Bumrah magic brings opening-day honours for India
Jasprit Bumrah emulated legendary fast bowler Dale Steyn with a superb spell on the opening day of the first Test at Eden Gardens against South Africa. Bumrah tore apart the South African batting line-up with his 16th Test five-wicket haul, bundling them out for 159 after captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bat first. Bumrah recorded a figure of 5 for 27 in 14 overs and became the first bowler to claim a five-wicket haul on the opening day of a Test in India since Dale Steyn achieved the feat in Ahmedabad in 2008. It was also Bumrah’s 18th five-wicket haul across formats for India, as he surpassed Ravindra Jadeja to occupy fourth place on the list. South Africa, however, badly missed Kagiso Rabada, who was out of the pitch due to rib injury. Despite his absence, Jansen was penetrative, putting Jaiswal in trouble. Still, he failed to find the length with which he could have threatened the stumps. He still got the wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal on the cut. KL Rahul and Washington had to be watchful with little to gain, really. In the brief period of spin possible, Maharaj came close to bowling Rahul, and Harmer showed he was a much-improved bowler from the one who toured India in 2015-16. However, India were 37 for the loss of Yashsvi Jaiswal after bad light stopped the game before its scheduled time.
Lucknow Super Giants drops a big hint at roping in Shami ahead of the mini auction for the IPL this season
Mohammed Shami might be a victim of getting the India jersey. But his chances of playing in the IPL 2026 look bright as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) drops a big hint of roping in the former India fast bowler from Sunrisers Hyderabad this season. LSG shared a fascinating post on their social media, hinting that they have completed one of the biggest trades ahead of the IPL 2026 mini auction. The franchise’s post aims at roping in former India fast bowler Mohammed Shami from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). However, the 35-year-old fast bowler, despite being bought at Rs 10 crore, did not have a memorable outing with SRH in the last IPL as, playing nine of 14 matches in the League, the Bengal fast bowler was able to scalp only six wickets. He also conceded 75 runs in a wicketless match against Punjab Kings, which turned out the second most expensive in IPL history. It is believed that Shami’s joining LSG is likely to be an all-cash deal, with LSG paying SRH INR 10 crore, the price Shami was bought for at the IPL 2025 mega auction. Shami has not regained his spot in the India team since he played the Champions Trophy final in March. While he has been playing for Bengal in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, Shami admitted he was going through a “difficult phase” after he was not picked for the home Test series against West Indies in October and the ongoing two-Test series against South Africa. He was not considered for the five-Test tour of England this summer, immediately after he had a poor IPL season.
Zaragoza out; Renedy in as head coach of Bengaluru FC
Bengaluru FC has parted ways with head coach Gerard Zaragoza by mutual agreement, with assistant coach Sebastian Vega and strength and conditioning coach Ioannis Gkiokas also leaving the club. The Blues thanked Zaragoza and his staff for their contributions and wished them well in their next pursuits. Assistant coach Renedy Singh has been appointed interim head coach and will take charge of the first team immediately. This change coincides with wider uncertainty in Indian football, as the Indian Super League’s recent tender process closed without a single bid. Under Zaragoza, who was appointed in December 2023, the club finished fourth in the ISL 2024–25 league phase with 38 points from 24 matches, delivering 11 wins, 5 draws, and 8 losses while scoring 40 goals and conceding 31. Zaragoza led Bengaluru to the ISL Cup final and finished with a 43.48% win rate from 46 matches (20 wins, 8 draws, 18 defeats).
KKR appoints Tim Southee as bowling coach
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) announced the appointment of former New Zealand pacer Tim Southee as the bowling coach for IPL 2026 on Friday. “Southee’s huge international experience, deep tactical understanding, and prior association with the franchise add an additional strength to KKR’s coaching staff,” the franchise said in a statement. One of the most accomplished fast bowlers of his generation, Tim Southee has been a cornerstone of New Zealand cricket for over 15 years. Having represented his country in 107 Test matches, 161 ODIs, and 126 T-20 Internationals, Southee has claimed 776 international wickets. Renowned for his swing, accuracy, and leadership, he captained New Zealand in multiple formats and played pivotal roles in their 2019 ICC World Cup campaign and the 2021 ICC World Test Championship victory. Southee is no stranger to the KKR family, having been part of the KKR squad (2021, 2022, and 2023) in the IPL during his playing career. He announced his retirement from international cricket in 2025. Southee also expressed his excitement about returning to the franchise, saying: “KKR has always felt like home to me, and it’s an honour to return in this new role. The franchise has an incredible culture, passionate fans, and a great group of players. I look forward to working closely with the bowlers and helping the team achieve success in IPL 2026.”
The majority of State Associations reject the ‘representation clause’; AIFF is likely to call for ‘votes’ for adoption!
The All India Football Federation’s state units have refused to accept the contentious ‘representation clause’ that was up for adoption under the Supreme Court’s directive. The apex issued a clarification on the matter on 15th October, giving AIFF three weeks to adopt it. Once approved by the majority of the members, it would have been placed before AIFF’s annual general meeting, tentatively scheduled before December 22, for ratification. But according to reports revealed by News9 Sports, the plan now is going to be decided by votes in the Special General Meeting (SGM), as around 20 state associations out of 33 have officially informed their decision to reject the clause that prevents them from representing their respective states if they are elected into AIFF’s executive committee. Article 25.3 (c) states: “In the event a person is elected as an Office-Bearer in the Executive Committee of the AIFF and holds a position of an Office-Bearer in a Member Association, he/she shall automatically be deemed to have vacated his/her position in the Member Association. “(d) Similarly, in the event that a person is elected as an Office-Bearer in a Member Association and holds a position of an Office-Bearer in the Executive Committee of the AIFF, he/she shall automatically be deemed to have vacated his/her position in the Member Association.” However, on Thursday, AIFF was compelled to convene another special general meeting on 24th November at its Football House headquarters in New Delhi for voting on the adoption of the articles and to seek approval for the AIFF president, Kalyan Chaubey, to sign the final version of the constitution. However, the AIFF president was also directed to file an affidavit confirming its adoption once the current Chaubey-led dispensation’s term ends in September 2026. Its adoption would have meant that at least 13 of the present 22-member executive committee would have had to resign from either their respective states or the Ex Co. “There will be no coordination between states and AIFF if the article is adopted. On Oct 12, SGM members had suggested AIFF file a review petition of clause 25.3,” a state official commented on condition of anonymity. Hence, it was not adopted. AIFF should now file a fresh request for review at the Supreme Court for the greater interest of sports.
