Will India consider dropping Abhishek Sharma? South Africa is ready to trap India with their off-spin. And are the West Indies and the Proteas certain to beat India? PCB is in for a big payday. And the India vs Pakistan match smashes viewership records.
Morkel on Abhishek Sharma
India’s assistant coach, Morne Morkel, has virtually confirmed that Abhishek Sharma won’t be dropped against South Africa. The former South African fast bowler stated that the management expects Abhishek to deliver after his 3 consecutive ducks. Morkel also didn’t rule out Washington Sundar for the Super 8 match.
South Africa’s spin web for India
India’s batting lineup is stacked with left-handers, and they’ve struggled against off-spinners in the T20 World Cup. Knowing this, South Africa is getting part-timers Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs ready for their match on February 22. Markram has bowled just 2 overs in 4 last matches, while Stubbs hasn’t bowled in T20Is since November 2024.
Record-breaking IND vs PAK match
The India vs Pakistan match on February 15 has broken every digital viewership record in cricket. The game registered a digital reach of 16.30 crore, the highest for any ICC T20 tournament. The previous record belonged to the India vs South Africa final in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Latest on Cricket
- Injury scare for Team India before Super 8 tie against South Africa as Siraj gets hit in nets
![T20 World Cup 2026, Super 8 Group 1: India's record against South Africa, West Indies & Zimbabwe]()
- Australia ‘not ready to fly back home’, ‘feeling pretty flat about T20 World Cup ending so soon’
![]()
- ‘Bangladesh players went into coma mentally, were told blatant lies’ on T20 World Cup exit
![ICC set for Dhaka talks as Bangladesh refuse India travel for T20 World Cup 2026]()
India won’t qualify for Super 8?
Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir doesn’t think India will qualify for the semifinal in the T20 World Cup. After watching the Indian batting collapse in 3 matches in the group stage, Amir thinks they’ll buckle under pressure in the Super 8, with South Africa and the West Indies both beating India.
PCB’s mammoth PSL deal
The PCB is expected to sign a 4-year media rights deal for the PSL worth PKR 18 billion (INR 586 crore). The last cycle, 2024-2025, was worth PKR 3.15 billion annually. Now, it’ll be PKR 4.5 billion. This amounts to a 43% increase. Following the introduction of 2 new teams, the matches will be increased from 34 to 44 in PSL 2026.
The Hundred 2026 auction list
Amid reports suggesting a shadow ban on Pakistani cricketers by Indian/IPL-linked franchises in the Hundred 2026 auction, 63 players from the country have registered themselves. Responding to the reports, some franchises have assured they’ll go after any player who strengthens their team regardless of nationality.
Cricket
Injury scare for Team India before Super 8 tie against South Africa as Siraj gets hit in nets
