Mumbai Indians part ways with Lasith Malinga, Paras Mhambrey, and Carl Hopkinson ahead of IPL 2027
In a major development, five-time IPL (Indian Premier League) champions Mumbai Indians recently came forward and announced that the franchise will be parting ways with Lasith Malinga, Paras Mhambrey and Carl Hopkinson, and the trio...
Ranji Trophy: Vidarbha Crush Goa by Innings and 27 Runs
Left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey's impressive four-wicket haul helped Vidarbha secure an innings and 27-run victory over Goa in their Ranji Trophy Group A match, consolidating their top position.
Malinga, Mhambrey And Hopkinson Leave Mumbai Indians Mens Coaching Staff Ahead Of IPL 2027
The Sri Lankan: Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI) on Thursday announced that bowling coaches Lasith Malinga, Paras Mhambrey and fielding coach Carl Hopkinson will be leaving the mens team set-up. The announcement comes days after Kieron Pollard took over as the sides new head coach after Mahela Jayawardene departed. Mumbai Indians extend their heartfelt gratitude to Lasith, Paras and Carl for their contributions to the team and the wider MI family. Their commitment, the relationships they have built and the memories they have helped create will always be part of our journey. We wish each of them the very best in their future endeavours, the franchise said in a statement on Thursday. The departures mark the end of a long association for Malinga, regarded as one of the most iconic figures in MIs history. The Sri Lankan fast bowling great led the franchises bowling attack during four of its IPL title wins and the 2011 Champions League T20 triumph before returning as a mentor and coach. Malinga had returned to Mumbai Indians as a fast-bowling coach ahead of IPL 2024 and took over from Shane Bond, who had held the role for nine seasons. After retiring in 2021, he spent two seasons as Rajasthan Royals' fast-bowling coach. It was Malingas second stint in MIs support staff having served as mentor in 2018 before returning to the field the following year to share the new ball with Jasprit Bumrah as the side won their fourth IPL title. Mhambrey, the former India pacer, served the franchise across two spells, first from 2010 to 2017 and again ahead of the 2025 season. Mhambrey was Indias bowling coach from November 2021 to July 2024, a stint that included the T20 World Cup triumph in the West Indies. It was Malingas second stint in MIs support staff having served as mentor in 2018 before returning to the field the following year to share the new ball with Jasprit Bumrah as the side won their fourth IPL title. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
MI continue coaching revamp; Malinga and Mhambrey leave franchise
MI had also replaced their head coach Mahela Jayawardene with Kieron Pollard earlier this month
BCCI To Brainstorm On Adding More WPL Teams From Next Year: Devajit Saikia
ODI World Cup: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will hold discussions on expanding the Womens Premier League (WPL) beyond five teams from next year, said secretary Devajit Saikia. Saikia's comments came a day after the WPL 2027 auction was held in Kochi, where around 150 players went under the hammer out of which 25 cricketers found places in five teams. The WPL was launched in 2023 with five teams and the 2027 edition will be played from January 14 to February 7. There are about 150 players who are in the fray here and hardly 27 we had to take but still so many players were left out. So we can very easily see that five number of teams are really less compared to the number of supply chain of girls cricketers. From next year, definitely we will have to do some brainstorming sessions to increase the number of teams as well as in other areas where we can improve. Not only the players but so many other areas we are having involvement in, right from the coaches, selectors, etc, and various stakeholders are involved here, Saikia said in a video posted on the WPLs social media handles on Thursday. With just five franchises, the WPL can absorb only a small fraction of Indias growing domestic talent pool. Bringing in one or two more teams along with an increase in player budget will open up more opportunities for players to be a part of the league. So the overall ecosystem has a positive impact on WPL. This is a wonderful beginning, and this is a wonderful journey going on and I hope WPL will grow from leaps and bounds in the coming years, added Saikia. He also welcomed the fact that a 15-year-old uncapped all-rounder Uma Kashvi was picked by Delhi Capitals for Rs 10 lakh. I am very happy that a young girl of 15 years got an opportunity to play in the WPL. That is a success. We want to bring maximum women cricketers to play and be a part of this success story in Indian womens cricket. Saikia further credited the WPL with playing a major role in Indias rise in womens cricket, pointing to the national teams status as ODI World Cup winners when they won the trophy last year. We are the present champions in the world and that shows the expansion this WPL has given all across the country so far as womens cricket is concerned. You see WPL is one of the big leagues in the world of franchise cricket after the IPL. Saikia further credited the WPL with playing a major role in Indias rise in womens cricket, pointing to the national teams status as ODI World Cup winners when they won the trophy last year. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Muneeba to lead Pakistan in ICC Emerging Nations Trophy
Fatima Sana will miss the tournament to play in the WBBL and Ayesha Zafar has been named vice-captain
Mumbai Indians part ways with bowling coach Lasith Malinga
Mumbai Indians have confirmed a significant shake-up in their coaching staff, announcing the departures of iconic former player Lasith Malinga, along with Paras Mhambrey and Carl Hopkinson.
Will Kuldeep, Varun finally get a game in New Zealand?
With the T20 series already secured, India is set to experiment with its squad in the fourth match against New Zealand in Auckland, potentially offering game time to spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy, who have been on the sidelines.
Five Full Members to compete in ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy
Tournament to take place between November 12 and 25 in Ajman in the UAE
4th T20I: India Eye 4-0 Lead, Chance To Test Bench Strength Against Depleted NZ (preview)
Captain Mitchell Santner: India, already 3-0 up in the five-match series, could hand game time to wrist-spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy when they face New Zealand in the fourth T20I at Eden Park on Friday. A sell-out crowd of nearly 40,000 is expected at Eden Park, which will break the record attendance for a bilateral series match in New Zealand. The previous best attendance record was of 36,523 set during the New Zealand mens and womens double header against India at the same venue in 2019. Both Kuldeep and Varun have featured sporadically in recent months as the team management has stacked the side with batters down to number eight, an approach that has paid off in a series of high-scoring games. Kuldeep, who played two matches in the home series against West Indies, hasnt played a game in Wellington. If India prefers to sit out either Axar Patel or Naman Dhir, with the latter being in sparkling form, then Kuldeep or Varun could get their chance to play. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, playing his first international series in four years, nailed yorkers at the death overs in Wellington but has leaked 139 runs off 72 balls. Prince Yadav has kept Mayank Yadav out for the last two games, and he might be persisted with by the Indian team management. Ishan Kishans availability remains unclear after he missed two matches with an adductor strain. If he sits out again, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will get another chance to play and become the perfect second fiddle alongside an in-form Abhishek Sharma. New Zealand, without Matt Henry and now Lockie Ferguson, who has been ruled out of the series with a calf injury, have struggled to contain Indias top order, especially smashing a record 118 runs in the powerplay in Wellington. Captain Mitchell Santner has bowled well but received little support, and it's something which the Black Caps will want to change in Auckland, which is an unforgiving venue for bowlers. According to CricViz, India have won 22 of their 34 T20Is against New Zealand, with 11 defeats and a tie. They have won five games in a row against the Black Caps and nine of their last 10 T20Is in the country, two of them via super overs. India have already got their third straight T20I series win in New Zealand, who last beat them at home in Hamilton in 2019. Abhisheks 35-ball hundred in Wellington was his fourth ton in T20Is and 11th century overall in all T20s, the most by an Indian mens batter. Since the start of 2025 in T20Is, Abhishek has hit 1,984 runs at an average of 35.4 and a strike rate of 200.6, with 13 fifties and 3 hundreds. Moreover, Abhishek has struck at 228.3 against Jacob Duffy and 338.1 against Kyle Jamieson. Santner has dismissed Sanju Samson four times in seven innings, while Indian batters have swept just 6.6 per cent of balls against spin in 2026. Axar has removed Glenn Phillips five times, and Kuldeep has dismissed him four times in five innings, which makes his case for inclusion in the playing eleven stronger. When: October 30, 2026, 12:30 PM Where: Eden Park, Auckland Where to watch: The match will be shown live on the Sony Sports Network channels on TV, and live streaming is available on the Sony LIV app and website. Squads India: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kumar Kushagra. Squads Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Terrific Threesome redefining the slam-bang manual
India are blessed to have four equally aggressive and proven options to pick from to open the batting should it come to that. Abhishek, Samson, Sooryavanshi and Kishan are each more than a handful on his own; throw three, or even all four (like at the Asian Games) in the mix, and you cant help but feel for the already beleaguered bowling community
JSCA Files Complaint With BCCI Over Scoring Error That Cost Women's U19 Team
The Jharkhand State Cricket Association: The Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) has made an official complaint to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over an alleged scoring error that cost the women's U19 team in the T20 championship pre-quarter-final against Uttarakhand. The JSCA has called for the BCCI's attention to the matter, where they were denied a run as the scorers made an error, and they went on to lose the match by one run in the end. As per Cricinfo, the scoring error took place in the final over of Jharkhand's clash against Uttarakhand in the 135-run chase in Nagpur last week. They were 127/7 at the end of the 19th over and needed another eight runs from six balls to win the game. They took three runs from the first three balls and then needed another five from the next three. Then came the turning moment when Lakshmi Kumari was run out on the fourth ball while attempting two runs with Eshika Bhagat in the middle. The report added that the batters completed a run before the dismissal, but the scorers did not record the run and instead registered only a run-out, which led Jharkhand to need five runs off the last two balls. Bowler Kanika Negi then bowled a wide on the next delivery, bringing the equation to four needed off two balls. On the next ball, No.10 Isha was run out while attempting two runs. This time the run was recorded to bring it down to three off the final ball. As Bhagat faced the final ball, No. 11 Ishika Deepak was also run out while the batters attempted for a couple of runs. The run was credited as Jharkhand lost by one run in the end. But the JSCA pointed out that the non-credited run on the fourth ball was the difference in the end. Speaking on the incident, head coach Jaskaran Singh called for a look into the matter. This was the first time Jharkhand had qualified for the knockouts of the women's Under-19, so the result is extremely disappointing, Jaskaran said, as quoted by Cricinfo. Had this been a league game, the situation may have been different. For players in particular, tournaments like these are extremely important. As Bhagat faced the final ball, No. 11 Ishika Deepak was also run out while the batters attempted for a couple of runs. The run was credited as Jharkhand lost by one run in the end. But the JSCA pointed out that the non-credited run on the fourth ball was the difference in the end. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
4th T20I: All Eyes On Kuldeep Yadav As India Aim To Make It 4-0 vs New Zealand
With the series already sealed, India will have the opportunity to give much-needed game time to the likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy when they take on New Zealand in the fourth and penultimate T20 International on Friday.
WPL 2027: Choosing Four Overseas Players In Playing XI Will Be Really Hard, Says Klinger
The Ashleigh Gardner: Gujarat Giants (GG) head coach Michael Klinger said picking the four overseas players in the playing eleven will be one of the toughest calls the franchise faces when the 2027 Womens Premier League (WPL) happens from January 14 to February 7. At the auction held in Kochi, GG filled their three vacant slots by signing India wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini (for Rs 40 lakh), Irelands seam-bowling all-rounder Orla Prendergast and talented all-rounder Samaira Raghav, who was a late addition to the auction pool, for Rs 30 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, respectively. GG now have six overseas players: captain Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth and Orla, who became the first Irish cricketer to be picked in the WPL. The four overseas playing spots are going to be really hard to choose with the quality we have. Last year we went with our four batters, or rounders. We have Kim Garth as well, who didnt play last year and is in career best form at the moment. So shes certainly going to be pushing to play matches as well and provides fantastic new ball and death bowling options for us. Along with Orla now, its going to be some really difficult decisions, but thats a good problem to have, Klinger told IANS in an exclusive conversation after the auction on Thursday. The Ashleigh Gardner-led side made the playoffs last season but lost to Delhi Capitals in the Eliminator. In WPL 2027, with the venues yet to be known, GG will be aiming to go one step further and clinch their first-ever title. On the rationale of signing Kamalini, who played last two WPL seasons for the Mumbai Indians, despite already having two keepers in Beth and Yastika Bhatia, Klinger stated the franchise had been prepared to pay more for her and would use her purely as a batter. With Kamalini, we thought there were going to be more bidders for her. So to get her at base price was great. We probably would have bid a little bit high if required. So I think just her versatility in the batting order gives us options both for her and our other batters and for our overseas options as well. In terms of having three keepers, were probably looking for her as a batter only. Initially with Yastika and Beth options to take the gloves, I think theyre probably the ones well go with at the start. But Kamalinis played as a batter only before and were really excited to have her, he added. In terms of Samaira, uncapped finishers are hard to come by in the WPL, and Samaira has shown that ability while turning out for Delhi in the Womens Under-19 T20 Trophy this year, where she made 162 runs at an average of 54 and a strike rate of 216, including being unbeaten four times. In that tournament, Samaira recorded strike rates of 325 against Pondicherry, 308 against Bengal, 275 against Uttarakhand, 221 against Saurashtra and 192 in the semi-final against Haryana. Samaira has a reputation of being a really good middle order batter who finishes innings off really well. Shes done that recently in the under-19 domestic tournament, and we had her at our training camp a few weeks ago in Bengaluru, where in some scenarios and practice matches, she did the same thing, added Klinger. Samaira first caught the attention of WPL scouts while turning out for North Delhi Strikers in the Womens Delhi Premier League (DPL) this year, where she hit a match-winning six when the equation read six runs needed off two balls against the East Delhi Riders at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Samaira has a reputation of being a really good middle order batter who finishes innings off really well. Shes done that recently in the under-19 domestic tournament, and we had her at our training camp a few weeks ago in Bengaluru, where in some scenarios and practice matches, she did the same thing, added Klinger. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Ireland legspinner Ben White retires aged 28
Bowler quits professional cricket to take up full-time role at software company
Jasprit Bumrah Still Has A Lot To Prove: Waqar Younis Not Convinced By India Star In One Format
Waqar Younis doesn't feel Jasprit Bumrah has proven himself in Test cricket yet.
Voll stars with ball to set up Sydney Thunder victory
Thunder races to victory with three overs to spare in the opening game of the season
Tilak Varma opens up on India's chances to defeat NZ 5-0 in the ongoing T20I series
The Indian team is all set to take on New Zealand in the fourth T20I of the ongoing series. The two sides are all set to meet each other at Eden Park in Auckland for the clash on October 30th, and both sides will look to put in a good showing in the clash.
Such is the depth of riches in Indian cricket that Shubman Gill, despite boasting of a good record in T20Is and IPL, finds himself out of contention in India's T20 team.
Will Ishan Kishan Return to Playing XI in Auckland?
Ishan Kishan, recovering from a low-grade right adductor strain, has returned to net practice ahead of India's fourth T20I against New Zealand. With the series already secured, India is expected to rotate its squad, potentially bringing in Kuldeep Yadav or Varun Chakravarthy.
Bevon Jacobs Refuses To Give Up Despite New Zealand's Series Defeat
New Zealand have already lost the T20 series to India but batter Bevon Jacobs said his side would not step off the gas and focus on getting the small margins right in the remaining two games of the five-match series.
Dutch Opener Max ODowd Reprimanded For ICC Code Of Conduct Breach
Cricket World Cup League: Dutch batter Max ODowd has received an official reprimand and one demerit point for showing dissent at an umpires decision during the Netherlands ICC Mens Cricket World Cup League 2 match against Oman in Dubai on Tuesday. The incident occurred during the Netherlands innings, with ODowd penalised for breaching Level 1 of the International Cricket Councils (ICC) Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. ODowd was found guilty of breaching Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which concerns showing dissent at an Umpires decision during an International Match. The sanction marks his first disciplinary offence in a 24-month period, with the demerit point added to his disciplinary record. The incident took place in the 12th over of the Netherlands innings when ODowd was adjudged leg-before wicket. Following the decision, the batter indicated to the umpire that he had edged the delivery by displaying his bat, an action deemed to constitute dissent. ODowd admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Phil Whitticase of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees. As a result, a formal hearing was not required. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Akbar Ali and Shiju Sam, along with reserve umpire Virender Sharma. Under the ICC Code of Conduct, Level 1 offences carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum sanction of a fine amounting to 50 per cent of a players match fee. Such breaches also attract one or two demerit points, depending on the nature and severity of the offence. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Akbar Ali and Shiju Sam, along with reserve umpire Virender Sharma. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
'I Am Enjoying Vice-captaincy': Tilak Varma On Leadership Role In India's T20I Team
T20 World Cup: India's T20I vice-captain Tilak Varma stated that he is enjoying the leadership role he has been given as he keeps sharing his inputs with captain Shreyas Iyer on the field. Tilak was named India's T20I vice-captain in a leadership reshuffle when Shreyas was announced as the captain after the T20 World Cup 2026. He has experience leading his state team, Hyderabad, across all formats and has also led India A sides too. He spoke on his leadership role in the Indian T20I side, detailing how he shares his inputs with the current skipper. I have done (captaincy) in every format for my state. And for a year now, I have done (captaincy) for India A too. So, I have that experience. I have that knowledge. Whatever message I can pass, I always convey it on the field to Shreyas, Tilak said in the pre-match press conference ahead of India's fourth T20I against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland. T20 is a pressure game. Especially, nowadays there is always pressure as games are very high scoring. So, as a captain, it is difficult to cover everything. So, I communicate with Iyer where I can help him. He also asks. So, I am enjoying those small roles, Tilak added. Tilak also stated that he enjoys fielding in the middle. During the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, Tilak set the record for having taken most catches as a fielder in a single calendar year. He has 26 grabs in 2026, going past the previous record of 25 catches that Indonesia's Danilson Hawoe took last year. I have been a good fielder since childhood. Whenever I practice fielding, I never look at it as a burden. When playing overseas, there's wind, cold weather, and the ball wobbles in the air, but I've always genuinely enjoyed fielding. I never complain about spending long hours on the field. The more you enjoy it, the better the results come naturally. Being athletic naturally helps. On the field, I like taking responsibility and running hard. Wherever the fielding hotspots are, I immediately put myself there. I have been a good fielder since childhood. Whenever I practice fielding, I never look at it as a burden. When playing overseas, there's wind, cold weather, and the ball wobbles in the air, but I've always genuinely enjoyed fielding. I never complain about spending long hours on the field. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
What Tilak Varma's Working On!
'I have put in a lot of work on my bowling.'
Steve Smith cleared by Cricket Australia of any injury, set to play in first New Zealand Test
In a major boost for Australia, veteran batter Steve Smith is expected to be fit for the first Test of the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. It is interesting to note that Australia is...
Following Steve Smith's ruling out from the series decider against South Africa at Cape Town, Cricket Australia has revealed the extent of the seriousness of his injury and set a timeline for his return to international cricket.
South Africa vs Australia 3rd Test Day 3: Live Score Updates
South Africa vs Australia 3rd Test Day 3, Live Updates: Australia will resume their innings from 330/4 on Day 3 of the ongoing third Test against South Africa at the Newlands, Cape Town.
Delhi break record for highest total in domestic women's T20s
Delhi's 262 for 6 broke the record earlier held by Goa, when they scored 257 for 2 in 2019-20
We Did The Best We Could To Get Molineux Back: RCB Head Coach Malolan
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) went up to Rs 1.05 crore in an attempt to bring Australian all-rounder Sophie Molineux back into their squad at the WPL 2027 auction, but eventually lost out to UP Warriorz. RCB head coach Malolan Rangarajan explained the franchises approach to the bidding on auction day, while also outlining why the team backed injury-hit Australian all-rounder Jess Jonassen for Rs 40 lakh as it finalised its squad for the upcoming season. Rangarajan acknowledged that RCB had pushed hard to retain Molineuxs services, particularly after her contribution to the franchises championship-winning campaign last season. However, with a purse of Rs 1.15 crore entering the auction, the team had to balance its pursuit of the Australian with other recruitment priorities. When you have Rs 1.15 crores and you go till 1.05 for her, I think we did the best we could to get her back. We also have to recognise that we did win the championship last year. So, we would have loved to have her in our squad, and we tried to demonstrate that. But I wish Sophie the very best when she plays for UP, a gun cricketer. We would have liked her, but again, thats how the auction works, and we had other players also that we were looking at, Rangarajan told JioStar. Despite missing out on Molineux, RCB secured four players to complete their squad, with Jonassen joining South African all-rounder Chloe Tryon, Indian batter Tejal Hasabnis and Indian batter Vrinda Dinesh. The acquisitions cost the franchise Rs 1.10 crore in total, adding depth to its spin attack, all-round resources and Indian batting options. Jonassens availability, however, remains an important consideration ahead of the tournament. The Australian has opted out of the Womens Big Bash League (WBBL) while recovering from an injury, but RCB are working with the expectation that she will be fit in time for the WPL. Rangarajan said the franchise had assessed the risks before committing to the experienced left-arm spinner and had contingency plans in place should her recovery take longer than anticipated. She has opted not to play the WBBL now because she is nursing an injury. The information we have at the moment is that shes going to be fit by the end of December, and shell play a couple of domestic List-A games in Australia and should be fit in time for the WPL. JJ is a very experienced player. Were aware of her current fitness status, but we still wanted her. Similarly with Sophie also. We were very aware of what we were going to sign up for. So, if required, we also have all our backup plans ready. Id like to focus on JJ the player and the way she improves our team. A left-arm spinner who is a powerplay option for us through the middle and death, and more importantly, bats anywhere between four and six. So very, very happy to have JJ in the team, he added. She has opted not to play the WBBL now because she is nursing an injury. The information we have at the moment is that shes going to be fit by the end of December, and shell play a couple of domestic List-A games in Australia and should be fit in time for the WPL. JJ is a very experienced player. Were aware of her current fitness status, but we still wanted her. Similarly with Sophie also. We were very aware of what we were going to sign up for. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Scoring error costs Jharkhand women's Under-19 team in T20 championship pre-quarter-final
Run-out while trying to complete two didn't record the first run, and Jharkhand eventually lost by one run to Uttarakhand
Abhishek Sets Sight on Ro-Ko's Records
In the 50 matches India has won when Abhishek Sharma has played, the left-hander has been a major contributor with 1,774 runs at a strike rate of 205.32.
NZ vs India: Will Bhuvneshwar be dropped for 4th T20I?
Legendary India spinner R Ashwin believes pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar could be dropped for the remaining T20I matches against New Zealand due to his poor performance in the series so far.
Ben White announces retirement from representative cricket
Ireland leg spinner Ben White recently announced he will retire from representative cricket. At 28 years old, White made his debut for Ireland back in 2021 in Belfast against South Africa. His last appearance for...
Shubman Gill Tests Deepinder Goyal's 'Temple' Device, Joins India's T20 Team In Auckland Nets
Shubman Gill was spotted wearing 'Temple' fitness tracking device during a training session in Auckland.
Warrican five-for triggers Bangladesh collapse despite Shadman 105
Bangladesh lost 5 for 19 to be bowled out for 272, with Litton Das undefeated on 34
Lockie Ferguson ruled out of last two T20Is against India, NZC name replacement ahead of fourth T20I
New Zealand and India are all set to take on each other in the fourth T20I of the ongoing series between the two sides. The two sides will take on each other at Eden Park in Auckland for the clash on October 30th, and ahead of the game, New Zealand has been hit with a major roadblock as star pacer Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the last two T20Is of the series.
Bevon Jacobs calls MI IPL stint 'huge' learning curve
New Zealand batter Bevon Jacobs reflected on his invaluable experience with Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, highlighting how it helped him learn in different conditions and expressed his keenness to return to the tournament, believing such leagues add 'different strings to their game'.
Smith's neck injury pushes his international return to December for NZ Tests
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) Australia will have to wait until their home Test series against New Zealand in December to bring Steve Smith back into contention, with scans confirming a cervical facet joint injury that forced the experienced batter to miss the ongoing series decider against South Africa in Cape Town. Smith developed neck pain on the fourth day of the second ICC World Test Championship encounter against the Proteas in Gqeberha last week. The issue persisted, and restricted movement ultimately ruled him out of the third Test, which began on Tuesday. Further medical assessments have since established the nature of the injury and provided a clearer picture of his recovery timeline. Cricket Australia confirmed that the 37-year-old would remain unavailable for selection until the upcoming home series, with treatment and rehabilitation to continue in the interim. Steve Smith developed neck pain on day four of the second Test in Gqeberha last week. Subsequent MRI imaging confirmed a cervical facet joint injury. Due to this and his limited range of motion, he was unfit to participate in the current Test. Steve will continue to receive treatment and rehabilitation, with a full return to availability anticipated for the upcoming home Test series against New Zealand, Cricket Australia confirmed via a statement. Smiths absence opened the door for Josh Inglis to make his return to the Test side, and the recalled batter made the most of the opportunity on Wednesday. Batting under pressure after Australia lost two quick wickets, Inglis remained unbeaten on 85 as the visitors reached 330/4, securing a slender first-innings lead of one run over South Africa. The innings marked Inglis first Test appearance since the Ashes series in Adelaide at the end of last year. His ability to settle quickly and counter the pressure drew praise from teammate Matthew Renshaw, who felt the right-hander had delivered precisely what Australia needed at that stage of the innings. Hes a very talented player; weve seen that across a lot of the white-ball formats. To come in today, we were under a little bit of pressure, having lost two quick wickets, and the way that he played was really positive it was a very Josh innings, and I think it was really what we needed at that time, Renshaw noted.
'I focus on taking the game deep': Tilak On His New Role As Finisher In T20s
India vice-captain Tilak Varma reveals a significant shift in his batting approach, moving from number three to five, which now sees him target boundaries from the first ball instead of settling in. This strategic change has contributed to his reputation as a chase master, as India takes an unassailable 3-0 lead against New Zealand.
Ferguson Ruled Out Of India T20Is, Henry Faces Injury Setback Ahead Of ODI Series
New Zealand T20I: New Zealand have suffered a double injury setback during their ongoing T20I series against India, with fast bowler Lockie Ferguson ruled out of the remaining matches and Matt Henry facing a recovery period of up to two weeks after sustaining a quadricep tear. Ferguson experienced discomfort in his right calf during the second T20I at Hagley Oval, with subsequent scans confirming a low-grade tear. The pacer is expected to need approximately another week to recover, leaving his participation in the upcoming ODI series dependent on his rehabilitation. Matt Fisher, who had joined the New Zealand T20I squad in Wellington as bowling cover, has been drafted into the side for the remainder of the T20I series. His elevation has also prompted a change in the New Zealand A setup, with Central Stags fast bowler Brett Randell called up to replace Fisher for the second match against India A. Henry, meanwhile, reported pain in his right quadricep during the second T20I. Medical assessments subsequently revealed a low-grade tear, with the experienced seamer expected to require one to two weeks of recovery. The injury is not expected to alter Henrys planned return for the ODI series against India. He had already been scheduled to sit out the remaining T20Is as part of New Zealands workload management plans ahead of a busy international summer. New Zealand head coach Rob Walter expressed disappointment over the injuries but remained hopeful that both fast bowlers would be available for the ODIs. Were gutted for Lockie and Matt. Injuries are part and parcel of international cricket but it doesnt make it any easier when you have to miss games. Fortunately for Matt he was already going to sit out on the rest of the T20Is with an eye to his big summer schedule, and were hopeful hell still play a key role in the ODIs. I know Lockie was fizzing to play in front of a sell-out home crowd at Eden Park tomorrow, but hes determined to be back for the ODIs, Walter said. Meanwhile, Kyle Jamieson will remain in Wellington under his pre-planned workload management schedule. The fast bowler is available for Canterburys second-round Ford Trophy fixture on Saturday before rejoining the New Zealand squad on Monday to prepare for the ODI series. Were gutted for Lockie and Matt. Injuries are part and parcel of international cricket but it doesnt make it any easier when you have to miss games. Fortunately for Matt he was already going to sit out on the rest of the T20Is with an eye to his big summer schedule, and were hopeful hell still play a key role in the ODIs. I know Lockie was fizzing to play in front of a sell-out home crowd at Eden Park tomorrow, but hes determined to be back for the ODIs, Walter said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Gautam Gambhir Made It Clear: Tilak Varma On Coach's 'ODI-Test' Message For T20I Squad
Tilak Varma has emerged as a consistent performer for the Indian team, helping them both with the bat and his leadership role.
Sangakkara Slams 'Threatening' Behaviour
Kumar Sangakkara accused Ryanair personnel in Dublin of 'discriminatory' and 'threatening' behaviour while travelling with his family.
Steve Smith Cleared Of Serious Neck Injury, Set For New Zealand Tests
Australian veteran batter Steve Smith has been cleared of serious neck damage following scans and is expected to be fit for the upcoming home Test series against New Zealand in December.
Ferguson out of India T20Is; Henry, Jamieson on track for ODIs
Henry and Jamieson are also carrying niggles but could play the ODIs starting November 4
Shadman Islam Guides Bangladesh To 213-3 In West Indies Test
Opener Shadman Islam hit an unbeaten 99 to steer Bangladesh to 213-3 on the opening day of the first Test against West Indies on Wednesday. The left-hander was on the verge of his third Test century when bad light ended play after 74 overs at the start of the two-match series in Mirpur. Shadman hit 10 fours in his 219-ball stay, with Litton Das on 10 not out. It was nerve-racking even for us -- at the end of the day, the whole team was nervous because everyone wanted him to get to his hundred, Bangladesh batting coach Mohammad Salahuddin said. He has played around 30 (32) Test matches but has only two centuries, and I think that number should have been higher. Towhid Hridoy retired hurt on 42 due to cramps after he and Shadman added 88 runs for the fourth wicket to steady the Bangladesh innings. West Indies struck early when in-form opener Tanzid Hasan edged Jayden Seales to second slip for nine. Mominul Haque added 28 before falling to Jomel Warrican's left-arm spin. Shadman guided Bangladesh to lunch at 96-2, before Warrican struck again shortly after the break to trap Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto lbw for 19. Ideally, I would want one more wicket, but we have control of the game. The game never got away from us, said Warrican. We were very disciplined as a bowling group. Even if you're not getting wickets, you try to be as disciplined as possible. That's the key, which we did very well. But ideally, we wanted at least one or two more wickets today. Shadman brought up his half-century off 95 balls and he found an able partner in Hridoy, who came into the side in place of the injured Mushfiqur Rahim. They batted through the afternoon session to take Bangladesh to 177-3 at the tea break. Hridoy then suffered cramps as he approached his maiden Test fifty and was helped off the field. Bad light then interrupted play for an hour, the umpires then calling off play for the day after a short resumption. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Warrican was the pick of West Indies' bowlers with 2-33.
Josh Inglis And Alex Carey Put Australia In Command Of South Africa Decider
Josh Inglis and Alex Carey added an unbeaten 145 for the fifth wicket as Australia took a first innings lead on the second day of the third Test against South Africa at Newlands on Wednesday. Australia were 330 for four at the close, one run ahead of South Africa's first innings total of 329 with six wickets remaining. Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green contributed 126 for the third wicket before Inglis and Carey put Australia into a strong position to push for victory in the series-deciding match. Australia's progress on a good batting pitch was twice interrupted by double strikes by the South African bowlers but it was their only success as they toiled on an unresponsive pitch on a warm, cloudless day. Asked whether the absence through a neck injury of star batsman Steve Smith had inspired an extra degree of responsibility for the other Australia batsmen, Renshaw said there had been no such discussion. It was more just how could we stick to our tempo, stick to our plans and try and see where we were going to be tonight, said Renshaw. Renshaw, restored to the top of the order after excelling at number five in the first Test, said each batsman had his own tempo and said calmness was another key factor. Renshaw and Travis Head (41) shared Australia's best opening partnership of the series, putting on 58 before Head chopped off-spinner Simon Harmer's first ball of the match into his stumps. Harmer followed up five balls later by having Marnus Labuschagne caught at slip without scoring. - Calmer heads prevail - Renshaw (74) and Green (65) got Australia back on track but both were dismissed by left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen in the space of three deliveries shortly before tea. I was in for probably an hour and a half before Cam came in so I'm at a completely different mindset and tempo compared to when he was coming in, said Renshaw. He's buzzing around a lot so it's just about me being the calmer head out there. Renshaw's watchful 139-ball innings ended when he flashed at a lifting delivery and was caught behind, with South Africa successfully seeking a review after he was initially given not out. Green's more adventurous innings ended when he steered Jansen to second slip. Green, who returned from an abdominal injury, hit two sixes off successive balls from Kagiso Rabada as well as eight fours in facing 110 deliveries. Inglis, who also missed the first two Tests because of a broken finger, played some fine attacking strokes as he made 85 not out off 111 balls. We were under a little bit of pressure having lost two quick wickets and the way that he played was really positive, said Renshaw. Inglis and wicketkeeper Carey (51 not out) batted through to the close as South Africa were made to regret their collapse from 203 for one on the first day. It was a tough day for the South African bowlers, although Jansen reached 100 wickets in only his 24th Test on the day that the International Cricket Council announced he had moved to the top of the Test rankings for both bowlers and all-rounders. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories But new ball partner Rabada struggled with stomach cramps, according to bowling coach Piet Botha, and conceded 81 runs off 18 overs. Early in the afternoon he was hit for two sixes and a four off successive balls by Green.
New Zealand Lose 2 Marquee Players For Remainder Of T20I Series Against India
The Black Caps have called up fellow quick Matt Fisher to their squad for the final two T20Is against India and hope to have both Ferguson and Henry fit for the ODIs with the Asian side that commence on November 4.
He Can Become Captain There: R Ashwin Picks Ideal Franchise For Hardik Pandya
Ravichandran Ashwin has picked the ideal destination for Hardik Pandya, naming the franchise where the all-rounder can also get the captain's role.
Ajinkya Rahane Took Captaincy From Virat Kohli After 36 All Out Show, Reveals He Bluffed Australia
India were shot out for their lowest-ever Test total of 36 all-out for a horrendous start to the Australia tour in 2020-21 before a severely depleted team bounced back to win the series 2-1. Rahane, who took over from Kohli as India's captain for the remainder of the series.
Musheer Khan recorded a rare feat of scoring a century and taking a five-for as his all-round show gave Mumbai a massive 160-run first innings lead against Haryana in their Elite Group D Ranji Trophy match Tuesday.
WPL 2027 auction: DC have strengthened an already strong squad, says coach Batty on auction strategy
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 28 (IANS) Delhi Capitals strengthened their squad for the upcoming Womens Premier League (WPL) 2027 season, securing four players, including Indian player Kiran Navgire, in the player auction in Kochi on Wednesday, with head coach Jonathan Batty claiming they have strengthened an already strong side. With a strong core of 13 retained players, the franchise added explosive Indian batter Navgire, promising 15-year-old all-rounder Uma Kashvi, Indian all-rounder Nazma Khan and Scotland spinner Kirstie Gordon to complete their 17-member squad. Delhi Capitals spent 1.05 crore at the auction, taking their total squad expenditure to 14.95 crore, including 13.9 crore spent on retentions. Navgire was the franchises marquee acquisition at 75 lakh, while Kashvi, Khan and Gordon were secured for 10 lakh each. Speaking after the auction, the teams Head Coach Jonathan Batty expressed satisfaction with the franchises acquisitions, highlighting the additional firepower in the batting department, the depth of the squad and the potential of its newest young recruit. Kiran was a high-value target for us. Shes probably the most dynamic and powerful batter in the auction. With Shafali at the top of the order and power further down the lineup with players like Chinelle Henry, Kiran gives us another dimension to consider in our batting order. It has the potential to make our batting lineup absolutely staggering, Batty said. One of Delhi Capitals most exciting acquisitions was Uma Kashvi, the 15-year-old Karnataka all-rounder who became the youngest player to be sold in WPL auction history. A right-arm spin-bowling all-rounder, Kashvi has represented India Under-19 in a series against Sri Lanka Under-19, gaining valuable exposure to the international junior circuit at an early stage of her career. Batty credited the franchises scouting network for tracking Kashvis progress and emphasised that her signing was a long-term investment in her development. Shes been on our radar for a little while. Our scouts have watched her play extensively and shared some incredible feedback, and Ive seen her play as well. We believe she could become an absolute superstar in the future. At 15, she is very much a work in progress, and were not expecting her to be the finished article just yet. This is a long-term project for Delhi Capitals, he said. Its a wonderful opportunity for her to be part of this setup, learn from our top coaches and work alongside international stars. Hopefully, shell learn a huge amount from the players around her. This is the first step on a journey that we hope will lead to Indian recognition in the future, and were excited to see her progress, Batty added. Delhi Capitals retained a formidable core ahead of the auction, featuring captain Jemimah Rodrigues, explosive opener Shafali Verma, experienced all-rounders Marizanne Kapp and Annabel Sutherland, and South African batter Laura Wolvaardt. The retained group also includes Chinelle Henry, N. Shree Charani and several promising Indian players, giving the coaching staff a strong foundation to build on. Reflecting on the overall squad composition, Batty said the new additions had further strengthened both the starting eleven and the teams bench strength. Going into the auction, we already had a really strong group of 13 players. Our starting lineup was very strong even before the auction, and I think we have strengthened it further. We now have the potential to improve both our starting eleven and our squad depth. It is going to give me some selection headaches as a coach, which is a really good thing. Thats exactly what we want difficult decisions because we have the strongest squad possible, he said. Concluding his assessment of the auction, Batty said, We are really happy with how things went. There were lots of different dynamics at play, but I think it went as well as we could have hoped. Delhi Capitals full squad for WPL 2027 Retained players: Jemimah Rodrigues 2.20 crore Shafali Verma 2.20 crore Marizanne Kapp 2.20 crore Annabel Sutherland 2.20 crore Chinelle Henry 1.30 crore N. Shree Charani 1.30 crore Laura Wolvaardt 1.10 crore Niki Prasad 50 lakh Minnu Mani 40 lakh Nandani Sharma 20 lakh Deeya Yadav 10 lakh Mamatha Madiwala 10 lakh Lucy Hamilton 10 lakh Players acquired at the WPL 2027 auction: Kiran Navgire 75 lakh Uma Kashvi 10 lakh Nazma Khan 10 lakh Kirstie Gordon 10 lakh
The Great Bluff! Rahane Reveals How India Rose from 36 All Out
Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has opened up about the immense pressure he felt after taking over captaincy from Virat Kohli following India's humiliating 36 all-out in Adelaide. Rahane revealed he used a luff strategy against Australia and the media, while also inspiring his severely depleted team to a historic 2-1 series victory Down Under in 2020-21. He emphasised the importance of putting on a brave face and playing for the nation despite injuries and challenging COVID-19 quarantine conditions.
Scans show joint injury for Smith, expected to be fit to face NZ
He had been hampered since the second Test and shortly before play started at Newlands decided he wouldn't be able to get through the match
SA feel the strain as Rabada battles stomach cramps, Jansen back stiffness
Jansen did not take the field after tea but returned soon after, while Rabada is expected to be back on day three
Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Oct 28 (IANS) Kenya and Bangladesh cemented the top two spots in Men's Group B with commanding victories on the sixth day of the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. While Kenya defeated previously unbeaten Canada 49-20, Bangladesh breezed past Australia 69-30 to keep their semifinal hopes alive. Led by Viduranga (11 points) and Lakshita (nine points), Sri Lankan men, too, scored a facile 50-22 win over England to book their place in the semi-final. Sri Lanka plays India in the last clash to decide Group A topper on Thursday. The Kenyan men's all-round game proved too much for Canada. Contributions from eleven players were central to their win, with Stephen Adongo scoring six points and Rodgers Atieno and Samuel Wafula chipping in with five points each. They outscored Canada 24-13 and won 15 tackle points compared to seven bagged by Canada, apart from inflicting four all-outs on them. Meanwhile, Bangladesh relied on Dipayon Golder's 21 points and Md Liton Ali's 14 points to trounce Australia by 39 points. Ibrahim Khaleel and Amol Roy scored seven points each as Bangladesh outraided Australia 41-30. Bangladesh scored 15 tackle points to Australia's one. Twelve all-outs were inflicted on Australia, with three of them coming in the first 15 minutes, as Bangladesh put in a dominant display to cement second place in Group B. Malaysia and Uganda also enjoyed victories on the day, but in contrasting manners. While Malaysia eased past Nigeria 78-13 in a Group B clash, Uganda pipped Tanzania (35-28) by seven points in a thrilling encounter, which ebbed and flowed. Uganda held a slender 16-14 lead at half-time. However, the former turned it on in the second half, inflicting a crucial all-out in the last moments to widen the gap, which their East African neighbours were unable to bridge. Uganda outscored Tanzania 19-16 in raid points and 15-11 in tackle points in their victory. Earlier, Ugandan women put on a fabulous show to register a comprehensive 65-22 victory over Nigeria and march into the semifinals of the competition. Their victory sets up a semifinal showdown against fellow African counterparts and Group B topper Kenya, while hosts India, who topped Group A, lock horns with South Asian neighbour Sri Lanka in the other semifinal. Uganda, who needed a victory to consolidate the second spot in the group, were neck-and-neck with Nigeria in the initial phase of the match. Uganda was leading 16-9 when the Nigerian coach called a timeout. After the timeout, Uganda asserted themselves and went on a 18-0 run. At half-time, Uganda led 35-12, a lead that all but ensured their entry into the last four. Nalwoga Nahia with 22 points and Nalubega Olivia with 11 points were pivotal to Uganda's win. The latter outscored Nigeria 44-15 in raid points and 12-5 in tackle points, apart from inflicting eight all-outs en route to the triumph. In the day's first match, Bangladesh women, riding on Sraboni Mollick's 27 points and Bristhi Biswas's 12 points, hammered England 79-13 in a lopsided clash. Bangladesh ended the group assignments with two victories and two losses. Bangladesh outscored England 48-12 in raid points and 16-2 in tackle points in addition to winning 12 all-out points on their opponents. Their defeats to Kenya (by nine points) and Sri Lanka (by 11 points) put paid to their hopes of reaching the last four.
Mumbai Indians Full Squad After WPL Auction 2027
Mumbai Indians (MI) signed batter Disha Kasat, wicketkeeper-batter Latika Inamdar and spinner Bharti Rawal for Rs 10 lakh each at the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2027 auction in Kochi on Wednesday
Delhi Capitals Full Squad After WPL 2027 Auction
India batter Kiran Navgire is hoping Delhi Capitals can go all the way in the upcoming WPL after being bought by the franchise that has lost the last four finals of the competition
Milan Icons rope in ex-Australia batter Shaun Marsh for inaugural Italia T10 League
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 28 (IANS) Former Australia batter Shaun Marsh has been signed by Milan Icons for the upcoming Italia T10 League, with the franchise banking on his vast experience to build a competitive side for the inaugural season. The left-handed batter represented Australia in Tests, ODIs and T20Is, and was a member of the side that won the 2015 ODI World Cup on home soil. He also built a reputation as a consistent run-getter in domestic and franchise cricket. The league, which runs from November 18 to 29, aims to widen crickets reach in Italy and give players a franchise platform. Shaun Marshs international career and experience make him a valuable addition to Milan Icons. We are pleased to welcome a player of his calibre as we work towards building a competitive team and supporting the continued development of cricket in Italy, said Milan Icons owner Dr Rashid Ali Khan. CEO Shazi Ahmad felt Marshs vast experience would benefit the squad. Shaun has played cricket at the highest level and brings a wealth of knowledge to the team. His inclusion is a positive step in our preparations for the Italia T10 League, and we remain focused on assembling a strong squad while helping create opportunities for talented cricketers, he said. Previously, former England fast-bowling great James Anderson was named co-owner and captain of Napoli Knights, another franchise in the league. Anderson, 44, will co-own the side with his former Lancashire teammate and one-time manager Luke Sutton, whose talent management agency, Activate Sport and Leisure, will run the franchise. Former England all-rounder Adam Hollioake, currently Kents coach, has been appointed head coach. The announcement came soon after Lancashire decided not to offer Anderson a contract for next season, a move criticised by his former England new-ball partner Stuart Broad. Andersons involvement is a surprise given his well-known lack of interest in franchise cricket. He has only played short-form cricket sporadically during his career. The league, founded by Apex T10 Limited, a company owned by former Essex and Surrey batter Nadeem Shahid, will be launched in Rome. The owners of Pakistan Super League side Quetta Gladiators have bought the Rome franchise. Cricket has grown steadily in Italy, with the mens national team making its T20 World Cup debut earlier this year and beating Nepal by 10 wickets. The side, led by Derbyshires Wayne Madsen and Australian all-rounder Harry Manenti, also ran England close in the tournament.
WPL 2027 auction: Went in with a clear idea of the squad we wanted, says UPW coach Nayar
Digital Desk | Kochi, Oct 28 (IANS) UP Warriorz (UPW) head coach Abhishek Nayar said the franchise went into the 2027 Womens Premier League (WPL) auction with a clear plan and came away with players who would give the side both quality and flexibility. UPW were the busiest franchise at the auction held on Wednesday, adding eight players to the 10 they had retained. Their headline signing was Australia captain Sophie Molineux, the most expensive buy of Wednesdays auction at Rs 1.10 crore. We went into the auction with a clear idea of the kind of squad we wanted to build. Sophie Molineux was a key addition for us, and we are delighted to have secured her services. Along with Grace Harris, Sneh Rana and the other players we have brought in, she gives us a lot of quality and flexibility. We wanted players who could contribute in different situations and complement the core we already have. We are happy with the group we have assembled and look forward to bringing everyone together ahead of the season, Nayar said in a statement issued by the franchise. Besides Sophie, UPW signed Australian all-rounder Grace Harris, India all-rounder Sneh Rana, leg-spinner Asha Sobhana and wicketkeeper-batter Sushma Verma for Rs 30 lakh each. Scotland all-rounder Kathryn Bryce and uncapped Indian all-rounders Sahana Pawar and Manali Dakshini came in for Rs 10 lakh each. The franchise had retained a strong core that includes India all-rounder Deepti Sharma, former Australia captain Meg Lanning, England left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone and Australia batter Phoebe Litchfield. Kshemal Waingankar, COO and Director of Cricket at Capri Sports, the franchises owners, said Sophies arrival would strengthen an already potent spin attack. Sophie Molineuxs addition further strengthens our spin attack and puts us in a strong position to explore different combinations. Grace Harris brings power to the middle order, while Sophie offers leadership qualities, exceptional bowling ability and a great presence within the team. We believe the combination of Sophie Molineux and Sophie Ecclestone could be a formidable force for us, while Grace gives us the flexibility to adjust our combinations based on the conditions and match situations, he said. Harris, who began her WPL career with UPW in 2023, returns after winning the 2026 title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Sobhana was bought back for a fraction of the Rs 1.1 crore the franchise paid for her in 2026. UP Warriorz squad for 2027 WPL: Meg Lanning, Deepti Sharma, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Ecclestone, Harleen Deol, Pratika Rawal, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Gaud, Shipra Giri, Simran Shaikh, Sophie Molineux, Grace Harris, Sneh Rana, Asha Sobhana, Sushma Verma, Kathryn Bryce, Manali Dakshini, and Sahana Pawar.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Full Squad After WPL Auction 2027
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) added four players to their squad at the WPL Auction 2027 today, signing Australian all-rounder Jess Jonassen for Rs 40 Lakhs
WPL 2027 Auction: Missed Having Molineux, But Jonassen Will Improve Our Squad, Says Rangarajan
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) head coach Malolan Rangarajan admitted the defending champions would have loved to sign Sophie Molineux at the 2027 Womens Premier League (WPL) auction, though he felt that acquiring her fellow Australian left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Jess Jonassen would make the side stronger. RCB pushed the bidding for Sophie, a member of their title-winning squad in 2024, to Rs 1.05 crore before UP Warriorz signed her for Rs 1.10 crore. The champions then waited until the accelerated round to sign Jess at her base price of Rs 40 lakh. I think we bid for five players, got four. But it was pretty simple and clear for us. The intention with which we approached this auction was to try to improve our team. We, I think, for lack of a better phrase, tried to throw the kitchen sink at Sophie Molineux. We would have loved to have her. Everybody knows how good a cricketer she is, Rangarajan said in a post-auction press conference. He also said Jess, who offers similar skills with the ball and depth with the bat, was high on RCBs wish list. But a similar left-arm spinner who also gives us depth with batting was JJ, who was very high on our ranking list also. It just so worked out that JJ came later in the auction. So it worked out. That meant after the second set, all the way down to the 11th set, we just had to sit tight. Our priorities: we already have Prathyoosha as our backup keeper, and we knew we had to pick another Indian batter. Again, the batters that we were looking for went unsold. So we knew we could always circle back to the players we wanted, tick off our initial priority of getting one of the overseas left-arm spinners. Were very glad JJ, who weve landed up with, were very happy with that pick, and Im sure shell improve our squad. RCB also signed South Africas batting all-rounder Chloe Tryon and India batter Tejal Hasabnis for Rs 30 lakh each, and opener Vrinda Dinesh for Rs 10 lakh. Very happy. Chloe Tryon is obviously a very experienced international player. Shes now, I think, playing a lot of franchise leagues, also doing well. She just strengthens our squad currently with somebody who gives us depth with batting at maybe anywhere between four and seven. Also very handy with the left-arm spin. The key thing for us was trying to identify experienced players whove already been in the WPL environment. But very, very happy. Now it seems to be a very good mix of experienced players with a couple of youngsters who have now gone on to play for the country. So very happy with Chloe in our squad, added Rangarajan. RCB also signed South Africas batting all-rounder Chloe Tryon and India batter Tejal Hasabnis for Rs 30 lakh each, and opener Vrinda Dinesh for Rs 10 lakh. Very happy. Chloe Tryon is obviously a very experienced international player. Shes now, I think, playing a lot of franchise leagues, also doing well. She just strengthens our squad currently with somebody who gives us depth with batting at maybe anywhere between four and seven. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
WPL Auction: Who Made the Money, Who Missed the Bus!
Australian captain Sophie Molineux was the costliest buy at the Women's Premier League auction, fetching Rs 1.1 crore from UP Warriorz. Other significant buys included Kiran Navgire for Delhi Capitals and Grace Harris for UP Warriorz. Several prominent players, including Saika Ishaque and Chamari Athapaththu, went unsold, while teams also focused on acquiring uncapped Indian and international talent. Team officials shared insights into their auction strategies.
WPL 2027 Auction: Happy With The Depth Weve Built, Says MI Head Coach Luke Williams
T20 World Cup: Mumbai Indians (MI) head coach Luke Williams said the franchise had used the 2027Womens Premier League (WPL) auction to build depth around its retained core, adding that he was excited to see several young players get a chance to be a part of the league. The two-time champions signed six uncapped Indian players at the auction held in Kochi on Wednesday. Shweta Sehrawat was bought for Rs 20 lakh, while Disha Kasat, Latika Inamdar, Bharti Rawal, Saanika Chalke and Akshita Bhagat came in for Rs 10 lakh each. Delhi-based Shweta, UP Warriorzs lone retention in 2026 and a member of Indias 2023 U-19 Womens T20 World Cup winning squad, drew a bidding battle between MI and Delhi Capitals before going for double her base price. Certainly. Obviously, with the retentions, we had a sort of solid core group that we were able to retain. So certainly today was about trying to add to the group, whether thats in the starting XI potentially, or if not, providing different options and coverage through the tournament, depending on what surfaces we play on and if there are any injuries or players out of form. So, really happy with the depth that weve built across different areas and really excited to work with some new players, said Williams in the post-auction press conference. The coach credited MIs scouting team for identifying the recruits. Obviously the scouts did a lot of work identifying different players and then going through various networks to do our research. So, really happy with how its unfolded and excited that some young players get an opportunity at the WPL. Among the new faces, Vidarbha duo Kasat and Inamdar arrived in form, having played key roles in a tense chase against Punjab in the Senior Womens T20 Trophy in Lucknow only a day before the auction. Disha opened and made an unbeaten 66 off 52 balls, while Latika hit 17 off eight balls. Saanika, a 20-year-old left-handed top-order batter, was part of Indias 2025 Under-19 T20 World Cup-winning squad and struck 85 off 53 balls against Jharkhand in the same tournament. Akshita won the Under-23 event of the WPL Speed Queen contest with a top speed of 105kph and recently played for India A against Australia A in Mohali. Among the new faces, Vidarbha duo Kasat and Inamdar arrived in form, having played key roles in a tense chase against Punjab in the Senior Womens T20 Trophy in Lucknow only a day before the auction. Disha opened and made an unbeaten 66 off 52 balls, while Latika hit 17 off eight balls. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
South Africa vs Australia Highlights 3rd Test Day 2: Josh Inglis Stars As Australia Take Control
SA vs AUS Highlights 3rd Test: Josh Inglis hit 85 not out on Wednesday to help Australia finish Day 2 of the deciding third and final cricket test firmly in control against South Africa on 330-4
Injured Stirling flies home as Ireland seek turnaround in Namibia
Lorcan Tucker to deputise as captain while Tim Tector flies in as cover
WPL 2027 auction: Not sure it could have gone any better, says DC coach Batty
Digital Desk | Kochi, Oct 28 (IANS) Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach Jonathan Batty said the franchises 2027Womens Premier League (WPL) auction could hardly have gone better, adding that signing big-hitting India batter Kiran Navgire would add much-needed power to their batting line-up. DC bought Kiran for Rs 75 lakh, making her the second-highest-priced player at the auction held on Wednesday, after edging competition from Mumbai Indians. They also picked up Scotland left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon and uncapped all-rounders Delhis Nazma Khan and Karnatakas 15-year-old Uma Kashvi - for Rs 10 lakh each. Really pleased. Does an auction ever go completely to plan? Probably not quite, but as close to what we were hoping for. We had a couple of different pivots we could have made. We identified early we wanted a hard-hitting or dynamic Indian batter, and we got that in Kiran Navgire early. Getting the Scottish left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon over the line as well. She gives us lots of options as well, being allowed to start in the playing eleven as a local (associate) player, which weve used successfully in the past. So weve got a couple of really young, exciting players as well coming in with Nazma and Uma. So no, really, really, really pleased. Not sure it could have gone any better, to be honest, Batty told reporters in a press conference. Kirstie, who played for England before switching to Scotland, will be counted as an Associate player, which allows the four-time finalists to field her without using one of their four overseas slots. Batty said Kirans ability to bash spin and her power-hitting would fill a gap in DCs batting, though the side curiously chose not to have a back-up wicketkeeper-batter. Shes one of the most dynamic batters in the auction. Shes a wonderful player of spin through the middle order. We felt one area we were potentially lacking at times has been a little bit of power in our batting, and we feel that she can give that to us. Again, shes probably the most dynamic batter in the auction, one of the biggest hitters in the game. She had a great year a couple of years ago at the WPL. She just gives us some extra firepower, possibly playing a few different roles for us as well within our batting lineup. So really strengthens our already strong batting lineup, but just gives a bit extra power. Delhi have reached the final in each of the four WPL editions so far but are yet to win the title. The 2027 WPL season will be played from January 14 to February 7, though the venues are yet to be known.
Who Is Uma Kashvi? The Youngest Player In WPL Auction History Signed By Delhi Capitals
Fifteen-year-old Karnataka all-rounder Uma Kashvi became the youngest player to be sold at a WPL auction after Delhi Capitals secured her services for Rs 10 lakh
South Africa Fan Offers Sandpaper To Nathan Lyon. Here's How Australia Star Reacts - Viral Video
South Africa fans have not missed an opportunity to remind the Australian players about the infamous 'Sandpapergate' scandal during their ongoing Test series.
Ranji Trophy: Bhut's Six-For Puts Saurashtra on Brink of Victory
Left-arm spinner Parth Bhut's exceptional six-wicket haul for just seven runs has put Saurashtra in a commanding position against Assam in the Ranji Trophy. Saurashtra secured a significant first-innings lead and then reduced Assam to 65 for seven on day three, nearing an outright victory.
Vietnam and Sydney to host next two Asia-Pacific Amateur events
Digital Desk | Tomarata (New Zealand), Oct 28 (IANS) Hoiana Shores Golf Club in Hoi An, Vietnam, will host the 2027 Asia-Pacific Amateur from October 28 to 31, 2027, the organisers of the event, Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the Masters Tournament and The R&A announced. They also announced New South Wales Golf Club in Sydney, Australia, as host from November 2-5, 2028. Both venues will be playing host to the Asia-Pacific Amateur for the first time. The 18th Asia-Pacific Amateur in 2027 will mark the first time in the Championships history that it will take place in Vietnam. The 19th Asia-Pacific Amateur in 2028 will be the third edition in Australia after previous stops at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club in 2014 and 2023. Speaking on behalf of the founding partners, Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, We are very fortunate to be able to stage the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at some of the worlds finest courses, and Hoiana Shores and New South Wales are undoubtedly in that category. We are very much looking forward to taking the championship to Vietnam for the first time and enjoying one of the worlds great emerging golf destinations. We are also thrilled to be returning to Australia and visiting such a renowned championship venue as New South Wales for the first time. Both courses will offer outstanding tests of golf for the players in wonderful locations and create exciting new chapters for the AAC, he said. The field for the annual event comprises top male amateurs in the Asia-Pacific region representing the 43 Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation affiliated organizations. The champion of the Asia-Pacific Amateur will receive an invitation to compete in the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club as well as an exemption into The Open the following year. The runner(s)-up will also gain a place in Final Qualifying for The Open. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and opened in 2019, the links-style Hoiana Shores Golf Club offers seaside views of the South China Sea and nearby Cham Islands. The regions first championship links course was built along more than two kilometers of beachfront dunes. Situated just south of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the City of Lanterns, the venue fittingly uses red basket lanterns rather than traditional flags on each hole. The par-71 course previously hosted the Womens Amateur Asia-Pacific in 2025 and was named the worlds best new golf course in 2020 by the World Golf Awards. All of us at Hoiana Shores Golf Club are thrilled to welcome the 2027 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, said Wee Peng Siong, Vice President, Golf, of Hoiana Shores Golf Club. Golf in Vietnam is on the rise, and we are honoured to serve as host for the first time this Championship is held in Vietnam. Our beautiful links-style venue will be a perfect test for the best amateurs from here in Vietnam and across the Asia-Pacific region. New South Wales Golf Club is one of the worlds great golfing experiences, and we are excited to welcome the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship to our Club in 2028, said Chris Coudounaris, President of New South Wales Golf Club. The dramatic coastal views, together with a course that is both strategic and unique, will provide an exceptional test and backdrop for the top players from across the region and will undoubtedly produce a deserving champion. Notable past competitors include 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, a two-time winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur, 2022 Open champion Cameron Smith and 2026 Open champion Ryan Fox.
WPL 2027: Full Squads Of All Five Franchises After Mini-Auction
The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2027 auction is over. Australia captain Sophie Molineux was the most expensive buy at the 2027 Women's Premier League (WPL) auction, going to UP Warriorz (UPW) for Rs...
WPL 2027 Auction: RCB Open Account With Jonassen, MI Pick Saanika, GG Take Samaira
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made their first signing of the 2027Womens Premier League (WPL) auction by landing Australias left-arm spin all-rounder Jess Jonassen for Rs 40 lakh here on Wednesday. Two-time champions Mumbai Indians picked up promising batter Saanika Chalke and Gujarat Giants signed 16-year-old Samaira Raghav as the accelerated round got under way. Jess, who played three seasons for Delhi Capitals, was the first player to go under the hammer in the accelerated round. RCB, who had not bid for anyone until then, got the left-arm spinning all-rounder at her base price. She is currently out of the Womens Big Bash League (WBBL) with a neck injury but is expected to be fit by January. MI bought Saanika, a 20-year-old left-handed top-order batter, for her base price of Rs 10 lakh. A member of Indias 2025 Under-19 T20 World Cup-winning squad, Saanika first made headlines with a double hundred for Mumbai in an Under-19 one-day match against Sikkim in 2022. She was the leading run-getter in the Mumbai T20 league earlier this year with 223 runs from five matches, and struck 85 off 53 balls against Jharkhand in the ongoing Senior Womens T20 Trophy just ahead of the auction. GG used their final slot on 16-year-old Delhi all-rounder Samaira by signing her for Rs 10 lakh. She was one of four players added to the auction list on the eve of the auction. UP Warriorz continued their busy evening by adding three more players: Scotland all-rounder Kathryn Bryce and uncapped India all-rounders Manali Dakshini and Sahana Pawar, each for Rs 10 lakh. Kathryn found a buyer even though her sister, wicketkeeper-batter Sarah Bryce, went unsold earlier in the day. Delhi Capitals signed 15-year-old uncapped all-rounder Uma Kashvi by bidding for her at the last moment, and Scotland left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon, both for Rs 10 lakh. Gordon played five T20Is and a Test for England, including the 2018 T20 World Cup final, before switching to Scotland, and will now be considered an Associate player. The accelerated round took the number of players sold at the auction so far to 18, leaving nine slots still to be filled across the franchises in the next round. Several players went unsold in the round, including Indias leg-spin bowling all-rounder Devika Vaidya, who recently returned to competitive cricket after motherhood. Kathryn found a buyer even though her sister, wicketkeeper-batter Sarah Bryce, went unsold earlier in the day. Delhi Capitals signed 15-year-old uncapped all-rounder Uma Kashvi by bidding for her at the last moment, and Scotland left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon, both for Rs 10 lakh. Gordon played five T20Is and a Test for England, including the 2018 T20 World Cup final, before switching to Scotland, and will now be considered an Associate player. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
WPL 2027 Auction: Didnt Expect To Land Vrinda Dinesh, Says RCB Head Coach Rangarajan
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) head coach Malolan Rangarajan said he had not expected the franchise to secure opener Vrinda Dinesh, after the defending champions completed their squad with four signings at the 2027 Womens Premier League (WPL) auction. RCB bought Australias left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Jess Jonassen for Rs 40 lakh, currently nursing a neck injury which has ruled her out of the WBBL. The side also brought in South Africas batting all-rounder Chloe Tryon and India batter Tejal Hasabnis for Rs 30 lakh each, and Vrinda for Rs 10 lakh. The additions bolster their spin bowling, all-round depth and Indian batting options. Rangarajan was particularly pleased at bringing home Vrinda, who was born and brought up in Bengaluru. Ill be honest, I didnt expect us to land Vrinda, so Im very happy that weve been able to bring a Karnataka-born player into the squad. She has been doing exceptionally well for India A, and as soon as we saw an opportunity to bring her into the team, we made sure we took it across the line, Rangarajan said in a statement by the franchise at the conclusion of the auction. He also said Chloes experience and versatility made her a valuable addition. Im very happy to have Chloe Tryon in our squad. She is a very experienced international player who has been playing in franchise leagues and performing well. She adds depth to our batting, with the ability to bat anywhere between No. 4 and No. 7, and is also very handy with her left-arm spin. One of the key things for us was identifying experienced players who have already been part of the WPL environment. We now have a very good mix of experienced players and a couple of youngsters who are looking to play for the country. Were very happy to have Chloe in the squad, added Rangarajan. RCB went into the auction with 13 retained players and Rs 1.15 crore in their purse. Rangarajan said Ellyse Perrys return was a major boost and explained that Grace Harris had been released partly to free up funds, since franchises did not get a purse increase this year. Honestly, Perry coming back was huge for us. There was a void in our batting without her, but we have to give a lot of credit to our girls last year, who did well to counter her absence. With her coming back, we have a very, very good player at number three. One big distinction with this auction is the fact that you dont have an additional purse coming through in every auction. The IPL or the WPL usually have an increment every year. This year, you dont. One of the reasons behind releasing Grace was that we wanted to manufacture a little bit of purse coming into the auction, and we wanted to be competitive. Grace, who played a key role in RCBs 2026 title win, was bought back by UP Warriorz for her base price of Rs 30 lakh. Honestly, Perry coming back was huge for us. There was a void in our batting without her, but we have to give a lot of credit to our girls last year, who did well to counter her absence. With her coming back, we have a very, very good player at number three. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Abhishek Sharma Reaches ICC Summit Again After Record-Breaking T20I Ton
India opener Abhishek Sharma on Wednesday reclaimed the world No. 1 spot in the ICC men's T20 International batting rankings following his sensational century against New Zealand in Wellington
Marco Jansen Reaches 100 Test Wickets, Dethrones Ravindra Jadeja As ICC's No. 1 All-Rounder
Marco Jansen is currently the No. 1 bowler and No. 1 all-rounder in ICC Test rankings
WPL Auction: Navgire's Delhi Move Comes with a Clear Mission
Indian cricketers Kiran Navgire and Sneh Rana express their excitement and hopes for the upcoming Women's Premier League (WPL) season. Navgire, bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 75 lakh, aims to help the team win their first title, while Rana, joining UP Warriorz for Rs 30 lakh, looks forward to contributing with her new franchise and playing under Meg Lanning.
WPL 2027 auction: New signings give us more options, says GG head coach Klinger
Digital Desk | Kochi, Oct 28 (IANS) Gujarat Giants (GG) head coach Michael Klinger said that picking G Kamalini, Orla Prendergast and Samaira Raghav at the 2027 Womens Premier League (WPL) auction had given the franchise more options, as it completed its 18-member squad for the new season. The franchise went into the auction with 15 retained players, having spent Rs 13.75 crore on retentions, and Rs 1.25 crore left in their purse to fill three slots, one of them for an overseas player. GG bought Tamil Nadus left-handed top-order wicketkeeper-batter Kamalini, a member of Indias 2025 ICC Womens Under-19 T20 World Cup winning team, for Rs 40 lakh. Irelands seam-bowling all-rounder Orla was signed for Rs 30 lakh. Samaira, a 16-year-old all-rounder, came in at her base price of Rs 10 lakh. The players did well last season and gave us a strong foundation to build on. Our preseason camp in Bengaluru helped us assess the squad and identify the areas we needed to strengthen. Kamalini gives us an aggressive option throughout the batting order, Orla brings real all-round quality as a wicket-taking medium pacer, and Samaira adds explosive power in the middle order. The new signings complement our retained players and give us more options. We are pleased with how the squad has come together and look forward to the season ahead, Klinger said in a statement by the franchise at the conclusion of the auction. Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer of Adani Sportsline, which owns the franchise, said the signings reflected GGs commitment to finding and developing young talent. We entered the auction with a strong retained core and a clear idea of what the squad needed. We are pleased with the players we have brought in. G. Kamalini, Orla Prendergast and Samaira Raghav each add something specific, whether it is aggression at the top, all-round quality or fearless hitting in the middle order. Our belief is in unearthing young talents and nurturing them. Kashvee Gautam, Anushka Sharma and Happy Kumari reflect the strength of our scouting programme, and we are hopeful that 16-year-old like Samaira is the next in line. The aim is to build a team that plays fearless cricket and contributes to the growth of the game for women in Gujarat and across the country, he said. GG finished second in the group stage of WPL 2026, winning five of their eight matches, before going out in the Eliminator after losing to Delhi Capitals. The 2027 WPL season will be played from January 14 to February 7. Gujarat Giants squad: Ashleigh Gardner (captain), Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Yastika Bhatia, Anushka Sharma, Bharti Fulmali, Happy Kumari, Jintimani Kalita, Kanika Ahuja, Kashvee Gautam, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh, Tanuja Kanwer, G Kamalini, Orla Prendergast, Samaira Raghav.
James Anderson Takes On Ownership Role At Napoli Knights After Lancashire Exit
England cricket great James Anderson is the new co-owner of a Naples-based franchise in the inaugural Italia T10 League, which is set to launch next month
Vijay keen to show that off-spinners can excel in both Tests and T20s
The Andhra tweaker sheds light on his transition from playing on cement to turf wickets; the 25-year-old has been making rapid strides
How Precision and Poise Powered Vaishnavi's Zimbabwe Breakthrough
Left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma achieved her maiden five-wicket haul against Zimbabwe on Wednesday, attributing her success to a year-long break during which she focused on mental and physical strength, bowling control, and understanding batters. Her disciplined approach and consistent practice led to a significant improvement in her game, earning praise from captain Smriti Mandhana.
WPL 2027 Auction: Confident That DC Will Become Champions This Year, Says Navgire
Match Centre Live Auction Special: India batter Kiran Navgire on Wednesday backed Delhi Capitals to finally win their maiden Womens Premier League (WPL) title after the four-time finalists signed her for Rs 75 lakh at the WPL 2027 auction. Navgire was the second-most expensive buy of the auction, with Delhi beating Mumbai Indians in a bidding contest to land the big-hitting batter. I am very excited to play for Delhi Capitals. I have played with Chinelle Henry before, and I have also played with Shafali Verma. I have also spoken to Jemimah Rodrigues in the past, so I know most of the players. I am very excited to share the dressing room and play alongside all of them, Navgire said on JioStars Match Centre Live Auction Special. The 2027 WPL season will be played from January 14 to February 7. DC have reached the final in each of the four editions of the WPL but are yet to lift the trophy. Delhi Capitals have reached the final four times, so this year we have a chance to win it. I am fully prepared to play for Delhi Capitals. I feel that whatever the team has been waiting for over the last four years will finally be fulfilled this season. I am confident that DC will become champions this year, added Kiran, who previously played for UP Warriorz. Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Sushma Verma, who returns to the WPL after being picked by UP Warriorz for her base price of Rs 30 lakh, said her patience had finally paid off after going unsold in the last three auctions. Im very grateful for this opportunity to represent UP Warriorz. I was just hoping and waiting for it. Every player works hard and performs, but in franchise cricket, sometimes the slot is not made for you. I was not picked in the last three auctions, but I was very hopeful that one day my hard work would pay off and everything would fall into place. So, after getting picked by UPW, Im feeling good. A big thanks to UP Warriorz for showing that trust, she said. Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Latika Inamdar, signed by Mumbai Indians for Rs 10 lakh, was thrilled to be joining the two-time champions along with her friend Bharti Rawal, whom MI also bought for Rs 10 lakh. I was not picked in the last three auctions, but I was very hopeful that one day my hard work would pay off and everything would fall into place. So, after getting picked by UPW, Im feeling good. A big thanks to UP Warriorz for showing that trust, she said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Mix of former players and administrators ideal for smooth conduct of the game: Nadeem
The former spinner praises Suthar and believes he is a good investment for Indian cricket
WPL 2027: Full squads of all five teams after mini auction
The WPL (Womens Premier League) 2027 mini auction came to an end, and the five franchises brought home some brilliant players into their ranks ahead of the upcoming edition of the WPL. It is worth noting that UP Warriorz was the most active team in the auction, bringing home several star players, hoping to play some good cricket .
It was carnage in Wellington on Tuesday. In the third T20I against New Zealand, India romped home in just 13.2 overs while chasing a 199-run target
Ranji Trophy: Shoreys century takes Vidarbha to a position of strength
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Australia captain Sophie Molineux was the most expensive buy at the 2027 Womens Premier League (WPL) auction, going to UP Warriorz (UPW) for Rs 1.10 crore in Kochi on Wednesday. In all, 25 players were sold in a quick mini auction that needed less than an hour of active bidding. UPW were the busiest franchise of the evening with eight signings, while defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) did all their business in the accelerated rounds after losing out on Sophie early in the day. Sophie, who was part of RCBs title-winning squad in 2024 and missed WPL 2026, entered the auction at a base price of Rs 50 lakh. RCB, her former side, pushed UPW all the way to Rs 1.05 crore before dropping out, having started the day with only Rs 1.15 crore in their purse. The left-arm spin bowling all-rounder, who captained Australia to 2026 Womens T20 World Cup triumph in England, recently returned to international cricket after recovering from a hip injury. Delhi Capitals made the second-biggest buy by signing big-hitting India batter Kiran Navgire for Rs 75 lakh after a bidding contest with Mumbai Indians, who pulled out at Rs 70 lakh. Gujarat Giants landed young wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini for her base price of Rs 40 lakh, with no other franchise bidding for the 2025 Under-19 World Cup winner who recently won the Asia Cup and Asian Games gold medal with the senior team. Apart from Sophie, UPW brought back Australian all-rounder Grace Harris, who began her WPL career with them in 2023 and won the 2026 title with RCB. They also signed Indias off-spin bowling all-rounder Sneh Rana, joining her fourth franchise in five seasons, and veteran wicketkeeper-batter Sushma Verma, all for Rs 30 lakh each. UPW also added Scotland all-rounder Kathryn Bryce and uncapped all-rounders Manali Dakshini and Sahana Pawar for Rs 10 lakh each. They brought back leg-spinner Asha Sobhana for Rs 30 lakh, at a fraction of the Rs 1.1 crore they had paid for her in the 2026 auction. UPWs shopping has, however, left them with a selection puzzle. With Meg Lanning set to lead the side and Phoebe Litchfield an automatic pick at the top of the order, Sophie, Grace and Englands left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone could end up competing for the remaining two overseas spots. UPW may well field an all-Australian overseas quartet on a regular basis. RCB, who had not bid for anyone until the accelerated round, opened their account with Australias left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Jess Jonassen for her base price of Rs 40 lakh. They then added India batter Tejal Hasabnis, who had gone unsold in the opening round, and South Africa all-rounder Chloe Tryon for Rs 30 lakh each, and Bengaluru-based batter Vrinda Dinesh for Rs 10 lakh. The defending champions were under little pressure to buy, and the signings of Jess and Chloe add depth to their overseas options. Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Nadine de Klerk and Lauren Bell, all central to RCBs title run in 2026, look set to fill the four overseas slots, making it hard to see both newcomers getting regular game time. Mumbai Indians (MI) went towards buying youngsters by picking up six uncapped players. Vidarbha teammates Disha Kasat and Latika Inamdar, who had played key roles in a Senior Womens T20 Trophy chase against Punjab only a day earlier, were signed for Rs 10 lakh each. Other MI signings include Delhis left-arm spinner Bharti Rawal, 2025 Under-19 World Cup winner Saanika Chalke and 19-year-old all-rounder Akshita Bhagat, a winner of the WPL Speed Queen U-23 competition and recently played for India. Delhi batter and 2023 U-19 World Cup winner Shweta Sehrawat, who was UPWs lone retention in 2026, went to MI for Rs 20 lakh, double her base price, after a brief tussle with Delhi Capitals. Disha, Latika and Shweta give the franchise plenty of batting cover. With Kamalini no longer in their ranks, Disha or Latika could get an early chance to play. Gujarat Giants (GG), who needed only three players, also signed Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast for Rs 30 lakh, making her the first Irish cricketer picked in the WPL. They used their final slot on 16-year-old Delhi all-rounder Samaira Raghav, a late addition to the auction pool, for Rs 10 lakh. Spending Rs 40 lakh on Kamalini, who was tipped to get a big payday, might look odd for a side that already has two wicketkeepers in Yastika Bhatia and Beth Mooney. GG, however, made it clear they see her as a valuable addition purely for her batting. Orlas signing also made history, as she became the first Irish cricketer to be picked in the WPL. Delhi Capitals (DC), the four-time runners-up, added 15-year-old Karnataka all-rounder Uma Kashvi, Scotland left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon, a former England international who will now count as an Associate player, and uncapped Delhi all-rounder Nazma Khan, each for Rs 10 lakh. DCs most surprising decision, though, was not buying a wicketkeeper. Having released Taniya Bhatia and Lizelle Lee, the franchise is now relying entirely on 23-year-old Mamatha Madiwala behind the stumps, with no back-up keeper in the squad. Hyderabad-based Mamatha played a handful of matches for DC in 2025 before an injury ruled her out of the 2026 season. The franchise will, however, be allowed to sign replacements if Deeya Yadav and Uma Kashvi are picked for the 2027 Under-19 Womens T20 World Cup. Several established names went unsold. These included Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, England batter Sophia Dunkley and India wicketkeepers Taniya Bhatia, Uma Chetry and Nuzhat Parween. India spinners Saika Ishaque and Priya Mishra, pacer Titas Sadhu and all-rounder Devika Vaidya also went unsold, as did Australias Tayla Vlaeminck, South Africas Nonkululeko Mlaba and UAE captain Esha Oza. The 2027 WPL season will be played from January 14 to February 7, with venues yet to be known. Players picked by franchises in the WPL 2027 player auction: Delhi Capitals: Kiran Navgire, Nazma Khan, Kirstie Gordon, and Uma Kashvi Gujarat Giants: G Kamalini, Orla Prendergast, and Samaira Raghav Mumbai Indians: Disha Kasat, Bharti Rawal, Latika Inamdar, Akshita Bhagat, Shweta Sehrawat, and Saanika Chalke Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Jess Jonassen, Tejal Hasabnis, Chloe Tryon, and Vrinda Dinesh Mumbai Indians: Disha Kasat, Bharti Rawal, Latika Inamdar, Akshita Bhagat, Shweta Sehrawat, and Saanika Chalke Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Ranji Trophy: Pramanik puts Bengal in command as host Kerala stares down the barrel
The left-arm spinner follows up his four-for in the first essay with the same number of scalps as the home side ends day three at 53 for four in pursuit of 408
WPL 2027 Auction: Full List Of Sold Players, Final Prices And Top Buys
A total of 25 players were sold at the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2027 auction, in Kochi on Wednesday, with franchises spending a combined Rs 6.25 crore.
WPL 2027 Auction: RCB Sign Hasabnis, Tryon And Vrinda; UPW Get Back Sobhana As Proceedings End
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) went on a late spending spree by signing India batter Tejal Hasabnis, South Africas left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Chloe Tryon and uncapped batter Vrinda Dinesh in the final accelerated round, as the 2027 Womens Premier League (WPL) auction came to a close here on Wednesday. All five franchises completed their squads in what turned out to be a brisk mini auction, with less than an hour of active bidding. Tejal, a member of India's recent 3-0 ODI series win over Zimbabwe, went unsold in the opening round. In the second accelerated round, she was bought by RCB at her base price of Rs 30 lakh. RCB then picked Chloe for Rs 30 lakh. The South African all-rounder spent two seasons with Mumbai Indians without playing a match before moving to UP Warriorz. She produced a match-winning display against India in the group stage of last years ODI World Cup. Vrinda, who previously played for UP Warriorz, will now play for her home franchise after RCB signed her for Rs 10 lakh. UPW, meanwhile, brought back leg-spinner Asha Sobhana for her base price of Rs 30 lakh, a steep drop from the Rs 1.1 crore they had paid for her in 2026 auction. The franchise had released her ahead of this auction to free up funds, only to buy her back at a fraction of the cost. Mumbai Indians added two uncapped players - Shweta Sehrawat, who was UPWs lone retention in 2026. After going unsold before, Shweta sparked a brief bidding contest between MI and Delhi Capitals before the two-time champions got her for Rs 20 lakh, double her base price. MI also signed all-rounder Akshita Bhagat for Rs 10 lakh. Akshita had won the U-23 event of WPL Speed Queen with a top speed of 105kph and recently turned out for India A in their series against Australia A in Mohali. Delhi Capitals made their final signing by picking uncapped all-rounder Nazma Khan for Rs 10 lakh, after she had gone unsold earlier in the evening. Uncapped batters Humaira Kazi and Pranavi Chandra and pacer Shraddha Pokharkar went unsold for the second time, while left-arm wrist-spin bowling all-rounder Amandeep Kaur also failed to attract a bid. Akshita had won the U-23 event of WPL Speed Queen with a top speed of 105kph and recently turned out for India A in their series against Australia A in Mohali. Delhi Capitals made their final signing by picking uncapped all-rounder Nazma Khan for Rs 10 lakh, after she had gone unsold earlier in the evening. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Ranji Trophy: Defending Champions J and K Stare At Innings Defeat
Defending champions Jammu and Kashmir are on the verge of an innings defeat against Baroda in their Ranji Trophy Group A match. After Baroda posted a massive 616, J and K were bowled out for 303 in their first innings and, following on, ended day three at 8 for 1, still needing 305 runs to avoid an innings loss.
