IND vs WI 1st ODI Highlights

IND vs WI 1st ODI Highlights: India Dominates West Indies with Clinical All-Round Performance

India kicked off the ODI series against West Indies with a commanding performance, securing a decisive victory in the 1st ODI. Driven by sharp bowling in the middle overs and composed top-order batting, the Men in Blue controlled the pace of the match from start to finish.

If you missed the live action or want to relive the key moments, watch the official match highlights below.

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Official Match Highlights

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Match Overview & Key Moments

1. Early Breakthroughs & Spin Web

West Indies won the toss and opted to bat, but India's opening bowlers maintained tight lines right from the powerplay. The introduction of spin in the middle overs proved to be the turning point, as India restricted West Indies' scoring rate and triggered a mid-innings collapse with regular wickets.

2. Tactical Breakdown: Middle-Over Control

• Tight Bowling Lengths: Indian spinners exploited the surface variations, keeping the West Indies power-hitters quiet and forcing risky shots.
• Field Restrictions Executed Well: Sharp captaincy and proactive field sets prevented boundary options during the 11–40 over phase.

3. Calm & Calculated Run Chase

Chasing the target, India’s openers established a solid foundation. Controlled strokeplay ensured the required run rate remained manageable throughout, allowing the middle order to guide the team home comfortably with overs to spare.

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Key Takeaways for the Series

• Balance in the Squad: India's combination of death-overs bowling and depth in the batting order continues to give them a significant edge in home conditions.
• Work Needed for West Indies: The visitor lineup will need to adapt faster to spin and build longer partnerships in the middle overs to put pressure back on the Indian bowling attack in the upcoming matches.

Stay tuned to CricAnalyser for detailed player ratings, post-match stats breakdowns, and complete tactical previews for the 2nd ODI!

Chess Olympiad 2026: India's Title Defence, Round-by-Round Results & Standings

CricAnalyser | Last updated: September 21, 2026 — updated after every round

The 46th Chess Olympiad is underway in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, running September 15 to 27, with a record roughly 400 teams from nearly 200 federations competing across 11 rounds. Defending champions India go into the event looking to become the first nation in years to retain both the Open and Women's titles, after their extraordinary 2024 campaign in Budapest where the Open team took 21 match points out of a possible 22.

Bookmark this page — we're updating India's results, standings, and key games here after every round through the September 27 final round.

Key Takeaways Through Round 5

India's Open team has had the near-perfect start their title defence demanded, moving to the joint lead on 10/10 match points alongside Germany and hosts Uzbekistan after five rounds. The result of the round came from Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, who won a rollercoaster game against world number-four Anish Giri as India beat the Netherlands 3-1. But the real story of India's campaign has been World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju's response to early struggles. After a shaky start that saw his live rating slip below 2700 for the first time in four years following a Round 2 draw against Indonesian IM Satria Duta Cahaya, Gukesh has won four of his next five games on Board 4, including victories over GM Sabino Brunello and former World Championship challenger GM Alexei Shirov, before capitalising on an opponent's blunder to beat GM Erwin l'Ami in Round 5. He now sits on 4.5/5 — a timely return to form just two months before he defends his World Championship title against Uzbekistan's Javokhir Sindarov in November.

The Women's section has told a very different story for India. Despite a perfect start through four rounds, defending champions India were beaten 2.5-1.5 by Poland in Round 5 — the third Olympiad in a row in which India's women's team has suffered a loss to a lower-seeded side at a crucial juncture, a pattern that will concern the team management even with six rounds still to play. Elsewhere in the section, China have looked the most consistent of the leading contenders, while the United States' Alice Lee has moved to a perfect start on board duty for the Americans.

The Open section also produced a genuine shock in Round 5: top seed and pre-tournament favourite USA lost 1.5-2.5 to Germany, with GM Frederik Svane beating GM Hans Niemann on top board. With four of the sport's traditional powerhouses — USA, India, Uzbekistan, and China — occupying the top of the standings, the tournament's back half promises a genuine fight for gold rather than a repeat of India's near-perfect 2024 procession.

India Results So Far

Round	Open Section	Women's Section
1	India won	India won
2	India beat Indonesia (Gukesh drew, dropped under 2700 live rating)	India won
3	India won	India won
4	India beat Spain 3-1	India beat Mongolia 3-1
5	India beat Netherlands 3-1 (Pragg beat Giri, Gukesh beat l'Ami)	India lost to Poland 1.5-2.5

Current Standings (Open, after Round 5)

Team	Match Points
Germany	10/10
Uzbekistan	10/10
India	10/10
USA	8/10 (after Round 5 loss to Germany)

India's Open Team Lineup

D Gukesh (Board 1, World Champion), R Praggnanandhaa (Board 2), Arjun Erigaisi (Board 3), Nihal Sarin (Board 4), Vidit Gujrathi (reserve). India are seeded second in the Open section by average rating (2735), behind the United States (2753).

What's Next

Round 6 sets up what's being billed as one of the tournament's most anticipated clashes, before the tournament's only rest day on September 22. Rounds 7 to 10 follow from September 23 to 26, with the final round on September 27 starting earlier than usual, at 11:00 AM Samarkand time (11:30 AM IST), to allow results to settle before the closing ceremony.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is India defending champion at the Chess Olympiad?
Yes — India won both the Open and Women's titles at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest, and are looking to defend both in 2026.

Why did Gukesh's rating drop below 2700?
A Round 2 draw against Indonesian IM Satria Duta Cahaya sent his live rating below 2700 for the first time in four years, though he has since rebuilt his form with four wins in his next five games.

When is the Chess Olympiad 2026 final round?
September 27, 2026, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, starting at 11:00 AM local time (11:30 AM IST).

This page is updated after every round through the September 27 final round.

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Tags: #ChessOlympiad2026 #Gukesh #Praggnanandhaa #ArjunErigaisi #TeamIndia #CricAnalyser

India at Asian Games 2026: Full Squad, Sports, Schedule & Day-Wise Medal Tally

CricAnalyser | Last updated: September 20, 2026 — updated daily with medal results

India head to the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, running September 19 to October 4, with a 194-strong contingent (120 men, 74 women) competing across 19 sports. This is India's twentieth appearance at the Games. This page will track India's medal tally day by day once competition begins bookmark it and check back daily from September 19.

India's Squad Size by Sport

Sport	Men	Women	Total
Archery	6	6	12
Athletics	35	40	75
Badminton	10	10	20
Boxing	6	5	11
Canoeing	10	9	19
Cricket	14	15	29
Cycling	6	8	14
Equestrian	7	1	8
Esports	15	0	15
Fencing	8	12	20
Field hockey	20	20	40
Golf	3	3	6
Gymnastics	0	1	1
Judo	0	3	3
Kabaddi	12	12	24
Karate	1	1	2
Kurash	3	3	6
Mixed martial arts	1	1	2
Rowing	17	5	22
Rugby 7s	0	13	13
Sailing	4	6	10
Sepak Takraw	12	9	21
Shooting	15	15	30
Soft tennis	5	1	6
Sport climbing	1	1	2
Squash	4	4	8
Surfing	2	2	4
Swimming	12	0	12
Table tennis	5	5	10
Taekwondo	0	3	3
Tennis	5	2	7
Teqball	2	1	3
Volleyball	12	0	12
Weightlifting	0	4	4
Wrestling	9	6	15
Wushu	3	4	7
Total	265	231	496

India's contingent consists of 496 athletes competing across 36 sports at these Games.

Key Athletes to Watch

India's shooting contingent is its largest, led by Manu Bhaker across the pistol events. Wrestling brings Olympic medallist Aman Sehrawat in the 57kg freestyle category, while boxing's Lovlina Borgohain competes in the 75kg division. Badminton sees P.V. Sindhu and Lakshya Sen headline the singles draws, and squash veteran Joshna Chinappa is competing at a record seventh Asian Games the most appearances by any Indian athlete in the Games' history. India's cricket teams enter as defending champions in both the men's and women's events, having won gold at the 2022 Asian Games, with the men's squad coached by Gautam Gambhir.

Day-Wise Medal Tally

Day 1 September 20, 2026

India opened their medal account with a strong showing in shooting. In the women's 10m air rifle team event, Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar, and Vidarsa Vinod combined for 1898.0 points to claim silver, finishing behind China's world-record 1904.2 and just ahead of hosts Japan (1897.1). Elavenil then went one better individually, adding a second silver in the women's 10m air rifle individual final later the same day — making her India's standout performer on the opening day of competition.

Elsewhere, India's women's cricket team thrashed Bangladesh by 114 runs in the second semi-final at Nisshin to book their place in the final as they defend their 2022 gold medal. MMA fighter Suchika Tariyal became the first Indian athlete to assure herself of a medal, reaching the women's Traditional MMA 60kg semi-finals, while India's women's badminton team beat Kazakhstan 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals.

Date	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Day's Highlights
Sep 20 (Day 1)	0	2	0	Both silvers in shooting (Elavenil Valarivan, women's 10m air rifle team & individual)

Cumulative tally after Day 1: 0 Gold, 2 Silver, 0 Bronze - 2 medals total.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do the 2026 Asian Games start?
September 19, 2026, running through October 4, in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

How many athletes is India sending?
496 athletes (265 men, 231 women) across 36 sports.

Is India defending any titles?
Yes both the men's and women's cricket teams enter as defending gold medallists from the 2022 Asian Games, and the men's hockey team defends its title as well.

Where can I watch the Asian Games 2026 in India?
Sony Sports Network holds the TV rights, with SonyLIV as the digital streaming partner.

This page will be updated daily with medal results once the Games begin on September 19.

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Tags: #AsianGames2026 #TeamIndia #ManuBhaker #AmanSehrawat #PVSindhu #CricAnalyser

India vs Afghanistan 2nd T20I: Nitish Kumar Reddy's 3/24 Sets Up Comfortable 7-Wicket Win in Delhi

CricAnalyser | September 15, 2026

India wrapped up the second T20I against Afghanistan in style at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, chasing down a competitive target with more than six overs to spare. Afghanistan posted 159/8 in their 20 overs, but India ran the target down comfortably, finishing at 163/3 in just 14.5 overs for a 7-wicket win that put them firmly in control of the series.

Key Match Takeaways

The story of this match was Nitish Kumar Reddy's bowling. Figures of 3 for 24 from the young all-rounder earned him the Player of the Match award and were the single biggest reason Afghanistan never got their innings away to the kind of total that would have made this a contest. Reddy has built a reputation as a batting finisher in India's white-ball setup since his breakout 74 against Bangladesh in 2024, but this performance was a reminder that his medium pace is just as capable of turning a match — restricting Afghanistan's middle order at a stage when the innings looked to be accelerating, and giving India's chase a total that was always within reach.

Once India came out to bat, the chase never looked in serious doubt. Reaching 163 for the loss of just 3 wickets inside 15 overs against a total of 159 is the mark of a batting unit that controlled the tempo of the chase from the start rather than needing to force the pace late. With more than 30 balls unused at the finish, India were never under the kind of scoreboard pressure that might have opened the door for Afghanistan's bowlers to fight back.

The result puts India in command of the series with one match still to play. For Afghanistan, restricting a strong batting line-up to a below-par target only for their own total to prove insufficient will be the bigger concern heading into the decider — the bowling did enough to give their side a chance, but 159 was always going to be a stiff ask for containing an in-form Indian top order on a used Delhi surface.

Match Summary

Team	Score	Overs
Afghanistan	159/8	20.0
India	163/3	14.5

Result: India won by 7 wickets
Player of the Match: Nitish Kumar Reddy (3/24)
Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the India vs Afghanistan 2nd T20I?
India won by 7 wickets, chasing down Afghanistan's 159/8 with 30 balls to spare.

Who was Player of the Match?
Nitish Kumar Reddy, for his bowling figures of 3 wickets for 24 runs.

What does this mean for the series?
India move into a commanding position with the win, heading into the final T20I of the series with the momentum firmly in their favour.

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Tags: #INDvAFG #NitishKumarReddy #TeamIndia #T20I #CricAnalyser

IND-W vs SL-W Asia Cup 2026 Final: India Women Crush Sri Lanka by 72 Runs to Claim 8th Title

Women's Asia Cup 2026 Final: India Women Demolish Sri Lanka by 72 Runs to Reclaim Champion Crown

CricAnalyser | September 14, 2026

Final Match Highlights & Overview:

• Result: India Women (183/5 in 20.0 overs) defeated Sri Lanka Women (111 all out in 20.0 overs) by 72 runs.
• Record Title: India claimed their record-extending 8th Women's Asia Cup championship.
• Opening Dominance: Shafali Verma (68 off 39) and Smriti Mandhana (59 off 39) shared a sensational 129-run partnership.
• Bowling Standouts: Young spinner Shree Charani delivered a match-winning spell of 4/20, supported by Deepti Sharma's 3/19.

Match Analysis: Key Performances & Tactical Breakdown

1. Shafali & Mandhana's Record Opening Stand
Electing to bat first in the high-stakes final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, India Women set the tone early. Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana executed a flawless powerplay strategy, putting together a 129-run partnership for the first wicket. Shafali led the assault with a blistering 68 off 39 balls (hitting 9 fours and 2 sixes), while Mandhana stroked a fluent 59 off 39 deliveries. A late cameo from Gunalan Kamalini (15* off 5 balls) propelled India to a formidable total of 183/5.

2. Deepti Sharma Breaks Sri Lanka's Middle-Order Backbone
Chasing 184 for victory, Sri Lanka Women lost Imesha Dulani in the opening over to Kranti Gaud. Captain Chamari Athapaththu (36 off 29) attempted to mount a fightback alongside Vishmi Gunaratne. However, veteran off-spinner Deepti Sharma broke the partnership in the 10th over by stumping Athapaththu and clean-bowling Gunaratne, reducing Sri Lanka to 63/3 at halfway.

3. Shree Charani's 4-Wicket Haul Seals Comprehensive Victory
With the required run-rate spiraling out of control, slow left-arm spinner Shree Charani tore through the lower order. Charani finished with exceptional figures of 4/20 in her 4 overs, dismissing key batters including Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshika Silva, and Kavisha Dilhari. Deepti Sharma picked up the final wicket on the last ball of the match, bowling out Sri Lanka for 111 and securing a massive 72-run win.

Women's Asia Cup 2026 Final Scorecard Summary

Innings	Score	Top Batter	Top Bowler
India Women	183/5 (20.0)	Shafali Verma 68 (39)	Chamudi Praboda 1/28
Sri Lanka Women	111/10 (20.0)	Chamari Athapaththu 36 (29)	Shree Charani 4/20

Asia Cup Honor Roll

Category	Details
Tournament Champions	India Women (8th Asia Cup Title)
Runners-Up	Sri Lanka Women
Final Player of the Match	Shafali Verma (68 runs & crucial top-order spark)
Venue	Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Women's Asia Cup 2026 Final?
India Women won the 2026 Women's Asia Cup by defeating Sri Lanka Women by 72 runs in the final.

How many Women's Asia Cup titles have India won?
India Women have won a record-extending eight Women's Asia Cup titles.

IND vs AFG 1st T20I: Abhishek Sharma Blitzkrieg Powers India to 7-Wicket Win

IND vs AFG 1st T20I: Abhishek Sharma Blitzkrieg Powers India to 7-Wicket Win Over Afghanistan

CricAnalyser | September 13, 2026

Match Overview & Key Highlights:

• Result: India (157/3 in 13.4 overs) defeated Afghanistan (156/8 in 20 overs) by 7 wickets.
• Abhishek's Carnage: Abhishek Sharma smashed 82 off 32 balls (7 fours, 7 sixes), hitting a 22-ball half-century.
• Arshdeep's Spell: Arshdeep Singh broke the middle order, finishing with tight figures of 3/19 in 4 overs.
• Omarzai's Resistance: Azmatullah Omarzai scored an unbeaten 64 off 44 balls to rescue Afghanistan from 43/5.

Match Analysis: Key Tactical Takeaways

1. Abhishek Sharma's Powerplay Demolition
Chasing a target of 157 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, India suffered an early setback when Sanju Samson was dismissed for 10 by Azmatullah Omarzai. However, Abhishek Sharma completely dismantled the Afghan bowling lineup. Striking at an explosive rate of 256.25, Abhishek hammered Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad across all parts of the ground. Alongside Ishan Kishan (42 off 33 balls), the duo added 121 runs off just 53 balls for the second wicket, reducing the run chase to a routine exercise.

2. Arshdeep and Spin Trio Choke the Powerplay
After Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to field, Jasprit Bumrah opened the proceedings by taking down Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh then turned the screw, executing back-of-a-length deliveries and variations to finish with 3/19. Supported by Varun Chakaravarthy (1/16) and Axar Patel (1/27), India's bowling unit crippled Afghanistan's top order, leaving them struggling at 43/5 in 7 overs.

3. Omarzai’s Solo Counter-Attack
Afghanistan’s fightback was built entirely on Azmatullah Omarzai’s lone resistance. Combining with veteran Mohammad Nabi (33 off 27), Omarzai stabilized the innings before unleashing late in the game. He took 21 runs off Shivam Dube’s final over, remaining unbeaten on 64 off 44 balls (4 fours, 4 sixes) to drag his side to a respectable 156/8.

Watch Match Highlights

1st T20I Match Scorecard Summary

Innings	Score	Top Batter	Top Bowler
Afghanistan	156/8 (20.0)	A. Omarzai 64* (44)	Arshdeep Singh 3/19
India	157/3 (13.4)	Abhishek Sharma 82 (32)	Mohammad Nabi 2/28

India vs Afghanistan T20I Series Schedule

Match	Date	Venue	Result / Status
1st T20I	Sep 13, 2026	Delhi	India won by 7 wickets
2nd T20I	Sep 15, 2026	Delhi	Upcoming (7:30 PM IST)
3rd T20I	Sep 17, 2026	Delhi	Upcoming (7:30 PM IST)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won Player of the Match in IND vs AFG 1st T20I?
Abhishek Sharma won Player of the Match for his match-winning 82 runs off 32 balls.

What is the T20I series status between India and Afghanistan?
India leads the three-match T20I series 1–0 following their win in Delhi.

Africa Continental Cup 2026: Full Schedule, Results, Points Table & Analysis

CricAnalyser | Last updated: September 12, 2026 — updated after every match

The Africa Continental Cup 2026 is underway in Kigali, Rwanda, running September 8 to 19. Five nations — two-time defending champions Uganda, hosts Rwanda, Kenya, Botswana, and Sierra Leone — are competing in a double round-robin at the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium, with the final on September 19. Uganda are using this tournament as direct preparation for the 2028 T20 World Cup Africa Sub-regional Qualifier in Lagos, while Rwanda and Kenya, having already secured their 2027 Africa Regional Final spots, are treating it as a form check.

Key Match Takeaways

Kenya have been the standout team of the tournament's first ten matches, and it isn't close. Their 94-run demolition of Sierra Leone in Match 2 was followed by a tense two-wicket chase against Rwanda, a ruthless 10-wicket win over Botswana in which they didn't lose a single wicket chasing 109, and then the result that mattered most: an 8-wicket win over defending champions Uganda in Match 9, chasing down 189 with ease to reach 193/2. Four matches, four wins, and not one of them close — Kenya now sit clear at the top of the table, and the manner of the win over Uganda suggests this isn't a side riding its luck.

Uganda's title defence hit its first real setback in that Match 9 loss to Kenya, but the two-time defending champions had looked ominous before that. After their 114-run demolition of Sierra Leone in Match 3, built on Charles Musemeza's 89 and Olipa Gerald's unbeaten 83 off 34, Uganda backed it up with a 5-wicket win over Botswana and then a statement 64-run win over hosts Rwanda in Match 7, restricting Rwanda to just 134 after posting 198/9. That result made the Kenya defeat two matches later all the more significant — it's the first sign any team in this tournament can match Uganda's firepower and their bowling depth at once.

Rwanda's campaign has been the tournament's most erratic. The hosts thrashed Sierra Leone by 145 runs in Match 6 — bowling them out for just 46 — only to be dismantled themselves by Uganda's bowlers a match later, restricted to 134 in a 64-run defeat. That kind of swing, dominant one match and toothless the next, has made Rwanda hard to read, and with two defeats already against the tournament's top two sides, they'll need more consistency to stay in contention. Sierra Leone remain winless after four matches, while Botswana finally got on the board with a 23-run win over Sierra Leone in Match 10 after three straight defeats.

Points Table (after Match 10)

Team	P	W	L	Pts
Kenya	4	4	0	8
Uganda	4	3	1	6
Rwanda	4	2	2	4
Botswana	4	1	3	2
Sierra Leone	4	0	4	0

Results So Far

Match	Fixture	Result
1	Rwanda vs Botswana	Rwanda won by 55 runs (RWA 192/2 vs BOT 137/7)
2	Kenya vs Sierra Leone	Kenya won by 94 runs (KEN 204/7 vs SLE 110/7)
3	Uganda vs Sierra Leone	Uganda won by 114 runs (UGA 250/3 vs SLE 136/4) — Olipa Gerald 83* (34), Player of the Match
4	Rwanda vs Kenya	Kenya won by 2 wickets (RWA 139/8 vs KEN 144/8)
5	Uganda vs Botswana	Uganda won by 5 wickets (BOT 101/7 vs UGA 105/5)
6	Rwanda vs Sierra Leone	Rwanda won by 145 runs (RWA 191/4 vs SLE 46/9)
7	Uganda vs Rwanda	Uganda won by 64 runs (UGA 198/9 vs RWA 134)
8	Kenya vs Botswana	Kenya won by 10 wickets (BOT 108/8 vs KEN 109/0)
9	Uganda vs Kenya	Kenya won by 8 wickets (UGA 189/6 vs KEN 193/2)
10	Botswana vs Sierra Leone	Botswana won by 23 runs (BOT 165/4 vs SLE 142/9)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has won the Africa Continental Cup before?
Uganda, twice — in 2023 and 2024. They're bidding for a third straight title in 2026.

Where is the Africa Continental Cup 2026 being played?
Entirely in Kigali, Rwanda, at the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium.

When is the final?
September 19, 2026, at Gahanga Main Oval, Kigali.

This page is updated after every match through the September 19 final.

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Tags: #AfricaContinentalCup2026 #Uganda #Rwanda #Kenya #SierraLeone #CricAnalyser

India vs Japan T20I: Japan Announce 15-Member Squad for Historic Suzuki Cup

Japan Name 15-Member Squad for Historic First T20I Against India

CricAnalyser | September 8, 2026

India

ICC Rank #1

VS

Japan

ICC Rank #41

Match Info & Event Details:

• Match: One-off T20I (Suzuki Cup 2026)
• Date & Time: September 22, 2026 | 9:30 AM IST
• Venue: Sano International Cricket Ground, Tochigi, Japan
• Context: Launching celebrations for the 75th Anniversary of India-Japan Diplomatic Relations ("Sport 75").

Key Match Analysis

• Historic First Meeting: This marks the first-ever international cricket clash between India and Japan in men's senior cricket.
• Japan's Asian Games Squad: Japan Cricket Association (JCA) has fielded their full 15-member Asian Games 2026 squad led by all-time leading T20I run-scorer Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming.
• Indian Setup: India, led by Shreyas Iyer and coached by VVS Laxman, will use this fixture as vital game time ahead of the Asian Games in Nagoya.
• Core Japanese Stars: Senior T20 veterans Ibrahim Takahashi and Declan Suzuki-McComb bring experience alongside emerging spin-bowler Jake Kusuda-Nairn.

Japan Official 15-Member Squad

Player	Role
Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (c)	Batter (Top Run-Scorer)
Wataru Miyauchi & Alex Shirai-Patmore	Wicket-Keepers
Ibrahim Takahashi & Declan Suzuki-McComb	All-Rounders (50+ T20Is)
Makoto Taniyama & Benjamin Ito-Davis	Spin Bowlers
Jake Kusuda-Nairn, Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Kohei Kubota	Pace / All-Rounders

Who is Kartik Chadha? The Uncapped Bowler Who Outshone Arshdeep Singh and Dismissed Shubman Gill

CricAnalyser | September 7, 2026

Kartik Chadha isn't a household name yet, but he should be after his performance in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League 2026. Playing for Ludhiana Lions, the uncapped bowler produced two identical match-winning spells of 4 wickets for just 9 runs in four overs — on a Mohali surface widely regarded as one of the flattest, most batter-friendly pitches in the tournament.

The Standout Spell

In Ludhiana Lions' clash against Fazilka Falcons, marking Shubman Gill's debut in the tournament, Chadha stole the show from a lineup packed with international names. Gill, India's Test and ODI captain, blazed 40 off 21 balls with seven fours and a six before Chadha had him caught — part of a spell that finished 4/9 from his four overs. His own captain, India international Arshdeep Singh, went at the other extreme in the same match, conceding 51 runs from his four overs.

Despite Chadha's heroics restricting Fazilka to 170/9, Ludhiana fell agonisingly short in the chase, losing by just 1 run after a late counterattack from Krish Bhagat and Madhav Pathania fell narrowly short.

Why It Matters on This Pitch

The PCA IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali is specifically known as a flat, high-scoring venue — consistent bounce, a fast outfield, and conditions that let batters free their arms, with spinners in particular getting little help from the surface. Taking 4/9 in four overs on a ground built for batters, against a batting order featuring India's Test captain, is a considerably tougher achievement than the same figures on a bowler-friendly pitch elsewhere.

Season Snapshot

Chadha has been a consistent thread in Ludhiana Lions' campaign, featuring among the side's key contributors alongside Abhijeet Garg, Arjun Rajput, Krish Bhagat, and Madhav Pathania. Ludhiana opened their campaign with a seven-wicket win over Mohali Kings — bowling them out for just 101 — before the tight one-run loss to Fazilka Falcons in Gill's debut game.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which team does Kartik Chadha play for?
Ludhiana Lions in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League 2026, captained by India pacer Arshdeep Singh.

What are Kartik Chadha's best figures this season?
4 wickets for 9 runs in four overs, including the wicket of Shubman Gill, on a traditionally batting-friendly pitch at the PCA IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali.

Is Kartik Chadha an international player?
No — he remains uncapped at the international level, making his performances against India players like Gill and Arshdeep Singh even more notable.

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Tags: #KartikChadha #LudhianaLions #SherEPunjabT20 #ShubmanGill #ArshdeepSingh #CricAnalyser

ACC Men's Premier Cup 2026: Full Schedule, Results, Points Table and Nepal's Road to Asia Cup 2027

CricAnalyser | Last updated: September 6, 2026 — updated after every match

The 2026 ACC Men's Premier Cup, running August 30 to September 12 in Malaysia, is the final qualifying event for Asia Cup 2027 — with defending champions India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan already through, this tournament decides who joins them as the sixth qualifier. Ten teams across two groups are competing at venues in Kuala Lumpur and Bangi, and unbeaten Nepal have emerged as the team to watch.

Bookmark this page - we're updating the table, results, and Nepal's progress here after every match through the September 12 final.

Groups

Group A	Group B
Nepal, Hong Kong China, Malaysia, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia	UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Singapore

Nepal's Campaign So Far

Nepal head into the business end of the group stage unbeaten in four: beating Bahrain by 7 wickets, Malaysia by 6 wickets, and most recently Saudi Arabia by 5 wickets on September 6, chasing down 191 with 54 balls to spare. Their only remaining group match is against Hong Kong China on September 8, which will likely decide top spot in Group A. Nepal arrived in strong form too, having whitewashed India's Karnataka state side 2-0 in warm-up matches beforehand.

Results So Far

Match	Date	Fixture	Result
1 (Group B)	Aug 30	Oman vs Singapore	Oman won by 131 runs
2 (Group A)	Aug 30	Hong Kong China vs Saudi Arabia	Hong Kong won by 16 runs
3 (Group B)	Aug 31	UAE vs Qatar	UAE won by 92 runs
4 (Group A)	Aug 31	Bahrain vs Nepal	Nepal won by 7 wickets
5 (Group A)	Sep 1	Malaysia vs Saudi Arabia	Malaysia won by 93 runs
7 (Group A)	Sep 2	Bahrain vs Hong Kong	Bahrain won by 32 runs
10 (Group A)	Sep 3	Malaysia vs Nepal	Nepal won by 6 wickets
12 (Group A)	Sep 4	Saudi Arabia vs Bahrain	Saudi Arabia won by 17 runs
15 (Group A)	Sep 6	Nepal vs Saudi Arabia	Nepal won by 5 wickets
16 (Group B)	Sep 6	Singapore vs UAE	UAE won by 7 wickets
19 (Group A)	Sep 8	Nepal vs Hong Kong China	Upcoming — likely decides Group A topper

Knockout Schedule

Stage	Date	Venue
Semi-Final 1 (A1 vs B2)	Sep 10	Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur
Semi-Final 2 (B1 vs A2)	Sep 10	UKM-YSD Cricket Oval, Bangi
3rd Place Playoff	Sep 12	UKM-YSD Cricket Oval, Bangi
Final	Sep 12	Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur

What's at Stake

The winner of this tournament claims the final berth at Asia Cup 2027, joining India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, who qualified automatically as the top five sides from the previous cycle. For associate nations like Nepal, UAE, and Hong Kong, this is the single biggest opportunity of the year to share a stage with the sport's biggest teams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nepal through to Asia Cup 2027?
Not yet — Nepal are unbeaten and favourites, but still need to navigate the rest of Group A, the semi-finals, and the final to claim the one qualifying spot on offer.

Which teams have already qualified for Asia Cup 2027?
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, as the top five sides from the previous cycle. This tournament decides the sixth and final spot.

When is the ACC Men's Premier Cup 2026 final?
September 12, 2026, at Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur.

This page is updated after every match through the September 12 final.

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Tags: #ACCPremierCup2026 #Nepal #AsiaCup2027 #NepalCricket #UAECricket #CricAnalyser

IPL Team-wise Representation in India's T20I Squad for Afghanistan Series 2026

CricAnalyser | September 4, 2026

The BCCI has named a 15-member squad for India's three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, to be played on September 13, 15, and 17 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. With Shreyas Iyer now firmly established as T20I captain and Tilak Varma his deputy, the squad blends returning senior players with the core group built around this year's IPL performances. Here's how each player's IPL franchise stacks up in the national side — and which two IPL teams have been shut out completely.

India's Afghanistan T20I Squad, by IPL Franchise

Player	IPL Franchise
Shreyas Iyer (c)	Punjab Kings
Tilak Varma (vc)	Mumbai Indians
Jasprit Bumrah	Mumbai Indians
Arshdeep Singh	Punjab Kings
Abhishek Sharma	Sunrisers Hyderabad
Ishan Kishan	Sunrisers Hyderabad
Nitish Kumar Reddy	Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sanju Samson	Chennai Super Kings
Shivam Dube	Chennai Super Kings
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi	Rajasthan Royals
Ravi Bishnoi	Rajasthan Royals
Axar Patel	Delhi Capitals
Washington Sundar	Gujarat Titans
Varun Chakaravarthy	Kolkata Knight Riders
Harshit Rana	Kolkata Knight Riders

Franchise Breakdown

Representation spans 8 of the 10 IPL franchises. Sunrisers Hyderabad lead the way with 3 players (Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy), followed by Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Kolkata Knight Riders with 2 apiece. Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans have one representative each in Axar Patel and Washington Sundar.

The Two Franchises Left Out

Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants are the only two IPL teams without a single player in this squad — a notable absence for RCB given they've won the last two IPL titles. Neither side's core group has translated into national T20I selection this cycle.

Why Hardik Pandya Missed Out

Hardik Pandya was left out of the squad due to a leg niggle and has been advised to pause bowling, continuing a frustrating run of fitness setbacks for the all-rounder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which IPL team has the most players in India's Afghanistan T20I squad?
Sunrisers Hyderabad, with three players: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Which IPL teams have no representation in the squad?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants.

When does the India vs Afghanistan T20I series start?
September 13, 2026, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, with all three matches played there on the 13th, 15th, and 17th.

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Tags: #INDvAFG #ShreyasIyer #IPL2026 #TeamIndia #CricAnalyser

East Zone vs South Zone Duleep Trophy Final 2026 Preview

East Zone and South Zone will face off in the grand finale of the Duleep Trophy 2026 starting Sunday, September 6, at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Both sides enter the summit clash after dominant semifinal victories, setting up an intense five-day battle for red-ball domestic supremacy.

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Match Details & Live Streaming

• Fixture: East Zone vs South Zone, Final
• Date: September 6 – September 10, 2026
• Start Time: 09:30 AM IST
• Venue: M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• Live Streaming / TV: JioCinema, Sports18 Network

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Chepauk Pitch Report

The surface at Chennai is expected to provide true bounce and consistent carry for the pacers across the first two sessions on Day 1. However, as the match progresses under the Chennai sun, the track will dry out rapidly, offering significant purchase to finger spinners starting from the afternoon of Day 2.

Toss Factor: The team winning the toss will almost certainly opt to bat first to build a substantial first-innings total and avoid batting in the fourth innings against turning red-ball deliveries.

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Predicted Playing XIs

East Zone (Predicted XI)

• Abhimanyu Easwaran
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
• Kumar Kushagra
• Ishan Kishan (c & wk)
• Sudip Gharami
• Shahbaz Ahmed
• Anukul Roy
• Mukesh Kumar
• Suraj Jaiswal
• Akash Deep
• Mohd Shami

South Zone (Predicted XI)

• Tilak Varma (c)
• Ricky Bhui
• Karun Nair
• Aman Khan
• Shreyas Gopal
• Andre Siddarth
• R. Smaran
• R. Sai Kishore
• Tanay Thyagarajan
• Vyshak Vijaykumar
• Basil Thampi

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2 Key Tactical Matchups to Watch

1. Mukesh Kumar vs Tilak Varma

Mukesh Kumar has been lethal with the new ball, consistently hitting the corridor of uncertainty. His morning spell against South Zone captain Tilak Varma will be critical; dismissing Varma early exposes South Zone's middle order before the ball loses its shine.

2. Ishan Kishan vs Sai Kishore

Ishan Kishan's aggressive mindset against left-arm spin will dictate the middle sessions. If Sai Kishore can dry up the boundary options and force mistimed lofted drives, South Zone will restrict East Zone's scoring rate drastically.

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Who is your pick to lift the Duleep Trophy this season: East Zone or South Zone? Drop your prediction in the comments below!

Asian Games 2026 Cricket: Full Schedule, Groups & India Men's & Women's Squads

Cricket returns to the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, running from September 17 to October 3 at the Korogi Athletic Park. Both Indian Men's and Women's teams enter as defending gold medalists from Hangzhou.

The biggest talking point of the selection announcement is Shreyas Iyer captaining the Men’s side alongside lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah, paired with a maiden senior multi-sport call-up for 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

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India Asian Games 2026 Squads (Official 15-Player Rosters)

India Men's Squad

• Shreyas Iyer (Captain)
• Abhishek Sharma
• Sanju Samson (wk)
• Ishan Kishan (wk)
• Tilak Varma
• Shivam Dube
• Nitish Kumar Reddy
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
• Axar Patel
• Washington Sundar
• Varun Chakaravarthy
• Ravi Bishnoi
• Jasprit Bumrah
• Arshdeep Singh
• Harshit Rana

Standbys: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Mayank Yadav.

India Women's Squad

• Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain)
• Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain)
• Shafali Verma
• Pratika Rawal
• Deepti Sharma
• Richa Ghosh (wk)
• Gunalan Kamalini (wk)
• Bharti Fulmali
• Sree Charani
• Renuka Singh Thakur
• Kranti Gaud
• Arundhati Reddy
• Radha Yadav
• Nandani Sharma
• Shreyanka Patil (subject to fitness)

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Tournament Format & Groups

Due to high ICC T20I rankings, top Asian nations (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh) receive direct entry into the Quarterfinals.

• Men's Group A: Afghanistan, Japan, Nepal
• Men's Group B: Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman

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Asian Games 2026 Cricket Full Match Schedule

Women's Tournament Schedule (Sep 17 – Sep 22)

Date	Fixture / Stage	Time (IST)
Sep 17, 2026	Bangladesh vs China (QF 1)	5:30 AM
Sep 17, 2026	Pakistan vs Thailand (QF 2)	10:30 AM
Sep 18, 2026	Sri Lanka vs Malaysia (QF 3)	5:30 AM
Sep 18, 2026	India vs Japan (QF 4)	10:30 AM
Sep 20, 2026	Semi-Final 1 & Semi-Final 2	5:30 AM / 10:30 AM
Sep 22, 2026	Bronze Medal Match	5:30 AM
Sep 22, 2026	Gold Medal Final	10:30 AM

Men's Tournament Schedule (Sep 24 – Oct 03)

Date	Fixture / Stage	Time (IST)
Sep 24, 2026	Group Stage Match 1 & 2	5:30 AM / 10:30 AM
Sep 25, 2026	Group Stage Match 3 & 4	5:30 AM / 10:30 AM
Sep 26, 2026	Group Stage Match 5 & 6	5:30 AM / 10:30 AM
Sep 28, 2026	Pakistan vs Runner-up Group B (QF 1)	5:30 AM
Sep 28, 2026	India vs Runner-up Group A (QF 2)	10:30 AM
Sep 29, 2026	Sri Lanka vs Winner Group A (QF 3)	5:30 AM
Sep 29, 2026	Bangladesh vs Winner Group B (QF 4)	10:30 AM
Oct 01, 2026	Semi-Final 1 & Semi-Final 2	5:30 AM / 10:30 AM
Oct 03, 2026	Bronze Medal Match	5:30 AM
Oct 03, 2026	Gold Medal Final	10:30 AM

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Live Streaming & Broadcast Rights

All Asian Games 2026 cricket matches will be broadcast live in India across Sony Sports Network channels. Online live streaming will be available on the SonyLIV app and website.

CricAnalyser | Last updated: September 5, 2026 — updated after every match

Duleep Trophy 2026: Full Bracket, Results & Final Schedule

CricAnalyser | Last updated: September 4, 2026 — updated after every match

The final is set: East Zone will face South Zone for the Duleep Trophy 2026 title, starting September 6 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.

Full Bracket & Results

Quarter-Finals (Aug 23–26, Bengaluru)

Fixture	Scores	Result
East Zone vs North East Zone	EZ 467; NEZ 111 & 146	East Zone won by an innings and 210 runs
North Zone vs West Zone	NZ 251 & 222; WZ 187 & 234	North Zone won by 52 runs

Semi-Finals (Aug 30–Sep 2, Bengaluru)

Fixture	Scores	Result
Central Zone vs East Zone	CZ 266 & 158; EZ 266 & 162/6	East Zone won by 4 wickets
North Zone vs South Zone	NZ 195 & 297; SZ 312 & 182/3	South Zone won by 7 wickets

South Zone's chase was built on captain Tilak Varma's tournament-defining form: an unbeaten 116 in the first innings followed by an unbeaten 51 to seal the chase, an unbroken 80-run stand with R Smaran sealing it. North Zone's MD Nidheesh had earlier taken a career-best 5/56 to keep South's target down to 181, but it wasn't enough.

Final

Date	Venue	Fixture
September 6–10, 2026	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai	East Zone vs South Zone

Ishan Kishan's East Zone, unbeaten so far and boosted by Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar's bowling, take on Tilak Varma's in-form South Zone side in the title decider — the first time this Duleep Trophy final will be played in front of a crowd at a major international venue, after the earlier rounds were held behind closed doors at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

Where to Watch

All matches, including the final, stream live on JioHotstar, with select matches also broadcast on Star Sports Network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is playing in the Duleep Trophy 2026 final?
East Zone (captained by Ishan Kishan) vs South Zone (captained by Tilak Varma), from September 6-10 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.

Who was Player of the Match in the South Zone vs North Zone semi-final?
Tilak Varma, for his unbeaten 116 in the first innings and unbeaten 51 to complete the chase.

This page will be updated with the final result once the match concludes on September 10.

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Tags: #DuleepTrophy2026 #EastZone #SouthZone #TilakVarma #IshanKishan #CricAnalyser