Cricket

New Zealand's women's domestic cricket teams have finalized their contracted player rosters for the 2024-25 season. The signings include a mix of experienced veterans and promising young talents.Central DistrictsCentral Districts have added uncapped right-arm seamer Grace Foreman to their roster. Foreman has impressed through Taranaki and Central Districts' pathway systems and joins Anna Gaging as the new faces on the team.CanterburyCanterbury have signed batter Emma Irwin, who previously represented the team. Irwin was part of the New Zealand Under-19 side at the World Cup last year.AucklandAuckland have elevated fast bowler Sophie Court to their contract list. Court has risen through Auckland Cricket's Talent and Pathway programme and was part of the Auckland Under-19 team that won the national under-19 tournament this year.Northern DistrictsNorthern Districts have signed allrounder Carol Agafili, who has represented the team in the past and also played for Samoa in T20Is.WellingtonWellington have added right-hand batter Gemma Sims to their roster. Sims played for Wellington in the Super Smash last season.OtagoOtago have awarded their maiden contract to Isy Parry. Parry has been a standout performer in Otago's age-group teams.The contracted players will represent their respective teams in the upcoming domestic season, which includes the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield (one-day competition) and the Super Smash (T20 competition).

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a groundbreaking step to enhance the competitiveness and recognition of domestic cricket in the country. In a significant move, the BCCI has announced the introduction of prize money for exceptional performers in all domestic cricket tournaments, including the prestigious Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for senior men's cricket.This initiative marks a major shift in the BCCI's approach to domestic cricket, which has traditionally been overshadowed by the glamour and financial rewards of international cricket. By offering prize money, the BCCI aims to make domestic cricket more lucrative and encourage young players to strive for excellence.The BCCI will now award prize money in all Women's and Junior Cricket tournaments, including the Under-16 (Vijay Merchant Trophy), Under-19 (Cooch Behar Trophy), and Under-23 (CK Nayudu Trophy) tournaments for men, and the Under-15, Under-19, and Under-23 events for women.In addition to the prize money, the BCCI has also decided to eliminate the toss in the CK Nayudu Trophy for the 2024-25 season. This move is intended to reduce the impact of luck on the outcome of matches and give visiting teams a fairer chance of competing.The BCCI's decision to introduce prize money and eliminate the toss in domestic cricket is a testament to its commitment to developing and nurturing the next generation of Indian cricketers. By providing financial incentives and creating a more competitive environment, the BCCI hopes to inspire young players to reach their full potential and contribute to the success of Indian cricket on the international stage.

Vidarbha all-rounder Aditya Sarwate has made a significant move by joining Kerala for the upcoming domestic cricket season. The 34-year-old has obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) and will become the third professional player for Kerala this season, alongside Tamil Nadu's B. Aparajith and Madhya Pradesh's Jalaj Saxena.Sarwate's decision to leave Vidarbha, where he spent nine seasons, was driven by his desire to play in all three formats of the game. Kerala's secretary, Vinod S. Kumar, confirmed that the association will soon sign a formal contract with the player."After Shreyas Gopal left for Karnataka, we were looking for a genuine all-rounder who could play in all three formats, and Aditya fitted the bill," said Kumar. "He has performed creditably for Vidarbha for the last nine seasons, and I think his experience and skill will be an asset for Kerala this season."As a left-arm spinner, Sarwate has taken over 250 wickets for Vidarbha and is expected to provide strong support for Jalaj Saxena, who has been Kerala's main strike bowler in recent seasons. However, Saxena will only play red-ball cricket for Kerala this season."We had informed Jalaj that he will be selected only for the Ranji Trophy this season," said Kumar. "He has been our strike bowler and leading wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy for the last few seasons, and we cannot ignore that. But we felt we needed to groom youngsters for the shorter formats and told Jalaj he was not in our plans for white-ball cricket."Sarwate's addition to the Kerala squad is expected to bolster their all-round capabilities and enhance their chances of success in the upcoming domestic season.

Jaydev Unadkat, a highly skilled bowler in India's domestic red-ball circuit, has faced a perplexing career trajectory. Despite consistently taking wickets, he has struggled to earn a permanent spot in the Indian Test team. Even when included in the squad, his playing time has been limited.As the Indian team prepares for the upcoming Test season, the BCCI selectors opted not to include Unadkat in the Duleep Trophy squads. Undeterred, the left-arm pacer signed for English county side Sussex, hoping to showcase his abilities and impress selectors."I'm thrilled to be back here. Hove is my second home. The team has been performing exceptionally this season, and I'm confident we'll secure promotion back to Division One, where we belong," Unadkat said in a video posted by Sussex.In his first season with Sussex, Unadkat made an immediate impact, claiming 11 wickets in four matches. His impressive performances helped the team finish third in Division 2."We are delighted to have Jaydev back for the final five championship matches of the season," said Sussex's head coach, Ian Salisbury. "He not only showcased his exceptional skills on the field but also proved to be a valuable asset to our team. Jaydev is a fantastic individual who shared his knowledge and supported our players."Unadkat was part of the Indian squad that toured the West Indies in 2023. His last appearance for the national team came in the second Test against the West Indies in July 2023.Despite his impressive domestic record and strong performances for Sussex, Unadkat's path to the Indian Test team remains uncertain. However, his determination and unwavering belief in his abilities suggest that he will continue to strive for his ultimate goal of representing India in the longest format of the game.

Rahul Dravid's Son Samit Impresses with Stunning Six in Domestic T20 MatchFormer Indian batting legend Rahul Dravid's son, Samit, is making waves in domestic cricket with his impressive performances. The right-handed batsman has inherited his father's cricketing skills and has been showcasing his talent in junior cricket.Samit recently caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts with a stunning six he hit during the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2024 match between Mysore Warriors and Bengaluru Blasters. Facing Naveen MG in the seventh over, Samit unleashed a powerful shot that sailed between long-on and deep mid-wicket and landed in the stands.The shot was a testament to Samit's timing and power, and it drew applause from his teammates in the dugout. Although he was dismissed for just 7 runs in the same over, the six he hit was a clear indication of his potential.Samit has been making a name for himself in Karnataka's age-group teams and has participated in several notable tournaments. His performances have earned him recognition as a rising star in Indian cricket.Like his father, Samit is a right-handed batsman who possesses a solid technique and a keen eye for the ball. He has shown the ability to play both attacking and defensive shots, and his temperament on the field is reminiscent of his father's calm and composed demeanor.While Samit is still in the early stages of his cricketing journey, his talent and potential are undeniable. He has the potential to follow in his father's footsteps and become a successful cricketer in the future.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has implemented a strict policy mandating all centrally contracted players to participate in domestic cricket when fit and not on national duty. This move comes after the exclusion of Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from the central contracts list due to their absence from domestic games.BCCI secretary Jay Shah has emphasized the importance of domestic cricket for player fitness and selection. He stated that the harsh action taken against Iyer and Kishan has prompted them to participate in the upcoming Duleep Trophy. Shah also highlighted the case of Ravindra Jadeja, who was asked to play a domestic game after recovering from injury.However, the BCCI has exempted top players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah from domestic cricket as part of workload management. Shah explained that these players are at risk of injury if they are overburdened with domestic matches.The BCCI's decision has sparked debate among cricket fans and experts. Some argue that it is essential for players to maintain their form and fitness through domestic cricket, while others believe that top players should be rested to avoid burnout.The policy change is a significant step by the BCCI to ensure that players are match-ready and available for national selection. It also highlights the importance of domestic cricket as a pathway to the Indian team.

India's wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan is set to make a grand return to domestic red-ball cricket in the upcoming Duleep Trophy. Kishan, who last played a domestic game in 2022, will lead Team D in the tournament, which kicks off on September 2024.Prior to the Duleep Trophy, Kishan will lead Jharkhand in the Buchi Babu tournament. The 25-year-old last played for India in the T20I series against Australia in November 2023. He was also part of the team for the subsequent tour of South Africa but withdrew due to personal reasons.Kishan's absence from domestic cricket towards the end of the 2023-24 season proved costly, as he was removed from the central contract list for not prioritizing domestic cricket. BCCI secretary Jay Shah has emphasized the importance of Kishan playing domestic cricket to regain his place in the Indian side.The Duleep Trophy marks the start of the new domestic season and will feature some of the finest players from the international circuit and emerging talents. The tournament will be played in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, and Bengaluru, Karnataka.Despite reports that senior players might be picked for the Duleep Trophy, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravichandran Ashwin have not been selected. Shubman Gill, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Shreyas Iyer will captain the four teams.Kishan's decision to participate in the Duleep Trophy is a significant step in his bid to regain his place in the Indian team. He has featured in two Tests, 17 ODIs, and 11 T20Is for India in 2023 and was part of the squad that reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Rishabh Pant, India's star wicketkeeper-batter, is set to make his long-awaited return to red-ball cricket in the upcoming Duleep Trophy, which marks the commencement of India's 2024-25 domestic season on September 5. This will be Pant's first first-class appearance since his horrific car accident in December 2022.Pant's inclusion in the Duleep Trophy squad is a significant development, as it signals his recovery from the injuries sustained in the accident. He has been undergoing rehabilitation and training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and is now deemed fit to return to competitive cricket.However, Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, will not be part of any of the four Duleep Trophy squads. Shami is nearing full fitness and has begun bowling at full tilt, but he is targeting a comeback during the two-Test series against Bangladesh from September 19. He will continue his training under the NCA's supervision in Bengaluru.The Duleep Trophy squads also feature the return of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, who had lost their central contracts for not prioritizing domestic cricket last season. Other top players included in the squads are KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, and Kuldeep Yadav.Notably, Test captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah have been given an extended break ahead of India's home season. Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, who has been sidelined with a quadriceps tendon injury since January 2024, is also set to make a comeback in the Duleep Trophy.The selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, has rewarded domestic form, as evidenced by the inclusion of Mumbai all-rounder Musheer Khan. The 19-year-old had a breakout year, playing a key role in India's Under-19 World Cup squad and Mumbai's Ranji Trophy triumph.All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been included subject to fitness, as he is recovering from a sports hernia surgery in June.The Duleep Trophy 2024-25 squads are as follows:Team A: Shubman Gill (capt), Mayank Agarwal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel (wk), KL Rahul, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Tanush Kotian, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan, Vidwath Kaverappa, Kumar Kushagra, Shaswat Rawat.Team B: Abhimanyu Easwaran (capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Musheer Khan, Nitish Kumar Reddy (subject to fitness), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd Siraj, Yash Dayal, Mukesh Kumar, Rahul Chahar, R Sai Kishore, Mohit Awasthi, N Jagadeesan (wk)Team C: Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Abishek Porel (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, B Indrajith, Hrithik Shokeen, Manav Suthar, Umran Malik, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Anshul Khamboj, Himanshu Chauhan, Mayank Markande, Aryan Juyal (wk), Sandeep WarrierTeam D: Shreyas Iyer (capt), Atharva Taide, Yash Dubey, Devdutt Padikkal, Ishan Kishan (wk), Ricky Bhui, Saransh Jain, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Aditya Thakare, Harshit Rana, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Sengupta, KS Bharat (wk), Saurabh Kumar

Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer to Feature in Buchi Babu Invitational TournamentIndian Twenty20 International captain Suryakumar Yadav and star batter Shreyas Iyer are set to participate in the prestigious Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament, which will commence on August 27 in Coimbatore. The tournament will provide an ideal platform for the duo to hone their skills ahead of the upcoming international season.Suryakumar, who recently led India to a 3-0 series victory over Sri Lanka, has confirmed his participation in the tournament. The flamboyant batter is currently enjoying a brief vacation with his wife, Devisha Shetty. On Wednesday, he shared a photo on Instagram, expressing his eagerness to return to the field.Shreyas Iyer, who has been in impressive form in recent times, will also be available for the match against Jammu and Kashmir. The BCCI has encouraged Indian internationals to participate in domestic matches to maintain their peak fitness and form.The Buchi Babu Tournament is a highly regarded event in the Indian domestic cricket calendar. It will offer Suryakumar and Iyer an opportunity to showcase their abilities and prepare for the challenges ahead.Mumbai, led by Sarfaraz Khan, will be bolstered by the presence of Suryakumar and Iyer. The team's batting lineup is expected to be formidable, increasing their chances of making a significant impact in the tournament.Suryakumar, despite his success in the shorter formats, has expressed his desire to make a mark in Test cricket. The Buchi Babu Tournament will provide him with a valuable opportunity to fine-tune his skills and gain experience in the longer format.The participation of Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer in the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament is a testament to the importance of domestic cricket in India. The tournament will serve as a crucial stepping stone for the duo as they prepare for the upcoming international season.