Western Michigan suffered about as heartbreaking a loss as you’ll ever see on Saturday night.

The Broncos led Michigan 12-7 when time seemingly expired in Ann Arbor, but after a replay review of the Wolverines‘ Hail Mary attempt, a second was put back on the clock for one final play. On that play, Bryce Underwood found JJ Buchanan deep downfield for a miraculous, game-winning touchdown catch.

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The ruling was controversial, to say the least. The Big Ten released a statement early Sunday morning defending the officiating, but the MAC doesn’t feel the same way. In a statement released by commissioner Jon Steinbrecher on Tuesday, the league said it would file a formal appeal with the NCAA in an attempt to change the result of the game.

“After further study and investigation, it is now evident that replay protocol was not properly followed in determining whether time remained on the game clock at the conclusion of the Western Michigan vs. Michigan football game,” Steinbrecher said in the statement. “The established replay protocol requires that the game clock displayed on the program feed be used in determining whether time remained. Instead, the Big Ten Conference replay crew relied upon the clock feed embedded within its replay system. As a result, one second was placed back on the game clock and an additional play was awarded. “This was not a judgment regarding the proper amount of time to place on the clock. It was an error in the application of the established replay protocol governing this specific end-of-game timing situation. Had the protocol been properly followed and the program-feed clock been used, no additional play would have been awarded, and Western Michigan would have won the game, 12–7. “As a result, the Mid-American Conference has submitted formal appeals to the NCAA FBS Oversight Committee and the College Football Playoff. The MAC is requesting that those bodies recognize Western Michigan as the actual winner of the game for purposes of their respective rankings, evaluations and selection deliberations, and take such other corrective action as may be within their authority.”

Trainer Joe Pride commented on the performances of his stable’s three entries in the Group 2 $300,000 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The Tramway Stakes culminated in an exciting finish, with Headley Grange emerging victorious, while his stablemate Attica charged home for third, and Private Eye could only pass one horse in the straight to finish seventh.

Soothsayer appeared set to win when it broke clear halfway down the straight, but Pride could see Headley Grange making ground, and the trainer maintained his belief.

“This horse is a winner, he just finds a way to get it done,” Pride said.

“About 100m out I had a bit of faith he was going to find a way to get there because he doesn’t really run ‘seconds’, if he gets close enough he finds a way to win.”

Headley Grange ($3.80), under the guidance of jockey Adam Hyeronimus, displayed its strong winning desire by wearing down Soothsayer ($16) by a nose, with Attica ($12) finishing with vigour late to claim third, two lengths behind.

Idle Flyer, the $2.45 favourite, saw its run slightly diminish to finish in fourth position.

Hyeronimus stated that Headley Grange was exceptionally calm before the race, which reflected in its performance.

“I swung on him going out and he went around nice and relaxed,” Hyeronimus said.

“Even behind the gates, normally first-up he can get a little bit hot but he was well behaved today.

“He didn’t have the speed to go with them early. I thought I’d be in a position a pair closer, but the result was I was following the one who I thought was the one to beat.

“I had a good run down the running. The second horse went really well and challenged us.”

Pride admitted he was uncertain about Headley Grange’s main spring target, though he is keen to attempt to retain the gelding’s title in the Group 3 $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on October 10.

“I am extremely happy with him, he has returned in great shape,” Pride said.

“I haven’t made up my mind with Headley Grange but I would like to get him to the Alan Brown Stakes. We have a lot of options with him.”

Attica was showing its best form at the finish, and Pride mentioned that the horse is unlikely to race again before the Group 1 $1.5 million Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 3.

“Attica was fantastic, he was really good,” Pride said. “I might go straight to the Epsom.”

Private Eye was expected to lead or race forward, but it had a slow start and settled at the rear of the field.

“Nash said he couldn’t get Private Eye to go a yard,” Pride said.

“Private Eye is a funny horse. Once he is back in the field he just switches off. He will be fine, we will find another race for him.”

Considering Headley Grange’s gritty victory, it’s worth exploring the available Australian betting sites for future bets.

Ferran Torres, whose goal against Argentina won the World Cup for Spain in July, leads a 30-man list for the men’s Ballon d’Or revealed on Tuesday. The 26-year-old who has since joined Paris Saint-Germain is one of six Spanish World Cup winners on the list, alongside 2024 laureate Rodri and last year’s runner-up Lamine Yamal.  In the women’s section, three-time winner Aitana Bonmati did not make the shortlist after breaking her leg midway through the season, but her former Barcelona team-mate Alexia Putellas, the winner in 2021 and 2022 and now a London City Lionesses player, is there.

Torres also won La Liga with Barcelona in May but is now teaming up with last year’s Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele at PSG.

France international Dembele is one of nine PSG team-mates on the list to have won the Champions League in each of the last two years.

With Torres having joined the club, that makes it 10 current PSG players in total on the list.

Among them, Fabian Ruiz is the only player to have won the Champions League and World Cup in 2026.

Flying Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was one of the stars of PSG’s successful Champions League defence, alongside Portuguese midfield pair Vitinha and Joao Neves, and all three are nominated.

Messi in for 17th time

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi received his 17th nomination, but his eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo did not make the cut this time.

Messi helped inspire an ill-disciplined Argentina to the World Cup final, where they took almost 120 minutes to muster their first shot against Spain in a one-sided final.

England captain Harry Kane, who won the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, is included as is his French team-mate and wing wizard Michael Olise.

Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham earned his nomination with an impressive World Cup for England, scoring seven goals — matching Erling Haaland’s tally and beaten only by Messi (eight) and Kylian Mbappe, on 10.

Mbappe is there, after becoming the first player to win the World Cup golden boot a second time, while also scorching to the top of the tournament’s all-time record scorer list.

Yamal is also nominated in for the Young Talent award, which he has won the last two years.

OFFICIAL: BALLON D’OR 2026 – THE 30 NOMINEES.

Harry Kane

Vinicius Jr

Fabian Ruiz

Vitinha

Ferran Torres

William Saliba

Dayot Upamecano

Bruno Fernandes

Pau Cubarsi

Marc Cucurella

Jude Bellingham

Ousmane Dembele

Luis Diaz

Lamine Yamal… pic.twitter.com/1fH0OQFaxz

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 8, 2026

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Vozinha, the 40-year-old who was one of the heroes of Cape Verde’s fairytale World Cup run, has made the goalkeeper list.

Barcelona will also have a handful of contenders for the women’s award.

Putellas is one of seven players who won the women’s Champions League with the club in May to be on the list, including Poland’s Ewa Pajor, who scored a brace in the 4-0 final victory over Lyon.

Three of the men’s nominees play outside Europe. Messi is a MLS franchise Inter Miami and Sadio Mane and Julian Quinones play in Saudi Arabia.

The women’s award spreads its net a little wider. Zambian Barbra Banda, who plays for Orlando Pride in South Africa, Mexican Scarlett Camberos who plays in her native country and Malawian Temwa Chawinga amd American Rose Lavelle, who play in the NWSL, on the list.

The winners will be announced in a ceremony at the London Palladium Theatre on October 26.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Neeraj Chopra Wins Silver, Yashvir Singh Bronze As India Seal Double Podium In CWG Javelin

The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or has officially begun, with defending champion Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal among the biggest names included in the 30-player men’s shortlist announced by France Football on Tuesday.The women’s shortlist also features a host of major contenders, with two-time winner Alexia Putellas, Ewa Pajor and Melchie Dumornay among those hoping to succeed Aitana Bonmatí, who has won the award in each of the past three years but missed much of the season through injury.The winners will be crowned at a ceremony in London on October 26, with the event moving away from its traditional Paris setting to mark the 70th anniversary of the first Ballon d’Or, won by England legend Stanley Matthews in 1956.For Dembélé, the opportunity to become the first player since Bonmatí to retain the award comes after another remarkable season with Paris Saint-Germain. The Frenchman helped PSG win a second consecutive Champions League title, strengthening his claim to remain at the top of the individual game.Yet even Dembélé believes the trophy could stay in Paris regardless of who eventually wins it.“I don’t think the trophy is undecided. I think it will remain in the hands of a Paris Saint-Germain player,” he said in an interview with France Football.When asked to name his three leading contenders, Dembélé selected PSG teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Kane and Mbappé. He also highlighted Michael Olise, Yamal, Fabian Ruiz and Willian Pacho — but notably left himself out of his own top three.

Mbappé believes this could finally be his year

Mbappé enters the race having produced one of the most prolific individual campaigns of his career, despite Real Madrid ending the season without a major trophy.The France captain scored 42 goals in 44 appearances for Madrid and also enjoyed a record-breaking World Cup campaign. He claimed the Golden Boot for a second consecutive time with 10 goals and moved beyond Lionel Messi to become the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 22 goals.His individual numbers have strengthened his belief that he could finally get his hands on the Ballon d’Or after finishing third in 2023.“There are many people who speak about me and the Ballon d’Or. Of course I’ve made history in the most important competition. Maybe it’s a good year for this, but people can vote according to what they think,” Mbappé said on Monday.The French superstar also acknowledged the unique expectations that come with playing for Real Madrid.“I think when you play for Real Madrid, the best club in the world, people automatically associate you with this award,” Mbappé added. “I always think I’m the best, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.”Asked about comparisons with other leading contenders, Mbappé refused to get drawn into a debate that could quickly become endless.“I don’t like making comparisons because I do a lot of things that others don’t,” Mbappé said. “If we get into that it becomes an endless debate, you know?”

Kane, Yamal and Messi among the contenders

Kane has arguably produced one of the strongest seasons of his career, scoring 73 goals for club and country and finally adding major silverware to his collection after helping Bayern Munich win the Bundesliga.Yamal is another major contender after playing a central role in Spain’s World Cup triumph and Barcelona’s La Liga success. His continued rise has put the teenage forward firmly among the game’s elite.Messi, meanwhile, remains on the shortlist at 39. The eight-time winner continues to challenge for individual honours after guiding Argentina to a runner-up finish at the World Cup and helping Inter Miami win Major League Soccer.Dembélé and Mbappé both featured for France at the World Cup, where they were eliminated by eventual champions Spain in the semi-finals. While major team trophies traditionally carry significant weight in the Ballon d’Or race, Mbappé’s individual World Cup records could keep him firmly in contention.

Bonmatí misses out as women’s race opens up

The women’s award has a notably different complexion this year after Bonmatí was left out of the 30-player shortlist.The Barcelona star had dominated the award, winning three consecutive Ballon d’Or Feminin titles, but an injury kept her out for much of the season. She returned towards the end of Barcelona’s campaign and was able to feature as the club completed a quadruple that included another Champions League triumph.Putellas, a two-time winner, now has an opportunity to reclaim the crown, while Pajor and Dumornay are among the other prominent names in the running.The coaching awards will also be closely watched. World Cup-winning Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Premier League-winning Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta headline the men’s nominees for the Johan Cruyff Trophy.They are joined by Unai Emery of Aston Villa, Vincent Kompany of Bayern Munich and Luis Enrique of Paris Saint-Germain.In the women’s category, Jonatan Giraldez, Andree Jeglertz, Nils Nielsen, Pere Romeu and Elena Sadiku have been nominated.

How the Ballon d’Or winner is decided

The Ballon d’Or, created by France Football, has been awarded to men since 1956 and to women since 2018. The men’s award is voted on by one journalist from each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings, while the women’s award involves journalists from the top 50.Each voter ranks their selections, with points awarded according to the position of each player. The player collecting the most points wins.Organisers say the voting is based on three criteria, in order of importance: individual performances and decisive, impressive character; collective performances and titles won; and class and fair play.With the shortlist now confirmed, Dembélé has the chance to defend his crown, Mbappé is chasing the first Ballon d’Or of his career, Kane is hoping his trophy-laden season can finally translate into individual recognition, while Yamal and Messi add further star power to a race that promises to go down to the wire.

Shohei Ohtani was back in the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ lineup as designated hitter on Monday night after a four-day break to deal with lingering left knee, right biceps and neck soreness.

He was in his usual leadoff spot for the series opener against the Cincinnati Reds.

“Hopefully, we don’t see that wincing we saw a handful of nights ago,” manager Dave Roberts said before the game, referring to Ohtani appearing physically compromised at the plate before his break.

“I don’t want to say it’s day-to-day, but I am very curious to see how he comes out of tonight to then make the decision for tomorrow and ensuing days,” Roberts said.

The NL West-leading Dodgers won all four games during Ohtani’s absence, including a sweep of the Washington Nationals.

Even with Ohtani’s return as a hitter, it appears increasingly unlikely that the two-way superstar will pitch again this season. He hasn’t pitched in a game since July 3 and he hasn’t thrown since a bullpen session at Detroit on Aug. 28.

“We’ve put a pin in throwing,” Roberts said, “and just having him focus on the hitting, the running, keeping his legs good and doing whatever it takes to help us win.”

Asked to define “put a pin in throwing,” Roberts said “it’s not dead but we have no timetable for when he’s going to pick up a baseball.”

Why not just say Ohtani won’t pitch again?

“I’m choosing not to say it’s dead,” Roberts said.

Ohtani’s thoughts remain private since he hasn’t spoken to the media since Aug. 17.

Roberts described Ohtani as “happy” to be back in the lineup while being “completely fine” about tabling any pitching plans for now.

By taking pitching off Ohtani’s plate, the Dodgers hope the four-time MVP will lock in on hitting and get back on track after not appearing to be himself at the plate.

Ohtani is hitting .279 with 30 homers and 80 RBIs this season. Since the All-Star break, however, he’s batting .250 with eight homers and 22 RBIs in 41 games.

“Yes, he loves pitching, loves being a two-way player,” Roberts said, “but right now it just doesn’t make any sense. It’s more of what’s best for the team, number one, and 1A, what’s best for him.”

Utility player Tommy Edman took Ohtani’s place as the leadoff hitter for four games. He went 7 for 17 with a .412 average, one home run, four RBIs and five runs scored. He was scheduled to start at second and bat third on Monday.

Asked why he doesn’t move Ohtani out of the leadoff spot, Roberts replied, “I think he’s our best hitter. I think the best player should have the most latitude. Is it forever? I don’t know. Is it until the end of the season? I don’t know yet.”

Reporting by The Associated Press.

Sheffield United have signed former Crystal Palace and Leicester City forward Jordan Ayew on a deal until the end of the season.

The 34-year-old, who has won 124 caps for Ghana, was a free agent after leaving the Foxes at the end of last season following their relegation to League One.

Ayew joined Aston Villa from Lorient in 2015 and has spent the past 11 years in the Premier League and Championship.

“We’re talking about someone here with bags of experience from right at the top level of the game,” boss Chris Wilder told the club website., external

“Only a few months ago he was captaining Ghana in the World Cup, so he’s someone with real pedigree.

“He did well at this level last season in difficult circumstances and has played all across the front positions during his career which gives us plenty of options.”

Meanwhile, Blades defender Nils Zatterstrom and midfielder Ehije Ukaki, both 21, have gone on season-long loans to Polish side Rakow Czestochowa and Bulgarian club Botev Plovdiv respectively.

Swede Zatterstrom has not featured for United since joining last August, while Nigerian Ukaki, who joined from Plovdiv in June last year, made his sole appearance in a Carabao Cup defeat by Birmingham City in August 2025.

In the NFL, there are nearly 1,700 players on an active roster, but it’s the stars who make the world go ’round. They can lift good teams to great ones, lift middling teams to good ones or simply provide silver linings for bad teams. And while we may think we know who will be a star every season, there’s beauty in the breakout stars, too.

Last year, Jaxon Smith-Njigba went from promising young receiver to Offensive Player of the Year and was a huge reason the Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl. On the other end of the spectrum, team success-wise, the Cleveland Browns struggled again, but second-round pick Carson Schwesinger won Defensive Rookie of the Year and looks to be a pillar going forward in Northeast Ohio.

These types of breakouts make predicting individual awards difficult but also incredibly fun — an opportunity (and a challenge) to think outside the box.

With the 2026 NFL season just a day away, CBS Sports’ team of NFL experts — writers, editors, analysts and more — made their individual award picks.

Voters: Pete Prisco, Bryant McFadden, Emory Hunt, Leger Douzable, Garrett Podell, Josh Edwards, Jared Dubin, Jordan Dajani, Ryan Wilson, Tyler Sullivan, Doug Clawson, John Breech, R.J. White, Bryan DeArdo, Zach Pereles

MVP

1. Bengals QB Joe Burrow (5 votes)
2. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, Bills QB Josh Allen (2 each)

Also receiving votes: Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, Patriots QB Drake Maye, Lions QB Jared Goff, Chargers QB Justin Herbert, Packers QB Jordan Love, Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (1 each)

Burrow is the top choice for the second year in a row. While last year went off the rails for Burrow (and the Bengals) due to his injury, there are plenty of reasons to believe in a major bounce back. Burrow has been Comeback Player of the Year twice, including in 2024, when he led the NFL in passing yards (4,918) and passing touchdowns (43) and finished fourth in MVP voting. Moreover, the Bengals improved their defense this offseason, so if the team can be better, Burrow’s MVP candidacy will get a big boost.

Offensive Player of the Year

1. Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase (5 votes)
2. Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs (4)
3. Falcons RB Bijan Robinson, Rams WR Puka Nacua (2 each)

Also receiving votes: Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (1 each)

Chase won the receiving triple crown with a healthy Burrow in 2024, but Offensive Player of the Year went to Saquon Barkley, who went for over 2,000 yards on the ground. The argument for Chase is similar to the one for Burrow: If Burrow and Chase are healthy, huge numbers await, and if the defense is much improved, the Bengals should be, too. Fair or not, a player’s team being good gives him a leg up in award voting. Chase’s 6,837 career receiving yards are second-most ever through five seasons, only behind Justin Jefferson.

Defensive Player of the Year

1. Texans EDGE Will Anderson Jr. (9 votes)
2. Rams EDGE Myles Garrett, Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt (2 each)

Also receiving votes: Lions EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, Broncos EDGE Nik Bonitto (1 each)

Anderson Jr. was an overwhelmingly popular pick in what, hypothetically, could be a crowded race. In 2025, he was an absolute terror with 12 sacks, 93 pressures, 70 hurries and a 21% pressure rate. The last two numbers were tops in the NFL. If it hadn’t been for a record-setting year for Garrett, Anderson would be looking to go back-to-back for Defensive Player of the Year this year. Also worth noting: An edge defender or defensive lineman has won this award in 10 of the last 12 seasons.

Offensive Rookie of the Year

1. Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love (7 votes)
2. 49ers WR De’Zhaun Stribling (4 votes)
3. Seahawks RB Jadarian Price (2 votes)

Also receiving votes: Titans WR Carnell Tate, Browns WR Denzel Boston (1 each)

Love suffered a high ankle sprain in the preseason, but that didn’t scare off too many voters apparently. The Cardinals’ No. 3 overall pick looked electric in his lone preseason appearance and combines outstanding long speed with an impressive array of jukes. At Notre Dame last year, he scored 21 touchdowns en route to a third-place finish in Heisman Trophy voting.

Defensive Rookie of the Year

1. Jets EDGE David Bailey, Buccaneers EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. (5 votes each)
2. Cowboys DB Caleb Downs (3)

Also receiving votes: Bengals EDGE Cashius Howell, Commanders LB Sonny Styles (1 each)

Bailey vs. Bain was a popular debate leading up to the NFL Draft, and it transferred over to Defensive Rookie of the Year predictions, too. Bailey went No. 2 overall to the Jets after tying for the FBS lead in sacks (14.5) last year at Texas Tech. Bailey’s 19.5 tackles for loss were second-most in FBS, too. Bain, meanwhile, fell to the Buccaneers at 15th overall due to concerns about his arm length, but he might have found the perfect home with blitz-happy coach Todd Bowles. Bain had 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss last year at Miami.

Comeback Player of the Year

1. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (10 votes)

Also receiving votes: Rams DL Aaron Donald, Vikings QB Kyler Murray, Giants WR Malik Nabers, Packers TE Tucker Kraft (1 each)

Mahomes winning Comeback Player of the Year was the most popular pick across all of the categories. The three-time Super Bowl MVP is returning from a torn ACL suffered in December but has been on track for Week 1 for months. The Chiefs are in somewhat of a rebuild/retool season having traded away or lost via free agency several key pieces from past Super Bowl teams, but Mahomes remains. Kansas City will look to rebound from its worst record (6-11) since 2012.

Protector of the Year

1. Lions RT Penei Sewell (9 votes)

Also receiving votes: Chargers RT Joe Alt, Chargers LT Rashawn Slater, Eagles RT Jordan Mailata, Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley, Buccaneers LT Tristan Wirfs (1 each)

Bears guard Joe Thuney won the inaugural Protector of the Year award last year, but our voters focused on tackles this year, with Sewell demolishing the competition. A first-team All-Pro each of the last three seasons, Sewell is switching from right tackle to left tackle, but that didn’t give our voters any pause.

Coach of the Year

1. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer, Ravens coach Jesse Minter, Bills coach Joe Brady, Jaguars coach Liam Coen (2 votes each)

Also receiving votes: Jets coach Aaron Glenn, Giants coach John Harbaugh, Saints coach Kellen Moore, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, Packers coach Matt LaFleur, Broncos coach Sean Payton (1 each)

This vote was, predictably, quite spread out. Interestingly, all four coaches who received multiple votes are either in their first year of head coaching (Minter, Brady) or their second (Schottenheimer, Coen).

Michigan started 1-0 in the Kyle Whittingham era because of the most controversial win in recent memory for the sport.

The Wolverines are not going to be able to shake this.

On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, Spencer McLaughlin reacts to a couple of Top-25 teams that struggled.

Should Houston or Washington be concerned after struggling against Pac-12 foes?

Cal began the Tosh Lupoi era with a missed opportunity against UCLA, while the Bruins began the Bob Chesney era 1-0.

The Bears felt, unfortunately for their fans, like the Bears of old.

00:00 Questioning the two-clock situation
06:14 Confusion over replay clock issues
08:37 Handling the Kalamazoo controversy
13:51 Indiana vs North Texas review
15:00 Huskies struggle against Washington State
20:52 Close games against top teams
26:24 Frustrations with Cal’s defense performance
28:26 Comparing Big Ten teams and JMU

/ @lockedoncollegefootball  

Sony Sports Network has acquired the exclusive television broadcast rights for the three-match T20I series between Afghanistan and India, starting September 13 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

The deal adds another India bilateral series to Sony Sports Network’s cricket portfolio, while digital viewers will be able to follow the matches on FanCode after the platform secured the exclusive digital streaming rights earlier this week.

Sony adds another cricket series

Sony Sports Network will broadcast all three matches across its television network, covering viewers in India, Nepal, the Maldives and Bhutan.

Rajesh Kaul, Sony Pictures Networks India’s chief revenue officer and business head for sports and international, said the Afghanistan series strengthens the network’s cricket portfolio and forms part of its ongoing Festival of Sports offering.

FanCode holds digital streaming rights

The television deal comes alongside FanCode’s acquisition of the exclusive digital rights for the series. The matches will be available on the FanCode app across mobile devices, the web and connected televisions.

FanCode is also making the series available through distribution partners, including Jio TV/Jio TV+, Amazon Prime, Crex, Jagran, Playbox and Watcho, among others.

The acquisition gives FanCode another India bilateral series as it expands its cricket portfolio. The platform recently streamed India’s tour of Zimbabwe and also holds rights partnerships with Cricket West Indies, the ICC, Zimbabwe Cricket and Ireland Cricket.

Iyer eyes success in first home series as T20I captain

India will begin the series with Shreyas Iyer leading the side, in what will be his first T20I series as captain on home soil. The squad includes Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Varun Chakravarthy, giving India a mix of established players and emerging talent. The availability of Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana remains subject to fitness.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, will be led by Ibrahim Zadran, with Rashid Khan spearheading a strong spin department. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Nabi provide further experience to the visiting side.

Afghanistan eye strong showing in India

Playing in India carries particular significance for Afghanistan, given the strong following the team enjoys in the country.

Afghanistan Cricket Board chief executive Naseeb Khan said the series provides the side with an important opportunity to showcase its talent against one of the strongest teams in international cricket. He also said the contest could strengthen sporting ties between the two countries and reflect Afghanistan’s progress on the international stage.