Cricket

India's women's cricket team put on a dominant performance against Sri Lanka in the Women's T20 World Cup, securing a resounding 82-run victory. The triumph not only boosted India's net run rate but also showcased the team's resurgence under the leadership of Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur.The Indian innings got off to a solid start with Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana forming a formidable opening partnership. Verma's aggressive strokeplay and Mandhana's calculated approach set the tone for the innings, amassing 98 runs before both were dismissed in quick succession.Harmanpreet Kaur, known for her explosive batting, stepped up to the plate in the death overs, smashing 52 runs off just 27 deliveries. Her whirlwind knock included eight boundaries, propelling India to a formidable total of 172 for three wickets.Sri Lanka's chase never gained momentum as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Pacer Renuka Singh Thakur struck on the very first ball of the innings, setting the tone for India's bowling dominance. Sri Lanka's top order crumbled under the pressure, with only Kavisha Dilhari offering some resistance with a score of 21.Leg-spinner Asha Sobhana emerged as the wrecker-in-chief for India, claiming three wickets and restricting Sri Lanka's scoring. The Sri Lankan batters struggled to cope with the variety and accuracy of India's bowling attack, eventually being bowled out for a mere 90 runs in 19.5 overs.India's victory was a testament to their improved form and determination. The team had suffered a setback in their previous match against New Zealand, but they responded with a resounding performance against Sri Lanka. The win not only boosted their net run rate but also kept their hopes of reaching the semifinals alive.

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has etched her name in the record books as the fastest Indian to score a half-century in a Women's T20 World Cup. In a blistering display of power-hitting, Kaur reached the milestone in just 27 balls against Sri Lanka in Dubai.Kaur's innings was a masterclass in aggression, as she unleashed a barrage of boundaries and sixes, putting the Sri Lankan bowlers under relentless pressure. She surpassed the previous record held by Smriti Mandhana, who reached the mark off 31 deliveries against Australia in 2018.Coming in at a crucial stage, Kaur wasted no time in settling, targeting both spinners and pacers with equal authority. She cleared the boundary with ease, dispatching deliveries at her own will. The rapid fifty not only showcased her explosive batting but also shifted the momentum in India's favor, as they posted a commanding 172-run total.With this knock, Kaur also joined an elite group of batters, becoming only the third player after Suzie Bates of New Zealand and her compatriot Smriti Mandhana to amass 3500 runs in Women's T20Is. Her fearless approach and ability to dominate the bowling attack in high-pressure situations have become her signature, further cementing her reputation as one of the premier batters in women's cricket.In 176 T20Is till date, the seasoned 35-year-old has amassed an impressive tally of 3522 runs. Her batting prowess is evident in her commendable average of 28.63 and a strike-rate of 108.13. Harmanpreet's consistency is further highlighted by her single century and 13 half-centuries in the shortest format of the game.

India Opts to Bat First Against Sri Lanka in T20 World Cup RematchIn a crucial encounter at the T20 World Cup, India's captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and elected to bat first against Sri Lanka. This rematch of the Asia Cup final holds significant implications for both teams.Kaur, who had suffered a neck injury in the previous match against Pakistan, confirmed her recovery and expressed her desire for the batters to "bat freely" and establish a substantial total. India remained unchanged in their lineup, while Sri Lanka replaced batter Hasini Perera with fast bowling allrounder Ama Kanchana.Sri Lanka's captain, Chamari Athapaththu, emphasized the importance of introspection and smart batting in the challenging conditions. The Dubai International Stadium's square boundaries are relatively short, but the straight hit remains the longest. Former India head coach WV Raman predicted that the cooler evening temperatures would favor the batters.India's victory is crucial for improving their net run rate and maintaining their semi-final hopes. A loss would significantly diminish their chances of advancing.India's Playing XI:1. Shafali Verma2. Smriti Mandhana3. Harmanpreet Kaur (capt)4. Jemimah Rodrigues5. Richa Ghosh (wk)6. Deepti Sharma7. S Sajana8. Shreyanka Patil9. Arundhati Reddy10. Asha Sobhana11. Renuka SinghSri Lanka's Playing XI:1. Vishmi Gunaratne2. Chamari Athapaththu (capt)3. Harshitha Samarawickrama4. Kavisha Dilhari5. Nilakshika Silva6. Anushka Sanjeewani (wk)7. Ama Kanchana8. Sugandika Kumari9. Inoshi Priyadharshani10. Udeshika Prabodhani11. Inoka Ranaweera

The Indian women's cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, will face Sri Lanka in a crucial match of the ongoing ICC Women's T20 World Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. The match holds significance for both teams, as Sri Lanka seeks to keep their knockout stage hopes alive, while India aims to maintain their winning momentum.Sri Lanka, who defeated India in the final of the Asia Cup in July, will be eager to replicate that performance. However, they face an uphill battle after losing their opening matches to Pakistan and Australia. To qualify for the semi-finals, they must win their remaining two matches, including the one against India.India, on the other hand, will be buoyed by their recent victory over Pakistan. They will be keen to continue their winning streak ahead of their final group match against reigning champions Australia. However, they cannot afford any slip-ups after their defeat to New Zealand.Sri Lanka's top-order batters, including skipper Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama, will need to find form in this match. India's spinners, Deepti Sharma and Shreyanka Patil, are likely to play a significant role, so Sri Lanka will need to be wary of their threat.India's right-arm seamer Arundhati Reddy has emphasized the importance of net run rate in their group. "We understand net run rate is important but also winning the game is all the more important for us," she said.Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu expressed her hope that her team will perform well against India. "We have to bounce back in next two games I hope my girls will perform in next two games. Hopefully the condition is different in Dubai. So we are playing next game in Dubai against India. So, I hope we can play really good cricket in Dubai," she said.

India's T20 World Cup campaign has hit a roadblock after a disappointing start. Despite being pre-tournament favorites, Harmanpreet Kaur's team has underperformed, losing to New Zealand and narrowly defeating Pakistan.The team's biggest concern lies in their batting unit. Explosive openers Shafali Varma and Smriti Mandhana have failed to make an impact, struggling against spin and posting dismal Powerplay scores. The onus falls on Mandhana to lead the charge against Sri Lanka's spin-heavy attack, despite her underwhelming record against them.The bowlers have also been inconsistent. India's dominant record against Sri Lanka (19/5) offers little solace, as the Indian team has not played since the Asia Cup final in July, where they suffered a defeat.Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be eager to secure their first points after losses to Pakistan and Australia. Led by Chamari Athapaththu, they will look to exploit India's vulnerabilities and make a strong comeback.With a crucial match against Australia looming, India cannot afford another slip-up. They must improve their net run rate (-1.217) and find a way to ignite their batting unit. The team's fate hangs in the balance as they face Sri Lanka in a must-win encounter.

India's No. 3 batting position in the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup has become a topic of discussion, with vice-captain Smriti Mandhana stating that the choice will be based on match conditions and situations.Initially, head coach Amol Muzumdar had indicated that captain Harmanpreet Kaur would occupy the crucial spot. However, after Kaur's injury scare, Jemimah Rodrigues and Yastika Bhatia have also been considered for the role.Mandhana emphasized that the conditions in the UAE have been challenging, but the difference between day and night games has not been significant. She noted that teams have struggled to score over 140 runs in the tournament, regardless of the time of day.Regarding India's cautious approach against Pakistan, Mandhana stressed the importance of securing points on the board. She acknowledged the need to balance the desire to improve net run rate with the priority of winning matches.Mandhana also addressed the perception that Asian teams would be more comfortable with the conditions in Dubai and Sharjah. She believes that all teams have faced challenges in adjusting to the pitches and that India's performance in the first match against New Zealand was an isolated incident.She emphasized that India's batting unit needs to be smarter and understand their limitations in these conditions. She expressed confidence that the team can improve their performance and play to their full potential in the remaining matches.

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has made a significant leap in the ICC Women's T20 batting rankings, climbing four spots to share the 12th position with Sri Lanka's Harshitha Samarawickrama. Kaur now boasts 610 rating points, a testament to her consistent performances in the ongoing T20 World Cup in the UAE.However, Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues have slipped in the rankings. Mandhana has dropped one place to fifth, while Rodrigues has fallen two spots to 20th. Veteran offspinner Deepti Sharma has also lost ground, dropping two places to fourth, while seamer Renuka Singh Thakur has maintained her position at fifth.In the bowlers' rankings, off-spinner Shreyanka Patil has made an impressive surge, climbing nine places to 29th. Pakistan spinner Sadia Iqbal has made history by becoming the first from her country to briefly top the rankings, overtaking long-time number one Sophie Ecclestone. However, Ecclestone has regained her position after claiming 2/15 against South Africa in a Player-of-the-Match performance.South Africa openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits have both achieved career-best-equalling rankings after moving up two spots each to third and sixth respectively.The ICC rankings have been released amidst the ongoing T20 World Cup, where teams are vying for the coveted title. The tournament has witnessed some thrilling matches and impressive performances, with players from various nations making their mark on the global stage.

India's hard-fought victory over Pakistan in the Women's T20 World Cup on Sunday brought relief, but former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar expressed disappointment over the team's slow run-chase.Chasing Pakistan's modest total of 105 for 8, India took 18.5 overs to complete the six-wicket win, resulting in a net run rate (NRR) of -1.217. Pakistan, with an NRR of +0.555, remains ahead of India in Group A.Manjrekar believes India could have been more aggressive in their pursuit of runs. "Winning is very important, but I am a little disappointed because New Zealand's run-rate is +2.900, and that's the team India need to catch up with," he said.Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was the only Indian batter to strike at a rate above 100.00, scoring 29 off 24 balls before retiring hurt with a neck injury. Opener Shafali Verma top-scored with 32 off 35 balls, while Jemimah Rodrigues contributed 23 off 28 balls."India did win, but inside Harmanpreet will be feeling that they should have scored a little more briskly and won in a quicker time. It would have benefitted in the long run," Manjrekar analyzed.Opener Smriti Mandhana acknowledged that India's start with the bat could have been better. "We could have done with a better start with the bat," said Mandhana, who scored only 7. "But we will take this. We were thinking about it (NRR) but Shafali and I weren't able to time it (the shots) well."Regarding Harmanpreet's injury, Mandhana said, "Too soon to say anything, the medics are looking at it. Hopefully she is alright."India's victory provides momentum, but the team must improve its run-rate to challenge New Zealand and Australia, who currently top Group A.

After their disappointing loss to New Zealand, the Indian women's cricket team made a strong comeback against Pakistan in the Group A match of the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup at the Dubai International Stadium. Led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, India restricted Pakistan to a modest total of 105/8, thanks to a brilliant bowling performance by Arundhati Reddy, who claimed three wickets.Pakistan's batters struggled to find their rhythm against India's disciplined bowling attack. However, the Indian fielders were guilty of some sloppy fielding, allowing Pakistan to score a few extra runs. Despite the fielding lapses, Richa Ghosh stood out with an exceptional catch to dismiss Fatima Sana off the bowling of Asha Shobhana. The catch was widely praised on social media, with many calling it "one of the greatest catches."Meanwhile, Diana Baig and Pooja Vastrakar were notable absentees from the playing XIs. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to capitalize on the fresh pitch. India, on the other hand, entered the match with a negative net run rate after their heavy loss to New Zealand.Pakistan's decision to bat first backfired as they struggled to build partnerships and lost wickets at regular intervals. Arundhati Reddy was the pick of the Indian bowlers, taking 3/23 in her four overs. Deepti Sharma and Asha Shobhana also chipped in with two wickets each.In response, India's batters chased down the target with relative ease, reaching 106/2 in 17.2 overs. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided a solid start, while Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh finished the job with unbeaten knocks.The victory was a much-needed boost for India, who had been under pressure after their loss to New Zealand. It also marked a significant milestone for the Dubai International Stadium, which hosted its 100th T20I match.