CRICKET | Ro-Ko fever grips Vadodara as fans turn out in large numbers to witness the two greats
The street outside the hotel housing the Indian team has been witnessing frequent traffic snarls, with bystanders hoping to catch a wave from either of the two modern-day greats
Ind vs NZ ODI 2026: Schedule, venues, India and New Zealand squads, where to watch live streaming
Ind vs NZ ODI 2026 Schedule and Venue: Shubman Gill will captain India in a three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting January 11, as Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah are rested for workload management. The squad features comebacks from Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Siraj, with matches scheduled across Vadodara, Rajkot, and Indore, setting the tone for India's white-ball plans.
Virat Kohli to miss 1st ODI match against New Zealand in Vadodara? Here's what we know so far
Taking to his Instagram handle, Virat Kohli shared a series of pictures featuring himself sweating it out in the nets in Vadodara for the upcoming ODI game against New Zealand.
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New Zealand's Vellore-born Spinner Adithya Ashok Relishes Prospect Of Bowling To Kohli, Rohit
New Zealand Cricket: New Zealands Vellore-born leg-spinner Adithya Ashok says he is excited to test his bowling against India batting greats Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the upcoming three-game ODI series starting in Vadodara on Sunday. Ashok, 23, was born in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, before moving to Auckland, New Zealand, at age four. The leg-spinner has played two ODIs and a T20I, and with New Zealand not having many regulars in the 50-over series, it offers Ashok the chance to bowl to two of cricket's modern-day legendary batters. It's a very exciting opportunity and challenge to play against those guys and, again, test yourself against people that are considered great and definitely are great. The things that they've done for the game and the things that they've achieved across their careers have been pretty phenomenal. So, again, for myself to go and potentially play against them and go out there and learn and try and understand and touch and feel greatness is really exciting for me, said Ashok, while replying to an IANS query in a select virtual interaction on Thursday. Ashok sports the En vazhi thani vazhi (My way is a unique way) tattoo on his bowling arm, which was a famous punchline from superstar Rajinikanth in his movie Padayappa inked on his bowling arm. It's a tribute to the actor, as well as to Adithya's late grandfather, with whom he watched the movie before his demise. The leg-spinners last visit to India was for honing his bowling skills in a two-week spin camp at the CSK Academy in Chennai under lead coach Sriram Krishnamurthy, and he hopes to use that knowledge to the fullest when bowling to Kohli and Rohit. So, again, I'm going in with an opportunity mindset and a growth mindset and a really process-driven mindset where I'm trying to sit there and obviously bring my point of difference to the table in terms of what I bring currently and what I do best to the table and obviously then try and compete. But I'm really excited to play against Rohit, Kohli, and everyone else in that team. They're all phenomenal players, for sure, he added. Rather than viewing the series as pressure-laden, Ashok is focused on incremental improvement and soaking in the learning experience of bowling in India. I think you hit the nail on the head, and in terms of the word they use in terms of opportunity, and that's a big thing around this environment. The way that I've tried to go about things is being really process driven and understanding that if I can go away from this series and have learnt new methods or learnt about myself as a cricketer and learnt about myself as a person and just really enjoyed the experience, I think that puts me in a richer position than anything else. Obviously, success would be great and things like that. But I think if you're able to remove expectation and remove the emotions surrounding the outcome, I think that almost puts you in the best position to learn and get better. My focus has always been firmly around how can I get better - because if I'm continuing to get one percent better every day, then I feel like the results kind of take care of themselves. So, to answer your question, it's just an opportunity and an exciting one to play in a country where cricket means so much and where cricket is constantly buzzing. It's a really exciting opportunity for me, he elaborated. Ashok, who represented New Zealand in the 2020 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, has role models in Australias leg-spin great Shane Warne and fellow countryman Ish Sodhi. He also credits former national spinners, his mentor Tarun Nethula, and Paul Wiseman, who is the talent identification manager in New Zealand Cricket, as vital figures in his life, especially in recovering from a back surgery done by Rowan Schouten, who operated on pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, and Mayank Yadav. Two very important people in my career and in my life, for sure. Obviously, having the back thing was a major setback, which was a strange time in my life, I guess. Being a young spinner as well and having the nature of that injury was probably pretty rare. I'm not sure if other spinners that I've actually had to undergo that surgery. So, those two have been really, really important in my game to date, but also especially in my return to play. We just spoke a little bit more about how we can potentially be a little bit more upright and kind of, I guess, at the crease, make sure that I'm constantly moving forwards and over my front leg and things like that to make sure that I'm not in an extended position with my back, or harming my lower back a little bit more, he added. The duo also worked on the technical changes around Ashoks bowling action to prevent stress on his lower back. When I'm rotating, making sure that I'm not rotating from a lumbar extension position, which I think caused a bit of that stress along that joint and those vertebrae. So, those two have been really, really important and continue to be really important, he said. So, those two have been really, really important in my game to date, but also especially in my return to play. We just spoke a little bit more about how we can potentially be a little bit more upright and kind of, I guess, at the crease, make sure that I'm constantly moving forwards and over my front leg and things like that to make sure that I'm not in an extended position with my back, or harming my lower back a little bit more, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score But I sent him a message about how things went today, and a few feels and things like that that I was trying to do and everything. So, constantly touching base with both of them and they're very, very important people in my kind of support network, concluded Ashok, who has all the necessary ingredients to continue writing his own path of establishing himself in the New Zealand set-up across formats. Article Source: IANS
Shreyas Iyer cleared to join India squad for NZ ODIs
India batter will link up with the side on Friday, ahead of Sunday's ODI series opener against NZ in Vadodara
The Harmanpreet Kaur: Two-time winners Mumbai Indians (MI) remain the team to beat in the 2026 Women's Premier League (WPL), but will face stronger challenges this season from other sides, said former India captain Anjum Chopra. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led MI are the reigning WPL champions and have won two of the three editions since the tournament's inception in 2023. Anybody can challenge. It's not that MI can't be challenged. We saw that in season two, also, where they were challenged by RCB and sometimes the Gujarat Giants. But because of the belief that they are a well-oiled unit, they know how to win championships, we always feel, no, no, no, the Mumbai Indians is the team to beat. It's like whether in the IPL or WPL, they are a team to beat, and that is actually a fact as well. But it should be a keenly contested one because now it's not just the foreign players who are doing well. It's also the Indian talent who has started doing well. They've just won a World Cup, Anjum Chopra told IANS in an exclusive conversation on the eve of the competitions commencement. MI have key uncapped Indian players in G. Kamalini (retained), as well as Sanskriti Gupta, and Sajeevan Sajana. They have also added promising talents such as Rahila Firdous, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vasistha, and Nalla Reddy, after passing through the eyes of their eagle-eyed scouts. The youngsters and uncapped cricketers Mumbai Indians unearth -- talk about Rahila Firdaus, who's been picked as well. These players have done well in domestic cricket. If Mumbai is scouting, and you believe in that Mumbai scouting, you would feel that these players are the ones that they'll keep an eye on. How Charani came in for Delhi Capitals and straightaway walked into the Indian team and became a world champion. Within a span of 10 months, the world has changed for her. So, Mumbai also has those kinds of players in their lineup. Yes, they can be challenged. The opposition teams, how much force they come up with, what game plan they come up with, can they get one up on the defending champions, is for them to plan and deliver, added Anjum. With the West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews set to open the batting, MI face decisions over her opening partner after an injured Yastika Bhatia was acquired by the Gujarat Giants. Anjum thinks the time is ripe for Kamalini to become the opener after being a lower-order finisher in the 2025 season-winning campaign. I think Kamalini can open the innings with Hayley Matthews right at the top. I think that can actually be looked at as well. Other than that, possibly they'll have to go ahead with one of the younger players also in the playing eleven because in the middle order, they've already got Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur in the mix, identified with Amelia Kerr. So, either they go with Kamalini right at the top in the batting department or possibly look at a younger player coming in who they feel will be able to deliver at the top with Hayley Matthews, she added. The tournament will be played at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, both known for batting-friendly conditions that could favour MIs enviable all-round depth. Conditions will be very good for batting if you have to look at either of the venues. Because we've already seen Navi Mumbai, we know how good the conditions are. When you get to Kotambi Stadium, we've seen that the pitches are so nice to bat on. With the dew settling in, what are the challenges for the bowlers in the second half? That is one area that needs to be addressed. So, most captains might want to just win the toss and bowl so that they're bowling in the second half because of the dew. Other than that, batting-wise, conditions should be friendly, said Anjum. She also suggested that boundary dimensions be extended in WPL 2026. I just hope that the boundaries are pushed back slightly. That might just happen. Although I don't know the exact dimensions right now, I guess that can happen. At least by another five meters, that can be pushed back. MI have also brought in new coaching personnel Lisa Keightley takes over as head coach, while Kristen Beams is the spin-bowling coach - to complement the existing championship-winning culture built under former head coach Charlotte Edwards. She also suggested that boundary dimensions be extended in WPL 2026. I just hope that the boundaries are pushed back slightly. That might just happen. Although I don't know the exact dimensions right now, I guess that can happen. At least by another five meters, that can be pushed back. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Also, its good to have that freshness coming around for those players because, as I said, the 11-12 players are the same for the Mumbai Indians. But if you have some fresh perspective coming in, it also helps the team in different ways. So, I'm sure the thinking will be no less. I've just heard two days back from their camp that there is no pressure, but you can always try and win the championship, concluded Anjum. Article Source: IANS
India vs New Zealand in ODIs: Numbers, moments and the story so far
India and New Zealand renew their competitive ODI rivalry with a three-match series kicking off January 11 in Vadodara. With a history of close contests and iconic performances, India holds a slight edge in their 120 encounters. Key players like Tendulkar and Kohli for India, and Taylor and Williamson for New Zealand, have shaped this enduring battle.
WPL 2026: Former India Captain Anjum Chopra Feels UP Warriorz Look Like The Strongest Team
Like UP Warriorz: Former India captain Anjum Chopra believes UP Warriorz (UPW) look like the strongest team ahead of the 2026 Women's Premier League (WPL), starting in Navi Mumbai on Friday. At the same time, Anjum cautioned that on-field performance will ultimately determine the winner of the competition on February 5 in Vadodara. Before last years mega auction, UPW released all players and retained uncapped Delhi batter Shweta Sehrawat. With a new head coach in Abhishek Nayar, UPW have a new skipper in Meg Lanning, the most tactically astute captain in women's cricket. Apart from buying back Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Kranti Gaud, and Kiran Navgire, UPW have match-winners like Shikha Pandey, Deandra Dottin, Chloe Tryon, and Phoebe Litchfield in their ranks, as they aim to win the WPL for the first time. You would want to feel so (that all five teams are evenly matched), because obviously we've just won a 50-over World Cup and we have our Indian talent, which is doing well. Plus, new players have come in, and that confidence means every team is equally and evenly matched. Yes, in a way, they are evenly matched, as nobody's going to pick someone as a slightly weaker team or not a good team or not a champion team. Like UP Warriorz, they out-and-out look like a gun side, and they are as well. But cricket obviously is played on the park. So you'll wait for them to come up against maybe a Mumbai or a Gujarat and then see how they are shaping up. So, possibly UP on paper looks the strongest to me. But when they come onto the park, we'll see how other teams are lining up and how everybody else is also picking their playing eleven because it's going to be a nice challenge to get their balance right, Anjum told IANS in an exclusive conversation on the eve of the competitions commencement. The shake-up of their squad and rebuilding everything from scratch has lent UPW a stronger look as compared to the 2025 season, where inconsistencies, too much dependence on certain individuals, and balance issues meant they finished at the bottom of the points table. You have to probably understand what those shortcomings are that the team feels are. By putting everybody back into the auction, they said, let's start afresh. Even if we have the luxury of buying back those players that we are releasing, that's okay. But let's take a challenge of putting everyone back in the auction and from there on, pick everything that we want as a team unit. Even those match winners and especially Deepti Sharma, after a World Cup (Player of the Tournament) performance, to go back into the auction, and apart from Shweta Sehrawat getting retained, they probably felt that nothing was going right for them, and so, let's start everything afresh. How do they structure their batting lineup with India and non-India players? The way they went hard and strong for Deepti Sharma in the auction was very much evident. The fact that they said, Fine, we want our bowling with Sophie Ecclestone and Deepti there, we want more fast bowlers, showed UPWs seriousness. They went with the experience of Shikha Pandey, and even if they had to not go ahead for Alyssa Healy and try to get Meg Lanning into the line-up, it's okay. So, it's fair enough in terms of how they went in, and I think they'll be a pretty pleased lot getting into this tournament, elaborated Anjum. However, Anjum pointed to one potential weakness in the UP Warriorz setup -- their wicketkeeping options. With Alyssa no longer in the squad, the franchise appears to be considering Australian batter Phoebe Litchfield as a wicketkeeping option, a move Anjum views with some reservation. They also have the makeshift option in Shweta and a specialist choice in uncapped Shipra Giri, too. I'm not surprised if they are saying that Phoebe Litchfield can don the gloves as well. Although I think she is a great asset in the field, and if you're putting her behind the stumps, you're taking away that asset of a wonderful fielder. However, Anjum pointed to one potential weakness in the UP Warriorz setup -- their wicketkeeping options. With Alyssa no longer in the squad, the franchise appears to be considering Australian batter Phoebe Litchfield as a wicketkeeping option, a move Anjum views with some reservation. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rest, everything else is defined for the UP Warriorz. But I would still say, if Phoebe has to keep, then the brilliance of her in the field not being there is probably a help for the batters, she concluded. Article Source: IANS
Honey Singh, Jacqueline Fernandez and Harnaaz Sandhu to perform in WPL opening ceremony
The Women's Premier League 2026 kicks off in Navi Mumbai with a grand opening ceremony. Yo Yo Honey Singh and Jacqueline Fernandez will perform. The tournament features defending champions Mumbai Indians against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the first match. The schedule includes matches in Navi Mumbai and Vadodara, culminating in a final on February 5.
WPL 2026: Dates, schedule, venues, live streaming, squads and all you need to know
The Women's Premier League returns for its 2026 season on January 9. Defending champions Mumbai Indians face former winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening match. The tournament features a double round-robin format with five teams competing. Top three teams advance to the play-offs. Matches will be held in Navi Mumbai and Vadodara.
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IND Vs NZ: Shubman Gill And New Zealand Team Arrives In Vadodara Ahead Of 1st ODI
ICC T20 World Cup: Indian ODI captain Shubman Gill landed at Vadodara Airport on Wednesday ahead of the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, scheduled to begin on January 11. The arrival created a buzz in the city as along with the Indian skipper, the New Zealand team also reached the town on the same day. Gill received a warm welcome from fans who were present to catch a glimpse of their captain at the airport. The 26-year-old Indian batter also greeted the supporters with a smile. The Blackcaps, too, were greeted with loud chants as they stepped out of the terminal. Some New Zealand players looked shocked by the size of the crowd and even recorded videos of the moment. In the afternoon, Virat Kohli drew massive attention upon arriving at Vadodara Airport. A large crowd gathered to welcome the chase master, with chants of Kohli, Kohli echoing across the airport. Despite strict security, the situation turned chaotic when Kohli exited the terminal, as fans rushed to catch a glimpse of him. The stalwart eventually needed security assistance to reach his car safely. India and New Zealand will play the first match of the three-match series at the BCA Stadium, Kotambi. A full house is expected as fans line up to watch their favourite stars in action. In the afternoon, Virat Kohli drew massive attention upon arriving at Vadodara Airport. A large crowd gathered to welcome the chase master, with chants of Kohli, Kohli echoing across the airport. Despite strict security, the situation turned chaotic when Kohli exited the terminal, as fans rushed to catch a glimpse of him. The stalwart eventually needed security assistance to reach his car safely. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Gill has not played an ODI match since the Australia tour last year, where he struggled with form. The Indian opener failed to cross the 30-run mark in three outings. As he returns to the 50-over format, Gill will now hope to regain form against a New Zealand team that will be without their talisman Kane Williamson. Article Source: IANS
Virat Kohli mania swept Vadodara as massive crowds gathered at the airport to catch a glimpse of the Indian icon ahead of the New Zealand ODI series. Fans mobbed the star batter on arrival, underlining Kohli's unmatched popularity and the buzz around the upcoming ODIs.
Scenes of frenzy: Virat Kohli gets mobbed on arrival in Vadodara - Watch
Virat Kohli's arrival in Vadodara for the ODI series against New Zealand sparked a frenzy, with fans overwhelming the airport. Despite the chaotic reception, Kohli, in stellar ODI form after recent centuries, heads into the series brimming with confidence. His consistent performances have made him a sought-after figure, drawing massive crowds wherever he appears.
IND Vs NZ: Virat Kohli Receives Grand Welcome In Vadodara Ahead Of 1st ODI
Vijay Hazare Trophy: Indias ace cricketer Virat Kohli drew massive attention upon arriving at Vadodara airport on Wednesday, ahead of the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, starting on January 11, 2026. The series opener is set to be held at the BCA Stadium, Kotambi. A large crowd gathered to welcome the chase master, with chants of Kohli, Kohli echoing across the airport. Despite strict security, the scene became chaotic when Kohli left the terminal, as fans rushed to catch a glimpse of him. The stalwart eventually needed security help to reach his car safely. Apart from Kohli, his teammate Nitish Reddy also arrived in Vadodara, with several other players expected to arrive in the city soon. The senior pro recently returned to the Vijay Hazare Trophy, competing in the List A format for the first time in 15 years. The former India captain has been in impressive form, following a strong 131 with a smooth 77 in his two matches. Kohli also surpassed 16,000 runs in List A cricket, becoming the fastest to reach this milestone and breaking Sachin Tendulkars record. Kohli has been in outstanding form ever since he returned to international cricket during the Australia tour in October last year. Although his start was slow with two ducks, he has since been performing exceptionally well. In the recent ODI series against South Africa, Kohli scored consecutive centuries and was India's leading scorer. He is only 25 runs short of becoming the fastest cricketer to score 28,000 runs in international cricket. He will join Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara as the third player to reach this achievement if he manages to get past the 25-run mark in the first ODI. Kohli has been in outstanding form ever since he returned to international cricket during the Australia tour in October last year. Although his start was slow with two ducks, he has since been performing exceptionally well. In the recent ODI series against South Africa, Kohli scored consecutive centuries and was India's leading scorer. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Kohli also has a strong record against New Zealand, having accumulated 1,657 runs in 33 ODIs, with nine half-centuries and six centuries. Article Source: IANS
Amelia Kerr Key For Mumbai Indians' Success In WPL 2026: Saba Karim
DY Patil Sports Academy: Defending champions Mumbai Indians will begin their Womens Premier League 2026 campaign with a settled and championship-ready core, with experts identifying the re-signing of Amelia Kerr as a key factor in the franchises title defence. The team brought the New Zealand player for 3 crore in the WPL Mega Auction held last year. Former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim said Kerr was Mumbai Indians primary target at the auction as they looked to rebuild their title-winning combination. Mumbai Indians knew that to rebuild the same title-winning team, they had to bring back one or two players they had released. Their main target was Amelia Kerr. She has performed very well, Karim said on JioStar. MI must have been disappointed to release her earlier, which is why they paid a higher price to bring her back. They wanted the core group that won them the WPL title last season, and they have managed to bring that core back. The money invested in Amelia Kerr is worth it for MI, he added. Former India captain Mithali Raj echoed similar views, describing Kerrs return as both a strategic and emotional decision for the franchise. Amelia Kerr being re-signed by Mumbai Indians is also an emotional buy. They wanted her in a combination that has worked for them. Mumbai Indians have won the title twice in three seasons with that core, so it was important for them to have her back, Mithali said. Former India batter Anjum Chopra, meanwhile, praised the overall balance of the Mumbai Indians squad, pointing to the mix of youth and experience as a key strength heading into the new season. I am excited by the balance Mumbai Indians have. They come in with a good mix of youth and experience. Retaining Amanjot Kaur is an interesting move, but with the kind of talent MI consistently assembles, they will certainly be a team to watch, Chopra said. Former India batter Anjum Chopra, meanwhile, praised the overall balance of the Mumbai Indians squad, pointing to the mix of youth and experience as a key strength heading into the new season. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The team will then travel to the BCA Stadium in Vadodara for the remainder of their matches. They will play Delhi Capitals on January 20, Royal Challengers Bengaluru on January 26, and conclude their league campaign against Gujarat Giants on January 30. Article Source: IANS
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Kohli set for milestone spree as India face New Zealand in ODIs
New Delhi, Jan 6: Indias three-match ODI series against New Zealand is set to double up as a milestone watch for Virat Kohli, with the former captain closing in on a clutch of significant records across formats. The series will be played in Vadodara on January 11, Rajkot on January 14 and Indore on January []
WPL 2026: Gujarat Giants Set Sights On Strong Push
Chief Business Officer: With the fourth season of the Womens Premier League (WPL) starting on January 9, the Gujarat Giants are heading into the new season with renewed confidence and clear intent. After a breakthrough playoff run last year, the Adani Sportsline-owned franchise is now focused on consistency and taking the next competitive leap. At a pre-season media interaction in Mumbai on Tuesday, players, coaching staff, and team leadership outlined their approach for the season ahead. Present at the event were captain Ashleigh Gardner, Kashvee Gautam, Womens World Cup winner Renuka Singh, head coach Michael Klinger, fielding coach Sarah Taylor, and Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer, Adani Sportsline. The Giants will open their WPL 2026 campaign on January 10 against UP Warriorz. They will play their first four matches in Navi Mumbai before moving to Vadodara from January 19 for the final leg of the league stage. After making their home debut in Vadodara last season, the team will once again return to the venue, eager to play in front of their growing Giants Army. With a squad that blends proven international performers and exciting Indian talent, the franchise is targeting another playoff qualification and a deeper run in the tournament. Speaking on the occasion, captain Ashleigh Gardner said, As a captain, balance is the key, not just in terms of skills, but in bringing together international players and Indian players. It can be a challenge at times, but having good people around you makes a big difference. A lot of the work is done before game one, building trust, understanding each other, and making sure everyone feels confident when we step onto the field. I try to embrace the culture because it makes the experience more enjoyable and easier. Head coach Michael Klinger added, The biggest takeaway from last year was that the games we played really well in were the ones where we did the little things right, whether that was in the field, with the bat, or with the ball. We have match-winners throughout the squad, and when we consistently outdid the opposition in those small but important moments, we won games. Womens World Cup-winner Renuka Singh said, The focus is clear, we want to win the trophy. We have a great team, and personally, my aim is to excel in my responsibilities and continue playing with a strong mentality. WPL has evolved over the years, we are getting a lot of recognition, and we just want to continue giving our best. Sarah Taylor, Fielding Coach, said, Fielding has become a crucial part of the modern game, and my approach is to bring an aggressive mindset to it. We push standards through challenging drills and make sure everyone buys into the intensity required at the international level. The more players are exposed to those standards, the better it is not just for the team, but for the game as a whole. Kashvee Gautam added, My mindset is to go out there and perform for the team. Whether its bowling, batting, or fielding, the focus is always on making an impact and providing breakthroughs when the team needs it. A lot changed for me after the WPL, including earning my India call-up, and bowling to international players in training and matches has helped make things easier. I just want to contribute in every way possible and make an impact for the team. Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer, Adani Sportsline, said, The progress we made in 2025 gives us confidence that we are moving in the right direction as a franchise. Our focus remains on staying humble off the field while being aggressive and competitive on it. This squad reflects our belief in combining world-class experience with Indian talent and creating an environment where players can grow and express themselves. Were excited about what this group can achieve together in WPL 2026. Kashvee Gautam added, My mindset is to go out there and perform for the team. Whether its bowling, batting, or fielding, the focus is always on making an impact and providing breakthroughs when the team needs it. A lot changed for me after the WPL, including earning my India call-up, and bowling to international players in training and matches has helped make things easier. I just want to contribute in every way possible and make an impact for the team. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Sophie Molineux, Renuka Singh Thakur, Bharti Fulmali, Titas Sadhu, Kashvee Gautam, Kanika Ahuja, Tanuja Kanwar, Georgia Wareham, Anushka Sharma, Happy Kumari, Kim Garth, Yastika Bhatia, Shivani Singh, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Ayushi Soni Article Source: IANS
Pant Set To Join National Team Late After Playing VHT Match For Delhi: Report
Vijay Hazare Trophy: Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is likely to join the Indian team for the ODI series against New Zealand late, as he has decided to continue to appear for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025-26, according to a news report. Pant has, the report claimed, got permission to play the last league of the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Bengaluru on January 8 and will join the national team only after that, according to a report on Cricbuzz. India will be playing the first ODI match against New Zealand at Vadodara on January 11. Pant is currently leading Delhi in the domestic 50-over competition, and his team is placed at the top of Group D with 20 points from six games. They will take on their final league fixture against Haryana and can join the national team at the latest on January 9, just two days before the first game. He (Pant) is very much here, and he will play the last game, Delhi coach Sarandeep Singh told Cricbuzz on Tuesday night. Pant has been included in the ODI squad as the second wicketkeeper. K.L. Rahul has been the first-choice keeper of the Indian team since the domestic ODI series against England in February 2025. Going by recent form, there was speculation that the selectors would pick Ishan Kishan as the second-choice wicket-keeper, but the selectors went with Pant as they felt that he had not gotten many chances in recent times. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer, the vice-captain of the team, is also likely to join the squad a bit late. Iyer returned to action in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Mumbai on Tuesday after recovering from the injury he suffered on the Australia tour in October last year. Going by recent form, there was speculation that the selectors would pick Ishan Kishan as the second-choice wicket-keeper, but the selectors went with Pant as they felt that he had not gotten many chances in recent times. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Iyer was named vice-captain of the India squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting in Vadodara on January 11. His inclusion in the series, however, is subject to a fitness clearance following his appearances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Mumbai. Article Source: IANS
Gujarat Giants Aim For Strong Push In WPL 2026
Gujarat Giants: As the fourth season of the Womens Premier League (WPL) kicks off on January 9, the Gujarat Giants enter WPL 2026 with fresh confidence and a clear goal. Following a successful playoff run last year, the franchise owned by Adani Sportsline is now aiming for greater consistency and seeking to elevate their competitive edge. During a pre-season media event in Mumbai today, players, coaching staff, and team leaders shared their plans for the upcoming season. Attendees included captain Ashleigh Gardner, Kashvee Gautam, Womens World Cup champion Renuka Singh, head coach Michael Klinger, fielding coach Sarah Taylor, and Sanjay Adesara, chief business officer of Adani Sportsline. The Giants are set to kick off their WPL 2026 campaign on January 10 against UP Warriorz. The first four games will be held in Navi Mumbai, after which they will move to Vadodara from January 19 for the concluding part of the league stage. After debuting at home in Vadodara last season, the team will return for a fourth time, excited to play before their expanding Giants Army. Featuring a mix of proven international players and promising Indian talent, the franchise aims for another playoff appearance and a farther run in the tournament. Speaking on the occasion, captain Ashleigh Gardner said, As a captain, balance is the key, not just in terms of skills, but in bringing together international players and Indian players. It can be a challenge at times, but having good people around you makes a big difference. A lot of the work is done before game one, building trust, understanding each other and making sure everyone feels confident when we step onto the field. I try to embrace the culture because it makes the experience more enjoyable and easier. Head coach Michael Klinger added, The biggest takeaway from last year was that the games we played really well in were the ones where we did the little things right, whether that was in the field, with the bat or with the ball. We have match-winners throughout the squad, and when we consistently outdid the opposition in those small but important moments, we won games. Womens World Cup winner Renuka Singh said, The focus is clear, we want to win the trophy. We have a great team, and personally my aim is to excel in my responsibilities and continue playing with a strong mentality. WPL has evolved over the years, we are getting a lot of recognition and we just want to continue giving our best. Sarah Taylor, fielding coach, said, Fielding has become a crucial part of the modern game, and my approach is to bring an aggressive mindset to it. We push standards through challenging drills and make sure everyone buys into the intensity required at the international level. The more players are exposed to those standards, the better it is not just for the team, but for the game as a whole. Womens World Cup winner Renuka Singh said, The focus is clear, we want to win the trophy. We have a great team, and personally my aim is to excel in my responsibilities and continue playing with a strong mentality. WPL has evolved over the years, we are getting a lot of recognition and we just want to continue giving our best. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sanjay Adesara, chief business officer, Adani Sportsline, said, The progress we made in 2025 gives us confidence that we are moving in the right direction as a franchise. Our focus remains on staying humble off the field while being aggressive and competitive on it. This squad reflects our belief in combining world-class experience with Indian talent and creating an environment where players can grow and express themselves. Were excited about what this group can achieve together in WPL 2026. Article Source: IANS
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After WBBL, Lizelle Lee Targets Trophy Triumph In Maiden WPL Stint With Delhi Capitals
Female U19 National Championships: After stepping away from international cricket duties for South Africa in 2022, Lizelle Lee has spent the last few years playing in Australia's domestic circuit, while being based in Hobart with her wife Tanja and their two kids. Now, as she prepares for her maiden tryst with the Womens Premier League (WPL) through Delhi Capitals (DC), there's palpable excitement in Lizelle, the opener-cum-keeper, about being part of a franchise hungry for clinching their first title. It's been pretty good over here. Yes, been to the beach once, beautiful place, it's really busy. I think it's just the whole WPL (experience) in all (to soak in). I mean, I haven't played here before. So, it's just the experience and an awesome opportunity to be with the Delhi Capitals. They've been such a good franchise. Also I just want to learn and hopefully at the end of this tournament, we can lift the trophy, Lizelle said in an exclusive conversation with IANS from DC's pre-season camp in Goa. One of the most appealing aspects of Lizelle being acquired by DC in last years mega auction has been the prospect of her reuniting with former South Africa teammates Marizanne Kapp and Laura Wolvaardt. The thought of being spared Marizannes fierce bowling drew a playful sigh of relief from Lizelle, even as the prospect of batting alongside Laura brought a gentle warmth in her voice. It's amazing. Look, I didn't think I'll play with them again in the same team. So, it's pretty cool to have them in the same team again and it's going to be great not to bat against Kapp for a change and that's going to be awesome. I've had a few net sessions with Laura Wolvaardt now and it's been good that we've reunited because we haven't batted again with each other in about four years. It's pretty cool to have them here. It's been a very long time since we (Laura and me) have played together. So, I'm just looking forward to it, she said. Lizelle's batting has long been synonymous with power-hitting, and the ability to hit boundaries effortlessly making her a force to reckon with. It's just something that happened naturally. But over the years, it's maybe evolved a little bit, and changed with the game. Sometimes it's not just all about the power, but it's like how you can manipulate the game, field and those sort of things. So, I'm just trying to evolve with the game, and hopefully I can continue that for a few more years, she said. It has also been backed by work away from the spotlight. I've been working really hard behind the scenes with fitness and being in the gym and those sort of things, which I think led to having a really good preseason. In the WNCL in Australia, I scored a few runs there, so that sort of helped me to give me a little bit of momentum going into the Big Bash. I didn't have the best scores in the Big Bash, but I feel like playing a bit aggressive and playing very positively really helped me to set me up, she added. One of the important lessons Lizelle has carried is the importance of authenticity in her batting approach, regardless of which team she represents. It's a team sport for a reason, and that's to play the way you play. When it doesn't matter which team you go to, you still have to play the way that you play, because that's the reason you're in that team. If it's being aggressive or whatever it is, you just have to keep doing that. That's something that I've learnt, and I just need to continue doing that. It's a mindset that has served her well across playing WBBL, WNCL and occasionally The Hundred. Good question. I don't know, but look, I've only played in the Big Bash for the past few years and haven't played in a WPL or the Hundred for a while. So it's good to be back in these tournaments, and hopefully I can get big up in the Hundred as well. But look, these are great tournaments to be a part of, and it's also tournaments where you have to score runs to make sure you go there again, and hopefully we can do that this season. Based in Australia, she's been able to manage her commitments more carefully, thus saving herself from burnout. Luckily, I don't have that problem as much anymore. I feel like your international players who play for the countries have a lot of that. I mean, they have all these tours in between, and then they have the T20 leagues, so they're on the road a lot of times. I'm living in Australia, I played in the Big Bash, and this is my first away trip for a very long time. So I feel like it's something that I need to get used to again, especially if I want to continue doing this for the next few years. But look, you just have to find ways to manage your needs, and at the end of the day, you have to put yourself first as a person, and then as a player. Looking beyond her playing days, Lizelle has already identified what she'd like to pursue and its umpiring. It's funny how most of the players that finish, they either go out of cricket or they go into coaching, and I sort of want to find a way to stay in cricket, and I don't want to do coaching. I actually do love umpiring because I've done a few games, and that's something that I want to do after playing cricket. Last month, Lizelle was half of the first female umpires to officiate in a men's third-grade game in Tasmanian Premier cricket, and also served as an on-field umpire in the Female U19 National Championships. Australia's given me a few opportunities to umpire in some championships, and I've really enjoyed it. I feel like as my schedule allows it, I'll do that as much as possible, and then hopefully when I'm done with cricket, which is a couple of years away, that's something I can just continue doing. From DCs perspective, Lizelle's recruitment addresses multiple needs. Lizelle Lee's signing was about addressing two long-standing needs - top-order firepower and an overseas wicketkeeper. Historically, Delhi Capitals have alternated between using an overseas batter and an Indian wicketkeeper, but with Lizelle, we get both in one player. She gives us explosive starts alongside Shafali, and her ability to play both pace and spin with equal ease adds great value. Lizelle's match-ups are very strong, especially her sweep options against spin. Ideally, if things go right, you would expect her and Shafali to put up 6065 runs in the Powerplay without taking high risks. Her presence not only gives us power at the top but also solves the wicketkeeping balance issue, letting us play an extra Indian cricketer elsewhere in the XI, said CricViz analysts, who are a part of the Delhi Capitals scouting team, to IANS. Lee is impressed with the squad DC have assembled, though they had to get in leg-spinner Alana King to replace seam-bowling all-rounder Annabel Sutherland. It's a pretty balanced team and they recruited pretty well. It's sad that we lost Belsy just before the tournament. But look, we got Kingi and she's a really good replacement. So, it's going to be a good tournament for us. It's funny how T20 actually works, but if we can all just stick to what we know and what we can do best, hopefully that will go our way. Having been in India before for a few bilateral series with South Africa and 2016 T20 World Cup, Lizelles focus in Goa has been to adapt her game to conditions which Navi Mumbai and Vadodara will present. I've been in India a few times, but it's been a while since I've been in Mumbai and all those places. So I'm looking forward to playing on those venues again. But I feel like the wicket we have here is maybe a bit different. We're at a new stadium. So look, at the end of the day, you just have to adapt to the conditions as quick as possible. But I am just trying to stick to what I do best and stick to the basics and make sure I get that right. The growth of domestic Indian players has particularly caught her eye. It's been really good. I feel like there are a lot of youngsters that have been going through the ranks and performing really well. So, it's just good to see what the WPL has done to the domestic players. That's probably one of the standouts - to see the domestic players play with some of the international stars and just be doing really well. From a recent warm-up game, that impression has only strengthened. It's been amazing and actually quite incredible to see how they improve. I always like watching players one season and look at them again in the next season and see the improvement they have. I feel like that's what the domestic players in India have been doing. So I'm also excited to see how, in the next month, these players improve. DC have been the bridesmaid three times in the WPL's short history. But Lizelle doesn't believe there's any curse attached to it. I definitely don't think that DC has a jinx on that. I just think they've been doing extremely well to get in the final. It's just a little hurdle that we need to step over and hopefully I can contribute to that. Hopefully at the end of the season, we can lift the trophy as a team. The signs are there of Lizelle being a leading hand to break that jinx her unbeaten 77 off 44 was the highest ever individual score in a WBBL final, as the Hobart Hurricanes sealed an eight-wicket win over Perth Scorchers to lift the title for the first time. Look, we've played at Ninja Stadium a few times now. It's one of those grounds where you don't really know what's enough, but it has to be a high total. Restricting them to the total we did, we felt like we had a good chance, and then we started batting really well. The signs are there of Lizelle being a leading hand to break that jinx her unbeaten 77 off 44 was the highest ever individual score in a WBBL final, as the Hobart Hurricanes sealed an eight-wicket win over Perth Scorchers to lift the title for the first time. Also Read: Live Cricket Score As DC prepare to take the field for another WPL season, they'll be hoping Lizelle's experience and firepower at the top of the order provide the spark they've been searching for to win the title. Article Source: IANS
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BJPs new Gujarat state executive triggers debate over factional balance, regional representation
AHMEDABAD: The BJPs long-awaited announcement of its Gujarat state executive has reshaped the partys internal power structure, with the new team under state president Jagdish Vishwakarma triggering fresh debate over leadership influence, factional balance, and regional representation within the party. The Gujarat BJP saw a major organisational reshuffle late Saturday night after newly appointed state president Jagdish Vishwakarma announced his full team, ending weeks of speculation and setting off fresh discussions within the party. Ten leaders have been appointed as state vice presidents, while Anirudh Dave, Dr Prashant Korat, Hitendrasinh Chauhan, and Ajay Brahmabhatt have been elevated as general secretaries, positions that form the partys command structure. The BJP leadership insists the intent is organisational strengthening. According to the party, seasoned leaders have been entrusted with vice-presidential roles, while a representative mix has been created among general secretaries and ministers to sharpen booth-level efficiency and message delivery ahead of upcoming political wars. Simultaneously, state presidents of the Kisan Morcha, Yuva Morcha, Mahila Morcha, SC-ST, OBC, and Minority Morcha were announced, completing the social and political architecture of the party. Gujarat BJP chief spokesperson Dr Anil Patel sought to set the tone, revealing that a meeting was held with the newly appointed office bearers, the state president, and the organisation's general secretary immediately after the announcement. They were formally introduced and guided on their responsibilities, Patel said, underlining the partys expectations. Our focus is clear. how to strengthen the organisation and how to take the development work of the Gujarat government to the people. Every office bearer must understand what their role is in that mission. New responsibilities have been assigned with one objective - to support the government and ensure the party is ready for every program. Old and new office bearers will work in coordination. This is about teamwork, not titles, he added. However, the newly announced executive committee has once again brought allegations of factionalism to the surface. Several leaders considered close to former state BJP president CR Patil are conspicuously absent from the list, fuellign speculation of a deliberate sidelining. In contrast, leaders perceived to be from camps opposing Patil appear to have gained prominence, suggesting an intentional recalibration of internal power. The new BJP state executive has also drawn criticism over regional imbalance, with no general secretary appointed from South Gujarat, a long-time party stronghold, while Saurashtra has secured three of the posts, triggering allegations of geographical favouritism. The announcement has also sparked discontent at the local level. The elevation of a Surendranagar district leader to the post of state general secretary has drawn attention, as he had earlier faced opposition from party workers in his home district. The decision has surprised party cadres and reinforced concerns that grassroots feedback was overlooked. The appointment of Ajay Brahmabhatt from Kheda as general secretary has similarly led to murmurs within the party, with leaders from Vadodara and North Gujarat feeling they were sidelined. The reshuffle has also revived memories of past internal battles. Leaders who had publicly differed with CR Patils working style or whose names surfaced during controversies such as the Patrika episode have now found space in the new structure. Former minister Ganpat Vasava, widely seen as a Patil opponent, has been appointed state president of the Scheduled Tribes Morcha, while Zhankhanaben Patel, whose Assembly ticket was earlier cut, has been rewarded with a vice-presidential post in the state committee. The new executive has also renewed debate over the BJPs stated principle of one person, one position. Party critics note that several leaders who already hold organisational or governmental responsibilities have been included again in the state executive. This has raised questions within party circles about consistency in applying the rule and about internal discipline in the formation of the expanded committee.
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