Ahead Of Facing Australia A, How N Jagadeesan Stopped Chasing And Started Enjoying His Cricket
Chennai Super Kings: N Jagadeesan used to begin each domestic season by calculating numbers in his head. These many in the first game and second match will be needed by the season's end so that the selectors would find it hard to look past him. The method was sound in the quest to play for India, but it was also ruining him. I was very motivated to be part of the Indian team and in terms of being part of the Indian team, the things what I wanted to do in the domestic circuit was something which I had thought even before the season had started. I had my own goals as to how many runs I need to score in first game and second game, how much do I score? But when you actually have a plan of that sort, it is more often than not that it doesn't go to your plan and all of a sudden, when it doesn't go to your plan, you feel a lot of pressure. Once the pressure hits you, you no longer play your game and you don't enjoy the sport. You just end up taking the pressure too much and not expressing yourself on the field. So, I feel there was a time in my career where I felt that I was taking a lot of pressure - thinking of selections, my result, the amount of runs I am scoring and stuff. So, that was really taxing on me and it wasn't the best feeling I had because the love for the sport had not been there. So, the only thing what I wanted to do was to get the love back of the sport because the day I started playing cricket was just to enjoy the sport as it is and not think about anything else, Jagadeesan told IANS in a chat ahead of India A's series against Australia A, which begins in Puducherry on Tuesday. Needing a mindset shift and regaining the joy of playing cricket, Jagadeesan found a mentor in former India batter and his ex-Chennai Super Kings team-mate Robin Uthappa. At some point, Uthappa mentioned something about Jagadeesans stance and weight transfer. Though both soon went out once CSK released them, Jagadeesan remembered it and implemented it in his batting. In the 2022/23 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Jagadeesan was in a magical run-making spree - 830 runs in eight games with five hundreds. After hitting the fifth century, his phone rang. It was Uthappa on the other side and asking what he had done to his batting to get these monstrous runs. Jagadeesan, unable to work out why a player of that standing would bother, told him about the advice he gave which he implemented. With no band-aid of an IPL contract, Jagadeesan wanted a mentor who had been inside the India set-up and would help him achieve his ambition a perfect setting for Uthappa, a member of 2007 T20 World Cup winning team, to come in. We were just talking about life and all of a sudden, I just asked him, I really want to have someone who actually mentors me. I want to play for India - that's my goal. I want someone who can guide me through the journey to play for India and out of nowhere, he was like, you know what, buddy? I am actually looking for someone and I want to give back to the game, he recalled. Uthappa put him on a call the next day and began speaking almost constantly for a week. By having my own process, creating, how I look at life on a daily basis. These are the things in nature that I had a solid foundation on and then came technical stuff. So, in those manner, the last three years have been a blessing for me with Robin in my life and he has actually made me a different person altogether. He no longer uses the word mentor to describe Uthappa. He is family to me right now and we are very close. No matter what it is, it is not just cricket. But if there is anything in my life also, I would go to him for sure. Ask what enjoyment means and he also points at the sports he is not paid to play. Let's say if I got to play golf or paddle, I don't go there to win-win-win. It is just about enjoyment for me. But I am doing something which I love and that's playing a sport which is cricket. So, I need to be really grateful for playing this sport and very important to give credit to a lot of people for allowing me to be in this sport. That's when I feel the joy for the sport goes down. Seriousness is there for sure, but I feel the greediness to be in another place takes over and it becomes all compiled together saying that I want to be there, I want to be there. But in the process, you just forget to enjoy, he added. In 2025, Jagadeesan, who via making 816 and 674 runs in 2023/24 and 2024/25 Ranji Trophy seasons for Tamil Nadu, got into India A and targeted players pool, was at home in Coimbatore and eating lunch, when a BCCI official rang to seek his passport details. He was told he might be required in England for the fifth Test at The Oval as a replacement for Rishabh Pant, who fractured his right foot in Manchester. It was out of the blue. But at the same time, even at that point of time, it wasn't like I was resting or something. I was still doing my own process and practicing. It was a constant run for me. It has become my everyday life that I always try to practice each and every day. Whether there is a tournament or not, it is very important for me to stay prepared because you really don't know when the opportunity is going to knock your door. As usual, my life routines were the same and out of the blue, I got this call from someone. Before I knew it, I was there in the Indian team. Though Jagadeesan did not play the Oval Test, as Dhruv Jurel replaced Pant in the playing eleven, the match was roughly 80-20 England's way before India's quicks, led by Mohammed Siraj, pulled it back on the final day and sealed a win for the ages. It was unreal, to be honest, because it was also my first experience with the Indian team and to be part of a match which was thrilling right from the beginning till the end, is a moment where I would definitely cherish for a very long time. On the last day, all of a sudden, the way the fast bowlers came into the game and picked up wickets in terms of Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh and all these people - how they got us back into the game, especially starting by dismissing Joe Root, was something really special. It was a lot of fun and surely indeed was one of the best victories. Though Jagadeesan travelled with India A to red-ball games in Sri Lanka, which they won 1-0, he did not play both games. Obviously, it hurts when you don't play in the eleven. But that's not really in your control because you can do what's there in your control. That is basically me focusing on my training, my practice, my diet, and the way I do my things. Once I started enjoying, which is all well within my control, so when I don't get selected, I don't get sad. When I get selected, I don't get happy. You need to find a space where you feel neutral about everything. So, I feel that was the kind of state I was in. Yes, I was in Sri Lanka. First and foremost, there are a billion people who want to play for India, India A and stuff. So, gratitude is something really important and I am just grateful that I was there in India A set up. I was one amongst the millions. So, that was very special for me and it doesn't matter if I play or not. It is just about soaking in the feeling and being at the present and living inside my bubble. Some of the recovered head space went into technical work. His batting was built for accumulation, which suits red-ball cricket but needed more adjustment to suit T20s. Ability alone would not have closed that gap, he says, and the remodelling was mostly about aggression by intent rather than circumstance. The results came in sequence: after breaking into red-ball side of things, there was a hundred for India A in a T20 World Cup warm-up game against UAE, which he still calls surreal. None of it felt like his own achievement, he says - only that entourage of his family, father, childhood coach, Narsimha and Uthappa - knew what it took to reach there. From the outside, it just seems like a selection. But the kind of effort that went through inside with the number of hours we put in for practice, your training, your gym and other than cricket, the life choices that I had to make. I feel I am truly blessed to have such people in my life. 100 percent - it comes straight from my heart. The best part is never getting satisfied and trying to be better than what you want, said Jagadeesan. His last assignment involved keeping relentlessly even as East Zone compiled close to 1200 runs across roughly 270 overs against South Zone in the Duleep Trophy final in Chennai weather that does not negotiate. It was one of the most gruelling matches I have played. It's just part and parcel of the game. It was a new experience and it's not like always that you get to stand on the field which is not something that I would like to do a lot. But still, this was an experience. On the Puducherry pitch, his lone appearance came in a Deodhar Trophy match with a white ball, and a change of ball colour, he notes, changes a pitch entirely. Red soil or black, he could not say. Preparation for the duel against Australia A has been standard: a camp in Bengaluru, the squad training and living together. Away from cricket he plays any sport going, and after that, seeing anything on Netflix in any language. At home, Jagadeesans Test jersey hangs framed, much to the delight to him and his father. That's something which is very precious to me and the jersey which I got for the first time is something which is going to be really close to me. On the Puducherry pitch, his lone appearance came in a Deodhar Trophy match with a white ball, and a change of ball colour, he notes, changes a pitch entirely. Red soil or black, he could not say. Preparation for the duel against Australia A has been standard: a camp in Bengaluru, the squad training and living together. Away from cricket he plays any sport going, and after that, seeing anything on Netflix in any language. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories It has obviously given me a lot of confidence and only makes me want to be there in the set-up each and every time they play a series. It's just about being in that spot again and again and anytime you want to be there in the Indian side. So, obviously, you have got a jersey with your number and name on it and that only motivates you and you want to make sure that you be there constantly. Article Source: IANS
Japan Feels 10-15 Years Ahead Of Time, Excited For Tomorrows Game, Says Washington Sundar
Los Angeles Olympics: Impressed by the advanced technology and pristine surroundings of Japan, India's off-spin bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar on Monday said the team is excited to be part of a historic one-off mens T20I game against the hosts at Sano, despite the primary focus being on winning the gold medal in the upcoming Asian Games. I mean, it's beautiful. I feel the technology is so much more advanced than most of the countries I've been to. It's just a beautiful place to be and for us to be also playing cricket over here, we're all really looking forward and we've got two sort of big series or big tournaments coming up. Obviously, the one against Japan, we're all looking forward, Sundar said to reporters on the eve of the one-off clash on Tuesday. The clash, to be played on Tuesday, is under the threat of Typhoon Dujuan. I think India is playing Japan for the first time ever and for all of us to be a part of such a historical game and an event, we're really grateful. Obviously, the Asian Games as well, and we're going to prepare in Tokyo. So, all of us are really sort of excited to experience all of the facilities and be really ready whenever the Asian Games come, said Sundar. Admitting that he knows little about the opposition lineup, Sundar expressed his eagerness to interact with local players and understand the growth of the sport in the country. Honestly, I haven't seen most of the players, but really looking forward to play a good game against them and obviously have a bit of interaction with them and understand what they think about cricket in Japan. Obviously, it'll be lovely to see them travel across the world and play some high-quality cricket. But yes, tomorrow is going to be a big day for all of us and all of us are excited, he said. With cricket included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Sundar highlighted how multi-sporting events offer a unique thrill, recalling his previous appearance at the continental games. Very much. Obviously, I was lucky enough to be part of the Asian Games last year in China as well and yes, all of us are looking forward to Olympics as well. It's a big stage and there will be a few more countries who play cricket really well, and compete in that tournament and yes, if we can win the gold medal in Olympics, it will be a massive blessing, he observed. Outlining the squad's core objective on the trip to Japan, Sundar stated that India, the current T20 World Cup holders, still remain the team to beat in the shortest format of the game. To obviously win the gold medal and can play to our strength and potential here. We've always been unstoppable and we've been extremely strong, especially in this format. So, we're just looking forward to prepare over here in Tokyo and be really prepared by the time we go to Asian Games and have a great set of games over there and eventually win the gold medal. Reflecting on his initial impressions of the host city, Sundar praised the infrastructure, cleanliness, and overall atmosphere. I mean, some of my friends have already come over here and they've always told me that when you experience Japan, you can expect it to be at least 10-15 years ahead of time and yes, I mean, we've not had much time to go out yet but it just looks really beautiful. The facilities are amazing, especially this hotel and around the hotel, everything is so clean. So, obviously, looking forward to play a lot of games here and understand the conditions, what the conditions are like here and have a great experience in Japan. Obviously, playing a big tournament like Asian Games, it's just a great blessing for all of us to be here and if we could play some good cricket and win the gold medal as well, I think we would all carry all the memories through this tour and obviously the gold medal for a very, very long time. The facilities are amazing, especially this hotel and around the hotel, everything is so clean. So, obviously, looking forward to play a lot of games here and understand the conditions, what the conditions are like here and have a great experience in Japan. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Obviously, it will be more local and it will be more authentic over here and just try and go to a few restaurants and have a great experience of having good meals from Japanese restaurants, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
The stage is set for the ODI series between Australia and South Africa. The two sides are slated to take on each other across three ODI matches. The first ODI of the series will be...
Rain threat looms over Japan's chance to get a glimpse of top-flight cricket
If rain allows, Japan will get a chance to see up close how India, the global superstars, go about their business
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Is A Dangerous Combination Of Skill And Smarts: Washington Sundar
Indian Premier League: Indias off-spin bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar said teenaged batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshis razor-sharp cricketing acumen paired with raw talent makes him a lethal force capable of winning matches single-handedly for the country. He's just extremely skillful and obviously, he's got a great head as well. He understands his own game and also understands how to win battles against different oppositions and different conditions as well. He's extremely smart and being really smart along with his skill sets, along with the kind of skill sets that he's got, is obviously going to be a dangerous combo. He's already shown us what he's capable of and obviously, we can all expect him to win a lot of games for our country and we're just going to experience him, Sundar told reporters ahead of one-off T20I against Japan, to be played on Tuesday. He also invited sports enthusiasts in Japan to make a trip to India during the next IPL season and experience how cricket is nothing short of a religion in the country. You guys should just come to India and especially during a big series or even during an IPL and understand how big is cricket in India. Cricket is like a religion in India. Everybody celebrates through the game and obviously, it's a massive blessing for all of us to be playing cricket in India and being from India and also to be playing at the highest level for the country is a massive blessing, he observed. Reflecting on his personal journey and the cultural weight the sport carries in the country, Sundar highlighted how deep-rooted the games love is across generations. Cricket itself is a very beautiful sport and obviously, India has been playing cricket for a very, very long time and the amount of people who play cricket in India is also massive. All of us have just grown with the game and the sport. For me personally, it's always been cricket right from the childhood and yes, that would be the case with most of the people in India as well. It's just a massive blessing for all of us to be playing cricket in India. Crediting the Indian Premier League (IPL) for setting the gold standard in global T20 franchise cricket, Chennai-based Sundar pointed out how the league has grown exponentially while maintaining top-notch quality since its inception in 2008. Just the way it's been conducted over many years. Obviously, a lot of quality players from India and many good and quality players around the world also enjoy being a part of the IPL. I'd say just the way it's been conducted right from the first season and till now - the quality of cricket has always been top class. For all of us to just be in the IPL and taste the whole flavour of being part of such a big tournament is a great blessing. Every single time, we really look forward to getting into the IPL season and play really well for all of our franchises. But yes, it's only grown from strength to strength over many years. So, you can only expect a lot more from the IPL. Yes, as I said, if you all could come over and have a great experience of watching a few games, I think you guys will know a lot more about the class of the league, he added. Sundar noted that while representing the national team remains the ultimate dream for every young kid in India, the IPL has provided a transformative pathway for aspiring cricketers to reach their ultimate goal of playing international cricket. I mean, we always look forward to playing for India - that's always been our goal from childhood. Obviously, IPL created a beautiful platform for us to look forward to playing a franchise league as well, especially in the T20 format. It's the best league in this format. So, all of us, especially when we were kids, I mean, even the kids right now really look forward to being a part of the IPL and play some quality cricket in the IPL as well. So, yes, that's how it's been, he said. I mean, we always look forward to playing for India - that's always been our goal from childhood. Obviously, IPL created a beautiful platform for us to look forward to playing a franchise league as well, especially in the T20 format. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Yes, I'm not too sure when it happens. When it's a time in the year it happens. But yes, we'll make sure we have a track of this league. If some of the players who are playing for Japan and in Japan Premier League go on to play for the IPL, it will only be great for all of us. Yes, I'll make sure I tell my teammates as well to keep a track on all the players over here, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
India Captain Shreyas Iyer Delivers Blockbuster Reaction To Facing Japan In One-Off T20I
Indian T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer expressed excitement for the historic one-off T20I against Japan and also spoke of his initial experience in the country so far, which saw him experience people's cordial, helpful and generous nature.
India taking cricket to Japan is a big step: Shreyas Iyer
Indian skipper Shreyas Iyer expressed enthusiasm for India's historic bilateral T20 match against Japan, marking cricket's expansion into new territories and celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations. Iyer highlighted the unique cultural experience and the importance of such fixtures for global cricket growth, despite initial weather challenges.
Going To Be A Thrilling And Exciting Match For Us, Says Iyer Ahead Of India-Japan T20I Clash
Sano International Cricket Stadium: A sharp spell of rain forced the cancellation of Indias training session at the Sano International Cricket Stadium on Monday, but skipper Shreyas Iyer remains high on energy ahead of his sides maiden international T20I game against hosts Japan, calling the match a thrilling challenge in uncharted territory. Yes, it is going to be a thrilling and exciting match for us. This is the first time we would be playing against Japan. I don't know much about the conditions, and the wicket but looking forward to have a great match, Iyer told reporters in a press conference. With this being the first time of them playing against Japan in T20Is, the Indian team management has turned to video footage and digital clips to study the Japanese players. I saw a little bit of reels going here and there. But yes, we would be doing our studies and knowing about the players more and super excited for the game tomorrow. Hopefully it doesn't rain and all the viewers and the spectators who would be coming to the stadium will get a nice, competitive game, he said. Iyer also noted how rapidly non-traditional cricket playing nations are embracing the game. I never thought about it, but yes, I mean cricket is picking up in every country now, and all the teams are becoming dominant in their own ways. So I'm sure this would be an exciting match as well tomorrow, he said. For the Indian team, a tour to Japan is a distinct change of pace from traditional overseas assignments. Yes, definitely it's completely different from what we've been used to doing in terms of going to Australia, England, and New Zealand. It's our very first time, and the culture and people are very different in terms of how they are in terms of discipline. I'm someone who loves to embrace new culture and get used to the vibe and the accommodation as quickly as possible. So this is a new challenge for us, and definitely looking forward to it. Well, we've seen the friendship between India and Japan has been going powerful for the last couple of years. So hopefully fingers crossed. Yes, Arigato and Konnichiwa (are the Japanese words I know), said Iyer with a laugh. He was also quick to highlight the warmth and generosity seen in Japan since the Indian team's arrival. It's beautiful. I mean, from the time we landed, we saw the people very cordial, generous, and helpful in nature, which we see it back at home as well. The hospitality is brilliant, and it's too early to talk about it. But I'm sure that I've heard special things from people about Japan as a country and Tokyo as a city as well. So looking forward to explore more, he added. He was also quick to highlight the warmth and generosity seen in Japan since the Indian team's arrival. It's beautiful. I mean, from the time we landed, we saw the people very cordial, generous, and helpful in nature, which we see it back at home as well. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories You saw recently there is a youngster in our team named Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who came up the ranks through IPL, and that's basically a solid platform for everyone who is seeking to showcase their talent and come up the ranks. Also, adding to that, I feel that it's also a great platform to come into the Indian team because whenever you perform in the IPL, the eyes are always on you and you get recognized pretty quick. Article Source: IANS
It's You Against The Ball - Japan's Ito-Davis On Facing India In Historic One-off Mens T20I
T20 World Cup: Benjamin Ito-Davis has spent the past three weeks trying to absorb the idea that cricketers he sees on television will soon be standing 22 yards away from him when Japan host India in a one-off historic men's T20I game at Sano on Tuesday. Though the fixture is under a threat of Typhoon Dujuan, the last few days have been incredibly busy for Ito-Davis and his side lots of media commitments, training time and soaking in the feeling of taking on current T20 World Cup holders India in their backyard. We found out about this happening when we first heard some little noise a month ago. We heard that there might be a possibility and were told to just keep our schedules free and start preparing was the first time we heard from our managers and coaches. Then we got the final confirmation about three weeks ago. Obviously when we all found out, we all called each other and spoke about it and were really excited to see it come true. These are our idols and superstars of cricket, and some of the world's best players. From always watching them on TV, to finally saying we're going to be hosting them in Japan, the emotions have been a lot of excitement and just really can't wait to get started, Ito-Davis told IANS ahead of the clash. Like a growing number of players in Japan's small cricketing community, he follows Indian cricket closely. I do follow cricket quite globally. I've certainly watched the IPL. Some of my favourite teams are Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. So, I follow those teams and players quite carefully and this would be the first time to ever come across these players so closely. The first time I'll be conversing with any of the Indian players, he said. Speaking to two names in the Indian team, in particular, has been on his mind. There's certainly a few people. I definitely can't wait to meet them all. But amongst few who come to mind is Jasprit Bumrah. His mentality, calmness and he also seems just as a really kind person. So I really want to meet and talk to him. Hopefully he will share a few thoughts and a few tips for me, which would be amazing and huge for me. Another player would be Sanju Samson. I'm really excited to meet him. He's also a wicketkeeper, and maybe if I'm batting, I'll be close to him. But, to meet Sanju as well is huge as hes another one of my idols. So I'm really looking forward to meeting him, he added. Over the past year Japan, ranked 41 in mens T20Is, have beaten Papua New Guinea, Bahrain and Kuwait in May, which Ito-Davis said has shifted something in the dressing room. That certainly gives the team and individuals a lot of success and confidence. Going into a game like the one against India, obviously this is another level. But certainly having that confidence in yourself and being able to back your own skills is really important going into a game like this, he said. His answer to the gap in the gulf between the two teams is to shrink the contest down until the names stop mattering. Although it is a big game for us as individuals and as a team, it's still to just focus on what we have as our strengths and I always think we have to just play ball by ball. It doesn't really matter who is bowling the ball or who you're bowling to. At the end of the day, it's you against the ball. So you just have to have that mentality, take everything else out of it and just focus on the ball or what you're trying to execute when you're bowling, he said. The practical obstacles are harder for Japan - Ito-Davis lives in Chiba, east of Tokyo, and a round of training at the international ground where the national squad does most of its work costs him roughly three hours on trains each way. It is quite a tiring task and can be exhausting, but this is the small cost that we are and can take to have the chance to play against like India. So, small price to pay, but certainly willing to do it, he said. What the squad lacks in infrastructure it has partly made up for in continuity, with much the same group of players turning out together for several years. This team has now gelled quite well together. We've been playing with a lot of familiar faces for a good part of three or four years altogether. The squad hasn't changed too much. So this is a good thing where we're all familiar with each other's roles. We now know everyone's own strengths. So, we bring that all together. I think we have become a really strong team and hopefully this is just sort of a start and we keep building from here, he said. Asked what Japanese cricket needs most, Ito-Davis did not mention coaching, funding or fixtures. For Japan cricket to grow and go to the next level, we need more facilities. This is our biggest obstacle right now - we're just quite short on facilities around Japan. So, just to make and have more facilities to make it more accessible for young kids wanting to try the sport. Then to have more nets, to have more grounds built all around Japan would be a huge boost and a huge opportunity for the game to grow in Japan, he said. His own route to cricket came through a back garden at home, with his father throwing balls at him. Then school and a local club named the Chiba Sharks helped him grow and get game time. Good returns there earned him a place in the national set-up, with an international debut happening about two years ago. Away from playing, he runs much of the national body's social media output, using Instagram and X to push the sport at an audience that has largely never watched a match. Ito-Davis accepts the description of influencer with some enthusiasm. A few players that I idolised - the first one that comes to my mind is an Australian player named Shane Watson. I loved that he was an all-rounder. He was always involved in the game, whether it was with his batting, his bowling, his fielding, and he had a great cover drive. Then most recently, I love Virat Kohli and his mentality. I love his energy, his passion for the game, and his relentlessness in scoring runs. He never backs down a challenge and he's always there for the fight. So I really admire those things about Virat Kohli, he said. Ito-Davis is also an assistant coach with Japan's women's team, though men's team preparations kept him away from their Asian Games quarter-final game against India on Friday. Sent in to bat against the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side, he noted that the Japanese teams performances offered plenty to build on for the future. Asked why he gives cricket this much of his life, his answer ran to two lines. Well, this is my dream. I love cricket and just to be around every day. It's a lot of fun. That's it. There's nothing else. Ito-Davis is also an assistant coach with Japan's women's team, though men's team preparations kept him away from their Asian Games quarter-final game against India on Friday. Sent in to bat against the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side, he noted that the Japanese teams performances offered plenty to build on for the future. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories If we're able to inspire one kid or one boy or girl to pick up the sport and play cricket, because they've watched these games or watched us play, then I think that's the biggest success story, he signed off. Article Source: IANS
Edinburgh Castle Rockers clinch ETPL 2026 title after stellar 7-wicket win against Belfast Wolves
The ETPL (European T20 Premier League) 2026 final saw Edinburgh Castle Rockers taking on Belfast Wolves. The two sides met at The Village, Malahide, Dublin, on September 20th. The clash saw Rockers put in an exceptional showing as they won the game by seven wickets and clinched the ETPL title after an excellent display of cricket .
'Beautiful': Shreyas Iyer on India's Japan experience
Indian T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer expressed his excitement for the historic one-off T20I against Japan, marking the 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations. He praised Japan's hospitality and acknowledged the team's anticipation despite unfamiliar conditions.
Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association: Suchika Tariyals historic Asian Games MMA campaign ended with a bronze medal after a controversial semifinal defeat, with coach Nikhil Kunder explaining that the result was ultimately decided by the lesser-weighed contestant rule, following arbitration that declared the bout a draw. Suchika had initially been awarded a defeat against Singapores Hui Hoon Teo, prompting the Indian camp to lodge a protest against the decision. Following the protest, the bout went into arbitration, where the judges reviewed the contest and rescored it. Kunder said the re-evaluation did not produce a winner, leaving the result tied and bringing the weight criterion into play. We were confident that Suchika had won the fight. According to the rule, when arbitration happens, we select three judges. Those three judges get a chance to score the bout again. After they scored the bout again, it was declared a draw, Kunder said. He explained that once the bout was declared a draw, Singapore had the option to either pursue counter-arbitration or rely on the weight criterion under the rules of the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA). Now when its a draw, the opposition team, Singapore here, has an option. They can either counter-arbitrate or they can go with the weight criteria. These are AMMA (Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association) rules. This is in accordance with the rules of the AMMA Federation. Singapore chose not to pursue counter-arbitration and instead went with the lesser-weighed contestant. Unfortunately, Suchika was 700 grams heavier than her. And on those grounds, this match has been awarded to her opponent, he added. Kunder maintained that the weight-based outcome did not reflect his assessment of Suchikas performance during the fight. But if you look at the technicalities and scoring of the fight, Suchika won. Singapore chose not to pursue counter-arbitration and instead went with the lesser-weighed contestant. Unfortunately, Suchika was 700 grams heavier than her. And on those grounds, this match has been awarded to her opponent, he added. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories MMA is among the sports making their Asian Games debut at Aichi-Nagoya, making Suchika's bronze a landmark result for Indian combat sports. Article Source: IANS
Sanju-Sundar Stroll In The Tokyo Rain
Washington Sundar and Sanju Samson were seen enjoying a rainy evening stroll in Tokyo, ahead of India's historic first-ever T20 International against Japan in Sano on Tuesday.
Over the last few years, Ajit Agarkar and VVS Laxman have been two important figures in Indian cricket
Asian Games: India women eye gold as Sri Lanka stand in way
India's women's cricket team is set to face Sri Lanka in the Asian Games final, aiming to secure a gold medal and extend their continental dominance. While India enters as favourites with strong performances, Sri Lanka, led by Chamari Athapaththu, will look to challenge their supremacy in what promises to be an exciting clash.
Edwards called up to Australia's ODI squad for South Africa series
Billy Stanlake has been ruled out with a side strain and Spencer Johnson is also returning home
Asian Games: India Women face Sri Lanka in rematch of Hangzhou gold-medal clash (preview)
Digital Desk | Nisshin, Sep 21 (IANS) Defending champions India will face Sri Lanka in the womens cricket final at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Tuesday, setting up a repeat of the gold-medal clash from Hangzhou 2023. The final will be played at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, with the match scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM IST. India will look to retain the title after a dominant run through the knockout stages, while Sri Lanka will attempt to avenge their defeat in the previous Asian Games final. India reached the summit clash after brushing aside hosts Japan by eight wickets in the quarter-finals, then produced another emphatic performance against Bangladesh in the last four, winning by 114 runs. Sri Lanka have followed a similarly convincing route to the final. They defeated Malaysia by 86 runs in the quarter-finals before overcoming Pakistan by eight wickets in the semi-finals. The result has set up rematch of women's cricket medal fixtures to those at Hangzhou, with India and Sri Lanka contesting the gold medal and Pakistan and Bangladesh meeting in the bronze-medal match. Tuesdays final will also mark another meeting between the two sides in a major continental final within 10 days. India defeated Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final in Dubai earlier this month, winning by 72 runs after half-centuries from Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma. Shafali has carried that form into the Asian Games. After scoring fifties in the Asia Cup semi-final and final, the Indian opener remained unbeaten on 40 against Japan before producing an unbeaten century against Bangladesh in the semi-final. India will also look towards their bowling attack, with Sree Charani and Deepti Sharma among the wickets during the tournament. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will rely heavily on captain Chamari Athapaththu. The experienced all-rounder is the tournaments leading run-scorer with 146 runs from two matches and has also contributed three wickets, making her a key threat with both bat and ball. Indias recent record against Sri Lanka gives them an additional statistical advantage. The defending champions have won 25 of the 31 T20Is between the sides, while Sri Lanka have five victories and one match has ended without a result. India have also won the last seven meetings between the two teams, with Sri Lankas most recent victory coming in 2024. With another continental title at stake, India will seek to extend their dominance over Sri Lanka and successfully defend the Asian Games crown, while Sri Lanka will aim to overturn the recent head-to-head record and claim gold in the rematch of the Hangzhou final. When: Tuesday, September 22, 10:30 AM IST Where: Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin Where to watch: The India vs Sri Lanka women's cricket Asian Games final will be streamed live on Sony LIV. The gold medal match between IND-W and SL-W will be broadcast live on Sony Sports 1 in India. Additionally, it will be available in regional languages on Sony Sports 3 and Sony Sports 3 HD (Hindi), as well as Sony Sports 4 (Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada). Squads India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Gunalan Kamalini, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil, Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav Sri Lanka: Imesha Dulani, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Hansima Karunaratne, Kaushani Nuthyangana (wk), Mithali Ayodhya, Kawya Kavindi, Chamudi Praboda, Sugandika Kumari, Rashmika Sewwandi, Nimasha Meepage, Sanjana Kavindi, Anushka Sanjeewani
India-Japan Set For Historic T20I As Cricket Takes Centre Stage In Japan
Japan will get their much-awaited moment under the sun when they host cricketing giants India for a historic one-off T20 International.
Pakistan's recent Tour of England was a disaster. The side lost the first Test by an innings and 103 runs, the second by 194 runs, and the third by eight wickets
Englands newly appointed Test head coach, Stephen Fleming, is looking for a complete rebuild of the side. It is worth noting that Brendon McCullum recently stepped down as the Test head coach, bringing the era...
India vs Japan T20I: Boosting Cricket's Popularity in Baseball-Loving Nation
Cricket giants India are set to play a historic one-off T20 International against Japan in Sano, a match seen as a pivotal moment for the sport's growth in the baseball-dominated country, coinciding with celebrations of 75 years of India-Japan diplomatic relations.
Abhishek Anand, who had to switch borders from India to Japan for the love of the sport, highlighted that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is currently his favourite player.
The CPL (Caribbean Premier League) 2026 final saw Antigua and Barbuda Falcons take on Jamaica Kingsmen. The two sides met at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados, on September 20th, and the Falcons came out on top...
Ajit Agarkar's tenure as BCCI chief selector is nearing its end. Several reports have claimed that the former India star will not be given an extension in his current role
Being 'mentally free' brought out Shadab's best in Falcons' CPL triumph
Sufyan Moqim, who took four-fors in both Qualifier 1 and the final, dedicates his match award for the final to
Himanshu Dhillon and Rudrankksh Patil registered a double podium finish for India in the men's 10m air rifle individual event at Asian Games 2026 as both shooters registered silver and bronze medals in a keenly-contested finale. The Indians maintained their presence
Antigua & Barbuda Falcons Crowned Cpl 2026 Champions After Eight-Wicket Final Victory
The Antigua & Barbuda Falcons were crowned Caribbean Premier League (CPL) champions for the first time after defeating the Jamaica Kingsmen by eight wickets at the Kensington Oval. An unbeaten 89-run partnership between Amir Jangoo and Hasan Nawaz completed the Falcons historic triumph after another sensational spell from Sufyan Moqim, who claimed 4 for 14 to set up the chase. Maaz Sadaqats second century of the season ultimately counted for little as the Kingsmen fell short despite posting 170 for 9. Sent in to bat, the Kingsmen immediately signalled their intent in the Power Play, with Sadaqat launching Jayden Seales into the stands from the first ball. Seales, however, struck back at the end of the over when Kirk McKenzie was sharply caught by Rahkeem Cornwall in the slips. Keacy Carty joined Sadaqat at the crease, with the pair having already played starring roles in the play-offs. They looked to make the most of the Power Play and appeared to be building another formidable partnership, but Carty soon punched one straight to Shadab Khan at cover, with the Falcons all-rounder taking a sharp catch. Cornwall came close to adding another wicket when Saim Ayub was initially given out lbw, but a faint glove edge overturned the decision on review to give the Kingsmen opener a reprieve. The Kingsmen ended the Power Play on 59 for 2, just one run short of the landmark ten runs an over. Sadaqat continued his sensational play-off form, racing to his half-century from just 27 balls. But the Falcons had displayed impressive bowling depth throughout the tournament, and they unleashed their in-form spinner Moqim to turn the game on its head. The left-arm spinner struck immediately, removing Ayub and Rovman Powell in his first over. Shadab then joined the party by dismissing Romaine Morris, before Moqim claimed his third wicket by removing Hassan Khan. The Kingsmen suddenly found themselves in deep trouble, losing four wickets for just three runs in the space of 12 deliveries. Moqim and Shadab were ripping through the middle order, just as they had done against the Guyana Amazon Warriors earlier in the play-offs. But the Kingsmen refused to surrender, and with Sadaqat still at the crease, their innings remained alive. The right-hander once again took centre stage, powering towards a second century of the season with a sensational display of 360-degree hitting. He reached the first century in a CPL final from just 49 balls, adding another 14 runs before falling on the penultimate delivery of the innings. His magnificent knock propelled the Kingsmen to 170 for 9 from their 20 overs. The Falcons reply got off to a flying start, with Rahkeem Cornwall smashing 20 runs from the first over before being bowled by the final delivery. Cornwalls explosive start allowed Evin Lewis and Amir Jangoo to balance aggression with caution during the Power Play. Lewis survived a second chance when Andre Russell overstepped, and he responded by shifting through the gears. The final over of the Power Play produced 17 runs as the Falcons raced to 76 for 1 after six overs. The Kingsmen soon found a breakthrough when Lewis chopped on to his stumps off Vitel Lawes, but the wicket only seemed to inspire Jangoo. Joined by Hasan Nawaz, Jangoo built a composed and increasingly dominant partnership that kept the Falcons comfortably ahead of the required rate, which sat just above a run a ball. Jangoo brought up his half-century with the partnership already past 50, leaving the Falcons firmly in control heading into the final five overs. With the target within touching distance, Nawaz put the finishing touch on a commanding team performance, launching the winning runs over the boundary for six and sending his teammates sprinting onto the field in celebration. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The Falcons reached 173 for 2 with 20 balls to spare, completing a memorable eight-wicket victory and securing the first CPL title in the history of the Antigua & Barbuda franchise.
Japan's Abhishek Anand Wants Special All-Bihar Meeting With Sooryavanshi, Ishan In One-off T20I
Sano International Cricket Ground: Bihar-born Japanese cricketer Abhishek Anand wants a special meeting with fellow Biharis Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ishan Kishan as Japan host India for a one-off T20I at the Sano International Cricket Ground here on Tuesday. Abhishek, who had to switch borders from India to Japan for the love of the sport, highlighted that Sooryavanshi is currently his favourite player and that he wants to meet him and Ishan if there is a chance. Although he has not been selected in the squad for the Asiad and the India game, he would still be around with the team. Currently, everyone's favourite is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. But yeah, all the players in the Indian team are equally good, he told IANS, before expressing, of course, (I want to meet) my Bihari brothers, Ishan Kishan and Sooryavanshi. A special message for the 15-year-old rising sensation? Abhishek says he is very eager to see the Indian team and Sooryavanshi in Sano, and then in Nisshin, for the Asiad. We are eagerly waiting to host the Indian team. We are eagerly waiting for this match. And (I hope) the India-Japan bond should stay strong so that we can do well in the future, Abhishek said. His love for cricket brought him from India to Japan; while studying in college, he received a placement offer from Accenture Japan. So, the journey in Japan is quite unbelievable. I never thought that I would play in the Japan team, Abhishek further said. We were getting placements in our college. Japanese companies came to our college. We never thought that we would go for an abroad placement. I just applied and tried to get in touch about an interview to see what the interview abroad was like. So, I sat for the interview with Accenture Japan. And then I got selected for Accenture Japan. After that, I was given 2 hours to decide whether to accept this offer. So, I was thinking that I didn't have any plans to go abroad. I wanted to stay in India and continue my passion for cricket as well as my job. So, during those 2 hours, I thought a lot about what to do, whether I should go to Japan or not. We were getting placements in our college. Japanese companies came to our college. We never thought that we would go for an abroad placement. I just applied and tried to get in touch about an interview to see what the interview abroad was like. So, I sat for the interview with Accenture Japan. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories He came to Japan and played for Tokyo Falcon Cricket Club, where he performed well over the first three years and received a call-up to the Japanese national team. Article Source: IANS
Edinburgh Castle Rockers Crowned Inaugural ETPL Champions
History was made at Malahide as Edinburgh Castle Rockers were crowned the first-ever champions of the ETPL
Suchika Tariyal Clinches Historic Bronze, Opens India
India's mixed martial arts campaign at the 2026 Asian Games got off to a flying start with Suchika Tariyal becoming the first ever country winner of a medal in the sport at the continental event in Aichi-Nagoya. The 36-year-old won bronze
Bihar-Born IITian Abhishek Anands Incredible Cricket Journey from India to Japan
Love for cricket and hope for the sport's future in Japan took a Bihar-born IITian, Abhishek Anand, to the Land of the Rising Sun. He was studying at college when a placement call from Accenture Japan came through. He was given a couple of hours to think it through and decide whether to accept the offer and come to Japan or to stay in India. He indeed wanted to stay in India and was working on his cricket career, having made what he describes as a very good environment for cricket in college. However, Abhishek did some cricket research in Japan, hoped the sport would have a future in the neighbouring nation, and decided to go to Japan. He says that all he wants is to play cricket. So, the journey in Japan is quite unbelievable. I never thought that I would play in the Japan team, Abhishek, who has played 18 T20Is for Japan, told IANS. We were getting placements in our college. So, Japan companies came to our college. We never thought that we would go for an abroad placement. So, I just applied and tried to get in touch about an interview to see what the interview abroad was like. So, I sat for the interview with Accenture Japan. And then I got selected for Accenture Japan. After that, I was given 2 hours to decide whether to accept this offer. So, I was thinking that I didn't have any plans to go abroad. I wanted to stay in India and continue my passion for cricket as well as my job. So, during those 2 hours, I thought a lot about what to do, whether I should go to Japan or not. Then, I thought of searching for some cricket facts in Japan. So, fortunately, that year the Japanese team qualified for the East Asia-Pacific World Cup qualifier. I felt that there was hope for cricket in Japan as well. So, after seeing all this news, I thought about going to Japan to explore the opportunity there. After 2 hours of research, I accepted the offer and came to Japan, he added. However, upon arriving in Japan, he began searching for clubs and performed so well that he earned a call-up to the national team. As soon as I came to Japan, I started reaching out to clubs. Then, I came here and joined Tokyo Falcon Cricket Club. Then, I started playing for the Tokyo Falcon Cricket Club, and my journey in Japan started from there. Then, I continued to play well for 3 consecutive years. JCA (Japan Cricket Association) had an eye on me and how I was performing year by year. So, they reached out to me in the 3rd year and told me that my performance was good. So, they told me, 'We want you to be part of our national team. So, keep practising hard and doing your best.' So, I continued to play well. Then, in 2025, I was selected for the national team, he highlighted. Abhishek has lived in Patna since childhood, but he is originally from Rohtas. He highlighted that his family wanted him to have a backup job. The first priority for them is that I have a backup job, and that's what I am doing as well. And (for them) secondary is cricket. But for me, it's the opposite - Primary is cricket, and secondary is job. But anyway, if I am able to manage both jobs and cricket, they are happy with that. So, no issue, he said. Abhishek is not in the squad for the historic one-off T20I against India, which will be played on Tuesday here at the Sano International Cricket Ground and will mark 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations; however, he says he would be around the team and would be cheering for both teams. See, I am excited about that match. Still, I am not in the squad, but I will be around the team, supporting the team. If I am from India, I will support India and Japan. Basically, it should be a good match between Japan and India. I will be supporting the game of cricket, he said. Abhishek is not in the squad for the historic one-off T20I against India, which will be played on Tuesday here at the Sano International Cricket Ground and will mark 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations; however, he says he would be around the team and would be cheering for both teams. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories I will continue my cricket career along with my job and see if I can grow further in cricket; then we will see what the future holds. But as usual, I will be maintaining both my job and cricket at the same time, he said. Article Source: IANS
Moqim four-for sets up Antigua and Barbuda Falcons' maiden CPL title win
Maaz Sadaqat scored 114 in the first innings, but with very little from other batters, Jamaica Kingsmen could only put up 170
Edinburgh Castle Rockers Crowned First-Ever ETPL Champions After Seven-Wicket Final Win
History was made at Malahide as Edinburgh Castle Rockers were crowned the first-ever champions of the ETPL, defeating Belfast Wolves by seven wickets in a final worthy of the occasion. Andries Gous stood at the heart of the triumph, guiding Edinburgh home with an unbeaten 90 as the Castle Rockers chased down 151 with eight balls to spare. Edinburgh won the toss and captain Mitchell Santner elected to bowl, backing his attack to restrict the Wolves before pursuing the target. The decision brought early reward when Trent Boult dismissed Paul Stirling for eight, caught by Jack Jarvis, leaving Belfast needing to rebuild. Tim Tector took up that responsibility with authority. The Belfast batter played a composed, determined innings, scoring 84 from 62 balls, with nine fours and two sixes. He kept the scoreboard moving while wickets fell around him, providing the backbone of the Wolves total and testing Edinburghs bowlers throughout the innings. Devon Conway contributed 29 from 24 balls, sharing a partnership with Tector that helped Belfast recover from Stirlings early departure. But JJ Smuts broke the stand by dismissing Conway, caught by Gareth Delany. Mark Watt then removed Glenn Maxwell for three, and Boult returned to dismiss Lorcan Tucker for six, leaving Belfast under pressure at 105 for four. Tector continued to fight, with Harry Manenti adding an unbeaten 16 from 14 deliveries. Tom Curran claimed Tectors wicket from the final ball of the innings, as Belfast finished on 150 for five. Boults two wickets and economical four-over spell helped keep the total within reach, while Watt and Smuts also made important breakthroughs. Edinburghs reply began with intent. Ross Adair struck 23 from 14 balls, including two fours and two sixes, before Mark Adair had him caught behind by Tucker. Smuts made 15, but Matthew Humphreys removed him at the end of the tenth over, leaving Edinburgh at 79 for two. Gous, however, remained in control. His unbeaten 90 came from 61 deliveries, featuring eight fours and four sixes. He balanced patience with timely aggression, anchoring the chase as Brandon McMullen added 17 from 12 balls. McMullen was caught and bowled by Gavin Hoey, but the target was close enough for Edinburghs captain to finish the job. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Mitchell Santner joined Gous and remained unbeaten as Edinburgh reached 151 for three in 18.4 overs. Gous assured innings proved the defining answer to Tectors challenge, carrying the Rockers across the line and into ETPL history.
Big Bash privatisation: Inside how Melbourne Renegades will be sold
After approval from the CA board earlier, Renegades will start their sales process this week with a model other teams will follow when, of it, they take that route
Inglis: Tight finish valuable experience ahead of World Cup
The wicketkeeper was frustrated not to see the chase home but was satisfied with how he constructed his century
Australia completes cricket series sweep with 1-wicket win against Zimbabwe in third ODI
I thought Zimbabwe probably deserved to win, but the boys got the job done at the end there and that was fantastic to see, said Australia captain Mitchell Marsh
PIX: Atletico down 10-man Real in fiery Madrid derby
Atletico Madrid defeated 10-man Real Madrid 2-1 in a heated LaLiga derby at the Metropolitano. Goals from Alejandro Grimaldo and Jonathan David secured the win, moving Atletico above Real in the standings. Real's Dean Huijsen was sent off, and Antonio Ruediger scored a late consolation goal.
Akram slams Babar Azam: 'Were you there to sell chickpeas?'
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has strongly criticised current skipper Babar Azam following Pakistan's disastrous Test series against England. Akram questioned Babar's awareness of team changes and suggested he should not have taken on the captaincy again, especially after the team's poor performance and subsequent sanctions.
Umesh Yadav Seeks Fresh Start: Veteran India Pacer Parts Ways With Vidarbha
Senior India fast bowler Umesh Yadav has decided to part ways with Vidarbha in the ongoing domestic season and seek fresh opportunities elsewhere.
Higgins hundred ends Middlesex's 36-year wait for List A glory
Kelly makes fighting century in reply but Leicestershire fall short by 31 runs at Trent Bridge
Odisha T20 LeagueCM Trophy Gets Off To Vibrant Start At Barabati Stadium
The Odisha T20 League: The Odisha T20 League CM Trophy got off to a vibrant start at the iconic Barabati Stadium in Kataka on Sunday, with Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi gracing the opening ceremony as the chief guest. Fans were treated to an evening of cricket, entertainment and inspiring words from former India cricketers Suresh Raina and Debashish Mohanty, the brand ambassadors of the league. The two former India players, along with the franchise owners of all six teams, were felicitated by the Chief Minister during the opening ceremony. Raina, who has been closely associated with the tournament as its brand ambassador, congratulated the organisers for putting together the event and encouraged the young cricketers participating in the league to make the most of the opportunity. First of all, I would like to congratulate everyone for the effort they have put in to bring together such a wonderful event. For all the players, my message is simple, play hard, play fair and, most importantly, enjoy the process. This is a great opportunity for all of you to showcase your talent, learn from the experience and take your game forward, Raina said. Mohanty also praised the initiative and highlighted the importance of providing young players with a platform to compete and gain valuable exposure. The Odisha T20 League is a wonderful opportunity for young cricketers to showcase their talent and compete in a professional environment. A tournament like this can give players the confidence and experience they need to take the next step in their careers. I am happy to be associated with the league and wish all the teams and players the very best for the season, Mohanty said. Speaking on the occasion, OCA secretary Sanjay Behera said the presence of the two cricketers would inspire the young players taking part in the tournament. It is a matter of great pride for us to have Suresh Raina and Debashish Mohanty associated with the Odisha T20 League. Both have represented India at the highest level and have made a significant contribution to Indian cricket. Their experience and presence will inspire our young players and give them an opportunity to learn from people who have played the game at the highest level, Behera said. The opening ceremony also featured a special entertainment segment, with Bollywood actress Mouni Roy taking centre stage and captivating the audience with her dance performances. Her appearance added to the excitement among the spectators who had gathered at Barabati Stadium for the start of the tournament. It is a matter of great pride for us to have Suresh Raina and Debashish Mohanty associated with the Odisha T20 League. Both have represented India at the highest level and have made a significant contribution to Indian cricket. Their experience and presence will inspire our young players and give them an opportunity to learn from people who have played the game at the highest level, Behera said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Later, Kataka Panthers won the toss and opted to field against Sambalpur Warriors as the six-team tournament got underway. Article Source: IANS
Josh Inglis And Nathan Ellis Star As Australia Complete Zimbabwe ODI Sweep
Josh Inglis and Nathan Ellis played key roles as Australia snatched a dramatic one-wicket win over Zimbabwe on Sunday in a tense climax to a three one-day internationals series. Australia completed a 3-0 sweep, but after comfortable victories in the first two matches they needed a single from Ellis off the second last ball to pip the hosts. Zimbabwe won the toss and posted 271-8 with unbeaten captain Sikandar Raza (81), Craig Ervine (59) and Innocent Kaia (55), who retired with a hamstring injury, scoring half centuries. After the cheap departures of Travis Head (6) and Matt Renshaw (4) -- centurions in the earlier ODIs -- wicketkeeper Inglis kept Australia in contention with a 103-run innings. Soon after Inglis was bowled by Raza, the tourists needed nine runs from the final over to win at Harare Sports Club. Ellis struck the first ball for six and the second reaped a single. Partner Spencer Johnson hit a single off the fourth ball to level the scores. A chip over midwicket by Ellis from the penultimate delivery off Wessly Madhevere won a thriller for Australia, who now travel to South Africa for ODI and Test series. Apart from his undefeated 36, Ellis took three wickets, including opener Brian Bennett (30). It was a great game of cricket. I thought Zimbabwe probably deserved to win, but the boys got the job done at the end and that was fantastic, said Australia captain Mitchell Marsh. We are aware we need to keep improving as a team. There are lots of positive signs with our group. We have got some young talent, which is exciting for the future. Raza said: I would rather have a game like this than for the Aussies to just chase it down in 40 overs. There were many positives, but this is one that got away. One thing we have learnt -- three hundreds by the Aussies and none from us. In ODIs you need the top four getting hundreds. Brief scores Zimbabwe 271-8 in 50 overs (S. Raza 81 not out, C. Ervine 59, I. Kaia 55; N. Ellis 3-50) v Australia 272-9 in 49.5 overs (J. Inglis 103, Ellis 36 not out; B. Evans 4-47) Result: Australia won by one wicket Toss: Zimbabwe Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Series: Australia won 3-0
Gous 90* makes Castle Rockers inaugural ETPL champions
Earlier, Trent Boult and Mark Watt kept Belfast Wolves to 150 for 5, which proved below par
Inglis hits century as Australia down Zimbabwe in a thriller
Josh Inglis scored a century and Nathan Ellis hit an unbeaten 36, including a six off the first ball of the final over, to guide Australia to a dramatic one-wicket victory over Zimbabwe, securing a 3-0 series whitewash.
PIX: Isak's lone goal takes Liverpool past Bournemouth
Alexander Isak scored the only goal, securing a 1-0 Premier League victory for Liverpool against AFC Bournemouth. Despite the win, Liverpool's attack, featuring Gakpo, Wirtz, and Barcola, struggled to create chances, managing only six shots on goal. Captain Virgil van Dijk acknowledged the team's need to improve but highlighted the importance of the three points and a clean sheet.
30 Acres Allocated For State-of-the-art Cricket Academy At Sekerkot: Tripura CM
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday said that the state government is laying special emphasis on developing cricket infrastructure across the state and has already allocated 30 acres of land at Sekerkot in West Tripura District for setting up a state-of-the-art cricket academy. The Chief Minister, while addressing the Annual Award Distribution Ceremony-2026 organised by the Tripura Cricket Association (TCA) at Rabindra Bhavan here, said that the popularity of cricket has increased manifold in recent years along with other sports. In the coming days, players from other states of the Northeast will also get the opportunity to train at this academy. Besides, the construction of the much-awaited international cricket stadium is also nearing completion. It will soon be possible to organise national and international-level matches there, he said. Saha, who was also earlier President of the TCA, said that parents are also encouraging their children to take up cricket. With the joint efforts of the TCA and the BCCI, Tripura players are showcasing their talent at the national level. The government will continue to provide necessary legal and administrative support to the TCA for the development of cricket in the state, he said. Regarding the development of cricket infrastructure, the Chief Minister said that the proposed cricket academy at Sekerkot could emerge as an important training centre not only for Tripura but also for the entire northeastern region. He said that initiatives have also been taken to complete the construction of the international cricket stadium at the earliest. The Chief Minister expressed hope that large-scale national and international cricket matches would be organised at the stadium very soon. Saha said that improved practice grounds are also being developed in places such as Kailashahar, Belonia and Jirania to promote cricket at the grassroots level, particularly in rural areas of the state. Highlighting the achievements of Tripura's cricketers, the Chief Minister specially congratulated Mani Shankar Murasingh for setting a unique example by becoming the first cricketer from the state to play 100 Ranji Trophy matches. He also mentioned the consistent performance of cricketer Sridam Pal and appreciated the contribution of guest players Hanuma Vihari and Vijay Shankar. The Chief Minister said that cricket has the unique ability to unite people by making them rise above differences of religion, caste and language. Highlighting the achievements of Tripura's cricketers, the Chief Minister specially congratulated Mani Shankar Murasingh for setting a unique example by becoming the first cricketer from the state to play 100 Ranji Trophy matches. He also mentioned the consistent performance of cricketer Sridam Pal and appreciated the contribution of guest players Hanuma Vihari and Vijay Shankar. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Sports Minister Tinku Roy, TCA President Tapan Lodh, Secretary Subrata Dey, and other officials were present at the programme. Article Source: IANS
Tejal, Anushka shine as India A beat Australia A by four wickets in 1st unofficial ODI
Digital Desk | Mohali, Sep 20 (IANS) Tejal Hasabnis and Anushka Sharma stitched a crucial 126-run partnership as India Women A chase down 236 to beat Australia Women A by four wickets in the first unofficial ODI of the three-match series at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium here on Sunday. The victory gave India a 1-0 lead in the series, with the remaining two matches scheduled to be played on September 23 and 25. The teams will then face each other in a one-off Test from September 29. India A were reduced to 46 for three in the chase before Tejal and Anushka steadied the innings with their 126-run fourth-wicket partnership, taking the score to 172. Anushka was dismissed for 55 off 61 balls, with seven boundaries. Tejal continued to guide the chase and scored 81 off 82 balls, hitting six sixes and five fours. Nikki Prasad first added 23 runs with Tejal before sharing a 40-run partnership with Sayali Satghare. Satghare scored 25, while Nikki remained unbeaten on 32, hitting five boundaries, as India A reached the target in 41.1 overs. For Australia A, Tess Flintoff and Frankie Nicklin took two wickets each. Earlier, Australia A were bowled out for 235 in 46.3 overs after being asked to bat first. Rachel Trenaman and captain Tahlia Wilson gave Australia a solid start, adding 81 runs for the opening wicket. Trenaman was dismissed for 36, while Wilson scored 48 with eight boundaries. Australia lost both openers by the time they reached 87. Charlie Nott then joined Katie Mack, and the pair added 62 runs off 54 balls for the third wicket, taking Australia to 149. Nott scored 39, while Mack made 23. The partnership was broken soon after, triggering a collapse as Australia slipped to 174 for six. Tess Flintoff and Sianna Ginger added 27 runs for the seventh wicket, while Millie Illingworth and Frankie Nicklin put together 20 runs for the 10th wicket to take Australia to 235. Vaishnavi Sharma and Nikki Prasad claimed three wickets each for India A, while Amandeep Kaur picked up two wickets. Australia had earlier completed a 3-0 clean sweep in the three-match T20I series. The visitors won the opening game by six wickets, the second by 30 runs and the third by seven runs. Brief Scores: Australia A all out for 235 runs in 46.3 overs (Tahlia Wilson 48, Charli Knott 39; Vaishnavi Sharma 3-40, Niki Prasad 3-28) lost to India A 239/6 in 41.1 overs (Tejal Hasabnis 81, Anushka Sharma 55; Tess Flintoff 2-35, Frankie Nicklin 2-49) by four wickets.
Umesh Yadav Parts Ways With Vidarbha, Seeks New Domestic Team After Receiving NOC
Vidarbha T20 Premier League: Senior India fast bowler Umesh Yadav has decided to part ways with Vidarbha in the ongoing domestic season, and seek fresh opportunities elsewhere. Umesh, 38, has obtained his No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA). He has officially received his NOC from Vidarbha and is currently evaluating his options. Umeshs talks are currently underway with two to three state associations, primarily smaller states, though nothing has been finalised yet. He has returned to New Delhi from Nagpur, which is where he spends most of his time now, and will take a final call on his next domestic cricket team in the coming days, a source close to the developments told IANS on Sunday. It is understood that the veteran speedster had previously sought clear communication from the VCA selection panel about his role in the team after being fully fit, but failed to receive a definitive response. Despite featuring in the local Vidarbha T20 Premier League a few months ago, the ongoing uncertainty prompted Umesh to move out of Vidarbha. Umesh has been on the lookout for a new state team to represent in domestic cricket as he no longer wishes to play for Vidarbha. He did approach a few people to seek their assistance regarding a potential move to other strong states, but it was a bit late by then, said another source aware of the matter to IANS. It is understood that the veteran speedster had previously sought clear communication from the VCA selection panel about his role in the team after being fully fit, but failed to receive a definitive response. Despite featuring in the local Vidarbha T20 Premier League a few months ago, the ongoing uncertainty prompted Umesh to move out of Vidarbha. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories His impact in home conditions since 2018 remains significant, having claimed 43 wickets in 11 Tests at a stellar average of 18.25, a tally that includes two five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket match haul. In all, Umesh has picked 288 wickets in 141 international matches across all formats. In the 2015 Mens ODI World Cup, Umesh finished as the third-highest wicket-taker with 18 wickets at an average of 17.83. Article Source: IANS
'Hope Jaiswal gets his chances in West Indies ODIs'
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has advocated for Yashasvi Jaiswal to receive ample opportunities in the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies. Pathan believes this exposure is crucial for Jaiswal to establish himself as a backup opener for the next year's ODI World Cup. He also highlighted the importance of testing India's bench strength, especially with several key players participating in the Asian Games, and backed Naman Dhir's inclusion for his all-round capabilities.
Hasabnis, Anushka Hit 50s As India A Women Outclass Australia
Tejal Hasabnis and Anushka Sharma's aggressive half-centuries, coupled with Nikki Prasad's all-round performance, led India A Women to a four-wicket victory over Australia A in the first women's one-day match in Mullanpur.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah on Sunday heaped praise on India women's cricket team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana for becoming the leading run-scorer in T20I cricket.
Cooch Behar Trophy: Aman Mokhade has already worn an India A shirt, but he believes the upcoming red-ball games against Australia A, starting in Puducherry on September 22, will be the biggest matches of his career so far. The Nagpur-based Mokhade doesn't think he will need anyone to fire him up for putting his best foot forward. These games will probably be the biggest matches of my life in terms of level. For that, I don't think there is a need for motivation. It comes from within. The tricolour and the logo of BCCI is on your chest. So I don't think you need any motivation to get up and do well. No matter how much you work on it, it comes from within because growing up is the feeling we need as a cricketer and do good for India, right? Mokhade told IANS in an exclusive chat. The opener will not be short of familiar company, as his state team-mates Yash Rathod, Praful Hinge and Nachiketa Bhute will be there. We have played together since childhood and they will also be in the India 'A 'team. So the atmosphere of the team is similar to what it is in Vidarbha. Its because when we went to Sri Lanka, I was with Yash (Thakur) and Harsh (Dubey) and I didn't feel anything new. It didn't take long to get along with the other players, he added. The Australia A series comes after Mokhade got his first taste of India A cricket via a tour of Sri Lanka that they A won 1-0 and made scores of 38 and 11 not out in Galle. But the tour began for Mokhade, in Bengaluru, where the squad received their match shirts before flying out to Sri Lanka. Overcome by emotions, Mokhade wore his India A jersey to bed that night. It was a very good feeling. While growing up, every cricketer dreams about earning it. So, it is always a good experience for that dream to become a reality. When I got the India shirt, I went to sleep wearing it. The material was also soft. So, it was a very special feeling. I mean, I actually got the same feeling which MS Dhoni's character got on getting his first India jersey with his surname and number behind in that movie in 2016. Mokhade said the tour to Sri Lanka was as much about the conversations as the cricket. That was a very great experience. enjoyed it a lot and I got to interact with a lot of players. I got to learn a lot. It was fun. The overall experience was really good. I spoke to Ruturaj (Gaikwad) for a long time. We both are from Maharashtra and we had a connection. Ruturaj bhaiya is very helpful. If I have to ask him about batting, he would tell me a lot. I used to bat alongside Sai Sudarshan. Hes also an opener, just like me. While batting in nets, we talked a lot about cricket and batting. So, it was fun talking to both of them. Adjusting took little effort, he said, with no time difference and weather much like what he had played while in Chennai and Goa, and enjoyed the local crowds that turned up for the A games. Puducherry, though, will not be Mokhade's first encounter with an Australian side. His earliest brush with international cricket came while being on ball boy duties in Nagpur, a role reserved for the best performers from the Under-14 camps, at a time when Nagpur hosted only one or two international games every few years. A couple of years later, he talked his way into the nets. Being a net bowler happened after 2-3 years. Net bowlers are people who are U19 or U23 players. As a batter, I knew I won't get the chance to be there and convinced one of the coaches that I will bowl leg-spin. At that time, the Australian team and Indian team wanted some leg-spinners to be as a net bowler. After convincing my coach that I would love to go and have a bowl, I just wanted to see how they the likes of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul - prepare before a game. I just wanted to be as close to that and there was the time I went in there to have a bowl to them. It was in 2017, where Rohit Sharma scored a century and MSD was also there in that game. Mokhades cricketing journey began on the playground outside his home, where the older boys of the neighbourhood saw some potential in him and suggested to his mother Manisha that he join a club. In India, at every playground, there are hundreds of people playing cricket. So, that is how I started my cricketing journey. I used to play there and all the boys from the colony used to come and play cricket there. That is how I started and I used to play with senior people the bade bhaiya log. When I used to play, they told my mom that you can try him in professional cricket because there was a cricket club near our house. My dad took me there one day in the cricket club and then that is how I started into professional cricket. It was a club called PHCA, from where I started. At the club, under coach Nitin Kanade, Mokhade spent his first week only fielding. With the nets full of batters and few willing to bowl in the Nagpur heat, he volunteered to bowl fast, and batting time came gradually. He still enjoys bowling and has sent down overs in senior cricket. Nobody in Mokhade's family had played sport seriously, though his father Ravindra harboured an ambition for being a professional cricketer. Most of his family members are engineers, doctors or teachers, and studies came first. Lean patches were usually met with suggestions that he return to his books. The turning point came in his Under-16 season, when he finished as the second-highest run-getter behind Tilak Varma and later captained Vidarbha in Cooch Behar Trophy. That convinced his family that cricket could be a viable career for him, and the pressure around academics eased. Until then, homework went with him to matches and exams waited until his games were over. He still has one or two papers left to complete his postgraduate degree after completing his B.Com course. Mokhade credits Mumbai-based coach Umesh Patwal, who was in VCA academy at that time, with first telling him, as an Under-16 player, that he could play for India. Jwala (Singh) sir had a good impact. But before that, I worked a lot with Umesh Patwal sir in Mumbai as well. When I was under 16 that time, he saw some potential in me and that time only, he said that you can play for India and can do good there. Before that, I had never heard someone say that to me. If someone is saying you at that point of time, it feels like it is a very good feeling and you actually start believing in yourself ki, you can also do good at that level. He has worked with Patwal on and off since 2016, and also leans on Jwala, who has nurtured India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jwala sir has an amazing set-up and if you go there, whatever a top level cricketer needs, he has all the facilities there. He knows what exactly is important to play at that level. It actually helps whenever I feel like talking cricket to anyone. I do give him a call and these two have had a very good impact. Even coaches and good people around you, who know you in and out and who are there for you whenever you need them, are actually a blessing. Mokhade's breakthrough domestic season last year featured making 760 runs in 11 Ranji Trophy innings at an average of 76 and scoring 814 runs in a victorious 2025/26 Vijay Hazare Trophy run for Vidarbha, including hitting five centuries to be the tournament's leading run-scorer. But Mokhade, who had to wait for his chance to break into Vidarbha playing eleven after debuting in 2022/23, rejected the idea that anything had suddenly clicked for him and pointed to his steady returns in age-group cricket. The shift, he said, was in going bigger when it mattered the most. If you want to be a top-run getter, you have to score in the knockouts. Consistently, you have to. But if you score in the knockout games, you will get one more chance to play. That's how you get to the top and my coaches told me the same. I was working on it for a while. I was lucky enough that when the phase came, I was able to learn everything from my age group. When the phase came, I was able to play in my senior cricket. So, I'm grateful for that. He considers himself an all-format batter, and in red-ball cricket, he said, going after the bowlers from the outset rarely works, and a batter has to respect good spells before cashing in. It is a mixture of both. That is the beauty of red ball cricket. If you see T20s and one day, if you get the momentum, you just bat into that momentum. But in red ball cricket, you have to grind and then you can dominate as well. But there is a thing that it has sessions. So, your momentum will break, your focus will go down and you have to start again. So, thats it - you have to be a mixture of everything. In the Vidarbha dressing room, two senior players shaped him India pacer Umesh Yadav and batter Karun Nair. Umesh bhai was with us for a long time when I was in the senior team. So, he was there and you know the kind of a guy he is. He will be always willing to play for his team. He doesn't see if it is a state match or any match. If he is there, he will come to the game and he will guide everyone. He is not someone like, I have played such and such level or I will not talk to these guys or not say anything. When I was young in the team, he guided me a lot and told me that I can play and belong here. So, that is always a good influence to have. Mokhade recalled Nair was solid but not dominant in his first season after moving from Karnataka, as he adjusted from black-soil pitches to Vidarbha's bouncier red-soil surfaces. By the next pre-season camp, the work was showing. When Karun Nair came, I thought that he had so many options for scoring runs. We knew he was going to do wonders in that season because he had adapted to our conditions. I saw him practicing a lot of shots which are required on the red soil wickets. So, his way of approaching batting gave me a lot of options into my batting as well because he has so many options of scoring runs. Mokhade recalled Nair was solid but not dominant in his first season after moving from Karnataka, as he adjusted from black-soil pitches to Vidarbha's bouncier red-soil surfaces. By the next pre-season camp, the work was showing. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Mokhades competitive streak carries over to anything he plays, including PUBG and now Call of Duty on his phone, though he keeps screen time in check during matches. With a journey built on quiet grit and self-belief, whenever Mokhade gets a chance to play in Puducherry, trust him to be ready to write the most crucial chapter of his career yet - one ball and one session at a time. Article Source: IANS
Josh Inglis slams magnificent century, achieves massive feat with brilliant knock against Zimbabwe
Australia and Zimbabwe took on each other in the third ODI of the series between the two sides. The two teams met at the Harare Sports Club on September 20th, and the game began with Zimbabwe coming in to bat first. Putting forth a good showing, Zimbabwe posted a total of 271 runs in the first innings of the clash.
Soooryavanshi is the future of Indian cricket: Jayasuriya
Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya has lauded Indian teen cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, calling him a 'different kind of talent' and the 'future for India', despite his recent exclusion from the playing XI against Afghanistan.
Were You There To Sell Chickpeas? Pakistan Great Slams Babar Azam's Captaincy During England Tour
The Pakistan cricket team suffered a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of the Three Lions in the controversial tour of England.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Labelled Future Of India As Sri Lanka Great Sends Strong Message To BCCI
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was in India's squad for the recent three-match T20I series against Afghanistan but the management stuck to the regular opening combination of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma.
Naman Dhir's ODI Selection Excites Irfan Pathan: A Player Of That Type Has Been Missing
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan spoke on all-rounder Naman Dhir's surprise inclusion in the squad for West Indies ODIs.
Jhye Richardson Eyes Australia Test Return, Has Border-Gavaskar Trophy In Sights
Australia fast bowler Jhye Richardson said returning to Test cricket remains his priority as he prepares for the two unofficial four-day matches against India A in Puducherry, with next year's Border-Gavaskar Trophy firmly on his radar.
Talented Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Has A Long Way To Go, Says Sanath Jayasuriya
Corporate Cricket World Cup: Legendary Sri Lanka cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya has lauded young Indian batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, saying that he has a long way to go, while terming Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson as talented and proven players. 15-year-old Sooryavanshi, who made his international debut in the T20I tour of England in July. was recently an unused member in Indias 3-0 series win over Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, as Abhishek and Sanju made 346 runs between themselves across the series, including sharing a 142-run opening stand in the third T20I. The trio are in Japan for the historic one-off T20I in Sano on Tuesday, before playing in the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. They're talented and they've been proven players and all three, Sooryavanshi and all these players are really good. Sooryavanshi has a long way to go and when he will get the opportunity, he will do good, Jayasuriya said to IANS on the sidelines of the launch of the Corporate Cricket World Cup on Sunday. Commenting on Sri Lanka's prospects at the Asian Games, where the womens team is set to battle against India in the gold medal game and the mens campaign is scheduled to kick off later this week, Jayasuriya backed both squads to deliver strong performances. I think we have a talented, good team for Asian Games, men's and women's and they're doing well and I hope they will continue to do well, he noted. He also reserved special praise for rising Sri Lankan batting all-rounder Sonal Dinusha, and hailed his ability to deliver under pressure. Dinusha had scores of 100 and 84 in the first Test against India in Galle which Sri Lanka lost. But his knocks of 103 and 133 not out in the second one at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground in Colombo helped Sri Lanka seal an epic draw. Very good player, and future of Sri Lanka. It's always been good to see a player like him performing really well under pressure. Its not easy and in every innings he played really well, he added. The former explosive opener, who is serving as the global ambassador for the Corporate Cricket World Cup, stated the importance of workplace tournaments in unearthing hidden talent and offering second chances to players who missed out on mainstream pathways. The pan-India competition will see 192 corporate teams square off across 24 cities, with each city fielding eight teams. Following the city-level qualifiers, the top two teams from each destination will secure a berth in the July 2027 showpiece event. In a bid to test players across different dynamics of the sport, the tournament will feature a mix of formats, including 11-overs-a-side, T20s, and 40-over matches, thus allowing working cricketers to showcase their adaptability and skills under varied conditions. The pan-India competition will see 192 corporate teams square off across 24 cities, with each city fielding eight teams. Following the city-level qualifiers, the top two teams from each destination will secure a berth in the July 2027 showpiece event. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories So from that talent, like the players we have been talking about just now, how he became a player for India, it's like that you'll be able to find few players, so that's the key, concluded Jayasuriya. Article Source: IANS
Manalbounces back after failing to make it to u-19 WC team
Ramesh Powar lends Australia u-19 spinners a hand
'Want To Focus On My Batting': Nigar Sultana On Decision To Leave Bangladesh T20I Captaincy
Bangladesh Cricket Board: Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana has stated that her decision to leave the T20I captaincy is to focus on her batting, brushing aside the reports that she was hurt after not getting support from the Bangladesh Cricket Board during tough times. Sultana had informed the BCB of her decision to leave the T20I captaincy following the Asian Games and opened up on the rationale behind that after Bangladesh's loss to India in the Asian Games semifinal on Sunday. No, it's totally (false that I left the captaincy because I was hurt). As a batter, as a player, I have a lot more to give to my country and my team. So I want to focus on that, and that's why I made this decision, Nigar told the media after the 114-run defeat to India at the Korogi Sports Park. Bangladesh were steamrolled by India in the semifinal as their batters failed to put up a fight in the 196-run chase against the defending gold medallists. The Bangladeshi skipper admitted the shortcomings of the batters, while also pointing out that the bowlers could have fared better. When you're chasing a big total, this kind of collapse is natural. With slightly better bowling, we could have restricted them to fewer runs, said Nigar. When a team collapses for so few runs, we as batters definitely took no responsibility. If even one top-order batter had stayed till the end, we could have added more runs, she said. The Bangladeshi skipper admitted the shortcomings of the batters, while also pointing out that the bowlers could have fared better. When you're chasing a big total, this kind of collapse is natural. With slightly better bowling, we could have restricted them to fewer runs, said Nigar. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories While India and Sri Lanka will battle for the gold medal, Bangladesh will face Pakistan for a bronze medal. We have a good record against Pakistan. There is a sense of positivity there, the skipper said on the upcoming game. Article Source: IANS
A former India all-rounder praised the duo of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma but highlighted concerns in their batting.
Third Edition Of Uttarakhand Premier League To Begin On Monday With Women's Clashes
Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium: The third edition of the Uttarakhand Premier League (UPL) will get underway at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium on Monday, with the women's competition set to begin the 11-day tournament before the men's event starts on September 22. Action kicks off on Monday with a double-header in the women's category, where Pithoragarh Hurricanes take on Dehradun Warriors in the morning fixture, followed by Bageshwar Aerial facing Mussoorie Queens in the afternoon clash. The opening day's matches will precede a grand opening ceremony in the evening, headlined by Bollywood actor Vaani Kapoor alongside prominent regional musical artistes from Garhwal, Kumaon, Jaunpur, and Jaunsar. Highlighting the growth of the league, Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU) secretary Kiran Verma said, UPL has grown into an important platform for cricket in Uttarakhand, and the third edition is another step forward in that journey. We are particularly happy that the opening celebrations will bring cricket together with the states talented artistes, making it a celebration that reflects the spirit of Uttarakhand. Former BCCI vice-president Mahim Verma shed light on the league's role in providing exposure to local talent. The UPL has created an opportunity for Uttarakhands cricketers to compete in a structured T20 environment and gain valuable exposure. At the same time, the opening ceremony gives us an opportunity to celebrate the states rich cultural heritage. We hope this edition creates many memorable moments for players and fans alike, he said. Echoing similar sentiments, UPL Chairperson Sunil Joshi expressed confidence in a competitive season coming ahead for both mens and womens players. The third edition represents another significant chapter for the Uttarakhand Premier League. The mix of experienced players and young talent should make for competitive cricket, while the womens and mens competitions will provide opportunities for players to make their mark. We are excited to begin the tournament and look forward to a strong response from cricket fans across the state. Echoing similar sentiments, UPL Chairperson Sunil Joshi expressed confidence in a competitive season coming ahead for both mens and womens players. The third edition represents another significant chapter for the Uttarakhand Premier League. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Meanwhile, the seven-team men's competition, comprising Haridwar Elmas, Nainital Tigers, Pithoragarh Hurricanes, USN Indians, Rishikesh River Kings, Tehri Titans, and Dehradun Warriors, will commence on September 22 with Haridwar taking on Nainital. The men's Eliminator will be played on September 30, with the final to be held on October 1. Article Source: IANS
India 'Not Consulted' For New Zealand Tour, New Scheduling Chaos Engulfs Team: Report
India are scheduled to play five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests during a gruelling two-month tour of New Zealand.
Zimbabwe and Australia continued their ongoing ODI series by taking on each other in the third ODI. The two sides met at the Harare Sports Club on September 20th, and the clash began with Zimbabwe...
The International Cricket Council: The International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah on Sunday heaped praises on India women's cricket team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana for becoming the leading run-scorer in T20I cricket across men's and women's game. Mandhana achieved the feat during the Asian Games semifinal against Bangladesh women at the Korogi Sports Park, where she played a strong cameo of 37 off 19. In the process, she surpassed former New Zealand cricketer Suzie Bates to top the run-scorers' list with 4788 runs in 171 innings. Many congratulations to @mandhana_smriti for going top of the Womens T20I run charts (4,788 runs). By rewriting history, you are lifting womens cricket to new heights and setting the standard for young dreamers everywhere. Heres to many more milestones ahead! Shah posted on X. Coming into the game, Mandhana had 4751 runs in 170 innings and needed to score only eight to go past the New Zealand icon, and she did that pretty early in her innings when she hit a couple of fours in her first seven balls with two singles too. Mandhana had recently become the leading run-scorer in women's international cricket as well. During the Asia Cup, she broke the record of former India skipper Mithali Raj to become the most prolific run-scorer in the women's game. She hit 124 against Hong Kong in the Asia Cup to surpass Mithali's tally of 10,868 runs and also hit her 18th international hundred, which was the most in women's international cricket, making her go past the legendary Meg Lanning. The century record was later equalled by South Africa women's captain Laura Wolvaardt. She hit 124 against Hong Kong in the Asia Cup to surpass Mithali's tally of 10,868 runs and also hit her 18th international hundred, which was the most in women's international cricket, making her go past the legendary Meg Lanning. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories She is placed fifth in the ICC Women's T20I batter rankings and tops the ICC Women's ODI batting charts. Article Source: IANS
Raza lifts Zimbabwe to 271 alongside Ervine and Kaia
The home side's captain held the latter stages of the innings together while Nathan Ellis stood out for Australia
Why Japan Sees India Game as Cricket's Big Break
The Japan Cricket Association (JCA) is hosting its historic maiden T20I against reigning world champions India, an event its COO Alan Curr believes will significantly boost cricket's profile and aid its global recognition efforts. The match, taking place at the upgraded Sano International Cricket Ground, is seen as a crucial step towards attracting more established cricketing nations and fostering grassroots growth, despite challenges like weather and integrating cricket into the national sports scene.
Webster, Meredith run riot as Tasmania rout Western Australia
Australia allrounder Beau Webster and fast bowler Riley Meredith took seven wickets as WA were skittled for 115 before Tasmania chased it down one down in 16.2 overs
England To Ask Ben Stokes To Come Out Of Retirement? Coach Stephen Fleming's Big Response
Newly-appointed England Test coach Stephen Fleming says it would be wrong to ask former captain Ben Stokes to reverse his international retirement before next year's Ashes.
Facing Career Crossroads, Richardson Sets Sight On Reviving Test Chances Via India A Clash
West Coast Eagles: As he turns 30 on Sunday, Australia pacer Jhye Richardson said he has set his sights on reviving his Test cricket career through the upcoming red-ball series against India A, starting in Puducherry on September 22. It (turning 30) is quite scary knowing careers can end abruptly. But I still feel strong in myself and I'm enjoying the game and playing for my country. Senior bowler, junior - whatever it is - doesn't bother me too much as long as I'm enjoying my cricket. That's always the plan - to play Test cricket. I'd love to play Test cricket. Again, I've played a few games now, had a taste of Test cricket, but with shoulder issues and other issues, I haven't played as much as I would have liked. That (Border-Gavaskar Trophy) is always in the background. My mentality this year is just to be where my feet are. That's in Chennai right now and then in Puducherry for two four-day games against India A. Hopefully get through those two games and ultimately if I perform well, I can play Test cricket again, Richardson was quoted as saying by Cricinfo on Sunday. To prepare for the demanding red-ball stretch ahead, Richardson completed his maiden county stint with Yorkshire, where he shared a dressing room with current England Test captain Joe Root. Joe is amazing off the field. He's one of the best players in the world. But you know, some of the conversations that we have off the field don't regard cricket whatsoever. He's very intelligent and he thinks a lot about what he says. So it was a lot of fun with Joe and I'd love to go back next year. It was a great experience, obviously playing against him in the Ashes and then getting to know him a bit more off the field, he added. Reflecting on his workload management so far, Richardson said, The last couple of years with injury...I haven't had a long string of games together. So the idea was to finish the season strong, and then pretty much head straight into playing some county cricket, get some games there, and then prepare for GSL, which luckily I've gotten through so far. And then coming back with some new staff members coming into the WA set-up - new head coach (Beau Casson), new S&C [Strength and Conditioning] coach as well, who's brought a nice spin on things. He comes from an AFL background, was at the West Coast Eagles for 12 years. He's come in and pushed us really hard. Reflecting on his workload management so far, Richardson said, The last couple of years with injury...I haven't had a long string of games together. So the idea was to finish the season strong, and then pretty much head straight into playing some county cricket, get some games there, and then prepare for GSL, which luckily I've gotten through so far. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories We all know how much India loves its cricket. The stadiums are always packed out and super loud, so hopefully we can recreate something with that here. We might have to put in a good word around Chennai to try and get them on the Scorchers' side. Article Source: IANS
Gautam Gambhir Sent World Cup Reminder As Irfan Pathan Backs India Star For Bigger Role
Irfan Pathan said that the West Indies series is a nice time to try out the team's bench strength.
Chauhan thanks Jay Shah for support and commitment towards differently-abled cricket
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 20 (IANS) Ravi Kant Chauhan, member of the BCCI Differently Abled Cricket Committee, has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to ICC Chairman Jay Shah and the Indian cricket board for their unwavering backing in promoting cricket for physically challenged athletes across the country. Recent discussions at the 95th BCCI Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the boards headquarters in Mumbai on Friday highlighted general body encouraging the participating state associations to actively participate in developing differently-abled cricketers, including appropriate facilities and resources to promote their development and progress. Our deepest gratitude to Shri Jay Shah Ji for his support, understanding and commitment towards differently-abled cricket. His willingness to listen, understand the journey and give the sport greater attention at the BCCI level has given our players renewed hope and confidence, Chauhan, a former Physical Disability cricketer, said in a statement on Sunday. Earlier this year, the DCCI hailed the BCCIs decision to roll out a structured support framework for the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), terming it a landmark step toward inclusive growth in the sport. CABI is a founder member of the DCCI. As State Associations are now being encouraged to become part of this journey, we sincerely thank Jay Shah Ji and the BCCI for helping create a stronger path forward for differently-abled cricketers across India. Thank you, Jay Shah Ji, for your support, trust and belief in the future of differently-abled cricket, added Chauhan. The BCCI AGM also saw the General Body approving the initiation for preparations for the Board's landmark centenary celebrations in 2028, which will be marked by a year-long schedule of events starting in December 2027. It also unanimously took a call to celebrate the upcoming 20th edition of IPL in 2027 in a grand way. The General Body also unanimously approved an enhanced payment structure for umpires and match referees, alongside a complete reclassification of their grading system to better compensate match officials. Among other key administrative decisions, the Board constituted a new Internal Committee under the BCCI Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Policy and formally adopted an updated Age Verification Policy to streamline domestic governance.
Edinburgh Castle Rockers vs Belfast Wolves: Inaugural European T20 Premier League Final Preview
The inaugural ICC-sanctioned European T20 Premier League 2026 has reached its final chapter as Edinburgh Castle Rockers take on Belfast Wolves in the summit clash at the Malahide Cricket Club, Dublin. The Edinburgh Castle Rockers earned a direct passage to the title clash after finishing at the top of the table in the league stage, while Belfast Wolves secured their place in the final with a seven-wicket victory over Amsterdam Flames in the qualifier. The two sides now meet for the first-ever ETPL title, as Europe prepares to crown its first champions. Both teams have already faced each other twice during the tournament, with each side winning once, and the final now presents the opportunity for either side to settle the contest. For Edinburgh Castle Rockers, captain Mitchell Santner has been central to the teams campaign as they topped the league stage and earned the advantage of going straight into the final. Reflecting on the teams journey in the inaugural season, Santner highlighted how the new group has come together throughout the tournament. Its been a great start to the first year of the tournament. As a new team with a new group of players and management, weve really gelled well both on and off the field. We were very good in Holland and also performed well in Ireland, and while we lost a couple of games here, we were able to finish top of the table and go straight through. The level of competition has been really good this year, and its been a great tournament to be part of. Now, weve got a big game and were looking forward to it. Belfast Wolves, meanwhile, come into the final on the back of an impressive qualifier win over Amsterdam Flames. Captain Glenn Maxwell played a decisive role in that victory, returning career-best T20 bowling figures of 4/18 before hitting the winning runs with consecutive sixes, while chasing a modest total of 133, giving them strong momentum heading into the final. Maxwell has also been impressed by the quality of cricket throughout the inaugural season, particularly the way players have adapted to the challenging European conditions. Reflecting on the tournament, the Belfast Wolves captain said, The standard of the competition has been outstanding. Weve been challenged by the conditions at times, particularly with the weather and wet outfields in Voorburg, but the players deserve a lot of credit for adapting and continuing to play a good brand of cricket. It has come across really well on the telecast, and the fans have also been outstanding throughout the tournament. The final will also bring together two sides with plenty of firepower across their line-ups. Edinburgh have seen Brandon McMullen produce a standout 82* against Glasgow Cosmic, while JJ Smuts 98 off 60 balls played a major role in their first win over the Wolves. Santner himself has contributed with both bat and ball throughout the campaign. The Wolves, meanwhile, have a wealth of experience in their middle order, with Glenn Maxwell, Lorcan Tucker and Paul Stirling providing plenty of firepower. Maxwells 82* against Edinburgh earlier in the league stage helped Belfast secure a nine-run DLS victory. Maxwell commended his teams bench strength, saying that reaching the final in the first edition of the tournament despite a few challenges was a huge achievement, and that they now need one final push against the Castle Rockers. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Its been a massive achievement to be able to reach the final in year one of this competition. We've played some great cricket along the way. The fact that we've been able to do it with a couple of injuries along the way. We've had a fairly deep list that we've had to dig deep into. They've all held themselves to a really high standard, and that high standard has carried on throughout this tournament and hopefully we can carry it through into one final game and one huge effort against the Edinburgh team, Maxwell added.
Elavenil Valarivan Claims Silver as India Open Asian Games Shooting Campaign Strongly
India made a strong start to its shooting campaign at the 20th Asian Games, securing two silver medals on the opening day at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery. Olympian Elavenil Valarivan led India's challenge in the Women's 10m Air Rifle
Late Nights, Early Starts Dominate In Sano For One-off Japan-India T20I: Japan Cricket COO
Sano International Cricket Ground: Pulling the covers, putting up tents and keeping scores are not usually part of a chief operating officer's job, but Japan Cricket Association (JCA) COO Alan Curr has been doing all of it as his small team gets Sano International Cricket Ground ready for Tuesday's historic one-off mens T20I against heavyweights India. It's been a big learning curve, and we're a small team. We don't have a lot of staff here at the JCA. I'm COO, but this morning I was pulling the covers. I've also been putting up tents, scoring and doing sort of everything. So we're all doing a lot of different things that we don't normally do. It's asking a lot from our staff. It's been a lot of late nights and early starts, but hopefully it's all worth it when we get a whole load of people into the ground and getting so excited and seeing their heroes play, Curr told IANS in a select virtual interaction organised by FanCode, the official broadcasters of the match. Over the past week, Sano hosted a three-match series between Japan's women and Malaysia, after which the hosts left for the Asian Games matches in Nagoya, while Hong Kong mens team were here for games against Japan. Such was the impact of this one-off game against India, billed as the Suzuki Cup, that all tickets were sold out soon after going on sale, with the grounds capacity going from 500 to 2,000 via temporary stands. Well, it's certainly a big undertaking. We've never really done anything quite on this scale before. At the ground, we have permanent seating probably for around 500 people. So we've put in a lot of temporary seating. We're putting in a whole load of extra areas for VIPs and there's even a VVIP area. We've got ticket gates, for example, as we don't normally have ticketing at our events. We've had a separate section put together for where the players will come in. We always have a PMOA, but a PMOA here is usually just through some cones and barriers, which basically anyone could step over if they wanted to. But now we've got it set up properly so that we understand the security measures that need to be taken around India coming, added Curr. With India's visit bringing a different level of scrutiny, the JCA has hired outside help too. We've actually brought out a consultant from England who arrived yesterday and has worked on World Cups, The Hundred and has been around events where India have participated before. He's got a good understanding from a cricketing point of view of what security measures we need to take. So we are taking all of this stuff very seriously, and it's really important for us to show that we have the capacity to handle something like this, added Curr. All of that effort could still be undone by the weather. Curr revealed a large typhoon was sitting south of Japan and there was no reserve day if the match is abandoned. Japan will also play their first Asian Games mens T20 match in Nagoya, around 500 km away and the squad is due to board a bus for the long journey straight after playing the game against India. With India also heading to Nagoya soon after and already facing a packed calendar, Curr said there was no scope for a reserve day, and he was trying not to think about a washout. The JCA had been planning to relay its turf square in Sano for about 18 months, and a groundsman sent by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) under a partnership arrived in December 2024 to look for suitable clay. It was eventually sourced within Japan and used for the Asian Games square in Nagoya. The JCA then laid the same clay in Sano and pitched the ground to full-member nations as a training base, with the idea coming from the last Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, where the top-ranked full members waited a week or more for playing their first knockout match with little access to proper cricket facilities. A proposal went out around June, and talks with the BCCI began at the ICC conference in Edinburgh in July. Curr said the BCCI moved quickly, and all things fell in place, with the players excited on seeing the ground change shape over the past few days. At the same time, the players are under no illusion about the gulf in class against an India side they have never faced before at this level. For the JCA, success would be measured by how Japan conduct themselves as much as by the result. Curr felt he wanted the team to play hard, but also show that cricket was friendly, accessible and fun, and to earn respect. Having handled the JCA's social media accounts, Curr admitted to being taken aback by comments from people surprised that Japan has a cricket team. The game in Sano comes at a time when Japanese cricket is busier than it has ever been, with the mens side beating Kuwait, Bahrain, and PNG earlier this year. In terms of what's led to the improvement, we're a bit better resourced now than we have been previously, particularly with it being an Olympic sport. By being part of the Japan Olympic Committee, we do get a lot more funding. That funding isn't hard cash. We don't get money from the Olympic Association, but they do help us with human resources. So, for example, we've been able to hire a strength and conditioning coach. We've been able to bring in a part-time analyst and these are kind of things that we didn't have before. We've got more people on the coaching staff going out and coaching our junior teams. So those have been important. Becoming members of the Asian Cricket Council in 2024, and the opportunities to play there after joining have been significant. The ACC does an amazing job of putting on events and tournaments that we've now been able to play in. When I first got into the high-performance side of things, we went from 2014 to 2017 without a men's tournament. It was just complete blanks. We had to start arranging our own cricket games because there was just literally nothing to play for, and nothing to play in, explained Curr. The quiet months that once gave the JCA breathing space, he said, are gone. Whereas now, that's completely the opposite. I mentioned the other day how probably the single biggest change from a performance perspective since I've been here is that the Japan Cricket Association used to have a very definite on-season and off-season. We'd have a quiet time where you could relax a little bit and plan more in advance for the following summer. But now, we're a 12-month-a-year organisation. There always seems to be a team away playing somewhere. So there's a lot happening and just the sheer amount of cricket, the depth that we've been able to create through having under 19, even under 16 national teams now is really helping drive the standards. As we're becoming more well-known, we can't shy away from it, added Curr. The numbers back up that claim. Japan has 8,800 registered cricketers in its latest census, roughly three times the figure of about 3,000 when Curr arrived in 2014. The nationwide Japan Cup T20 competition has grown from 11 or 12 teams to more than 80, while the Tokyo-based 40-over Japan Cricket League now runs four divisions with around 37 or 38 teams. The JCA also introduced the game to about 12,000 children last year through schools, community programmes and festivals. Part of the growth at the top end has come from players of Japanese heritage raised in established cricket nations, and in turn leading to growth of watching games, especially the International Cricket Council (ICC) providing Japanese commentary feed for matches under its umbrella. We have a lot of players of Japanese heritage who live overseas. A lot of our players might have been born in Japan but then at some stage moved back to Australia, England, New Zealand, cricket-playing nations. They've grown up learning the game in a strong environment, which as much as we're trying our best here in Japan, it can't compare to an environment that you're going to get playing in Australia or New Zealand or England or any other full member in terms of the number of facilities you've got, the accessibility of those facilities, the accessibility to coaches. We're finding players at a younger age who want to come and be part of Japan cricket. For me, it's been fantastic to see so many people who are mixed race - one parent is Japanese, one parent is from somewhere else. They might have moved overseas, but they are reconnecting with their Japanese heritage through cricket, he added. Curr called this the most satisfying part of his work, especially with cricket in Japan growing despite the overwhelming popularity of baseball, football, rugby and martial arts. For me, that's been one of the most rewarding parts of my job. Some of them are great cricketers and they make our national teams and some of them just enjoy playing and they come back to Japan and just make friends in the cricket community and they do that once a year. But it's been a brilliant way for people to reconnect with who they are, particularly post-Covid-19. All that stuff really took off after 2020 when we qualified for the Under-19 World Cup for the first time. That gave us a profile and nowadays, people contact us pretty regularly with sometimes it's about themselves, or their sons or daughters who have Japanese heritage and who want to come and play. Those players are helping to lift the standards because they come from a different, a more entrenched cricketing culture. So we have our players who are based in Japan who bring sort of that knowledge of what the Japan way is and how things are done in Japan and the discipline and everything that goes around the culture there. Then we've got the players from overseas who just have the training nous and what a training schedule looks like. So that's been really helpful in terms of lifting the standards, he elaborated. Home-grown talent faces a structural hurdle, as per Curr. Japan's school club system, known as bukatsu, usually has children pick a single sport at around 12 and play it year-round until they leave school, and only a handful of schools offer cricket. Those schools have historically produced most of the national team players. A government-level working group is looking at how cricket could fit into the school curriculum, though Curr said such processes take time. The lack of people with cricket expertise in Japan has meant the JCA leaned heavily on volunteers and backers who saw the sport's potential, citing sportswear brand Mizuno's sponsorship of the men's team as a significant boost. Cricket's place in the Asian Games, an event Japanese audiences regard as of immense importance like the Olympics, has also given the sport a legitimacy it lacked before. As for what's next, we will have an East Asia Pacific regional final for the men who will try to qualify for the global qualifier for the next T20 World Cup. So we're not sure exactly when that's going to be yet. It's going to be four teams and we will be playing that probably in the second half of next year with a view to making the global qualifier, which I believe will be early 2027. That's not confirmed and then, the goal is to make a World Cup. We've not shied away from that at all. I mean, the qualification pathway was actually changed last year. It seems to be changing every cycle. But if the qualification cycle for the last World Cup had been the same as the cycle before, we would have been at the last World Cup, said Curr. He also admitted to Japan feeling short-changed by the revamped qualifying structure. We were the highest-placed team in the East Asia Pacific region at the Asia EAP final. They've never had a combined qualifying structure between Asia and East Asia Pacific before. So, we kind of felt we got a bit hard done by in that reshuffle. I mean, the qualification pathway was actually changed last year. It seems to be changing every cycle. But if the qualification cycle for the last World Cup had been the same as the cycle before, we would have been at the last World Cup, said Curr. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories So I hope cricket can continue to grow, there can be more teams and the tournament can get bigger. But for us, reaching a World Cup is certainly the next goal and there's work to do, for sure. But we're ambitious and we want to keep striving for the heights that we believe we can get to, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Shafali dazzles with 49-ball 100*, India march into Asian Games final
India's 114-run victory sets up gold-medal match clash against Sri Lanka
Shafali Verma's Century, Bowlers' Blitz Send India Into Asian Games Women's Cricket Final
Shafali Verma slammed her maiden T20I century to power India into the final of women's cricket event at the Asian Games.
Asian Games: Shafali, Bowlers Help India Set Up Gold Medal Clash Against Sri Lanka
Shanjida Akter Meghla: A stellar hundred from Shafali Verma and strong bowling outings from Nandni Sharma, Deepti Sharma and Sree Charani powered India women to a comfortable win over Bangladesh in the Asian Games semifinal on Sunday, moving into the gold-medal clash against Sri Lanka. Shafali smashed her maiden white-ball century and became the first female cricketer to hit a ton in the Asian Games as her unbeaten 100 helped the Women in Blue rack up a strong score of 195/4. The bowlers backed that stellar effort as Nandni and Deepti starred with three wickets each, while No. 1 T20I bowler Charani scalped two, bowling Bangladesh for 81 runs and registering a strong 114-run win. Harmanpreet Kaur's Indian side will now meet Chamari Athapaththu's Sri Lankan team in the gold-medal final, a repeat of the previous edition of the Asian Games final and the recently concluded Women's Asia Cup final. India are the defending gold medallists of the continental showpiece, having won the yellow metal in the 2023 Hangzhou Games. Shafali and Smriti provided the Women in Blue with yet another strong start after India opted to bat first. Mandhana scored 37 from 19 balls as the duo put up 72 for the opening wicket in the powerplay before the Southpaw sliced one to deep mid-wicket to fall on the last ball of the powerplay. G Kamalini could make the most of her brief stay, struggling before holing one out to deep mid-wicket to fall for three. However, Shafali continued in the same vein and was joined by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who held one end up while the opener did the majority of the damage. Shafali smashed her maiden limited-overs century on the last ball of the innings with a single off Shorna Akter. The opener smashed three fours and nine sixes in her stroke-filled knock to take the Women in Blue near 200. Shafali's nine sixes also set the record for the most by a woman cricketer in T20Is in a calendar year. She surpassed Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu in the record list and now has 35 maximums in 2026. Coming into the game, the Indian opener had hit 26 sixes and was six behind Athapaththu's 32 maximums of 2024. The star Indian batter surpassed the Sri Lankan skipper with her stellar knock. The bowlers did a strong job as well. Nandani struck with her first ball in the second over, removing Juairiya Ferdous, caught at covers for a golden duck, before Kranti Gaud had Sobhana Mostary caught off a miscued pull at mid-wicket on four. Dilara Akter took Nandani for a four and a six in the next over and then Kranti for a couple of consecutive fours, but Sree Charani came to get captain Nigar Sultana caught at mid-on for nine. The Indians kept striking at regular intervals, with Shreyanka Patil dismissing Shorna Akter for five in the seventh over, as Bangladesh were reeling at 43/4 after 7. Deepti and Nandani accounted for the next three dismissals, with the off-spin all-rounder removing Dilara for 27 before the pacer got two in two in the 11th over. She first caught and bowled Nahida Akter, then cleaned up Rabeya Khan as Bangladesh stared down the barrel. Charani got Sharmim Akhter stumped in the 14th over, and it was only a matter of time before India bowled the opposition out when Deepti landed the final two blows with the wickets of Marufa Akter and Shanjida Akter Meghla in the 15th over to power India to an 114-run win. The Women in Blue will now compete against Sri Lanka in the final on Tuesday, with Bangladesh facing Pakistan in the bronze-medal match on the same day. Charani got Sharmim Akhter stumped in the 14th over, and it was only a matter of time before India bowled the opposition out when Deepti landed the final two blows with the wickets of Marufa Akter and Shanjida Akter Meghla in the 15th over to power India to an 114-run win. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories India 195/4 in 20 ov (Shafali Verma 100*, Harmanpreet Kaur 40; Shanjida Akter Meghla 1-25, Rabeya Khan 1-35) beat Bangladesh 81/10 in 15.4 ov (Dilara Akter 27; Deepti Sharma 3-7, Nandni Sharma 3-25, Shree Charani 2-7) by 114 runs. Article Source: IANS
Asian Games 2026: Shafalis fiery ton fires India to womens cricket final, ensures medal
Opting to bat, India rode on Shafalis unbeaten 100 off 49 balls (9 sixes, 3 fours) to post 195 for four in the second semifinal
New England Boss Stephen Fleming Says 'Wrong' To Ask Ben Stokes To End Retirement
Newly-appointed England Test coach Stephen Fleming says it would be wrong to ask former captain Ben Stokes to reverse his international retirement before next year's Ashes Stokes dramatically announced the end of his England career -- and four-year spell as Test skipper -- during a defeat by New Zealand at Trent Bridge in June that condemned his team to a 2-1 series loss. The 35-year-old has continued playing for his county side Durham and has also signed up for a stint with the Adelaide Strikers in Australia's Big Bash League. But Fleming, who met with Stokes soon after arriving in England, played down the prospect of a fairytale return. I went up to Durham and spoke to Ben, which was good. He's really happy and seemed to be really at peace with his decision, Fleming, who previously worked with Stokes at Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, told reporters. I've worked with Ben quite a bit. We've got a really good relationship... He seems really happy and comfortable with what he's doing. Fleming, speaking later to the BBC, insisted he would not ask Stokes to perform a U-turn. I respect his decision too much, he said. To try to turn that around and question that is wrong. - 'England could do much better' - Former New Zealand captain Fleming was appointed in July but has only just taken charge after missing England's recent 3-0 whitewash of Pakistan due to family commitments. On Saturday, Fleming witnessed England complete a T20 series rout of Sri Lanka in Manchester. While at Old Trafford, he spoke with predecessor and fellow ex-New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum, still in charge of England's white-ball teams despite being sacked as Test boss. Fleming said his ambition was to take England from sixth in the rankings back to the summit for the first time since 2012 and improve their woeful record in the World Test Championship. I would love to be in charge of the number one Test team in the world, said Fleming. There have been some really good moments (for this side) but I think there's more to give. England have never come close to reaching any of the three finals in the history of the WTC and are unlikely to qualify for next year's showpiece match at the Oval. England could do much better than that, added Fleming. If that's one of the pinnacle trophies in world cricket, why would we not be trying to get it along with every other marquee event that comes our way? Fleming's relationship with McCullum is hoped to be key to the success of England's latest split-coaching regime, with the duo not only former team-mates but close friends and business partners. It's nice to be in a position to work with him, it's been a while, said Fleming, at 53 nine years older than McCullum. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories It is an advantage that we will be able to talk fairly openly and be robust... we don't have to spend time getting to know each other as coaches.
Ajinkya Rahane praised the India star following his terrific performance in the recently-concluded three-match series against India.
Shafali Verma Scripts History With Maiden T20I Ton Against Bangladesh In Asian Games
Former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop hailed Indian opener Shafali Verma for her maiden century in the women's Asian Games cricket semifinal
Smriti Mandhana Becomes No. 1 Run-Scorer in Women
New Delhi: Smriti Mandhana etched her name in the history books again on Sunday as the India opener continued her prolific T20I century. Mandhana achieved the feat during India's Asian Games 2026 semi-final against Bangladesh, needing just seven runs to pass
India women took on Bangladesh in the Asian Games 2026 cricket semi-final. The two sides met at the Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, on September 20, and it was the Indian team who were extremely dominant...
Fleming targets No.1 Test rankings, keeps WTC high on agenda as England coach
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 20 (IANS) Incoming England Test coach Stephen Fleming has kept his focus on making England the No. 1 side again and has put the World Test Championship on the agenda. Fleming addressed the media at his first press conference as England's Test coach, highlighting that the job is prestigious. It's one of the most prestigious jobs in cricket, Fleming said. I was very honoured to be asked. He has signed a contract with the ECB through September 2030 following a two-week recruitment process. His first assignment as the Test coach would be against South Africa in winter, and then there is also a home Ashes series waiting, which the New Zealander holds in high regard. I would love to be in charge of the No.1 Test team in the world, Fleming said. That would be my aspiration, Fleming said on wanting to make England No.1 for the first time since 2012. I know the marquee events - the Ashes - are something I can't wait for. As a New Zealander, I have watched and loved the Ashes all my cricketing life. To be part of that is an absolute highlight, so I can't wait for that. But there is a piece of work there that has already begun, which is around our identity. There has been a lot of coverage around that. The way players represent England and the group is going to be really important to me. The style of play will come with that also. That will be more player-directed, but I feel very strongly about finding a sense of belonging within the group, and that will take a bit of time, he added. He highlighted that he has started working with Test captain Joe Root and aims to make England's team in its best form. I have started the process. I have been in a lot of contact with Joe, and on this trip as well we have done some things to start this piece of work. Not only will we be in the best position to win cricket matches but also to represent the England cricket team in its best form, he said. He also spoke on England's blase attitude towards the World Test Championship, where they have not come close to making it to the final of any of the three editions. It's high (on the agenda), it's aspirational, he said of the WTC. England could do much better than that. And even attitude just around the over rate, I think, comes down to identity and style of play. If that's one of the pinnacle trophies in world cricket - why would we not be trying to get it along with every other marquee event that comes our way? Now, I don't say that lightly; there's a lot of hard work to do, and players must be balanced around that But it's aspirational, and that's why I'm here. That opportunity is real, but there's a huge amount of work to do. The New Zealander takes over from Brendon McCullum, who served in the role from 2022. He comes into the role after an underwhelming performance by the English side over the last 18 months, which he believes would have hurt McCullum. That was one thing that will probably hurt him (McCullum) a little bit (underperformance) - I think he feels what I feel now, that there's an opportunity around the corner. He was also realistic about what had gone on and just very honest. It's interesting when you go to watch as a bystander for the first half of the year, then things change quite quickly to a real narrow focus on where the team was at. Was I the right person to take the team forward and then deemed by the ECB to be the right person? That process was very thorough. I was constantly watching the good and the bad and analysing that in a much different way than I would have done in early April. One of the dark arts of coaching is timing my honest appraisal, it's a great time to be the head coach. I think there's a real opportunity with the players coming through, he added.
Shafali Verma scripts history, slams century against Bangladesh in Asian Games semi-final
The Asian Games cricket semi-final saw India women taking on Bangladesh women. The two sides took on each other at the Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, on September 20, and the clash saw India women coming in to bat first. They put forth a strong showing, posting a total of 195 runs in the first innings. It is worth noting that Women in Blue have been in good form and came on the back of a victory against Japan in the previous clash.
Asian Games Cricket: Shafali unleashes 9 sixes in stunning 49-ball ton
Explosive opener Shafali Verma scored an unbeaten century (100* off 49 balls) with nine sixes and three fours, leading India to a formidable total of 195/4 against Bangladesh in the Asian Games women's cricket semifinal. Supported by Smriti Mandhana (37) and Harmanpreet Kaur (40), Verma's explosive innings ensured India's strong position in the crucial match.
Cremer plays his first ODI in eight years, Zimbabwe bat first
Cremer and Masuku replace Masakadza and Nyamhuri for Zimbabwe while Australia bring in Johnson and Bartlett for Hazlewood and Stanlake
