Bhuvneshwar Kumar expresses views on his potential ODI comeback

India and Lucknow Falcons pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar refused to look too far ahead when asked about his chances of making the ODI World Cup squad, insisting that his immediate focus remains on playing and performing rather than predicting what the future may hold. cricket-ipl.in

“I have to play, I am playing. I can't predict what will happen after that,” Bhuvneshwar told IANS when asked if his recent performances in white-ball cricket, including the IPL and domestic competitions, could put him in contention for the ODI World Cup.

The experienced pacer is set to lead the Lucknow Falcons in the fourth edition of the Uttar Pradesh T20 League, which will get underway on August 14. For Bhuvneshwar, the tournament represents another opportunity to contribute on the field while helping the next generation of Uttar Pradesh cricketers navigate the demands of competitive cricket.

The 24-day UPT20 Season 4 will feature 34 matches and, for the first time, will be staged across two cities. Lucknow will host the opening phase at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, with 22 matches scheduled across 13 matchdays, before the tournament moves to Green Park Stadium in Kanpur for the remaining 12 matches over 11 matchdays.

NewsMitchell Santner Points Out Key Challenge For India Ahead Of Test SeriesNew Zealand’s Mitchell Santner shared a piece of advice for the travelling Indian team ahead of the two-match Test series, with the first Test scheduled to be played in Wellingt...Open →

Bhuvneshwar, who has been part of the league since its early years, believes the tournament has grown steadily and can serve as an important stepping stone for players aspiring to reach the IPL and, eventually, the national team.

“This is the fourth year of the league and every year we are seeing an improvement, be it the ability of the players, or the facilities provided by UPCA, or the way they carry out operations. I am sure there’s a good future. I think every state is having a league, not just UPCA,” he added.

The veteran pacer sees the emergence of state T20 leagues as a positive development for domestic cricket. “Of course, these leagues have a future. This is a big opportunity for all the players. If they do well, they might get to play at the IPL and eventually for the Indian team. So it’s a great opportunity,” he stated.

Bhuvneshwar said the focus within the Lucknow Falcons camp is less on elaborate match plans at this stage and more on ensuring players are mentally prepared and comfortable when they step onto the field.

"See, it hasn't started yet; practice is going on. Of course, there will be some strategy, some planning. But it is very important how you get into the match, how you get into the mindset, the pacer said.

For Bhuvneshwar, who will take on the dual responsibility of captain and senior campaigner, creating the right environment within the squad will be just as important as tactical preparation.

“So the aim, being a captain, and a coach’s, is that we can keep the players in a good space, in a happy space, in a comfortable space. That is our effort,” he concluded.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

Guwahati (Assam) [India], August 10 (ANI): Nagaon Rangers registered their first win of the tournament courtesy a commanding batting display to beat Charaideo Sunrisers by 10 wickets in match number 18 of the Assam Premier League (APL) 2026 at the ACA Stadium, Guwahati on Sunday.

Soumyadeep Das and Sumit Kashyap put on an exquisite batting performance to see their side home and also register the tournament’s first ten-wicket win. With the ball, Bhargav Dutta led a disciplined effort with three wickets to restrict Sunrisers after Hrishikesh Tamuli’s fighting knock, according to a release.

Opting to field first, Nagaon Rangers struck early, removing Pradyun Saikia off the second ball of the contest. Sumit Ghadigaonkar fell soon after for 8, leaving Charaideo Sunrisers in a spot of bother at 32/2 inside the powerplay. Hrishikesh then held the innings together with a well-made 40 off 36 balls, keeping the scoreboard ticking despite wickets falling around him.

A late flourish from Himanshu Saraswat, who scored an unbeaten on 26 off just 13 balls with three sixes, helped Charaideo Sunrisers post 139/9 in their 20 overs. For Rangers, Bhargav Dutta finished with 3/18, while Rahul Singh, Sunil Lachit and Jitu Ali picked up two wickets apiece.

In the run chase, Rangers openers took complete control of the contest, never giving the Sunrisers bowlers a sniff. Sumit and Soumyadeep took the bowling attack apart from the outset, with the latter being the more explosive of the two. He scored an unbeaten 70 off just 36 balls with five fours and six sixes, while Kashyap registered an unbeaten 66 off 44 balls, also studded with a couple of boundaries and six maximums.

None of the six Sunrisers’ bowlers could find a breakthrough, as Rangers chased down the target rather comfortably in 13.2 overs to complete a dominant ten-wicket win – their first of the season, and the first ten-wicket win recorded in this year’s Assam Premier League.

Brief Scores:

Nagaon Rangers beat Charaideo Sunrisers by 10 wickets.

Charaideo Sunrisers: 139/9 in 20 overs (Hrishikesh Tamuli 40, Himanshu Saraswat 26*; Bhargav Dutta 3/18, Rahul Singh 2/16, Sunil Lachit 2/23).

BlogRashid Khan’s 2026 IPL Journey: Leadership, Comeback and AdaptationEarly Struggles and a New Captaincy Role Rashid Khan arrived in Hyderabad for IPL 2026 with the weight of two responsibilities on his shoulders. As the captain of Afghanistan’s ...Open →

Nagaon Rangers: 140/0 in 13.2 overs (Soumyadeep Das 70*, Sumit Kashyap 66*). (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar’s daughter Sara has revealed that one of the qualities she wants to have with her future partner is the type of constant friendly banter she sees at home between her mother Anjali and her father.

Sara, who is a nutritionist, digital content creator, and a wellness entrepreneur, says her parents are great role models and the best of friends first. “My parents are very good friends before anything else. They have this really fun banter at home, and that’s definitely something I would want in my future partner,” she said in an interview with Vogue magazine.

However, pledging her allegiance to Gen Z, Sara, 28, made it clear that till she doesn’t find the right person, she won’t jump into a marriage. “I’ve seen people get engaged and, during the run-up to the wedding, realise, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’ Walking away before you’re married is a great step. Previous generations were more afraid to take a stand for themselves, whereas Gen Z feels more confident and empowered to do so when things are going wrong,” she remarked.