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Nepal’s spectacular victory in the warm-up match: A brilliant start to the 2026 T20 World Cup journey

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Nepal’s spectacular victory in the warm-up match: A brilliant start to the 2026 T20 World Cup journey

Nepal kicked off their 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign with a resounding 7-wicket victory over the UAE in their first warm-up match. Playing at the iconic M.A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) in Chennai, the “Rhinos” showed why they are a team to watch in this tournament.

Bowling: Maintaining the pressure

After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, Nepal’s attack looked sharp from the very first over. Karan KC provided the early breakthrough, dismissing UAE captain Muhammad Waseem for just 6 runs.

Although the UAE middle order tried to stage a comeback, Nepal’s “spin wizard” Sandeep Lamichhane and the reliable Karan KC kept the score in check, taking two wickets each. A late 68-run partnership between UAE’s Shoaib Khan (38*) and Harshit Kaushik (35) helped them reach 145/6, but it wasn’t enough to trouble the Nepali team.

Chase: A display of brilliant composure

Nepal had a shaky start to the chase. Both openers, Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh, were dismissed for 8 runs each, and when captain Rohit Paudel was run out for 16, Nepal was in a precarious position at 45/3.

However, what followed was a magnificent display of batting. Arif Sheikh and Dipendra Singh Airee forged an unbeaten 103-run partnership.

Arif Sheikh: 61* runs off 37 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes)
Dipendra Singh Airee: 50* runs off 31 balls (4 fours, 1 six). This pair didn’t just secure the win; they dominated. They accelerated in the final overs, scoring 45 runs in the last three overs of the chase to clinch the victory with 18 balls to spare.

Why this win matters

This wasn’t just a practice match;  This was a confidence booster. Middle-order strength: This proved that Nepal can bounce back even if the top order fails. Adaptability: The team handled the Chennai heat and pitch conditions very well.
Nepal will play its second warm-up match against Canada on February 5th.

Team Score Top Performer

UAE 145/6 (20 overs) Sohaib Khan (38*)
Nepal 148/3 (17 overs) Aarif Sheikh (61*)

Pakistan Opts Out of India Clash at ICC T20 World Cup 2026

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Pakistan Opts Out of India Clash at ICC T20 World Cup 2026

In a significant escalation ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan has formally confirmed that while it will participate in the global tournament, it will not play its scheduled match against India on February 15. The announcement was made via an official statement shared by the Pakistani government on social media on Monday, immediately sending shockwaves through the cricketing and broadcasting ecosystem.


The decision reopens a long-standing rift in India–Pakistan cricket relations. From the hybrid hosting model during the Champions Trophy to symbolic protests like no handshakes and trophy refusals in Asia Cup events, bilateral cricket has been affected by broader geopolitical tensions. This latest move adds further uncertainty to an already delicate situation.

ICC Pushback and Commercial Fallout

The International Cricket Council has responded swiftly, issuing a press release that acknowledges Pakistan’s position but warns of “serious consequences” should the decision remain unchanged. While the ICC stopped short of outlining punitive measures, sources indicate that governance, points allocation, and commercial contracts are all under review.

From a business standpoint, the implications are substantial. According to multiple media reports, broadcasters could face losses approaching USD 300 million if the marquee India–Pakistan fixture is not played. The match is widely considered the tournament’s biggest revenue driver, anchoring advertising sales, sponsorship valuations, and global viewership metrics.

On-Field Context: A One-Sided World Cup Rivalry

Beyond politics and money, the cricketing data strongly favors India, particularly in World Cup encounters.


ODI World Cup Record

  • Total Match : 8
  • India wins : 8
  • Pakistan wins: 0


Match-by-match outcomes:

  • 1992 (Sydney): India won
  • 1996 (Bengaluru – Quarterfinal): India won
  • 1999 (Manchester): India won
  • 2003 (Centurion): India won
  • 2011 (Mohali – Semifinal): India won
  • 2015 (Adelaide): India won
  • 2019 (Manchester): India won
  • 2023 (Ahmedabad): India won


ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Record

  • Total matches: 7
  • India wins: 5
  • Pakistan wins: 1
  • Tie / No result: 1 (India won bowl-out)


Key moments:

  • 2007 (Group match tie, bowl-out): India won
  • 2007 (Final): India won
  • 2012: India won
  • 2014: India won
  • 2016: India won
  • 2021: Pakistan won
  • 2022: India won

ICC Media Release

The ICC notes the statement that the government of Pakistan has made regarding the decision to instruct its national team to selectively participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

While the ICC awaits official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), this position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms per the event schedule.

ICC tournaments are built on sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency and fairness, and selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions.

While the ICC respects the roles of governments in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan.

The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country as this is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem, which it is itself a member and beneficiary of.

The ICC’s priority remains the successful delivery of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup which should also be the responsibility of all its members including the PCB. It expects the PCB to explore a mutually acceptable resolution, which protects the interests of all stakeholders.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/icc-statement-on-icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2026

Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Team Squads and Groups

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Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Team Squads and Groups

Twenty teams are participating in the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. India and Sri Lanka are jointly hosting this World Cup. There are four groups, each with five teams.

Group A

India, USA, Namibia, Netherlands and Pakistan

INDIA SQUAD: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.

USA SQUAD: Monank Patel (c), Jessy Singh, Andries Gous, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamala, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Mohammad Mohsin, Shubham Ranjane.

NAMIBIA SQUAD: Gerhard Erasmus (c), Zane Green, Bernard Scholtz, Ruben Trumpelmann, JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, Louren Steenkamp, Malan Kruger, Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Jack Brassell, Ben Shikongo, JC Balt, Dylan Leicher, WP Myburgh, Max Heingo. 

Reserve: Alexander Volschenk

NETHERLANDS SQUAD: Scott Edwards (c), Colin Ackermann, Noah Croes, Bas de Leede, Aryan Dutt, Fred Klaassen, Kyle Klein, Michael Levitt, Zach Lion-Cachet, Max O’Dowd, Logan van Beek, Timm van der Gugten, Roelof van der Merwe, Paul van Meekeren, Saqib Zulfiqar

PAKISTAN SQUAD: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq

Group B

Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland and Oman

AUSTRALIA SQUAD: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.

SRI LANKA SQUAD: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Traveen Mathew.

This is the preliminary squad of the Sri Lanka team.

ZIMBABWE SQUAD: Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor

IRELAND SQUAD: Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young

OMAN SQUAD: Jatinder Singh (c), Vinayak Shukla, Mohammad Nadeem, Shakeel Ahmad, Hammad Mirza, Wasim Ali, Karan Sonavale, Shah Faisal, Nadeem Khan, Sufyan Mehmood, Jay Odedra, Shafiq Jan, Ashish Odedara, Jiten Ramanandi, Aamir Kaleem

Group C

England, West Indies, Nepal, Italy and Scotland

ENGLAD SQUAD: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood (Provisional Squad)

WEST INDIES SQUAD: Shai Hope (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd

NEPAL SQUAD: Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Sundeep Jora, Aarif Sheikh, Basir Ahamad, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Gulshan Jha, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sher Malla, Lokesh Bam

SCOTLAND SQUAD: Richie Berrington (c), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross, Bradley Currie, Oliver Davidson, Chris Greaves, Zainullah Ihsan, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Bradley Wheal.

Travelling reserves: Jasper Davidson, Jack Jarvis,

Non-travelling reserves: Mackenzie Jones, Chris McBride, Charlie Tear

ITALY SQUAD: Wayne Madsen (c), Marcus Campopiano, Gian Piero Meade, Zain Ali, Ali Hasan, Crishan Jorge, Harry Manenti, Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Syed Naqvi, Benjamin Manenti, Jaspreet Singh, JJ Smuts, Grant Stewart, Thomas Draca

Group D

South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada and UAE

SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD: Aiden Markram (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs

NEW ZEALAND SQUAD: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi

AFGHANISTAN SQUAD: Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Sediqullah Atal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Naveen Ul Haq, Mohammad Ishaq, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Darwish Rasooli, Ibrahim Zadran. 

Reserves: AM Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmadzai and Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi

CANADA SQUAD: Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Ajayveer Hundal, Ansh Patel, Dilon Heyliger, Harsh Thaker, Jaskarandeep Buttar, Kaleem Sana, Kanwarpal Tathgur, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Ravinderpal Singh, Saad Bin Zafar, Shivam Sharma, Shreyas Movva, Yuvraj Samra

UAE SQUAD: Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Mayank Kumar, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Zohaib, Rohid Khan, Sohaib Khan, Simranjeet Singh.

The USA team for the 2206 T20 World Cup, led by Monank Patel, is ready to compete

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The USA team for the 2206 T20 World Cup, led by Monank Patel, is ready to compete

The USA has announced its T20 World Cup squad for February 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, with Monank Patel as captain. This team was selected under a new ICC-approved process due to the suspension of the USA Cricket Board.

USA will face co-host and defending champions India in the tournament opener in Mumbai. Ten of the fifteen players from the last edition in the Americas were named in the USA squad, led by Monank Patel, for the T20 World Cup starting February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.

The USA cricket board was suspended by the ICC in September 2025. A new selection process, developed with the ICC and the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), aims to ensure transparency and a merit-based approach for selecting the best eligible players to represent the United States.

The USA team is in Group A with arch-rivals India and Pakistan, along with Namibia and the Netherlands. The USA previously defeated full-member country Pakistan in the last T20 World Cup and reached the Super Eight stage.

The USA team will play two warm-up matches against India-A and New Zealand on February 2nd and 5th.

USA Cricket Team for 2026 T20 World Cup

Squad: Monank Patel (c), Jessy Singh (vc), Andries Gous, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamala, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Mohammad Mohsin, Shubham Ranjane.

Kantipur Television Secures Broadcasting Rights for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Nepal

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Kantipur Television Secures Broadcasting Rights for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Nepal

Kantipur Television has secured the official broadcasting rights for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Nepal. As part of this development, Kantipur Television has signed Extreme Energy Drinks as the title sponsor for the live broadcast of the T20 World Cup.

The agreement is being viewed as a significant milestone in Nepal’s sports broadcasting landscape and brand partnership ecosystem.

Under the agreement, all 55 matches of the T20 World Cup will be broadcast live via Kantipur Max HD and Kantipur Max-2. Matches will be aired with English commentary on Kantipur Max HD, while Nepali commentary will be available on Kantipur Max-2, offering viewers a comprehensive and inclusive viewing experience.

Kantipur Television stated that daily pre-match and post-match studio shows will be produced throughout the tournament, featuring in-depth analysis and discussions with cricket experts.

ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Warm-Up match schedule

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ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Warm-Up match schedule

The ICC has announced the schedule for the warm-up matches ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. The warm-up matches will be held from 2 February to 6 February. The first match will be played between Afghanistan and Scotland on 2 February.

T20 World Cup 2026 Warm up matches schedule:

February 2

Afghanistan vs Scotland (3 PM)
India A vs USA (5 PM)
Canada vs Italy (7 PM)

February 3

Sri Lanka A vs Oman (1 PM)
Netherlands vs Zimbabwe (3 PM)
Nepal vs USA (5 PM)

February 4

Namibia vs Scotland (1 PM)

Afghanistan vs West Indies (3 PM)

Ireland vs Pakistan (5 PM)

India vs South Africa (7 PM)

February 5

Oman vs Zimbabwe (1 PM)

Canada vs Nepal (3 PM)

Australia vs Netherlands (5 PM)

New Zealand vs USA (7 PM)

February 6

Italy vs UAE (3 PM)

India A vs Namibia (5 PM)

ICC T20 World Cup 2026 : Scotland Replaced Bangladesh in T20 World Cup 2026 After Withdrawal

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ICC T20 World Cup 2026 : Scotland Replaced Bangladesh in T20 World Cup 2026 After Withdrawal

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Tuesday that Scotland will replace Bangladesh in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after Bangladesh withdrew from the tournament.

This decision was made after Bangladesh informed the ICC of its inability to participate in the tournament due to various reasons. To maintain the competitive balance and integrity of the event’s schedule, the ICC acted swiftly and invited Scotland, the next eligible team based on the qualification framework and recent performance.

Scotland’s inclusion is a significant achievement for this Associate nation, reflecting its consistent progress in international cricket and strong performances in recent ICC events.

The T20 World Cup 2026 will feature 20 top teams from around the world and will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February. It is expected to be one of the most commercially successful and competitive editions of the tournament. Scotland will play in Group C of the World Cup, replacing Bangladesh, alongside England, West Indies, Nepal, and Italy.

Scotland Squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

Richie Berrington (captain), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross, Bradley Currie, Oliver Davidson, Chris Greaves, Zainullah Ihsan, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Bradley Wheal.

Travelling reserves: Jasper Davidson, Jack Jarvis.

Non-travelling reserves: Mackenzie Jones, Chris McBride, Charlie Tear.

Nepal Announce Balanced Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

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Nepal Announce Balanced Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

The Cricket Association of Nepal has announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The team will be led by Rohit Paudel, who continues as captain. The selectors have shown trust in experienced players to keep the team stable and competitive. Dipendra Singh Airee has been named vice-captain and will play a key role as an all-rounder.

Nepal’s bowling attack includes Sandeep Lamichhane, along with Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Lalit Rajbanshi, and Nandan Yadav. These bowlers give the team good options in both pace and spin. Gulsan Jha and Aarif Sheikh will support the team as medium-pace all-rounders. Spin all-round options include Dipendra Singh Airee, Rohit Paudel, Kushal Bhurtel, and Basir Ahamad.

In batting, openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh are expected to give the team a strong start. The middle order includes Rohit Paudel, Sandeep Jora, and Aarif Sheikh, who will help keep the run rate steady. At the end of the innings, Gulsan Jha, Dipendra Singh Airee, and Lokesh Bam will be responsible for finishing games.

With a balanced squad and a mix of experience and young talent, Nepal will aim to perform well and make an impact at the T20 World Cup.

Nepal 15 Player Squad

No.Player NameRole
1Rohit PaudelAll-rounder – Captain
2Dipendra Singh AireeAll-rounder – Vice Captain
3Sandeep LamichhaneLeg-spinner
4Kushal BhurtelAll-rounder
5Aasif SheikhBatter
6Sandeep JoraBatter
7Aarif SheikhAll-rounder
8Basir AhamadAll-rounder
9Sompal KamiFast bowler
10Karan KCFast bowler
11Nandan YadavFast Bowler
12Gulsan JhaAll-rounder
13Lalit RajbanshiSpin Bowler
14Sher MallaSpin Bowler
15Lokesh BamWicketkeeper / Batter

Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026: Groups, Schedule, and Nepal Fixtures

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Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026: Groups, Schedule, and Nepal Fixtures

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026 will be held in Kathmandu in January, with the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) officially confirming the groups and match schedule.

The tournament will feature 10 teams, with warm-up matches on January 14 and 16, and the main competition starting on January 18. Matches will be played at Mulpani Cricket Ground and Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground.

Groups

Group A: Bangladesh, Ireland, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, United States

Group B: Nepal, Scotland, Thailand, Netherlands, Zimbabwe

Host Nepal, appearing in the Global Qualifier for the first time, will begin its campaign against Thailand on January 18.The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage, with the top four teams ultimately qualifying for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.

IPL 2026: IPL team players list after auction

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IPL 2026: IPL team players list after auction

The auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 was held in the UAE on 16 December 2025. Here is the complete squad of all ten teams after the auction.

Chennai Super Kings

MS Dhoni, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Jamie Overton ✈️, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis✈️, Noor Ahmad✈️, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Gopal, Syed Khaleel Ahmed, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis✈️, Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Rahul Chahar, Matt Henry✈️, Akeal Hosein✈️, Matthew Short✈️, Zak Foulkes✈️, Sarfaraz Khan, Aman Khan.

Delhi Capitals

Abhishek Porel, Ajay Mandal, Ashutosh Sharma, Axar Patel, Dushmantha Chameera✈️, Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Madhav Tiwari, Mitchell Starc✈️, Mukesh Kumar, Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, T. Natarajan, Tripurana Vijay, Tristan Stubbs✈️, Vipraj Nigam, Auqib Dar, Pathum Nissanka✈️, Kyle Jamieson✈️, Lungi Ngidi✈️, Ben Duckett✈️, David Miller✈️, Prithvi Shaw, Sahil Parakh.

Gujarat Titans

Anuj Rawat, Glenn Phillips✈️, Gurnoor Singh Brar, Ishant Sharma, Jayant Yadav, Jos Buttler✈️, Kagiso Rabada✈️, Kumar Kushagra, Manav Suthar, Mohammad Siraj, Mohd. Arshad Khan, Nishant Sindhu, Prasidh Krishna, R. Sai Kishore, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan✈️, Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder✈️, Tom Banton✈️, Ashok Sharma, Luke Wood✈️, Prithviraj Yarra.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Anukul Roy, Harshit Rana, Manish Pandey, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell✈️, Sunil Narine✈️, Umran Malik, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy, Cameron Green✈️, Matheesha Pathirana✈️, Mustafizur Rahman✈️, Tejasvi Singh, Rachin Ravindra✈️, Finn Allen✈️, Tim Seifert✈️, Akash Deep, Rahul Tripathi, Daksh Kamra, Sarthak Ranjan, Prashant Solanki, Kartik Tyagi.

Lucknow Super Giants

Abdul Samad, Aiden Markram✈️, Akash Singh, Arjun Tendulkar, Arshin Kulkarni, Avesh Khan, Ayush Badoni, Digvesh Rathi, Himmat Singh, Manimaran Siddharth, Matthew Breetzke✈️, Mayank Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mitchell Marsh✈️, Mohsin Khan, Nicholas Pooran✈️, Prince Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Shahbaz Ahmed, Josh Inglis✈️, Mukul Choudhary, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Anrich Nortje✈️, Wanindu Hasaranga✈️, Naman Tiwari.

Mumbai Indians

Allah Ghazanfar✈️, Ashwani Kumar, Corbin Bosch✈️, Deepak Chahar, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Mayank Markande (T), Mitchell Santner✈️, Naman Dhir, Raghu Sharma, Raj Angad Bawa, Robin Minz, Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton✈️, Shardul Thakur, Sherfane Rutherford✈️, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Trent Boult✈️, Will Jacks✈️, Quinton de Kock✈️, Mayank Rawat, Atharva Ankolekar, Mohammad Izhar, Danish Malewar.

Punjab Kings

Arshdeep Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai✈️, Harnoor Pannu, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson✈️, Marco Jansen✈️, Marcus Stoinis✈️, Mitch Owen✈️, Musheer Khan, Nehal Wadhera, Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Pyla Avinash, Shashank Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Suryansh Shedge, Vishnu Vinod, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Xavier Bartlett✈️, Yash Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ben Dwarshuis✈️, Cooper Connolly✈️, Vishal Nishad, Pravin Dubey.

Rajasthan Royals

Dhruv Jurel, Donovan Ferreira✈️, Jofra Archer✈️, Kwena Maphaka✈️, Lhuan-Dre Pretorious✈️, Nandre Burger✈️, Ravindra Jadeja, Riyan Parag, Sam Curran✈️, Sandeep Sharma, Shimron Hetmyer✈️, Shubham Dubey, Tushar Deshpande, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yashaswi Jaiswal, Yudhvir Charak, Ravi Bishnoi, Adam Milne✈️, Ravi Singh, Sushant Mishra, Kuldeep Sen, Brijesh Sharma, Aman Rao Perala, Vignesh Puthur, Yash Raj Punja.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Abhinandan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Devdutt Padikkal, Jacob Bethell✈️, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood*, Krunal Pandya, Nuwan Thushara✈️, Phil Salt*, Rajat Patidar, Rasikh Dar, Romario Shepherd✈️, Suyash Sharma, Swapnil Singh, Tim David✈️, Virat Kohli, Yash Dayal, Venkatesh Iyer*, Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox✈️, Kanishk Chouhan, Vihaan Malhotra, Vicky Ostwal, Satvik Deswal.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Abhishek Sharma, Aniket Verma, Brydon Carse✈️, Eshan Malinga✈️, Harsh Dubey, Harshal Patel, Heinrich Klaasen✈️, Ishan Kishan, Jaydev Unadkat, Kamindu Mendis✈️, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Pat Cummins✈️, Smaran Ravichandaran, Travis Head✈️, Zeeshan Ansari, Liam Livingstone✈️, Jack Edwards✈️, Salil Arora, Shivam Mavi, Krains Fuletra, Praful Hinge, Amit Kumar, Onkar Tarmale, Sakib Hussain, Shivang Kumar.

IPL Auction 2026: Big Money Moves, Uncapped Stars Shine as Teams Reset for New Cycle

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IPL Auction 2026: Big Money Moves, Uncapped Stars Shine as Teams Reset for New Cycle

The IPL Auction 2026 witnessed some surprising developments. There was plenty of drama, strategic spending, and a clear shift in franchise priorities as teams reshaped their squads ahead of the new season. From record-breaking overseas signings to unprecedented faith in uncapped Indian talent, this auction demonstrated how the IPL ecosystem is constantly evolving.

Cameron Green Headlines the Auction

Australian all-rounder Cameron Green emerged as the biggest player in the auction, becoming the most expensive foreign player after being bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for ₹25.20 crore. KKR further strengthened their bowling attack by investing ₹18 crore in Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana, signaling their aggressive, performance-oriented approach. Kolkata acquired Green as a replacement for Andre Russell.

Franchise show more faith in uncapped Indian players

One of the defining narratives of IPL 2026 was the surge in demand for uncapped Indian players. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) stunned the auction floor by signing Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma for ₹14.20 crore each, the highest-ever bids for uncapped players in IPL history.
The move reflects a long-term vision focused on domestic depth, sustainability, and future leadership pipelines.

Smart Buys and Tactical Investments

Several franchises opted for balance over extravagance.

  • Delhi Capitals secured young pacer Auqib Nabi Dar for ₹8.40 crore, reinforcing their focus on Indian fast-bowling resources.
  • Sunrisers Hyderabad picked up power-hitter Liam Livingstone for ₹13 crore, adding middle-order firepower.
  • Lucknow Super Giants strengthened their wicketkeeping options with Josh Inglis (₹8.60 crore).
  • Gujarat Titans brought in experience through Jason Holder (₹7 crore), while Rajasthan Royals added quality spin with Ravi Bishnoi (₹7.20 crore).

Big Names Go Unsold

In a surprising twist, several established international players went unsold, including Jonny Bairstow, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Alzarri Joseph, Michael Bracewell, and Maheesh Theekshana.
Their absence highlighted a clear market correction, with franchises prioritizing role-specific players, fitness, and value for money over reputation alone.

IPL AUCTION 2026 – LIST OF ALL SOLD PLAYERS

Player NameTeamSold Price (₹ Crore)
Cameron GreenKolkata Knight Riders25.20
Matheesha PathiranaKolkata Knight Riders18.00
Mustafizur RahmanKolkata Knight Riders9.20
Rachin RavindraKolkata Knight Riders2.00
Finn AllenKolkata Knight Riders2.00
Tim SeifertKolkata Knight Riders1.50
Akash DeepKolkata Knight Riders1.00
Rahul TripathiKolkata Knight Riders0.75
Tejasvi SinghKolkata Knight Riders0.30
Daksh KamraKolkata Knight Riders0.30
Sarthak RanjanKolkata Knight Riders0.30
Prashant SolankiKolkata Knight Riders0.30
Kartik TyagiKolkata Knight Riders0.30
Kartik SharmaChennai Super Kings14.20
Prashant VeerChennai Super Kings14.20
Rahul ChaharChennai Super Kings5.20
Akeal HoseinChennai Super Kings2.00
Matt HenryChennai Super Kings2.00
Matthew ShortChennai Super Kings1.50
Sarfaraz KhanChennai Super Kings0.75
Zakary FoulkesChennai Super Kings0.75
Aman KhanChennai Super Kings0.40
Auqib Nabi DarDelhi Capitals8.40
Pathum NissankaDelhi Capitals4.00
Kyle JamiesonDelhi Capitals2.00
Lungi NgidiDelhi Capitals2.00
Ben DuckettDelhi Capitals2.00
David MillerDelhi Capitals2.00
Prithvi ShawDelhi Capitals0.75
Sahil ParakhDelhi Capitals0.30
Josh InglisLucknow Super Giants8.60
Mukul ChoudharyLucknow Super Giants2.60
Akshat RaghuwanshiLucknow Super Giants2.20
Anrich NortjeLucknow Super Giants2.00
Wanindu HasarangaLucknow Super Giants2.00
Naman TiwariLucknow Super Giants1.00
Quinton de KockMumbai Indians1.00
Mayank RawatMumbai Indians0.30
Atharva AnkolekarMumbai Indians0.30
Mohammad IzharMumbai Indians0.30
Danish MalewarMumbai Indians0.30
Ben DwarshuisPunjab Kings4.40
Cooper ConnollyPunjab Kings3.00
Vishal NishadPunjab Kings0.30
Pravin DubeyPunjab Kings0.30
Ravi BishnoiRajasthan Royals7.20
Adam MilneRajasthan Royals2.40
Ravi SinghRajasthan Royals0.95
Sushant MishraRajasthan Royals0.90
Kuldeep SenRajasthan Royals0.75
Brijesh SharmaRajasthan Royals0.30
Aman Rao PeralaRajasthan Royals0.30
Vignesh PuthurRajasthan Royals0.30
Yash Raj PunjaRajasthan Royals0.30
Venkatesh IyerRoyal Challengers Bengaluru7.00
Mangesh YadavRoyal Challengers Bengaluru5.20
Jacob DuffyRoyal Challengers Bengaluru2.00
Jordan CoxRoyal Challengers Bengaluru0.75
Kanishk ChouhanRoyal Challengers Bengaluru0.30
Vihaan MalhotraRoyal Challengers Bengaluru0.30
Vicky OstwalRoyal Challengers Bengaluru0.30
Satvik DeswalRoyal Challengers Bengaluru0.30
Liam LivingstoneSunrisers Hyderabad13.00
Jack EdwardsSunrisers Hyderabad3.00
Salil AroraSunrisers Hyderabad1.50
Shivam MaviSunrisers Hyderabad0.75
Krains FuletraSunrisers Hyderabad0.30
Praful HingeSunrisers Hyderabad0.30
Amit KumarSunrisers Hyderabad0.30
Onkar TarmaleSunrisers Hyderabad0.30
Sakib HussainSunrisers Hyderabad0.30
Shivang KumarSunrisers Hyderabad0.30

NPL Season 2 Wrapped Up: Strategic Insight, Performance and League Impact

Sports Khabar
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NPL Season 2 Wrapped Up: Strategic Insight, Performance and League Impact

In just 27 days and 32 matches, the second edition of the Siddhartha Bank Nepal Premier League (NPL) successfully concluded, marking another milestone for Nepali cricket. Lumbini Lions clinched their maiden title with a convincing six-wicket win over Sudurpaschim Royals in Saturday’s final.

Sudurpaschim, meanwhile, finished as runners-up for the second consecutive season, once again proving their consistency at the top level. Team efforts and individual player performances were key, as shown clearly in the statistics.

Top Run Scorer

Pokhara Avengers’ English wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Rossington finished as the highest run-scorer of the tournament. He scored 323 runs in 7 matches, including one century and two half-centuries.

Despite Pokhara Avengers being eliminated at the league stage, no other player could surpass Rossington’s tally. For this achievement, he was awarded the Presidential Platinum Cap along with a cash prize of NPR Rs 50,000.

Among Nepali players, national team caption Rohit Poudel was the highest run-scorer of the season.

Lumbini Lions captain Rohit Kumar Poudel was named the best batter of the tournament. He scored 276 runs in 10 matches at an average of 27.6, finishing as the highest run-scorer among Nepali players. His highest score was 49 against Karnali Yaks, and he also contributed with the ball by taking 10 wickets in the tournament.

Sudurpaschim’s wicket keeper Binod Bhandari finished as the second-highest run-scorer among Nepali players in the tournament. He scored 264 runs in 9 innings at an average of 33. Binod struck two half-centuries this season—an unbeaten 69 against Lumbini Lions in the group stage and 63 against Biratnagar in the first qualifier.

Top Wicket Taker

Meanwhile, Biratnagar Kings captain Sandeep Lamichhane was declared the best bowler of the tournament. He took 17 wickets in 9 matches with average of 10.41. Along with him, Lumbini’s Sher Malla and Sudurpaschim’s Avinash Bohara also had 17 wickets, but Sandeep remained at the top in terms of economy and average. Sandeep also won a Pulsar bike by becoming the best bowler of the tournament.

Sudurpaschim Royals’ Avinash Bohara and Lumbini Lions’ Sher Malla also took 17 wickets each, with bowling averages of 11.47 and 13.76 respectively.

Best Emerging Player

Lumbini Lions’ Sher Malla was named the Best Emerging Player of NPL Season 2 after playing a key role in the team’s title-winning campaign.

A member of Janakpur Bolts’ championship squad last season, Sher continued his winning run by lifting the title again—this time with Lumbini. The tournament was also a standout one for him personally.

Known for his mystery spin, Sher consistently troubled top-order batters. He took 17 wickets in 10 matches and was rewarded with the Best Emerging Player award along with a Pulsar bike.

Two centuries were scored in NPL Season 2

Two centuries were recorded in the second season of the NPL, doubling the tally from the first season, which saw only one century.

Karnali Yaks’ Mark Watt scored his maiden NPL century against Lumbini Lions, registering a record hundred in the tournament.

Pokhara Avengers’ Adam Rossington also reached three figures, scoring a century against Karnali Yaks. He became the second Pokhara player to score an NPL century, after Andres Gauss, who achieved the feat in the first season.

Two hat-tricks were recorded in NPL Season 2

Two hat-tricks were recorded in the second edition of the Nepal Premier League. Kathmandu Gorkhaz’s Shahab Alam and Lumbini Lions captain Rohit Poudel achieved the feat.

Rohit Poudel took his hat-trick against Sudurpaschim Royals in the final, becoming the first player to claim a hat-trick in an NPL final.

Shahab Alam registered a record hat-trick against Pokhara Avengers and went on to take six wickets in the match.

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