Bavuma & Co stun clueless Team India, SA win Test series in 25 years in India

Published

3 months ago

November 26, 2025

South Africa have endured “dark days” and their 2-0 sweep in India reflects their new mindset, said Proteas captain Temba Bavuma after his team completed a memorable series victory in Guwahati on Wednesday.

Despite being the reigning world champions, few expected South Africa to dominate India in the way they did – winning the series opener in Kolkata inside three days before beating the hosts by 408 runs in the first-ever test at Guwahati’s Barsapara Cricket Stadium.

“It’s massive,” Bavuma said at the presentation ceremony.

“These are the type of things that we’re working towards and dreaming of. It’s not every day where you get to think that you can come to India and walk away with a two-nil series win.

“I think what makes it sweeter for some of us within the group is the fact that we’ve been on the other side of the result. We’ve had dark days, and we know how tough it can be. I think for this group of gentlemen, again, another incredible achievement.”

South Africa’s first test series victory in India in 25 years looks even more special as it was achieved without pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada, who missed both tests with a rib injury.

South Africa came prepared for spin-friendly wickets in India. Their spinner Simon Harmer was judged player-of-the-series for his haul of 17 wickets, including six in India’s second innings in Guwahati.

“I think there’s a big shift in our mindset in terms of what we want to do when we’re out there on the field of play,” Bavuma said.

“I think our preparation is something that we’ve really upped. I think guys go out there quite clear on their roles and what we’re trying to do.”

India remained unbeaten at home for 12 years until New Zealand blanked them 3-0 late last year.

The defeat to South Africa in Guwahati was India’s heaviest in terms of runs and stand-in skipper Rishabh Pant said they should not be complacent about home success.

“They definitely played better cricket, but at the same time, in cricket you can’t take anything for granted,” said Pant, leading India in the absence of an injured Shubman Gill.

“There are moments in the game where you need to capitalise as a team, as a batting unit. But as a team, we didn’t capitalise on those enough for a longer period of time, and that cost us the whole series.”

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FIFA President Congratulates Jay Shah on T20 WC 2026 Success

Published

15 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Staff Reporter

FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated the International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah for the successful organisation of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Sharing a photo of himself holding the Indian jersey on his social media handle, Infantino also congratulated the Indian cricket team on winning a record third Men’s T20 World Cup title.

“Congratulations to the ICC and my friend Jay Shah for another wonderfully organised T20 World Cup. Many congratulations to India for another title. Having visited your wonderful country, I know how much this means to you,” Infantino wrote.

Earlier, in February, Gianni Infantino met Jay Shah in Milan, marking a massive crossover moment between two of the most popular sports in the world. After meeting Shah, Infantino took to Instagram, sharing a picture of himself with the ICC Chairman, hailing his work in cricket’s growth and wishing him luck as the sport makes a grand return to the Olympic programme at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He had also expressed the desire for collaboration with Shah in their bid to “unite the world through sports”.

“It was my pleasure to meet @icc Chairman Jay Shah today in Milan. The outstanding work he has done to grow the beautiful game of cricket is exemplary. I wish him and everyone the very best as cricket gets re-introduced to the Summer Olympic Games in two years time. I also look forward to working together and collaborating as we unite the world through sports,” Gianni had said in his Instagram post after meeting Jay Shah in February.

Coming to the T20 World Cup, the tournament concluded with India defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final, held at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, on Sunday. The victory made India the first team to win the T20 World Cup on home soil, the first to win consecutive titles after their 2024 win, and the first to lift the trophy three times (2007, 2024, and 2026).

Gautam Gambhir says Jay Shah stood by him

Published

18 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Staff Reporter

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Gambhir acknowledged the influence of those who helped build the system that continues to produce success for Indian cricket.

India created history by becoming the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title and also the first side to win the tournament on home soil. India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium to lift their third T20 World Cup trophy.

The India head coach thanked former BCCI secretary and current International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah for supporting him during challenging phases of his tenure.

And last but not the least, I have to thank Jay Bhai (Jay Shah) because not many people actually called me when I went through the lowest moments of my tenure whether it was after New Zealand or after South Africa series loss. The only person who actually called me was Jay Bhai, said the India head coach.

I really have to thank him for trusting me with this job because I remember very clearly that when I was given this role, I had no experience of being the head coach of any franchise or any team. Yet he still trusted me with the responsibility. So I have to thank him for that. And I think as long as people like him are there, Indian cricket is in very, very safe hands, he concluded.

‘Virtually unbeatable’ India win praise after third T20 World Cup crown

Published

22 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Staff Reporter

The cricketing world hailed white‑ball powerhouse India as they etched their name deeper into history with a third men’s Twenty20 World Cup title on Sunday, defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in Ahmedabad.

Opener Sanju Samson continued his prolific run ‌with a third successive 80‑plus score, earning him the player‑of‑the‑tournament award, while pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah delivered a remarkable.

“India’s formula is pretty simple,” former England captain Nasser Hussain said on Sky Sports.

“A batting line‑up full of powerful hitters that will get you an above‑par score and ⁠a bowler in Bumrah, who makes a below‑par score probably enough. He’s an absolute genius, and when you combine those two elements, they’re virtually unbeatable.”

Fellow Sky Sports pundit and former England cricketer Michael Atherton said India were worthy champions.

“India are more than a pre-eminent T20 side. They are the pre-eminent white-ball side at the moment,” he said.

“In the last few ICC global events before today they have won 30 out of 32 games.

“They are the strongest side in white-ball cricket.”

Former England captains Michael Vaughan and Kevin Pietersen also praised India’s dominance, ‌lauding ⁠on social media the team’s sustained excellence in the format, while current and past Indian cricketers including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh and Ajinkya Rahane took to social media to praise the team’s success.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar credited India’s success to structural strength and ⁠long‑term planning.

“India have proven they are thinking in the correct manner and they have given opportunities to the right people at the right time,” Akhtar said on ‘tapmad’ YouTube channel.

“The speed at which India is ⁠going and the way they are investing in their system, and also the way they respect their elder generation of cricket, is commendable.”

With India now holding three T20 World ⁠Cup titles, captain Suryakumar Yadav said the side would definitely aim to chase gold at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, when they will also target another T20 World Cup crown.