With the semi-final against Australia looming, the Indian captain reinforced that his team has had to adapt quickly to unpredictable conditions.

Rohit Sharma

Skipper Rohit Sharma dismissed the thought that India are under added pressure against Australia in the Champions Trophy semifinal, and felt that "pressure to win" will be equal on both the teams.
India have not beaten Australia in the ICC knockouts matches since winning the 2011 World Cup quarterfinal.
"Look, they are a great opposition to play against. All we had to do is what we have been thinking about the last three games and we have to approach that game in a similar fashion. We understand the opposition and how they play and stuff like that," Rohit said in the pre-match press conference.
Rohit also warned of some intense competition in the semifinal to be played here on Tuesday.
"We will expect some nervy times as well in the middle. But that is how the game is being played these days. And you are talking about the semifinal. Obviously, the pressure will be on both teams to win that game," he added.
Rohit said Australia will offer a tough "fight back" even without some big 

India have not beaten Australia in the ICC knockouts matches since winning the 2011 World Cup quarterfinal.

Venkatesh Iyer was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025 mega auction for Rs 23.75 crore

India vs Australia Playing 11: The Aussies are expected to make at least one change in their playing XI, bringing in Jake Fraser-McGurk in place of Matthew Short.

History weighs heavily against them but India would rely on a potent spin battery and familiarity with the conditions to break the knockout jinx against an undermanned Australia when the two formidable cricket forces clash in the Champions Trophy semifinal here on Tuesday.
It will not be a straightforward task, though, as the Aussies are a resilient beast in global tournaments even without their lead cast of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.
Their stunning chase of 352 against England at Lahore a few days back validates the thought.
The last time India triumphed against Australia in the knockout stage of an ICC event was way back in 2011 World Cup quarterfinal.
India lost to Australia in the semifinals of the 2015 ODI World Cup and in the title clash of the 2023 ODI World Cup before succumbing to them in the World Test Championship final in 2023.
This Indian side will realistically hope to rewrite that largely melancholic script over the last 14 years and the primary

It will not be a straightforward task, though, as the Aussies are a resilient beast in global tournaments even without their lead cast of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.

The live streaming of the Manchester United vs Fulham FA Cup clash will be available on the SonyLIV app.

FA Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo can take a major step towards the Asian Champions League elite title in Iran on Monday, though Al-Nassr is not the only Saudi Arabian club in contention for the big prize.
Ronaldo has yet to win a major trophy since signing for the Riyadh club in December 2022 and victory over Esteghlal of Tehran in the two-legged Round of 16 tie would mean a place in the last eight for Al-Nassr.
The 40-year-old has won five UEFA Champions Leagues while Al-Nassr has yet to win one in Asia.
Domestically Al-Nassr is off the pace and its latest setback  a 2-1 defeat at Al-Orubah on Friday  saw it slip into fourth in the Saudi Pro League and increase the pressure on coach Stefano Pioli.
"We had many chances but could not score," said Pioli.
"We have a lot of games in a short period of time and only had two days rest before this game and now we have to get ready for another one in the Asian Champions League."
Ronaldo has been in good form in Asia scoring six goals in the group stage,

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo has yet to win a major trophy since signing for the Riyadh club in December 2022 and victory over Esteghlal of Tehran

The FA Cup could yet be a way for Manchester City to finish a disappointing season with a trophy.
City needed two goals from teenager Nico O'Reilly to come from behind and beat second-division side Plymouth Argyle 3-1 on Saturday to reach the quarterfinals of the only competition it still has a chance to win.
An eventful day in the competition also saw two notable red cards, a seven-minute VAR check, a handshake snub and a tense penalty shootout as Crystal Palace, Preston and Bournemouth also advanced.
The biggest talking point came in the early game where Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts was sent off for a wildly reckless challenge that left Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta needing 25 stitches on a cut to his ear.
Wolves' star forward Matheus Cunha was then also sent off in the final minute of extra time against Bournemouth for headbutting an opponent  having earlier scored a superb equalizer  before his team went on to lose on penalties.
City's win was relatively routine in .

Manchester City

The FA Cup could yet be a way for Manchester City to finish a disappointing season with a trophy

Real Madrid stumbled in the three-way race for the Spanish league title as Isco Alarcn guided Real Betis to a 2-1 comeback win over the defending champion.
The former Madrid player delivered a corner kick that was headed in by fellow midfielder Johnny Cardoso in the 34th minute on Saturday, cancelling out Brahim Daz's opener for Madrid.
Isco then put Betis ahead from the penalty spot in the 54th after he passed to Jess Rodrguez and Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger knocked the Betis forward down in the area.
Madrid's loss left it level on points with Barcelona, which hosts Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Atletico Madrid moved two points clear of them both at the top of the table after substitute Julin lvarez scored to secure a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.
Kylian Mbapp was back starting for Madrid after missing one game because of a problem with a tooth. Coach Carlo Ancelotti substituted him with 15 minutes left, saying that his dental issue had impeded him from training properly and that 

Vinicius Jr Saudi Pro League Real Madrid

The former Madrid player delivered a corner kick that was headed in by fellow midfielder Johnny Cardoso in the 34th minute on Saturday, cancelling out Brahim Daz's opener for Madrid

It took more than seven minutes for the video-assistant referee to rule out a goal during FA Cup game between Bournemouth and Wolves despite a new semi-automatic offside system being trialed in the competition.
Milos Kerkez thought he had put Bournemouth 2-0 up in the first half with a header from a corner on Saturday, but the ball came off teammate Dean Huijsen  who was in an offside position  before going into the net.
A semi-automatic offside system is being used for the first time in English soccer in the fifth round of the competition, but rights-holder BBC reported that the technology could not be used for the incident as there was also a check for a possible handball. That meant the VAR had to review the situation manually before finally ruling that the goal should not stand  seven minutes after the ball had gone into the net.
During the lengthy delay, fans from both teams were chanting It's not football anymore.
The VAR system has been widely criticized for creating lengthy

Football, soccer

A semi-automatic offside system is being used for the first time in English soccer in the fifth round of the competition, but rights-holder BBC reported that the technology could not be used

This monumental faceoff is more than just a match-it's a celebration of football excellence, bringing together two of the most successful clubs in history.

RMA vs BAR

India's reigning world champion D Gukesh climbed to a career-high number three ranking, while compatriot R Praggnanandhaa broke back into the top 10 in the latest FIDE classical ratings released on Saturday.
The 18-year-old Gukesh, who has been in sublime form ever since he beat China's Ding Liren to clinch the world title in Singapore in December, has gained 10 points and now has a 2787 rating.
Gukesh, who lost the Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee to Praggnanandhaa on tiebreak, is behind second-placed Hikaru Nakamura (2802) while and Norway's Magnus Carlsen (2833) continues to be the top-ranked chess player in the world.
The Indian Grandmaster has overtaken compatriot Arjun Erigiasi and USA's Fabiano Caruana.
Erigiasi, who was the highest-ranked Indian for a long time, has moved down to fifth with a rating of 2777.
Praggnanandhaa, who is currently competing in the Prague Masters, is back in the top 10 for the first time since July last year thanks to his win at the Tata Steel .

D Gukesh, Gukesh

Praggnanandhaa, who is currently competing in the Prague Masters, is back in the top 10 for the first time since July last year thanks to his win at the Tata Steel Masters

Boris Spassky, a Soviet-era world chess champion who lost his title to American Bobby Fischer in a legendary 1972 match that became a proxy for Cold War rivalries, died Thursday in Moscow. He was 88.
The death of the one-time chess prodigy was announced by the International Chess Federation, the game's governing body. No cause was given.
Spassky was "one of the greatest players of all time," the group said on the social platform X. He left an indelible mark on the game.
The televised 1972 match with Fischer, at the height of the Cold War, became an international sensation and was known as the Match of the Century.
When Fischer won the international chess crown in Reykjavik, Iceland, the then-29-year-old chess genius from Brooklyn, New York, brought the U.S. its first world chess title.
Fischer, known to be testy and difficult, died in 2008. After his victory of Spassky, he later forfeited the title by refusing to defend it.
Former world champion Garry Kasparov wrote on X that Spa

Boris Spassky, Soviet Chess champion

The televised 1972 match between Spassky and Fischer, at the height of the Cold War, became an international sensation and was known as the Match of the Century

Liverpool manager Arne Slot was handed a two-match touchline suspension on Wednesday for his conduct toward match officials after the Merseyside derby against Everton.
Slot admitted to a charge that he acted in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behavior towards both the match referee and an assistant referee after the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park on Feb. 12, the Football Association said.
The FA said Slot has also been charged 70,000 pounds ($90,000).
Slot was shown a red card for his post-match conduct and has since said he regretted his actions.
Liverpool's next two domestic games are against Newcastle on Wednesday and Southampton on March 8, both in the Premier League and at Anfield.
Liverpool leads the league by 11 points.

Liverpool FC (Pic-Twitter)

Slot admitted to a charge that he acted in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behavior towards both the match referee and an assistant referee

Kylian Mbapp was not included in Real Madrid's squad for the Copa del Rey match against Real Sociedad on Wednesday.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti said Tuesday Mbapp was going to be available for the first leg of the semifinals in Basque Country, but the France star did not fully recover from a tooth problem and was left out of the traveling squad for the match.
Also not included were regular starters Thibaut Courtois and Federico Valverde, who are going to be rested by Ancelotti.
Mbapp had missed practice on Tuesday after having a tooth removed, according to Spanish media.
Mbapp has scored six goals in his last five matches in all competitions, including a hat trick in the return leg of the Champions League playoffs against Manchester City.
Brazil forward Endrick and Brahim Daz are the likely replacements for Mbapp in attack.
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid drew 4-4 in the first leg of the other Copa semifinal in Barcelona on Tuesday.

Kylian Mbappe,Kylian, Mbappe

Mbappe had missed practice on Tuesday after having a tooth removed, according to Spanish media

Real Madrid will be happy to have Jude Bellingham on their side despite a two-match ban, as his suspension is only effective in La Liga

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad

Kylian Mbapp missed practice because of a tooth problem but will be available to play for Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinal against Real Sociedad, coach Carlo Ancelotti said Tuesday.
Madrid, seeking its second Copa final in three seasons, will play the first leg of the semifinals at Sociedad on Wednesday.
Mbapp is traveling, Ancelotti said in the pre-match news conference. He had a problem with a tooth and couldn't train. He's traveling tomorrow and can play. Everyone who travels has a chance of playing the game.
Spanish media said Mbapp had a tooth removed.
Mbapp was scoreless in Madrid's 2-0 win against Girona in the Spanish league on Sunday, but he had scored six goals in his last four matches in all competitions, including a hat trick in the return leg of the Champions League playoffs against Manchester City.
Brazil forward Endrick would likely be Mbapp's replacement if the France star doesn't play.
The first leg of the other Copa semifinal will be played on Tuesday, 

Mbappe and Vinicius

Madrid, seeking its second Copa final in three seasons, will play the first leg of the semifinals at Sociedad on Wednesday.

Erling Haaland will be assessed to see if he has recovered from a knee injury ahead of Manchester City's Premier League game against Tottenham on Wednesday.
Haaland missed City's losses to Real Madrid and Liverpool last week because of the injury.
City manager Pep Guardiola said the Norway striker would be assessed after taking part in training on Tuesday.
Tonight, we will know it after training. I hope (he will be available) but I don't know yet, he said. He feels better but the last two games he could not play.
In video footage, Haaland appeared to be moving comfortable during City's session.
City has struggled without its leading scorer  going out of the Champions League after a 3-1 loss to Madrid and then losing 2-0 at home against Premier League leader Liverpool.
Haaland, who has been the league's leading scorer in the past two seasons, has 27 goals in all competitions this term.
That includes 19 league goals  six behind top scorer Mohamed Salah of Liverpool.
Four time def

Erling Haaland Premier League

Haaland missed City's losses to Real Madrid and Liverpool last week because of the injury.

Axar Patel is quickly positioning himself as an useful all-rounder in white ball formats, and for him "self-belief" is the key ingredient in that transformation.
In the latest instance, Axar made a handy 42 and then claimed the prized wicket of Kane Williamson with his left-arm spin to play an important role in India's 44-run win over New Zealand in a Champions Trophy match here on Sunday.
"I was not able to click earlier and it was in the back of the mind that I was not able to show my talent. Maybe, I was putting more pressure on myself back then, despite knowing that I have the talent," Axar said in a mixed zone interaction with reporters here.
But an unbeaten 35-ball 64 against the West Indies at Barbados in 2022 unlocked his mind. The knock helped India chase down a daunting 312.
"After that match against the West Indies, I knew I could finish games. As soon as I gained that self-belief, I didn't think much about whether I wanted to show batting to anyone or not.
"I know that

Axar Patel

I was not able to click earlier and it was in the back of the mind that I was not able to show my talent, says Axar Patel

New Zealand pacer Matt Henry said India's familiarity with the conditions here helped them pick a suitable bowling unit as their spin quartet, particularly Varun Chakravarthy, kept his side under constant pressure during the Champions Trophy match here.
India, who are playing all their matches in Dubai, fielded Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel against the Kiwis here on Sunday during their 44-run victory in the final Group A match.
"I think, obviously, the way to have four frontline spinners was a really effective way to play. I think having that luxury of knowing (conditions)they played to the conditions beautifully. That was probably the challenge for us," Henry said in the post-match press conference.
"We knew that they were going to play the four spinners. They bowled beautifully. They read the situation and the conditions well. Yeah, unfortunately, we couldn't get across the line."
Chakravarthy was the most impressive among the four spinners, taking a

New Zealand cricket team

India, who are playing all their matches in Dubai, fielded Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jadeja and Axar Patel against the Kiwis here on Sunday during their 44-run victory in the final Group A match

Australian leg-spinner Zampa enjoyed success against Kohli in One Day Internationals (ODIs), dismissing him five times since 2017

Adam Zampa vs Virat Kohli

The X-factor around mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy's bowling influenced his selection for India's last Champions Trophy group game against New Zealand, skipper Rohit Sharma said here on Sunday after the move proved to be a masterstroke.
Chakaravarthy justified his selection in the XI with excellent figures of 5/42 in 10 overs, as India registered a convincing 44-run victory to top Group A on way to the semifinals alongside the Kiwis in second place.
"He has got something different about him, so wanted to try and see what he had to offer. We got to think a little about what to do for the next game, it's a good headache. If he gets it right, it's very difficult to read him," Rohit said of Chakaravarthy at the presentation ceremony.
India will play Australia in the first semifinal here on Tuesday with New Zealand taking on South Africa the following day in Lahore.
"It will be a good game, Australia has a rich history of playing well in ICC tournaments, but is is about us and what

Varun Chakaravarthy

Chakaravarthy justified his selection in the XI with excellent figures of 5/42 in 10 overs, as India registered a convincing 44-run victory to top Group A on way to the semifinals alongside the Kiwis

All-rounder Venkatesh Iyer says he is prepared to lead Kolkata Knight Riders if given the opportunity in the IPL 2025 despite having no captaincy experience at any levels in competitive cricket.
The reigning champions, who will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening game this season at the Eden Gardens, are yet to announce their captain.
Shreyas Iyer had led them to the title win in IPL 2024, but he was acquired by Punjab Kings in the mega auction and later named him as their skipper.
Definitely, I'm ready. Again, I've always said this: captaincy is just a tag. I believe in leadership. That is a bigger role to play, being a leader, Venkatesh told ESPNcricinfo.
There's no ambiguity surrounding this. I'll definitely do it, if it comes my way. There is no reason not to do it, he added.
Iyer said the captain needs to set an example by being a good role model".
"You don't necessarily need the tag of a captain to be a leader in your dressing room. You need to set examples.

Venkatesh Iyer of Kolkata Knight Riders plays a shot during Vivo Indian Premier League between Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi (Photo: PTI)

The reigning champions, who will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening game this season at the Eden Gardens, are yet to announce their captain.

Reliance reportedly conducted brain-mapping studies, which showed IPL streaming ads resulted in up to four times greater engagement and memorability compared to rival platforms

IPL 2024 RR vs KKR in Guwahati washout scenario. Photo: Sportzpics

IPL 2024 RR vs KKR in Guwahati washout scenario

MS Dhoni has been an integral part of the Indian Premier League since its inception 17 seasons ago but the 43-year-old says he can still put his body through "six to eight months" of hard work to be fit for the lucrative league.
Chennai Super Kings retained Dhoni ahead of IPL 2025 auction, with the franchise once again reposing faith in the abilities of the former India captain, who has led the side to five IPL titles.
But having retired from international cricket nearly six years ago, Dhoni said it takes a lot of hard work to be fit and ready for two months of IPL.
"I only play a couple of months in a year, but I want to enjoy it the way I started playing, that's something that keeps me going," Dhoni said at Garuda Aerospace's 'Ascend' during the launch of Amaran Drone and Land Mine Detection Drone, here on Friday.
"But, of course, for that, I need to put in a lot of hard work for six to eight months because IPL is one of the toughest tournaments. Nobody really cares about how old

MS Dhoni

Chennai Super Kings retained Dhoni ahead of IPL 2025 auction, with the franchise once again reposing faith in the abilities of the former India captain, who has led the side to five IPL titles.

Ahead of the 2025 season, Dhoni was once again retained as an uncapped player, signaling his continued participation in the league.

MS Dhoni, Dhoni, CSK

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