Cricket

Indonesian women's cricket team bowler Rohmalia Rohmalia has etched her name in the history books by recording the best bowling figures in the history of T20Is. The 17-year-old off-spinner's sensational spell of 3.2-3-0-7 against Mongolia on Wednesday broke the previous record held by Netherlands' Frederique Overdijk.Rohmalia's remarkable performance surpassed Overdijk's figures of 4-2-3-7 against France in 2021. She became the fourth bowler ever to take 7 wickets in a T20I match, joining Argentina Women's Alison Stocks and Malaysia's Syazrul Ezat Idrus.Her figures also represent the best by any bowler on debut, surpassing Nepal's Anjali Chand's 2.1-2-0-6 against Maldives in 2019.Rohmalia's bowling heroics played a crucial role in Indonesia's victory over Mongolia in the fifth T20I encounter. Batting first, Indonesia posted 151/5, with Ni Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini top-scoring with 61.In response, Mongolia were bowled out for a mere 24 in 16.2 overs, with Rohmalia's spell proving too much to handle.Meanwhile, the West Indies 'A' cricket team arrived in Nepal on Wednesday for their upcoming five-match T20 series against the hosts. However, their arrival was met with a surprising welcome as a tempo was waiting outside the airport to transport their luggage.In a viral video, the West Indies players were seen loading their luggage into the tempo with the assistance of an airport helper.

Rinku Singh Receives Second Bat from Virat Kohli After Breaking Previous OneKolkata Knight Riders' star batsman Rinku Singh has received a second bat from batting maestro Virat Kohli, marking the second time the Indian captain has gifted him a bat. The gesture comes after a viral video on social media showed Rinku requesting another bat from Kohli, who initially seemed less pleased when Rinku mentioned breaking the bat gifted to him earlier in the season.Following Kolkata Knight Riders' thrilling one-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Eden Gardens, Rinku approached Kohli for another bat. In a video posted by KKR on social media, Rinku explained to Kohli that the bat he previously received broke while facing a spinner.However, it appears that Rinku has now received a new bat from Kohli. In a trending video on social media, the left-handed batter is seen showing the bat to a fan. "Rinku bhai, bat mila?" a fan asked Rinku. Rinku showed a bat and said, "Mil gya."Rinku's request for a second bat from Kohli highlights the high regard he holds for the Indian captain. Kohli is widely considered one of the greatest batsmen of all time, and his bats are highly sought after by aspiring cricketers.The gesture also underscores the camaraderie between the two players, who have played together for the Indian national team. Kohli's willingness to gift Rinku a second bat despite his initial displeasure shows his support for the young batsman.Rinku's performance for Kolkata Knight Riders this season has been impressive. He has scored 183 runs in seven matches, including two half-centuries. His contributions have played a crucial role in KKR's success, as they currently sit second in the points tally with five wins in seven matches.The two-time champions will next face Punjab Kings on Friday, and Rinku will be hoping to continue his good form with his new bat from Virat Kohli.

Pakistan and New Zealand will face off in the fourth T20I of their five-match series on Thursday at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The series is currently tied at 1-1 after the first game was washed out and New Zealand won the second game by seven wickets.Pakistan will be looking to regain the momentum in the series after their loss in Rawalpindi. They will be boosted by the return of captain Babar Azam, who missed the second game due to a thumb injury. Azam is one of the best batsmen in the world and his presence will be a major boost for Pakistan.New Zealand, on the other hand, will be looking to build on their victory in the second game. They will be confident of their chances, especially after Mark Chapman's brilliant 87 in the previous match. Chapman is a dangerous batsman and he will be one to watch out for in the fourth T20I.Both teams are using this series as preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies, which starts on June 2. Pakistan and New Zealand are both contenders for the title and they will be looking to use this series to fine-tune their preparations.The fourth T20I is expected to be a close and exciting contest. Pakistan will be looking to regain the momentum in the series, while New Zealand will be looking to build on their victory in the second game.

West Indies 'A' Team Arrives in Nepal for Historic T20 Series, Receives Surprising WelcomeThe West Indies 'A' cricket team arrived in Nepal on Wednesday, April 25, ahead of their highly anticipated five-match T20 series against the hosts. However, their arrival at the Kathmandu International Airport was met with an unexpected sight: a tempo waiting to transport their luggage.A viral video captured the West Indies players loading their luggage into the tempo with the assistance of an airport helper. The video sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some criticizing Nepal for the perceived lack of hospitality, while others defended the use of the tempo as a practical solution.Despite the unconventional welcome, the West Indies team remains focused on their upcoming series. Roston Chase will lead the team as captain, while Alick Athanaze will serve as his deputy. This tour marks a historic occasion as it is the West Indies' first-ever visit to Nepal.The series holds significant importance for both teams. For the West Indies, it serves as a crucial preparation phase for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. For Nepal, it provides an opportunity to test their skills against a formidable opponent and gain valuable experience.Chase, who will captain the West Indies 'A' team for the first time, expressed his excitement and determination. "I am honored to lead this talented group of players. We have been working hard in preparation for this series, and we are eager to showcase our skills against Nepal," he said.Desmond Haynes, CWI's Lead Selector, praised Chase's leadership qualities and consistent performances. "Chase has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and leadership abilities. We are confident that he will lead the team with distinction," Haynes said.The five-match T20 series between West Indies 'A' and Nepal will commence on April 27 in Kirtipur. The series is expected to be a competitive and entertaining affair, with both teams eager to prove their mettle.

Mitchell Starc, the Australian fast bowler, has been underperforming for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Despite his hefty price tag of $3 million, Starc has failed to justify his worth, raising concerns about his form and the team's bowling unit.KKR, currently second in the 10-team table, has relied heavily on its top-order batting, with Sunil Narine, Phil Salt, Andre Russell, and Shreyas Iyer leading the charge. However, the bowling department has been a cause for concern, with Starc's underwhelming performance being a major factor.In seven matches, Starc has managed only six wickets at an economy rate of 11.48, the worst among KKR's specialist bowlers. His lack of pace and reluctance to bowl slower deliveries have made him vulnerable to batsmen, especially in the death overs.In contrast, uncapped Indian pacers Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora have impressed with their economy rates of 9.25 and 9.57, respectively. However, they have also been hit at times, highlighting the need for a more consistent bowling performance from KKR.Against a power-hitting Punjab Kings side, KKR's bowling unit will need to step up. Starc, in particular, will have to rediscover his mojo and play a leading role alongside Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, who have been effective in the middle overs.Punjab Kings, on the other hand, have struggled to find consistency in their batting. Despite having talented players like Prabhsimran Singh, Liam Livingstone, Rilee Rossouw, and Jonny Bairstow, they have failed to deliver consistently.However, their uncapped duo of Ashutosh and Shashank have salvaged the team from precarious situations with their astonishing power-hitting. The return of skipper Shikhar Dhawan, who is nursing a shoulder injury, would be a major boost to their morale.The match between KKR and Punjab Kings promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams looking to improve their fortunes in the IPL. KKR will rely on their top-order batting and bowling unit, while Punjab Kings will hope to exploit KKR's bowling weaknesses and find their rhythm in the tournament.

Axar Patel, the versatile left-arm spinner and batsman for Delhi Capitals, has expressed concerns over the potential impact of the 'Impact Player' rule on the role of all-rounders in cricket. The rule, introduced in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season, allows teams to substitute players during innings, raising questions about the value of players who excel in both batting and bowling.Patel, who played a crucial role in Delhi Capitals' victory over Gujarat Titans on Wednesday, believes that the rule could marginalize all-rounders. "As an all-rounder, I feel that an all-rounder's role is in danger with the Impact Player rule," he said. "Every team is looking to play either a pure batter or a pure bowler as the Impact Player, and the all-rounders are not being used."Patel's concerns echo those of other prominent cricketers, including Indian captain Rohit Sharma and former players. The rule has sparked debate and scrutiny, with some arguing that it undermines the importance of all-rounders and creates confusion in team selection.Despite his reservations about the Impact Player rule, Patel delivered a standout performance against Gujarat Titans. Promoted to number three in the batting order, he counterattacked with a blistering 43-ball 66, helping Delhi Capitals recover from a precarious 44/3 to post a formidable total of 224/4.Patel's innings was a testament to his all-round abilities. He not only provided a much-needed boost to the team's batting but also claimed a wicket in the defense of their total. His performance highlights the value of players who can contribute in multiple facets of the game.However, Patel believes that the Impact Player rule could diminish the significance of all-rounders. With teams opting for specialized batters or bowlers as substitutes, all-rounders may find themselves relegated to a secondary role. This could have implications for the development of young players who aspire to excel in both batting and bowling.As the IPL season progresses, the Impact Player rule will continue to be a topic of discussion. Patel's concerns raise important questions about the future of all-rounders in cricket and the impact of rule changes on the game's dynamics.

In the high-scoring era of T20 cricket, where teams routinely surpass 200 runs, the art of bowling has become increasingly challenging. However, legendary South African pacer Dale Steyn believes that this is precisely the time when bowlers can achieve greatness.Steyn's comments came after witnessing another explosive batting display in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, where Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders posted scores well above 200. "I could make a joke and say I'm glad I'm retired and no longer bowling, but... It's always a good time to be a bowler, if you can make yourself the best, you'll be a wanted god among mere mortals," Steyn tweeted.The former Proteas star emphasized that in an era where batters are dominating, a skilled bowler would be revered as a deity. "The slayer of rampaging runs! Insensitives have never been higher. I'd want to be a bowler more than anything!" he added.Steyn's sentiments were echoed by fans, with one suggesting that the key to success in modern-day bowling is to emulate Jasprit Bumrah. Steyn agreed, acknowledging Bumrah's exceptional ability to control the flow of runs despite the batter-friendly conditions."Well, exactly that," Steyn replied to the fan.Bumrah, the current purple cap holder in the IPL, has been a standout performer, claiming 13 wickets in 7 matches at an impressive average of 12.84 and an economy rate of 5.96. His ability to restrict runs and take wickets has made him a valuable asset for his team, Mumbai Indians.Steyn's comments highlight the importance of adaptability and skill in the face of the ever-evolving nature of T20 cricket. While the odds may seem stacked against bowlers, those who can master their craft and rise above the challenges will be the ones who truly shine.

Anil Kumble, the legendary spinner who scaled unprecedented heights in international cricket, recently shared his memories of being acquired by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in 2008.Despite being the captain of the Indian Test team at the time, Kumble was not included in the initial list of icon players. However, former RCB owner Vijay Mallya intervened at the auction, declaring that "nobody" was to bid on Kumble, as he was "my Bangalore boy."Kumble, who holds the record for taking all ten wickets in a single Test innings, was subsequently picked up by RCB at his base price. He recalled the moment, saying, "Mr. Vijay Mallya just stood up and said he's my Bangalore boy. Nobody is touching him."During his three-year stint with RCB, Kumble made 42 appearances, claiming 45 wickets at an average of 23.51 and an economy of 6.58. The transition from Test cricket to the shorter T20 format posed a challenge for Kumble, who was accustomed to bowling long spells."For me, it was quite a challenge to get my mind around to bowl just four overs," he said. "I needed four overs to warm up. But it became very evident that the best way to approach my four overs would be try and choose the most challenging ones."In the second season of the IPL, RCB reached the final but lost to the Deccan Chargers. Kumble's experience with RCB was a memorable one, and he remains grateful for the opportunity to have played for the franchise.

Fielding: An Unsung Hero in Cricket's TriumphsIn the realm of cricket, the spotlight often shines upon the prowess of batters and bowlers, overshadowing the indispensable role played by fielders. Yet, the impact of fielding on the outcome of a match cannot be understated. A well-executed catch, a precise throw to the wicket, or a swift run-out can turn the tide of the game in favor of the fielding team.The recent thrilling four-run victory of Delhi Capitals over Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2024 serves as a testament to the decisive influence of fielding. In the penultimate over of the match, Tristan Stubbs' acrobatic display transformed what could have been a six into a mere single, ultimately proving to be the pivotal moment in the match's outcome.As Gujarat Titans batter Rashid Khan lofted a delivery from Delhi bowler Rasikh Salam towards long-off, Stubbs sprang into action. Despite realizing he was falling back, Stubbs leaped to his right, intercepted the ball, and swiftly threw it back. The third umpire's review confirmed that Stubbs' right leg was well clear of the rope, preserving Delhi's slender lead.The significance of Stubbs' fielding heroics cannot be overstated. Had the ball cleared the boundary, Gujarat Titans would have gained six crucial runs, potentially altering the course of the match. Instead, Stubbs' brilliance restricted them to a single, setting the stage for Delhi's eventual victory.Fielding is not merely about preventing runs or taking catches. It is about creating opportunities, putting pressure on the opposition, and instilling a sense of urgency in the game. A well-coordinated fielding unit can disrupt the rhythm of the batting team, force errors, and create run-out chances.In the match between Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans, the fielding efforts of both teams were exemplary. Delhi's fielders were alert, agile, and accurate, while Gujarat's fielders displayed determination and a never-say-die attitude. The result was a high-quality match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.As the IPL 2024 progresses, fielding will continue to play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of matches. Teams that prioritize fielding and invest in developing skilled fielders will have a significant advantage over their opponents. In the end, it is not just the batters and bowlers who win matches; it is the entire team, including the unsung heroes in the field.