Even a day after the breath-taking 97-run knock off 29 balls from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Eliminator against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in New Chandigarh, the world is yet to settle, as Sunil Gavaskar has backed the 15-year-old to make his India debut in England.  

Sooryavanshi is currently the leading run-getter of the IPL 2026 before the second qualifier of the event. He has smashed 680 runs in 15 innings at an average of 45.33 and a strike rate of 242.85 with four fifties and one century at the best score of 103 runs. 

What Sunil Gavaskar said about Sooryavanshi's 97 off 29 that left everyone stunned

The firmer Indian captain, Sunil Gavaskar, felt everyone, except the Sunrisers Hyderabad management, players, and their fans, was disappointed with Sooryavanshi missing the fastest IPL century record, overtaking Chris Gayle in New Chandigarh.

Watch Sunil Gavaskar praising Vaibhav Sooryavanshi here- 

Legend Sunil Gavaskar says Vaibhav Suryavanshi is not a slogger:

"What we saw last night was something very very extraordinarily special, when you talk about someone's ability to hit six, the picture comes to your mind is of a slogger but this kid is not a slogger, this kid… pic.twitter.com/MYSklZxOEt

— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) May 28, 2026

“What we saw last night was something very extraordinary. When you talk about someone's ability to hit six, the picture that comes to your mind is of a slogger, but this kid is not a slogger; this kid plays with a straight bat long-off over the bowler's head, at long-on hits such technically perfect sixes.” Gavaskar said on SportsTak.

“And, when the bowler bowls short balls, the way he comes inside the line & plays hooks & pulls, he hits very clean sixes. Last night, not just me but everyone except SRH players were sad when he missed his fastest 100.” The former Indian opener revealed about the Rajasthan Royals (RR) star. 

Gavaskar's verdict: Why Sooryavanshi must be in India's T20I squad for England right now

The veteran felt that the 15-year-old had been prepared to feature for the national side in the shortest format and should be in the squad for their upcoming series against Ireland and England after the end of the IPL 2026.

“He is absolutely ready for T20Is.  hope that when India’s T20I squad for the England tour is selected, he gets a place in the team. He absolutely deserves it because after such a tremendous performance, if you won’t pick him now, then when will you?” Gavaskar addressed.

See Also: All 12 sixes by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in RR vs SRH IPL 2026 Eliminator — Full highlights | Watch

“Don’t look at his age. Don’t look at his age at all, because the way he is hitting boundaries against players who are 15 years older than him — players who have far more international cricket experience — and sending them into the stands, his age simply shouldn’t matter.” The former opener concluded.

97 off 29 was just a warning — Why Sooryavanshi is RR's X-factor in Qualifier 2 vs Gujarat Titans

Against Hyderabad, Sooryavanshi was the X-factor with the bat for the Royals as he blasted the game and took it away from Hyderabad in the first half-hour. The RR fans and the management will hope for another festive evening from him in the qualifier.

See Also: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's hat-trick sixes off Pat Cummins in RR vs SRH IPL 2026 Eliminator — Watch

In the same venue, the India batter will be up against the formidable bowling of the Gujarat Titans side, including Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj, apart from Rashid Khan in the spin department. The winner between RR and GT will progress into the final of the IPL 2026 to face the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Rajasthan Royals produced a dominant performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 Eliminator, securing a massive 47-run victory. The match was expected to be a close contest because of the strong batting line-ups of both teams, but Rajasthan completely controlled the game thanks to a sensational innings from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

The young opener stole the spotlight with a breathtaking knock of 97 runs off just 29 balls. Before the match, SRH captain Pat Cummins had said that his team had plans A, B, and C ready for the teenager. However, once the game began, none of those plans worked as Sooryavanshi attacked the Hyderabad bowlers from the very beginning and dominated the contest with fearless strokeplay.

Apart from his explosive batting, Sooryavanshi also went viral on social media for a heartwarming moment after the match. A video showed the 15-year-old touching the feet of former Indian cricketers and commentators Sunil Gavaskar and Sanjay Bangar. Fans praised the youngster for his humility, respect for seniors, and grounded nature despite his growing fame. Watch the special video here.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi rushed to touch the feet of Sunil Gavaskar and Sanjay Bangar, who were doing the pre-match show 😂 Dhoni ,Live TV#SRHvsRR #JioOTTPass pic.twitter.com/a9wNes4AZ9

— Rolex x👑 (@Tfg85743663) May 27, 2026

Gavaskar and Bangar never saw it coming — and that's exactly what made it perfect

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once again won hearts with his humility ahead of the IPL 2026 Eliminator between the Rajasthan Royals and the Sunrisers Hyderabad. The young batter has often been seen showing respect to his elders, and another touching moment involving him recently went viral on social media.

The viral video shows Sooryavanshi practising on the field before the big match while also enjoying a game of football with his Rajasthan Royals teammates. At the same time, former Indian cricketers and commentators Sunil Gavaskar and Sanjay Bangar were present near the ground for the pre-match show coverage.

See also -IPL 2026: “Nobody else…”- Sunil Gavaskar requests BCCI to take action on fresh concern

As soon as Sooryavanshi noticed the two respected cricket personalities, the 15-year-old immediately walked towards them and touched their feet one after the other as a mark of respect. The heartfelt gesture surprised Gavaskar and Bangar and quickly earned praise from fans, who admired the youngster’s grounded nature and humility despite his rising fame.

Suryavanshi tried touching Jatin Sapru’s feet too — but the commentator hilariously tried to escape

Apart from respectfully touching the feet of Sunil Gavaskar and Sanjay Bangar, Sooryavanshi also shared a funny and heartwarming moment with sports presenter Jatin Sapru on the field.

After greeting the former Indian cricketers, the 15-year-old walked towards Jatin Sapru to touch his feet as well. However, the commentator quickly stepped back after realising what Sooryavanshi was about to do, creating a light-hearted moment during the practice session.

See also -"Bat swing is outstanding" — Sachin Tendulkar can't stop praising Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after his blistering 97 in IPL 2026 Eliminator

Despite Sapru trying to avoid the gesture playfully, Sooryavanshi followed him and finally touched his feet before returning to practice. The wholesome interaction quickly went viral on social media, with fans praising the Rajasthan Royals youngster for his humility, simplicity, and respect towards his elders.

97 off 29 balls and 12 sixes — Suryavanshi broke Gayle's record and made IPL Eliminator history at just 15

The T20s were designed to be short and exciting, making it easy for the fans to stay in the stadium and enjoy the ground. But these days, the games have become quite long, nearly four hours or even more, creating issues for the parents to take their son or daughter back to the ground. 

In the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, the game between the Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the iconic Wankhede Stadium went over the four-hour mark and didn’t seem to be ending any time soon due to several injuries. 

Sunil Gavaskar urges BCCI to take action on new concern

The former Indian captain, Sunil Gavaskar, has lashed out at the delays in play during the ongoing IPL, with multiple games getting well over the scheduled time. 

“Often, one sees the unnecessary sight of reserve players stepping onto the ground to give a bottle of water to a fielder near the boundary. That should not be allowed, as it effectively means more than 11 players on the field while play is on, even if it is between deliveries.” Gavaskar wrote in his column on Mid-Day.

See Also: Delhi Capitals troll themselves with epic meme after bundling out for 75 in IPL 2026 vs RCB

“During strategic time-outs, too, one often sees half a dozen people on the field, including batters who are yet to come in. That is taking liberties too far. Apart from two reserve players carrying drinks and two members of the coaching staff, nobody else should be allowed on the ground.” He revealed.

The Mumbai-born suggested a few changes that could be made to reduce the delays after a wicket falls. He criticized the players for taking frequent breaks in between overs.

“Since all batters are already in the dugout, the allowance of two minutes can be reduced to one minute. If a batter is still not ready to face the bowler, then after a couple of warnings, penalty runs should be imposed." Gavaskar concluded in his column. 

PBKS and RCB showed clinical performance in IPL 2026

Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are at the top of the points table. The Shreyas Iyer-led side is in first position with six victories in seven encounters, having not lost a single clash, at the net run rate of +1.333. Bengaluru, on the other hand, is at two with six wins in eight clashes. 

Lucknow Super Giants are at the bottom of the table with just two victories in eight games. The Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Titans, and the Delhi Capitals are stuck in the middle muddle of the table.

IPL seasons are remembered for much more than just two months of cricket. They are a complete entertainment spectacle, where the action on the field is matched by the excitement created off it. Commentary plays a key role in this, adding depth, emotion, and energy to every moment of the game.

As IPL 2026 approaches, the Indian Premier League is set to deliver yet another thrilling season, beginning on March 28. Broadcasters are leaving no stone unturned to enhance the viewing experience. Along with high-intensity matches, fans can look forward to top-quality analysis, as Star Sports has announced a strong and diverse panel of commentators for the upcoming edition.

The IPL has always stood out for combining exciting cricket with engaging and insightful commentary. Continuing this tradition, Star Sports has brought together a balanced mix of legendary cricketers, experienced broadcasters, and fresh voices, ensuring a rich and enjoyable experience for viewers throughout IPL 2026.

Also read -Ravichandran Ashwin joins Hindi commentary panel for IPL 2026

Full list of English commentators revealed ahead of IPL 2026

Well-known names like Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri will lead the commentary panel, bringing many years of experience and useful insights. Adding more excitement, T20 stars like AB de Villiers and Suresh Raina will also be part of the panel, offering fresh ideas and modern views of the game.

With ten teams playing over 70 matches, including the opening game between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad, the commentators will play an important role in making the matches more exciting for fans around the world.

Here is the complete list of English commentators:

AB de Villiers, Aaron Finch, Dale Steyn, Faf du Plessis, Eoin Morgan, Kevin Pietersen, Michael Clarke, Sunil Gavaskar, M Kartik, Ian Bishop, Simon Doull, Danny Morrison, Darren Ganga, Knick Knight, Graeme Swann, Alan Wilkins, Mpumelelo Mbangwa, Anjum Chopra, WV Raman, Raunak Kapoor, Mitchell McClenaghan, Katey Martin, Simon Katich, Harsha Bhogle, and Ravi Shastri.

The Hindi commentary team features a mix of former players and experts like Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, and Navjot Singh Sidhu, bringing energy and strong insights.  Hindi digital watch-along will include Ravichandran Ashwin, Suresh Raina, Virender Sehwag, and others, sharing match insights and player experiences. The Tamil feed will feature Russel Arnold and RJ Balaji, along with names like Manvinder Bisla and S Badrinath, adding regional flavor.

Complete list of Hindi commentators:

Ravichandran Ashwin, Virender Sehwag, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Anil Kumble, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Sanjay Bangar, Piyush Chawla, Mohammad Kaif, Ajay Jadeja, Umesh Yadav, Cheteshwar Pujara, Aakash Chopra, Saba Karim, Padamjeet Sehrawat, Anant Tyagi, and Deep Dasgupta

160+ voices. 12 languages. 1 epic STARCAST! 🎙️

Voices that will bring TATA IPL 2026’s Bindaas energy to your screens! 😍#TATAIPL 2026 👉 Starts SAT, 28th MAR, 5:30 PM pic.twitter.com/YOCQS1Qwcy

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 27, 2026

Complete list of Tamil, Bengali and other commentators:

Tamil: RJ Balaji, Muthuraman, Vishnu Hariharan, Ashwath Bobo, KV Satyanarayan, Subramaniam Badrinath, Yo Mahesh, Sadagopan Ramesh, Thirush Kamini, Baba Aparajith, Baba Indrajith, R Sridhar, Russel Arnold, and Abhinav Mukund

Telugu: MSK Prasad, Hanuma Vihari, NC Kaushik, T Suman, Kalyan Krishna, Ashish Reddy, Akshath Reddy, Ravi Teja, and Kalyan Kollarappu

Kannada: Vinay Kumar, Vijay Bharadwaj, Srinivas Murthy, Kiran Srinivasa, Sumesh Goni, Shashank Suresh, Bharat Chipli, K Gowtham, Pavan Deshpande, GK Anil, B Akhil, J Suchith, and Veda Krishnamurthy

Bhojpuri: Sumit Mishra, Saurabh Singh, Shivam Singh, Gulam Hussain, Satya Prakash, Abhay Kumar, and Jwala Singh

Punjabi: Sarandeep Singh, Chetan Sharma, Rahul Sharma, VRV Singh, Reetinder Singh Sodhi, Mandeep Singh, Gurjit Singh, and Sunil Taneja

Haryanvi: Manvinder Bisla, Anil Chaudhary, Sonu Sharma, Ajit R, Ashish Hooda, Sumit Narwal, Vishwaas, and Ravin Kundu

Marathi: Dhawal Kulkarni, Kiran More, Salil Ankola, Aditya Tare, Prasad Kshirsagar, Praveen Tambe, Prasanna Sant, Chaitanya Sant, and Ganesh Joshi

Gujarati: Sheldon Jackson, Nayan Mongia, Atul Bedade, Rakesh Patel, Bhargav Bhatt, Aseem Parikh, Akash Trivedi, and Manpreet Juneja

Malayalam: Sachin Baby, Vishnu Hariharan, VA Jagadeesh, CM Deepak, Rohan Prem, Sony Cheravatur, Raiphi Gomez, Manu Krishnan, MD Nideesh, and Aju John Thomas

Bengali: Shreevats Goswami, Jhulan Goswami, Saradindu Mukherjee, RJ Varun, Sanjeeb Mukherjea, Subhomoy Das, Shiladitya Chatterjee, Anustup Majumdar, Raja Venkatraman, and Gautam Bhattacharya

IPL 2026 to begin from March 28 as new season kicks off

The Indian Premier League 2026 season is set to commence on March 28, bringing back the excitement of one of the world’s most popular cricket leagues. Fans can look forward to high-intensity matches, top international and domestic players, and competitive performances as teams battle for the title. With well-balanced squads and fresh strategies, the new season promises engaging action from the outset.

However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has decided to cancel the opening ceremony this year. The decision has been taken as a mark of respect for the 11 lives lost in a tragic stampede incident in Bengaluru last year, which occurred a day after Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured the IPL 2025 title.

As per the official schedule, the tournament will proceed as planned, with the opening match to be played between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 28. The season will conclude on May 31, with the final scheduled to take place in Bengaluru.

Indian Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar became emotional when asked to honor Nari Contractor with a lifetime achievement award. In a rare sighting, Gavaskar was in tears as he idealized Contractor as his childhood hero.

Gavaskar explained how important Nari Contractor has been to him throughout the journey in the sports sector. The 76-year-old recalled a moment when he used to be an aspirant, listening to a commentary when Contractor was batting against England.

Sunil Gavaskar recalls Nari Contractor’s inspiring comeback

Recalling the spectrum from the early days, Gavaskar mentioned that, in that match, Nari Contractor batted with a broken rib for another two to three hours. The moment, the commentary, and the heart-out batting of Nari Contractor became a turning point in his career forever.

Read More: CSK arranges exclusive fans-players meetup before IPL 2026: Full details

“I mean, for me, it is an incredible honor to be able to, I'm getting emotional here, to be able to present this award, the Lifetime Achievement Award to Nari Contractor. We learned so much from him. Firstly, as an opening bat, you need courage”, Sunil Gavaskar said from the stage.

Why Nari Contractor remains a legendary figure in Indian cricket

“I remember listening to the commentary, 1959 of the Lord's Test Match, and very early in his innings, he got hit in the chest by a ball from Brian Statham that got up, broke a rib, and he carried on. He carried on, batted for another two to three hours, and finally got out at 81. But for somebody who was just looking at playing a little bit of gully cricket, street cricket, it was an inspiration”, he further added.

From the knock of Nari Contractor, who is now 92, Gavaskar came to learn that without pain, he would not become a proper batter. Even a blow on the head could not stop the legend, Gavaskar recalled.

“It was that if you want to be a batter, you've got to be prepared to take the pain. And if you've got to be a batter for your country, you should be able to put your life on the line. I mean, that was it. So, when he got hit on the head, after that, he also made a comeback. He made a comeback to the, to first class cricket and got hundreds. But clearly at that stage, there were no helmets”, Sunil Gavaskar mentioned.

It was an emotional moment for the cricket fans as well. Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan was there among the attendees. The camera captured some numb eyes of some of the fans as well. 

"Nari Contractor - He was hit on the head by Charlie Griffith", one of the comments in the social media post reads. "One legend talks about legendary heroics of another legend... So inspiring, humble, and kind of cute", another cricket fan wrote in the comment section. 

Watch the video here;

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 Fans react to the emotional moment

We can resonate with this. We belong to a generation where we get emotional for our heroes. We don't abuse other players. Cricket meant so much for us..

— Vinayak Dubey 🇮🇳 (@vinayvaani) March 14, 2026

One of the best cricketers of all time and great analyst too. Calls a spade a spade without any fear.

— Sameer Singh (@Imsamtheone) March 14, 2026

The T20 World Cup 2026 final will feature India facing New Zealand on Sunday, March 8, at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Both teams have prepared rigorously for this match, and neither should be underestimated. However, debate surrounds India's playing XI for the final, as Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy's underwhelming performances have sparked concern. Consequently, many experts advocate dropping both, while others continue to support them.

Sunil Gavaskar has also given important suggestions regarding India's playing XI for the final match. Gavaskar wants Abhishek Sharma, an out-of-form opener, to be dropped and Rinku Singh to be played in the title match against New Zealand.

See Also: Watch: MS Dhoni arrives in Ahmedabad ahead of IND vs NZ T20 World Cup 2026 Final

Abhishek's performance in the T20 World Cup 2026 has been quite disappointing, as he has scored only 89 runs in seven innings so far, including three ducks. Abhishek is facing significant difficulties against off-spinners.

"It's a very tough call. Abhishek Sharma is the No. 1 batter in the ICC T20 rankings, but he hasn't learned from his dismissals. He keeps getting out in the same region where his arms are cramped for room. Bowlers are targeting that area and forcing mistakes. My concern is that he either hasn't adjusted yet or is unable to change his approach." On the eve of the IND vs NZ final, Sunil Gavaskar said on India Today.

Sunil Gavaskar wants India to include Rinku Singh

Considering Abhishek's poor form, the former Indian opener has urged Team India to include Rinku Singh in the playing XI. He said,

"I would like to see Ishan Kishan open the batting with Sanju Samson, with Rinku Singh coming into the side. Rinku has that belief—you've probably seen the 'God's Plan' tattoo on his body—and sometimes things just work out for players like him."

If Abhishek Sharma is replaced by Rinku Singh, India will have to open with Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. Rinku will be seen playing as a finisher. However, he hasn't done much in the current tournament either and has scored 24 runs in five innings with an average of eight and a strike rate of 82.75.

Sunil Gavaskar has also suggested dropping spinner Varun Chakravarthy, as his confidence appears to be low. Gavaskar wants Kuldeep Yadav to play in the final. Whether India takes the risk of making two major changes in the final remains to be seen.

Thursday (February 26) was a good day for India in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. South Africa defeated the West Indies by nine wickets, alleviating concerns about India's net run rate. India then defeated Zimbabwe by 72 runs to maintain its position in the semi-final race. Now, India will have to defeat the West Indies to secure a place in the semi-finals. The match between these two teams is scheduled for March 1 at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata.

While all Indian fans and former cricketers are hopeful that Team India will once again win the T20 World Cup, Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has a different opinion. Gavaskar doesn't point to India, but rather to two other teams that have already qualified for the semifinals.

See Also: Watch: Heartbreaking news!! Star India player's father passes away during T20 World Cup 2026

Sunil Gavaskar has described South Africa, which has qualified for the semi-finals from Group X, and England, which has secured a place in the final four from Group Y, as strong title contenders. Under Aiden Markram’s captaincy, the Proteas remain unbeaten in the tournament, having defeated India by 76 runs and the West Indies by 9 wickets in the Super 8. England, after losing one group stage match, rebounded with a 51-run win over Sri Lanka and a 2-wicket victory against Pakistan in the Super 8.

Sunil Gavaskar picks England and South Africa as favourites

During a discussion on India Today, Sunil Gavaskar picked England and South Africa as the two favorites to win the T20 World Cup. Gavaskar also said that England may have lost some wickets quickly in the middle against Pakistan, but that it's not a cause for concern.

The Indian legend praised the English team, saying:

"For me, the two favorites are South Africa and England. England might have had a close victory, but that again is down to the modern tendency to try and finish the game off with a six. Otherwise, the England win would have been a very, very easy win against Pakistan."

"England, because they've got the bowlers who can bowl spin as well as quick. They've got a very good bowling attack and the batting also, they've got a fair bit of depth over there. So I think England and South Africa are the two teams to watch out for," he added.

England and South Africa still have one match each remaining in the Super 8 round of the T20 World Cup 2026. England will face New Zealand on 27 February, while South Africa will take on Zimbabwe on 1 March.

Shivaji Park will appear as a fully playable ground in LightFury Games’ new title, eCricket. The ground is known as the “Cradle of Indian Cricket” and has produced great players like Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar. Now, fans will be able to play at this famous venue in a realistic digital version.

The game is being made with Unreal Engine 5 to give better graphics and a real match feel. The makers are recreating special parts of Shivaji Park, such as the stone benches (katta), the Samarth Vyayam Mandir, and the dusty ground, to make it look real.

As per a report by Insidesport, the game is likely to release in 2026. It will have more than 600 licensed international players and aims to give fans a very real cricket gaming experience.

Also read -Watch: Shivam Dube bowls no-ball way outside the pitch vs Zimbabwe in T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash

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MS Dhoni Hails eCricket Game

MS Dhoni shared his excitement after LightFury Games added Shivaji Park as a fully playable ground in their upcoming game, eCricket. Posting on social media, Dhoni said, “They added Shivaji Park to the map… and suddenly it feels personal. Because every ground dreams of witnessing a Dhoni moment. Great work ecricketgame, excited to play on the new ground.”

A New Era for Gaming

eCricket is set to release later in 2026. The game is designed as a mobile-first AAA title and aims to change the sports gaming world. With more than 600 licensed international players and famous grounds like Shivaji Park, the game promises a very real and exciting cricket experience for fans.

The former Indian opening batter, Sunil Gavaskar, has suggested the home management should make one change of bringing back Axar Patel in place of Washington Sundar in the playing eleven for the second Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. 

Sundar bowled only two overs in the first innings and couldn’t contribute with the bat in the middle order. It was addressed as a tactical change by captain Suryakumar Yadav to drop the home boy Axar, who was excellent with the bat against this same side in the T20 WC 2024 final.

See Also: Watch: ‘People felt bad…’- Mohammad Amir clarifies ‘slogger’ remark on Abhishek Sharma with advice in T20 World Cup 2026

“I would look at bringing Axar Patel back into the playing XI, keeping in mind the lack of too many left-handed batters in Zimbabwe’s line-up. You could possibly bring him in place of Arshdeep Singh. But Arshdeep bowled so well against South Africa and you wouldn’t want to change somebody who looked in such good rhythm. So, maybe they might not make a change and go with the same team.” Gavaskar expressed on Star Sports.

Sunil Gavaskar blames Tilak Varma’s approach in IND vs SA T20 WC 2026

Gavaskar felt that Tilak should have shown a measured approach with the bat rather than a fiery batting. Varma used his feet and ended up getting an edge to wicket-keeper batter, which was another big blow to the unit.

“But I feel Washington Sundar will be the one to miss out. He is not being used properly. Against South Africa, he bowled just two overs and did nothing with the bat. Against Netherlands, he bowled four overs but took no wickets. I think the time has run out for Washington Sundar. Axar Patel will surely replace him.” The former Indian opener added.

“Tilak Varma has been a very street-smart batter. But I was disappointed with his approach in this game. Ishan Kishan lost his wicket in the first over. The required rate was around 9.5 runs per over, not 15. So, Tilak could have given himself more time. At the other end, Abhishek Sharma had back-to-back ducks. So, the responsibility was on Tilak to stick around.” Gavaskar concluded.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai was one of the special guests at the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Super Eights match between India and South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday evening.

Pichai, who leads Google and its parent company Alphabet Inc., sat in the stands with ICC Chair Jay Shah during the big match. This game was a rematch of the 2024 T20 World Cup final. Before the match started, Pichai carried the T20 World Cup trophy onto the field with former India captain Sunil Gavaskar.

During the mid-innings break, Pichai spoke with former India head coach Ravi Shastri. He talked about his love for cricket and his childhood hero, Gavaskar. Pichai said, “When I was growing up, Sunny (Sunil Gavaskar) was a big idol for me. We used to have the Sportstar poster on my walls. So, I have followed the sport from a young age.”

Watch the video here:

Sundar Pichai 🤝 Sportstar

"When I was growing up, Sunny (Sunil Gavaskar) was a big idol for me. We used to have the Sportstar poster on my walls. So, I have followed the sport from a young age," said Google CEO Pichai, in a conversation with Ravi Shastri during the mid-innings… pic.twitter.com/kbt5ZRlDcZ

— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) February 22, 2026

Pichai Shares His Love for Cricket

“I used to listen to the commentary on the radio for the games in the West Indies with my granddad and granduncle. I have always been into the game,” he added.

Other important guests at the India–South Africa match included ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta, former India captain MS Dhoni and his wife Sakshi Dhoni, and Bollywood director Farah Khan. The official attendance for the match was 90,954.

In a post on X, ICC Chair Jay Shah welcomed Sundar Pichai to the game. He said it was a pleasure for the ICC to host the CEO of Google and Alphabet Inc. at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match at the Narendra Modi Stadium. He also said that the partnership with Google India is helping to grow the sport and bring fans closer to the game.

Also read -Watch: Faf du Plessis sings CSK anthem during IND vs SA T20 World Cup 2026 super 8 match

ICC and Google Partnership

The International Cricket Council has partnered with Google for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Google Gemini is the Official AI Fan Companion, and Google Pixel is the Official Smartphone of the tournament. According to the ICC, Gemini will help fans enjoy and understand the game in new ways. Google Pixel will capture special moments from inside the stadium.

South Africa Beat India by 76 Runs in the Super 8 Match

Defending champion India suffered its first loss of the tournament on February 22, 2026. South Africa won the Super Eight Group 1 match by 76 runs. South Africa scored 187 for 7 in 20 overs. In reply, India were all out for 111 in 18.5 overs.

India lost two early wickets during the chase. Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma played quick shots against Aiden Markram and Marco Jansen and got out early. This early setback made the chase difficult for the team.