entertainment news

New Delhi [India], September 24 (ANI): Former international umpire Anil Chaudhary believes India are a cut above the rest in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025.

“I had predicted that India would play Sri Lanka in the finals. The way India is playing, there’s a huge gap between India and the other teams,” Chaudhary said, reflecting on India’s strong form in the tournament.

However, he pointed out the unpredictable nature of the shortest format.

“T20 is such a game that it’s better not to predict too much. Sometimes, even two or three players can change the match. Sometimes individual performances can change the course of the game,” he explained.

India have dominated their opponents in this ongoing Asia Cup so far, as they started their campaign by humiliating the UAE, and then they dominated their arch-rivals Pakistan, and after that, in their final Group A encounter, they defeated Oman.

India thrashed Pakistan for the second time in this tournament in their first Super Fours game on Sunday; now their next challenge will be Bangladesh on Wednesday in Dubai.

During the match, India won the toss and elected to field first. After Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman, a quickfire 72-run stand followed between Sahibzada Farhan (58 in 45 balls, with five fours and three sixes) and Saim Ayub (21 in 17 balls, with a four and six) put Pakistan ahead. Later, knocks from Mohammed Nawaz (21 in 19 balls, with a four and six) and Faheem Ashraf (20* in eight balls, with a four and two sixes) took Pakistan to 171/5 in 20 overs.

Shivam Dube (2/33) was the pick of the bowlers for India, while Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya got one each.

During the run-chase of 172, Abhishek Sharma (74 in 39 balls, with six fours and five sixes) and Shubman Gill (47 in 28 balls, with eight fours) took Pakistan out of the game in the first ten overs. While Haris Rauf (2/26) tried to fight it out for Pakistan, Tilak Varma (30* in 19 balls, with two fours and two sixes) and Hardik (7*) took India to a win with seven balls left.

Abhishek secured the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his explosive knock. (ANI)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

London [UK], September 23 (ANI): India on Tuesday formally presented its proposal to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games to the Evaluation Committee of Commonwealth Sport in London.

The Indian team was led by Harsh Sanghavi, Minister of Sports, Government of Gujarat and Dr. P T Usha, President, Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary, Sports, Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS); Government of India; Ashwini Kumar, Principal Secretary, Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities Department, Government of Gujarat; Banchha Nidhi Pani, Commissioner, Amdavad Municipal Corporation, Raghuram Iyer, CEO, Commonwealth Games Association of India, Lt Gen Harpal Singh, Executive Board Member, CGA India and Ajay Narang, EA to President, CGA were also part of the presenting team from India, as per a press release.

The 2030 edition carries historic significance, marking 100 years of the Commonwealth Sport Movement. India’s bid positions Ahmedabad as the host city for this Centenary edition, offering a compact Games footprint centred on international-standard venues, robust transport systems, and high-quality accommodation.

Aligned with the Games Reset principles, the proposal places strong emphasis on affordability, inclusivity, flexibility, and sustainability. It commits to the integration of para-sport, protection of human rights, promotion of gender equity, and embedding of a long-term legacy framework that ensures benefits extend beyond the Games to athletes, communities, and the wider Commonwealth.

Ahmedabad’s proven hosting record further strengthens India’s candidature, with successful delivery of events such as the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the 2022 National Games. The city will also host the Asian Aquatics 2025, Asian Weightlifting Championships 2026, World Police and Fire Games 2029 and several other multi and single sports events, adding operational experience in the lead-up to 2030.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Sports, Government of Gujarat, said “Hosting the Centenary Commonwealth Games in Amdavad will be a proud milestone, not just for Gujarat but for India. We see these Games as a catalyst — to inspire our youth, accelerate our journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047, and strengthen the Commonwealth Movement for the next 100 years.”

Adding to this, the President, Commonwealth Games Association of India, said “India’s bid is not just about capability, but about values. Ahmedabad is ready to pick up the baton from Glasgow 2026 and act as a springboard to the 2034 Games, ensuring that the Centenary edition honours the past while shaping the future of Commonwealth Sport.”

With strong and coordinated support from the Government of India, the Government of Gujarat, and the Commonwealth Games Association of India, the proposal highlights India’s ambition to deliver Games that are compact, sustainable, inclusive, and globally impactful. (ANI)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Dubai [UAE], September 23 (ANI): India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate outlined the threat posed by “champion” bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who stands on the verge of making history for Bangladesh during their Super Fours clash at the ongoing Asia Cup on Wednesday in Dubai.

Mustafizur, a known personality in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has emerged as one of the prominent wicket-takers in the T20 format. With 149 T20I wickets in 117 matches, Mustafizur, who is the joint-highest wicket-taker for Bangladesh alongside former all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, stands one shy of becoming the fourth overall to scythe 150 scalps in the format.

While Doeschate acknowledged the talented pool of Bangladesh’s players, he had special praise in store for Mustafizur. At the same time, Doeschate classified the 30-year-old as Bangladesh’s “premium” bowler and a player highly rated by the Indian management.

“Yeah, he’s a champion. He’s been around a long time. A very skilful bowler. We obviously know the skill sets that he brings. And I think for someone to do so well internationally over such a long time and obviously goes to IPL and does very well as well when he goes there. There are many good players on the Bangladesh side. And Mustafiz is probably their premium bowler. So yeah, we rate him high,” Doeschate said while speaking to reporters on Tuesday.

However, Mustafizur has struggled to scalp wickets against the T20 world champions. In 13 appearances against India, he has managed just eight scalps at an average of over 57.

In the ongoing tournament, the crafty quick has enjoyed a prolific run on the UAE’s surfaces. He boasts seven wickets in four appearances at an average of 15 with best figures of 3/20. He is also the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the 2025 Asia Cup.

India squad for Asia Cup: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.

Bangladesh squad for Asia Cup: Litton Das (c), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Shaif Uddin. (ANI)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)