Sai Sudharsan's Double Dismissal Sparks Controversy in IPL 2026 Sai Sudharsan, the opener for Gujarat Titans (GT), found himself in an unusual predicament after being dismissed twice in consecutive matches during the IPL 2026 qualifiers. The incidents, both classified as "hit wickets," left the cricketer baffled and prompted a mix of humor and concern from teammates and analysts. Sudharsan, who had been in stellar form prior to the incidents, now faces scrutiny over his unorthodox batting style and the peculiar circumstances of his dismissals. The first dismissal occurred during GT’sQualifier 2 match against Rajasthan Royals (RR). Sudharsan, on 32 balls, was dismissed by Jacob Duffy after his bat slipped from his hands during a cover drive. The bat struck the ground before bouncing toward the boundary, but the ball had already passed the stumps, resulting in a hit wicket. The second incident followed in GT’sQualifier 1 clash against RR, where Sudharsan, partnering Shubman Gill, was dismissed by Brijesh Sharma after his bat slipped again during a drive. The ball struck the stumps directly, sealing his dismissal. Sudharsan expressed bewilderment at the events, stating, “I don’t know how it happened. Maybe the bat wanted to play a trick on me.” He humorously suggested experimenting with new grip technology to prevent future mishaps. “I might try some new techniques, but honestly, I have no idea why this kept happening.” His comments reflected a blend of frustration and lightheartedness, as he acknowledged the rarity of such dismissals in T20 cricket. The incidents raised questions about the mechanics of batting and the role of equipment in such dismissals.#rajasthan_royals #gujarat_titans #jacob_duffy #sai_sudharsan #brijesh_sharma
Amelia Kerr and Jacob Duffy Claim Top Honors at 2026 New Zealand Cricket Awards Amelia Kerr, the captain of New Zealand’s women’s cricket team, and Jacob Duffy, the men’s fast bowler, were honored with the most prestigious awards at the 2026 New Zealand Cricket Awards. Kerr secured her fourth consecutive Debbie Hockley Medal, a remarkable achievement that highlights her dominance in the sport. Duffy, meanwhile, won the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal, recognizing his outstanding contributions as a bowler. Kerr’s accomplishments extended beyond the medal. She led her team to a third consecutive Super Smash title, a testament to her leadership and skill. In the T20I format, she amassed 354 runs at an average of 70, finishing second in the wickets category. Her performances earned her the Women’s T20I Player of the Year award. Debbie Hockley, who presented the medal to Kerr, praised her as a “dominant force in every facet of the game” and “one of the most influential players in women’s cricket history.” Duffy’s success as a fast bowler was equally notable. His consistent performances on the field earned him the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal, a tribute to his excellence and impact on the sport. The awards ceremony celebrated the achievements of both athletes, underscoring their roles as key figures in New Zealand cricket. The recognition of Kerr and Duffy reflects their significant contributions to the game, both in terms of individual performance and team success. Their awards highlight the competitive nature of cricket and the importance of recognizing talent and dedication at the highest level.#amelia_kerr #jacob_duffy #debbie_hockley #new_zealand_cricket_awards #sir_richard_hadleem

Amelia Kerr wins big at New Zealand Cricket awards Amelia Kerr, the captain of New Zealand's women's cricket team, made headlines at the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) awards by securing the Debbie Hockley Medal for the fourth consecutive year. The award recognizes her as the women's cricketer of the year, highlighting her consistent excellence across all formats. Her leadership was further underscored by her performance in the home T20I series against Zimbabwe and South Africa, where she claimed the Player of the Series title in both matches. She also earned the same honor during the ODI leg of the series against Zimbabwe. Kerr’s achievements were praised by Debbie Hockley, the presenter of the award, who called her "a dominant force in every facet of the game" and "one of the most influential players in women's cricket history." Her dominance extended to her role as a leader, with her performances solidifying her status as a key figure in the sport. Meanwhile, Jacob Duffy, a New Zealand seamer, took home the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal, the top honor for men's cricketers. Duffy broke Hadlee’s record for the most wickets by a New Zealander in a calendar year, achieving 23 wickets in six innings at an average of 15.43. His standout performance came during the Test series against the West Indies, where he bowled 43 overs in the final innings of the first Test in Christchurch. Hadlee, the presenter of the award, highlighted Duffy’s "durability, consistency, and ability to take wickets in pressure moments," calling him "the most complete bowling performer of the season." Duffy’s accolades extended beyond the Hadlee Medal, as he also won the Test Player of the Year award and the Winsor Cup for men’s first-class bowling, making him one of the few players to claim three major honors in a single evening.#amelia_kerr #jacob_duffy #new_zeland_cricket #debbie_hockley #diana_puketapu_lyndon

Amelia Kerr wins Debbie Hockley Medal for 4th consecutive year Amelia Kerr has been awarded the Debbie Hockley Medal for the fourth consecutive year at the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) awards, recognizing her as the best women's cricketer of the year. The honor was presented to Kerr, the captain of the New Zealand women's team, while Jacob Duffy, a New Zealand seamer, received the Sir Richard Hadlee medal for men's cricket. Duffy surpassed Hadlee's record for most wickets by a New Zealander in a calendar year, achieving 23 wickets in 2025. Kerr's performance in 2025 was highlighted by her transition into a full-time leadership role. She was named Player of the Series in both the home T20I series against Zimbabwe and South Africa, as well as the ODI leg against Zimbabwe. Debbie Hockley, who presented the medal, praised Kerr as a "dominant force in every facet of the game," underscoring her impact across all formats of the sport. Duffy's accolades included the Test Player of the Year award and the Winsor Cup for men's First-Class bowling, marking a historic achievement as one of the few players to win three major awards in a single night. His success came after New Zealand's attack faced challenges due to injuries during the Test series against the West Indies, where he took 23 wickets at an average of 15.43. Other notable awards saw wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert win the men's T20I Player of the Year for his contributions to New Zealand's run to the final. Seifert scored 326 runs in eight innings at an average of 46.57 and a strike rate of 166.32 during the competition. Kerr also claimed the Women's T20 Player of the Year award, while her elder sister Jess Kerr was honored with the Women's Domestic Player of the Year and Super Smash Women's Player of the Year titles.#amelia_kerr #jacob_duffy #debbie_hockley_medal #new_zealand_cricket #sir_richard_hadlee_medal

Amelia Kerr, Jacob Duffy take top honours at New Zealand Cricket Awards Wellington: New Zealand women’s captain Amelia Kerr and men’s fast bowler Jacob Duffy were honored with the top awards at the 2026 New Zealand Cricket Awards on Thursday. Kerr claimed her fourth consecutive Debbie Hockley Medal, a record for the award, while Duffy won the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal. Kerr led her team to a third straight Super Smash title and dominated the T20I run charts with 354 runs at an average of 70. She also finished second in wickets and was named Women’s T20I Player of the Year. Debbie Hockley, presenting the medal, praised Kerr as “a dominant force in every facet of the game” and “one of the most influential players in women’s cricket history.” Duffy, 31, excelled in Test cricket, taking 25 wickets at an average of 16, including three five-wicket hauls in four matches. His endurance was highlighted by marathon spells against the West Indies, and he also earned the Test Player of the Year and Winsor Cup for first-class bowling. Sir Richard Hadlee, presenting the award, noted that Duffy’s “durability, consistency, and ability to take wickets in pressure moments” made him the season’s most complete bowler. Other notable winners included Tim Seifert, named Men’s T20I Player of the Year for 739 runs at a strike rate of 154, and Daryl Mitchell, who won the ODI award after scoring 692 runs at an average of 138, rising to world number one in the format. Brooke Halliday took the women’s ODI award with 391 runs at an average of 71. Henry Nicholls dominated the domestic scene, sweeping the Redpath Cup and Men’s Domestic Player of the Year awards.#amelia_kerr #jacob_duffy #debbie_hockley #new_zealand_cricket_awards #sir_richard_hadlee

Amelia Kerr wins big at New Zealand Cricket awards Amelia Kerr, the captain of New Zealand’s women’s cricket team, made history by winning the Debbie Hockley Medal for the fourth consecutive year at the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) awards. The honor recognizes her as the women’s cricketer of the year, a testament to her dominance across all formats of the game. Kerr’s leadership was further highlighted by her Player of the Series performances in the home T20I series against Zimbabwe and South Africa during the summer. She also claimed the Player of the Series award in the ODI leg of the same series. Debbie Hockley, the presenter of the medal, praised Kerr’s impact, calling her “a dominant force in every facet of the game” and “one of the most influential players in women’s cricket history.” Kerr’s achievements were complemented by her sister, Jess Kerr, who was named Women’s Domestic Player of the Year and Super Smash Women’s Player of the Year. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s seamer Jacob Duffy made history by winning the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal, the men’s equivalent of the Hockley Medal. Duffy surpassed Hadlee’s record for most wickets by a New Zealander in a calendar year, achieving 23 wickets in six innings at an average of 15.43. His performance came after New Zealand’s attack was weakened by injuries during the Test series against the West Indies. In the first Test at Christchurch, Duffy bowled 43 overs in the final innings, showcasing his resilience and skill. Hadlee, who presented the award, highlighted Duffy’s “durability, consistency, and ability to take wickets in pressure moments,” calling him “the most complete bowling performer of the season.#amelia_kerr #jess_kerr #jacob_duffy #new_zeland_cricket #debbie_hockley

New Zealand Cricket Team Navigates Matt Henry's Absence Ahead of Semi-Final New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry has returned home to be with his family for the birth of his second child, raising concerns about his availability for the team’s semi-final against India in Kolkata on March 4. Coach Rob Walter confirmed Henry is safely at home, emphasizing the team’s focus on ensuring a smooth delivery for the newborn. “We’re first and foremost hoping everything goes off smoothly with the birth of his child and that he’s able to celebrate with his family,” Walter said. While the team remains optimistic Henry could return the day before the semi-final, Walter stressed that all possible scenarios are accounted for. If Henry is unavailable, New Zealand plans to recall Jacob Duffy, a seam bowler who was left out of the squad for the spin-friendly conditions in Colombo. Duffy, who has been a key performer for the team over the past 18 months, could replace either Cole McConchie or Ish Sodhi in the bowling attack. Walter highlighted the depth of the squad, noting that players like Kyle Jamieson are also ready to step in. “We’ve got very capable people sitting on the bench,” he said, underscoring the team’s preparedness for any contingency. The team’s recent match against Sri Lanka provided a critical test as they aimed to secure a semi-final spot. New Zealand’s victory in the Khettarama match, where opener Cole McConchie played a pivotal role, was secured after Sri Lanka reached 207 for 6. Walter admitted to only partially watching the game, checking in at a crucial moment to confirm the outcome. “I knew there was a good chance they would score those next three runs,” he said, expressing relief at the result.#kolkata #new_zealand_cricket_team #matt_henry #rob_walter #jacob_duffy