Today, Team India means victory: Jay Shah

Published

2 months ago

March 15, 2026

Likening India’s current winning streak to the unstoppable Australian teams of the past, ICC chairman Jay Shah stated on Saturday that the name ‘Team India’ is now a definitive marker of triumph in world cricket.

The Indian men’s team recently became the first side to successfully defend a T20 World Cup title, beating New Zealand in a one-sided final in Ahmedabad. In November, the women’s side won their maiden World Cup.

Reflecting on India’s presence in the global game, Shah said during a private awards function, “Just as there was a time when Australia meant victory, today, Team India means victory. That has become the reality now.” Shah, who has served as the BCCI’s secretary before going to the ICC, was honoured for his exceptional contribution in the field of sports.

Shah dedicated the award to the athletes for their hard work on the field.

“I would like to dedicate this award to all the athletes, especially the women athletes who are working hard on the field,” Shah said.

The ICC chief also congratulated Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir for the Indian team’s triumph last week, and also praised all the semifinalists.

“I want to congratulate Surya, Gautam Gambhir, and all the players of Team India. I also want to congratulate not just Team India, but also the South African team and the England team, who did not lose a single game before the knockout stage.

“And finally, the finalist, the New Zealand cricket team, for the way they performed and worked hard on the field. Congratulations to them as well,” Shah said.

Shah also listed Indian cricket’s achievements since he took charge as the secretary of the BCCI in 2019.

“From 2019, when I joined the BCCI, to 2026, in these seven years, Team India has won two Under-19 Men’s World Cups, two Under-19 Women’s World Cups, finished as runners-up in the WTC final once, runners-up in the ODI World Cup once, won two consecutive T20 World Cups, and the 2025 Champions Trophy. This is a huge achievement. I congratulate you all for that.

“I remember this because I have been following cricket since 1998, and as an administrator, I have been handling cricket since 2009.” Shah also advised the Indian team to keep working hard with the same zeal and passion that helped them achieve success in recent years.

“Through Gautam bhai, Surya, and this platform, I want to give a message to the entire team again. For me, in my seventeen years as an administrator, I’ve learned that it takes months to go from the top to the bottom, but it takes years to go from the bottom to the top.

“For you (the players), you just have to sustain your performance; it’s relatively easy. So, work as hard as you have been, so that you keep receiving awards every year,” he said.

“When I was in the BCCI, I had planned up until the 2028 Olympics. But then Surya took charge as captain, and I came to the ICC.

“New people have come in my place at the BCCI. All of you together need to prepare for the 2030 & 2032 games, and you know where the 2036 Olympics will be held. So, prepare for that as well.”

Related Topics:BCCI ICC Jay Shah Team India

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Pandya shields bowlers as Mumbai’s struggles continue

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4 days ago

April 30, 2026

Staff Reporter

Mumbai Indians’ bowlers are under scrutiny after failing to defend their highest first-innings total in the Indian Premier League on Wednesday but captain Hardik Pandya refused to single them out for ‌blame and said the whole team were accountable.

Five-times champions Mumbai are enduring a wretched season and are ninth in the 10-team standings with just two wins from eight matches.

Their much-vaunted bowling unit, spearheaded by India paceman Jasprit Bumrah, has struggled mightily with conditions ⁠in the IPL heavily favouring batsmen.

Mumbai posted 243-5 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday, only for the visitors to chase it down comfortably in a six-wicket win with eight balls to spare.

Bumrah, widely regarded as the world’s premier fast bowler, went wicketless once again while conceding 54 runs in four overs. He remains stuck on two wickets in eight matches.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Pandya said ‌there ⁠was lots of blame to go around for the defeat.

“I won’t put my bowlers under the bus. I think as an overall unit, we have not been able to do what exactly Mumbai Indians stands for,” he ⁠said.

Mumbai, who have used 22 players this season, more than any other side, just needed a slice of luck to turn things around, Pandya added.

“It’s been ⁠that kind of season. When you get a couple of chances, you grab them, that’s when luck and momentum changes,” he said.

“If ⁠you don’t, it kind of hurts you, but it’s still fine, all the boys tried really well.”

Mumbai next face Chennai Super Kings on Saturday.

Punjab Kings register biggest T20 run chase of 265 against Delhi Capitals

Published

1 week ago

April 25, 2026

Staff Reporter

Punjab Kings, the chase masters have added another feather to their illustrious cap as they have hunted down a mammoth 265 against the Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2026 clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday, IPL 2026.

The Kings have yet again registered the highest chase in T20 cricket ever, breaking down their own previous record when they hunted down 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024.

Chasing a daunting 264 after KL Rahul’s unbeaten 152 and Nitish Rana’s 91 powered Delhi to 264 for 2, Punjab needed a fearless start. What followed was one of the most explosive powerplay displays in IPL history. Arya and Prabhsimran took DC’s bowlers to the cleaners, racing to 100 in just 5.2 overs, the second-fastest team hundred in IPL history.

Thereafter, captain Shreyas Iyer (71 off 36 balls) with ample support from Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh at the other end paced the chase to perfection to take his side to a memorable win with seven balls to spare.

‘I have no answers’: Pant admits batting collapse

Published

2 weeks ago

April 23, 2026

Staff Reporter

A distraught Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant did not have any answer for his team’s defence after a morale-crushing 40-run defeat against Lucknow Super Giants in an IPL match, other than accepting the responsibility that his side didn’t read the surface properly.

Pant’s Reaction To The Defeat

“I don’t have answers. Batting has let us down. We are disappointed as a team, as a group,” Pant said after his team were skittled out for 119 chasing a small 160-run target.

“You have to look for answers inside, not outside. We could have taken some time while batting. No excuses out there. Including myself, we could have taken it deeper. As a batting group, we have to put our hands up,” Pant offered a feeble explanation.

Mohammed Shami’s bowling effort stood out and Pant found that to be a silver lining.

“We have to look at positives. We have to keep our head high and look for answers inside. We have the firepower to turn the season around.”

Other Players’ Perspectives

Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag knew that there was help off the surface.

“We knew it would swing, the lines and lengths they (Nandre Burger and Jofra Archer) bowled, impressive. The message on the groups have been very positive,” Riyan said after the match.

On his own poor show, Riyan said that he has been going through some personal crisis and the team stands firmly behind him.

“I had gone through something, even now I am going through something and everyone understands that,” he said.

Jadeja’s Performance And Dedication

Ravindra Jadeja, whose unbeaten 43 proved to be crucial, dedicated the award to his wife Rivaba, the current education minister of Gujarat, for her encouraging phone call ahead of the game.

“I want to dedicate the award to the education minister (wife Rivaba Jadeja) of Gujarat. She said yesterday that I will do well and I did.”

He conceded that the wicket wasn’t easy for batting.

“Wicket was not easy to bat because the ball was seaming and swinging. I wanted to play long as much as I can. In T20 cricket, you never know last over you can cash in and we did.”

He knew that Mayank Yadav is coming back after a long injury lay-off and wanted to attack him consciously, getting 20 off the final over.

“Not easy coming back from injury. I was just backing my strength. I was telling my partner to wait and go after the bowling.”

His celebration after dismissing Nicholas Pooran and gesturing that he is in his “pocket” was well received by the supporters.

“The ball was gripping so I was thinking whether I should bowl quicker or slow. When bowling slow, I got some hold and that helped,” he said.