Sourav Ganguly met this star KKR player, offered him to play for Capitals in..., his name is......
According to Anandabazar Patrika, Sourav Ganguly offered the veteran all-rounder a deal to join the Pretoria Capitals for the 2026 season of the SA20 league. The Capitals are the South African sister franchise of Delhi Capitals, owned by the same corporate group, which now aims to bring Russell into their global cricket ecosystem.
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Mint
5 hours ago
- Mint
Chasing trophies in forties: 46-year-old Imran Tahir sets ultimate standard of longevity almost three decades as a professional
New Delhi [India], July 20 (ANI): Throughout cricket's rich history, several superstars of the game have redefined the concept of longevity at various times, whether through their level of activity at a certain age, trophies, records, or consistency. Be it the unmatched consistency offered by Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar, a fiery 22 year run at the frontline for England by pacer James Anderson or the records and team accomplishments achieved by Mithali Raj for India during the back-end of her 23-year-old career, the sport is full of examples where the phrase "ageing like fine wine" could be used to perfection. The latest entrant to this club of cricketers with rare levels of longevity is the South African spinner Imran Tahir. At the age of 46, this Lahore-born spinner is still an active force in the T20 league circuit across the world, recently leading Guyana Amazon Warriors to the Global Super League in the second season as a captain. As a captain, Tahir led from the front. The veteran spinner, known for running all over the field while celebrating, still bustles with energy that even several youngsters would envy. Not only did he take two wickets in the final against Rangpur Riders, but he also emerged as the 'Player of the Tournament' as a leading wicket-taker, with 14 scalps in five matches at an average of 9.28 and best figures of 4/12. He took two four-wicket hauls in the tournament. After his 40th birthday, Tahir has still maintained the consistency that gave him 293 international wickets for South Africa in 165 matches at an average of over 25. Since turning 40, Tahir has played a massive 200 T20 matches, picking up 266 wickets at an average of 18.54, with an economy rate of 6.86. His best figures are 5/25, having produced five four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls after entering the fourth decade of his life. After his 40th birthday, he is the sixth-highest wicket-taker in T20 cricket worldwide. His bowling average and economy rate after turning 40 is better than his overall career stats in T20 cricket, with his overall bowling average being 19.69 and economy rate being 6.96. 200 of his 547 wickets in the format have come after the age of 40. His knockout stage statistics after turning 40 are solid, 28 wickets in 26 matches at an average of 25.57, with best figures of 3/7, making him one of the most reliable bowlers to turn to during a tough match, even at this age. In eight T20 competition finals after turning 40, he has picked up 11 wickets at an average of 18.00, at an economy rate of 6.71, with best figures of 3/33. The fourth decade of his life has been the one filled with championship titles and individual accomplishments, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Multan Sultans in 2021 (leading wicket taker for his team, overall fourth with 13 scalps at an average of 13.07, economy rate of 6.80), Caribbean Premier League 2023 title with Guyana Amazon Warriors (leading wicket-taker for his side and overall second-highest with 18 wickets at an average of 15.44 and economy rate of 6.22), the Indian Premier League (IPL) Purple Cap for most wickets in 2019 runners-up season with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) (26 wickets at an average of 16.57 and economy rate of 6.69), and the latest Global Super League. Three trophies, one of them as a captain and an IPL Purple Cap for one of the most successful franchises of the world after turning 40, seal Tahir's legacy as one of the greatest T20 cricketers ever. With his supreme fitness and dedication to his craft, he has opened up an avenue for cricketers to chase the adrenaline that comes with taking wickets, trophies, and awards, even after they slow down by international cricket standards. Having made his first-class cricket debut in 1996/97 and retiring from international cricket after the 2019 Cricket World Cup, Tahir's fitness and devotion to the art of spin bowling almost 30 years into the game are no doubt inspirational. (ANI)
The Hindu
7 hours ago
- The Hindu
Multi-sport talent Riley Norton leads South Africa to glory in World U-20 Rugby Championship after representing Proteas in U-19 Cricket World Cup
The 19-year-old dual-sport talent Riley Norton led the Junior Springboks to the World Rugby Under 20 Championship title on Saturday as South Africa defeated six-time champion New Zealand 23-15 to end a 13-year-drought. This was South Africa's second title, with the first one coming back in 2012. At the helm of the Junior Sprinboks' campaign was captain Norton, who represented South Africa at the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup last year. Norton played five matches in South Africa's run to the semifinals, where it lost to India. In that tournament, Norton scored 50 runs with the bat, while also picking 11 wickets with his right-arm medium pace. Despite his promising cricket career, Norton recently pivoted to focus more on rugby, a sport where he has excelled. Following in the footsteps of his father, Chris Norton, who played for Maties Rugby from 1991 to 2003, Riley joined Maties Rugby this year while pursuing a B. Com Investment Management degree at Stellenbosch University. His leadership prowess has been particularly evident in the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship. As captain of the Junior Springboks, Norton guided his team through dominant performances, securing victories against Australia (73-17), defending champion England (32-22), and Scotland (73-14) in the group stage. His team then triumphed over Argentina 48-24 in the semifinal, before beating the Baby Blacks in the summit clash. 'I'm quite emotional, but I'm just so proud,' Norton was quoted as saying by SA Rugby Magazine. '... We had to show up physically. That's our DNA. That's where we South Africans get our passion and our energy from. The set-phase, the maul, the scrum, the hits – the guys did that for 80 minutes and that's where we get our DNA from. Of course (Vusi) Moyo with his unbelievable boot always putting us on the front foot and kicking those penalties, it's just unbelievable. 'The amount of support we received from South Africa, videos from our mates, people sending us messages and just backing us was just unbelievable. I'm so proud to be South African and we couldn't have done it without our fans back at home cheering us on every step of the way,' he added. Norton's story is an inspiring testament to elite talent knowing no boundaries, and his future in South African sport looks incredibly bright. Related Topics ICC Under-19 World Cup
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
Rohit Sharma Snubbed As Brian Lara Names 'GOAT' Of World Cricket. India Star Makes Cut
West Indies batting great Brian Lara named his 'GOATS' (Greatest of all Time) in cricket, placing Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah among three more legends of the sport. The video for the same was posted on the X handle of the 'Stick to Cricket', a podcast Lara was recently a part of along with former England cricketers Phil Tuffnell, Alastair Cook, Michael Vaughan and David Lloyd. Speaking of GOATS, he placed Bumrah along with Australian pace legend Glenn McGrath, South African all-round great Jacques Kallis, and Australia's wicketkeeper-batter icon Adam Gilchrist. A T20 World Cup winner for India, Bumrah is one of the most skilful pacers produced by India, having taken 455 wickets in 206 matches at an average of 20.47, with best figures of 6/19. He has 17 five-wicket hauls to his name. Tests are his best format, with 217 wickets in 47 matches at an average of 19.48, with best figures of 6/27 and 15 five-wicket hauls. McGrath is the fifth-highest wicket-taker of all time in international cricket, with 949 scalps at an average of 21.76, best figures of 8/24, 36 five-wicket hauls and three ten-fers to his name. He is Australia's most successful Test pacer and second-highest wicket-taker in the format, with 563 wickets at an average of 21.64, with 29 five-wicket hauls and three ten-fers to his name. He is also the three-time 50-over World Cup winner in 1999, 2003 and 2007, holding the record for most wickets in tournament history with 71. With over 10,000 runs in both formats and over 500 international wickets, Kallis could make it to any side as a specialist batter or a pacer. In international cricket, he is the sixth-highest run-getter with 25,534 runs in 519 matches and 617 innings at an average of 49.10, with 62 centuries and 149 fifties to his name. He also has 577 international wickets at an average of 32.14, with best figures of 6/54 and seven fifers. He is a one-time ICC Champions Trophy winner for Australia. Gilchrist is one of those superstars who revolutionised the concept of wicketkeeper-batters, bringing in plenty of extra in terms of batting skill instead of being a specialist keeper who could just bat a bit. In 396 international matches and 429 innings, Gilchrist scored 15,461 runs at an average of 38.94, with 33 centuries and 81 fifties. His best score is 204*. While he has 9,619 runs and 16 centuries in 287 ODIs, his 5,570 runs in 96 Tests at an average of 47.60, strike rate of 81.95 with 17 centuries and 26 fifties in just 137 innings make for an incredible reading. Also, the three-time WC winner has 905 dismissals across all formats, the second-highest among all the wicketkeepers. Lara went on to place India's skipper Rohit Sharma, his ex-teammate Chris Gayle, Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, England's Kevin Pietersen and New Zealand's Kane Williamson in the 'legend' category. In 499 international matches, Rohit has scored 19,700 runs at an average of 42.18, with 49 centuries and 108 fifties. He has won two ICC T20 World Cups and ICC Champions Trophies each, with one each of these as a captain. Rohit is an ODI titan, with 11,168 runs in 273 matches and 265 innings at an average of 48.76, with 32 centuries and 58 fifties and has the most World Cup centuries (seven) in the tournament's history. He is also the highest run-getter in T20Is, with 4,231 runs in 159 matches and 151 innings at an average of 32.05, with five centuries and 32 fifties, the most centuries in the format. Gayle, having over 10,000 ODI runs, is WI's third-highest run-getter with 19,538 runs in 480 international matches including 42 centuries and 104 fifties. With his brute hitting and scoring rates, he revolutionised T20 cricket, becoming its first-ever superstar with over 14,562 runs (highest by any batter), 22 centuries and 1,056 sixes (highest by any batter) and has won two T20 WCs, one Champions Trophy among other T20 league titles as well. While Afridi does not have any international title to his name, he is one of the world's most feared pacers and already 12th-highest wicket-taker for Pakistan with 345 scalps in 174 matches at an average of 24.88 at the age of 25. Williamson, who led NZ to their first-ever world title, the ICC World Test Championship, is their most decorated batter, with 19,086 runs at an average of 48.56, with 48 centuries and 102 fifties. His most successful format is Tests, where he has made 9,276 runs in 105 matches at an average of 54.88, with 33 centuries and 37 fifties. He is this generation's 'Fab Four' batters alongside India's Virat Kohli, England's Joe Root and Australia's Steve Smith. A one-time T20 World Cup winner, Pietersen is England's third-most successful batter of all time, with 13,779 runs in 275 international matches at an average of 44.30, with 32 centuries and 67 fifties. Test cricket became his best format, with 8,181 runs at an average of 47.28, with 23 centuries and 35 fifties and best score of 227.
