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"They've Seen What The Pitch...": Steve Smith Veers Into India's 'Venue Advantage' Row Ahead Of CT 2025 Semi-Final

Australia captain Steve Smith indicated a larger role for spinners on a dry pitch in Dubai, and said his side's fortunes in the Champions Trophy semifinal on Tuesday depend on how they negate the Indian slow bowlers. India employed four spinners against New Zealand in their final Group A match here on Sunday, and choked a capable Kiwis batting unit to register a 44-run win. "I think not just Chakravarthy, I think the rest of their spin has quality as well. So I think for us, the game is probably how we play their spin. Yeah, it's going to be a challenge,” Smith said on Monday, on the eve of the last-four match against India.

"Rohit Sharma Is Fat" Comment Row To Demoralise India in CT 2025? BCCI's 'Unfortunate' Response

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia on Monday slammed Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed for questioning India captain Rohit Sharma's captaincy credentials and fitness levels, saying it was very unfortunate for a responsible person to pass such a trivial comment in the middle of the national team's Champions Trophy campaign. India have reached the semifinals of the ICC event and play Australia in the semifinal in Dubai on Tuesday. They beat New Zealand on Sunday to top their group. "Very unfortunate for a responsible person to pass such a trivial comment when the team is in the midst of such a marquee ICC tournament. It may have demoralising effect on an individual or the team," Saikia told PTI.

"Pathetic, Uncalled For": Ex-India Star's Brutal Take On 'Rohit Sharma Fat-Shaming' Row

Former Indian cricket team fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad was extremely critical of Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed over her comments about Rohit Sharma. During India's Champions Trophy 2025 match against New Zealand, she took to social media to call Rohit 'fat'. “Rohit Sharma is fat for a sportsman! Need to lose weight! And of course the most unimpressive Captain India has ever had,” Shama wrote in a post which she deleted later. However, the comments from Shama Mohamed resulted in a massive backlash and Prasad went to call them "absolutely pathetic" and "uncalled for".

India brace for ‘nervy times’ against Australia in semifinal

DUBAI: Rohit Sharma warned his India team Monday to expect “fightbacks” and “nervy times” against Australia in the Champions Trophy last four in a rematch of the 2023 ODI World Cup final.

Al-Nassr endure frustrating time in Iran without Ronaldo

RIYADH: Al-Nassr were held to a goalless draw by Esteghlal in the first leg of their AFC Champions League round of 16 tie on Monday.

Barcelona routs 10-man Real Sociedad 4-0 to go top in Spain

MADRID: Barcelona cruised to a 4-0 rout over 10-man Real Sociedad to regain the lead in Spain on Sunday. Gerard Martín, Marc Casadó, Ronald Araujo and Robert Lewandowski scored a goal each to put Barcelona one point ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid at the top of the Spanish league. Barcelona is three points ahead of third-placed Real Madrid, which lost 2-1 at Real Betis on Saturday, when Atletico beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 at home. “Very happy with the match we played,” Araujo said.

Anil Kumble Hails Exceptional Varun Chakaravarthy After Champions Trophy 2025 Heroics, Says "Going By..."

Legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble has hailed an exceptional Varun Chakaravarthy for picking 5-42 in India's 44-run win over New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy, saying the wrist-spinner has won matches for the teams he played for in last 1.5 years and that his recent performance is very encouraging for the Rohit Sharma led-side. At the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, Chakaravarthy returned figures of 5-42, the combined best bowling figures in the ongoing tournament, in just his second ODI game to bamboozle New Zealand and ensure India end as Group A toppers.

Champions Trophy: India Smash Pakistan's All-Time Record With Spin Dominance Against New Zealand

Team India continued its unbeaten run in the ICC Champions Trophy, making it three wins out of three in the Group A to qualify for the semi-finals as group leaders. Despite putting a mediocre total of 249 runs on the board, India managed to beat the Kiwis to continue their rampant run. It has to be noted that 9 of the 10 wickets Indian bowlers took to bowl out the opponents for 205, came to spinners. In the process, India managed to break a long-standing Pakistan record in the Champions Trophy.

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New Zealand Sport News

"They've Seen What The Pitch...": Steve Smith Veers Into India's 'Venue Advantage' Row Ahead Of CT 2025 Semi-Final

"Rohit Sharma Is Fat" Comment Row To Demoralise India in CT 2025? BCCI's 'Unfortunate' Response

"Pathetic, Uncalled For": Ex-India Star's Brutal Take On 'Rohit Sharma Fat-Shaming' Row

India brace for ‘nervy times’ against Australia in semifinal

Al-Nassr endure frustrating time in Iran without Ronaldo

Barcelona routs 10-man Real Sociedad 4-0 to go top in Spain

Anil Kumble Hails Exceptional Varun Chakaravarthy After Champions Trophy 2025 Heroics, Says "Going By..."

Champions Trophy: India Smash Pakistan's All-Time Record With Spin Dominance Against New Zealand