Abhishek Sharma made the most of that freedom on Thursday, smashing a record 30-ball century against Afghanistan in the third and final T20I in Delhi. His 108 off 34 balls, which included 11 sixes, helped India post 221/7 and complete a 3-0 series sweep with a 127-run win.
India will have another busy day at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Friday, September 18. The Indian women's cricket team will be the main attraction as the defending champions begin their title defence against Japan in the quarter-finals. The match is scheduled for 10:30 AM IST.
India’s steeplechase champion looks to put injury woes behind in quest for more continental glory.
Rashid Khan believes Afghanistan needs to find solutions in the powerplay, while India's fearless young batters have caught his eye. The Afghanistan star explains what makes Abhishek Sharma a ‘very big package’ for Team India and calls 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a "God-gifted talent". Rashid also identifies Noor Ahmad and Abdollah Ahmadzai as players to watch and opens up about the one ICC achievement he still wants in his book.
Jasprit Bumrah opened the bowling for India with a maiden over. It was his 13th maiden in T20I cricket and helped him become the bowler with the most maiden overs among players from Full Member nations. He moved past Zimbabwe’s Richard Ngarava, who has bowled 12 maiden overs in T20Is.
James Rodríguez has retired from international football after 15 years and 131 appearances for Colombia. The iconic No. 10 leaves as the country’s record cap holder, with 31 goals and 43 assists. His career was defined by the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot and memorable performances. At 35, Rodríguez will continue his club career with Atlético Nacional.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr endured a nightmare return to the AFC Champions League Elite, suffering a 4-0 defeat to Al-Ain. The result marks Ronaldo’s heaviest loss since joining the Saudi club in 2023 and leaves Al-Nassr bottom after Matchday 1. Ange Postecoglou’s side now face seven remaining league-stage matches to recover from their disastrous opening.
The celebration of India's Women's Asia Cup triumph was overshadowed when the team rejected the trophy presented by ACC president Mohsin Naqvi. This decision recalls a similar controversy during the men's Asia Cup final. Mohammad Kaif has voiced doubts regarding Naqvi's involvement in both political and sports spheres, reflecting wider issues related to his dual authority in the cricketing community.
Sunil Gavaskar has put forth a suggestion to enhance the BCCI's Cricket Advisory Committee by expanding its scope. He proposes that legendary former cricketers be included to ensure diverse perspectives. This broader committee could effectively tackle challenges related to both domestic and international cricket scheduling. Moreover, involving icons like Sachin Tendulkar would considerably elevate the credibility of the discussions. Gavaskar further insists on implementing a similar framework for women's cricket.
Animesh Kujur arrives in Aichi-Nagoya with a 10.14 personal best in the 100m and the national 200m record of 20.32. He has gained confidence from international competitions, learned how to manage his body, when to peak and when to reduce the load. With strong Asian competition ahead, including Japan's Shuhei Tada and Soshi Mizukubo, Kujur believes his Asian Championships mistakes will not be repeated and is targeting medals in all three events.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr return to the AFC Champions League Elite after winning the Saudi Pro League and spending last season in the second-tier competition. Their campaign begins against Al Ain, who eliminated them in 2024. With new manager Ange Postecoglou and a revamped squad, Al Nassr are chasing continental glory as Ronaldo seeks his first major Asian club trophy.