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Klaasen's Fifth Consecutive Fifty Powers South Africa into Semi-Finals
Heinrich Klaasen continued his red-hot form, smashing 64 off 56 balls as South Africa cruised to a seven-wicket win over England
Heinrich Klaasen continued his red-hot form, smashing 64 off 56 balls as South Africa cruised to a seven-wicket win over England, securing a spot in the Champions Trophy semi-finals. It was his fifth consecutive ODI half-century, reinforcing his goal of becoming "the best in the world."
After missing the opening game due to an elbow injury, Klaasen looked in complete control, striking 11 fours while anchoring the chase of 180 in under 30 overs. Speaking to Sky Sports, he credited his success to keeping things simple: “I just trust my technique and stand still at the crease.”
Stand-in captain Aiden Markram praised Klaasen’s consistency, calling his form “ridiculous” and a huge boost for the team. With South Africa eyeing the trophy, Klaasen’s confidence and form couldn’t have come at a better time.
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International games
South Africa vs England
ENG 179 (38.2)
RSA 181/3 (29.1)
South Africa won by 7 wickets
CHAMPIONS TROPHY MATCH PREVIEW
India vs New Zealand
Stephen Fleming once admitted his envy of India's cricketing depth, but New Zealand’s 10-5 record in ICC events tells a different story. As the two teams face off in the 2025 Champions Trophy, the match will decide the Group A topper heading into the knockouts.
Former coach Mike Hesson says New Zealand’s success stems from clarity and cohesion. With less pressure on individual spots, their players focus on teamwork—something KL Rahul acknowledged as a challenge in India’s competitive setup.
India, however, will take confidence from their dominant 2023 World Cup semifinal win. While Rohit Sharma’s fitness and potential squad rotations remain talking points, India will likely field a strong XI—knowing that against New Zealand, nothing can be taken for granted.
“Cricket is a gentleman's game, and players should always uphold the spirit of the game."
Report: Shubman Gill may captain India in the Champions Trophy 2025, while injured Rohit Sharma could be rested against New Zealand.
Shubman Gill could make his ODI captaincy debut in India’s final group-stage match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday. According to The Indian Express, the team management is considering resting regular skipper Rohit Sharma for the inconsequential match. Rohit picked up a hamstring injury while chasing a ball early in Pakistan’s innings during India’s second Group A match on February 23. He appeared to struggle before leaving the field in the 26th over, with Gill stepping in as stand-in captain for a brief period. Although Rohit returned to the lead after a few overs, he didn’t look fully fit. Concerns over his fitness grew when he skipped India’s first training session in Dubai on Wednesday, two days after their win over Pakistan. Reports suggest Rohit was the only batter who didn’t train in the nets or take throwdowns. Instead, he spent time strategizing with head coach Gautam Gambhir. However, a brief sprint during the session offered a reassuring sign that his injury may not be serious enough to impact India’s campaign. Given the circumstances, India might opt to rest him for the New Zealand match to ensure he is fully fit for the knockouts.
Domestic cricket + T20 leagues
Vidarbha vs Kerala, Final
KER 342
VID 379 & 249/4 (90)
Day 4: Stumps: Vidarbha leads by 286 runs
Player Biography
Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist, born November 14, 1971, in Bellingen, Australia, is widely regarded as one of the greatest wicketkeeper-batsmen in cricket history. His aggressive batting and sharp glovework redefined the role, setting new standards for future generations.
After starting his domestic career with New South Wales before moving to Western Australia, Gilchrist quickly became a destructive batsman. He made his ODI debut in 1996 and his Test debut in 1999, replacing Ian Healy. In just his second Test, he played a match-winning knock of 149* against Pakistan, showcasing his fearless approach.
A key figure in Australia's dominance, Gilchrist won three consecutive World Cups (1999, 2003, 2007). His explosive 149 off 104 balls in the 2007 final remains one of the greatest World Cup innings. In 96 Test matches, he scored 5,570 runs at an average of 47.60, proving that wicketkeepers could be match-winning batsmen. He was equally impactful in ODIs, amassing over 9,000 runs at a blistering strike rate of 96. Behind the stumps, he was one of the safest hands in the game, finishing with 905 dismissals across formats.
Beyond statistics, Gilchrist was admired for his sportsmanship, famously walking off in the 2003 World Cup semi-final despite being given not out. His aggressive style paved the way for modern-day keeper-batsmen, and even after retiring in 2008, he continues to influence the game through commentary and mentorship.
On This Day
It was a historic day for 21-year-old Garry Sobers as he turned his maiden Test century into an unforgettable 365 not out at Sabina Park. With that knock, he surpassed Len Hutton’s long-standing record of 364, set in 1938, by just one run. Sobers' record stood unchallenged until 1994, when he was in Antigua to witness Brian Lara push it 10 runs higher.
Batting for 10 hours and 14 minutes, Sobers shared a mammoth 446-run partnership with Conrad Hunte, who contributed 260. By the end of day three, West Indies were cruising at 504 for 1. With Pakistan’s bowlers struggling—only two remained uninjured, bowling marathon spells of 85.2 and 54 overs—West Indies piled up a staggering 790 for 3, their highest-ever Test total and the fourth-highest in history. As expected, they went on to win the match by an innings, sealing a performance for the ages.
Coming tomorrow
New Zealand vs India
Up Warriorz Women vs Gujarat Giants Women