the runs or six-hitting ability, his name comes in the top 10 in the IPL. He is already an established player. Abhishek Sharma is still young and has to work on his game. He is not a finished product. Don’t compare him with Sanju. Sanju is already a finished product. He made his India debut 11 years ago,” he concluded.

India vs Pakistan (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: Ahmed Shehzad has sparked controversy by accusing the Board of Control for Cricket in India of not allowing the International Cricket Council to directly conduct doping tests on Indian players. His comments came during the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, after India national cricket team had reached the semi-finals.Speaking on a Pakistani channel, Shehzad claimed that India handles its own anti-doping checks instead of relying on the ICC’s testing system.

He alleged that the Indian board prefers to conduct the tests itself because it does not trust outside technology. “ICC does the dope tests [sic] for the entire world except India. Their own board does it for them. Sir, they don’t give it to the ICC; they say we have our own board, which would determine. The Indians have said that we don’t trust any technology outside, we have good technology, so we would do the dope test for our own players,” Shehzad said.However, international cricket follows strict anti-doping rules based on the standards of the World Anti-Doping Agency. The ICC has been a signatory to the WADA Code since 2006, meaning players across the world are subject to strict testing rules.The ICC conducts both in-competition and out-of-competition tests, often without prior notice. Specially trained officers collect blood or urine samples, which are split into two parts called “A” and “B” samples and tested at WADA-accredited laboratories. If the first sample shows a banned substance, the player is provisionally suspended and can request the second sample to be tested. If the result is confirmed, the player can face a long ban from cricket.Meanwhile, the BCCI’s anti-doping system works under National Anti-Doping Agency, which the board joined in 2019. Since NADA also follows WADA rules, Indian players are still tested under the same global anti-doping standards used in international sport.

NEW DELHI: Ibrahim Zadran has been appointed the new T20I captain of the Afghanistan national cricket team for the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka national cricket team. The decision was announced by the Afghanistan Cricket Board after the team’s disappointing performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where Afghanistan were eliminated in the league stage. Zadran replaces star leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who previously led the team in the format.

Zadran had been serving as vice-captain and now steps into the leadership role as part of broader changes within the team following the tournament. Explaining the decision, chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil said, “Rashid Khan’s tenure as the T20I captain brought immense success to the team, particularly highlighted by the team’s remarkable journey in the 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup, where we reached the semi-finals.”He added that the move is part of a long-term plan for the team’s future. “In alignment with the ACB’s long-term strategic vision and following recent changes in our Team Management, including the appointment of a new head coach, we have made the thoughtful decision to transition the leadership within the T20I setup,” he continued.“Ibrahim Zadran, who has served as Rashid Khan’s deputy, will assume the role as Afghanistan’s regular captain in this format. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rashid Khan for his valuable contributions and wish Ibrahim Zadran every success in this important new role.”The squad has also seen several changes, with players like Fazal Haq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Ishaq left out. Meanwhile, new names such as Noor Rahman, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Fareed Ahmad have been included in the T20I squad.“In addition, our long-term goal is to adequately prepare the team for the upcoming two World Cup events,” he remarked. “We are hopeful that, under this new leadership, the National Team will not only flourish but also showcase outstanding performances and build a strong and competitive bench strength for the crucial challenges that lie ahead.”Meanwhile, the ACB said it is monitoring the regional situation due to the Israel–Iran conflict. The board added, “Although a final decision will be made in a couple of days, the ACB’s initial approach, in coordination with the ECB and venue authorities, is to proceed with the originally scheduled dates. Should circumstances necessitate a change, the ACB will consider exploring alternative options for both the host country and the event schedule.”

Sri Lanka’s captain Dasun Shanaka, right, is consoled by teammate Dunith Wellalage after losing the T20 World Cup cricket match against Pakistan in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. File
| Photo Credit: AP

Sanju Samson (Pic credit: BCCI)

NEW DELHI: Speculation surfaced on social media after India’s win over West Indies that Sanju Samson could face disciplinary action — or even a ban — for his emotional on-field celebration in Kolkata. The rumours claimed that the Indian batter might miss the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final against England on Thursday because he dropped his helmet to the ground after hitting the match-winning boundary.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The moment came at the end of a tense chase when Samson sealed India’s victory with a boundary. As the ball raced away, the right-handed batter removed his helmet and dropped it onto the ground before falling to his knees and offering a prayer. The emotional celebration quickly went viral, with some observers suggesting the act might fall under the International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct related to equipment abuse.

A closer look at the rules suggests that the fears of a suspension are largely misplaced. Under Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, players can be penalised for “abuse of cricket equipment,” which includes actions such as throwing or striking items like helmets, bats, or stumps in frustration. The rule also covers deliberate damage to advertising boards, boundary fences, or dressing room fixtures.Even if Samson’s act were to be reviewed under this provision, it would most likely fall under a Level 1 offence — the lowest category of disciplinary breaches. Level 1 incidents typically attract fines or demerit points rather than suspensions.Former international umpire Anil Chaudhary also dismissed the speculation, explaining that Samson’s gesture appeared to be an emotional celebration rather than an act of anger or protest. According to him, such moments are common in high-pressure matches and are rarely treated as serious offences.Recent examples support this interpretation. Scotland’s George Munsey received only one demerit point earlier in the tournament after throwing his helmet in frustration following his dismissal.As things stand, there has been no official charge or complaint against Samson from match officials. India are scheduled to face England in the semi-final at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 5, and the wicketkeeper-batter remains fully eligible to play.

Abhishek Sharma and Sahibzada Farhan (Agency Image)

Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan has edged closer to the summit of the ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings, tightening the race with India’s Abhishek Sharma after the latest weekly update released on Wednesday.

T20I Batting Rankings

Farhan climbed to second place following a historic outing at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The right-hander became the first cricketer to score two centuries in a single edition of the tournament, bringing up his second hundred against Sri Lanka in Pallekele during the final Super 8s fixture for both sides. The knock not only lifted him one spot in the rankings but also earned him a new career-best rating.

Abhishek Sharma continues to occupy the No. 1 position, maintaining a 26-point cushion over Farhan. The Pakistan batter now sits on 848 rating points after overtaking England’s Phil Salt, having piled up 383 runs during the World Cup to significantly narrow the gap at the top. The end of the Super 8s stage has triggered several other movements in the batting charts. India’s Ishan Kishan advanced to fourth place with 783 rating points, while Tilak Varma moved up to sixth with 749 points as both broke into the top 10. South Africa’s Dewald Brevis also gained a position to settle in eighth. Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett enjoyed one of the biggest jumps, soaring six places to 11th after collecting 292 runs in the competition. South African duo Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram also progressed, rising to 13th and 16th respectively.

T20I bowling rankings

In the T20I bowling rankings, India spinner Varun Chakravarthy remains at the top, though his lead has been trimmed to just 18 points as the tournament heads into the knockout rounds. Chakravarthy has taken 12 wickets so far, but Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed is closing in after moving up two spots to third overall. Among other bowlers, India’s Jasprit Bumrah climbed to seventh, while Arshdeep Singh made a six-place leap to 13th. England’s Liam Dawson surged nine positions to share 14th place, and South Africa pacer Lungi Ngidi advanced six spots to 20th. The all-rounder rankings continue to be led by Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza. India’s Hardik Pandya is now his closest challenger after moving up one place to second, displacing Pakistan’s Saim Ayub. West Indies veteran Jason Holder was another major gainer, jumping eight positions to 11th following a strong World Cup showing with both bat and ball.

Sanju Samson in action during the ICC Twenty20 World Cup super 8 match against West Indies in Kolkata on March 1, 2026
| Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak

Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav (BCCI Photo)

NEW DELHI: A blistering 97* from Sanju Samson powered India to a thrilling five-wicket win over West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, sealing their place in the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals. Under pressure and with his spot in the XI questioned after a lean run, Samson delivered when it mattered most in the Super Eight clash.Chasing under tricky conditions with dew setting in, India stayed on course thanks to a composed yet attacking effort from the wicketkeeper-batter. Samson’s unbeaten 97 off 50 balls is now the highest score in a successful run chase for India in T20 World Cups, surpassing Virat Kohli’s previous record. He struck the winning runs and, as he walked back, skipper Suryakumar Yadav removed his cap and bowed to him in a heartwarming gesture.

In a video released by the BCCI, Suryakumar was effusive in his praise for Samson, even prompting a hilarious response from the match-winner.“Rulayega kya pagle? (Do you want to see me tear up?),” Samson quipped as his captain continued to shower him with compliments.Suryakumar reiterated the belief he has long held about Samson and revealed what the batter had told the team when he rejoined the side.“I always say good things happen to good people and at the right time. No better time, no better stage for someone like him to step up and give the team what the team required. The moment he came into the side, I think the first thing that he said amongst the group when we sat together was, let’s do something which the team wants, not what you want,” said Suryakumar.The skipper chose not to dwell too much on Samson’s difficult phase — being in and out of the side and batting out of position — but acknowledged the mental strength behind the knock.“In life, we’ve seen so many things, so many ups and downs. I don’t want to take you back to what happened in the whole year, losing his position, batting out of position, and then coming back batting at the same position.”He emphasised that such performances define ICC tournaments and lauded the courage shown by Samson on the big stage.“It’s not easy to win the World Cup. The World Cups, the ICC tournaments, the games which you play in ICC tournaments are won by courageous people, and this was a courageous knock. He can already get carried away by a good start, but then the way he was batting, he held one side together, took the team through. And he deserves all the credit. I’m very happy for him, his wife, his family back home, and all the people who love him, support him. We’re just one more step closer. Hopefully, this may continue. I have a lot of things to say, but then, I’m very happy. He deserves everything,” said Suryakumar.India now move a step closer to the title, riding on a knock that could well go down as one of their finest in T20 World Cup history.India will now face England in the semifinal of the 2026 T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.