IND vs AFG 2026 One-off Test, Chandigarh weather updates: Extreme HEA…

IND vs AFG 2026 One-off Test: Team India and Afghanistan are facing off in a one-off Test for the second time in 8 years and on both occasions the game was organised in the month of June. The only difference is back in 2018, the India vs Afghanistan game was held in much cooler and possibly ‘bearable’ weather in the city of Bengaluru. catcross.biz

This time around the India vs Afghanistan is going to be as much about test of resilience as it will be about fitness of cricketers from both sides with day-time temperature expected to touch as high as 45 degrees Celsius by the time the 4th and 5th day comes around. But Shubman Gill’s side will be hoping to wrap up the game much before that at India’s 31st and newest Test venue — Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh.

The two sides will get a feel of things to come with temperature on Saturday afternoon projected to touch about 41 degrees increasing to around 43 degrees by Monday – the third day of the game. There will only be about 8 per cent cloud cover on Saturday morning and afternoon with humidity level around 40 per cent.

Check Chandigarh weather update for Day 1 of India vs Afghanistan one-off Test HERE…

Chandigarh weather update for Saturday.

The pitch at the stadium in Mullanpur had a touch of green ahead of the game but will be played on a black-soil pitch. With the extreme heat in Chandigarh, whatever moisture there is will be expected to dry out by the first session of the game bringing the spinners into play sooner than later. India will be expected to go in with three spinners with Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar being the first-choice slow bowlers and one between Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar making their debut.

Afghanistan head coach Richard Pybus was also optimistic that the track will have help for the spin bowlers. “It looks like a good cricket wicket. With the heat, the moisture is going to get pulled out very quickly,” Pybus said in the pre-match press conference on Friday.

“Both sides have got plenty of spinners. Spin is going to play a major part in the game even though it looks pretty green at the moment,” he added.

Both sides will be praying for some respite from the heat and sudden burst of rain or wet weather will be most welcome for a change.

Indian cricket is heading towards another major transition, and this time, all the spotlight is on the 15-year-old wonderkid Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The teenage sensation recently landed in Sri Lanka with the India A team for the upcoming one-day tri-series this month.

After dominating the IPL 2026, Vaibhav is all set to be seen in the India jersey in the upcoming one-day tri-series involving Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A. India A will also play two multi-day matches against Sri Lanka A, with the squad for the red-ball fixtures to be announced soon.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi appears disturbed in Sri Lanka

As the one-day tri-series is set to get underway on June 9 in Dambulla, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi landed in Sri Lanka with the India A squad, but he did not look excited or his usual cheerful self.

Read Also: Hardik Pandya injury update: BCCI receives final verdict from CoE

In the viral photos and videos across social media platforms, the youngster appeared quiet and disappointed. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi did not seem comfortable and looked slightly frustrated while interacting with fans and posing for photographs with them.

Actually, the pressure around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has grown massively over the last few months. From being a promising youngster to becoming one of the most talked-about names in world cricket, the left-handed batter’s life has changed completely.

To manage this, Rajasthan Royals team manager Romi Bhinder was observed closely monitoring the 15-year-old prodigy during the IPL 2026. So, many have now been slamming the BCCI for not appointing someone who could guide and help him.

This is the exact reason, Rajasthan Royals had Romi bhinder trail Vaibahv like a shadow.

But this BCCI viz filled with incompetent nepo products and political clowns, which doesn't have the foresight to appoint a guardian alongside him. @BCCI @JayShah @MithunManhas pic.twitter.com/u03IbwwKXK

— Gangadhar (@gangadhar_11) June 5, 2026

As soon as Vaibhav Suryavanshi arrived in Sri Lanka, he looked a bit upset. There was sadness and slight frustration visible on his face. He also seemed bothered by the fans, and his disappointment was clearly noticeable while taking pictures with them.👀 pic.twitter.com/8H48R1VLld

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) June 5, 2026

Shreyas Iyer set to become India's T20I captain as selectors plan massive shake-up

Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team is preparing for a fresh chapter in the T20 format. Just a few months after leading India to T20 World Cup glory, Suryakumar Yadav has reportedly lost the captaincy role, with Shreyas Iyer emerging as the new leader for the shortest format.

A similar thing happened when Rohit Sharma's successful Champions Trophy campaign was followed by a leadership change, with Shubman Gill taking charge of the ODI side. The Indian selectors are all set to meet at the BCCI headquarters on June 6, and they are expected to make a big call on Shubman Gill continuing to be India’s Test and ODI captain.

Read Also: Ravindra Jadeja's successor Manav Suthar makes India Test debut, receives cap from Kuldeep Yadav

The selectors are likely to finalize the future direction of India's T20 team, keeping in mind the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. India is expected to field a strong team to defend its gold medal, and several young players could find themselves under serious consideration.

Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi force his way into Team India?

Well, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has forced his way into selection discussions after producing one of the most incredible IPL seasons ever. But the biggest question is whether the 15-year-old will find a place in the upcoming T20I squad, as there have been so many options at the top of the order.

However, if they opt for a rotation policy, he can get his chance. Vaibhav finished IPL 2026 as the leading run-scorer with 776 runs in 16 matches. He averaged 48.50 and scored at a stunning strike rate of 237.31. The RR batter also created history by smashing 72 sixes in a single season.

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Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa etched his name into the history books by becoming the first Indian ever to win the prestigious Norway Chess tournament. The 20-year-old Grandmaster secured the coveted crown after defeating Germany’s Vincent Keymer in the final round of the elite event in Oslo.

Historic Achievement for Indian Chess

Praggnanandhaa entered the final day in contention for the title and delivered when it mattered most. His classical victory over Keymer earned him crucial points, helping him finish at the top of the standings and claim one of the most respected titles in world chess.

The achievement is particularly significant as no Indian player, including legendary Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, had previously won the Norway Chess crown since the tournament’s inception in 2013.

Remarkable Comeback in Oslo

Praggnanandhaa’s title run was marked by resilience. After a relatively slow start to the tournament, he surged back into contention with a series of impressive performances in the latter stages. His victories over top opponents, including world champion D Gukesh and world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, proved decisive in shaping the title race.

A New Milestone in a Rising Career

Already regarded as one of the brightest talents in global chess, Praggnanandhaa added another landmark achievement to his rapidly growing résumé. The victory further strengthens his standing among the world’s elite players and underscores India’s growing influence on the international chess circuit.

Significance Beyond the Trophy

The triumph is being viewed as a watershed moment for Indian chess. Winning Norway Chess on the home turf of Magnus Carlsen, against one of the strongest fields in the sport, highlights Praggnanandhaa’s maturity and ability to perform under pressure.

A Moment to Remember

From being a teenage sensation to conquering one of chess’s most demanding tournaments, Praggnanandhaa’s latest feat marks a new chapter in Indian chess history. His victory in Oslo not only secures a prestigious title but also cements his reputation as one of the leading stars of the next generation.

The post Praggnanandhaa Creates History, Becomes First Indian to Win Norway Chess Title appeared first on SSI FANZINE.

कर्नाटक की प्रतिष्ठित टी20 लीग महाराजा ट्रॉफी केएससीए (KSCA) 2026 के लिए खिलाड़ियों की नीलामी पूरी हो गई है. टूर्नामेंट का आयोजन 20 जून से 12 जुलाई के बीच किया जाएगा. इस ऑक्शन की सबसे बड़ी चर्चा भारतीय टेस्ट टीम के उपकप्तान और स्टार विकेटकीपर बल्लेबाज केएल राहुल को लेकर रही, जिन्हें किसी भी टीम ने नहीं खरीदा. आईपीएल 2026 में दिल्ली कैपिटल्स के लिए शानदार प्रदर्शन करने वाले राहुल ने 14 मैचों में 593 रन बनाए थे. इसी सीजन के दौरान उन्होंने टी20 क्रिकेट में किसी भारतीय पुरुष बल्लेबाज द्वारा खेली गई सबसे बड़ी पारी का रिकॉर्ड भी अपने नाम किया था. इसके बावजूद वह नीलामी में अनसोल्ड रह गए.

उपलब्धता पर संशय बना वजह

राहुल के अनसोल्ड रहने की मुख्य वजह उनकी उपलब्धता को माना जा रहा है. भारतीय टीम के नियमित सदस्य होने के कारण उनका अंतरराष्ट्रीय कार्यक्रम काफी व्यस्त है. भारत को 20 जून को अफगानिस्तान के खिलाफ तीसरा वनडे मुकाबला खेलना है, जबकि 14 जुलाई को इंग्लैंड के खिलाफ वनडे सीरीज भी निर्धारित है.
नीलामी के दौरान जब राहुल की उपलब्धता को लेकर सवाल पूछा गया तो ऑक्शनर ने संकेत दिया कि उनके टूर्नामेंट में खेलने की संभावना कम है. इसी अनिश्चितता के चलते किसी फ्रेंचाइजी ने उन पर दांव नहीं लगाया.

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करुण नायर पर लगी सबसे बड़ी बोली

नीलामी में सबसे ज्यादा कीमत भारतीय बल्लेबाज करुण नायर को मिली. उन्हें कोस्टल किंग्स मंगलुरु ने 18 लाख रुपये में अपनी टीम में शामिल किया. इसके साथ ही वह इस सीजन के सबसे महंगे खिलाड़ी बन गए. वहीं, पहली बार लीग का हिस्सा बनी शिवमोग्गा योद्धास ने आईपीएल में सनराइजर्स हैदराबाद के लिए खेल चुके युवा बल्लेबाज रविचंद्रन स्मरण को 15.75校 रुपये में खरीदा. इसके अलावा अभिनव मनोहर को 13.5 लाख रुपये, मनीष पांडे को 12.75 लाख रुपये और मयंक अग्रवाल को 11.50 लाख रुपये में टीमों ने अपने साथ जोड़ा. ये सभी खिलाड़ी नीलामी के सबसे महंगे खिलाड़ियों की सूची में शामिल रहे.

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छह टीमें लेंगी हिस्सा

महाराजा ट्रॉफी केएससीए टी20 का यह पांचवां संस्करण होगा. इस बार टूर्नामेंट में छह टीमें भाग लेंगी. इनमें कल्याणी बेंगलुरु ब्लास्टर्स, हुबली टाइगर्स, मैसूर वॉरियर्स, गुलबर्गा मिस्टिक्स, कोस्टल किंग्स मंगलुरु और शिवमोग्गा योद्धास शामिल हैं. टूर्नामेंट में एक बार फिर कर्नाटक के कई अनुभवी और युवा खिलाड़ियों को अपनी प्रतिभा दिखाने का मौका मिलेगा, जबकि नीलामी के नतीजों ने सीजन शुरू होने से पहले ही चर्चा का माहौल बना दिया है.