Cricket

India Women Dominate Asia Cup, Aim for Group Topper Spot Against NepalIndia's women's cricket team has showcased their prowess in both batting and bowling at the ongoing Women's Asia Cup. As they prepare to face Nepal in their final Group A match, the defending champions are poised to secure the top spot in the group.In their opening match against Pakistan, India's swashbuckling openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma set the tone with a blistering start. The bowlers then stepped up, restricting Pakistan to a manageable total. In the subsequent match against the UAE, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh took center stage, guiding India to a massive 200-plus total in T20Is. Ghosh's destructive 64 off just 29 balls was a highlight of the innings.While Kaur played the anchor's role, Ghosh's blazing knock propelled India to their first-ever 200-plus total in T20Is. This dominant performance has put India in a strong position to enter the semifinals.Meanwhile, Pakistan has improved their net run rate with a comfortable win over Nepal, lifting them to second place in Group A. However, India remains unfazed and will focus on maintaining their momentum heading into the knockout stages.Nepal, on the other hand, faces a daunting task after their heavy defeat to Pakistan. The minnows will have little time to recover before taking on the tournament favorites.India will be aiming to extend their winning streak and seal the top berth in Group A when they face Nepal. A victory would not only secure their place in the semifinals but also give them a psychological advantage heading into the knockout rounds.

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed India head coach, has emphasized the significance of workload management for premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah, describing him as a "rare bowler." During his inaugural press conference, Gambhir stressed the importance of preserving Bumrah's longevity and ensuring his availability for crucial matches.Bumrah's injury history has been a concern for the Indian team, with the 30-year-old spending extended periods on the sidelines. In 2022, he missed the T20 World Cup due to a back injury and underwent surgery in March 2023, keeping him out for four months.Gambhir acknowledged Bumrah's exceptional talent and the need to manage his workload effectively. "He is one rare bowler that anyone would want," Gambhir said. "You want him to play important games. That's why workload management for not just him but fast bowlers is important."While emphasizing the importance of workload management for fast bowlers, Gambhir also expressed his expectation that batters should be available for all formats of the game. "If you are a batter, who's batting well, you might as well just play all formats," he said. "Rohit and Virat have retired from T20Is now, so they will play two formats from now. Hopefully, they are available for most of the games."Gambhir's comments highlight the delicate balance between preserving the health of fast bowlers and ensuring the availability of key players for all formats of the game. As India prepares for a busy schedule in the coming months, including the ODI World Cup in 2023, effective workload management will be crucial to the team's success.

Indian Women Shine in ICC WT20I RankingsNew Delhi: India's star batter Smriti Mandhana has maintained her impressive fifth position in the latest ICC Women's T20I Player Rankings, released on Tuesday. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and the explosive Shafali Verma have both made significant gains, moving up to a joint eleventh place.Mandhana's consistent performances have kept her among the elite batters in the world. She has been a key figure in India's recent successes, including their victory in the Commonwealth Games and their runner-up finish in the T20 World Cup.Harmanpreet Kaur has also been in fine form, leading India to several victories in the past year. Her aggressive batting style and leadership skills have earned her a place among the top batters in the world.Shafali Verma, the young batting sensation, has made a meteoric rise in the rankings. Her fearless approach and ability to score runs quickly have made her a valuable asset for India. She has jumped four spots to join Harmanpreet Kaur at eleventh place.Jemimah Rodrigues, another talented Indian batter, is ranked 19th, while the big-hitting Richa Ghosh is 24th. These four Indian players in the top 20 reflect the depth and quality of India's batting lineup.In the bowlers' rankings, off-spinner Deepti Sharma remains steady at number three. Her ability to take wickets and control the run rate has made her one of the most effective bowlers in the world.Seamer Renuka Singh has made a significant jump to number nine. Her pace and accuracy have been instrumental in India's recent victories. Left-arm spinner Radha Yadav is ranked 20th.The young Shreyanka Patil has also made an impressive rise, moving up 19 spots to 41st place. Her leg-spin bowling has caught the attention of selectors and fans alike.Englishwoman Sophie Ecclestone continues to top the bowlers' rankings, followed by Australia's Megan Schutt and New Zealand's Amelia Kerr.The ICC WT20I rankings are a reflection of the performances of players in the past 12 months. The Indian women's team has been in excellent form during this period, and their players' high rankings are a testament to their hard work and dedication.

In a thrilling encounter between United Arab Emirates XI and Pakistan XI, Pakistan emerged victorious after winning the toss and electing to bowl first. The match was played on a lively pitch, with both teams showcasing their skills and determination.Pakistan's bowlers started strongly, with Sadia Iqbal and Fatima Sana delivering a series of accurate deliveries that kept the UAE batters in check. Esha Oza, the UAE captain, managed to score a couple of runs off Iqbal in the 1.5th over, but the Pakistan bowlers continued to dominate.Sana, in particular, was in impressive form, bowling with pace and precision. She conceded only one run in her first three overs, while Iqbal also kept the runs down. The UAE batters struggled to find the gaps, with Theertha Satish and Rinitha Rajith both failing to score off Sana's deliveries.As the innings progressed, Pakistan's bowlers continued to apply pressure. Iqbal bowled a maiden over in the 1.2th over, while Sana dismissed Oza for a duck in the 0.1st over. The UAE batters were unable to build any momentum, and Pakistan's bowlers kept them on the back foot throughout the innings.In the end, the UAE XI managed to score only 23 runs in their allotted 20 overs, with Oza top-scoring with 4 runs. Pakistan's bowlers were in excellent form, with Sana taking 2 wickets for 4 runs and Iqbal conceding just 6 runs in her 4 overs.In response, Pakistan's batters chased down the target with ease. Muneeba Ali and Sidra Ameen opened the innings for Pakistan and put on a solid partnership of 20 runs. Aliya Riaz then came in and scored a quickfire 15 runs off 10 balls to seal the victory for Pakistan.The win takes Pakistan to the second spot in the points table of Group A, while the UAE XI remain at the bottom after losing both their matches.

Nitish Kumar Reddy, the Andhra Pradesh and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) all-rounder, recently shared his emotional journey to receiving his Indian jersey. His father, Mutyalu, had risked his career to support his son's cricket aspirations, and the moment was a testament to their unwavering bond.Reddy's path to the Indian team began with a solid performance in the 2024 IPL season with SRH. Despite not playing due to a sports hernia injury, he impressed with his all-round abilities, scoring 303 runs and taking three wickets.The 21-year-old's journey began at the age of 13 when his father quit his job to focus on his son's cricket development. Despite initial setbacks, Reddy's determination and hard work paid off. He made waves in the Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy, scoring a triple ton and a quadruple ton.However, success at the U19 level proved elusive, leading Reddy to focus solely on batting. But his coach, Srinivas Reddy, encouraged him to continue bowling, recognizing his potential as a rare pace bowling all-rounder in India.Reddy's breakthrough came in the 2019-20 domestic season when he was picked for the ACA camp and subsequently made his Ranji debut. He quickly adapted to the challenges of first-class cricket, learning to conserve his energy and capitalize on loose deliveries.Despite being picked up by SRH in the 2023 IPL, Reddy struggled to break into the team. He was also called up to India's Emerging Players squad for the Asia Cup but did not get a chance to bat.A setback in the form of an ankle injury threatened to derail his progress, but Reddy refused to give up. He arranged for net practice sessions against fast bowlers to prove his worth as a top-order batsman.His determination paid off in the 2024 IPL, where he impressed SRH skipper Pat Cummins with his ability to handle pace. Reddy's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of support, and the unwavering belief in one's abilities.

Suryakumar Yadav's sensational catch to dismiss David Miller in the T20 World Cup 2024 final proved to be a pivotal moment in India's triumph. The catch, which sparked controversy over whether Yadav's feet touched the boundary line, was hailed by teammate Axar Patel as "high-pressure" and "amazing."Patel, who was fielding at mid-wicket, initially believed the ball had cleared the boundary. However, Yadav's acrobatic effort left his teammates questioning whether he had stepped on the rope. "Even Surya bhai was not sure," Patel revealed. "First he said Yes I am confident and within a few seconds he said I am not sure. Thoda doubtful lag raha (I am not too sure)."Upon reviewing the replay, the Indian team erupted in jubilation, believing they had secured the World Cup. "It was a high-pressure catch and the way he maintained his balance was amazing," Patel said.Yadav's catch was not the only highlight of India's victory. Patel's own stunning catch at deep mid-wicket to dismiss Mitchell Marsh in the match against Australia also played a crucial role. However, Patel ranked Yadav's catch higher."That catch gave us the World Cup and I am happy with being the second-best," Patel said. "I was confident of taking it with both my hands. But it was flying and in the last second I had to time my jump, stretch my one hand and it stuck. But if I have to pick, any day I would keep Surya bhai's catch ahead of mine."Yadav's catch has been widely praised for its athleticism and precision. It is a testament to his exceptional fielding skills and his unwavering determination to contribute to India's success.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has initiated discussions with Indian Premier League (IPL) owners regarding the acquisition of a stake in the domestic Hundred competition. The Hundred, a controversial tournament featuring eight specially created teams with both men's and women's sides, is entering its fourth edition.The ECB seeks to secure private investment to strengthen the Hundred's position in the global calendar and enhance the financial stability of domestic cricket. The board aims to sell a 49% stake in each team to private investors, while host teams retain the remaining 51%. However, host teams may consider selling part or all of their shares.ECB chief executive Richard Gould emphasized that the board will retain control of the competition, despite the potential for private investment. He acknowledged the strength of the Indian market and welcomed the expansion of IPL teams into other national markets.The cash-rich IPL has transformed the global cricket landscape, providing players with lucrative opportunities outside of traditional Test matches. IPL owners, such as the Ambani family of the Mumbai Indians, may be interested in acquiring full control of a Hundred team.Vikram Banerjee, the ECB's director of business operations, confirmed that he has engaged in discussions with IPL owners. He also expressed interest in potential partnerships with American Football's NFL, citing their expertise in fan engagement and stadium experiences.The ECB's goal is to combine the strengths of IPL teams and NFL owners to enhance the Hundred's appeal and attract a new generation of fans. The board believes that such partnerships can contribute to the long-term success of the competition.

Rahul Dravid's tenure as India's head coach culminated in a triumphant note as he led the team to a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final on June 29. The victory marked India's first ICC title in 11 years, a moment that deeply moved veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, described the emotional moment when Dravid embraced the ICC T20 World Cup trophy and shed tears. "I saw him hug the cup and cry. Rahul Dravid screamed and cried. I saw him enjoy it. I felt that a lot," Ashwin said.Dravid, a batting legend, had never won an ICC title during his playing career. His tenure as coach was marked by both success and adversity, including the early elimination from the 2007 50-over World Cup.Despite the challenges, Ashwin praised Dravid's unwavering dedication and hard work. "I know what he has been doing with this team for the past two-three years. I know how balanced he has been. I know how hard he has worked to change this approach," Ashwin said.In the T20 World Cup final, India's batting duo of Virat Kohli and Axar Patel played crucial roles in setting a competitive target. Kohli's impressive knock of 76 runs, combined with Patel's quick-fire 47, helped India reach a total of 176 for 7.The Indian bowlers faced a challenging task in defending the total, but they held their nerves in a tense finish. The pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh proved instrumental in securing the victory. Bumrah's miserly spell of 2/18, Pandya's crucial 3/20, and Arshdeep's equally critical 2/20 in the death overs suffocated the opposition's chase, ultimately leading to a narrow seven-run win for India.The victory marked India's second T20 World Cup title, a fitting end to Dravid's tenure as coach. Gautam Gambhir will succeed Dravid as the new head coach, commencing his tenure with the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka.

Rahul Dravid, the former Indian cricket team head coach, is reportedly in talks with Rajasthan Royals for a potential role within the franchise. Dravid's tenure as India's head coach ended after the team's triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024, and he has since been linked with several IPL franchises.Earlier, it was speculated that Dravid might join Kolkata Knight Riders, but recent reports suggest that he is in discussions with Rajasthan Royals, his former IPL team. "Talks are ongoing between RR and Dravid, and an announcement is expected soon," a source told Times of India.Dravid's decision to leave the Indian team was driven by his desire to spend more time with his family. The IPL, with its shorter duration, offers him a more manageable schedule. Dravid has previously worked as a mentor and coach with IPL franchises, including Delhi Daredevils.As Dravid explores his options, Gautam Gambhir has taken over as the head coach of the Indian team. Gambhir acknowledged the high expectations he faces, given Dravid's successful tenure.Dravid's experience and expertise make him a highly sought-after figure in the IPL. His potential role with Rajasthan Royals remains unclear, but it is likely that he will play a significant part in the franchise's operations.