This is the first time in four seasons that the final of the Women’s Premier League will not be played on a weekend

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Nov-2025The 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) will have its final on a weekday (Thursday, February 5), and not over the weekend, for the first time, and feature two double-headers, both on Saturdays, after kicking off on January 9.The 28-day-long tournament will be played across two venues: Navi Mumbai, where India won the ODI World Cup in early November beating South Africa in the final, and Vadodara. The first 11 matches, including the two double-headers, will be played at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, and the remaining 11 matches, including the eliminator on February 3 and the final will be played at Vadodara’s Kotambi Stadium.The dates and venues were confirmed by the WPL’s chairman, Jayesh George, on Thursday, the day of the WPL auction. All games bar the earlier fixture on the double-header days will be evening affairs.The week of the final is a busy one for multi-team competitions, with the men’s Under-19 World Cup finishing the day after the WPL final, on February 6, and the men’s T20 World Cup starting the following day, on February 7.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Apart from having a weekday final, this is the first time the WPL will be played in the January-February window. The first three seasons were played in February-March just before the start of the IPL. This will also be the first time the WPL will not clash with major international fixtures.Mumbai Indians (MI) are the defending champions of the WPL and have won two titles in three editions so far, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) the other past winners. Delhi Capitals (DC) have been runners-up in all three seasons. The other two teams, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz, have never made the title round.Ten days after the WPL ends, India will start an all-format tour of Australia, playing three T20Is, three ODIs and a Test from February 15 to March 9.WPL 2026 schedule
Jan 9: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Jan 10: UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants
Jan 10: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals
Jan 11: Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants
Jan 12: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz
Jan 13: Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants
Jan 14: UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals
Jan 15: Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz
Jan 16: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants
Jan 17: UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians
Jan 17: Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Jan 19: Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Jan 20: Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians
Jan 22: Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz
Jan 24: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals
Jan 26: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians
Jan 27: Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals
Jan 29: UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Jan 30: Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Indians
Feb 1: Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz
Feb 3: Eliminator
Feb 5: Final

The three quicks shared seven wickets for India A, while KL Rahul was unbeaten at stumps

Shashank Kishore07-Nov-2025A few days after being left out of the Test squad to face South Africa, Prasidh Krishna stung South Africa A in a terrific spell of seam bowling to help India A open up a sizeable lead by stumps on Day 2 of the second four-day fixture at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.Prasidh picked up three, while Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep picked up two apiece as South Africa A folded for 221, giving the hosts a 34-run lead. They converted this into a 112-run lead by stumps, albeit for the loss of three wickets.KL Rahul was unbeaten on 26, unhurried and composed, after Abhimanyu Easwaran bagged a pair and B Sai Sudharsan was pinned lbw yet again after playing around his front pad to a nip-backer from left-arm seamer Tiaan van Vuuren. Devdutt Padikkal, also part of the Test squad, appeared to have steadied the innings after two early wickets, but fell for 24 at the stroke of stumps as South Africa A ensured the hosts were still within touching distance.Related

Kamboj, Suthar take India A home after Pant 90

Kuldeep Yadav released from India's T20I squad in Australia

Rishabh Pant returns to India's Test squad for South Africa series

After warming the bench during the two Tests against West Indies, Prasidh reveled in conditions he would love to take with him everywhere. He troubled batters with bounce, had batters awkwardly fend at deliveries and consistently beat the outside edge with seam movement.Siraj, meanwhile, was a bit more blockbuster. Barring one solitary over where he was taken for 24 – courtesy three fours and two sixes by centurion Marques Ackerman – Siraj breathed fire with the new and semi-new ball. He swung it both ways, troubled batters with the late tail, celebrappealed after pinning Zubayr Hamza plumb and shattered Kyle Simmonds’ stumps with a terrific in-swinger.It started with Akash Deep’s pearler to Lesego Senokwane in the very first over – easily the ball of the day – angling in and straightening to beat the outside edge and hit top of off. While he couldn’t quite top that – anyone would’ve found its hard to – there were plenty of moments in that first spell where he could’ve picked a few more wickets. He eventually finished with 2 for 28 in 10 overs.For Akash Deep, this outing was massive from a confidence standpoint after suffering a series of niggles since returning from a breakout Test tour of England. It was also a timely boost ahead of the South Africa Tests, where he could line up to be the third seamer in home conditions at Eden Gardens.India A’s lead could’ve been a lot bigger, but for a superb fourth first-class century by Ackerman, the South Africa A captain, who held a crumbling middle order together and fought through periods of prodigious swing and seam movement early in the session on a green surface that still had plenty in it for the fast bowlers.Marques Ackerman celebrates his century•PTI Ackerman is very Dean Elgar-like in his setup. As the day progressed, he showed it wasn’t just in the aesthetics that was Elgar-like, but in his fight too. He seemed intent on crease occupation, but the only problem was he had to shift gears quickly as the middle order caved in. And once he crossed a half-century, he went into overdrive, with some help from No. 9 Prenelan Subrayen.He stepped out to loft Kuldeep Yadav for six over long-off and rocked back to cut him. He also played a neat, little reverse-sweep off Kuldeep when he drifted the ball away. The real aggression came when Siraj went after him with a few verbal volleys, seemingly frustrated after beating the outside edge a number of times in the middle session.Ackerman drove him imperiously for two boundaries and flicked a leg-stump half-volley for a third when Prasidh misfielded at fine leg. With more steam coming off his ears as he knocked the stumps down at the bowler’s end in frustration, Siraj returned to bang in two short balls that got picked away for sixes. The first – a ramp over the slips, and the second a hook over fine leg.Ackerman brought up his century off 99 balls, and raced away to 134. He took a liking to left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey, who was introduced late and bowled just three overs, before becoming the ninth batter to fall. Ackerman was Dubey’s only wicket. Prasidh, who had picked up two in two in the first session, then cleaned up the last batter to finish with 3 for 35 off 11.3 overs.

Barring rain-affected matches, the 106 balls in which India beat UAE is their shortest T20I ever

Sampath Bandarupalli10-Sep-20251:55

Why did Suryakumar let Siddique bat despite being out?

57 UAE’s total against India in their Asia Cup game on Wednesday. It is the lowest total by any team against India in men’s T20Is. The previous lowest was New Zealand’s, who were bundled out for 66 while chasing 235 in Ahmedabad in 2023.1 UAE’s 57 all-out is their lowest total in the format, going past the 62 all-out against Scotland in 2024, also in Dubai.
It is also the second-lowest total in the men’s T20 Asia Cup, behind Hong Kong’s 38 all-out against Pakistan in Sharjah in 2022.93 Balls remaining when India reached the target of 58. It is their biggest win by balls to spare in men’s T20Is, bettering the win by 81 balls against Scotland in the 2021 T20 World Cup, chasing a target of 86.It is also the second-biggest margin of victory for a Full Member nation in men’s T20Is, behind England’s against Oman in last year’s T20 World Cup when they chased down 48 with 101 balls to spare. No team, before India, had won a game with ten or more overs to spare in the men’s T20 Asia Cup.Lowest men’s T20I totals against India•ESPNcricinfo Ltd4 for 7 Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling figures against UAE, the second-best in the men’s T20 Asia Cup, behind Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 5 for 4 against Afghanistan in 2022, also in Dubai.Related

• 'I am always prepared' – free of IPL shackles, Dube the bowler makes an impact

• Suryakumar withdraws appeal against Siddique to spark debate

• Kuldeep makes it worth the wait

• Kuldeep bags four as India demolish UAE in 17.4 overs

Kuldeep now has four four-wicket hauls in this format. Among Indians in men’s T20Is, only Bhuvneshwar (5) has more.4 Instances of Kuldeep taking three (or more) wickets in an over in T20Is. Among Indians, only Yuzvendra Chahal (2) has done it more than once in men’s T20Is. Overall, only Rashid Khan (6) has taken three or more wickets in an over in men’s T20Is as often as Kuldeep (where ball-by-ball data is available).10 Runs that were added by the UAE’s last seven partnerships from 47 for 3. Only once before has a Full Member team contained the opposition’s last seven partnerships to as little as 10 runs in a men’s T20I and that was India too, against England in 2017 at Bengaluru, when England were bowled out for 127 from 119 for 3.ESPNcricinfo Ltd17.4 Overs that UAE and India played out, the shortest completed match in the men’s T20 Asia Cup. The previous shortest, non-curtailed game was between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in Dubai in 2022, which lasted 29.5 overs.It is also the shortest men’s T20I involving India (excluding rain-affected matches). The previous shortest was against Scotland in 2021, which lasted 24.1 overs.15 Consecutive tosses lost by India across formats before the Wednesday’s game against UAE. Their previous toss win was in January this year against England in Rajkot. India’s streak of 15 tosses lost is the longest by any team in men’s internationals.

Winter is here, and Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank knows he is staring down the barrel of a gun as he looks to find form and consistency after a tough start to his tenure.

That may be an understatement. Spurs have lost three on the trot, and Saturday’s home defeat against Fulham in the Premier League means the 3-0 victory over Burnley in August remains an outlier in regard to three points down N17 this season.

The fans are frustrated, no doubt about that. And they have a right to be. Tottenham have lacked sparkle in their attacking play this season, though Frank will feel that injuries to Dominic Solanke, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have put him on the back foot.

Much has been made of the Londoners’ creativity (or lack thereof), but it’s also clear that the Lewis Family need to authorise the signing of a centre-forward.

Why Spurs need a striker

Harry Kane and Heung-min Son have both left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in recent years, and the superstars have not really been replaced with elite options.

Mathys Tel is young and talented, but he is also raw. Solanke is a proven Premier League star, but his entire stint in north London has been blighted by setbacks. Richarlison is in fine form, but probably not the long-term solution at number nine.

What Frank and the fanbase need is an up-and-coming superstar to spearhead this next era at the club.

That’s why Samu Agwehowa has been earmarked. According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham have joined the race for the 21-year-old Porto striker after his convincing performances in Portugal.

The Spanish international has a €100m (about £88m) release clause in his contract, though Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange would be certain to lodge an offer far south of that daunting figure.

What Samu would bring to north London

Richarlison is a curious striker. He is capable of so much, and yet he performs to his full capacity with consistent inconsistency.

25/26

13

5 + 2

24/25

14

4 + 1

23/24

28

11 + 4

22/23

27

1 + 4

Injuries have not helped the Brazil international, but it’s clear that he is not Kane. That said, Richarlison has been in moderately good form this season, essential in providing an outlet as Solanke founders in the infirmary.

But in Samu, Frank would land a goalscorer who has the potential to be “one of the best strikers in Europe”, according to journalist Zach Lowy, so powerful and potent in the final third.

Joining Porto from Atletico Madrid in 2024, Samu has chalked up 37 goals and four assists across just 62 appearances, including ten from 17 outings in all competitions this season.

He ranks among the top 8% of forwards in the Primeira Liga for progressive carries and the top 3% for successful take-ons, emphasising not only his pace but his control and force when on the ball and driving forward.

His athleticism and natural poaching instinct earn him a certain likeness to Richarlison, but given his age and the consistency of goalscoring, Samu might actually prove an upgrade on the South American.

Take, for example, his Europa League performances this year, winning 57% of his duels and averaging a tackle per game, as per Sofascore.

Combativeness forms a key part of Richarlison’s toolbox, and if Spurs are to upgrade on the 28-year-old, who has actually been linked with a move away from the club of late, they will want to sign someone who can emulate him while building up a skillset that transcends what Spurs have hosted in recent years.

Samu is all that and more, and he would be a fantastic signing for a Tottenham team in need of a new talisman.

Spurs star who was one of "the best" in the country is now as bad as Porro

Some of Tottenham’s star players have let Thomas Frank down this season.

ByAngus Sinclair Dec 2, 2025

Liverpool currently have no plans to give disgruntled forward Mohamed Salah a big send-off this weekend when the Reds return to action against Brighton in the Premier League. Saturday's match is Salah's final game with Liverpool before he heads off to link up with the Egypt squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. It could also potentially be his last-ever outing for the Reds as his future at the club has been plunged into doubt following his critical comments in the wake of being benched for a third straight game.

Liverpool prepare to host Brighton but will Salah play?

Salah was left out of the squad for Liverpool's Champions League win over Inter in Milan last time out following his explosive criticism of the club and manager Arne Slot. Currently it's not clear if he will be involved against Brighton on Saturday at Anfield. Slot has said he has "no clue" if Salah will play for the club again, with Saudi Pro League sides reportedly interested in trying to bring the forward to the Middle East in the January transfer window.

Salah has said he feels like has been "thrown under the bus" at Liverpool and that he does not know why he has been benched in recent weeks as Slot attempts to turn around his team's poor form. The Egyptian star also stated he had "no relationship" with Slot and that he feels that "someone doesn't want me in the club."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWhy Liverpool won't give Salah big send off

The situation means that Saturday could potentially be Salah's last-ever game for Liverpool and will certainly be his last appearance at Anfield for some time even if he does stay for the rest of the season. Yet the Merseysiders have no plans to give Salah a bid send-off ahead of his departure for AFCON, as reported by . The Reds do not want potential admirers to feel that Salah's time at the club is up as they are keen to "protect any potential future transfer fee". It's thought that giving Salah a big farewell would weaken the club's position in any transfer negotiations in January or beyond.

Salah vows to be at Anfield for Brighton match

Salah has vowed to be at Anfield for the Brighton game, although he does not know if he will be playing or spectating once again. He told reporters: "Yesterday I said to [my parents], 'Come to the Brighton game'. I don't know if I am going to play or not but I am going to enjoy it. In my head, I'm going to enjoy that game because I don't know what is going to happen now. I will be at Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go the Africa Cup. I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there."

Liverpool have the day off on Thursday but are due to train on Friday, at which point it may become clearer as to whether Salah will be recalled to the starting XI or not by Slot. 

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportSaudi clubs lurk as Salah exit talk grows

Speculation that Salah could move on this winter is growing, with Saudi Arabia a potential destination. "There is competition within the Saudi league to bring in Salah," a source told AFP. "It's not only the PIF-affiliated clubs." Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli are all reportedly interested along with Al Qadsiah. 

Salah admitted back in May that he thought he would move to Saudi in the summer before signing a new contract with Liverpool. He told : "It was a good opportunity to me, if I hadn't renewed with Liverpool it would have happened. My relations with SPL officials are very good, we talked a lot, and the negotiations were serious."

He added: "The negotiations were long, I know the club's policy [in negotiations], we reached a middle ground that made us all happy. Part of the pressure on the club came from the fans, I know from the start that they wanted me to continue, and they played their role in all of this."

England lost the ODIs in New Zealand 3-0 but are already looking to the Ashes. Alan Gardner hears Andrew McGlashan and Vish Ehantharajah, while TNT commentators Alastair Eykyn and Rob Hatch also join the pod

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Nov-2025England’s dismal year in ODI cricket concluded with a 3-0 whitewashing at the hands of New Zealand, with very few positives for the batters as they move on to Australia ahead of the Ashes. On the pod, Alan Gardner was joined by Andrew McGlashan and Vish Ehantharajah to discuss the latest news on both sides. We also hear from TNT Sports commentators Alastair Eykyn and Rob Hatch as they prepare to lead the UK TV broadcast of the series.