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.

The recent Test series between India and New Zealand has reignited the debate over the duration of the longest format of cricket. With matches increasingly ending within three days, former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar believes it's time to officially reduce Tests to four days.Vengsarkar argues that the financial burden on weaker ICC members is a significant factor. He points out that teams like the West Indies struggle to afford travel and expenses for five-day Tests. Additionally, he believes it's unfair to sell tickets for five days when matches are often over in three.The advent of DRS has also contributed to the shorter duration of Tests. Marginal decisions now favor bowlers, making it more challenging for batters to survive. The post-T20 era has also seen a decline in batting technique and temperament, as head coach Gautam Gambhir has noted.Vengsarkar's proposal has been echoed by other former players, including Michael Vaughan and Shane Warne. The ICC considered the idea of four-day Tests in 2018, but the MCC, the custodians of cricket laws, ultimately decided to maintain the five-day format.However, the MCC did acknowledge some benefits of four-day Tests. In recent years, there have been a few sanctioned four-day Tests, including England vs. Ireland in 2023 and South Africa vs. Zimbabwe. In India, Ranji Trophy matches are played over four days.Another aspect of the Mumbai Test was the enthusiastic crowd attendance. Vengsarkar suggests that the BCCI should schedule Tests only in major cities and metros, while awarding white-ball matches to smaller centers. He believes that Test cricket should be concentrated in venues like New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Chennai.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled a revamped Future Tours Programme (FTP) for women's cricket, introducing dedicated windows for major competitions and expanding the ICC Women's ODI Championship.Women's Premier League (WPL) WindowThe Women's Premier League (WPL), India's premier women's franchise competition, will find a new home in the January-February window from 2026 onwards. This shift has prompted Australia to move its marquee home summer to February-March to avoid a clash with the WPL, where Australian players are highly sought after.Hundred and WBBL WindowsThe Hundred, England's 100-ball competition, and the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), Australia's domestic T20 league, have been allotted dedicated windows in August and November, respectively. This will provide greater clarity and consistency in the women's cricket calendar.ICC Women's ODI Championship ExpansionThe ICC Women's ODI Championship has been expanded to 11 teams, with Zimbabwe becoming the latest entrants. This follows the addition of Bangladesh and Ireland to the ongoing cycle, which will culminate in the ODI World Cup in India in October 2023. The inclusion of Zimbabwe ensures that all of the ICC's Full Members, except Afghanistan, are now part of the championship.T20 Champions TrophyAs part of its strategic plan to have at least one women's global tournament each year, the ICC has introduced a T20 Champions Trophy to be held in Sri Lanka in 2027. This tournament will add to the already crowded calendar, which includes the LA Olympics in August 2028 and the T20 World Cup in September 2028.Other Key Decisions* The ICC has introduced a new points system for the ICC Women's ODI Championship, which will determine qualification for the ODI World Cup.* The ICC Women's T20 World Cup will be expanded to 12 teams from 2024 onwards.* The ICC has committed to increasing investment in women's cricket, including funding for development programs and coaching initiatives.These changes aim to enhance the visibility, competitiveness, and sustainability of women's cricket globally.

Shubman Gill's technical prowess and unwavering determination were on full display as he crafted a magnificent 90-run knock on a challenging Indore pitch, giving India a crucial advantage in the third and final Test against New Zealand.Gill's innings was a testament to his meticulous preparation, as he revisited the technical work he had done before the five-Test series against England earlier this year. This allowed him to rediscover his rhythm and confidence against spinners, who were expected to dominate on the rank turner."I was just trying to have fun," Gill said after the day's play. "I love batting, and I wanted to enjoy the opportunity to bat for as long as possible."Gill's partnership with Rishabh Pant, who contributed a quickfire 60, gave India a 28-run lead. New Zealand ended the second day at 171 for 9, still trailing by 143 runs.Gill emphasized the importance of having a clear mindset while batting on a turning track. "I was trying to have fun and enjoy the moment, even if it was difficult," he said. "I wasn't putting too much pressure on myself."He also credited his partnership with Pant for releasing pressure on him. "The way Rishabh came in and started hitting those boundaries, it made it difficult for the bowlers to bowl consistently in that area," Gill said.Gill's innings was particularly impressive given the "bit of panic" that India experienced at the end of the opening day. However, he believes that "one good partnership" of 70-80 runs on the third morning should see the hosts through."It's all about one good partnership," Gill said. "When you are chasing a total which is around 150-160, if you have one good partnership of 70-80 runs, the match is done and dusted."Gill's performance has been a bright spot for India in a series that has been marred by inconsistent batting. His ability to adapt to different conditions and his unwavering belief in his abilities make him a valuable asset to the team.

Ravindra Jadeja, India's premier all-rounder, has expressed his disappointment over India's recent Test series loss at home against Bangladesh. This marks the first time India has lost a Test series at home since 2012, when Jadeja was a rookie in the team.Jadeja, who has been a key figure in India's Test success over the past decade, admitted that the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. "I was scared of this. I didn't want to lose a single series in India until I played, but it has happened," he said.The left-arm spinner, who picked up his 14th five-wicket haul in the series, believes that the team's mindset played a role in their downfall. "When you are down in the series and such a situation comes up, obviously it feels like if you are down 2-0 in the series, that's why you panicked and you made a mistake," Jadeja explained.Jadeja also pointed out that India's high expectations may have contributed to their struggles. "We have raised our expectations so high that we have not lost a single series for 12 years, and in 12 years, I have been involved in only five losses at home. As a team, it is a lesson. We need to pick up positives from this."Despite the disappointment, Jadeja remains optimistic about India's future. "We have a young team and we have a lot of potential. We just need to learn from our mistakes and come back stronger," he said.

Imran Khwaja has been reappointed as the International Cricket Council's (ICC) deputy chair, extending his tenure until December 1, 2024. This reappointment coincides with the commencement of BCCI secretary Jay Shah's term as ICC chair.Khwaja's association with the ICC Board began in 2008, and he has served as deputy chair since 2017. He has also held the position of interim chair, stepping in after Shashank Manohar's term ended in July 2020. In the subsequent leadership election, Khwaja contested against Greg Barclay, who ultimately won after two rounds of voting.At the ICC annual general meeting in Colombo in July 2023, Khwaja was re-elected as one of three Associate member directors to sit on the ICC Board. In August 2023, Shah was appointed chairperson unopposed, replacing Barclay, who had served two of his three terms. At 35, Shah became the youngest and fifth Indian to hold the position of ICC chair.The ICC has also voted on a recommendation that alters the tenure limits for the ICC chair and board directors. Previously, the maximum tenure was three terms of two years each. Under the new regulations, the maximum tenure will be two terms of three years each.Khwaja's reappointment as deputy chair ensures continuity and stability within the ICC leadership. His experience and expertise will be invaluable as the ICC navigates the evolving landscape of international cricket.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has appointed Sri Lankan legal expert Sumathi Dharmawardena as the new independent chair of its Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU). Dharmawardena will assume the role on November 1, 2024, succeeding Sir Ronnie Flanagan, who has held the position for 14 years.Dharmawardena brings a wealth of experience in legal and anti-corruption matters to the ACU. He has served as the additional solicitor general at the Attorney General's Department of Sri Lanka, where he represented the government and its ministry of sport in various legal proceedings.Additionally, Dharmawardena has collaborated with Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, investigating sports corruption cases and overseeing prosecutions under the prevention of offenses relating to the Sports Act.Dharmawardena's appointment comes at a crucial time for the ICC, as it continues to strengthen its efforts to combat corruption in cricket. The ACU plays a vital role in investigating and prosecuting cases of match-fixing, illegal betting, and other forms of corruption within the sport.Alex Marshall, the current head of the ACU, will also step down from his position at the end of November after seven years of service. The ICC has expressed its gratitude to both Flanagan and Marshall for their contributions to the fight against corruption in cricket.Dharmawardena's appointment is expected to bring a fresh perspective and renewed vigor to the ACU's operations. His expertise in legal matters and his experience in investigating and prosecuting corruption cases will be invaluable in ensuring the integrity of the sport.

Deepti Sharma's exceptional bowling performances in the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand have propelled her to a career-high ranking in the ICC ODI bowling charts. The Indian all-rounder has surged to the No. 2 spot, surpassing Kate Cross and Megan Schutt, with a rating of 687 points.Sharma's impressive display in the first two ODIs has earned her three wickets and an economical bowling average of 3.42. Her consistent performances have significantly boosted her ranking, although she remains 83 points behind the top-ranked Sophie Ecclestone.On the T20I bowling table, Sharma maintains her position at No. 3, trailing only Ecclestone and Sadia Iqbal. The Indian star's all-round abilities are also evident in the allrounders' rankings, where she has climbed to No. 4.From the New Zealand side, Lea Tahuhu has made significant progress, moving up three places to No. 12. Amelia Kerr, despite being ruled out of the series due to injury, has gained one spot to No. 13. Sophie Devine has also made a notable jump, rising nine positions to equal 30th among bowlers.Devine's all-round performance in the second ODI, where she scored 79 runs and claimed three wickets, has also elevated her to No. 8 in the ODI batters' rankings. Other New Zealand batters who have improved their positions include Kerr (No. 11), Suzie Bates (joint No. 15), and Maddy Green (No. 18).For India, Jemimah Rodrigues has made a significant gain among the batters, moving up to No. 35 after her crucial contribution in the first ODI victory.The ongoing ODI series between India and New Zealand has witnessed several notable performances, with Deepti Sharma and Sophie Devine emerging as key players for their respective teams. The final match of the series promises to be an exciting contest, with both sides aiming to secure the series victory.

New Zealand's historic Test series victory in India, their first-ever on Indian soil, is a testament to their resilience, adaptability, and exceptional bowling performance. Led by captain Tom Latham, the Kiwis overcame challenging conditions and a formidable Indian team to secure a decisive 113-run triumph in the second Test in Pune.Latham's leadership was crucial throughout the series. He emphasized the importance of putting up runs early in the innings, a strategy that proved effective as New Zealand consistently set competitive totals. He also praised the exceptional bowling of Mitchell Santner, who claimed 13 wickets in the match and played a vital role in restricting India's batting.The varied conditions across the two Tests required New Zealand to adapt their approach. Latham commended his team's ability to adjust, saying, "Both surfaces were different, and we had to adapt, which we did very well."In the second Test, New Zealand's aggressive play on the third day allowed them to control the game. Latham explained, "The method we played with last night to put ourselves on the front foot was terrific."India, led by Rohit Sharma, presented a tough challenge, especially in the final session. However, New Zealand's bowlers remained disciplined and patient, eventually breaking through. Latham recounted the intensity of the final moments, saying, "Those last two wickets seemed to take forever, but when Tim took that catch, we were thrilled."This victory underscores a collective team effort, smart tactics, and adaptability, securing New Zealand's place in the record books with a series win in one of the most challenging cricketing environments worldwide.