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The Indian team sealed the five-match Test series against England after registering a five-wicket win in the fourth Test at Ranchi. The triumph also extended India's dominant 12-year run at home with this being the hosts' 17th straight series win. In the WPL 2024, Delhi Capitals got back to winning ways with a dominant nine-wicket win over the UP Warriorz. In other major developments, Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya led Reliance 1 against BPCL to a close two-wicket victory. Pandya had contributions with the ball and bat in the T20 game, securing the win.
Here in this article, we’ll look at all the big news that took place on February 26, but before that, let’s check the matches scheduled for the day.
WPL 2024: Royal Challengers Bangalore Women vs Gujarat Giants
The home side Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on the Gujarat Giants in another exciting WPL 2024. Ahead of this fixture, both teams have had contrasting fixtures with the Royal Challengers registering a thrilling two-run win against the UP Warriorz. The Giants went down against the defending champions Mumbai Indians by five wickets in their 2024 season opener.
PSL 2024: Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans
The table-toppers Multan Sultans will take on the last-placed Lahore Qalandars at the Gaddafi Stadium. Both teams have had contrasting seasons so far with the Sultans winning four out of five games while Lahore losing five straight matches in 2024. Ahead of this fixture, Multan took down Quetta Gladiators in a 13-run victory. On the other hand, the Qalandars suffered a heartbreaking eight-run loss against the Peshawar Zalmi.
Major cricket events that happened on February 26
IND vs ENG 4th Test: Gill and Jurel carry India to thrilling 5-wicket win over England
The Indian team sealed the five-match Test series against England after registering a five-wicket win in the fourth Test at Ranchi. With this victory, the Men in Blue ended the draught of chasing 150+ targets in the fourth innings in home Test matches. The triumph also extended India's dominant 12-year run at home with this being the hosts' 17th straight series win.
UPW vs DC - WPL 2024: Capitals dominate Warriorz in 9-wicket win
After losing the opening game against the Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals got back to winning ways with a dominant nine-wicket win over the UP Warriorz. Bowling first, the Capitals reduced UP to 119-9 thanks to Marizanne Kapp's 3-5 and Radha Yadav's four-fer. Then with the bat, Shafali Verma starred with her 64 in 43 balls as Delhi chased down the total in 14.3 overs.
Chris Gayle smashes 10 sixes during IVPL match in Greater Noida
On Monday, February 26, the West Indies legend, Chris Gayle, smashed 10 sixes for Telangana Tigers during the sixth match of the Indian Veterans Premier League (IVPL) against VVIP Uttar Pradesh. Still, Chris Gayle’s 94 wasn’t enough for his team to chase down a massive score of 270 runs, losing by 45 runs at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground.
Hanuma Vihari exposes politics in Andhra Cricket, accused player responds
Hanuma Vihari has slammed the Andhra Cricket Association after an incident with a squad member, whose father is a politician. Vihari revealed that he was asked to leave captaincy after criticizing the aforementioned player. Vihari also expressed his decision to leave the Andhra team immediately. Later the accused player, KN Prudhviraj, responded and called Vihari's accusations false.
Andhra players want Hanuma Vihari to lead Ranji team again; sign letter in his support
After Hanuma Vihari spoke about feeling “humiliated and embarrassed” by the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) for abrupt removal from the Andhra captaincy role after the first Ranji Trophy match earlier in the season. Shortly after, he shared a letter addressing the ACA officials, signed by his teammates, wanting him to become the Ranji team captain again.
Good feeling to hear: Dhruv Jurel reacts to Sunil Gavaskar’s “MS Dhoni in the making” remark
Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel reacted after legend and former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar hailed the 23-year-old as "MS Dhoni in the making". Speaking after his knock, Jurel said, “Of course, he has batted well, but his keeping, his work behind the stumps has been equally brilliant. Just by looking at his game awareness, I want to say that he is another MS Dhoni in the making. I know there can never be another MSD but you know the presence of mind that he has, MSD also when he started, it was that. And Jurel has that game awareness.”
Afghanistan announce squad for one-off Test against Ireland
Afghanistan have named their squad for their singular Test against Ireland. The ACB confirmed the inclusion of wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz and the return of pacer Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai to the squad.
Afghanistan Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Ikram Alikhail (WK), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Noor Ali Zadran, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah, Nasir Jamal, Karim Janat, Khalil Gurbaz, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Nijat Masoud, Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai and Naveed Zadran.
Hardik Pandya returns to cricketing action in DY Patil T20 Cup 2024
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya led Reliance 1 against BPCL to a close two-wicket victory. Pandya had contributions with the ball and bat in the T20 game, securing the win. Pandya's three overs went for 22 runs, in which, he claimed two wickets, bowling first. Chasing 126, Pandya had little to do with the bat as he came in at number nine and scored three in four balls with Reliance 1 chasing the total in 15 overs.
Peshawar Zalmi beat Islamabad United in thrilling 8-run win
Pakistani star Babar Azam scored a scintillating 111 in 63 to help Peshawar Zalmi register a nail-biting eight-run win over Islamabad United. Batting first Zalmi got off to a flying start but soon found themselves in a batting collapse. Rescuing his team, Azam stepped to smash a stunning ton and helped post a massive 202-run target. Then with the ball, Zalmi held their nerves as Islamabad imploded towards the end by losing six wickets as they scored their last ten runs and suffered a heart-breaking defeat.
