Rinku Singh recalls his five sixes off Yash Dayal in IPL 2023 as a “dream moment,” saying, “I felt God had given me everything.”
Rinku Singh has been named in India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025. The left-handed batsman fondly recalls his unforgettable IPL 2023 moment, when he struck five consecutive sixes in a dramatic finish—a feat he describes as a dream come true. Representing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rinku Singh needed 29 runs from the final five balls against Yash Dayal, and his remarkable hitting stunned fans and spectators alike, making it one of the tournament’s most iconic moments. That extraordinary performance paved the way for his debut with the Indian team. Two years on, Rinku Singh has established himself as a vital part of the side, featuring in 33 T20Is and scoring 546 runs at an impressive strike rate of 161.07, including three half-centuries. “It was a monumental moment for me”: Rinku Singh In an interview with Times of India, Rinku Singh reflected on his unforgettable five sixes in IPL 2023, a performance that earned him widespread recognition among fans. “People know me because of that match, and ever since, expectations have skyrocketed. I’ve received so much love from everyone. Those five sixes gave me a new identity—not just for myself, but for all of India,” he said. “For me, it was a huge moment. The team needed 29 runs, and hitting five sixes in a row felt like a dream—these things don’t happen every day. I’m grateful to the Almighty for making it possible. All the hard work I’d put in over the years felt rewarded in that single innings. In that moment, I truly felt blessed,” he added. Currently, Rinku Singh is leading the Meerut Mavericks in the UP T20 League 2025, with the final against Kashi Rudras scheduled for September 6. After the league, he is set to join the Indian squad in the UAE for Asia Cup 2025. The left-handed batter has been in exceptional form, scoring 372 runs in 11 matches at an average of 62.0 and a strike rate of 178.85. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
MS Dhoni’s Surprise Appearance at US Open to Watch Novak Djokovic Grabs All the Attention – Watch
MS Dhoni attended Novak Djokovic’s US Open 2025 quarterfinal clash against Taylor Fritz, with pictures of the former Indian captain at the venue going viral on social media. MS Dhoni Spotted at US Open 2025 Quarterfinal The star-studded evening at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday also featured former India captain MS Dhoni, who was among the spectators during Novak Djokovic’s US Open 2025 quarterfinal clash against Taylor Fritz. The Serb secured a four-set victory to reach the semifinal. The 44-year-old, who retired from international cricket in 2020, was seen enjoying the second men’s singles quarterfinal in New York. Businessman Hitesh Sanghvi later shared a picture with Dhoni along with a clip from Djokovic’s match on his Instagram account. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hitesh Sanghvi (@hitesh412740) Djokovic Advances to Semifinals, Sets Clash with Alcaraz Djokovic defeated Fritz 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 to continue his impressive run at 38, having now reached at least the semifinal in all four majors this season. Next up is Carlos Alcaraz, whom he beat for Olympic gold in Paris last year and eliminated in the Australian Open quarterfinals earlier this year. Djokovic holds a 5-3 head-to-head record against the 22-year-old, who has now made his ninth Grand Slam semifinal—second only to Rafael Nadal’s 10 before turning 23. US Open: Meanwhile, in Indian cricket, an old interview of Irfan Pathan resurfaced, where he recalled a communication gap with MS Dhoni during the 2008 Australia series. Pathan revealed he confronted Dhoni after media reports claimed the captain was unhappy with his bowling, despite his belief that he had performed well. He further added, “I don’t have a habit of setting up hookah in someone’s room or talking about this. Everyone knows. Sometimes if you don’t speak about it, it’s better. A cricketer’s job is to perform on the field and that is what I used to focus on.” Although Dhoni has not addressed the claims, Pathan later reacted on X, posting: “Half decade old video surfacing NOW with a twisted context to the Statement. Fan war? PR lobby?” Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
Sanju Samson Earns New Batting Spot in India’s Asia Cup XI; Gautam Gambhir Suggests Replacing Tilak Varma
Gautam Gambhir has been advised to provide Sanju Samson with a consistent opportunity at No. 3 in the Asia Cup, with Mohammad Kaif highlighting that Samson is the squad’s most experienced player. Kaif Backs Sanju Samson for India’s No. 3 Spot Ahead of Asia Cup 2025 Former India batter Mohammad Kaif believes Sanju Samson deserves to play at No. 3 ahead of Tilak Varma in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. India will begin their campaign on September 10 against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the Suryakumar Yadav-led side faces several key selection decisions. With Shubman Gill included as vice-captain, it is almost certain that the 25-year-old will open alongside Abhishek Sharma. This leaves Samson’s role in the balance. Over the past year, the right-hander has opened the batting alongside Abhishek, smashing three T20I centuries—one against Bangladesh and two against South Africa. Sanju Samson has also been in strong form in the Kerala Cricket League. Initially batting lower down the order in the T20 competition, he struggled in his first two games before returning as an opener, which saw him start scoring freely. However, dropping Tilak Varma won’t be straightforward. The left-handed youngster has impressed at No. 3 for India in T20Is, including back-to-back centuries against South Africa last year. This leaves the management with a selection headache ahead of the Asia Cup. “Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill will open in the Asia Cup. For the No. 3 spot, I feel Tilak Varma is a youngster and can wait for his turn. Sanju is an experienced batter, and he could be groomed by giving him consistent opportunities at No. 3. There is a World Cup after six months, and he deserves a chance,” Kaif said in a video shared on his Instagram account. Samson best bet against Rashid Khan Kaif believes that if India faces a team like Afghanistan in the Asia Cup, Sanju Samson would be the ideal choice to take on a bowler like Rashid Khan, thanks to his ability to strike maximums down the ground. “He is among the top 10 six-hitters in the IPL. That’s why I believe when Rashid Khan comes to bowl in the middle overs, there cannot be a better player against him than Sanju, as he can hit sixes down the ground,” Kaif said. He added, “South Africa has one of the toughest conditions for batting, and he has hit two centuries as an opener there. He plays both pace and spin well, and in the IPL, he scores 400-500 runs every year.” The former India batter also highlighted Samson’s recent form, saying he would be hard to ignore in the upcoming eight-team tournament, which begins September 9 with the opening match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong. “Do you know that Sanju Samson is the most senior member of this Asia Cup squad? He made his debut in 2015 and was part of the T20 World Cup-winning squad in 2024 in Barbados,” Kaif said. “He didn’t get to play much then, but when he did, he scored runs for fun with a 180 strike rate. He scored almost 450 runs. He has been scoring consistently in the Kerala Cricket League and is in fine form,” he added. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
Which Is Harder to Captain: An IPL Side or Australia? Aaron Finch Shares His View
Australia lifted their maiden ICC T20 World Cup title in 2021 under the leadership of Aaron Finch. Regarded as one of Australia’s finest white-ball captains, Finch guided his side to glory on the global stage. The opening batter featured in 103 T20Is, captaining in 76 of them, and left a lasting legacy in the shortest format. Across his international T20 career, the right-hander amassed 3,120 runs at an impressive average of 34.29 and a striking strike rate of 142.54. His tally included two centuries and 19 half-centuries, cementing his place among Australia’s all-time T20 greats. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Finch played 92 matches and scored 2,091 runs at an average of 24.89, registering 15 fifties. Notably, he represented nine different franchises and even captained the now-defunct Pune Warriors India during his IPL stint. Leading in the IPL Was Probably the Toughest: Aaron Finch In an interview with The Cricket Monthly, Aaron Finch revealed that captaining a team in the IPL was more challenging than leading Australia. He attributed this to the short, intense nature of the tournament. “IPL was probably the hardest because you’re coming together for such a short period,” Finch explained. “At Pune Warriors, I joined as a replacement player, and just two or three games later, I was made captain. I didn’t have enough time to really get to know everyone in the squad, which is incredibly challenging.” He contrasted this with his experience leading Australia, saying, “When you captain Australia, you’re working with some of the best players in the world who already know what they’re doing. My job was much easier there. In the IPL, I wasn’t as consistent as I was with the Renegades or Australia. At times, the pressure to perform and trying too hard to make things happen weighed heavily on me.” Over his IPL career, Finch represented nine different franchises. He made his IPL debut in 2010 with Rajasthan Royals and last played in 2022 for Kolkata Knight Riders. His journey also included stints with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Pune Warriors India, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
‘There could be a selfish motive’ – Harbhajan Singh slams Lalit Modi over leaked IPL ‘slap gate’ video
Lalit Modi has stirred fresh controversy by releasing unseen footage of the infamous IPL 2008 “slap-gate” incident involving Harbhajan Singh and S. Sreesanth. The video, shown during Modi’s conversation with former Australian captain Michael Clarke on a podcast, clearly captured the moment Harbhajan Singh slapped Sreesanth during the post-match handshake between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). The incident, which shocked fans at the time, went down as one of the biggest controversies in IPL history. As a result, Harbhajan Singh was handed a suspension for the remainder of the season. While the matter had largely faded from public memory, Modi’s decision to release the footage has reignited debate. Harbhajan Singh, visibly displeased, hit back at the former IPL commissioner, accusing him of acting out of selfish motives. He criticized Modi for dragging the past into the spotlight and insisted that the video should never have been released. The episode, once buried, is now back in headlines—drawing both criticism of Modi and renewed discussion of one of the league’s most controversial moments. Harbhajan Singh Slams Lalit Modi Over Video Leak Harbhajan Singh has strongly criticized the leak of an old video, calling it a selfish attempt to revive something long forgotten. Speaking to Instant Bollywood, he shared his thoughts on the matter: “The way the video has been leaked is wrong. It shouldn’t have happened. There might be selfish motives behind it. Something that happened 18 years ago has been forgotten by people, and now they are being reminded of it unnecessarily.” Reflecting on the incident, Harbhajan admitted he still feels remorse: “I feel bad about what happened. We were playing, and everyone had their own thoughts at the time. Mistakes were made, and yes, we do feel ashamed of them.” He further acknowledged the incident as unfortunate and took responsibility for his actions: “Yes, the video has gone viral. It was an unfortunate incident, and I have admitted on multiple occasions that I made a mistake. Humans make mistakes, and I did too. I have prayed to Lord Ganesh for forgiveness if I err again. Mistakes happen.” Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
‘Virat Kohli toured Australia…’: Root faces harsh reality check as England legend hints at looming retirement
Citing Virat Kohli’s example, a former England cricketer suggested that a poor Ashes campaign might push Joe Root toward Test retirement. Joe Root Still Chasing First Test Century in Australia Over the years, Joe Root has cemented his status as England’s premier Test batter. Yet, one milestone continues to elude him—a century in Australia. In 27 innings Down Under, Root has amassed 892 runs at an average of 35.68, including nine fifties. On three occasions, he crossed 80 but failed to convert those starts into three figures. Former England spinner Monty Panesar believes the upcoming Ashes series could be a defining moment for Root’s career. Drawing a parallel with Virat Kohli, Panesar warned that another poor campaign might even push Root towards Test retirement. England legend uses Virat Kohli’s example Speaking to IndiaToday.in, former England spinner Monty Panesar said Joe Root’s career could hinge on his performance in next year’s Ashes. Panesar drew comparisons with Virat Kohli, recalling how the Indian great struggled in Australia against deliveries outside the off-stump—a phase that eventually played a role in his Test retirement. “It really depends how next year goes for him, how the Ashes go… If Joe Root doesn’t have a good Ashes series and it goes really bad for him, suddenly all it takes is one series. People begin questioning, is he past his best? England could even lose their coach or captain if the series is disastrous,” Panesar remarked. Looking ahead, Panesar admitted that Root faces an uphill challenge in securing his first century in Australia. He pointed to the hosts’ formidable attack, calling it “one of the strongest bowling units we’ve seen.” However, he added that Root might find an opening on less lively tracks at venues like Adelaide or Melbourne. “If there’s a pitch without too much bounce or pace, he has a chance. But on anything quick or bouncy, it’ll be very difficult for him,” Panesar concluded. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
Jasprit Bumrah advised by his former bowling coach to skip the IPL in order to remain fully available for Team India matches.
Jasprit Bumrah featured in only three matches during the recent England series. Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun has weighed in on the pacer’s workload, suggesting that Bumrah should consider skipping the Indian Premier League (IPL) if a five-match Test series is on the horizon. Jasprit Bumrah workload has been a persistent talking point in Indian cricket. He played just three Tests against England, missing two crucial matches when the series was finely poised. Earlier, after featuring in five games of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25, Jasprit Bumrah picked up an injury that ruled him out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. On his return, he restricted himself to only three Tests against England — a move the management supported, given his importance to the team. Arun stressed that the IPL could be skipped in such situations to ensure Jasprit Bumrah long-term fitness, adding that the BCCI should fairly compensate him for missing the lucrative league. Speaking to Times Internet, he said: “Definitely, this would help, especially when you want to preserve bowlers. It’s fine for a batter or a spinner to play across formats, but for a fast bowler, too much cricket leaves little time to work on physical conditioning. “So yes, this should be considered. Bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, or anyone deemed crucial for a particular series, can be rested and adequately compensated. If he’s paid fairly and the BCCI — since he’s a contracted player — asks him to focus on certain aspects of his game, I think that’s completely fair.” Jasprit Bumrah: Bharat Arun on Mohammed Siraj: “He is every captain’s delight.” Bharat Arun praised Mohammed Siraj for his outstanding efforts, highlighting the energy he brings to the team. He stressed that the pacer must be managed carefully and given enough rest. Arun said: “Siraj has been around for a while now, and he has been exceptional. He’s a captain’s delight. Every time you hand him the ball, he runs in and gives his absolute best. That’s exactly what you want from a fast bowler — he has incredible energy.” Speaking about the recently concluded five-Test series, Arun added:“From the first Test to the fifth, Siraj maintained the same intensity throughout. That’s why it’s important to preserve him and ensure he gets sufficient rest before the next assignment so that he can recover fully.” Siraj was not named in India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad as he has been rested after bowling more than 180 overs in the England series. However, he is expected to make his return for the West Indies series in October. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Arshdeep Singh Opens Up on India vs England Ordeal: “I Spoke to Siraj… He Gave Me This…”
Arshdeep Singh faces strong competition for a spot in India’s Asia Cup playing XI, with Jasprit Bumrah and Harshit Rana already included in the squad. Arshdeep Singh Misses England Tests but Prepares for Asia Cup Arshdeep Singh did not play in India’s recent five-match Test series in England, despite injuries to several pacers and Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management. His situation worsened when a left thumb injury ruled him out of the fourth and fifth Tests. Currently, Arshdeep is representing North Zone in the Duleep Trophy clash against East Zone in Bengaluru. After the tournament, he will head to the UAE to join India’s squad for the Asia Cup. Arshdeep Singh Reflects on Learning Patience and Enjoying the Boring Phases in Red-Ball Cricket Opening up on his recent struggles on the sidelines of the ongoing Duleep Trophy, Arshdeep Singh said, “Mentally, in the last two months, I have learnt how to enjoy the boring time. In Test cricket or red-ball matches, there is a time when the work gets boring. Like the session after lunch, the ball doesn’t do anything… how can you enjoy that?” He credited Mohammed Siraj for motivating him: “I spoke to Siraj, he told me that when nothing is happening, how you enjoy that phase will tell you how successful you can be in red-ball cricket. He gave me this small tip and I really liked it. The same thing happened here. They (East Zone) were just down four wickets and the ball wasn’t doing anything. So, that was the main motive… how to enjoy each other’s company. That’s how the results came.” Arshdeep will face stiff competition for a place in India’s Asia Cup playing XI, with Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, and all-rounder Hardik Pandya all in contention. Pandya, in particular, will play a key role in India’s ambitions at the continental tournament. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
Suresh Raina names his all-time CSK XI; excludes Ruturaj Gaikwad
Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star Suresh Raina, fondly called “Chinna Thala” by fans, revealed his all-time CSK XI but left out some big names, including current skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and all-rounder Dwayne Bravo. Speaking on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube channel, Suresh Raina unveiled his picks. He went with Murali Vijay and Matthew Hayden as openers—Vijay scored 1,708 runs in 70 IPL matches for CSK, while Hayden won the Orange Cap in 2009. At No. 3, he slotted in Michael Hussey, who has also served as CSK’s batting coach since 2018. The middle-order featured Suresh Raina himself along with Subramaniam Badrinath, while Albie Morkel was chosen as the all-rounder. For pace options, he picked Doug Bollinger, L. Balaji, and Mohit Sharma. His spin trio included Shadab Jakati, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja. As expected, Suresh Raina named MS Dhoni as both captain and wicketkeeper of his XI. Interestingly, he went with 13 players in total, designating Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan as his Impact Player. Suresh Raina’s All-Time CSK XI Murali Vijay, Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Suresh Raina, Subramaniam Badrinath, Albie Morkel, Doug Bollinger, Shadab Jakati, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, L Balaji, Mohit Sharma, Muttiah Muralitharan (Impact Player). Raina, fondly known as Mr. IPL, represented the Chennai Super Kings from 2008 to 2015. During CSK’s two-year suspension, he captained the now-defunct Gujarat Lions in 2016 and 2017. He made his return to CSK in 2018 and continued with the franchise until his final IPL season in 2021. Suresh Raina: As for the franchise, CSK remain one of the most decorated sides in IPL history, winning the trophy five times—in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023. However, the 2025 season proved to be their toughest campaign yet, as they finished at the bottom of the table and missed out on the playoffs. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rohit Sharma arrive at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence for fitness assessments
Shubman Gill has been named India’s vice-captain for the Asia Cup 2025. On Saturday, August 30, senior Indian cricketers reported to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru for fitness tests. Among them were Test captain Shubman Gill, ODI skipper Rohit Sharma, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, and all-rounder Shardul Thakur, according to The Times of India. Shubman Gill and Bumrah are both part of India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad. While Shubman Gill will serve as deputy to captain Suryakumar Yadav, Bumrah is set to lead the pace attack. Shubman Gill recently missed the opening round of the 2025–26 Duleep Trophy due to illness. Several Indian players have also visited the CoE for assessments in recent weeks. Nitish Kumar Reddy is currently undergoing rehab for a knee injury at the facility. Shubman Gill: Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma will begin preparations for India’s white-ball series against Australia in October-November. He is expected to lead the ODI side in the three-match series and could also feature for India A in their ODI matches against Australia A. Indian squad set to arrive in Dubai on September 4 The Indian team for the Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to land in Dubai on September 4, with players flying in from their respective cities. The Men in Blue will begin training the following day, September 5. The Asia Cup 2025 will run from September 9 to 28. India, placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, UAE, and Oman, will play their opening match against hosts UAE on September 10. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration