Cricket

Indian cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur has been nominated for the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) Team of the Decade. The 50-player shortlist recognizes the most outstanding players from the league's 10-year history.Kaur, a right-handed batter, has played 62 matches for Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades in the WBBL. She has scored 1440 runs at an average of 37.89, including seven half-centuries. Her consistent performances have earned her a place among the league's elite players.The WBBL Team of the Decade will be selected by a panel of experts, including Cricket Australia Director Clea Smith, Mel Jones, Lisa Sthalekar, Matthew Mott, Quentin Hull, Laura Jolly, and Alistair Dobson. Fans will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite players through the Big Bash App from November 11-24.The final 12-player team will be announced at the WBBL 10 Final on December 1. As per league rules, the team can include a maximum of three overseas players.Kaur's nomination is a testament to her exceptional talent and contributions to the WBBL. She is the only Indian player on the shortlist, highlighting her status as one of the most respected and admired cricketers in the world.The WBBL Team of the Decade will honor the players who have shaped the league's history and inspired generations of young cricketers. Kaur's inclusion on the shortlist is a fitting recognition of her achievements and her role in the growth of women's cricket.

India's women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur has climbed to the joint ninth spot in the latest ICC Women's ODI rankings, while opener Smriti Mandhana has maintained her fourth position. The rankings were released in Dubai on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.Kaur's rise in the rankings comes after her crucial role in India's six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third ODI of their ICC Women's Championship series in Ahmedabad. Despite slipping three slots after the first two matches, her unbeaten 59 off 63 balls propelled her back into the top 10.Left-hander Mandhana, who won the player of the match award for her century in the same match, added 23 rating points to reach a tally of 728. This places her just five points behind Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu in the list led by England's Natalie Sciver-Brunt with 760 rating points.Other Indian players also made significant progress in the rankings. Wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia moved up from 48th to 45th after contributing 35 runs. For New Zealand, Brooke Halliday's knock of 86 lifted her 12 spots to 24th position, while Georgia Plimmer's 39 runs took her from 85th to 74th position.In the bowling chart, seasoned spinner Deepti Sharma gained important rating points after helping India win the series 2-1. Sharma, who had already attained a career-high 687 rating points last week, added 16 more to reach 703 rating points. This solidifies her second place among bowlers, behind England's left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, who enjoys a huge lead with 770 rating points.India pacer Renuka Singh moved up four places to 32nd, while Saima Thakor (up 20 places to joint-77th) and Priya Mishra (up six places to 83rd) also progressed.In the ICC Women's Championship standings, India is placed third with 25 points, while New Zealand is sixth with 20 points from 21 matches. Australia and England are at the top with 28 points each, from 18 and 21 matches, respectively.

India's women's cricket team, led by Smriti Mandhana in the absence of injured captain Harmanpreet Kaur, chose to bat first in the opening ODI against New Zealand at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad. This is the first women's ODI to be played at this venue since April 2013.India handed ODI debuts to Tejal Hasabnis and Saima Thakor, while Arundhati Reddy and Renuka Singh provided the pace options. Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav were the spin options, with D Hemalatha batting at No. 4 in place of Harmanpreet. Yastika Bhatia took over the wicketkeeping duties and batted at one-down.New Zealand, who are looking to earn crucial ICC Women's Championship points in this series, fielded a similar lineup to the one that won them the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Lauren Down, returning from maternity leave, slotted into the lower middle order, while tall fast bowler Molly Penfold made her debut. Experienced fast bowler Lea Tahuhu was rested.

India's women's cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, embarks on a crucial three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting Thursday. The series serves as a vital preparation for next year's World Cup, following India's disappointing performance at the recent T20 World Cup.Kaur, who has faced criticism for her captaincy, will be under immense pressure to prove her worth. She will be without the services of wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, who is appearing for her board exams. Experienced all-rounder Asha Sobhana and seamer Pooja Vastrakar are also unavailable due to injury and rest, respectively.The series presents an opportunity for uncapped players Tejal Hasabnis, Saima Thakor, and Priya Mishra to make their mark. The opening duo of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana will be expected to provide a solid start, while Jemimah Rodrigues and Kaur will be tasked with anchoring the middle order.New Zealand, on the other hand, will be brimming with confidence after their triumph at the T20 World Cup. Led by Sophie Devine, they will be looking to continue their winning ways.The series will be a test of character for India, who will be eager to put their T20 World Cup disappointment behind them. Kaur will need to find the right balance between experience and youth, while New Zealand will be aiming to maintain their momentum.All three matches will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, with the first match starting at 1.30 pm IST.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 Team of the Tournament, recognizing the outstanding performances of players throughout the competition. India's skipper Harmanpreet Kaur stands as the sole Indian representative in the prestigious lineup.Kaur emerged as a beacon of hope for India amidst a challenging campaign. She topped the team's scoring charts and ranked fourth overall in the tournament, amassing 150 runs in four innings. Her two half-centuries propelled her to an impressive average of 150 and a strike rate of 133.92, the fifth-best in the competition. Kaur's blistering 52 off 27 balls against Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in keeping India's semifinal hopes alive.South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt, the tournament's captain, provided a solid foundation for her team at the top of the order. She surpassed 30 runs in all but one of her games, including four scores over 40. Her highest score came in South Africa's opening match, but it was her resilient 42 in the semi-final that laid the groundwork for a successful chase against Australia.Tazmin Brits, South Africa's opener, formed a formidable partnership with Wolvaardt, driving the team to the final. Brits accumulated 187 runs in six innings, averaging an impressive 37.40. She surpassed 40 runs in three innings, including a match-winning unbeaten 57 in South Africa's opening fixture against the West Indies.England's Danni Wyatt-Hodge emerged as a firecracker at the top of the order, notching up the most runs for her side. She registered scores of 40+ in each of England's first three games. Wyatt-Hodge's tournament highlight was an unbeaten 26-ball 51 against Scotland, guiding England to a 10-wicket win in a record partnership alongside Maia Bouchier.New Zealand's Melie Kerr, the Player of the Final and the Player of the Tournament, starred in her team's title-winning campaign. She contributed both with the bat and ball, scoring 135 runs in six innings and taking 15 wickets, becoming the tournament's leading wicket-taker. Her impressive 3 for 24 in the final, including the crucial wickets of Wolvaardt and Bosch, was pivotal in New Zealand's victory.Deandra Dottin shone for the West Indies on her return to international cricket. She scored 120 runs in five innings, averaging 40, and played a crucial role in the middle order. Her tournament-high nine sixes were unmatched, and she also contributed with the ball, taking five wickets, including a standout performance of 4 for 22 in the semifinal against New Zealand.Bangladesh's wicketkeeper Nigar Sultana Joty had a standout performance, excelling both behind the stumps and with the bat. She scored 104 runs in four innings, with a top score of 39 against the West Indies. Her best contributions came with the gloves, where she made six stumpings and took one catch, the highest total among wicketkeepers in the tournament.Afy Fletcher came up clutch with the ball for the West Indies, finishing off with the third-most wickets. Despite not picking up a wicket in their opening game, the 37-year-old returned with strong performances, taking 10 wickets in total, including two 3-wicket hauls against Scotland and England.New Zealand's Rosemary Mair bookended her tournament with two outstanding displays. She returned the best figures for the White Ferns in their crucial opening win over India, taking 4/19, and was excellent again in the final, taking 3/25. With probing accuracy and big movement, Mair proved an important weapon for the champions.South Africa's Nonkululeko Mlaba made her team's tournament come to life with a brilliant 4/29 in their first game against the West Indies. She remained crucial throughout, varying her speeds and lengths to great effect. Her scalp of Tahlia McGrath ended a promising stand for Australia in the semi-final, and she also removed Suzie Bates and Melie Kerr in the final.Australia's reliable pacer Megan Schutt had a typically impactful outing, troubling batters throughout the innings. Her ability to maintain control was matched by her wicket-taking prowess. She was at her best in the group game against New Zealand, striking first and then taking wickets of Melie Kerr and Eden Carson to seal a dominant win for Australia.

Wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, a rising star in Indian cricket, will miss the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand to prioritize her academic commitments. The 21-year-old, who has been a regular member of India's international teams since her debut in 2020, will sit for her class 12 board exams during the series.Ghosh's absence will be a significant blow to India, who are looking to bounce back from their disappointing group-stage exit at the ongoing T20 World Cup in the UAE. The team's captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, has come under scrutiny following the tournament, and the ODI series against New Zealand will be a crucial test for her leadership.The 16-member squad for the three ODIs in Ahmedabad on October 24, 27, and 29 will be led by Kaur. The team includes several experienced players, such as Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Deepti Sharma, as well as some exciting newcomers.Seam-bowling allrounders Sayali Satghare and Saima Thakor, legspinner Priya Mishra, and middle-order batter Tejal Hasabnis have all received their maiden ODI call-ups. The BCCI has confirmed that legspinner Asha Sobhana is unavailable due to injury, while allrounder Pooja Vastrakar has been rested.India will be eager to put their T20 World Cup disappointment behind them and perform well in the ODI series against New Zealand. The team will be looking to build momentum ahead of the 2023 Women's Cricket World Cup, which will be held in South Africa.

India's disappointing exit from the Women's T20 World Cup has sparked calls for a change in leadership, with former captain Mithali Raj advocating for a younger skipper. Raj believes that the time is ripe for a transition, as India has failed to progress under Harmanpreet Kaur's captaincy.Raj suggests that Jemimah Rodrigues, who has impressed with her energy and leadership qualities, would be a suitable replacement. She highlights Rodrigues' ability to build momentum and connect with her teammates.Raj attributes India's poor performance to their inability to adapt quickly to the slow wickets in South Africa. She contrasts this with the adaptability shown by New Zealand captain Sophie Devine, who scored a crucial half-century against India.Beyond the captaincy issue, Raj expresses concern about the team's lack of growth in recent years. She believes that India has become complacent in beating lower-ranked teams and has failed to challenge themselves against top sides like Australia.Raj also questions the team management's tactics, particularly their decision not to give opportunities to fringe players in the lead-up to the World Cup. She argues that this lack of depth has hindered India's ability to compete at the highest level.Furthermore, Raj criticizes the fitness levels of some players, which she believes contributed to dropped catches. She emphasizes the need for a consistent fitness benchmark throughout the year, rather than relying on short-term camps.

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has lauded captain Harmanpreet Kaur and the women's team for their valiant effort against Australia in their T20 World Cup 2024 match in Sharjah on Sunday. Despite a heartbreaking loss, Manjrekar praised the team's determination and Harmanpreet's leadership.The Indian women's team fell short by 14 runs in their pursuit of Australia's 150-run target, with Harmanpreet scoring an unbeaten 54 off 47 balls. Manjrekar believes that no other team could have come as close to the target on a challenging pitch."No other team other than India would have come so close to the big target Aus set on a difficult pitch. I say, well done India! And again what a star Harman is!" Manjrekar tweeted.However, fans expressed frustration with Manjrekar's comments, calling them an "excuse" for the team's failure to win. They argued that the team should be held accountable for their performance, regardless of the pitch conditions.Manjrekar defended his stance, stating that Harmanpreet's unbeaten knock showcased her caliber. "Harmanpreet Kaur showed in the end why she is so great. She almost won the match. The pitch was very tricky, the score was almost like chasing 250, and they reached so close. It's a matter of great pride for me," he said on Star Sports.He also praised the team's overall performance, highlighting their ability to score runs without Smriti Mandhana's contribution and their effective bowling."The Indian team touched new heights today. This was a very important match... the batters kept scoring without Mandhana's contribution, and the bowling was good," he added.Manjrekar believes that the team's performance against Australia is a testament to their progress and potential. "They set an excellent score on the tough pitch in Sharjah. They set 150 where the average score is around 115. India almost won this match. So they reached close to Mount Everest, they reached the third or fourth base," he explained.Despite the loss, Manjrekar remains optimistic about the team's future. He believes that they have the talent and determination to achieve success in the future.

Harmanpreet Kaur, the dynamic Indian skipper, has etched her name alongside the legendary Mithali Raj as the joint-highest run-scorer for India in the Women's T20 World Cup. With an unbeaten 54-run knock against Australia in Sharjah, Kaur matched Raj's tally of 726 runs in the tournament's history.Kaur's milestone came in a crucial Group A encounter, but India's hopes of a semifinal berth suffered a setback with a 9-run defeat. Despite her valiant effort, Australia's fighting total of 151 proved too much for the Indian team.Kaur's consistent brilliance in high-pressure situations has made her an indispensable asset for India. Her ability to anchor innings and accelerate at will has earned her a reputation as one of the most formidable batters in women's cricket.Raj, the former India captain and a global icon, set the benchmark with her 726 runs, inspiring a generation of players. Her calm demeanor and technical prowess have left an enduring legacy on the sport.Following Kaur and Raj in the list of India's top run-getters in the Women's T20 World Cup are Smriti Mandhana (524 runs), Jemimah Rodrigues (407 runs), and Punam Raut (375 runs). These players have all played pivotal roles in India's rise in the T20 format.With India's qualification for the semifinals hanging in the balance, they will now rely on Pakistan to defeat New Zealand in their final group game. Kaur's leadership and the team's collective determination will be crucial in their quest to overcome this setback and secure a place in the last four.