T20 World Cup: Truly a match-winning innings from Sanju Samson, says Sitanshu Kotak
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T20 World Cup: Truly a match-winning innings from Sanju Samson, says Sitanshu Kotak


T20 World Cup: Truly a match-winning innings from Sanju Samson, says Sitanshu Kotak

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

Sitanshu Kotak always put a heavy price on his wicket. Saurashtra’s doughty southpaw was a domestic giant. Never aesthetic in his approach, Kotak always made effective runs. Now in his role as the Indian team’s batting coach, he draws satisfaction from the way his wards perform.

He couldn’t stop smiling late on Sunday (March 1, 2026) night after Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 97 took India past the West Indies in the ICC T20 World Cup clash at the Eden Gardens. “Sanju is such a class player. He batted really well. Truly a match-winning innings. Everybody knew that Sanju will perform,” Kotak told the media.

The batting coach admitted that some technical adjustments were made while Samson evolved: “He felt he was getting ready a little early. Sanju does two to three different things. We have been talking from the England series, about the short balls he got out to. All that we discussed.”

Through his knock, Samson looked assured, and Kotak explained: “The special feature about this innings was that it was completely under control. That’s what you expect from someone like Sanju who is so experienced. He has scored so many runs in internationals, in the IPL. In a way, he has been a leader. So, that’s what you expect from someone like him.”

Kotak also praised Tilak Varma: “Tilak is very flexible. He never talks about the batting order. If you want him to open, he is ready. Number three, he really enjoys. Now, with the situation of having three left-handers in a row, he knew that the batting order was changing for that reason. Obviously, Surya, we won’t change, so Tilak goes in at five. He understands that. Though he is aggressive, he plays according to the merit of the ball. He doesn’t blindly slog the ball.”

Published – March 02, 2026 03:54 pm IST


T20 World Cup Super 8: England and Pakistan eye crucial points
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T20 World Cup Super 8: England and Pakistan eye crucial points


On a surface expected to assist slow bowlers, both England and Pakistan will lean heavily on their spin resources in their Super Eights clash in the T20 World Cup in Pallekele on Tuesday (February 24, 2026).

England may not have hit top gear yet, but the two-time champions have found ways to win.

They kicked off their Super Eights campaign with a commanding 51-run victory over Sri Lanka, a result that significantly boosted their net run rate and took them to the top of the standings.

Defending a modest total against Sri Lanka, England played according to the conditions perfectly. Their spinners did the bulk of the work along with pacer Jofra Archer to trigger a dramatic Sri Lankan batting collapse.

The ever-reliable leg spinner Adil Rashid and left arm spinner Liam Dawson have combined well to get the wickets.

Meanwhile, Will Jacks has emerged as an unlikely match-winner. His off-spin has been handy, but it is his contributions with the bat, 39 against Nepal, 16 against Scotland and 53 versus Italy, that have repeatedly bailed England out of trouble.

Opener Phil Salt returned to form with a match-winning knock against Sri Lanka, as he batted beyond the powerplay for the first time in the tournament.

However, Jos Buttler’s form remains a concern. But the veteran batter has got the backing of his captain Harry Brook, who himself is yet to find runs.

England also hold the advantage of familiarity with the venue, having swept a three-match T20I series here 3-0 earlier this month and also winning the Super Eight game against Sri Lanka.

“We still haven’t had that perfect game with the bat. We haven’t managed to get the starts and the big scores that we’d like,” Brook said after the win against Sri Lanka.

“In my eyes I see that as something coming very soon and with the likes of Jos Buttler not coming off and Jacob Bethell, myself, Tom Banton not getting big scores and we still managed to get over the line and get the job done is awesome. Hopefully rewards can come a little bit later down the line for the lads with the bat.” Pakistan, in contrast, were left frustrated after their Super Eights opener against New Zealand was washed out, leaving them with just one point and little room for error.

The Men in Green will bank on their varied spin arsenal on a track that traditionally slows as the match progresses.

Alongside the mystery spin of Usman Tariq, Pakistan boast of depth in Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, a collective that could prove crucial in stifling England’s batting line-up.

However, Pakistan’s own batting inconsistency remains a concern, especially against quality spin.

While opener Sahibzada Farhan, who is the leading run scorer of the tournament with 220 runs from four innings, has done well, the likes of Saim Ayub and captain Salman Agha, who is capable of both anchoring and accelerating, are yet to fire.

The Teams (from):

England: Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton, Jos Buttler, Ben Duckett, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood.

Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.

Match starts 7 p.m. IST.

Published – February 23, 2026 12:18 pm IST


T20 World Cup: Truly a match-winning innings from Sanju Samson, says Sitanshu Kotak
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T20 World Cup: Loss against South Africa, a rude jolt to Indian campaign


T20 World Cup: Truly a match-winning innings from Sanju Samson, says Sitanshu Kotak

South African players celebrate their win over India in the T20 World Cup Super 8 match in Ahmedabad on February 22, 2026
| Photo Credit: Vijay Soneji

If the opening match against the United States of America was seen as a muffled wake-up call, the encounter involving South Africa was a rude jolt. India’s winning streak in the ICC Twenty20 World Cup was finally snapped as the Proteas flourished at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday (February 23, 2026).

The Men in Blue had their rivals hobbling at 20 for three but the middle overs choke never happened. David Miller and Dewald Brevis stitched a kinetic 97-run partnership. And Varun Chakaravarthy’s mystery element was snuffed out as the left-right combine of Miller and Brevis remained busy.

A lack of discipline was evident too as India conceded 11 extras. Even if in the death, the splendid Jasprit Bumrah pegged back the visitors, South Africa’s 187 for seven was a competitive score. The fans, tipping over 80,000, were in good cheer before it all went downhill for the defending champion.

Through this championship, India has tended to lose its opening wicket with hardly anything on the scoreboard. The highest first-wicket partnership so far has been the 25 between Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson against Namibia, else it has always been a case of a single digit and an instant breach.

Abhishek Sharma’s sudden dip in form evident in three zeros and a brief 15, has meant that the middle-order is often forced to salvage the innings. In a fickle arena that the T20Is are, Abhishek should be able to turn it around, but still in a global tournament, there is not much elbow room.

Suryakumar Yadav has resigned himself to be the binding glue instead of being the force-multiplier that the captain usually is. It is a direct reflection of the muddled top-order in which Tilak Varma is yet to fully get into his groove.

This young Indian outfit is obviously part of the selector’s long-term plan. Still, men like K.L. Rahul, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant have been kept out. Add to that the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and it is imperative for Suryakumar’s men to get past these massive vacant shoes.

Looking ahead, the think-tank has to figure out if it is prudent to bench vice-captain Axar Patel. The games against Zimbabwe and the West Indies are ‘must-win’ ones, especially after India’s net run rate plunged to -3.8. This still remains a good team, but some operational rust has to be quickly sandpapered away.

Published – February 23, 2026 10:17 am IST


T20 World Cup: Truly a match-winning innings from Sanju Samson, says Sitanshu Kotak
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T20 World Cup: Everyone loves an underdog story, says skipper Raza on Zimbabwe’s performance


T20 World Cup: Truly a match-winning innings from Sanju Samson, says Sitanshu Kotak

Zimbabwe’s captain Sikandar Raza plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on February 19, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AP

Skipper Sikandar Raza said Zimbabwe’s wonder run in the T20 World Cup group stages has earned his side respect from everyone, and he hoped to recreate the universally loved underdog’s victory story in the Super Eights against tough opponents.

The Africans showed a glimpse of their ability to spring surprises while sweeping aside Australia and Sri Lanka in Group B matches in Colombo.

“We keep our sights forward. If I keep our eyes on the present…I don’t think anyone gave us a chance. To win everyone’s hearts and respect, it is a good position to be in,” Raza said in the post-match presentation after his team’s win over SL.

Now, Raza has set his eyes on the Super Eights, where they will come across reigning champions India, two-time champions West Indies and 2024 finalists South Africa. But he is not overawed.

“We take one game at a time. We arrive on the 21st, and then train on the 22nd, and then it is show-time. Whatever happens, happens. If we can win two out of three games, who knows what can happen. Everyone loves an underdog story,” Raza added.

Cutting back to the match against the Lankans, Raza said the home side was 10 runs short of a defendable total.

“When we lost the toss, all I said to the boys was if we are truly playing good cricket, why does the toss matter? I bowled, and said finger-spinners are not finding a lot of turn, so we can put them under pressure.

“I came into the changing room and said they were 10 runs short (at the break). We have trained for every situation. We have the right personnel to send in at the right time. We have got all those roles clear and that is why you see the confidence in the changing room,” he said.

But for the moment, Raza wanted to celebrate his team’s Super Eights entry.

“We are unbeaten so far, but it is only the next game that comes into my head. Nice position to be in as a captain but I will try and enjoy at least tonight,” he said.

Published – February 20, 2026 03:48 am IST


India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup LIVE: Fans express excitement for much-awaited clash
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India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup LIVE: Fans express excitement for much-awaited clash


As India takes to the field against Pakistan at Colombo, there is a lot of chatter about how the ‘Men in Blue’ will take on their rivals’ spin attack, which has as many as five players. However, the key also would be to play out the left-arm pace really well, especially during the powerplay.

Amid all the hype about Usman Tariq’s sidearm action which comes with a pause and the trio of Abrar Ahmed, Mohammed Nawaz and Saim Ayub which has delivered timely strikes and brought in a fear factor, the left-arm quick Shaheen Shah Afridi, who has taken two wickets in the tournament so far and his partner-in-pace Salman Mirza, who bowled an economical spell of 3/24 against Netherlands, have done a rather decent, if not great, job in powerplay.

During both their clashes against Netherlands and USA, the powerplay scores of the oppositions were 50 each. Netherlands had lost two wickets in that phase, with Mirza getting one scalp for 21 runs in three powerplay overs and Shaheen going for 23 runs in two overs.

Against USA, while Mirza did not feature, Shaheen went for 17 runs in his two powerplay overs, with USA being 50/1 at the end of powerplay. 

However so far, India’s game against left-arm pace has been exceptional.

Against USA in their campaign opener, Indian batters, despite being far, far away from their best, managed to make their lead left-armer Saurabh Netrawalkar bleed runs. He gave away 23 runs in his two powerplay overs, including two fours and sixes and was taken to cleaners by skipper Suryakumar Yadav later on during death overs phase, giving away a total of 65 runs in four overs, including seven fours and five sixes.

In the second clash against Namibia, India brutalised their left-arm pacers, Ruben Trumpelmann and JJ Smit. During the powerplay, the duo collectively leaked 61 runs in four overs, including six fours and five sixes.

While later on Namibia managed to contain Team India courtesy a four-fer from skipper Gerhald Erasmus, the final figures of both lefties were not very respectable, with Ruben going for 38 runs in his four overs, with four boundaries and a six and Smit getting a wicket, but leaking 50 in his four overs, with four boundaries and sixes each.

In all, India belted Namibia’s left-armers for 88 runs in eight overs, including eight fours and five sixes. — ANI