India’s hockey team is looking to continue their winning streak and supremacy over arch-rivals Pakistan in their final round-robin match of the Asian Champions Trophy today. With a perfect record of four wins in four matches, India currently tops the points table, closely followed by Pakistan. The defending champions, who secured a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, have been in exceptional form throughout the tournament. They have convincingly defeated hosts China (3-0), Japan (5-1), and Malaysia (8-1), before registering a 3-1 victory against Korea in their last match.
Pakistan, under the guidance of legendary forward Tahir Zaman and captain Ammad Butt, has also shown resilience in the tournament. They drew 2-2 against both Malaysia and Korea before securing impressive victories over Japan (2-1) and China (5-1), propelling them to the second spot.
Meanwhile, the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan regarding bilateral cricket matches continues. Former Pakistan captain Moin Khan has expressed concerns about India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. Khan urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to take a firm stance if India continues to refuse, highlighting the frustration within the cricketing community over the lack of bilateral matches between the two nations. He emphasized the need for Indian cricketing legends to intervene and convince the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to separate sports from politics.
In other cricket news, former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batsman Subramaniam Badrinath has revealed a rare instance where MS Dhoni lost his cool during a match. In an interview, Badrinath shared details about a low-scoring game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the early years of the Indian Premier League (IPL), where CSK, despite chasing a low target of 110 runs, faced a surprising defeat. Dhoni, known for his calm and composed demeanor, reportedly displayed visible frustration after this unexpected loss.
In the T20 series between England and Australia, Liam Livingstone’s impressive 87 runs off 47 balls led England to a thrilling three-wicket victory against Australia at Sophia Gardens on Friday. This win leveled the series at 1-1, setting the stage for a decisive final match in Manchester on Sunday. Australia had set a challenging target of 194 runs, but Livingstone’s second T20 half-century in his 50th match for England ensured a successful chase. He received crucial support from Jacob Bethell, who contributed 44 runs off 24 balls, forming a vital partnership of 90 runs with Livingstone after England faced early setbacks.
Turning our attention to the Indian cricket team, preparations for the two-Test series against Bangladesh are underway. Batting superstar Virat Kohli spent a considerable time in the nets, while pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah bowled at full tilt during a closed-door training session at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The Indian team, including captain Rohit Sharma and Kohli, assembled for the session, marking the first home assignment for new head coach Gautam Gambhir. South African great Morne Morkel, the new bowling coach, and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar were also present. The first Test is scheduled to begin in Chennai on September 19.
