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R Ashwin Reveals “Disease” In Indian Cricket: “Espionage Going On?”

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Legendary India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned whether some players are actively involved in the public amplification of certain narratives in order to raise their brand value. Labelling the growing phenomenon as a “disease”, Ashwin raised eyebrows regarding the narratives that are discussed on social media, particularly questioning the influence of fan armies on the internet. He hinted at this possibly even being a business model. Ashwin – the second-highest wicket-taker for India in international cricket – also criticised the nature of star culture in Indian cricket.

“There’s something of a disease going around at this point. A lot of these opinions that show up on social media through fan armies – I’ve heard them before, first-hand,” Ashwin said, speaking at a RevSportz event.

“Sometimes, I’ve heard these same views at a breakfast table or a lunch table, and later they appear online under some other name. That’s when you wonder-how is this happening?” Ashwin added.

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While Ashwin did not specifically accuse players of being involved in such campaigns, he speculated on the possibility of it.

“I’m not saying players themselves are planting these opinions, but it is scary. Is there some sort of espionage going on? I’m not saying that’s exactly what’s happening, but there is surely some business structure involved.

“Today, every player is an entrepreneur, and pushing opinions outside can increase brand value or improve PR. I’m all for that. But speaking ill of another cricketer is something I would never do,” he stated.

Ashwin also revealed his feelings on Indian cricket revolving around superstars.

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“Where did all this begin? We started creating narratives around players. We started painting a superhero culture, a cinematic culture. Who even talks about cricket now? Nobody speaks about the game itself.

“Some time ago, I put out a Twitter thread about what Shubman was doing that was leading to his dismissals in a certain way. For me, it is always about the ‘what’ and the ‘why,’ never the ‘whom.’ But immediately it became about comparison-why only Shubman and not someone else? I was like, do you even follow what I do?” Ashwin said.

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Playoffs? Check. Next up for Thunder: Handle lowly Nets

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NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder at Orlando MagicMar 17, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket past Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva (23) in the fourth quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder clinched the first step in their title defense and saw Shai Gilgeous-Alexander extend his historic streak on Tuesday.

After becoming the first team to secure a playoff berth this season, the Thunder will attempt to earn their 10th straight victory and widen their lead atop the Western Conference when they face the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday in New York.

The Thunder clinched their third straight playoff spot by earning a 113-108 victory over the host Orlando Magic after taking an 18-point lead midway through the second quarter. It was Oklahoma City’s seventh win by single digits during its second-longest winning streak of the season.

“We’re proud of that,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “It’s not easy. We won the championship last year, and I think that can warp the way that you look at other things like clinching a playoff spot or division titles — things that obviously are not as significant as a championship but that are very difficult to do nonetheless. So we’re proud of the accomplishment, and it’s something we don’t take for granted.”

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points for the sixth time this season and had 19 points in the third quarter. The star guard extended his NBA-record streak to 129 games with at least 20 points and did so in a game when the Thunder thrived in other areas.

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Oklahoma City held an opponent under 50% for the ninth straight game, limiting Orlando to 39.8% accuracy. It was the second-lowest opposing field-goal percentage during the winning streak, and the Thunder withstood allowing 17 3-pointers by holding a 54-32 scoring advantage in the paint and a 53-41 rebounding edge.

“It’s a point of emphasis for us,” Gilgeous-Alexander, speaking about the rebounding, said in his on-court postgame interview with FanDuel Sports. “Every night the game is going to have a different task, a different challenge, and it’s our job. We get paid to execute the game plan and play at a high level and with utmost energy. We did that enough tonight to get a W. That’s what stacking W’s is about.”

The Nets are on a four-game losing streak and 2-14 in the past 16 games. The most recent two games saw Brooklyn fall behind big in the first half and attempt a comeback in the fourth quarter.

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After nearly escaping a 28-point hole in a seven-point loss at Philadelphia on Saturday, Brooklyn gave up the first 10 points of its 114-95 home defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday. The Nets trailed by as many as 31 in the third quarter but briefly cut the gap to 15 before falling short.

Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn’s leading scorer, missed his third straight game due to a sprained right ankle and is listed as questionable for Wednesday. If he does play, he may wind up sitting in the fourth quarter, which is something the Nets did with Nic Claxton and Noah Clowney in recent games.

On Monday, rookie Danny Wolf was the only starter to appear in the fourth quarter as the Nets gave extensive playing time to rookies Ben Saraf, Chaney Johnson and Malachi Smith along with E.J. Liddell, Tyson Etienne and Ochai Agbaji.

Johnson led the Nets with a career-best 17 points in his fifth NBA game, while Saraf scored 10 of his career-high 15 points in the fourth quarter.

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“He plays bigger than what he is,” Brooklyn coach Jordi Fernandez said of Johnson, who is 6-foot-7. “His length, you know, he may get overlooked, but he can guard almost everybody. He is super active, super athletic. He can shoot the three, like, he does everything well, and he doesn’t try to do too much, and I think that always helps.”

–Field Level Media

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Venezuela’s Eugenio Suarez: ‘God is good’ after beating Team USA in WBC final

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Eugenio Suarez, the man who hit the game-winning RBI double to lift Venezuela over Team USA in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) final, tapped into his faith during his post-game interview. 

“I mean, what can I say about this? It’s amazing. God is good, all the glory is for the Lord Jesus. He was with us the whole time,” Suarez told FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal after being asked his emotions following the 3-2 win over the U.S. 

“We have to glorify, put his name in front of everything. Nobody believed in Venezuela, but now we [won] the championship today. This is a celebration for all [of Venezuela].”

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Eugenio Suarez points to sky

Eugenio Suárez of Team Venezuela reacts after hitting an RBI double against Team United States during the ninth inning at loanDepot park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Suárez shared his faith on Monday night after Venezuela came from behind to defeat Italy, when he hit a solo home run. But he knew the job wasn’t finished with one more game left on the schedule before he and his teammates — whom he called a family — returned to their MLB  clubs.

It was a dominant performance by Venezuela at loanDepot park on Tuesday night, a surprising showing in which Team USA was held to just two hits and four total baserunners when Bryce Harper came to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. 

VENEZUELA SHOCKS TEAM USA TO WIN WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC FOR FIRST TIME

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However, the game turned on its head, as Harper hammered an Andres Machado fastball over the center-field wall to tie the game at two runs apiece. The momentum shift was palpable, but Suarez found himself in a great position to bring it back to the Venezuelan dugout. 

Eugenio Suarez celebrates home run

Eugenio Suárez of Team Venezuela celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against Team Italy in the fourth inning at loanDepot park on March 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

As Javier Sanoja stole second base, Suárez didn’t miss a 3-2 changeup in the heart of the plate from Garrett Whitlock, driving it to left-center field for the game-winning hit.

He stood on second base and immediately looked to the sky, which Rosenthal asked about – what exactly did he say? 

“I just prayed at the time,” Suarez said. “I pointed to my family out there – they were happy for me. God is good, man. God is good.”

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Venezuela’s upset over Team USA, one of the most stacked lineups the Stars and Stripes have fielded in this tournament, marked the country’s first-ever WBC victory. It’s why everyone, from players to coaches, was emotional in celebration on the field after the game. 

Eugenio Suarez reacts on second base

Eugenio Suárez of Team Venezuela reacts after hitting an RBI double against Team United States during the ninth inning at loanDepot park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

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“The union – we are together the whole time. We’re not just teammates, we’re all family,” Suarez added. “This team is awesome – we are family here. That’s why we play with passion, with love because we feel that on our jersey. We feel our country on the front of us. That’s why this is a lot for us as players, as people, as human beings and as a Venezuelan. Now, we are the champions.”

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers Tips, Odds, Teams & Predictions – NRL Round 3 2026

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Polytec Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 3 NRL game between South Sydney Rabbitohs and
Wests Tigers. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with South Sydney Rabbitohs heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the South Sydney Rabbitohs vs.
Wests Tigers
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday March 21, 2026 at 7:35 pm

Where: Polytec Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

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South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers Odds

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers Preview

South Sydney look to continue building momentum after showing promising attacking signs through the first two rounds. The Rabbitohs’ spine remains one of the most dangerous in the competition when given time and space. The Tigers have been competitive early in the season but continue to struggle with defensive consistency, particularly against structured attacking sides. South Sydney’s ability to generate repeat sets through their kicking game could put the Tigers under sustained pressure. If the Rabbitohs control territory they should create enough opportunities to score. From a betting perspective South Sydney appear the stronger side on paper, but the Tigers’ unpredictability means handicaps may need careful consideration.

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers Teams

Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Euan Aitken 16. Sean Keppie 17. Jayden Sullivan 18. Lachlan Hubner 19. Moala Graham-Taufa 20. Thomas Fletcher 21. Latrell Siegwalt 22. Liam Le Blanc

Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Jeral Skelton 4. Heamasi Makasini 5. Luke Laulilii 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Alex Twal 14. Jock Madden 15. Sione Fainu 16. Royce Hunt 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Tristan Hope 19. Patrick Herbert 20. Bunty Afoa 21. Faaletino Tavana 22. Tony Sukkar

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‘Favourites tag doesn’t come easy’: Shubman Gill’s bold Team India message | Cricket News

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‘Favourites tag doesn’t come easy’: Shubman Gill’s bold Team India message
Shubman Gill (Pic credit: Gill’s X post)

NEW DELHI: India captain Shubman Gill delivered a powerful message after being named the winner of the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) for 2025, underlining the weight of expectations that come with representing one of the world’s top sides.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking after receiving the honour at the BCCI’s Naman Awards, Gill highlighted the collective effort behind India’s rise as a dominant force, while stressing that their reputation as favourites has been hard-earned.“It’s efforts by everyone — whether it’s Gauti bhai, the batting coach, bowling coach, fielding coach; they all work tirelessly to make this group what it is today. That’s why we are recognised as one of the most fearless teams in the world, and wherever we go, we are looked upon as favourites. That tag doesn’t come easy,” Gill said.

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Jay Shah calls 2019 to 2026 as Indian cricket’s golden period

The 26-year-old also reflected on the significance of joining an elite list of past winners, calling the recognition deeply special.“Obviously, it feels quite amazing to be recognised among cricketers, among the legends and idols that have won this award before me. It’s truly a great honour every time you step on the field to represent your country… and to do well in that sport and be recognised by the BCCI is an immense honour,” he added.Shubman Gill credits Gambhir and support staffGill credited head coach Gautam Gambhir and the wider support staff, including the Centre of Excellence, for shaping the team’s fearless approach.Reflecting on the past year, Gill termed it an “amazing journey,” pointing to India’s resilience during the England series. “Going into the England series and coming back to draw the series from where we were after the first Test match… it’s been a truly great year,” he said, also referencing strong outings in the West Indies and the Asia Cup.Looking ahead, Gill acknowledged the importance of the upcoming Test calendar, with crucial series against Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Australia set to define India’s World Test Championship hopes.“We’ve got some really crucial Test series coming up. Hopefully we are able to win most of our matches and qualify for the finals,” he said.Despite the accolades, Gill downplayed discussions around legacy, focusing instead on team identity. “We want to be looked upon… as a team that doesn’t give up easily. We want to instil that kind of character,” he noted.

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Controversy at Miami Open as Katerina Siniakova ignores opponent, leaves her confused in bizarre handshake drama

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In an unusual turn of events at the 2026 Miami Open, Czech tennis player Katerina Siniakova was seen executing unsportsmanlike behaviour following her loss to Colombian player Camila Osorio. They both locked heads during the first round on March 18, 2026.

Siniakova made her appearance at the 2026 Miami Open after having last competed at the Indian Wells Masters, where she retired halfway. While facing Elina Svitolina in the round of 16, Siniakova was trailing 6-1, 1-1. However, following the first game point in the second set, the Czech tennis player retired, citing a right hip injury.

Osorio’s last appearance was also at the Indian Wells, where she concluded her run following the loss against the Japanese star Naomi Osaka in the third round. Both competed against each other in the first round at the Miami Open, where the Colombian bested the Czech player 6-1, 6-4. However, the most striking moment came when Katerina Siniakova brushed off Osorio and ignored her after the match concluded.

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While Siniakova was seen lying on the court, expressing her discontent, Osorio walked on the opponent’s side of the court and initiated a handshake. However, Siniakova ignored the winner even though the latter followed her till the end of the court, leaving her standing awkwardly and in confusion.

Watch the bizarre handshake drama between Siniakova and Osorio:

Before the 2026 Miami Open, Osorio and Siniakova competed against each other at the 2026 WTA Doha, Qatar – Round of 32 on February 10, in which the Colombian won. She will next compete against Karolina Muchova at the Miami Open.

Mirra Andreeva expresses frustration after her defeat against Katerina Siniakova at the Indian Wells Masters

 Katerina Siniakova and Mirra Andreeva at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. Source: Getty Images Katerina Siniakova and Mirra Andreeva at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. Source: Getty Images
Katerina Siniakova and Mirra Andreeva at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. Source: Getty Images

Fans witnessed a similar spectacle as Katerina Siniakova vs Camila Osorio faceoff during the Czech’s match against defending champion Mirra Andreeva at the 2026 Indian Wells Masters tournament. Siniakova and Andreeva vied against each other in the round of 32, which the Czech dominated with 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3.

While Andreva entered the tournament as the eighth seed and the defending champion, Siniakova competed as an unseeded player. Andreeva’s discontent throughout the faceoff was unmissable, with the defending champion smashing her racket several times. She threw her racket after after losing the second set tiebreaker, which resulted in a code violation. Andreva repeated the same gesture after the match point. She was seen leaving the court by gesturing and shouting at the spectators.

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