Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s intention to host the 2036 Olympics, pointing to recent reforms such as the National Sports Governance Act.
“The 2030 Commonwealth Games will be held in India, and the country is making strong efforts to host the 2036 Olympics, with the aim of giving more and more players greater opportunities to compete,” Modi said.
In July last year, Indian officials visited the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters in Lausanne to present Ahmedabad, Gujarat state’s fast‑growing megacity, as the proposed host.
Ahmedabad and the neighboring capital Gandhinagar have outlined an Olympic plan with cost estimates ranging from $4.1 billion to $7.5 billion (€3.8–7.1 billion).
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However, according to several media reports, the IOC flagged three major concerns during discussions. These included governance issues within the Indian Olympic Association, widespread doping violations and India’s weak Olympic performances.
A final IOC decision is not expected before late 2027.
Concerns about shady deals ahead of 2026 Winter Olympics
Experts divided on readiness
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Indian sports administrators and even athletes remain divided over whether the country is ready to host the world’s biggest sporting event.
P. S. M. Chandran, a leading sports medicine and anti‑doping expert, believes that some of the challenges India faces are overstated.
“Pollution is not an issue since Ahmedabad — not Delhi — is bidding, and athletes can train elsewhere,” Chandran, who has served as a team doctor for India at the Olympics and Asian Games, told DW.
As for doping, Chandran feels that the numbers are inflated because India tests more. He also feels that India’s poor medal count matters least in bid evaluations.
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“Ultimately, none of these concerns — pollution, doping, or medals — will determine the outcome. What matters most is money and influence in the bidding process,” he said.
India has experience hosting major sporting events. The Asian Games were held in New Delhi in 1951 and 1982, and the capital also hosted the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Ahmedabad is slated to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
Shaji Prabhakaran, a football administrator and former general secretary of the All‑India Football Federation, said India must now project its capabilities globally.
“It is here that sports diplomacy matters. Qatar has also signaled interest, with infrastructure from the 2022 FIFA World Cup as a key selling point. It will be competitive,” Prabhakaran told DW.
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Competition for 2036 is already intense, with bids from Indonesia, Turkey, Chile, Saudi Arabia and others. Germany is also exploring bids for 2036, 2040 or 2044, with Munich, Cologne and Hamburg as potential hosts.
“If we don’t make the cut in 2036, the 2040s seem more feasible,” added Prabhakaran.
A decade too soon?
Renowned long jumper Anju Bobby George strongly supports India’s bid, arguing the country now has the capacity to host the Games.
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“We’re no lesser claimants than Germany. We’re ready,” she said.
Scaling new challenges – A Climber’s Olympic Dream
George, a bronze medalist at the 2003 World Championships, highlighted grassroots talent programs and the National Sports Governance Bill as important steps.
The bill, passed last year, aims to regulate sports bodies, improve governance and ensure accountability. It established a National Sports Board to promote ethical practices and creates a National Sports Tribunal to resolve disputes.
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Acknowledging doping issues, she urged federations to act decisively.
“Hosting the Olympics would elevate sports and the nation alike, with national pride on the line,” she told DW.
Ready for 2044?
Citing issues such as pollution and a lack of infrastructure, veteran sports journalist Sharda Ugra urged caution.
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“Ahmedabad’s air this morning is showing an Air Quality Index of 175 in the unhealthy category. This will be noticed around the world,” she told DW. “When you bid for an Olympics, everything is open to scrutiny.”
She sees Ahmedabad as a city that is modernizing but is not yet ready for the global stage.
“Every Olympic city has been a well‑known, modern global city, which the German candidates are. Ahmedabad is trying to be a modern city and the next decade needs to show proof of that,” she said.
Given India’s scale and the diverse challenges across sport, infrastructure and environment, Urga believes the 2040s are more realistic.
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“India must first host multiple world championships to demonstrate credibility,” she said.
Lucknow Super Giants’ captain Rishabh Pant, right, with Mohammed Shami (PTI Photo)
Mohammed Shami delivered a clinical spell to guide Lucknow Super Giants to a five-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad, later explaining the tactical shift behind his success. The veteran pacer returned outstanding figures of 2 for 9 in his four overs, including a remarkable 18 dot balls, setting the tone early as LSG ripped through SRH’s top order. The hosts eventually recovered to 156 for 9, but the total never looked enough. Speaking after being named Player of the Match, Shami revealed that his decision to rely more on slower deliveries came from observing trends from the previous season. “Last year I was here, a lot of slower balls were bowled. That was in my mind, the bowlers and the opponents bowled a lot of slower balls, so I thought why not I try it too,” Shami said at the post-match presentation. His impact was immediate. Shami struck in the opening over to remove Abhishek Sharma for a duck and soon sent back Travis Head, leaving SRH rattled early. Ishan Kishan also fell cheaply, as the innings spiralled during the Powerplay. At 22 for 3 and then 26 for 4, SRH were staring at a collapse before Nitish Kumar Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen stitched together a crucial 116-run stand to revive the innings. Shami stressed that the victory was important after a setback in the previous game and spoke about the need to maintain rhythm and fitness through consistent cricket. “We are very happy because we had lost the previous match at home, so it was very important for us to win this match to build momentum. Once you get that start, the winning momentum continues. (on his preparation for this IPL) If you like cricket, and if you want to play at any level, then it is important to be in touch with the game,” Shami said. He also underlined the importance of preparation and adaptability, highlighting how staying match-ready helped him execute his plans effectively. “If you want to perform at a good level, it’s very important to maintain your fitness. First, you have to be fit then you can show your skill. Regarding domestic cricket, my plan was to be in touch with the game, so that I can be in the flow. That’s why I played all the matches. (on his changes to his bowling today) Without skill and without experience, nothing works. It’s about quickly adapting to the conditions and reading them is very important,” he added. Despite SRH’s late recovery, LSG stayed in control during the chase, with the skipper leading from the front with an unbeaten 68 to seal a comfortable win.
Kym Davison, the trainer from Albury, has savored his maiden city triumph on a premier occasion of the Sydney autumn carnival in 2026, accomplishing it almost accidentally.
He acted as a standby instead, and obligated to stay in Sydney for any possible withdrawals, Davison elected to pay the entry fee for the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) as a fallback option.
“First city winner, so not a bad one to crack the ice with,” Davison said.
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“I was hoping to be in the next race, but great consolation.
“I saw this race and said, ‘well, we’re going up there anyway, so we’ll go and have a throw at the stumps’.”
Autumn Break ($8) duly obliged, prevailing by a nose over Kilman ($31) prepared by Chris Waller, who controlled the race until the final stride, as Matias ($6.50) trailed by a short head for third.
The result offered solace in a distressing phase for the Davison household, with Kym’s brother succumbing to his illness just a week prior.
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“It’s been a hard week. We lost my brother a week ago,” he said.
“He had been unwell for a while. But you’ve got to pick yourself up.”
Davison, managing eight horses in his Albury stable, will now spell Autumn Break with intentions of targeting The Kosciuszko (1200m) early in his next campaign in October.
“The Kosciuszko, he’d go alright in that,” he said.
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“His first start was over 1200, and he should have won that Highway (Handicap) here, that was 1200 first-up, so we’ll try to push onto that if we can.”
Discover leading betting sites offering racing odds for the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes.
Even in a crushing 43-run loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Chennai Super Kings quietly ticked off a major milestone that adds an interesting layer to the evolving scoring trends in the IPL.Most 200-plus totals in the IPL37 – CSK36 – RCB33 – PBKS32 – MI30 – KKRCSK’s 207 all out while chasing 250 at the Chinnaswamy took them to 37 totals of 200-plus in IPL history, the most by any team. They have now edged past RCB, who are on 36, with Punjab Kings (33), Mumbai Indians (32) and Kolkata Knight Riders (30) following behind.What makes the stat intriguing is the timing. In an era where 200-plus scores are becoming increasingly common and often not enough to guarantee wins, CSK’s record came in a match where they were comprehensively outplayed. Chasing a massive 250, they still managed to cross 200, but the gap in quality and execution was evident throughout the contest.The night belonged entirely to RCB’s power-packed batting unit. Devdutt Padikkal laid the platform with a well-paced 50, but it was the late assault that completely blew the game open. Rajat Patidar and Tim David dismantled the CSK bowling attack with a ruthless fourth-wicket stand. Patidar’s unbeaten 48 off 19 balls and David’s brutal 70 off 25 lifted RCB to a towering 250 for 3, with 97 runs coming in the last five overs.In response, CSK never really found stability. Early wickets left them struggling at 30 for 3, and the chase was effectively over in the powerplay itself. Sarfaraz Khan showed intent with a quick half-century, while useful contributions from the lower middle order helped them go past 200, but the target remained far out of reach. The match summed up the modern IPL perfectly. Big scores are frequent, momentum shifts quickly, and even crossing 200 does not carry the same weight it once did. On this occasion, CSK ended up on the wrong side of the result, but still moved to the top of a high-scoring chart that continues to grow with every season.
Feb 28, 2026; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Honor Huff (3) is interviewed after the game after defeating the BYU Cougars at Hope Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images
Honor Huff scored 38 points and made eight 3-pointers to help West Virginia rally for an 89-82 overtime victory over Oklahoma in the College Basketball Crown championship game on Sunday in Las Vegas.
Chance Moore added 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Mountaineers (21-14), who trailed by 13 points in the second half before rallying. Brenen Lorient scored 15 points in the program’s first postseason tournament title since winning the 2007 NIT.
Nijel Pack led Oklahoma (21-16) with 24 points and seven assists, followed by Tae Davis’ 19 points and Xzayvier Brown’s 13.
Oklahoma scored the first six points of overtime, taking an 82-76 lead on Pack’s layup.
Jasper Floyd then hit his first 3-pointer of the game, followed by Huff’s triple to tie the score with 2:14 remaining. After Pack missed a 3-pointer, Floyd hit another trey to give the Mountaineers an 85-82 lead.
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West Virginia got stops on its next two possessions and Huff drilled four straight free throws to seal the championship win.
Oklahoma pushed its four-point halftime lead to 10 on Pack’s 3-pointer, forcing a West Virginia timeout less than four minutes into the second half.
Brown’s jumper extended the margin to 13, before Huff’s three-point play and Moore’s layup cut the deficit to 59-51.
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Lorient’s basket at the 5:23 mark pulled West Virginia within three. Derrion Reid and Davis scored on Oklahoma’s next two possessions, giving the Sooners a 71-64 lead.
From there, Huff scored five straight points and Lorient made a layup to tie the score at 71 with 1:45 remaining.
After an Oklahoma timeout, Pack and Huff traded triples. Davis then turned the ball over and committed a foul on Huff, who drained two free throws with 33 seconds left.
Davis’ ensuing layup tied the score at 76. Huff missed a go-ahead 3-pointer on the other end, sending the game to overtime.
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The Mountaineers connected on eight of their first 10 3-point attempts, including Huff’s three straight triples to build a 26-11 lead.
Oklahoma answered with a 16-2 run, cutting its deficit to a point on Pack’s mid-range jumper with 5:25 left in the first half.
After Moore’s layup snapped a four-plus minute West Virginia scoring drought, the Sooners scored nine straight points, taking a 36-30 advantage. Davis closed the first half with a three-point play to give Oklahoma a 41-37 halftime lead.
The decision on whether Gin Twist forges ahead to another start or enters a spell phase hinges on her performance in a track gallop.
Lindsay Park’s two-year-old filly is a potential runner in Saturday’s Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield, contingent on a satisfying showing in Monday’s gallop.
She was the hot favourite dispatched in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Flemington March 28, leading early before stopping to take third.
Ben, Will and J D Hayes prepare Gin Twist, who was accounted for by more than three lengths by the Sydney mare Satono Glow.
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Ben Hayes mentioned optimism surrounds the filly’s readiness for Saturday, as she exhibits no adverse aftereffects from the race.
“We’ll make a decision on Monday whether she runs or not after she does some work,” Hayes said.
“We feel that one, she raced a bit fresh last week and two, she didn’t handle the heavy track, but she has pulled up fine.
“It is a good opportunity for her and if she doesn’t work well, we won’t run her, but if she works well, we’ll run her.”
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The filly had previously claimed the Listed Festival Stakes (1000m) victory at Flemington on February 28, and was next in line as third emergency for Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on March 21.
Lindsay Park refrained from interstate travel for her, aware a start was improbable.
Hayes is of the view that Gin Twist copes with 1200m and merits another attempt on a good track.
“I think she is a very fast horse, and 1200 metres is her limit,” Hayes said.
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“But it is hard to judge her off that run over 1200 metres, which was down the straight, and on a heavy eight (track).
“We can find out if she can the trip and then we’ll know how to place her next prep.”
Secure the best value with betting sites offering markets for the Redoute’s Choice Stakes.
Liv Morgan broke character to comment on her relationship with WWE star Rhea Ripley. Both Ripley and Morgan will be challenging for major titles at WrestleMania 42.
In an interview with Esteban Ramirez, Liv Morgan broke character to comment on her relationship with Rhea Ripley. The Judgment Day star noted that she knew her former rival was going to be a star while they were in NXT together and left Ripley her locker when she got called up to the main roster.
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“Rhea and I have quite a bit of lore. I remember back in the Performance Center when I saw her, I knew that she was gonna be a star. It was just very evident to me. So when I had gotten called up to the main roster, I had left Rhea my locker. I told her, ‘You can have my locker, you can move your stuff into my locker.’ She didn’t even have a locker yet,” said Morgan.
The Women’s Royal Rumble winner added that they will always be connected and compared their rivalry to Batman and The Joker.
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“I came back on the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour and took everything that she loved including Dominik, the Judgment Day and the Women’s World Championship. So I feel like we are both the heroes and villains in each other’s stories. She is the Batman to my Joker, and I am the villain in her hero’s story, and she is the villain in my hero’s story,” she added. [H/T: WrestleTalk on X]
You can check out the interview in the video below:
Morgan will be challenging Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania 42.
Liv Morgan comments on recent WWE injury
WWE RAW star Liv Morgan recently discussed her injury last year that caused her to miss several months of WWE television.
In an interview with Brad Gilmore, the 31-year-old noted that the injury was devastating for her last year as she was on an upward trajectory. The WWE veteran added that she was upset about the situation during her hiatus last year.
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“I do feel like in the moment that I got injured, I was on a very upward trajectory. And so the injury obviously devastated me. I was very, very angry the whole entire time I had off time,” she said.
Liv Morgan says she was “angry the whole time” when she was recovering from shoulder injury: “I was mad the whole entire time,” Morgan said. “I got injured in a moment [when] I had multiple things going on for me. I was really enjoying and loving what I was doing. So to have all
Only time will tell if Liv Morgan can defeat Stephanie Vaquer to become champion once again at WWE WrestleMania.
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It’s all square between Marhoona and Tempted with one victory apiece, though one will claim superiority in their first encounter since the Golden Slipper of last year on The Championships’ Day Two at Randwick.
Both coming off Group 1 triumphs, Marhoona and Tempted gear up for the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday, after juvenile meetings split by Tempted’s 2025 Reisling Stakes (1200m) win and Marhoona’s Slipper.
Still, Tempted’s placing trailing superstar Ka Ying Rising in The Everest (1200m) then Group 1 capture in the Surround Stakes (1400m) marks her as strong favourite, opposite Marhoona’s $11 quote.
Marhoona’s preparer Michael Freedman knows the size of the job but has no complaints about his filly’s form.
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“We did beat her in the Slipper, and she beat us in the Reisling,” Freedman said of the rivalry with Tempted.
“She is obviously a very, very good filly and she will take a bit of beating here next Saturday.
“I think Marhoona is going as well as she ever has. We’ll see when barriers come out, that can play a part, but she is in good order.
“Zac Lloyd has picked up the ride on her.”
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Marhoona put paid to any Golden Slipper legacy issues last time, upsetting hardened sprinters for The Galaxy (1100m) success at Rosehill.
The trainer described the result as proof of her resilience and fight, praising the youngster’s record in minimal outings.
“She is such a tough, game filly. She’s not overly big, but she hates getting beaten,” he said.
“It was a big thrill to come out and win a race like that with her after winning the Slipper.
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“She won a Listed in the spring as a three-year-old, so it’s great credit to her. She’s only had eight lifetime starts and she has won two Group Ones.”
Pallaton from the same barn could enter the Arrowfield, fitted with blinkers post his colt-like display finishing out of contention in the Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m).
The stable will watch Profoundly, Saturday’s Adrian Knox Stakes champ, for her shot at the ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) barring any issues this week.
Visit leading betting sites to find the top racing betting markets ahead of the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint.
Apr 5, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May during a press conference ahead of the Final Four of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Michigan head coach Dusty May informed Michigan officials that he would not take part as a candidate in North Carolina’s coaching search — nor any other — ESPN reported on Sunday.
May, 49, has guided the Wolverines to the NCAA Championship Game in his second season in Ann Arbor. A year after he took them to the Sweet 16, May has the Wolverines sitting at 36-3 ahead of Monday’s championship matchup with UConn.
The Tarheels have been in pursuit of a new coach since firing Hubert Davis on March 24. The school is now facing a looming deadline of sorts with the transfer portal opening on Tuesday, yet it has also been doing due diligence with coaches still in the tournament.
Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd had been squarely in North Carolina’s sights until Friday, when Lloyd was given a significant contract extension to remain with the Wildcats. That provoked speculation that the Tarheels could turn their attention to another Final Four coach.
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As Lloyd’s new deal became public, May — whose buyout is $7 million — also addressed job rumors on Friday, reiterating his commitment to Michigan.
“After last year, I decided that I’ll never, ever respond to any job speculation,” May said. “I think it’s well-documented how happy I am at Michigan. Obviously, my private life, my personal life, my family, their happiness is very important.”
Interestingly, Lloyd and May squared off on Saturday, with May’s Wolverines winning a one-sided affair, 91-73.
North Carolina finished 24-9 with a first-round exit in this year’s NCAA Tournament. Iowa State’s T.J. Otzelberger and Alabama’s Nate Oats have also publicly taken themselves out of the running in recent days. Other reported candidates include the Chicago Bulls’ Billy Donovan and Vanderbilt’s Mark Byington, among others.
Manchester United have been handed an injury boost ahead of the Premier League clash against Leeds United.
Manchester United have been handed an injury boost ahead of their return to Premier League action next week. After the international break and FA Cup action, United are back in action next Monday when they host rivals Leeds United.
United were last in action on Friday, 20 March, when they had to settle for a point from a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. That result left United in third place in the Premier League table, one point above Aston Villa in fourth.
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The match against Bournemouth also saw Harry Maguire shown a red card, meaning that he will be suspended for the match vs Leeds.
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The extra break has given some members of the United squad extra time to recover from any bumps, bruises or injuries. With that in mind, here’s a look at the latest from the United treatment room.
Patrick Dorgu
Injury: Hamstring
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The full-back has missed the last eight Premier League games due to a hamstring injury sustained in the closing stages of the clash against Arsenal. He is now back doing individual work on the grass as he steps up his recovery from the injury.
Potential return date: Vs Liverpool (H), Sunday, 3 May
Potential return date: Vs Leeds (H), Mon, 13 April
Benjamin Sesko
Injury: Knock
Like Mbeumo, Sesko pulled out of international duty over the break. The striker has been dealing with a fitness concern over the last few weeks, but should be able to feature for United against Leeds.
Potential return date: Vs Leeds (H), Mon, 13 April
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Lisandro Martinez
Injury: Calf
The centre-back has missed the last five Premier League games due to the injury, but is closing in on a comeback.
What has been said: “[Lisandro is] closer, a lot closer. He’s getting there, so after this one. I think he’ll be alright.”
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Potential return date: Vs Leeds (H), Mon, 13 April
Matthijs de Ligt
Injury: Back
The defender has been out of action since November due to a back injury.
What has been said: “He’s obviously trying to work to get back but it’s just the back issue, really, that’s proving difficult. We’ll keep working as hard as we can, to get him back as quickly as we can.”
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Potential return date: Unknown
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar etched his name into the record books on Sunday as he became only the second bowler and the first fast bowler to take 200 wickets in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Bhuvneshwar achieved the milestone by dismissing Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Ayush Mhatre during their IPL 2026 clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The seasoned campaigner, now the second-highest wicket-taker in IPL history, joined fellow Indian and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in the exclusive 200-wicket club. Bhuvneshwar’s tally now stands at 200 wickets in 192 matches, at an average of 27.25. Chahal leads the charts with 224 wickets in 176 matches at an average of 22.68, while Sunil Narine sits third with 193 wickets from 191 matches.
Bhuvneshwar reached the landmark in style, troubling Mhatre with a hard-length delivery outside the off stump that rose sharply. Attempting a pull shot, Mhatre was cramped for room and mistimed the stroke, sending the ball looping towards mid-off, where RCB skipper Rajat Patidar completed a simple catch.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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