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Español'He'll hurt the opposition': Sourav Ganguly's big statement on Sanju Samson
Samson smashed an unbeaten 97 off 50 balls as India chased down a stiff 196-run target to secure a five-wicket victory in the do-or-die encounter, guiding Suryakumar Yadav’s men into the last four.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Ganguly heaped praise on Samson and underlined that the Kerala batter deserves consistent opportunities in India’s white-ball setup.
"Outstanding. He's a very good player. He should consistently play for India in the white-ball," Ganguly said.
With both India and West Indies tied on points in the Super 8 standings, the Kolkata fixture effectively turned into a knockout, with the winner advancing to join South Africa, New Zealand and England in the semifinals.
India’s victory set up a last-four clash against England on March 5.
Ganguly termed the India-West Indies encounter a virtual quarterfinal and lauded Samson’s composure, stressing how dangerous he can be once he settles in.
"You know, when he gets in, he'll hurt the opposition. He played to the situation which is important," Ganguly added.
Looking ahead to the semifinal against England, the former India skipper noted that the Three Lions would pose a tougher challenge than West Indies.
In the match itself, India won the toss and opted to field. West Indies openers Roston Chase (40 off 25 balls, five fours and a six) and captain Shai Hope (32 off 33 balls, three fours and a six) added 68 for the first wicket. However, despite a quickfire cameo from Shimron Hetmyer (27 off 12 balls, one four and two sixes), the hosts slipped to 119/4 in 14.1 overs.
A late onslaught from Jason Holder (37* off 22 balls, two fours and three sixes) and Rovman Powell (34* off 19 balls, three fours and two sixes) saw the duo stitch together a 76-run stand in just 35 balls, lifting West Indies to 195/4 in their 20 overs.
Jasprit Bumrah (2/36 in four overs) was India’s standout bowler, while Varun Chakaravarthy and Hardik Pandya claimed one wicket each, conceding 40 runs apiece in their four-over spells.
In reply, India were rocked early, reduced to 41/2 inside the powerplay. A 58-run partnership between Samson and Suryakumar Yadav (18) steadied the innings and revived the chase. Samson then combined effectively with Tilak Varma (27 off 15 balls, four boundaries and a six), Hardik Pandya (17) and Shivam Dube (8*) to guide India home with five wickets in hand, sealing a memorable win and a semifinal berth.
Tottenham ban three fans for Nazi salutes
Tottenham have banned three fans after Nazi salutes during a Champions League tie. UEFA sanctioned the London club for the behaviour, imposing a €30,000 (£26,212) fine.
Yankees' win total predicted to drop for Blue Jays, Orioles, Red Sox reason
Yankees' win total predicted to drop for Blue Jays, Orioles, Red Sox reason originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New York Yankees were their own worst enemy last season. The AL East club went through its annual June swoon and watched the Toronto Blue Jays take over first place in the division.
Toronto and New York finished with an identical 94-68 regular season record, but the Blue Jays' 8-5 head-to-head record against the Yankees gave them a running start to the ALDS.
This offseason, the clubs in the AL East arguably got better, with the Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, and Boston Red Sox making impact free agency moves. With almost an identical roster led by superstar Aaron Judge, can the Yankees' regular-season record improve?
Yankees predicted to win fewer than 94 games
The Tampa Bay Rays may be a long shot to win the AL East title, but any one of the Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Orioles has a decent opportunity to do so.
Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly predicts New York will lose more games this season than last, due to the highly competitive division it's in.
"The Yankees won 94 games last season, which wasn't enough to win baseball's toughest division. The defending AL Champion Toronto Blue Jays arguably got better this offseason with the addition of Dylan Cease. Even after losing Alex Bregman, the Red Sox are still loaded with talent, particularly in the outfield and starting staff," Kelly wrote.
"The Tampa Bay Rays usually find a way to stay competitive, and won't have to play at a minor-league stadium this year. With the Baltimore Orioles making significant offseason improvements, it stands to reason the Yankees could win a few less games this year, even if they still contend for a playoff spot."
One of the biggest questions the Yankees face is what level of production they will receive from Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon when they return to the rotation from injury. Luis Gil is just one year removed from a serious lat strain, and Cam Schlittler is already dealing with back stiffness.
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Thunder adding Payton Sandfort on two-way contract
Shams Charania: The Oklahoma City Thunder are signing Payton Sandfort to a two-way NBA contract out of their OKC Blue G League affiliate, Ross Aroyo and Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tell ESPN. Sandfort joined the OKC program after being undrafted from Iowa last June.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Thunder adding Payton Sandfort on two-way contract
I(O)U: Cignetti’s Revised Indiana Deal to Pay Over $100M Guaranteed
The market has spoken for Curt Cignetti.
The University of Indiana has committed to pay its national championship-winning head football coach $105.6 million over the next eight seasons, according to a letter signed by athletic director Scott Dolson and released Monday.
Cignetti’s existing employment agreement called for a “good-faith market review” if IU reached the College Football Playoff semifinal—which it did in January on the way to winning its first national title in school history.
Under the revised deal, Cignetti will earn $13.025 million in guaranteed compensation this coming season, with annual raises of $50,000 through Nov. 30, 2033. Before incentives, that would make him the second-highest-paid coach in college football this year, behind Georgia’s Kirby Smart and just ahead of LSU’s Lane Kiffin.
Cignetti’s raise represents a roughly 54% increase from the $8.5 million guaranteed salary the coach was set to earn this year under the contract he signed back in November 2024. All other terms remain in effect.
As such, if Cignetti is fired without cause, Indiana must pay the full remaining guaranteed tab, based on a provision triggered once his team appeared in the Big Ten championship or College Football Playoff.
Should the Hoosiers replicate last season’s success, Cignetti would easily clear $15 million.
And if that’s not enough to get him through the week, the contract also includes a $25,000 annual courtesy car allowance, free meals at the athletic dining facility and unlimited family use of the Pfau Golf Course and driving range in Bloomingdale, Ind., “including green fees, cart fees and range balls.”
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