Cricket

First T20I washed out after Abhishek, Shreyas fifties take India to 189

Saqib Mahmood's 3 for 33, on England comeback, left England with a par total to chase down but heavy rain had the final say at Chester-le-Street

Former champion Krejcikova rallies past Andreeva into Wimbledon third round

Andreeva saved six match points in the decider, but was not able to stop Krejcikova from crossing the finish line and claim only her second victory over the youngster

1st T20I: Series Opener Between India And England Called Off After First Innings Due To Rain

First T20I: The first T20I between India and England was abandoned without a result on Wednesday night as heavy rain came pouring down before the home side could start its reply to the visitors' 189/7 in 20 overs at the Riverside Ground on Wednesday. The ground staff brought out the covers and applied them across the square as rain started soon around the time the players walked off the ground at the end of the 20th over of the Indian innings. The downpour became strong soon after and continued unabated as the players from both sides waited. They waited till 9 pm local time, the cut-off for a five-over game. The umpires finally decided that the match could not restart and called it off. The two captains walked out of their respective dressing rooms and shook hands before going back in. Earlier, thanks to halfcenturies from skipper Shreyas Iyer and Abhishek Sharma, along with a late surge from Shivam Dube, India overcame slight drizzle and a gloomy evening to post 189/7 in 20 overs. On a not-so-easy pitch, Iyer hit his first fifty as Indias T20I captain his knock of 68 came off 47 balls, laced with six fours and a six. Abhishek, meanwhile, hit 59 off 24 balls studded with six fours and four sixes. Dube applied the finishing touches by hitting 42 not out off just 21 balls, including two boundaries and three sixes. Sent in to bat, India slipped to 6/2 inside two overs. Sanju Samson fell cheaply again, caught at backward point off Saqib Mahmood, before Ishan Kishan was run out after a mixup with Abhishek for a duck. Abhishek then launched a blistering counterattack, racing to a 20ball fifty the fastest by an Indian batter in England with a flurry of pulls and lofted drives, before Sam Currans slower ball trapped him lbw in the eighth over, which also ended his 82-run stand with Shreyas. But by then, Abhishek had become the fastest batter to smash 100 sixes in T20Is (in 785 deliveries) and surpassed West Indies batter Evin Lewis, who had smashed hundred sixes in 789 deliveries in his career. Shreyas then combined with Tilak Varma for a 36run stand, while striking cleanly against pace and spin. Varmas dismissal, caught off a low full toss on Mahmoods bowling, brought Dube to the crease. Iyer reached his ninth T20I halfcentury from 38 balls, his slowest in the format, but accelerated with a six over extra cover and inventive strokes against Luke Wood and Mahmood, who later trapped him lbw. But by then, Abhishek had become the fastest batter to smash 100 sixes in T20Is (in 785 deliveries) and surpassed West Indies batter Evin Lewis, who had smashed hundred sixes in 789 deliveries in his career. Shreyas then combined with Tilak Varma for a 36run stand, while striking cleanly against pace and spin. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Curran accounted for Abhishek and ran out Axar Patel off the final ball as India closed on 189, which is above par at the venue. England may have a delayed start to the innings due to steady rain, after India blasted 54 runs in the last five overs. Article Source: IANS

'Not like I've forgotten how to bat' - Wolvaardt hopes to find her groove again

Obviously it's so recent, it's not like my batting has changed. It's probably just a bit of a mindset thing, she said

Redmayne completes the job as Surenkumar fells Essex

Target of 117 proves insufficient as Warwickshire romp to victory with four overs to spare

TG20 Season 1: Himateja, Sai Krishna Shine As Khammam Aces Down Nalgonda Knights

Sai Krishna Reddy: Anvita Khammam Aces rode on a breathtaking unbeaten 80 from skipper Himateja Kodimela and a fluent half-century from G. Sai Krishna Reddy to post a daunting 211/2 in their 20 overs. Ved Reddy and Wafi Kachchhi then led a disciplined bowling effort as the Aces defeated Anurag Nalgonda Knights by 34 runs in the Hyderabad Cricket Association's TG20 in Wednesday's second match. The win moves them back into the playoff spot, above EIPL & eleve Karimnagar Diamonds to fourth on the points table. Meanwhile, the Knights slip to third by virtue of a lower Net Run Rate than Ranga Reddy Risers. Himateja's unbeaten 80 moved him to second on the Orange Cap standings with 282 runs to his name, while 16-year-old Ved is now second on the Purple Cap standings, having scalped nine wickets. Aces made a solid start through Paras Raj and Wafi Kachchhi (14 off 19), helped by a wayward opening over to reach 51 without loss at the end of the powerplay. Paras led the charge with a flurry of boundaries and a six, while Wafi played the supporting role as the pair stitched together a brisk 53-run opening stand. Hyderabad E-Champions struck immediately after the Power-play as Divesh Singh dismissed Wafi, but Paras continued to anchor the innings alongside G. Sai Krishna Reddy. He added impetus with a six and a four off Varun Goud before disciplined bowling in the next two overs slowed the scoring, leaving the Aces at 76/1 after 10 overs. Aces shifted into top gear through Paras and Sai Krishna. The pair kept the scoreboard ticking before the former fell for a well-made knock of 46 runs in 39 balls after Aniketh Reddy struck in the 12th over. Himateja Kodimela then took charge, launching a six immediately after the wicket to ensure the momentum remained firmly with the Aces. With Sai Krishna providing the perfect foil, Himateja unleashed an attacking display in the death overs as the duo plundered boundaries and sixes at will. Their innings ensured that the Aces scored 135 runs in the second half of their innings, with Sai Krishna scoring a 29-ball 50 before Himateja completed his half-century in just 18 balls. The pair added quick runs against every bowler, taking 31 runs from the final two overs to propel the Aces to a formidable 211/2, with Himateja finishing with an unbeaten 80 in just 31 balls, including seven fours and five sixes, while Sai Krishna smashed 56 in just 32 balls. The Knights made a brisk start to the chase, with Jashwanth Mote (22 off 13) and Gaurav Reddy (54 off 35) putting on 45 runs in under four overs. Gaurav led the charge with two towering sixes off Mahesh Vipparla, while Jashwanth chipped in with a six and a boundary before Mahesh provided the breakthrough by dismissing him at the end of the fourth over. Nitish Reddy (17 off 14) joined Gaurav to keep the momentum going, adding useful runs as the Knights reached 76/1 at the end of the powerplay. However, Aces tightened their grip through disciplined bowling from Ved Reddy, who first restricted the scoring before dismissing the well-set Nitish in the 10th over. At the halfway mark, the Knights were well placed at 92/2, with Gaurav continuing to anchor the chase alongside skipper Rahul Buddhi (12 off 8). Knights' chase unravelled after the halfway mark despite being well placed at 98/2. Ved triggered the collapse by removing Gaurav and Divesh (0 off 1) in the same over, before Wafi tightened the screws with a brilliant spell that accounted for Rahul via a run-out, as well as Aniketh Reddy (1 off 2) and Varun Goud (5 off 8), reducing the Knights to 124/7 after 15 overs. Md Arfaz Ahmed (14 off 10) and Rakshann Readdi (10 off 5) briefly resisted before Wafi struck again to dismiss Arfaz. Harshwardhan Singh (37* off 24) then launched a late counterattack with an unbeaten cameo, smashing two sixes and four boundaries in the final three overs, but the effort came too late as the Knights finished on 177/8, falling 34 runs short of the target. Knights' chase unravelled after the halfway mark despite being well placed at 98/2. Ved triggered the collapse by removing Gaurav and Divesh (0 off 1) in the same over, before Wafi tightened the screws with a brilliant spell that accounted for Rahul via a run-out, as well as Aniketh Reddy (1 off 2) and Varun Goud (5 off 8), reducing the Knights to 124/7 after 15 overs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Anvita Khammam Aces 211/2 in 20 overs (Himateja Kodimela 80*, G Sai Krishna Reddy 56*, Aniketh Reddy 1/36, Divesh Singh 1/23) bt Anurag Nalgonda Knights 177/8 in 20 overs (Gaurav Reddy 54, Harshwardhan Singh 37*, Ved Reddy 3/26, Wafi Kachchhi 3/35) by 34 runs. Article Source: IANS

1st T20I: Shreyas And Abhishek Fifties, Dubes 42 Not Out Carry India To 189/7

Shreyas Iyer: Thanks to halfcenturies from skipper Shreyas Iyer and Abhishek Sharma, along with a late surge from Shivam Dube, India overcame slight drizzle and a gloomy evening to post 189/7 in 20 overs in the opening T20I against England at the Riverside Ground on Wednesday. On a not-so-easy pitch, Iyer hit his first fifty as Indias T20I captain his knock of 68 came off 47 balls, laced with six fours and a six. Abhishek, meanwhile, hit 59 off 24 balls studded with six fours and four sixes. Dube applied the finishing touches by hitting 42 not out off just 21 balls, including two boundaries and three sixes. Sent in to bat, India slipped to 6/2 inside two overs. Sanju Samson fell cheaply again, caught at backward point off Saqib Mahmood, before Ishan Kishan was run out after a mixup with Abhishek for a duck. Abhishek then launched a blistering counterattack, racing to a 20ball fifty the fastest by an Indian batter in England with a flurry of pulls and lofted drives, before Sam Currans slower ball trapped him lbw in the eighth over, which also ended his 82-run stand with Shreyas. But by then, Abhishek had become the fastest batter to smash 100 sixes in T20Is (in 785 deliveries) and surpassed West Indies batter Evin Lewis, who had smashed hundred sixes in 789 deliveries in his career. Shreyas then combined with Tilak Varma for a 36run stand, while striking cleanly against pace and spin. Varmas dismissal, caught off a low full toss on Mahmoods bowling, brought Dube to the crease. Iyer reached his ninth T20I halfcentury from 38 balls, his slowest in the format, but accelerated with a six over extra cover and inventive strokes against Luke Wood and Mahmood, who later trapped him lbw. Dube then took charge, clearing midwicket and square leg with powerful hitting, and finished unconquered. Englands spinners Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson struggled for control in the drizzle, while Mahmood impressed with three wickets. Curran accounted for Abhishek and ran out Axar Patel off the final ball as India closed on 189, which is above par at the venue. England may have a delayed start to the innings due to steady rain, after India blasted 54 runs in the last five overs. Dube then took charge, clearing midwicket and square leg with powerful hitting, and finished unconquered. Englands spinners Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson struggled for control in the drizzle, while Mahmood impressed with three wickets. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India 189/7 in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 68, Abhishek Sharma 59; Saqib Mahmood 3-33, Sam Curran 1-25) against England Article Source: IANS

Tejasvi Dahiya Goes For Rs 40 Lakh As DPL Season 3 Men's Auction Wraps Up In New Delhi

Delhi Premier League T20: Tejasvi Dahiya emerged as the costliest player in the men's auction for Season 3 of the Delhi Premier League T20, which concluded in New Delhi on Wednesday, with all eight franchises completing their squads across multiple rounds. The auction opened with the Marquee round, in which eight players were sold across teams. Tejasvi Dahiya was the highest-sold player of the auction at Rs 40 lakh, with South Delhi Superstarz using their RTM card to secure him. New Delhi Tigers invoked their RTM to pick up Himmat Singh for Rs 38 lakh, while North Delhi Strikers matched the Rs 17 lakh bid for Sarthak Ranjan. Anuj Rawat went to Puraani Dilli 6 for Rs 27 lakh, while Kuldip Yadav, Suyash Sharma, Navdeep Saini, and Simarjeet Singh were all picked up at base price by Central Delhi Kings, West Delhi Lions, Outer Delhi Warriors, and East Delhi Riders, respectively. The remaining unsold players from the Marquee set were moved into the Category A pool at a revised base price of Rs 5 lakh each. By the time the hammer fell on the final lot, all eight franchises had assembled 23-to-26-player squads built around their retained Marquee names. Central Delhi Kings anchor their campaign around Kuldip Yadav, Yash Dhull, and Vansh Bedi; East Delhi Riders around Simarjeet Singh, Mayank Yadav, and Mayank Rawat; New Delhi Tigers around Himmat Singh and Prince Yadav; and North Delhi Strikers around Harshit Rana and Sarthak Ranjan. Outer Delhi Warriors will lean on Navdeep Saini and Priyansh Arya, Puraani Dilli 6 on Anuj Rawat, Digvesh Rathi, and Lalit Yadav, South Delhi Superstarz on Ayush Badoni and Tejasvi Dahiya, and West Delhi Lions on Nitish Rana, Suyash Sharma and Kulwant Khejroliya. With squads now locked in, attention turns to the season ahead, as all eight franchises look to blend their experienced picks with a deep bench of uncapped and emerging players. Marquee round log Tejasvi Dahiya - Rs 40L - South Delhi Superstarz (RTM) Himmat Singh - Rs 38L - New Delhi Tigers (RTM) Anuj Rawat - Rs 27L - Puraani Dilli 6 Sarthak Ranjan - Rs 17L - North Delhi Strikers (RTM) Kuldip Yadav - Rs 10L - Central Delhi Kings Suyash Sharma - Rs 10L - West Delhi Lions Navdeep Saini - Rs 10L - Outer Delhi Warriors Simarjeet Singh - Rs 10L - East Delhi Riders Full squads: Central Delhi Kings: Kuldip Yadav, Yash Dhull, Vansh Bedi, Divij Mehra, Money Grewal, Jonty Sidhu, Aayush Kumar, Vedant Sehwag, Yatish Singh, Yugal Saini, Aditya Bhandari, Siddharth Joon, Keshav Dabas, Aatrey Tripathi, Arun Pundir, Aryaveer Kohli, Gavnish Khurana, Jasvir Sehrawat, Tejas Baroka, Ojasdeep Singh, Samarth Singh, Rahul, Abhishek Kumar Yadav, Prathmesh Singh, Jai Sharma. East Delhi Riders: Simarjeet Singh, Mayank Yadav, Mayank Rawat, Arpit Rana, Dhruv Kaushik, Rounak Waghela, Hardik Sharma, Sujal Rajiv Singh, Tanmay Chaudhary, Aradhya Chawla, Rohan Parchanda, Vansh Jetly, Yashwardhan Oberai, Deepak Punia, Ashish Meena, Kavya Gupta, Rohit Yadav, Vaibhav Baisla, Uday Chawla, Sunny Rawal, Suryansh Raina, Ankit Kumar, Vansh Mehra, Suryakant Chauhan, Harsh Bhardwaj. New Delhi Tigers: Himmat Singh, Prince Yadav, Hritik Shokeen, Rahul Chaudhary, Lakshay Thareja, Vaibhav Rawal, Atulya Pandey, Dhruv Bindra, Laxman, Pradyuman Sanan, Aaryan Sharma, Keshav R. Singh, Manish Sehrawat, Parikshit Singh Bhati, Parth Kr. Bali, Shivam Gupta, Varun Vanjani, Tanuj Pawar, Rishabh Sharma, Revaant Rakyan, Saurabh Gupta, Yashjeet, Ayush Tanwar, Aditya Paweriya, Dev Chaudhary. North Delhi Strikers: Harshit Rana, Sarthak Ranjan, Pranav Rajvanshi, Vaibhav Kandpal, Aayush Singh, Akhil Chaudhary, Arnav Bugga, Kirit Kaushik, Saurabh Deswal, Yash Bhatia, Parnit Tiwari, Prikshit Sehrawat, Arjun Rapria, Kaushal Suman, Vikas Dixit, Yash Dabas, Mayank Dagar, Bharat Sindhwani, Ajay Yadav, Anant Jain, Gaurav Sabharwal, Nikhil Kumar. Outer Delhi Warriors: Navdeep Saini, Priyansh Arya, Aryan Rana, Harsh Tyagi, Shivam Sharma, Siddhant Sharma, Anant S. Sareen, Dhanya Nakra, Mohit Panwar, Saksham Gahlot, Shaurya Malik, Aman Chaudhary, Rushal Saini, Yajas Sharma, Dhruv Singh, Rishab Drall, Aditya Sharma, Akshay Saini, Monu Shukla, Pratham Saluja, Sammar Kohar, Garvit Grover, Shivam Bhan, Deepanshu Phore, Aditya Yadav. Purani Dilli 6: Anuj Rawat, Digvesh Rathi, Lalit Yadav, Rohan Rana, Samarth Seth, Dev Lakra, Kush Nagpal, Mohak Kumar, Rajneesh Dadar, Udhav Mohan, Prince Mishra, Yug Gupta, Aditya Malhotra, Ajay Ahlawat, Gaurav Saroha, Kabir Sachdeva, Pankaj Jaswal, Yash Kumar, Aryan Gaur, Aditya Verma, Ashwini Chillar, Lakshay Verma, Harshvardhan Phogat, Vanam Aggarwal, Arjun Rexwal. Outer Delhi Warriors: Navdeep Saini, Priyansh Arya, Aryan Rana, Harsh Tyagi, Shivam Sharma, Siddhant Sharma, Anant S. Sareen, Dhanya Nakra, Mohit Panwar, Saksham Gahlot, Shaurya Malik, Aman Chaudhary, Rushal Saini, Yajas Sharma, Dhruv Singh, Rishab Drall, Aditya Sharma, Akshay Saini, Monu Shukla, Pratham Saluja, Sammar Kohar, Garvit Grover, Shivam Bhan, Deepanshu Phore, Aditya Yadav. Also Read: Live Cricket Score West Delhi Lions: Nitish Rana, Suyash Sharma, Kulwant Khejroliya, Ayush Doseja, Manan Bhardwaj, Mayank Gusain, Aaryavir Sehwag, Ankit Rajesh Kumar, Dhruv Kumar Chumbak, Krish Yadav, Ravneet Tanwar, Rudra Dev Yadav, Aarav Garg, Shubham Dubey, Ajay Rana, Anirudh Chowdhary, Hiten Dalal, Jitesh Singh, Tishant Dabla, Vikas Rana, Bhanu Yadav, Sombir Sheokand, Yash Bansal, Avinash Singh Manhas, Khushhal Yadav. Article Source: IANS

Dont Think I Was Utilised Properly In Last Years Tests In England, Says Shardul Thakur

Mumbai Cricket Association: Indias seam bowling allrounder Shardul Thakur has said he was underutilised during last years AndersonTendulkar Trophy in England, adding that he remains determined to play international cricket again. Thakur, 34, appeared in the Tests in Leeds and Old Trafford, scoring 1, 4, and 41 runs while bowling just 27 overs across the two matches and taking two scalps. I 100 per cent desire to play for India again. At the back of my mind, it's always there. Even if you're dropped or discarded, I think hope is a very strong word. As long as hope is alive, everything is possible. It's very hard to comment on why I may have missed out on a few selections. But after the 202425 season, the kind of season I had, I think I could have played a few more games and literally made a difference. When I played in England, I don't think I was utilised properly. In batting, yes, it was my mistake that I played a loose shot in Leeds. But in Manchester, I batted beautifully, I would say, because it was overcast, the ball was swinging, and there was one length from where the ball was hardly bouncing. I survived that spell, and India still put up a very, very strong total in the first innings. Then the pitch became flat, and we were also able to save the game, Thakur, who captains Mumbai across formats, told reporters on the sidelines of a Mumbai Cricket Association 2026/27 season launch event on Wednesday. Thakur, who has featured in 13 Tests, 47 ODIs, and 25 T20Is, said he is still very much ready to play for India again whenever called up. So it's not that I didn't make any contribution when I last played for India. But yes, I think I deserved a few more opportunities. I would say it was more about being underbowled and being used in the wrong phases. There were some calculation errors, I would say. Hope is still alive. If, in the near future, they ever ask me to play for India again, I'll be ready. Playing for India is a dream everyone's dream. Even during my previous stints with the Indian team, there were a handful of games where I made an impact and literally won matches for the team. So, even in the near future, or whenever I make a comeback, I'm still willing to contribute as much as I can (both in red-ball and white-ball cricket). Thakur, who has featured in 13 Tests, 47 ODIs, and 25 T20Is, said he is still very much ready to play for India again whenever called up. So it's not that I didn't make any contribution when I last played for India. But yes, I think I deserved a few more opportunities. I would say it was more about being underbowled and being used in the wrong phases. There were some calculation errors, I would say. Hope is still alive. If, in the near future, they ever ask me to play for India again, I'll be ready. Also Read: Live Cricket Score When you start the season with a strong message, there is always a purpose to practise. If you are mentally switched on, you are looking forward to improving your fitness, sharpening your skills, and learning something new. Article Source: IANS

Sciver-Brunt and England medical team throw everything at recovery

The England captain embarked on a high-tech regimen of treatment in an effort to return for the knockouts

Brook Is The 'front-runner' For Test Captaincy After Stokes Retirement, Says Morgan

Harry Brook: Former England skipper Eoin Morgan has listed Harry Brook as the frontrunner to take over the Test captaincy following Ben Stokes retirement, adding that he would look to get a different white-ball skipper if the right-handed batter is handed the top role. Brook is currently Englands white-ball captain and was the vice-captain in Tests when the side lost the recent three-game series to New Zealand by 2-1. I think you can coach all three formats of the game. We've seen it with India, with Australia. The thing I don't like, though, is having one captain across all three formats - and that creates a problem for England. I think there's possibly only one candidate (for the Test job) in that changing room, and that's Brook - unless they go back to Joe Root. Brook is the front-runner for me, and I would look elsewhere for the white-ball captaincy. I think there are more options to give the white-ball captaincy within the side...candidates like Phil Salt, Sam Curran, and an outside pick like Will Jacks, said Morgan ahead of the broadcast of the first T20I between England and India at the Riverside Stadium. England fast bowler Mark Wood said he was proud of how Stokes was an asset for the side, both as a player and captain. I haven't spoken to him (Stokes) yet. Obviously, a lot has happened, so you let things settle down a bit. I'm just very proud of Ben, as a friend growing up here in Durham - we came through the academy together. The man that he is, I can't speak highly enough of him. You, as all ex-players, or players who play with him, and they can't believe how loyal he is, and how good he was to play with. England fast bowler Mark Wood said he was proud of how Stokes was an asset for the side, both as a player and captain. I haven't spoken to him (Stokes) yet. Obviously, a lot has happened, so you let things settle down a bit. I'm just very proud of Ben, as a friend growing up here in Durham - we came through the academy together. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I'd have given him a shot in (recent series in) Ireland, and even against England - unleash him early! Especially when he's in his sort of form, he's red hot - and he's got a damn smart cricketing brain. Article Source: IANS

India bat first with three spinners, keep Sooryavanshi waiting in first T20I against England

Meanwhile, England brought Saqib Mahmood and Luke Wood into their side, replacing Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton from the side they fielded in the T20 World Cup semi-final

1st T20I: Chakaravarthy Returns As India Elect To Bat First Against England

Riverside Ground: India have won the toss and elected to bat first against England in the T20I series opener at the Riverside Ground on Wednesday. India will be aiming to get a winning start in England after suffering a shocking 2-0 series loss to Ireland. After winning the toss, India captain Shreyas Iyer said they are going with three spinners, with wrist-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy returning after missing the matches against Ireland due to recovery from a foot injury. India are playing three spinners in Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi and Chakaravarthy, while fielding just two seamers in Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh with Shivam Dube being the sixth bowler. Ireland is history. Its a new series, five games, everything to play for. Certainly, this is a great opportunity for us. This is actually my second series as a captain. So, pretty much excited. We got what we wanted. We got a session of practice over here yesterday, pretty much acclimatized to the surroundings as well. So, looking forward for an exciting one. Its absolutely fine. To be honest, Ireland series is history. Weve got to learn a lot from that series. And coming over here, we know how England has been playing their cricket. So, definitely slightly upbeat, know their strengths and weaknesses, so looking forward to have a great one. On his assessment of the pitch, Iyer said, Theres pretty decent amount of grass on the wicket. We practiced yesterday as well on the same one. So, cant actually predict how the wickets going to play, but definitely the intent is going to be high. England skipper Harry Brook said he was happy with bowling first, as they switch from Test series defeat to New Zealand. The moods really good. Were really looking forward to this series starting against a very strong Indian side, and, its good to be back with the lads. Thats just part of cricket. Youve just got to get ready for the next series as quickly as you possibly can, and try and make it as easy as you can for yourself. Theres a lot of experienced players, and thats quite nice for me to be able to lean on them in the middle of the game as well. Having the likes of Jos Buttler and Phil Salt, Sam Curran out in the middle as well to lean on when I need some help, is really helpful. Playing XIs: Youve just got to get ready for the next series as quickly as you possibly can, and try and make it as easy as you can for yourself. Theres a lot of experienced players, and thats quite nice for me to be able to lean on them in the middle of the game as well. Having the likes of Jos Buttler and Phil Salt, Sam Curran out in the middle as well to lean on when I need some help, is really helpful. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, and Varun Chakaravarthy Article Source: IANS

Womens T20 WC: Have Beaten England Twice In Knockouts, Not Foreign Territory For Us, Says Wolvaardt

T20 World Cup: South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt said the side head into their Womens T20 World Cup semifinal against England, to be played in front of a packed crowd at The Oval on Thursday, buoyed by past knockout wins over the hosts, as they chase a third successive final appearance. We've been able to beat England twice in knockout phases in World Cups, so it's not foreign territory for us. We can beat anyone on the day. So, trying to think back to those tournaments, what we did well in those semifinals, what sort of mindset we were in. But I think this is a team that really is able to rise to the big occasions, so, hopefully everyone's at their best tomorrow, said Laura in the pre-match press conference on Wednesday. South Africa, runnersup in 2024 and 2023 editions, qualified as the secondplaced team from Group A, while England have dominated the competition with five straight wins. The Proteas batting faltered against Australia and looked shaky against Pakistan, but Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp held firm in a crunch sixwicket win over India. I think our bowling has been pretty good. I think different phases and different games, but I think having Kapp and Shabnim up early in the powerplay have been a big boost for us. I think we had a number of games where even if they did get off to a decent start, we were able to bring it back nicely. South Africa, runnersup in 2024 and 2023 editions, qualified as the secondplaced team from Group A, while England have dominated the competition with five straight wins. The Proteas batting faltered against Australia and looked shaky against Pakistan, but Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp held firm in a crunch sixwicket win over India. Also Read: Live Cricket Score She also stressed on the need to harness South Africas power hitters in the big clash. A big focus of ours is that power game. We have a lot of young talent that is just really good at it. Maybe we need to stack them throughout the innings so that we're able to keep going in all the different phases. Article Source: IANS

Hridoy To Lead Bangladesh As Litton, Mehidy And Senior Stars Miss Zimbabwe T20I Series

Mehidy Hasan Miraz: Bangladesh have appointed Towhid Hridoy as captain for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe after regular skipper Litton Das, all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and fast bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud were ruled out due to their Lanka Premier League commitments. It will be Hridoys second time captaining Bangladesh in T20Is, having led the team in the three-match home series against Australia last month when Litton was unavailable due to a calf injury. Litton is recovering from the injury but is expected to be fit before the second ODI of the Zimbabwe tour. This follows four key players being given No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to play in the Lanka Premier League, which overlaps with the T20I series in Zimbabwe. Bangladesh have also made changes to the squad that played against Australia. Mohammad Saifuddin, Yasir Ali, and Mosaddek Hossain return to the national setup while Shamim Hossain is left out. The other matches will be played on July 17 and July 19, and the three-match T20I series begins on July 15. All three matches will be held at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. Bangladesh will play a three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe starting from July 6 ahead of the T20I leg. The tour started on a disappointing note for Bangladesh as they lost the one-off Test in Harare by an innings and 85 runs. Bangladesh squad for Zimbabwe T20Is: Towhid Hridoy (captain), Parvez Hossain Emon (wicket-keeper), Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hassan, Mosaddek Hossain, Yasir Ali, Nurul Hasan (wicket-keeper), Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana, Mohammad Saifuddin, and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain. Fixtures: 15 July | 1st T20I | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo Fixtures: Also Read: Live Cricket Score 19 July | 3rd T20I | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo Article Source: IANS

Legendary WI Pacer Walsh Appointed As Zimbabwe Mens Bowling Coach

ZC Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani: Legendary West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh has been appointed as bowling coach of Zimbabwes senior mens team, said Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) on Wednesday. Walsh, who served as bowling consultant during the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, where Zimbabwe reached the Super Eights after topping Group B, now takes charge of the role fulltime as part of the support staff, which has been retained. Walsh had worked as Bangladeshs bowling coach from September 2016 on a threeyear contract. He was elevated to interim head coach in February 2018 after Chandika Hathurusinghas resignation. In October 2020, he was named as head coach of the West Indies womens team, but his contract was not renewed after the 2023 T20 World Cup. ZC added that it endorsed the Cricket Committees recommendations under the chairmanship of Blessing Ngondo in retaining the senior mens team support staff led by head coach Justin Sammons. Sammons will continue to lead the senior mens setup, supported by Walsh, assistant coach (batting) Dion Ebrahim, fielding and lowerorder batting coach Stuart Matsikenyeri, strength and conditioning coach Curtly Diesel, team doctor Dr Solomon Madzogo, team manager Dilip Chouhan, logistics manager Lovemore Banda, and media manager Darlington Majonga. ZC also endorsed succession planning, with former Zimbabwe international Chamu Chibhabha set to understudy Chouhan in team management duties. It also confirmed a refreshed senior mens selection panel while David Mutendera is retained as convener, ex-international players Hamilton Masakadza and Christopher Mpofu have been added as selectors. Continuity was reaffirmed in the Under19 programme, with Elton Chigumbura retained as head coach. Former Zimbabwe allrounder Donald Tiripano has been promoted to assistant coach (bowling), joining batting coach Remembrance Nyathi, strength and conditioning coach Clemence Rizhibhowa, physiotherapist Munashe Dengu, and team manager Frank Mawoza. ZC also endorsed succession planning, with former Zimbabwe international Chamu Chibhabha set to understudy Chouhan in team management duties. It also confirmed a refreshed senior mens selection panel while David Mutendera is retained as convener, ex-international players Hamilton Masakadza and Christopher Mpofu have been added as selectors. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We believe they represent a strong blend of experience, expertise, continuity, and fresh perspectives that will help advance our strategic objectives across our national teams and player pathway structures, said ZC Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani. Article Source: IANS

TG20 Season 1: Abhirath's Ton Helps Hyderabad E-Champions Maintain Unbeaten Run To March Into Playoffs

Hyderabad Cricket Association: Skipper Abhirath Reddy and district player Ganesh Gadugu led the charge for Hyderabad E-Champions as they continued their unbeaten run with a six-wicket win against Warangal Warriors in the Hyderabad Cricket Association's TG20s first match on Wednesday. With this win, the E-Champions have qualified for the Playoffs. After narrowly missing out on a couple of occasions, Abhirath registered his maiden ton in the TG20. The Orange Cap holder continued to pile on the runs for his side with a stellar 101* off 43 balls, which included seven fours and nine sixes. District player Ganesh Gadugu also played his part, scoring 50 off 31 balls after the bowlers, led by Purple Cap holder Ajay Dev Goud (3/27), restricted the Warriors to 173/9. Opting to bat first, the Warriors made a watchful start before their openers unfurled a range of strokes. They piled up 64 runs in the first five overs to set the platform for their side. However, Ajay showed why hes on top of the wicket-takers list, as he sent back both openers in the final over of the powerplay. Harshit Choudhary (22 of 14) was the first to be dismissed, with Aman Rao Perala also falling after a quickfire 20-ball 45. The twin strikers wrestled back momentum for the E-Champions. Shanmukha Ashwin got the better of Murugan Abhishek (4 off 7) soon after, putting the Warriors further into trouble. Sunkari Dheeraj (18 off 16) and Rishiket Sisodia stitched together a 50-run stand to stabilise the innings, with the latter doing the heavy lifting. He found the odd boundary and rotated strike regularly to keep the scoreboard ticking with his partner. Unfortunately for the Warriors, Rishiket fell in an attempt to up the ante, with Pranav Varma getting the better of him in the 15th over, putting an end to his 32-ball 38. That triggered a series of wickets with the Warriors stumbling at the backend of the innings. Akhil Rathod bagged his first wicket to dismiss Sunkari, while Ajay continued his wicket-taking streak by dismissing Adi Mani Kiran (5 off 6). Dev Mehta also got rid of Bhavesh Seth (6 off 8) as the Warriors found themselves at 142/7. Shaunak Kulkarnis fiery 7-ball 22-run cameo powered his side to a strong finish before he fell to Abhirath in the penultimate over. In the end, the Warriors posted a total of 173/9 at the end of 20 overs. E-Champions laid down an early marker of intent at the beginning of their run chase, scoring 27 runs in the first couple of overs with their captain leading the charge. However, they found themselves in a spot of bother as the Warriors returned strongly to bag three wickets in the powerplay, achieving that feat for the first time in the tournament. Pallepati Kranthi struck a crucial double blow in the third over, dismissing Sai Vikas Reddy (10 off 7) and Ajay Goud (0 off 2). Anvith Reddy (4 off 2) was dismissed by Salman Khan in the following over as he pegged things back for the Warriors. With the game hanging in the balance, Abhirath and Ganesh Gadugu once again showed why theyre vital cogs of the E-Champions batting unit. They displayed immense maturity to keep the required run rate under control as they built a 77-run stand in which Ganesh was the aggressor. The district player smashed his second half-century of the tournament, reaching the milestone in 30 balls to put his side in cruise control. Shaunak broke the partnership by dismissing Ganesh in the 12th over, but the writing was on the wall by then. Abhirath effortlessly switched gears to notch up his fifty in 28 balls and unleashed an array of strokes to finish things off in a hurry. He concluded the run chase on a high, launching a towering six over long-off to amass his century and secure a comprehensive win for his side with 27 balls to spare. The district player smashed his second half-century of the tournament, reaching the milestone in 30 balls to put his side in cruise control. Shaunak broke the partnership by dismissing Ganesh in the 12th over, but the writing was on the wall by then. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Warangal Warriors 173/9 in 20 overs (Aman Rao Perala 45, Rishiket Sisodia 38, Ajay Dev Goud 3/27) lost to Hyderabad E-Champions 178/4 in 15.3 overs (Abhirath Reddy 101*, Ganesh Gadugu 50, Pallepati Kranthi 1/29) by six wickets Article Source: IANS

England's top three and SA quicks, both best in class, prepare for semi-final fight

Two teams with plenty of firepower and plenty of history come together at The Oval

Hridoy to lead Bangladesh in Zimbabwe T20Is; Saifuddin makes comeback

Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud will be playing in the Lanka Premier League, which overlaps with the T20I series

Doddapaneni Kalyan Krishna Appointed As Andhras Director Of Cricket Operations

ACA President Kesineni Sivanath: Former Andhra pacer Doddapaneni Kalyankrishna has been appointed as the states Director of Cricket Operations, said the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) on Wednesday. Kalyan Krishna, who played 51 first-class games, 42 List A matches and 16 T20 games and picked 217 scalps overall, will be leading the charge of strengthening cricket operations and driving future growth in the states cricketing ecosystem. The appointment was confirmed by ACA at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Mangalagiri. The ACA looks forward to his visionary leadership in strengthening our cricket operations and driving sustainable future growth for the sport in the region, said the ACA in its statement. Speaking to IANS, Kalyan Krishna, who was in the now-defunct Deccan Chargers set-up in IPL 2008 and has been a regular broadcaster on Star Sports Telugu feed, thanked ACA President Kesineni Sivanath and Secretary Sana Sathish Babu for appointing him to the role. I am very grateful to the President and Secretary of the ACA for the faith they have shown in me in appointing me to this role. I was there in the Andhra team as a player and now I am back with the set-up in an off-field role. Its a dream for every player to give back to the game after the end of playing time and I am very fortunate to be in a position to do so now, he said. Speaking to IANS, Kalyan Krishna, who was in the now-defunct Deccan Chargers set-up in IPL 2008 and has been a regular broadcaster on Star Sports Telugu feed, thanked ACA President Kesineni Sivanath and Secretary Sana Sathish Babu for appointing him to the role. Also Read: Live Cricket Score But I am sure I will do full justice to it and will continue to expand the good work done by ACA so far in spreading the sports reach in the state in both mens and womens cricket and produce more players who can go on to represent India, he added. Article Source: IANS

Crocombe to join Surrey from 2027 as Sussex exodus continues

Highly-rated fast bowler featured in England's Test squad at The Oval last month

Women's T20 WC: England Handed Nat Sciver-Brunt Boost Ahead Of Semi-final Against South Africa

T20 World Cup: England cricket team has been handed a big boost ahead of their crucial Women's T20 World Cup semi-final clash against South Africa as their captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has been passed fit to return from injury for Thursday's match at Kennington Oval. Sciver-Brunt got retired hurt during England's clash against Ireland in Southampton. That was a recurrence of an injury she suffered while playing domestic cricket in late April, due to which the all-rounder was out of the crucial preparation series against India and New Zealand. Skipper played both warm-up games ahead of the tournament, scoring 3 against Australia and 57 against India before scores of 46 not out and 48 against Sri Lanka and Ireland respectively at the World Cup. We literally threw everything at it, I'm really happy with where I am at physically. Myself and the medical team are really happy with where we're at. Physically I'm able to take part in all of the game, so from that point of view I'm really happy, Sciver-Brunt said in the pre-match press conference at The Oval on Wednesday, confirming her return to the playing XI. England enters the semi-final with a perfect record, having won all five of their group matches. The return of captain Nat Sciver-Brunt makes an already strong team even better. They have posted scores of 164, 186, and 219 in the tournament, showcasing the depth of their batting lineup. We literally threw everything at it, I'm really happy with where I am at physically. Myself and the medical team are really happy with where we're at. Physically I'm able to take part in all of the game, so from that point of view I'm really happy, Sciver-Brunt said in the pre-match press conference at The Oval on Wednesday, confirming her return to the playing XI. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sciver-Brunt's return, following a significant improvement in her calf injury after a positive MRI scan, gives England their strongest XI for the first time in three matches. Her presence also adds another quality seam-bowling option, restoring balance to the team. Article Source: IANS

ENG-W vs SA-W Semi-final 2 Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Preview, Predicted XIs, Player Tips & Match Prediction

ENG-W vs SA-W Semi-final 2, Cricket Tips :Two games are left in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, and a new champion will be crowned. Australia Women are into the final with a win over West Indies. Now, England and South Africa will compete for the second spot in the final. This contest will kick off on Wednesday at Kennington Oval in London at 11 PM IST. These two sides are in for a hard-fought battle, where a small mistake can cost big. South Africa have shown good recent form, but their record against England is not encouraging. Their first and only T20I win over England women in England came in 2018. Nat Sciver-Brunt is likely to be back for the hosts, and her inclusion will strengthen the combination. England have already shown a great display in this tournament. ENG-W vs SA-W: Match Details Date : July 02, 2026 (Wednesday) Time : 11 PM IST Venue : Kennington Oval, London ENG-W vs SA-W Live Streaming Details Indian fans can watch the second semifinal on the ENG-W vs SA-W live on the Star Sports Networks. The live stream option of this game will be available at the Jio Hotstar app or website. ENG-W vs SA-W Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 28 England Women : 23 South Africa Women : 04 No-Result: 01 ENG-W vs SA-W: Ground Pitch Report Kennington Oval has been a good batting venue in England. The wicket here produces good bounce and pace. Fast bowlers will get early movement with the new ball, which is expected to settle down with time. The wicket will offer very little assistance for the spinners. ENG-W vs SA-W Possible XIs ENG-W : Amy Jones (wk), Danni Wyatt Hodge, Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Heather Knight, Charlie Dean, Freya Kemp, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell SA-W : Laura Wolvaardt (c), Annerie Dercksen, Tazmin Brits, Dane van Niekerk, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba ENG-W vs SA-W Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Danni Wyatt Hodge has been the best batter for England, and she will be a big wicket. For South Africa, captain Laura Wolvaardt has always done well in knockout matches. Her role will be crucial in this game. Probable Best Bowler Freya Kemp has been exceptional. She has taken wickets in middle and final overs for her team. For South Africa, Marizanne Kapp needs to do well. She can take early wickets and has experience of performing on big stages. Today Match Prediction : South Africa are good, but their average record against England show that they have struggled against them. Hence, we predict England Women will win the second semifinal. ENG-W vs SAW Match Semi-final 2 ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, Today 2026 Match, ENG-W vs SA-W 2026 Prediction, ENG-W vs SA-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for ENG-W vs SA-W Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The predictions or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your prediction.

Nat Sciver-Brunt passed fit for semi-final after calf injury recovery

Boost for England in crucial clash as captain prepares to return after three-match absence

Bulbulia eases to victory after Rowles, Mbatha star for South Africa U19s

Heavy defeat for hosts despite Ben Dawkins' 44, and contributions from Flintoff and Lumsden

Women's T20 WC: Unbeaten England Face Resurgent South Africa For A Place In Lord's Final

T20 World Cup: Unbeaten England take on a confident South Africa in the second semi-final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup at The Kennington Oval, with the winner earning the right to face six-time champions Australia in Sunday's final at Lord's. Australia secured the first spot in the final with a convincing eight-wicket win over West Indies, successfully chasing 126 with 42 balls left. Now, England and South Africa are set to compete for the last spot in what promises to be a tight match in the knockout stage. England enters the semi-final with a perfect record, having won all five of their group matches. The return of captain Nat Sciver-Brunt makes an already strong team even better. They have posted scores of 164, 186, and 219 in the tournament, showcasing the depth of their batting lineup. South Africa, on the other hand, has bounced back impressively after losing their initial match to Australia. They have won four of their next five games. Their most significant performance came against India, where Marizanne Kapp delivered a standout performance. She scored an unbeaten 81 and took 2/27, leading her team to a memorable victory. England's greatest strength lies in their top order, led by the tournament's top run-scorer, Danni Wyatt-Hodge. The experienced opener has scored 282 runs in five innings at an average of 94. This includes an unbeaten 89 against New Zealand at The Oval, and she has already received three Player of the Match awards. Sciver-Brunts return, following a significant improvement in her calf injury after a positive MRI scan, gives England their strongest XI for the first time in three matches. Her presence also adds another quality seam-bowling option, restoring balance to the team. Alice Capsey has brought aggressive batting in the middle order, helping England score quickly. Meanwhile, world No.1 spinner Sophie Ecclestone continues to excel in the middle overs with her accuracy. Ecclestone achieved figures of 3/22 against Ireland and 2/23 against the West Indies, maintaining an excellent economy throughout the tournament. South Africas success has come from a disciplined bowling attack that includes Marizanne Kapp, Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, and Nonkululeko Mlaba. This quartet has consistently taken wickets throughout the tournament. Captain Laura Wolvaardt will be eager to make a mark after being dismissed on the first ball against Bangladesh in the final group match. Annerie Dercksens important 45 in that game showcased the depth in South Africas batting lineup. Kapp stands out as South Africas key player, excelling with both bat and ball. Her experience in high-pressure situations makes her a crucial asset for the team. The Oval has generally favoured teams chasing in this World Cup. Australia managed to chase down the West Indies' total comfortably on the same pitch, while both England and South Africa also had successful chases earlier in the tournament. Although the pitch initially showed a slight green tinge, it has remained good for batting overall. With an evening start and the possibility of dew, captains are likely to choose to bowl first if they win the toss. England are aiming for their first Women's T20 World Cup title since 2009, while South Africa hopes to reach another global final by defeating one of the tournament's favourites. With Australias spot already settled, only one challenge remains before Sundays final showdown at Lord's. Match details: When: Thursday, July 2 at 7:00 PM IST Where: The Oval, London Where to watch: The second semifinal between South Africa and England will be broadcast on Star Sports Network and live-streamed on JioStar Squads: England: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Dani Gibson, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt-Hodge England: Also Read: Live Cricket Score Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon, Dane van Niekerk Article Source: IANS

TG20: 'A Lot To Learn From Him,' Says Aaron George On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Rise

Ranga Reddy Risers: Aaron George has shared a dressing room with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at various stages in the India U19 team, including in this years World Cup win in Zimbabwe and Namibia. Now, watching his former team-mate go from the age-group set-up to the senior India side currently on T20I tour of England has left a deep impression on George, whos turning out for Ranga Reddy Risers in the ongoing TG20 tournament. He's been doing a great job ever since he's been playing for the under-19 and now he's playing for the senior side. So it gives me a lot of joy personally to see my teammate rise to higher standards like that. Very happy with how he's doing and obviously a lot to learn from him. His clarity of thought, the way he swings his bat - there's a lot of takeaways and I'm very happy about seeing Vaibhav at the higher level, George said in an exclusive conversation with IANS. That instinct to learn from those around him has become something of a theme for George, who was quick to praise the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) for putting together a tournament that gives fringe and emerging cricketers a genuine stage to express themselves. It's been great and I think it's a great initiative that the Hyderabad Cricket Association has taken, giving a lot of exposure to young talents and also people who have not made very far in their career and are still fighting for a spot. So it's a tournament where there are a lot of diverse cricketers, a lot of different talents and it's great to have a platform like this at a young age, he said. George further pointed out the tournaments real worth is not just about the cricket, but about turning a group of wellknown players into functioning as a proper team. Oh, it's been very good. I think it's all about talking to new people, communicating with them, and understanding how all of us can be effective in a team environment. We've all done very well personally, obviously, to be playing this tournament. But how we come across each other as a team, how we can help our team go to greater heights - that is what our preparation was all about and it's been going great. On the tactical side, George is aware that the modern game places a premium on power-hitting, but he is clear that there is more than one route to being effective with the bat in T20s. As you can see, the game is always changing. The demands are going to be different in a few more years. So, as of now, the power aspect of the game is being given great light and all players have different ways of dealing with that. I am somebody who has used a lot of (on-ground shots) - I play a lot in the gap, or I run a lot during my batting. So depending on the requirement, it's a team sport and what the equation is, how many runs are required, at which over we make our decisions and move across. Its because there is not only one way out, there are different solutions for the same problem. So, we deal with whatever our strengths are, and how we can be effective in that situation with whatever we have got in our army, he added. A captain in nearly every age-group side he has represented, including leading Hyderabad to the Vinoo Mankad Trophy title after a 38-year wait, George has had to adjust to a different role in TG20, where the dressing room is populated by far more experienced campaigners, and he has embraced the change. Most of the teams that I've played in, I've always led. I've been the captain in almost every place I've played, or at least vice-captaincy per se. But when it comes to senior cricket over here, it's different to feel like a junior because everybody is older and they've played their share of cricket. So for me, it's about learning from them. Also, let it be a senior or junior, there's always something you can correct and there's always something you can learn from them. So, that was the approach I got into the tournament with and I'm liking every conversation I'm having with my seniors. It's really helping me understand the game better, and know how they think. Like I mentioned before, the diversity is a great part of this tournament, he said. George, who has recorded scores of 7, 27, 35 and 6 so far, also spoke of the freedom his coaching staff have given him to play his natural game, having worked with several of them outside the confines of the TG20. When it comes to our team, I've already worked with the coaches on different occasions outside of the TG20 tournament. They're all people who know my capability and what I can bring to the table and they have given me a free hand since the start. They've asked me to follow my instincts and bat the way I want to. Obviously, me batting the way I want to is going to give the team the best results when it works out. So I am clear about my role and there is good coordination among all the players and the coaches. George, who has recorded scores of 7, 27, 35 and 6 so far, also spoke of the freedom his coaching staff have given him to play his natural game, having worked with several of them outside the confines of the TG20. When it comes to our team, I've already worked with the coaches on different occasions outside of the TG20 tournament. They're all people who know my capability and what I can bring to the table and they have given me a free hand since the start. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Once I'm done with the tournament, I'm going to start working on, probably new shots or trying to get more range into my batting, more power, whatever it is, post the tournament. But as of now, I know what my strengths are and I'm going to stick to that preparation, he signed off. Article Source: IANS

Kishan replaces Abhishek as No. 1 T20I batter; Root slips to No. 3 among Test batters

Jasprit Bumrah became the No. 1 Test bowler after Matt Henry missed the Trent Bridge Test against England

Womens T20 WC: Shikha Pandey Predicts A Close Fight In SF2, Says England Might Just Pip South Africa

T20 World Cup: Former India pacer Shikha Pandey expects a tightly contested battle when England take on South Africa in the second semi-final of the ICC Womens T20 World Cup, saying both sides possess the quality and experience to thrive under knockout pressure. Assessing the contest ahead of the winner earning a place in the final against Australia, Shikha highlighted South Africas familiarity with English conditions but believes Englands batting depth could prove to be the decisive factor. Pandey began by explaining why South Africa remain one of the most dangerous teams in global tournaments, pointing to their temperament and experience of playing in English conditions. South Africa are ruthless when it comes to World Cups. They have a strong bowling attack and batters who can handle pressure. Many of their players have also played a lot of cricket in England. Marizanne Kapp herself has had about three to four seasons in the Hundred here on these surfaces. So they are quite well-drilled. They are fighters who don't give up easily, Shikha told JioStar. Despite acknowledging South Africa's strengths, Shikha believes England will enter the semifinal with a batting line-up that is stronger and more balanced than in previous years. But one thing I will say about England is that I have watched them for a long time, and I haven't seen their batting this organised and this deep. They have power, they have experience, and they have players who can finish games, she added. Despite acknowledging South Africa's strengths, Shikha believes England will enter the semifinal with a batting line-up that is stronger and more balanced than in previous years. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With Australia already through to the final after defeating the West Indies in the first semi-final, the spotlight now shifts to England and South Africa as they battle for the remaining place in the title decider. Article Source: IANS

ETPL: Ashwin joins Dublin Guardians as captain and mentor

Faf du Plessis, Donovan Ferreira, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith are among other direct acquisitions

KCA Revokes Sreesanth's Three Year Ban After Apology

Kerala Cricket Association: Former India fast bowler S. Sreesanth has been reinstated by the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) after the cricketing body unanimously decided to revoke the three-year ban imposed on him, following an unconditional apology tendered by the cricketer over his remarks against KCA. The decision was taken at the KCA's Special General Body meeting on Wednesday, after members deliberated on Sreesanth's formal apology, in which he expressed unconditional regret for statements he made against the Association on visual and social media platforms. The KCA imposed a three-year suspension before the last season of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL), citing Sreesanth's public comments for damaging the Association's image and reputation. The disciplinary action effectively prevented the former international from engaging in KCA-recognised activities, including his proposed role in the Kerala Cricket League. Following the suspension, Sreesanth challenged the KCA's decision before the Thiruvananthapuram Munsiff Court, seeking to have the disciplinary action set aside. However, the court dismissed his petition, leaving the suspension in force. Subsequently, Sreesanth officially submitted an unconditional apology to the Association, expressing regret for his previous remarks. The apology was presented to the Special General Body, which, after thorough discussion, unanimously decided to lift the suspension due to his clear and unambiguous expression of remorse. The Association granted relief to the former India pacer but also issued a strict warning that any future similar conduct or public statements damaging the KCA's reputation would lead to severe disciplinary measures. The decision allows Sreesanth to remain co-owner of the Aries Kollam Sailors in Season Three of the Kerala Cricket League, eliminating any doubts about his involvement. The Association granted relief to the former India pacer but also issued a strict warning that any future similar conduct or public statements damaging the KCA's reputation would lead to severe disciplinary measures. Also Read: Live Cricket Score It also paves the way for a fresh chapter in the relationship between Sreesanth and the KCA, while underlining the Association's expectation that all stakeholders maintain discipline and uphold the reputation of Kerala cricket. Article Source: IANS

Womens T20 WC: Mooney Credits Australias Squad Depth For Marching Into Record Eighth Final

T20 World Cup: Australia wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney has attributed her side's run to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup final to consistent contributions from across the squad after the six-time champions defeated the West Indies by eight wickets in the semi-final at The Oval. Speaking after the victory, Mooney singled out the impact of Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham and Georgia Voll, explaining how Australia's depth, versatility and ability to produce match-winners at crucial moments have put the team within one victory of another world title, with either England or South Africa awaiting in Sunday's final at Lord's. Mooney pointed to Gardner's growing confidence, particularly after her recent performances with the bat, and said it translated into another influential outing with the ball and said that the all-rounder has repeatedly proven her value to the side over the years. She's been a critical player for us for a long period of time. She obviously batted beautifully against India at Lord's the other day. She gets a lot of confidence from that. And I think we saw that today with the ball. She bowled beautifully and took wickets at critical times. So we know the threat that she poses to other teams, and we're very lucky to have her at our disposal in our team, Mooney said post match. With Australia now one step away from another global title, Mooney stressed the importance of every member of the squad finding form at the business end of the tournament. Certainly going into the pointy end of the competition, it's always good to have all your players in good form, she said. Mooney also highlighted Wareham's impact, saying the all-rounder has developed into one of Australia's most complete cricketers after adapting to different roles within the team, and the qualities that make her such an influential player. Wolf (Wareham) has been unreal. Not too many cricketers float around the world stage having the skill set that she does and the nous of the game ... the calmness. So it's probably been a little bit of time in the making for Wolf. I think she's been given different roles along the way but really come into her own in that number six role with the bat especially, and also just nailing it with the ball, she added. Mooney believes Wareham's all-round abilities make her one of the standout players in the international game. She's the all-round packageWolfbat, ball, field, great temperament, great human. So another player that is probably the envy of world cricket, and she's in our team. So I'm very lucky that I get to have the best seat in the house, both behind the stumps when I'm keeping and obviously seeing her do her thing with the bat. So hopefully she's got one more very good game in her and can help us get on the right side of the result on Sunday, the wicketkeeper-batter expressed. At the top of the order, Mooney also credited Georgia Voll for giving Australia fast starts during the powerplay, allowing the batting unit to dictate the pace of the innings. Yeah, we've discussed that that's a pretty important phase of the game to try and attack, and obviously with Georgia Voll at the top of the order, it makes it pretty easy to do that, Mooney mentioned. Mooney explained that Australia's approach is built around maximising the fielding restrictions while relying on experience to make the right decisions under pressure. From a personal point of view, I've certainly got the control and the skills to be able to take the game on a little bit earlier and played a lot of cricket and have a lot of data behind me to back up the fact that I can make good decisions and know what I'm doing every now and then. It's not going to come off all the time, but I think that's the way forward in T20 cricket is to really attack the power play if you can and adjust where you need to along the way, she said. Mooney explained that Australia's approach is built around maximising the fielding restrictions while relying on experience to make the right decisions under pressure. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Australia comfortably chased down West Indies' 125/7 with seven overs to spare, despite Ellyse Perry retiring hurt as a precaution during the innings. Having enjoyed significant contributions from multiple players throughout the tournament, the Aussies will now look to carry that momentum into Sunday's final at Lord's as they chase a record-extending seventh ICC Women's T20 World Cup crown. Article Source: IANS

ICC Rankings: Kishan Dethrones Abhishek To Become No.1 T20I Batter; Head Rises To Top In Tests

ICC T20 World Cup: India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has replaced teammate Abhishek Sharma as the world's No.1 T20I batter in the latest ICC Player Rankings, ending the latter's nearly year-long reign at the top after his prolific run in the shortest format. In another major change, Australia's Travis Head climbed to the No.1 spot among Test batters for the first time in his career. Kishan attained a new career-best rating to move ahead of Abhishek after the latest ICC rankings update released on Wednesday, following India's 2-0 T20I series defeat to Ireland in Belfast. The left-handed batter's rise to the summit has been fuelled by his outstanding performances at the ICC T20 World Cup earlier this year, where he amassed 317 runs at a strike rate of almost 200. His campaign included a Player of the Match-winning knock against Pakistan in Colombo. Abhishek, who had occupied the No.1 spot for almost 12 months, now trails Kishan by just seven rating points. Kishan also joins an elite list featuring Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav as only the fourth Indian men's batter to achieve the No.1 ranking in T20I cricket. Among other movers in the T20I batting rankings, Ireland captain Lorcan Tucker jumped four places to equal 77th, while Ross Adair climbed six spots to 84th after impressive performances against India. Ireland seamer Matthew Humphreys moved up one place to 25th in the T20I bowling rankings after claiming four wickets in the series, earning a career-best rating. In the T20I all-rounders' rankings, India's Shivam Dube rose three places to seventh, while Ireland's Gareth Delany and Harry Tector climbed to 24th and 38th respectively. There were significant changes in the ICC Test rankings as well, with Australia's Travis Head becoming the world's No.1 Test batter for the first time in his career. Head replaced England's Harry Brook at the top after Brook and Joe Root endured modest returns in the Nottingham Test against New Zealand. Brook slipped to second while Root dropped two places to third India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah also regained sole possession of the No.1 ranking among Test bowlers after New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry slipped to second. New Zealand's victory over England at Trent Bridge also resulted in major gains for several of their batters. Rachin Ravindra climbed two places to seventh, Daryl Mitchell advanced five spots to 11th, Devon Conway surged 14 places to equal 15th, and Tom Latham rose 12 places to equal 31st in the Test batting rankings. India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah also regained sole possession of the No.1 ranking among Test bowlers after New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry slipped to second. Also Read: Live Cricket Score West Indies fast bowlers Shamar Joseph and Kemar Roach were also rewarded for their performances in the victory over Sri Lanka in Antigua. Joseph climbed nine places to equal 14th in the Test bowling rankings, while Roach rose four spots to 17th. Article Source: IANS

Fisher Earns Maiden Call-up As NZ Name 16-man ODI Squad For WI Tour

Sir Richard Hadlee Medal: New Zealand have unveiled a 16-member squad for their five-match ODI series against the West Indies, with Northern Districts fast bowler Matthew Fisher receiving his first-ever call-up in the format and Jacob Duffy returning to international cricket. The series, which begins on July 11 in Guyana before concluding in Barbados on July 21, marks the BlackCaps' first ODI assignment in the Caribbean since their historic series triumph there in 2022. Fisher's inclusion is one of the major talking points of the squad announcement. The 26-year-old pace bowler has impressed in domestic one-day cricket, collecting 43 wickets in 25 List A matches at an average of 26. While he has already represented New Zealand in a Test against Zimbabwe in August 2025 and a T20I against Bangladesh in April 2026, the upcoming tour will offer him his first opportunity in ODI cricket. Another notable return is that of Jacob Duffy, who rejoins the national setup after missing the recent Test series in England following the birth of his first child. The reigning Sir Richard Hadlee Medal winner last represented New Zealand during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final in March. Mitchell Santner will continue to lead the side in white-ball cricket, with Tom Latham serving as the wicketkeeper. The pace attack also features Kristian Clarke, Ben Sears and Nathan Smith, while the spin department includes Michael Bracewell, Jayden Lennox and Dean Foxcroft. Head coach Rob Walter welcomed both Fisher and Duffy into the squad, highlighting the qualities they bring ahead of the Caribbean tour. Its great to have Jacob and Matt joining the group and I know theyll bring a lot of energy and excitement, he said. Walter believes Fisher has earned the opportunity after consistently improving his all-round skillset. Its a nice opportunity to introduce Matt to the ODI group for the first time. He bowls with good pace and has been working hard on his variations to ensure he can bowl at different stages of the innings, he added. The New Zealand coach also praised Duffy's impact across formats and expressed confidence that the experienced seamer will strengthen the squad as he said, Jacob has been a stand-out for us in all formats for the past couple of years. His skills and experience will be a great addition to our squad and I know hes looking forward to representing New Zealand again. Jayden Lennox has retained his place after impressing during his debut international series against India earlier this year and will embark on his third overseas white-ball tour. Experienced campaigners Michael Bracewell and Mark Chapman further bolster the group, bringing nearly 250 international appearances between them. Several regulars are unavailable for the tour. Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry and Will O'Rourke have been rested following a demanding first half of the 2026 season, while Blair Tickner will undergo scheduled ankle surgery. Devon Conway has been granted leave after the birth of his second child during the England Test series, and Rachin Ravindra will miss the tour as part of a pre-agreed arrangement with New Zealand Cricket to participate in Major League Cricket. Jayden Lennox has retained his place after impressing during his debut international series against India earlier this year and will embark on his third overseas white-ball tour. Experienced campaigners Michael Bracewell and Mark Chapman further bolster the group, bringing nearly 250 international appearances between them. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New Zealand ODI squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham, Jayden Lennox, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith and Will Young. Article Source: IANS

I Want To Still Play For WI, No Doubt: Hayley Matthews Reaffirms Commitment After T20 WC Exit

T20 World Cup: West Indies captain Hayley Matthews has dismissed any speculation over her international future following her sides exit from the ICC Womens T20 World Cup, insisting she remains committed to representing the Caribbean nation. Speaking after West Indies eight-wicket semi-final defeat to Australia at The Oval, Matthews reflected on her motivation to continue playing, backed senior teammates Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin to remain involved, and assessed why the team fell short of reaching the final. Addressing questions about whether the tournament could mark the end of her international career, Matthews made it clear that her desire to wear West Indies colours remains unchanged. I want to still play for West Indies, there's no doubt about that. I always feel like West Indies has given me the opportunity to represent myself, to be a part of franchise cricket. And it might be the most stressful thing and probably one of the harder jobs around, but it's where the passion comes from, Matthews said during the post-match presentation The all-rounder also pointed to the responsibility she feels as one of the leading figures in Caribbean women's cricket, saying that her influence extends beyond her on-field performances. I certainly feel personally that I have a real opportunity to not only represent myself but to make a difference. I've seen so many young girls in the Caribbean already probably want to play cricket or take up cricket because of me, and knowing that I have that power and I guess that influence in a country and in a region where women's cricket and women's sports on a whole probably isn't represented massively, hopefully if I could just inspire a few young ladies or a few more young ladies to take up the game, she added. Matthews also indicated that experienced campaigners Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin remain motivated to continue contributing to the national side, adding that the emergence of younger players has strengthened the atmosphere within the squad. I haven't necessarily heard any of (Stafanie or Deandra) talking about retirement yet, thankfully. I think there's still a lot of passion from them to play. I think what's most important for them is just a healthy team environment, and, I think right now the passion that we have within the group has driven a lot of them, Matthews stated. She continued by explaining why the senior players continue to find purpose within the setup. I think the fresh faces that we have within the young girls and the way that they've come into the team and have exhibited the want to learn definitely makes them feel like they can play a massive role, like it has made me. And hopefully that combination of the young new players alongside Stef and Deandra and Afy (Fletcher) can keep them driven to understand that their role is so much bigger than just going out and batting and bowling as well, she said. Reflecting on the campaign itself, Matthews admitted that West Indies struggled to produce enough match-winning individual performances throughout the tournament, despite advancing to the knockout stage. The Caribbean side reached the semi-finals before being eliminated by Australia after finishing the group stage with defeats against England and Ireland. I think the fresh faces that we have within the young girls and the way that they've come into the team and have exhibited the want to learn definitely makes them feel like they can play a massive role, like it has made me. And hopefully that combination of the young new players alongside Stef and Deandra and Afy (Fletcher) can keep them driven to understand that their role is so much bigger than just going out and batting and bowling as well, she said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Matthews concluded that the inability to produce decisive individual displays consistently proved costly in the shortest format, saying, And in T20 cricket, you always need someone stepping up and putting down good performances. And I think that's probably what we lack, not only today but the entire tournament. Article Source: IANS

Indian Lifting 2011 WC Trophy Inspired My India Dream, Reveals Shedge

Civil Service Cricket Club: Suryansh Shedge has shared how India's 2011 World Cup triumph sparked his ambition to represent the country, saying that he cried watching India win and in that specific moment he decided to start working towards that dream of representing India on the biggest stage. Shedge was handed his maiden India cap in the second T20I against Ireland at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Stormont on Sunday after he was named the replacement for all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy in the squads for the T20I series against Ireland and England. Speaking about his journey after earning national selection, Shedge looked back on the moment that ignited his dream, revealing that India's 2011 World Cup victory left a lasting impact on him. The first time I really cried watching cricket was when India won the 2011 World Cup. That night, watching the Indian team lift the trophy, something changed inside me. I knew that this is what I want to do, represent my country on the biggest stage. From that day, I started working towards that dream. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I was ready to give it everything. When I received the Indian jersey and wore it for the first time, I can't describe that feeling. All those early mornings, the hard work, the sacrifices, it all felt worth it. I have worked for this since childhood. Wearing that jersey is not just a dream come true; it's the start of a new journey, Shedge told JioStar. also recalled one of the first congratulatory calls he received after his selection became official, describing it as an emotional conversation with left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. When my selection was confirmed, I received a video call from Arshdeep paaji. He congratulated me and shared his own experience of getting selected. I spoke to him for a while. It was a very emotional moment. It was really hard to process. Even now, it hasn't fully sunk in yet. It still feels like a dream, Shedge added. Shedge also highlighted the influence of captain Shreyas Iyer, explaining that their interactions extend well beyond match days and often revolve around understanding different aspects of the game. I talk a lot with Shreyas Iyer bhai. We spend a lot of time together off the field as well. We are constantly talking about cricket, about batting, bowling, match situations, and how to handle pressure. During the IPL season, we watch other games together and discuss what we would do in those situations. Those conversations are always healthy and keep going. It helps me learn a lot from his experience, he stated. Shedge also highlighted the influence of captain Shreyas Iyer, explaining that their interactions extend well beyond match days and often revolve around understanding different aspects of the game. Also Read: Live Cricket Score His mentality is incredible. He genuinely enjoys batting and never overcomplicates things. He has such strong belief in his ability that even if he gets out for a duck, he doesn't let it affect him. He backs himself to score a hundred off 30 balls in the next game. That kind of self-belief is rare. He doesn't carry any baggage from the previous ball or the previous match. He lives in the moment and plays with complete freedom. That is what makes him so dangerous. He is the perfect example of being instinctive and playing without fear, Shedge mentioned. Article Source: IANS

Can NZ manage their pace riches with India and Australia looming?

Head selector Gavin Larsen discusses the issue of workload management ahead of a bumper Test summer

Zimbabwe Thrash Bangladesh by an Innings and 85 Runs in One-Off Test as Muzarabani Shines

Blessing Muzarabani took four wickets and captain Richard Ngarava three for Zimbabwe as they bowled Bangladesh out for 185 on Tuesday to win a one-off Test in Harare. The tourists had fared even in worse intheir first innings, making a meagre 140. An Innocent Kaia century steered Zimbabwe to 410 in reply. Zimbabwe won the match by an innings and 85 runs to achieve a second victory in their last three Tests against the south Asians. Player of the match Kaia said: This victory is a reward for hard work, with a strong emphasis on fitness. It was a tough wicket to play on. Credit to the Bangladesh bowlers as I think they did well. But it was my game. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said: In the first innings, we did not bat properly. That cost us the match. Our bowling was also not good enough. We came to Zimbabwe having played some good cricket in a recent series win over Pakistan. But we did not adapt to different conditions here. Bangladesh, 40-1 overnight and 230 runs behind, were no match for the Zimbabwe bowlers on the third day with only Mushfiqur Rahim (34) and Shanto (30) offering sustained resistance. Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy (22) was the first Bangladeshi to fall on Tuesday, caught at gully by Brian Bennett off a Muzarabani delivery. The dismissal of Mominul Haque soon after left the visitors on 48-3 before Rahim and Shanto added 61 runs in the only fruitful Bangladesh partnership. Brief scores Bangladesh 140 in 47.2 overs and 185 in 45 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 34, Najmul Hossain Shanto 30; B. Muzarabani 4-65, R. Ngarava 3-32) v Zimbabwe 410 in 107.2 overs Also Read: Live Cricket Score Result: Zimbabwe won by innings and 85 runs

The LBW Call That Changed Cricket History: Revisiting the 1986 Chennai Tie Test Controversy

The Story of India vs Australia Chennai Tied Test 1986 : A few days back, former international umpire from India, V Vikramraju, died aged 92. This news of his sad demise was not widely covered, although he remains Indias one of the most discussed umpires. He umpired in two Tests and five ODIs, besides being on duty in 42 first-class matches, which included being one of the two on-field umpires in the famous Chennai Tie Test in 1986. This Test between India and Australia, played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium from September 18 to 22 was only the second tied Test in cricket. The first one was played between Australia and West Indies in Brisbane in 1960. Vikramraju had adjudged India No. 11 Maninder Singh lbw off Greg Matthews and was at the receiving end of criticism. This decision stopped India's chase a run short of the target of 348. Although his decision made the Test historic, it is believed that his decision deprived India of a chance to score the winning run off the last ball. Dara Dotiwalla was the other on-field umpire. Standing in just his second Test, Vikramraju was not given a chance to officiate in another Test, although he was on duty at a few odds after this Test controversy. He was a match referee in a few first-class matches as well as casca T20 events. Surprisingly, the 1986 Tied Test transformed the careers of players on both sides but didnt help the man whose decision was responsible for making this a historic Test. Dean Jones scored a double-century considered as one of the most courageous ever played (at 40 degrees Celsius temperatures and 80 percent humidity, he batted for over eight hours for his 210 in Australia's first innings of 7-574). The Australian spinner Greg Matthews ended the Test with figures of 10-249, his first and only 10-wicket haul in Test cricket. Kapil Dev scored a hundred in the first innings, considered by many to be his one of the best. Why is Vikramraju's decision that ensured the fall of Indias last wicket and finished the Test as a tie with one ball remaining considered controversial? Let us start from the moment Ray Brights three quick wickets made India nine down with scores level. India collapsed from 6-331 to be all out for 347. Ravi Shastri (45 off 37 balls) was at strike, and India needed four runs in six balls, with No. 11 at the other end. Should I? Should I go for this big one, he said in a documentary produced by the Australian Broadcast Corporation? First ball: Shastri sees the first ball off. Second ball: Shastri heaves the ball through square leg and India steal two. Third ball: Yields a single and now the scores are tied, which ensured that India can't lose, but exposed the hapless tail-ender. Now Maninder Singh was at the crease with three balls remaining. Fourth ball: He keeps the ball out. Fifth ball: Maninder tries to do the same but is hit on the pad. Shastri shouted, telling Maninder not to run. On the other hand, the Australians were running around like headless chickens as Vikramraju gave Maninder out lbw. A moment later, everyone realized that Border, who was at a silly point, didn't even appeal. He was just busy retrieving the ball, nothing else. When he looked up, his players were jumping. Vikramraju always maintained his call to out Maninder was correct but faced heavy criticism post-match when Maninder claimed that the ball had touched his bat before it cannoned into his pad. The other not out batsman, Ravi Shastri, supported Maninder. The bat was not near the pad, the bat never came close to the ball, was Vikramrajus version. Matthews labelled Vikramraju as the most courageous umpire on the face of the earth. Maninder claimed that he was not out, I am sure the umpire was nervous. I was surprised because before I even played the ball, I could see his finger going up. I mean almost before playing the ball. That shows he was nervous but that's part of the game. I look at it now and realize how much pressure was on the umpire. The nervousness showed in him when he hastened in giving that decision, Maninder said. The other umpire, Dotiwalla, considered himself to be lucky that he was at square leg in that tension but claimed that he did not hear any sound. That last day, the way these two players behaved, they didn't say anything to me. But they were very harsh on Vikram, he said. Vikramraju, took it as, Outside, everyone wanted India to win the match, but when they did not win, they showed it. That we can't stop it. Also Read: Live Cricket Score There was no DRS at that time, and nobody knows how things would have turned out today.

Chandigarh Cricketer Selected In Indian Women's Squad For 2026 Asian Games

Union Territory Cricket Association: In yet another proud moment for the Union Territory Cricket Association (UTCA), Chandigarh cricketer Nandini Sharma has been selected in the Indian Women's squad for the 2026 Asian Games which is scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya in Japan in September. The Indian women's team will be entering in the competition as the defending champions after winning the gold at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou in China held from September 23 to October 8, 2023. Nandini has been rewarded for her impressive performances across various domestic and national competitions. Earlier this year, she represented India A in the ACC Rising Star Women's Asia Cup, gaining valuable international exposure. Having represented both Punjab and UTCA in BCCI-organised tournaments at the Under-19, Under-23 and Senior levels, Nandini has consistently excelled in major domestic competitions, including the Senior Women's Inter-Zonal tournaments, Women's T20 Challenger Trophy and Senior Women's One-Day Challenger Trophy. Her association with Delhi Capitals Women in the Women's Premier League (WPL) also played a significant role in her development at the highest level. Having represented both Punjab and UTCA in BCCI-organised tournaments at the Under-19, Under-23 and Senior levels, Nandini has consistently excelled in major domestic competitions, including the Senior Women's Inter-Zonal tournaments, Women's T20 Challenger Trophy and Senior Women's One-Day Challenger Trophy. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Expressing his delight, UTCA President Saraansh Tandon said, Nandini's selection in the Indian team for the Asian Games is a matter of immense pride for Chandigarh and UTCA. She has earned this opportunity through her dedication, discipline and consistent performances over the years. We are confident that she will make a significant contribution to the Indian team and continue to inspire young cricketers from the region. Article Source: IANS

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Mysore Warriors Edge Coastal Kings Mangaluru In Last-ball Thriller

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Mysore Warriors held their nerve in a thrilling finish to defeat Coastal Kings Mangaluru by two wickets off the final ball in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament in Hubballi on Tuesday. Needing seven runs from the final over, tail-end batter and wicketkeeper Yuvraj Arora produced a sensational finish, smashing an unbeaten 19 off just nine balls, including two sixes and a four, to guide the Warriors to only their second victory in seven matches. The win, while keeping them at the bottom of the table, took them to four points. Meanwhile, Coastal Kings remain second in the standings with seven points, three behind leaders Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters. Chasing a revised target of 162 in a rain-curtailed 19-over contest, the Warriors appeared firmly in control at 111 for three, thanks to a fluent 78-run partnership off just 42 balls between L R Chethan and Ritesh Bhatkal. Chethan struck a brisk 37 off 20 balls, with five fours and a six, before his dismissal triggered a dramatic collapse. The Warriors lost three wickets in the space of five deliveries, allowing Coastal Kings to claw their way back into the contest. Bhatkal, however, held one end together with a superb 66 off 39 balls, studded with eight fours and three sixes. After reaching his half-century, he immediately shifted gears by striking four successive boundaries to keep the chase on course. Veteran leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal nearly turned the game on its head with a superb spell of 4 for 37, including two wickets in successive deliveries during the 17th over. His efforts, which also earned him the tournaments Purple Cap with 11 wickets, ultimately proved insufficient as Arora kept his composure to complete a memorable chase. Earlier, Coastal Kings posted a competitive total, built around captain Karun Nairs fluent 48 off 27 balls, which included seven fours and a six. Nair dominated a 47-run second-wicket partnership with opener Nikin Jose after the early dismissal of Aadharsh SJ, scoring 36 of those runs as Coastal Kings looked set for a much bigger total. However, left-arm seamer Lavish Kaushal changed the complexion of the innings with a decisive spell. After conceding a boundary to Nair in the ninth over, Kaushal responded immediately by dismissing the Coastal Kings captain off the very next delivery before removing Suraj Ahuja to leave the innings wobbling at 78 for four. Kaushal returned later to claim the prized wicket of the well-set Siddharth Akhil, who made 28 off 24 balls, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 32. Shreyas Gopal contributed a useful 22 before he was clean bowled by Manoj Bhandage as Coastal Kings finished with a total that ultimately fell just short. Kaushal returned later to claim the prized wicket of the well-set Siddharth Akhil, who made 28 off 24 balls, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 32. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Coastal Kings Mangaluru 161 all out in 19 overs (Karun Nair 48, Siddharth Akhil 28, Shreyas Gopal 22; Lavish Kaushal 3-32) lost to Mysore Warriors 167/8 in 18.5 overs (Ritesh Bhatkal 66, L R Chethan 37, Yuvraj Arora 19 not out; Shreyas Gopal 4-37) by two wickets. Article Source: IANS

Zverev wins in four sets to reach Wimbledon round two

The German, who was beaten in round one last year, won 6-4, 6-7 (8/10), 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/0) on Centre Court and will next face France's Valentin Royer

ENG vs IND 1st T20I Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI

ENG vs IND 1st T20I , Cricket Tips :After a disappointing time in Ireland, India have reached England for the second leg of the UK tour. Shreyas Iyer took over the captaincy from Suryakumar Yadav and suffered a series whitewash against Ireland. Can they show some form against England? The first T20I between England and India will be held at Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street, on Wednesday at 10 PM IST. Shreyas Iyer will be eager to get a win as captain. England have been playing continuous cricket. They lost the third test against New Zealand on Monday, and after just one day they will be back in action against India. ENG vs IND: Match Details Date : July 01, 2026 (Wednesday) Time : 10:00 PM IST Venue : Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street ENG vs IND: Live Streaming Details The live action of the first T20I will be available on the Sony Sports networks in India. Fans can watch the live stream of the game on the Jio Hotstar app or website. ENG vs IND: Head-to-Head in T20I Total Matches: 30 India : 18 England : 12 No-result : 00 ENG vs IND: Ground Pitch Report Riverside Ground has a balanced wicket. It has good assistance for the fast bowlers with the new ball. The bounce and pace in the wicket are good, and batters will find it a little challenged. The toss will be important, as the chasing team will feel comfortable. ENG vs IND: Possible XIs England : Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Harry Brook , Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jofra Archer, Luke Wood, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid India : Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav ENG vs IND: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Abhishek Sharma looked comfortable in Ireland but couldn't get going in the second game. He has good numbers against England and will be key. For England, Phil Salt likes playing against India and has a great record against India. Probable Best Bowler Arshdeep Singh has done well against England, and he has dismissed Buttler and Salt more often than not. His opening spell will be key. For England, Adil Rashid is the trump card against the fragile Indian middle order. Today Match Prediction : England have a good number at home, and the way India struggled in Ireland, England will start this game as favorites. ENG vs IND Match 1st T20, Today Match ENG vs IND, ENG vs IND Prediction, ENG vs IND Predicted XIs, Injury Update for England vs India Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.

Walter hails NZ's 'pure grit and determination' to get the job done

The NZ head coach lauds the contributions of Latham, Blundell and his bowling attack that dug deep following injuries

Ngarava: 'I walked into this Test match thinking about making history'

The left-arm quick captained Zimbabwe to their biggest Test win - by an innings and 85 runs against Bangladesh

Women's T20 WC: Molineux Hails Australia's Clinical Display After Crushing WI To Reach Eighth Final

T20 World Cup: Australia captain Sophie Molineux praised her team's composure and all-round performance after the six-time champions stormed into their eighth ICC Women's T20 World Cup final with a commanding eight-wicket win over West Indies at The Oval on Tuesday. Australia once again underlined why they remain the benchmark in women's cricket, restricting West Indies to 125/7 before chasing down the target with 42 balls to spare. Beth Mooney (61 not out) and Ashleigh Gardner (35 not out) combined for an unbroken stand of 84 for the third wicket to see the chase through. Earlier, Molineux, Gardner, and Georgia Wareham claimed two wickets apiece to set up the crushing win. Reflecting on Australias unbeaten run to the final, Molineux said the team had focused on enjoying the tournament, rather than looking too far ahead. Umm, you just have to ride it in the T20 World Cups. It's full of momentum and swings. I have really enjoyed it. The group has really enjoyed it. That's probably the biggest thing for us. We have helped and stopped ourselves from thinking too far ahead, and now we can think about the final, which is pretty cool, she said. The Australian captain also explained her decision to persist with the seamers during the powerplay, a move that eventually paid dividends after Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph made a steady start. Kimmy (Kim Garth) shapes the ball beautifully both ways and bowls beautifully in the Power-play. Lucy did a really good job as well. I just thought it was the best matchup between those two (Matthews & Joseph). I thought we bowled really well. Hayley and Joseph tried to go hard at us, but we managed to hold our nerve, which was pretty cool, Molineux said. Australia never allowed the modest target to become complicated despite early wickets, with Mooney and Gardner ensuring there were no late nerves. No. We just wanted to get it done as quickly as possible. Moons and Ash were clinical. Volly played a good hand to get us away and just calmed our nerves in the change room. It was really good to see, she said. There was a brief concern when Ellyse Perry walked off during the chase with quad awareness, but Molineux played down fears over the veteran all-rounder's availability for Sunday's final. Yeah, bit of that again (precaution). It was just quad awareness. Sounds like she will be more than okay to go on Sunday, she said. There was a brief concern when Ellyse Perry walked off during the chase with quad awareness, but Molineux played down fears over the veteran all-rounder's availability for Sunday's final. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sleep (laughs). I am looking forward to a good night of sleep tonight. We will make sure that we celebrate what's been a pretty cool two weeks for the girls. We will make sure we do that. We will rest and recover for a little bit and then build up without thinking too much. We will play the game over and over in our heads. We will make the most of the week and ensure we enjoy every part of it, she added. Article Source: IANS

Mooney, spinners take Australia to eighth T20 World Cup final

Chasing just 126, Mooney's unbeaten 61 off 36 balls eased Australia to victory with seven overs to spare

Jofra Archer Sits Out As England Announce Playing XI For T20I Opener Against India

T20 World Cup: England captain Harry Brook reaffirmed his commitment to international cricket after the hosts announced their playing XI for the opening T20I against India at Chester-Le-Street in Durham on Wednesday. England have made two changes to the team that lost to India in the semi-finals of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Fast bowler Saqib Mahmood replaces Jamie Overton, and Luke Wood comes in for Jofra Archer. Archer and fellow pacer Josh Tongue are both rested after playing in England's recent Test series against New Zealand. Brook will lead England in what could be one of his biggest challenges yet. After guiding the team to the World Cup semi-finals, the 26-year-old is also a strong candidate to be England's next Test captain. Before the series opener, Brook emphasised that representing England is his only priority. This is why he has opted out of most franchise leagues. I've committed completely to England cricket. I've said that I don't want to play any franchise cricket except for the Hundred, Brook stated. Everything I do is to play cricket for England. Whatever I do on and off the field is to perform as well as I can for England. That's why I don't play in the IPL, PSL, or any other franchise competitions. Brook believes that skipping franchise tournaments allows him valuable time to prepare physically for the demands of playing all three formats. The fact that I don't play franchise cricket means there are times in my calendar when I'm not playing. I'd focus on my fitness and get ready to play all three formats, which has been my dream since I was a child. The right-hander also downplayed any speculation around England's future Test captaincy. If I am or am not the captain for England in Test cricket, I'd be happy just to still be playing for England. Brook believes that skipping franchise tournaments allows him valuable time to prepare physically for the demands of playing all three formats. The fact that I don't play franchise cricket means there are times in my calendar when I'm not playing. I'd focus on my fitness and get ready to play all three formats, which has been my dream since I was a child. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook (captain), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood. Article Source: IANS

Brook: Test captaincy would be 'great honour', as focus turns to India T20I

White-ball captain was given 100% backing by Ben Stokes to take over the red-ball role

Women's T20 WC: Mooney's Unbeaten 61 And Gardner's All-round Show Guide Australia To Eighth Final

T20 World Cup: Beth Mooney produced another masterclass in an ICC knockout match while Ashleigh Gardner capped an outstanding all-round performance as six-time champions Australia crushed West Indies by eight wickets with 42 balls to spare in the first semifinal of the Women's T20 World Cup at The Oval on Tuesday, booking their place in the tournament final for the eighth time. Australia's chase of 126 runs finished with seven overs to spare, marking the biggest victory by balls remaining in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup knockout history for targets over 100. The previous record was 29 balls remaining, set by Australia against England in the 2014 and 2018 finals. Mooney stayed unbeaten at 61 off 36 balls, achieving the fourth-highest individual score by an Australian in a Women's T20 World Cup knockout match. Only her own 78 against India in the 2020 final, Alyssa Healy's 75 against India in the 2020 final, and her 74 against South Africa in the 2023 final rank higher. Earlier, Australia won the toss and chose to field in the important semi-final. Even before the match began, West Indies faced a setback when star all-rounder Deandra Dottin was taken to the medical room shortly after the national anthems. The West Indies head coach confirmed during the innings break that Dottin experienced a minor medical issue. West Indies started steadily, with captain Hayley Matthews leading the effort. She looked in good form and hit some impressive boundaries, while Qiana Joseph had trouble rotating the strike at the other end. As dot balls piled up, Australia found the breakthrough they needed when Georgia Wareham took a wicket with her first delivery, getting Matthews out for 30 off 28 balls and ending the 47-run opening partnership. Joseph's tough innings ended when she scored 16 off 22 balls. The innings quickly fell apart as West Indies went from 47/1 to 83/6, with Australia's disciplined bowling taking charge. Shemaine Campbelle tried to rebuild with 22 off 25 balls, but wickets kept falling around her. A vital 42-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Jannillea Glasgow, who scored 15, and the returning Dottin, who finished not out on 26 off just 16 balls, lifted West Indies to 125/7 after 20 overs. However, this total seemed low against Australia's strong batting lineup. Australia began their chase aggressively. Georgia Voll scored regularly until Chinelle Henry dismissed her for 16 off 11 balls, while Phoebe Litchfield managed just 4 before getting out cheaply. From that point on, Mooney took control. The left-hander kept the scoreboard moving with sharp shot selection, reaching a fantastic half-century off just 29 deliveries, ensuring Australia remained in command throughout the chase. There was a minor injury concern in the seventh over when Ellyse Perry left the field with a quad issue for assessment. Australia hopes the experienced all-rounder recovers in time for Sundays final. Any worries with the batting soon faded as Mooney and Gardner formed a strong partnership. Gardner, who had earlier excelled with the ball, contributed an unbeaten 35, while Mooney remained not out on 61. The pair added an unbroken 84-run partnership for the third wicket, leading Australia to a confident eight-wicket victory and another appearance in the Womens T20 World Cup final. Earlier, Gardner also shone with the ball, finishing with figures of 2/13. Captain Sophie Molineux took 2/30, Georgia Wareham had 2/17, and Annabel Sutherland contributed with 1/26, as Australia delivered another strong all-around performance that highlighted why they are a top team in women's cricket. Any worries with the batting soon faded as Mooney and Gardner formed a strong partnership. Gardner, who had earlier excelled with the ball, contributed an unbeaten 35, while Mooney remained not out on 61. The pair added an unbroken 84-run partnership for the third wicket, leading Australia to a confident eight-wicket victory and another appearance in the Womens T20 World Cup final. Also Read: Live Cricket Score West Indies 125/7 in 20 overs (Hayley Matthews 30, Deandra Dottin 26; Ashleigh Gardner 2-13, Georgia Wareham 2-17) lost to Australia 127/2 in 13 overs (Beth Mooney 61 not out, Ashleigh Gardner 35 not out; Chinelle Henry 1-20) by eight wickets. Article Source: IANS

1st T20I: Shreyas Keeps Cards Close On Sooryavanshi Debut, Says India 'depressed' After Ireland Loss

T20 World Cup: India captain Shreyas Iyer refused to reveal whether teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will make his international debut in the opening T20I against England at Durham on Wednesday, but backed the 15-year-old to shine whenever his opportunity comes. Speaking before the first T20I at Chester-le-Street, Shreyas mentioned that India were keeping their team combination under wraps. You never know what is going to happen, he said in the pre-match press conference on Tuesday. Our hands are tied right now in terms of what we will do. This is private. Its something we discuss within the team. We can't reveal our combination to the opponents. Everyone on the team has performed. It's not just one person. We need to build confidence and provide chances for each player so that everyone feels good going into the tournaments. The players who helped India win the T20 World Cup understand the format; they have been essential. So, it's important to support them. The captain praised the young player, saying, Definitely, he is a brilliant talent. When he gets a chance to play, he will certainly excel. Shreyas also spoke about Indias disappointing 2-0 T20I series defeat to the Ireland cricket team. He admitted the result was hard to accept, though he stopped short of calling it embarrassing. It wasn't embarrassing, but it was tough for us since we didn't expect Ireland to perform that well, Shreyas said. They outplayed us in every aspect. They had good strategies regarding the ground dimensions, and we fell short in analysing and preparing for the field and how the wicket would play. So, credit to them, but we learned a lot from that series. The captain feels the five-match series in England offers a new challenge and that India is better prepared this time. This is a fresh chapter for us. A few of us have played in England before, and we understand the conditions and dimensions here. We are looking forward to an intense and challenging series. He dismissed the idea that the struggles in Belfast would linger in the team. No, those issues are behind us, he said. As I mentioned earlier, a few of us have experience playing in England, we know how the wickets typically behave, and we watch the matches on TV. In Belfast, we played after many years. Its not an excuse, but Im saying that adjusting to the wicket and the conditions was a bit of a challenge for us. Describing the differences between the two venues, Shreyas noted that Belfasts unique layout made it hard for India to adapt. I think its very different because the Belfast ground wasnt a proper stadium. The outfield wasnt even, and the dimensions were a bit square. It made it tricky to take singles and doubles, especially when fielding. As a captain, setting the field felt odd because we were not used to it. Here, the ground is flat, and the atmosphere is electrifying; the crowd will be intense. We have played in such conditions before. Despite only scoring modest runs in Ireland, Shreyas is not concerned about his batting form. Not at all, he responded when asked if captaincy had added pressure. I am timing the ball well in the nets. Even in the last game, I felt my timing was great; a couple of odd balls just bounced differently. That doesnt represent my batting or the pressure I feel. I trust my instincts. I know how well I perform under pressure. So, I just want to keep that faith in myself and move forward in the upcoming matches. Despite only scoring modest runs in Ireland, Shreyas is not concerned about his batting form. Not at all, he responded when asked if captaincy had added pressure. I am timing the ball well in the nets. Even in the last game, I felt my timing was great; a couple of odd balls just bounced differently. That doesnt represent my batting or the pressure I feel. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I don't know what the atmosphere is like in the England team, he said. But the shift from Test matches to a white ball is something most players have experienced. Its not new for them. Im sure they will manage just fine. Article Source: IANS

What next for Ben Stokes after shock international retirement?

Ashes comeback, county grind with Durham, franchise circuit and coaching among options for former England captain

Women's T20 WC: Molineux, Gardner, Wareham Lead Clinical Effort, Restrict West Indies To 125/7 In Semis

T20 World Cup: Captain Sophie Molineux, Ashleigh Gardner, and Georgia Wareham claimed two wickets each as six-time champions Australia produced a disciplined bowling display to restrict West Indies to 125/7 in 20 overs in the first semifinal of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at The Oval, London, on Tuesday. After choosing to bowl on a green-top surface, Australia proved their decision right from the first over by putting constant pressure on the West Indies batters. The Windies only found relief through Deandra Dottin's unbeaten 26 off 16 balls, which helped them reach a respectable total after a middle-order collapse. Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph opened the innings for the West Indies. Matthews had a strong start, while Joseph struggled to get going. Australia kept their lines and lengths tight, preventing the scoring rate from accelerating. The Windies ended the powerplay at 35/0. The pressure finally took its toll in the ninth over when Matthews was bowled for 30, ending their 47-run opening partnership. Her dismissal marked the beginning of a dramatic collapse, as the Southern Stars quickly dismantled the middle order. Joseph managed 16, but Stafanie Taylor and Jahzara Claxton both fell for 0. The Windies went from 47/0 to 59/4 in just a few overs. Shemaine Campbelle and Chinelle Henry tried to stabilise the innings with a steady partnership. However, Henry was dismissed for 10, caught deep in the 15th over. Campbelle added 22 before falling in the next over, leaving the West Indies struggling for momentum. Dottin, who had been forced off the field shortly after the national anthems but returned to bat, brought some energy back. The seasoned all-rounder hit regular boundaries in her 16-ball innings, scoring 26 not out and helping the Windies cross the 120-run mark. Glasgow contributed 15 before getting out on the last ball of the innings. Molineux finished with 2/30, with Ashleigh Gardner (2/13) and Georgia Wareham (2/17) taking two wickets apiece to cut through the middle order after Hayley Matthews was dismissed. Annabel Sutherland also picked up a wicket, returning figures of 1/26 as West Indies were restricted to 125/7 in their 20 overs. Dottin, who had been forced off the field shortly after the national anthems but returned to bat, brought some energy back. The seasoned all-rounder hit regular boundaries in her 16-ball innings, scoring 26 not out and helping the Windies cross the 120-run mark. Also Read: Live Cricket Score West Indies 125/7 in 20 overs (Hayley Matthews 30, Deandra Dottin 26; Ashleigh Gardner 2-13, Georgia Wareham 2-17) against Australia Article Source: IANS

Aditya Birla-led consortium closes in on RCB acquisition

The Competition Commission of India has approved the acquisition, and the next step is for BCCI to ratifying the process

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Shivamogga Yodhas Edge Gulbarga Mystics By 1 Run In Thriller

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Shivamogga Yodhas scored a thrilling 1-run victory over Gulbarga Mystics via the VJD Method in a rain-interrupted match of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 in Hubballi on Tuesday. After the target was revised to 128 in 12 overs from 181, Manish Pandey nearly pulled off a heist, slamming 36 runs in 13 balls (4 sixes, 1 four), including 23 runs in the final over. For the Yodhas, it was sweet revenge after having lost by a huge 95-run margin in the first-round match in Mysore. With their third victory from seven matches, the Yodhas moved to fourth on six points while the Mystics, with their fourth loss, stayed third on the same number of points. The Mystics kept losing wickets at regular intervals and eventually found themselves in a difficult situation, needing 39 runs from 12 balls and 26 from six. Besides Pandey, Macneil Noronha was the next highest scorer with 34 runs from 20 balls at the top of the order. Put into bat first, the Yodhas reached a stiff 180-7 with two key partnerships and vital contributions from the top and lower-middle-order. Explosive wicketkeeper-batter Luvnith Sisodia once again gave the Yodhas an aggressive start, adding a 29-ball 53 for the second wicket with Tushar Singh (35, 27 balls, 1 four, 3 sixes) after Macneil Noronha had dismissed the other opener, Naveen MG, off the third ball of the innings. Sisodia continued his consistent run and took his tally to 273 runs with three half-centuries and a strike rate of over 163. Sisodia fell four balls before the end of the powerplay after scoring 31 runs in 18 balls, but by then he had set a good tempo and the Yodhas reached 63-2 at the end of six overs. But Tushar Singh and captain Smaran Ravichandran (19, 19 balls, 2 fours) fell in quick succession, and the Yodhas were down to 105-5 in 12.1 overs. Sujay Sateri, however, came to the rescue at the right time to salvage the innings in the company of Yashovardhan Parantap (25, 19 balls, 2 fours). Stroking the ball well and finding the boundaries at regular intervals, Sateri contributed an unbeaten 47 in the crucial 69-run sixth-wicket stand with Parantap that came off 44 balls. Dhruv Prabhakar, with 2-16, was the most successful bowler for the Mystics. But Tushar Singh and captain Smaran Ravichandran (19, 19 balls, 2 fours) fell in quick succession, and the Yodhas were down to 105-5 in 12.1 overs. Sujay Sateri, however, came to the rescue at the right time to salvage the innings in the company of Yashovardhan Parantap (25, 19 balls, 2 fours). Also Read: Live Cricket Score Shivamogga Yodhas 180/7 in 20 overs (Luvnith Sisodia 31, Tushar Singh 35, Sujay Sateri 47 not out, Yashovardhan Parantap 25; Dhruv Prabhakar 2-16) bt Gulbarga Mystics 126/7 in 12 overs(Macneil Noronha 34, Manish Pandey 36 not out; Yashovardhan Parantap 2-34, Ambareesh K 2-33) by 1 run (VJD). Article Source: IANS

'Not embarrassing, but depressing' - Shreyas rues series loss against Ireland

India captain acknowledged the tactical errors against Ireland while backing himself to lead the response against England

TG20 Season 1: Rahul Radeshs Ton Helps Karimnagar Diamonds Rout Medak Falcons By 133 Runs

Hyderabad Cricket Association: EIPL & Eleve Karimnagar Diamonds continued their rise to the top with an exceptional 133-run victory over Medak Falcons during the Hyderabad Cricket Association's TG20 at the GMC Balayogi Stadium in Hyderabad on Tuesday. With a second win in as many games, they are now fourth on the points table. Rahul Radesh was excellent with the bat, scoring 101 off 48 balls, including eight fours and eight sixes, while Chandan Sahani (56* off 36) also chipped in to power the Diamonds to 232/4. Ashish Srivastav (2/13) and Shubham Sharma (2/16) led the charge with the ball as they bundled out the Falcons for 99 in 19.1 overs in what is the lowest total in the tournament to date. Diamonds got off to a steady start with Satwik Reddy and Tanmay Agarwal (11 off 9) laying the platform for their side. The former led the charge as they scored 21 runs off the third over, rollicking along at 40/0. Kartikeya Kak provided the breakthrough for the Falcons, dismissing the Diamonds captain in the fourth over. That wrestled back momentum for the bowling side as Sai Varun Yerram also got rid of Sai Sharan (11 off 10), with Falcons conceding only 14 runs in the latter half of the powerplay. Skipper Ravi Teja bagged the prized scalp of Satwik Reddy, who scored 35 off 18, including 4 fours and a couple of maximums - in the seventh over, putting the batting side in a spot of bother at 58/3. Rahul Radesh and Chandan Sahani bided their time by knocking the ball around and rotating strike to rebuild in the middle overs. The two found some rhythm as they began to accelerate in the 13th over, adding some impetus to the innings. The pivotal moment of the match came in the 15th over, when Rahul took Ahwinan Ram to the cleaners. He smashed four sixes as he marauded his way to a 30-ball fifty. Chandan also made his presence felt, as they scored 35 runs off the over, making it the most expensive over of the tournament so far. The pair continued to put the Falcons bowlers under the pump as they found boundaries at will. Rahul blazed his way to a sensational century (the fifth of Sreenidhi University TG20) in 46 balls. Chandan also notched up his half-century in 30 balls, as the two batters swung the pendulum in their sides favour. They combined for the highest partnership of the tournament, scoring 163 runs off 76 balls. Madhukar Manne eventually got the better of Rahul in the final over, but the damage had been done by then. The colossal partnership provided a strong finish for the Diamonds as they scored 135 runs in the last eight overs, posting a total of 232/4. Chasing a daunting target, the Falcons had the worst possible start as Ishan Sharma (0 off 5) fell to Harish Thakur in the first over of the chase. Vikram Naik (10 off 7) and Adithya Varma (12 off 12) also fell to Akhil Kumar and Shubham Sharma, respectively, as the batting side found themselves reeling at 37/3 in the powerplay. Falcons never managed to recover from the early setback as they continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Sai Varun (9 off 13) and Surya (1 off 3) fell in successive overs to Satish Kumar and Narayana Teja, respectively, as the Falcons sank further into trouble. Ashish Srivastav trapped Ahwinan in the 11th over, as the team stumbled to 63/6. Skipper Ravi Teja managed to muster 37 off 28 balls before he, too, succumbed to Satwik, triggering a flurry of wickets. Ashish bagged his second wicket as he got the better of Bunny Jagam (3 off 11). The innings unravelled quickly thereafter as Arjun Gorrapalli (3 off 5) was run out and Shubham Sharma cleaned up Kartikeya to complete the rout. Falcons never managed to recover from the early setback as they continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Sai Varun (9 off 13) and Surya (1 off 3) fell in successive overs to Satish Kumar and Narayana Teja, respectively, as the Falcons sank further into trouble. Ashish Srivastav trapped Ahwinan in the 11th over, as the team stumbled to 63/6. Also Read: Live Cricket Score EIPL & Eleve Karimnagar Diamonds 232/4 in 20 overs (Rahul Radesh 101, Chandan Sahani 56*, Madhukar Manne 1/33, Sai Varun Yerram 1/34) beat Medak Falcons 99 in 19.1 overs (Ravi Teja 37, Ashish Srivastav 2/13, Shubham Sharma 2/16) by 133 runs. Article Source: IANS

Wimbledon 2026: Coco Gauff brought to tears by interaction with anti-doping tester

Coco Gauff said she was brought to tears by a pushy anti-doping tester; Serena Williams called the system gruelling

Unchanged Australia bowl against West Indies

West Indies made one change to the side which lost to Ireland, replacing Ashwini Munisar with Karishma Ramharack

Women's T20 WC: Unchanged Australia Elect To Bowl Against WI In First Semis

T20 World Cup: Australia won the toss and elected to bowl against West Indies in the first semifinal of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, here at The Oval. Australia captain Sophie Molineux said her side opted to bowl first after assessing the pitch, believing the surface offered enough assistance early on to put West Indies under pressure. She noted that the grass covering had increased overnight and wanted her bowlers to exploit the conditions first up. Molineux confirmed Australia were unchanged for the semi-final and acknowledged the challenge posed by the West Indies, insisting her team would stick to its plans regardless of the opposition. She also shared a light-hearted moment while speaking about Hayley Matthews, saying: We are going to have a bowl. Looks like a good pitch here, and want to put early pressure. It does look like it has got some on it. It has grown overnight. Just get out of here and have a run first. We have the same team. I feel like the West Indies are an incredible team, and we have to bring our best. We have to stick to our plan, no matter who we are playing. We were just talking about the Renegades before (laughs). She's always good to play against. West Indies captain Hayley Matthews said she was happy to bat first after losing the toss, backing the surface at The Oval to remain consistent throughout the match. Although the Windies had initially wanted to bowl, Matthews stressed that her side had nothing to lose and would approach the Women's T20 World Cup semi-final with an aggressive, fearless mindset. Yeah. I think it's a good wicket here at The Oval. It's not going to change too much. We were looking to bowl first as well, but we have nothing to lose. We will go out there and play a fearless brand of cricket, she said. Playing XIs: West Indies captain Hayley Matthews said she was happy to bat first after losing the toss, backing the surface at The Oval to remain consistent throughout the match. Although the Windies had initially wanted to bowl, Matthews stressed that her side had nothing to lose and would approach the Women's T20 World Cup semi-final with an aggressive, fearless mindset. Yeah. I think it's a good wicket here at The Oval. It's not going to change too much. We were looking to bowl first as well, but we have nothing to lose. We will go out there and play a fearless brand of cricket, she said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Australia Women: Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney (wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux (c), Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton Article Source: IANS

One-off Test: Zimbabwe Beat Bangladesh By An Innings And 85 Runs To Seal Their Biggest Win

Harare Sports Club: The Zimbabwe cricket team, under the leadership of Richard Ngarava, has etched its name in the history books as it registered its biggest win in Test cricket history, beating Bangladesh by an innings and 85 runs in the one-off test at the Harare Sports Club on Tuesday. Opting to bowl after winning the toss, Zimbabwe dominated against the visitors from the outset as Bangladesh were off to a poor start and lost eight wickets for just seven runs to get bowled out for just 140 on Day 1. Mominul Haque was the lone warrior for the team as he scored 60 runs off 81 balls. Newman Nyamhuri was brilliant with the ball and took four crucial wickets. While captain Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, and Brad Evans also chipped in with two wickets each. After the pacers' domination, it was time for the batsman to show their class against the Asian side as Innocent Kaia hit a brilliant century and top-scored with 140, while Craig Ervine, Brian Bennett, and Wessly Madhevere chipped in with half-centuries as Zimbabwe posted a match-winning 410 runs in the first innings. Taijul Islam was the most efficient Bangladesh bowler as he took seven wickets. The hosts also took a massive first-innings lead of 270, which proved to be too much for Bangladesh, who failed to pull off a miracle as none of their batters showed the resilience, and they were bowled out for 185 in the second innings. Zimbabwe's pace quartet of Ngarava, Muzarabani, Evans, and Nyamhuri hunted in a pack, with none of them going wicketless in either innings. This is also the first time Zimbabwe have won consecutive Tests in more than 25 years. In their previous Test match played in October, they beat Afghanistan by an innings and 73 runs, and have now backed it up with a victory over Bangladesh to register successive Test wins. The hosts also took a massive first-innings lead of 270, which proved to be too much for Bangladesh, who failed to pull off a miracle as none of their batters showed the resilience, and they were bowled out for 185 in the second innings. Zimbabwe's pace quartet of Ngarava, Muzarabani, Evans, and Nyamhuri hunted in a pack, with none of them going wicketless in either innings. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Bangladesh 140 (Mominul Haque 60; Newman Nyamhuri 4-61, Blessing Muzarabani 2-19) & 185 (Mushfiqur Rahim 34; Blessing Muzarabani 4-65, Richard Ngarava 3-32) lost to Zimbabwe 410 (Innocent Kaia 140, Wessly Madhevere*, Craig Ervine 60; Taijul Islam 7-138) by an innings & 85 runs. Article Source: IANS

Wimbledon 2026: Anisimova brushes aside Gjorcheska for winning return to Wimbledon

Lina Gjorcheska, the first player from North Macedonia to compete in a Grand Slam main draw, showed resistance towards the end, but last seasons runner-up Amanda Anisimova was too good

1st T20I: Fresh Start Beckons As India Seek Clarity Against England (preview)

With Sanju Samson: India's white-ball tour of the United Kingdom reaches a defining juncture on Wednesday when they face England in the opening T20I of a five-match series at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street. After a disappointing start to the tour that saw them lose both matches against Ireland, Shreyas Iyer's side arrives in England with questions to answer and an opportunity to reset against one of the world's strongest T20 outfits. The defeat in Ireland exposed several concerns, particularly with India's batting unit. Despite boasting a line-up packed with explosive stroke-makers, the visitors failed to build substantial partnerships or capitalise at key moments in both matches. With a longer series now ahead of them, India will hope those setbacks serve as lessons rather than lasting scars. Much of the spotlight will once again fall on Shreyas Iyer. Having recently taken charge of India's T20I side, the captain faces his first major challenge against elite opposition. Iyer has earned a reputation for proactive leadership in franchise cricket, but leading India in overseas conditions presents an entirely different challenge. His own batting form could be equally significant, as India look for stability through the middle overs after an inconsistent showing against Ireland. One of the biggest selection debates surrounds teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The 15-year-old travelled with the squad but remained on the sidelines throughout the Ireland series despite widespread anticipation surrounding his arrival. With Sanju Samson struggling to convert starts during those matches, speculation has only intensified over whether India will hand the youngster his long-awaited international debut. Should Sooryavanshi feature, he would become the youngest male cricketer to represent India, marking another remarkable milestone in a career that has already generated extraordinary attention. However, the management has indicated that his development remains a long-term priority, suggesting patience could prevail despite mounting public interest. England, meanwhile, enters the contest with greater continuity. Harry Brook's side may have fallen short in the T20 World Cup semifinals, but their performances during the tournament reaffirmed their ability to peak when momentum builds. After a measured start, England evolved into one of the competition's most dangerous batting units before eventually being halted by India. Home conditions also offer England a significant advantage. The Riverside surface has traditionally rewarded disciplined seam bowling with the new ball before becoming more batter-friendly later in the innings. England's pace attack will aim to exploit any early movement against an Indian top order still searching for rhythm. India, however, has received a timely boost through the return of mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy. His variations could become a crucial weapon during the middle overs, particularly against England's aggressive batting philosophy. If the visitors can control that phase of the innings, they stand a strong chance of neutralising England's power hitters. While the series is only beginning, the opening match already carries added importance. England will seek to capitalise on India's recent struggles, while the visitors have an opportunity to erase memories of the Ireland disappointment with a statement performance. Whether through tactical adjustments, personnel changes, or improved execution, India knows a positive start in Durham could completely alter the direction of its tour. When: Wednesday, July 1, 10:00 PM IST Where: Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street, Durham Where to watch: The India vs England T20I series will be broadcast on the Sony Sports Network, while the games will be live-streamed on the SonyLiv app. Squads: Where to watch: The India vs England T20I series will be broadcast on the Sony Sports Network, while the games will be live-streamed on the SonyLiv app. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India: Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Suryansh Shedge, Prasidh Krishna, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ishan Kishan (wk), Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Shivam Dube, Prince Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi Article Source: IANS

Delhi Premier League: Pant, Pratika Headline Season 3 Auction As 600+ Players Set To Go Under The Hammer

The Delhi Premier League: The Delhi Premier League (DPL) T20 Season 3 Player Auction is scheduled for July 1 in Delhi. Eight men's franchises and four women's franchises will build their squads for the upcoming season. More than 600 players are vying in the two competitions, including over 400 men and more than 200 women. Among them, 65 men's players and 28 women's players have already been retained by their franchises before the auction. DDCA President Rohan Jaitley said, The player auction is one of the most exciting days in the Delhi cricket calendar. It is the moment when teams begin taking shape, and franchises make the strategic calls that will define their season. The DPL has grown into a competition that genuinely matters for Delhi cricket, both as a platform for established players and as a stage for emerging talent to prove themselves. I am looking forward to seeing how the franchises put their combinations together and what the auction throws up on the day. Before the season, each of the eight men's franchises received a total purse of Rs 1.5 crore, with retention amounts already deducted. The remaining balance is what each franchise will contribute at the auction on July 1. Similarly, each of the four women's franchises was allocated a purse of Rs 75 lakhs, also adjusted after retention deductions. Players in both competitions are categorised into four groups according to their experience and cricket level. In the men's competition, the Marquee category includes India internationals, India A players, and those who have been part of an IPL squad in any of the last three seasons. Category A consists of players who represented Delhi's senior men's team in the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, or Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy within the past three domestic seasons. Category B encompasses Delhi Under-23, Under-19, and Under-16 players from the same timeframe. Category C comprises DDCA-registered players from Delhi's league cricket circuit. In the women's competition, the Marquee category features India international women cricketers from Delhi/DDCA, along with players who participated in Women's Premier League squads over the past three seasons. Category A includes players who represented Delhi's senior women's team in the Senior Women's One Day Trophy or T20 Trophy during any of the last three domestic seasons. Category B comprises Delhi Under-23, Under-19, and Under-15 players. Category C consists of DDCA Women's T20 League performers and registered players who have not been part of the senior team's playing XI. Men's Auction Pool: Across the four categories, 65 men's players have been retained by their franchises: eight from the Marquee category, 16 from Category A, 22 from Category B, and 19 from Category C. The base prices are Rs 10 lakhs for Marquee players, Rs 5 lakhs for Category A, Rs 3 lakhs for Category B, and Rs 1 lakh for Category C. At the men's auction, the Marquee players feature Rishabh Pant prominently, along with Ishant Sharma, Navdeep Saini, Simarjeet Singh, Mayank Yadav, Anuj Rawat, Digvesh Rathi, Himmat Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sarthak Ranjan, Suyash Sharma, Vansh Bedi, and Tejasvi. Women's Auction Pool: Across the four categories, 28 women's players have been retained by their franchises, with three retained from the Marquee category, eight from Category A, 12 from Category B and 5 from Category C. The base price for Marquee players is Rs 5 lakhs, Category A is Rs 3 lakhs, Category B is Rs 1.5 lakhs and Category C is Rs 75,000. The Marquee players available at the women's auction are Priya Punia, Priya Mishra, Parunika Sisodia, Pratika Rawal and Simran Dil Bahadur. Right To Match: Every franchise in both competitions has one RTM card, usable once during the auction. When a player from a franchise's previous season squad is up for bidding, the original franchise can allow others to bid and, upon reaching a final bid, use the RTM card to match the bid and re-acquire the player. Squad Composition Men's franchises are required to field a squad of 20 to 25 players, including exactly two Marquee players, exactly four Category A players, six to 10 Category B players, and eight to nine Category C players. Women's franchises must assemble a squad of 18 to 22 players, with exactly two Marquee players, exactly four Category A players, seven to eight Category B players, and five to eight Category C players. Men's Retentions North Delhi Strikers - 8 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 74L Harshit Rana (Marquee, Rs 21L), Pranav Rajvanshi (Category A, Rs 5L), Vaibhav Kandpal (Category A, Rs 13.5L), Arnav Bugga (Category B, Rs 7.75L), Yash Bhatia (Category B, Rs 6.75L), Arjun Rapria (Category C, Rs 11.5L), Vikas Dixit (Category C, Rs 2L), Yash Dabas (Category C, Rs 8.5L) Central Delhi Kings - 9 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 76.2L Yash Dhull (Marquee, Rs 15L), Money Grewal (Category A, Rs 18L), Jonty Sidhu (Category A, Rs 10L), Yugal Saini (Category B, Rs 3.8L), Aditya Bhandari (Category B, Rs 3L), Siddharth Joon (Category B, Rs 3L), Gavnish Khurana (Category C, Rs 1L), Jasvir Sehrawat (Category C, Rs 1L), Tejas Baroka (Category C, Rs 19L) East Delhi Riders - 8 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 90.05L Mayank Rawat (Marquee, Rs 26L), Arpit Rana (Category A, Rs 13L), Rounak Waghela (Category A, Rs 6.25L), Hardik Sharma (Category B, Rs 5.5L), Vansh Jetly (Category B, Rs 3L), Ashish Meena (Category C, Rs 1L), Rohit Yadav (Category C, Rs 4.2L), Vaibhav Baisla (Category C, Rs 1L) New Delhi Tigers - 9 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 91L Prince Yadav (Marquee, Rs 33L), Lakshay Thareja (Category A, Rs 5L), Vaibhav Rawal (Category A, Rs 5.5L), Pradyuman Sanan (Category B, Rs 1L), Keshav R Singh (Category B, Rs 10.5L), Parikshit Singh Bhati (Category C, Rs 1L), Shivam Gupta (Category C, Rs 1L), Yashjeet (Category C, Rs 1L), Parth Kr. Bali (Category C, Rs 1L) Outer Delhi Warriors - 8 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 83.75L Priyansh Arya (Marquee, Rs 21L), Shivam Sharma (Category A, Rs 5L), Siddhant Sharma (Category A, Rs 12.5L), Mohit Panwar (Category B, Rs 3L), Shaurya Malik (Category B, Rs 6.25L), Aman Chaudhary (Category B, Rs 4L), Dhruv Singh (Category C, Rs 13.5L), Rishab Drall (Category C, Rs 1L) Puraani Dilli 6 - 7 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 86.3L Lalit Yadav (Marquee, Rs 10L), Samarth Seth (Category A, Rs 9L), Dev Lakra (Category A, Rs 14L), Rajneesh Dadar (Category B, Rs 19L), Udhav Mohan (Category B, Rs 6.5L), Yug Gupta (Category B, Rs 4.2L), Aditya Malhotra (Category C, Rs 1L) South Delhi Superstarz - 7 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 99.05L Ayush Badoni (Marquee, Rs 21L), Sumit Kumar (Category A, Rs 5.5L), Sumit Mathur (Category A, Rs 5L), Aman Bharti (Category B, Rs 5.75L), Divansh Rawat (Category B, Rs 3L), Anmol Sharma (Category B, Rs 6.5L), Vision Panchal (Category C, Rs 4.2L) West Delhi Lions - 9 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 68.25L Nitish Rana (Marquee, Rs 34L), Ayush Doseja (Category A, Rs 10L), Manan Bhardwaj (Category A, Rs 6.5L), Ankit Rajesh Kumar (Category B, Rs 10L), Krish Yadav (Category B, Rs 7L), Ravneet Tanwar (Category B, Rs 1L), Shubham Dubey (Category B, Rs 6L), Anirudh Chowdhary (Category C, Rs 6.25L), Vikas Rana (Category C, Rs 1L) Women's Retentions South Delhi Superstarz - 8 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 32.6L Shweta Sehrawat (Marquee, Rs 11.55L), Tanisha Singh (Category A, Rs 13L), Disha Nagar (Category A, Rs 5.5L), Himakshi Chaudhary (Category B, Rs 1.6L), Tanishqa Singh (Category B, Rs 3.8L), Chhavi Gupta (Category B, Rs 4L), Kashish (Category B, Rs 2.2L), Mitali R (Category C, Rs 0.75L) East Delhi Riders Women - 6 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 61.05L Bharti Rawal (Category A, Rs 6.75L), Vanshika Lila (Category A, Rs 2.1L), Aarna Dudeja (Category B, Rs 2.1L), Suhana Attri (Category B, Rs 1.5L), Hridya Sharma (Category C, Rs 0.75L), Urvashi Gupta (Category C, Rs 0.75L) Central Delhi Queens - 6 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 49.95L Soni Yadav (Marquee, Rs 5.5L), Deeksha Sharma (Category A, Rs 2.5L), Nidhi Mahto (Category A, Rs 7.75L), Riya Kondal (Category B, Rs 4.8L), Saachi (Category B, Rs 1.5L), Mallika Khatri (Category C, Rs 3L) North Delhi Strikers Women - 8 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 39.5L Soni Yadav (Marquee, Rs 5.5L), Deeksha Sharma (Category A, Rs 2.5L), Nidhi Mahto (Category A, Rs 7.75L), Riya Kondal (Category B, Rs 4.8L), Saachi (Category B, Rs 1.5L), Mallika Khatri (Category C, Rs 3L) Also Read: Live Cricket Score When and where to watch: The auction will begin at 9:00 am IST and will be broadcast live on Jio Hotstar and the official DPL T20 YouTube channel. Article Source: IANS

Nepal: Cricket Tournament Organised By Indian Embassy Strengthens Ties

Foreign Affairs Gahendra Rajbhandari: The Indian Embassy in Nepal organised the second edition of the Indian Ambassador's Cricket Tournament from June 26-28 in Kathmandu, bringing together diplomats, government officials, media professionals, former cricketers, corporate representatives, and members of the Indian diaspora in the country, the Embassy said on Tuesday. The three-day tournament featured eight teams representing the Indian Embassy in Nepal, Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the diplomatic community in Kathmandu, Nepali media, former Nepali cricketers, Government of Nepal officials, corporate organisations, and the Indian community in Nepal (ICAN). After a series of competitive matches, the tournament concluded on June 28 with the final held between the Indian Embassy and ICAN. Following the match, India's Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, and representatives of the organising partners presented trophies and awards to the winning team and the outstanding performers. The opening ceremony was held on June 26 in the presence of Ambassador Srivastava, Joint Secretary of the South Asia Division at Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gahendra Rajbhandari and senior diplomatic representatives. Following the tournament's conclusion, a reception was held on June 29 to celebrate its successful completion. On the occasion, Ambassador Srivastava also presented professional-grade cricket kits to three promising Nepali Under-19 women cricketers Sana Praveen, Krishma Gurung, and Sabitri Dhami and wished them success in the ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup scheduled for next year. The tournament is scheduled to be jointly hosted by Nepal and Bangladesh. The opening ceremony was held on June 26 in the presence of Ambassador Srivastava, Joint Secretary of the South Asia Division at Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gahendra Rajbhandari and senior diplomatic representatives. Also Read: Live Cricket Score This annual tournament celebrates the spirit of cricket a sport that continues to bring the people of India and Nepal closer and strengthen the people-to-people ties between the two countries, the Embassy said. Article Source: IANS

Punjab CM Mann Opens Olympic-standard Swimming Pool In Sangrur

Asian Hockey Championship Trophy: Punjab Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, on Tuesday inaugurated an Olympic-standard swimming pool built at a cost of Rs 9.50 crore in Sangrur and declared that the district is poised to emerge as a nursery for Asian, World and Olympic champions. Highlighting the Aam Aadmi Party governments investment in sports infrastructure, CM Mann said Punjab has increased the sports budget from less than Rs 200 crore under previous governments to Rs 1,790 crore, secured the opportunity to host the Asian Hockey Championship Trophy for the first time, and is now ready to launch cricket and hockey premier leagues to nurture international-level talent. Addressing the gathering after the inauguration, CM Mann said the day marked a moment of immense pride and joy for the people of Sangrur, especially the youth, as the newly-constructed state-of-the-art swimming pool has been dedicated to them. This swimming pool will serve as a nursery for our future Olympians, said CM Mann. Highlighting his governments focus on strengthening sports infrastructure, CM Mann said the world-class swimming pool is another significant step towards restoring Punjabs position as the number one sporting state in the country. The swimming pool has been constructed at a cost of Rs 9.50 crore in accordance with international standards and Olympic specifications. The pool measures 50 metres by 21 metres, with a depth ranging from 4.5 feet to 7.5 feet and has a water-holding capacity of 2.5 lakh litres, CM Mann said. Sharing details of facilities developed at the complex, CM Mann said separate modern shower facilities, changing rooms, dedicated rooms for coaches and storage rooms have been provided to ensure maximum convenience for athletes. He further said that a modern gymnasium has also been established to help athletes strengthen and condition their muscles. A dedicated mini swimming pool has also been developed for children below the age of seven, said CM Mann. He said the swimming pool has been constructed using the worlds finest Myrtha RenovAction and Classic Modular System technology. He further said that a modern gymnasium has also been established to help athletes strengthen and condition their muscles. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Appealing to parents in Sangrur and the surrounding areas, the Chief Minister urged them to encourage their children to take up sports. Our government will ensure that there is never any shortage of facilities or funds for the promotion of sports, CM Mann said. Article Source: IANS

Prime Minister's XI game moved to Melbourne as England warm-up to 150th anniversary Test

The floodlit match at Junction Oval will be the first time the fixture has not been held in Canberra

Swann Warns England Bowlers Of Sooryavanshi Challenge, Says its Hard To Prepare For A Player Like Him

New Delhi: Former England spinner Graeme Swann believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi presents one of the toughest assignments for England's bowling attack ahead of India's T20I series, saying the teenage batter has so far found answers against every challenge put before him. Speaking ahead of the series in England, Swann suggested that while most bowlers are still searching for a way to contain the youngster, Jofra Archer could hold a slight advantage because of his familiarity with Sooryavanshi from the IPL. He admitted that preparing for a batter with limited international exposure but extensive franchise experience is far from straightforward. It's hard to prepare for a player like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He is still new to international cricket, but he has already played two IPL seasons. That means there is video footage available. Some of the England bowlers may have bowled to him in the IPL, Swann told JioStar. Even with that information at their disposal, Swann feels England have little evidence to suggest there is a clear blueprint for dismissing the young left-hander. But the truth is, no one has really had much success against him so far. He has looked almost unplayable, he added. Among England's pace options, however, Swann identified Archer as the bowler best placed to test Sooryavanshi, citing the fast bowler's first-hand knowledge of the teenager's game. The one bowler who might have a slight advantage is Jofra Archer. He has seen Sooryavanshi from the dugout, bowled to him in the nets, and watched him closely. He has probably seen more of him than anyone else, Swann opined. Swann believes that familiarity could help Archer uncover a method to challenge the youngster, particularly given his ability to combine insight with genuine pace. Maybe he has spotted a weakness. Maybe he has a plan. And he has the express pace to back it up. The one bowler who might have a slight advantage is Jofra Archer. He has seen Sooryavanshi from the dugout, bowled to him in the nets, and watched him closely. He has probably seen more of him than anyone else, Swann opined. Also Read: Live Cricket Score But so far, no matter who has bowled to Sooryavanshi, no matter how highly rated the bowler, he has always had an answer, he said. Article Source: IANS

No time to analyse for India, England as T20I series awaits

While Sooryavanshi still waits for his T20I debut, Archer is unlikely to play the first T20I

Cricketer Shashank Singh Denies Assault Charges, Claims Attempt To Implicate Family; Police Continue Probe

Madhya Pradesh Special Director General: Cricketer Shashank Singh on Tuesday denied allegations of assaulting a man employed at his family's residence in Bhopal, claiming the complainant had falsely projected himself as a cook and suggesting that an attempt was being made to implicate his family. The statement came a day after Ratibad police registered an FIR against Shashank Singh, his father and retired Madhya Pradesh Special Director General (DG) of Police Shailesh Singh, and their driver on the complaint of Vipendra Singh Tomar, who alleged that he was assaulted, abused and his mobile phone was taken away while working at their residence. Breaking his silence on the controversy, Shashank Singh said the complainant was never appointed as a cook because he himself admitted that he did not know cooking. First of all, I want to clarify that he was not a cook. He came claiming that he was a cook, but when he was asked to prepare food, he admitted that he did not know how to cook. He himself later said that he didn't know cooking, the cricketer told IANS on Tuesday. He claimed that the man was taking photographs and videos inside the house, including of rooms and decorative items, prompting the family to check his mobile phone. He was taking photos and videos inside the house, including our decorative items and rooms. I suspected that this could later turn into a theft-related issue. We checked his mobile phone because it contained photos and videos from inside our house. Naturally, no one likes a stranger recording such things inside their home, so we asked him to delete them, Shashank Singh said. Denying allegations of assault or wrongful confinement, he said there was no physical violence inside the house and maintained that the complainant left the residence with his mobile phone. The allegation that he was held hostage for three days is extremely serious. We belong to a reputed family, and we would never indulge in such acts. When he left, he took his phone with him. If he got into a fight or was assaulted outside, how can I be responsible for that? If someone is trying to frame us or has some motive, only he can explain that. Inside our house, there was neither any abuse nor any physical assault, he added. Shashank Singh also said the complainant was scolded by his mother for making videos inside the house but insisted that he was neither mistreated nor assaulted. He further claimed that his family believed someone was orchestrating the incident. Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Anil Sharma told IANS that the case was being investigated. A complaint was filed by a cook, following which a case involving charges of assault has been registered. The entire matter is under investigation. A case of assault has been registered against three individuals, Sharma said. According to the FIR accessed by IANS, complainant Vipendra Singh Tomar, a resident of Rewa district, alleged that he joined the family's Neelbad residence on June 25 after being promised a monthly salary of Rs 15,000 along with food and accommodation. Tomar alleged that after being told there were shortcomings in his work, his mobile phone was taken away. According to the FIR accessed by IANS, complainant Vipendra Singh Tomar, a resident of Rewa district, alleged that he joined the family's Neelbad residence on June 25 after being promised a monthly salary of Rs 15,000 along with food and accommodation. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Based on the complaint, Ratibad police registered a case against the three accused under Sections 296(B), 115(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Article Source: IANS

Challenge For Iyer To Win T20I Series In England After Kohli And Rohit: Pujara

Shreyas Iyer: Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara believes Shreyas Iyer has the leadership qualities to guide India in the upcoming T20I series in England but says the new captains biggest examination will come with the bat. Speaking ahead of Indias T20I series against England, Pujara also addressed the growing excitement around teenage prospect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, suggesting the youngster is unlikely to make an immediate debut because of the strength of Indias established top order. Pujara acknowledged that Iyer faces a demanding assignment as he prepares to lead India in T20Is for the first time while returning to the format after a lengthy absence. It is going to be challenging for Shreyas Iyer to become the third Indian skipper after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to win a T20I series in England. There is no doubt about that. Playing in English conditions, even with better white-ball pitches, is still a different kind of challenge. Shreyas is leading the Indian team for the first time, and he is playing T20Is after a two-year gap. So, the challenge is real, he told JioStar. Despite those challenges, Pujara expressed confidence in Iyers leadership credentials, pointing to his recent success in franchise cricket. It is going to be challenging for Shreyas Iyer to become the third Indian skipper after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to win a T20I series in England. There is no doubt about that. Playing in English conditions, even with better white-ball pitches, is still a different kind of challenge. Shreyas is leading the Indian team for the first time, and he is playing T20Is after a two-year gap. So, the challenge is real, he told JioStar. Also Read: Live Cricket Score However, Pujara believes Iyer's performances with the bat will ultimately determine how successful his return to the T20I side proves to be, as he said, The real test will be with his batting. He will have to prove himself in the middle order and deliver in English conditions. Article Source: IANS

ICC Rankings: Charani Retains Top Spot, Bell-Ecclestone Close In After Latest Update

T20 World Cup: India left-arm spinner Sree Charani retained her position as the world's No.1 T20I bowler in the latest rankings released on Tuesday, although England duo Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell have moved closer to the summit following their impressive performances at the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup. Charani, who finished India's campaign with 14 wickets to emerge as one of the tournament's standout bowlers, continues to lead the rankings despite the team's group-stage exit. However, with several players still featuring in the knockout stages, her lead remains under threat. Ecclestone climbed one place to third after taking eight wickets in the tournament so far, while fellow England pacer Bell made an even bigger jump, rising three places to fourth. South Africa spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba also gained one place to move into fifth, while Pakistan left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu improved one spot to ninth. Among the other notable movers in the bowling rankings, South Africa all-rounder Marizanne Kapp jumped seven places to 14th, Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce surged 17 spots to 26th, and New Zealand seamer Bree Illing climbed six places to 31st. Australia opener Georgia Voll retained her place as the world's No.1 T20I batter despite a poor performance in the last group stage match against India. South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt moved up one place to joint third, while Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu climbed two positions to seventh after her unbeaten century against Ireland during the group stage. England opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge, currently the tournament's leading run-scorer, gained five places to 11th. Australia veteran Ellyse Perry also rose five spots to 17th, South Africa's Annerie Dercksen advanced four places to 24th, and Scotland's Darcey Carter jumped 13 positions to 42nd. There was no change at the top of the T20I all-rounders' rankings, with West Indies captain Hayley Matthews retaining the No.1 position ahead of New Zealand's Melie Kerr. England opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge, currently the tournament's leading run-scorer, gained five places to 11th. Australia veteran Ellyse Perry also rose five spots to 17th, South Africa's Annerie Dercksen advanced four places to 24th, and Scotland's Darcey Carter jumped 13 positions to 42nd. Also Read: Live Cricket Score -IANS Article Source: IANS

The Forgotten BCCI Talent Hunt That Discovered MS Dhoni, Raina and Ishant Sharma

Recently, the Mumbai Cricket Association created a Talent Resource Development Officer (TRDO) Wing and appointed former Mumbai chief selector Sanjay Patil as its first chairman. Similarly, former India cricketer Laya Francis will be chief of the Womens wing of TRDW. The TRDW is considered an important step towards finding crickets raw and new talent. TRDW is not a trademark, but in Indian cricket, mere mention of it or TRDO straightway takes to BCCI and the pioneering work done by former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar as the first chief of BCCIs Talent Resource Development Wing (TRDW). It was an excellent initiative and helped to discover new talent from all corners of the country. This system, during its existence from 2002 to 2006, brought cricketers such as Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Ishant Sharma, Suresh Raina, Piyush Chawla, RP Singh and many others from obscurity to centre-stage. Its surprising that despite best results and finding wonderful performers, through the scheme, BCCI discontinued it. It was such a fruitful initiative that in 2015, the BCCIs newly constituted advisory panel of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman had recommended the revival of the Talent Resource Development Officers (TRDO) wing. The BCCI kept the issue burning for months and at last didnt revive it. The aim of the revival was to transform BCCIs National Cricket Academy from just a rehab centre to an actual nursery of the brightest talent in the country, decentralizing the NCA and starting zonal academies instead. Unfortunately, this vision didnt impress the BCCI. The cue was, however, taken by the IPL franchisees, and they redefined the role and called it talent scouting and player development. The inflow of unheard and uncapped talent straight to the IPL, bypassing the BCCI system of finding new talent is proof of the success of the process. Vaibhav Suryavanshi is the best example. The TRDW was created by the BCCI in 2002 (when its president was Jagmohan Dalmiya) and this initiative was suggested by administrator Makarand Waingankar. Dilip Vengsarkar was appointed its first chief (on a handsome salary of Rs. 15 lacs pa). The project involved appointing former cricketers and coaches as Talent Resource Development Officers (TRDO) catering to each zone, to spot local talent, looking beyond the established cricketing centres. This diminished the role of local state cricket associations in recommending names for national level selections. The TRDO discovered the talent and recommended to the BCCI directly to fast-track the grooming of players for national team duty via the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the best talent discovered by TRDO. Makarand Waingankar first tried this process in 2001 with the Karnataka State Cricket Association. The BCCI chief and former ICC Chair, Jagmohan Dalmiya, decided to replicate it for Indian cricket and within a few days the TRDW was set up with Dilip Vengsarkar as the first chief, assisted by Brijesh Patel. Twenty Talent Resource Development Officers (TRDOs) were appointed, to watch local junior matches around the country, rate the players on a uniform objective scale, and report directly to the National Junior Selection Committee and the National Cricket Academy (NCA), bypassing the state cricket associations. Today no one remembers that a TRDO named Prakash Poddar, former captain of Bengal in the 1960s, saw Dhoni playing for Jharkhand at Jamshedpur in 2003 and recommended him to the NCA. His recommendation reads, Good striker of the ball; has a lot of power but needs to work on his wicket-keeping. Technically not very good. He is very good at running between wickets. Similarly, other talented cricketers were identified. Unfortunately, the BCCI dissolved TRDW in 2006 after a power-shift and the removal of its head, Jagmoham Dalmiya. Thereafter, to unearth new talent, focus shifted to Under-19 cricket. Also Read: Live Cricket Score In 2009, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) set up a TRDW adopting the BCCI model of the scheme and brought Makarand Waingankar to implement it. Its a different story that the then KKR coach, John Buchanan, looked at the scheme as a challenge to his authority and worked very fast to pack it.

The Game Will Miss You: Yuvraj Pens Heartfelt Note For Stokes On International Retirement

Two World Cup: Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh paid an emotional tribute to Ben Stokes following the England stars retirement from international cricket upon the conclusion of the third Test against New Zealand. The Indian stalwart reflected on Stokes defining moments and lasting influence on the game, praising his ability to overcome adversity throughout a 15-year international career. Yuvraj began by highlighting the moments that, in his view, defined Stokes place among crickets modern greats. 'A World Cup final innings that nobody who watched it will ever forget. A 135 not out at Headingley that rewrote what was possible. The courage to speak openly about mental health when most wouldnt. Losing his father. And coming back every single time, Yuvraj wrote on X. The former India star drew parallels between Stokes journey and his own experiences, saying resilience, rather than statistics or silverware, ultimately defines greatness. I know what it feels like to be on top of the world one day and at your absolute lowest the next and I saw that same journey in you, he added. Yuvraj said it was Stokes repeated ability to recover from setbacks that elevated him beyond being just a successful cricketer. That is what separates the good from the truly great. Not the records. Not the trophies. The ability to get back up. He also reflected on the achievements that marked Stokes international career, acknowledging both his leadership and his success on the biggest stages, stating, 15 years. Two World Cup winners medals. A captain who made his team believe anything was possible. One of the finest that the game will always remember. Yuvraj said it was Stokes repeated ability to recover from setbacks that elevated him beyond being just a successful cricketer. That is what separates the good from the truly great. Not the records. Not the trophies. The ability to get back up. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Stokes, one of Englands most influential all-rounders, brought the curtain down on a career that included two ICC World Cup titles, Ashes heroics, and a transformative spell as Englands Test captain. Article Source: IANS

Hamilton Takes 'heaps Of Confidence From India' Heading Into T20 WC Semis

T20 World Cup: Australia fast bowler Lucy Hamilton says she will carry renewed belief into her sides ICC Womens T20 World Cup semi-final against the West Indies after producing three disciplined performances with the new ball during the tournament. Speaking at The Oval ahead of the knockout clash, the 20-year-old reflected on her experience of playing on crickets biggest stage, her confidence after facing India at Lords, and the challenge awaiting Australia as they chase a place in Sundays final. Hamilton, who earned selection in Australias World Cup squad despite limited international experience, said every outing has strengthened her confidence as she continues to settle into the role of opening the bowling. It's been really fun. (It's) really exciting to run out there and take the first over, Hamilton told cricket.com.au. The left-arm quick identified Australias group-stage victory over India as a defining moment in her tournament, saying the occasion had helped reinforce her belief ahead of the semi-finals. Personally, I took heaps of confidence (out of the India game). Everyone feels nervous, and you always have those moments, but running out, singing the anthem in front of so many people (at Lord's) and knowing how much it means to everyone, you always have those couple of nerves, but I think once you get that first over under underway you settle into the game, she added. Hamilton believes those experiences have prepared her for another high-pressure contest, with Australia needing to overcome the West Indies to keep their title hopes alive. Knowing that the team did really well ... the semi-finals are an even bigger occasion, so knowing that I've got that under my belt, and with a massive crowd and against a really strong Indian team, gives me lots of confidence, she stated. She also welcomed the short turnaround between matches, saying the team wants to build on its recent performances rather than lose momentum. It's a fast turnaround, but I think it's really good in T20 cricket to have that momentum; we're all ready to go and can't wait. The quality of cricket that we've been playing recently ... you want that leading into a semi, Hamilton said. The semi-final will also mark Hamiltons first appearance at The Oval, prompting her to visit the venue before match day to familiarise herself with the conditions. I haven't played at The Oval before ... I'm glad I came down (on match eve) just to have a look at the facilities and get used to it and see how fast the outfield is. The conditions can change a lot, so we just have to adapt to them as fast as we can and play our style of cricket, she mentioned. Hamilton expects a fearless approach from the West Indies, whose captain has already suggested her side will embrace the underdog tag in the knockout contest. I haven't played at The Oval before ... I'm glad I came down (on match eve) just to have a look at the facilities and get used to it and see how fast the outfield is. The conditions can change a lot, so we just have to adapt to them as fast as we can and play our style of cricket, she mentioned. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Australia face the West Indies in the first ICC Womens T20 World Cup semi-final at The Oval, with the winner advancing to Sundays final at Lords. Article Source: IANS

You Can Only Make Diamonds In Pressure: Root Pays Emotional Farewell To Stokes

ODI World Cup: Former England captain Joe Root paid a candid tribute to Ben Stokes, lauding the all-rounder's ability to thrive under immense pressure, describing him as a player who consistently produced match-winning moments when the game hung in the balance. Stokes, one of England's modern-day cricketing icons, has retired from international cricket after the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, bringing the curtain down on a glittering 15-year international career that began in 2011 and included four years as England's Test captain. Few players have shaped England's fortunes across formats quite like Ben Stokes. A genuine match-winner with bat and ball, Stokes delivered some of the most unforgettable moments, none bigger than his unbeaten 84 in the 2019 ODI World Cup final that helped England lift their first-ever world title. We've been through a huge amount as two players, but one thing I've always admired about you is, whatever's happened, you've always owned your own... But also that old saying of you can only make diamonds in pressure. Whenever the game's been in the balance, the amount of times, there are only so many players that can create moments like you have. And to say that you can count on two hands more, that your career will be remembered for that, Root said in a video shared by England and Wales Cricket Board. Brook further recalled Stookes' legendary 135 not out at Headingley that inspired one of the greatest Ashes victories in history. There's so many different moments that you have done for this team across all formats but especially in Test cricket and there'll be generations of people out there that have been inspired by what you've achieved throughout. And we are all very lucky to have been a part of that journey and to have spent time in the same dressing room as you and everything that you've done. Whether it be winning World Cups, Ashes series, individual moments like that, ridiculous innings at Headingley in 2019, he added. In 2022, following Joe Root's resignation as Test captain, Stokes took charge of the red-ball side and, alongside head coach Brendon McCullum, ushered in the fearless attacking philosophy that became known as Bazball, leding the team to 11 wins in his first 13 matches in charge. Under their leadership, England rediscovered its identity, recording memorable series victories over New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan and others while bringing fresh excitement to Test cricket. Root concluded his speech by looking ahead to life after their playing days. You inspired most of the lads in this room because you're so old now and they were little teenagers growing up and learning the game. It's been a hell of a ride mate, I've loved every minute playing alongside you. Under their leadership, England rediscovered its identity, recording memorable series victories over New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan and others while bringing fresh excitement to Test cricket. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He finished his Test career with 7273 runs at 34.46, including 14 centuries, and 252 wickets at 30.98, including six five-wicket hauls in 122 Tests, including 44 as England captain. In 114 ODIs, he has 3463 runs and has 585 runs in 43 T20Is. Article Source: IANS

India drop Yastika Bhatia and pick G Kamalini for Asian Games

Shreyanka Patil has been named in the squad pending a fitness clearance

Harmanpreet To Lead India In 2026 Asian Games As BCCI Names 15-strong Squad

T20 World Cup: The BCCI on Tuesday announced a Harmanpreet Kaur-led 15-member squad for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games. The selection committee has shown faith in the same contingent that featured in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, with left-hand batter and wicketkeeper G Kamalinis inclusion inplace of Yastika Bhatia remaining the only change. India will head into the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to be played in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, as the defending champions, having clinched the historic gold medal in the womens cricket competition at the previous edition of the Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China. Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues will spearhead the batting department alongside vice-captain and Smriti Mandhana. Star all-rounder Deepti Sharma anchors a middle order, while the Richa Ghosh leads the wicketkeeping duties alongside backup glovewoman Kamalini. The pace attack will be spearheaded by swing specialist Renuka Singh Thakur and the experienced Arundhati Reddy. Meanwhile, the spin department boasts the expertise of left-arm orthodox Radha Yadav and off-spinner Shreyanka Patil. However, the BCCI said Shreyanka's inclusion in the final squad remains subject to fitness clearance following a recent injury layoff. The all-rounder was ruled out of the T20 World Cup due to a twisted ankle. The pace attack will be spearheaded by swing specialist Renuka Singh Thakur and the experienced Arundhati Reddy. Meanwhile, the spin department boasts the expertise of left-arm orthodox Radha Yadav and off-spinner Shreyanka Patil. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India's squad for the 2026 Asian Games: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), G. Kamalini (WK), Bharti Fulmali, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil (subject to fitness), Radha Yadav, Nandni Sharma. Article Source: IANS

Michael Vaughan Calls For England Change After Ben Stokes Bows Out With Defeat

Michael Vaughan said there must be more change at the top of English cricket after captain Ben Stokes's international career ended with a thumping 160-run defeat by New Zealand in the third Test at Trent Bridge. Monday's victory gave New Zealand a 2-1 series success and condemned England to a seventh defeat in nine Tests. Stokes stunned fans and pundits alike by announcing his departure from the international game on Sunday's fourth day in Nottingham, the series was still up for grabs. The 35-year-old all-rounder, normally a middle-order batsman, then opened the innings but holed out. England lost three more wickets in a manic pursuit of a stiff target of 373, before Sunday's close to leave them well on their way to a first series defeat at home in three or more Tests since 2012. England head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key were backed by their bosses to lead a rebuild of the team following a 4-1 Ashes series loss in Australia concluded in January. But former England captain Vaughan, who led England to Ashes glory in 2005, told the BBC: There must be change after what we've seen here in terms of a cricketing sense now over a period of time. I'll be absolutely staggered if this leadership group is still together (after the New Zealand series). Meanwhile, England fast bowler Jofra Archer said no longer having fellow 2019 World Cup-winner Stokes as a team-mate would be difficult. It's going to take some getting used to, said Archer at the presentation ceremony. Not just as a captain but as a friend. Someone who you can always go to at mid-off or mid-on, wherever he is you can always bounce ideas off him. Hes going to be a big miss. - 'Dumbfounded' - Earlier, former England skipper Andrew Strauss expressed surprise at the the timing of Stokes's departure. Like many people I was dumbfounded yesterday (Sunday) when the whispers started coming out that Ben Stokes was about to announce his retirement, Strauss said on LinkedIn. Strauss, hailed Stokes as one of England's genuine greatsbut added: I'm not convinced that the whole thing was orchestrated the right way yesterday - it seems like a huge distraction to a team that was battling to avoid a series defeat and the cricket in the last session very much had an 'end of term' feel to it. Everyone has the right to bow out on their own terms, and no-one has earned that more than Ben, but announcing before or after the game seems like a more sensible approach. When you are in the middle of a match, the only thing that matters is the performance of the team. Also Read: Live Cricket Score It is a small gripe in the greater scheme of things. English cricket will be far worse (and less interesting!) without Ben involved... There will be a huge vacuum in the England team that will be impossible to fill.

Tom Latham Hails 'Old School' New Zealand After Downing England

New Zealand captain Tom Latham hailed his side's old-school cricket after they became the first team to come from behind and win a three-match Test series in England after thrashing their hosts by 160 runs at Trent Bridge. Having reduced England to 103-4 overnight, they finished the job an hour after lunch on Monday's fifth day, with only Jamie Smith (60) offering much resistance. Victory sealed just New Zealand's fourth series win in England following successes in 1986, 1999 and, in a two-match series, 2021. Their triumph was all the more admirable given Kane Williamson, arguably New Zealand's greatest batsmen, retired from international cricket following a heavy defeat in the first Test at Lord's. Matt Henry and Glenn Phillips, two of the stars of their thumping 253-run win in the second Test at the Oval, with 11 wickets and a hundred respectively, were then ruled out of the Nottingham decider through injury. New Zealand also rested towering fast bowler Kyle Jamieson at Trent Bridge because of concerns over his workload. They suffered further disruption when Blair Tickner pulled out during the series finale with concussion, while Will O'Rourke suffered a hamstring injury on Monday to leave the attack severely depleted. - 'Boring as possible' - But seamer Zak Foulkes, the Black Caps' first concussion substitute in Test cricket, responded to his unexpected call-up with impressive match figures of 6-87. New Zealand's nagging accuracy, well supported by wicket-keeper Tom Blundell standing up to the stumps, frustrated England, with Foulkes saying during the game New Zealand had just tried to stay as boring as possible really and try to dry out the runs. New Zealand's approach contrasted markedly with the aggressive 'Bazball' style of England, who were utterly unable to send Ben Stokes out with a win after their talismanic captain's shock announcement on Sunday he would be retiring from international cricket at the end of this match. Latham whose first-innings 151, was one of three New Zealand hundreds in the match, was asked if teams had to be brave to be boring in modern cricket. Yeah I think so, I guess when you need to go a little bit old-school that's something that we pride ourselves on, he told reporters. Superb fielding helped New Zealand overcome their bowling setbacks, with direct hits from Henry Nicholls and Mitch Santner running out both Joe Root and Josh Tongue on Monday. Those two run outs today show the guys are engaged and giving everything theyve got, said Daryl Mitchell, struck black and blue during the course of a defiant unbeaten hundred in New Zealand's second innings. We put a lot of work into that, added Mitchell, the player-of-the-match. This series win is very special for our group. England coach Brendon McCullum, himself a former New Zealand captain, was well aware of the qualities that led to his adopted side's seventh defeat in nine Tests. New Zealand are a side that do simple things really well for a long period of time, he said. They also seize really key moments and I look at even two direct hit run-outs today, it's a significant impact on the final day of a Test match. McCullum defended England's blazing hitting on Sunday, which included promoting Stokes to open the innings, as the only way they could hope to chase down a target of 373 on a wearing pitch. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Anywhere between 250 to 290 on the last day is achievable, anything over that and you're going to start to be a little bit in danger so we knew we had to take a risk because we far behind the game, he insisted. And it was a risk worth taking.

French Open champion Andreeva beats Linette in Wimbledon first round

Mirra Andreeva used her big serve to great effect with eight aces but she also produced seven double faults as she tried to outgun the experienced Linette, 15 years her senior

Djokovic sees off inspired Wu to reach Wimbledon second round

The Serb duly wrapped up the physically draining match on serve to set up an intriguing meeting with Stefanos Tsitsipas

Wimbledon 2026 | Osaka defeats Jacquemot after Japanese-inspired 'Kill Bill' kimono walk-on

She takes on Anastasia Gasanova or Emiliana Arango next

Wimbledon 2026 | Sabalenka powers past Kostovic into second round

Sabalenka, a losing semi-finalist on her last three visits to Wimbledon, will take on American McCartney Kessler next

Sinner survives Wimbledon scare, wins first round Kecmanovic

Six of the 21 home players did take to court but all six lost, including British number one Cameron Norrie, seeded 26, beaten in five sets by American qualifier Michael Zheng

Men's T20 WC 2027: Bermuda Qualify For Americas Qualifiers With Convincing Home Performance

T20 World Cup Americas Qualifiers: Bermuda have secured qualification for the Americas Qualifier 2027 for the ICC Mens T20 World Cup after finishing first at the ICC Mens T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Americas Qualifier A on home soil. After a no-result due to weather on the opening day, Bermuda showcased their talent by overcoming every opponent convincingly and completing a flawless campaign that earned them a spot in the regional qualifier. Delray Rawlins was crucial in Bermudas win, picking up the Player of the Tournament trophy after an exceptional campaign, which was capped by an historic 121 against Brazil. The Bahamas finished in second place, followed by Panama in third, Belize in fourth, and Brazil finishing bottom of the five-team table, according to a report on the ICC website. Following their win, Bermuda captain Terryn Fray said: We are delighted with the result. Its always special to perform in front of our own fans. We now look forward to the next challenge and give it our best in the Regional Final next year. Results: Day 1 Bermuda v Bahamas (No result) Belize v Panama (No result) Day 2 Panama 155-4 (20) v Brazil 86-8 (20) Panama won by 69 runs. Scorecard Belize 45-7 (12/12) v Bermuda 48-0 (5.2/12) Bermuda won by 10 wickets. Scorecard Day 3 Bahamas 114-5 (20) v Panama 115-6 (16.5) Panama won by 4 wickets. Scorecard Brazil 133-9 (20) v Belize 134-2 (17.5) Belize won by 8 wickets. Scorecard Day 4 Panama 69-10 (18.5) v Bermuda 73-0 (4.3) Bermuda won by 10 wickets. Scorecard Brazil 111-10 (20) v Bahamas 113-4 (18.1) Bahamas won by 6 wickets. Scorecard Day 5 Bahamas 143-6 (20) v Belize 121-9 (20) Bahamas won by 22 runs. Scorecard Bermuda 220-4 (20) v Brazil 74-10 (16) Bermuda won by 146 runs. Scorecard PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT Delray Rawlins (Bermuda) BEST BATTER Delray Rawlings (Bermuda): 190 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 197.92. BEST BATTER Also Read: Live Cricket Score Derrick Brangman (Bermuda): Seven wickets at an average of five and an economy of 3.23, with best bowling figures of 3/9. Article Source: IANS

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Bengaluru Blasters Stay On Top With Win Over Coastal Kings Mangaluru

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Bangalore Blasters beat their closest rivals on the points table, Coastal Kings Mangaluru, by eight runs (VJD method) in the second fixture of the day in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 in Hubballi on Monday. After rain-induced stoppages, the Blasters were set a revised target of 109 in 11 overs, the original target of 180/6 in 20 overs. Having moved to 28 for no loss in three overs before the match was halted due to more rain, the Blasters clearly knew what was needed of them, and they used that vital knowledge fully to clinch a clinical victory late into the night. When the match was finally stopped again with the Blasters at 68-0 in seven overs, they were well ahead of the par score of 60. With their fifth victory in six matches, the Blasters further consolidated their position at the top of the table with 10 points. For the Coastal Kings, who had already lost a point with a washed-out match against Hubli Tigers in Mysore, their second loss in six matches leave them stuck in second spot on seven points, but the gap widened to three points behind the leaders. Openers Bhuvan Mohan Raju (50, 31 balls, 3 fours, 4 sixes) and Rohan Patil (17, 11 balls, three fours) were unbeaten when the match was called off. Earlier, asked to make first use of a rain-soaked pitch, captain Karun Nair (43, 31 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes) and Shreyas Gopal (35, 24 balls, 5 fours) again combined well to add a 40-ball 55 for the third wicket after an early wobble (50-2) The veterans used all their experience to rotate the strike and score at a steady pace, with boundaries and sixes coming at regular intervals. But once both fell in the space of nine balls for the addition of just 13 runs, the Coastal Kings slipped to 118 for four with five more overs remaining. Aggressive wicket-keeper batter Suraj Ahuja (45, 22 balls, 3 fours, 3 sixes) produced a crucial knock. The 26-year-old boosted the total to a challenging 179-6, adding a crucial 26-ball 51 for the fifth wicket with Siddharth Akhil (11). Ahuja had earlier blasted a 38-ball 96 not out in the defeat against the same team on June 24 in Mysore. But this time too, the youngsters' efforts went in vain. Aggressive wicket-keeper batter Suraj Ahuja (45, 22 balls, 3 fours, 3 sixes) produced a crucial knock. The 26-year-old boosted the total to a challenging 179-6, adding a crucial 26-ball 51 for the fifth wicket with Siddharth Akhil (11). Also Read: Live Cricket Score Coastal Kings Mangaluru 179/6 in 20 overs (Nikin Jose 20, Karun Nair 43, Shreyas Gopal 35, Suraj Ahuja 45) lost to Bengaluru Blasters 68-0 in 7 overs (Bhuvan Mohan Raj 50 not out, Rohan Patil 17 not out) by eight runs (VJD Method) Article Source: IANS

TG20 Season 1: Abhirath, Ganesh Fire Unbeaten E-Champions To 56-run Win Over Khammam Aces

Hyderabad Cricket Association: Hyderabad E-Champions produced a dominant all-round display to register a commanding 56-run victory over Anvita Khammam Aces in the Hyderabad Cricket Association's TG20 in the second match at the G.M.C. Balayogi Stadium in Gachibowli, Hyderabad on Monday. A blistering half-century from Abhirath Reddy, valuable contributions from district player Ganesh Gadugu as well as Anvith Reddy, and disciplined bowling led by Sriniketh and Ajay Dev Goud helped the E-Champions defend 211 and extend their impressive unbeaten run at the top of the table. Meanwhile, Abhiraths impressive 59 off 26 balls puts him on top of the Orange Cap standings with 252 runs to his name. Adding to the teams impressive run, Ajay Dev also took his place at the top of the Purple Cap standings with 10 wickets to his name. E-Champions recovered from a watchful start through an explosive opening partnership between Sai Vikas Reddy (22 off 20) and Abhirath. The skipper then took the attack to the bowlers with a flurry of boundaries and sixes, including a 24-run fifth over, as the E-Champions raced to 77/1 at the end of the powerplay before Ved Reddy dismissed him. Sai Vikas continued to anchor the innings alongside Anvith Reddy (32 off 21) as the E-Champions crossed the 100-run mark in the 11th over. Ved then removed Sai Vikas, while Shanmukha Ashwin's quickfire cameo of 19 in 13 balls featuring two sixes kept the momentum going before GSK Reddy struck. Anvith and Ganesh Gadugu (44 off 21) followed up with a brisk partnership of 31 runs in 16 balls to take the score to 136/3 after 13 overs. Ganesh accelerated brilliantly at the death, striking two sixes off Vidyananda Reddy before Anvith's run-out briefly slowed the innings. Pranav Varma (18 off 13) chipped in with timely boundaries as Hyderabad E-Champions surged past 170 with four overs remaining. Saaketh Dhatrak picked up two wickets in the penultimate over before Sahendra Mallu claimed two more in the final over, including Ganesh and Ajay Dev (6 off 2). Despite the late collapse, E-Champions finished with a formidable 211/9. With a tough target to chase down, Aces endured a shaky start to the chase, losing GSK Reddy (7 off 5) in the second over despite a brisk beginning from Wafi Kachchhi (21 off 15) and Himateja Kodimela. Wafi looked dangerous with a couple of boundaries but was dismissed by Sriniketh in the fifth over, while Mayank Gupta (5 off 8) struggled to accelerate as the Aces reached 50/2 at the end of the powerplay. The innings lost further momentum through the middle overs as Ashwin and Anvith kept the scoring in check. Ashwin accounted for Mayank, while Anvith removed Mickil Jaiswal (3 off 8) to leave the Aces at 68/4 after 10 overs. Himateja, however, kept the chase alive with an aggressive counterattack, smashing two sixes and a four off Akhil Rathod before finding support from Prateek Reddy (11 off 12). The pair stitched together a useful stand, with Himateja continuing to find the boundary and Prateek chipping in with a crucial six to take the Aces past the 100-run mark. However, Sriniketh broke the partnership by dismissing Prateek, before Ajay Dev struck in the following over to remove the well-set Himateja after his fighting knock of 64 runs in 44 balls. Aces' hopes of a late comeback faded in the death overs despite a few blows from Sahendra Mallu (16 off 9). Ajay Dev struck a crucial blow by dismissing Sahendra in the 18th over before Ganesh Gadugu wrapped up the innings with two wickets in the final over, restricting the Aces to 155/9 in 20 overs. The pair stitched together a useful stand, with Himateja continuing to find the boundary and Prateek chipping in with a crucial six to take the Aces past the 100-run mark. However, Sriniketh broke the partnership by dismissing Prateek, before Ajay Dev struck in the following over to remove the well-set Himateja after his fighting knock of 64 runs in 44 balls. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Hyderabad E-Champions 211/9 in 20 overs (Abhirath Reddy 59, Ganesh Gadugu 44, Ved Reddy 2/24, Sahendra Mallu 2/35) beat Anvita Khammam Aces 155/9 in 20 overs (Himateja Kodimela 65, Wafi Kachchhi 21, K. Sriniketh 3/28, Ajay Dev Goud 2/36, Ganesh Gadugu 2/2) by 56 runs Article Source: IANS

Women's T20 WC: Australia Wary Of West Indies' Matthews Threat Ahead Of Semis Clash

T20 World Cup: As they gear up for Tuesday's semifinal clash in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup with the West Indies, World No. 1 Australia are wary of the threat posed by the West Indies, especially their captain Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin, said their top player, Ellyse Perry. Australia qualified for the knockout stages by finishing at the top of Group A, enjoying an imperious time of it in the groups, completing a fourth win from four with a record ICC Womens T20 World Cup chase to beat India at Lords on Sunday. In contrast, the Windies path to The Oval was rather more complicated. After winning their first three matches, the 2016 winner, the world's seventh-ranked side, fell to defeats to England and then Ireland in Bristol, the latter loss leaving them relying on New Zealand to lose their final game. Thankfully for Matthews and her team, hosts England pulled off a brilliant chase against the White Ferns, allowing the Windies to progress. Matthews knows as well as anyone what it takes to thrive against Australia. Three years ago, she scored a sensational 132 from just 64 balls as the Windies completed the biggest chase in the history of WT20I, reaching a target of 213 with a ball to spare. That came after she had scored an unbeaten 99 in the first game of a bilateral series Down Under, while Matthews 45-ball 66 paved the way for the West Indies to win this title a decade ago. Ellyse Perry is one of the few survivors from the Australian team that was beaten that day at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. And unsurprisingly, she was keen to focus on the future rather than that defeat, particularly after back-to-back half-centuries, her first and second at the ICC Womens T20 World Cup. She said, We dont want that kind of bad juju. I mean, what's that, 10 years ago? The game has changed so much in that period of time. And I just think, like you cannot pull things, can't even pull things from the last match because it's crazy how sport works. We've played each other quite a lot in the last couple of months. We actually had a tour to the West Indies earlier this year. We've played each other in a warm-up match, so we're quite familiar with each other at the moment. Theyve got some tremendously talented and dangerous players with a lot of experience. So it will be a great challenge for us. It's a quick turnaround, too, at a different venue, so I think we're really looking forward to it. As well as Matthews, Deandra Dottin is another potential match-winner for the Windies, who has not yet exploded in the competition. And Ash Gardner, part of a 100-run partnership with Perry in Australias win over India, knows exactly what a threat Dottin can be, having played with her for the Gujarat Giants. She added, The West Indies are a completely different threat (to India). They've got a lot of class and a lot of firepower within their team. Also, a lot of experience, obviously led brilliantly by Hayley Matthews, who is a player that can take away a game pretty quickly. But then you look at someone like Deandra Dottin, she's a threat in all three phases of the game. She's a fantastic player. I've had the privilege of playing with her, and seeing how she goes about her cricket, she's so fearless in the way that she approaches it, which sometimes can be quite scary because she can flick a switch pretty quickly. Also, a lot of experience, obviously led brilliantly by Hayley Matthews, who is a player that can take away a game pretty quickly. But then you look at someone like Deandra Dottin, she's a threat in all three phases of the game. Also Read: Live Cricket Score But then just to see the, I guess, inexperience as well that they've got and that rawness that they've got on their side. So yeah, they definitely pose a different threat. But luckily enough, we've played a series against them quite recently. So I guess we can do our homework in terms of how we're going to approach a new venue, a fast venue, one that's really nice to bat on. So for us, it's being able to do our homework really quickly because we've got a day to do it. And then a really quick turnaround, and then just get really excited for what the occasion is, she said. Article Source: IANS

Ben Stokes Backs Brook '100 Percent' To Succeed Him As England Test Captain

Ben Stokes backed Harry Brook to succeed him as England's Test captain after bowing out of international cricket, saying the gifted batsman had his 100 percent support. Stokes dramatically announced he would be retiring from England duty on Sunday's fourth afternoon of the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, saying he was burnt out after four years as skipper. The 35-year-old all-rounder, normally a middle-order batsman, then opened the innings as England tried to attack a stiff run chase of 373. But he was out before Sunday's close, with Stokes reduced to a spectator on his last day of England duty in Nottingham on Monday as New Zealand won by a thumping 160 runs to seal a 2-1 victory in a three-match series. Brook is already the captain of England's white-ball teams and is set to skipper the side in the first T20 against India at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday. The gifted 27-year-old batsman is also the official vice-captain of the Test team. But when Stokes was omitted from the second Test against New Zealand for breaking a midnight team curfew, it was former skipper Joe Root who took temporary charge of the team. Brook was denied the role after he was involved in an altercation with a nightclub bouncer in Wellington, New Zealand, ahead of England's woeful 2025/26 4-1 Ashes series loss in Australia -- an incident that led to the imposition of the curfew. - 'Natural progression' - Stokes, speaking to reporters at Trent Bridge after Monday's stumps, said: There's a reason he (Brook) was asked to be vice-captain of this team. I know with all the controversy over the last couple of weeks, decisions were made. They were decisions I was not part of making. You are asked to be vice-captain for a reason, and I was vice-captain under Joe for a long time. It's the natural progression, if the captain is not there you step up. There is absolutely no reason why Harry shouldn't be asked to do that. Stokes said there was no way of knowing for sure if captaincy would boost or hinder Brook, who has an impressive batting average of over 53 in 38 Tests. But with England's three-Test series at home to Pakistan starting in August, Stokes had no doubts about the identity of the new red-ball skipper. If I was to be asked who I think should do it, I would be throwing my 100 percent support behind Harry Brook, he said. Stokes, however, was less enthusiastic about England head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key, the other two architects of a 'Bazball' era seemingly now at end. Monday's reverse was England's seventh defeat in their last nine Tests and also sealed a rare series loss on home soil. Stokes, asked if McCullum and Key were still the men to take England forward, replied: What me, Brendon and Rob have managed to do over four-and-a half-years, I'm not going to lie, it's been an interesting ride. Weve had incredible highs and some pretty low lows as well. It's always worked and connected pretty well in terms of what we've wanted to achieve. It doesn't always work out the way you want it to work out. While Stokes intends to play on for county side Durham but he denied suggestions he could yet face arch-rivals Australia during next year's Ashes in England. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I'm done, he said. I've had a few questions asking whether I'll be able to sit on my sofa watching next year. I know it's the Ashes but I'll probably be watching it in a hospitality box somewhere.