Cricket

India's explosive opener Shafali Verma led the charge with a remarkable 48-ball 81, her career-best, propelling the defending champions to a decisive 82-run victory over Nepal in the Women's Asia Cup T20 tournament at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla on Tuesday. This win ensured India's progression to the semifinals.Opting to bat first after winning the toss, India capitalized on the opportunity with Hemalatha contributing a valuable 47 runs. The partnership's aggressive approach was instrumental in India reaching a competitive total of 178 for three. Jemimah Rodrigues further bolstered the innings with an unbeaten 28 off 15 balls, enhancing the score with three boundaries in the concluding over.Facing a challenging target, Nepal's pursuit was hindered by India's proficient bowling attack, limiting them to 96 for nine in their allotted 20 overs. The requirement for Nepal to surpass Pakistan's net run rate and secure a semifinal berth necessitated achieving the target within 10 overs, a feat they were unable to accomplish.Deepti Sharma emerged as the standout bowler for India, claiming three wickets for 13 runs. She was well-supported by Radha Yadav and Arundhati Reddy, who took two wickets each, contributing to a formidable bowling performance that stifled Nepal's chase.Nepal's innings was characterized by regular wicket losses, with their top order struggling against India's seam and spin attack. Arundhati Reddy's early dismissal of Nepal's openers set the tone, while Deepti Sharma's all-round performance, including a direct hit, showcased India's dominance in the field.Shafali Verma's innings was a highlight, featuring an array of shots that put the Nepalese bowlers under pressure. Her aggressive batting, marked by 12 fours and a six, was particularly punishing against medium pacer Kabita Joshi and off-spinner Sabnam Rai. Hemalatha, despite a slower start, managed to support the innings effectively, contributing with both boundaries and a six.The match also witnessed moments of resilience from Nepal, including a missed catch opportunity that could have broken the opening partnership earlier. However, India's batting prowess and disciplined bowling ultimately proved too strong for Nepal, confirming India's place in the semifinals alongside Pakistan from Group A.

Harmanpreet Kaur: Cricket is Like a 'God' to MeIndian women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur has expressed her deep love and gratitude for the sport, stating that it has given her everything. Ahead of India's Women's Asia Cup match against Nepal, Kaur shared her thoughts on the impact cricket has had on her life."Cricket, I think, is everything to me," Kaur said. "Without cricket, I do not think I would be anything. The name that cricket has given me, no other field could have given it to me. So I think, for me, cricket is like a god."Kaur recalled the moment she first held the Indian jersey, a moment that filled her with pride and gratitude. "I can say that off-field, when I held the Indian jersey for the first time, I took a photo after wearing it for the first time, and I was just thinking about who deserves this photo first," she said. "Should I send it to my parents, or the coach who gave me this platform, who gave me admission to his school, and said, 'I will start cricket in school for you,' should I send it to him? So I was so confused, who should I send first, because both were equally important to me."On the field, Kaur's most memorable moment came in the 2017 ICC Women's World Cup semifinal against Australia, where she scored a brilliant 171* off 115 balls. "On the field, in 2017, when I scored 171, that was something," she recalled. "I remember before that game, one of my friends told me, 'We will win tomorrow only if you score 150 runs.' I said, '150 runs? I have heard that you will score 100 runs, you will win tomorrow. 150, I mean, what is this demand, right? I will have to score 150 runs to win tomorrow.' So that was stuck in my head for the whole night, and I kept thinking, 'It is the Australian team, so I will have to play something different to beat them,' because they had such a strong team. So I think that was very special for me."Kaur believes that the Indian women's cricket team has made significant progress in recent years, becoming more aggressive and confident on the field. "So we always discuss that if there are two options, we will always choose the aggressive option," she said. "Before, it felt like we were playing timidly. When things did not go according to our plan, we used to get scared very quickly, but now we play a little brave cricket, so we make brave decisions. With time, we have forced people to come to the stadium through our performance."

Nitish Kumar Reddy, the Andhra Pradesh and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) all-rounder, recently shared his emotional journey to receiving his Indian jersey. His father, Mutyalu, had risked his career to support his son's cricket aspirations, and the moment was a testament to their unwavering bond.Reddy's path to the Indian team began with a solid performance in the 2024 IPL season with SRH. Despite not playing due to a sports hernia injury, he impressed with his all-round abilities, scoring 303 runs and taking three wickets.The 21-year-old's journey began at the age of 13 when his father quit his job to focus on his son's cricket development. Despite initial setbacks, Reddy's determination and hard work paid off. He made waves in the Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy, scoring a triple ton and a quadruple ton.However, success at the U19 level proved elusive, leading Reddy to focus solely on batting. But his coach, Srinivas Reddy, encouraged him to continue bowling, recognizing his potential as a rare pace bowling all-rounder in India.Reddy's breakthrough came in the 2019-20 domestic season when he was picked for the ACA camp and subsequently made his Ranji debut. He quickly adapted to the challenges of first-class cricket, learning to conserve his energy and capitalize on loose deliveries.Despite being picked up by SRH in the 2023 IPL, Reddy struggled to break into the team. He was also called up to India's Emerging Players squad for the Asia Cup but did not get a chance to bat.A setback in the form of an ankle injury threatened to derail his progress, but Reddy refused to give up. He arranged for net practice sessions against fast bowlers to prove his worth as a top-order batsman.His determination paid off in the 2024 IPL, where he impressed SRH skipper Pat Cummins with his ability to handle pace. Reddy's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of support, and the unwavering belief in one's abilities.

Shubman Gill, the prodigious Indian batter, has emerged as a formidable force in world cricket. Since his international debut in 2019, he has established himself as a cornerstone of India's batting lineup. Beyond his exceptional batting prowess, Gill has also showcased remarkable leadership qualities and an ability to thrive under pressure.As the captain of the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Gill led his team to victory in the 2022 season. His astute decision-making and calm demeanor on the field earned him widespread praise. Moreover, he recently captained a young Indian team to a 4-1 triumph in the T20I series against Zimbabwe.Gill's leadership potential has not gone unnoticed. He has been appointed as the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, where India will play three T20Is and three ODIs. Former India batting coach Vikram Rathour believes that Gill has the potential to lead India across all formats in the future."He has shown terrific body language, which is a must if you are leading a side," Rathour said. "Now with the vice-captaincy, the BCCI has given him extra responsibility and I am sure he will thrive in this role."Rathour believes that captaincy can bring out the best in players, as it did for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He expects Gill to flourish in this leadership role and eventually lead India in all three formats.Gill's appointment as vice-captain is a testament to his growing stature within the Indian cricket team. His ability to handle pressure, make sound decisions, and inspire his teammates makes him a prime candidate for future leadership. As he continues to develop his skills and experience, Gill is poised to become one of the most influential players in Indian cricket.

Pakistani Journalist's Comparison of Sourav Ganguly and Imam-ul-Haq Sparks OutrageA Pakistani journalist's attempt to compare former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly with Pakistan's batsman Imam-ul-Haq has ignited a firestorm of criticism on social media. The journalist posted photos of the two players, asking fans to choose the better player.The comparison was met with widespread disapproval, as fans pointed out the vast disparity in their respective careers. Ganguly, known affectionately as "Dada," is widely regarded as one of India's greatest cricket captains. During his tenure from 2000 to 2005, he led the team to numerous victories, including the 2003 World Cup final and the NatWest Trophy in 2002.Ganguly's leadership style was characterized by aggression and fearlessness, and he played a pivotal role in nurturing young talents like Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh. His legacy as a captain who instilled confidence and a winning mentality in the Indian cricket team remains unmatched.In contrast, Imam-ul-Haq, while a promising batsman, has yet to establish himself as a consistent performer at the international level. The 28-year-old has played 24 Tests, 72 ODIs, and 2 T20Is, amassing fewer than 5,000 international runs.The journalist's comparison was seen as disrespectful to Ganguly's illustrious career and the immense contribution he has made to Indian cricket. Fans took to social media to express their outrage, with many calling the comparison "absurd" and "outrageous."The incident highlights the deep-rooted rivalry between India and Pakistan in cricket. While friendly competition is always welcome, attempts to diminish the achievements of legendary players are likely to be met with strong resistance from fans.

Hardik Pandya's injury woes have cast a shadow over his captaincy aspirations, leading to Suryakumar Yadav's appointment as India's T20I skipper for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.Chief selector Ajit Agarkar emphasized the importance of a captain's availability, stating that Pandya's fitness concerns were a major factor in the decision. "The biggest thing is the captain should be on the park more often than not," Agarkar said.The selectors also cited feedback from the dressing room regarding Pandya's leadership and man-management skills, which they deemed insufficient. By handing the reins to Suryakumar Yadav, they aim to "press the reset button" ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup."We feel that Surya has the necessary qualities to be a good captain," Agarkar added. "Two years is a long time, so it gives us a chance to look at things differently."Pandya's injury during the 2023 ODI World Cup further complicated the situation, leaving the selectors with a dilemma. "When Hardik got injured, it was a challenge," Agarkar said. "We don't want that situation going forward again."Despite Pandya's absence, the selectors did not consider him for the vice-captaincy, instead opting for Shubman Gill. "Shubman is a three-format player and shows a lot of qualities," Agarkar explained. "We want someone who can learn from SKY and Rohit Sharma."Pandya's career trajectory has taken a rollercoaster turn, from being the captain-in-waiting to having the leadership door shut for now. The selectors have challenged him to regain peak form and fitness."He's still a very important player for us," Agarkar said. "Those skill sets are hard to find."Suryakumar Yadav, known for his exceptional T20 batting, now has the opportunity to prove his mettle as a captain. "SKY's got a good cricketing brain," Agarkar said. "We think he is a deserving candidate."

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian men's cricket team, has addressed the future of veteran players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both players have recently retired from T20Is, but remain in the ODI squad. Gambhir believes that the decision of how long they continue playing is up to them, but he believes they have "a lot of cricket left in them."Gambhir highlighted the impressive performances of Sharma and Kohli on the big stage, including the T20 and 50-over World Cups. He emphasized that both players are still world-class and any team would want to have them for as long as possible.However, Gambhir acknowledged that the decision of when to retire is a personal one. He stated that it is up to the players to determine how much they can contribute to the team's success. He also mentioned the upcoming Champions Trophy and tour of Australia as potential motivations for the players to continue playing.Gambhir expressed his belief that Sharma and Kohli could potentially play until the 2027 ODI World Cup if they maintain their fitness. He emphasized that the team's success is paramount and that the players' contributions will be crucial in achieving that goal.

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of Team India, has outlined his vision for Indian cricket, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the team's success over personal agendas. In his inaugural press conference alongside chief selector Ajit Agarkar, Gambhir stressed the need for transparency and direct communication to address any speculation regarding his appointment and the team's direction.Gambhir acknowledged the accomplishments of his predecessor, Rahul Dravid, and highlighted his intent to continue the team's legacy of achieving significant milestones. He stated, "I am taking over a very, very successful team. T20 World champions, runners-up in the WTC and ODI World Cup. The betterment of Gautam Gambhir is not important; Indian cricket is."Agarkar provided insights into the recent selection decisions, explaining the rationale behind appointing Suryakumar Yadav as the T20I captain over Hardik Pandya. He emphasized the importance of having a captain who can consistently participate in all games, citing Pandya's fitness challenges.Agarkar also addressed the exclusion of star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja from the Sri Lanka series, clarifying that Jadeja was rested, not dropped. He pointed out the strategic reasons for this decision, stating that it was pointless to take both Axar Patel and Jadeja in the same short series.Gambhir and Agarkar's remarks underscore a clear vision centered on strategic planning, transparency, and maintaining the high standards set by the team's recent successes. Moving forward, the focus is on the collective objective of enhancing Indian cricket, addressing challenges with clear communication, and making informed decisions for the future.

Rohit Sharma Confirms Availability for Sri Lanka ODI Series, Joins Kohli in SquadIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has confirmed his availability for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka, putting an end to speculation that he might skip the tour. Sharma, who recently retired from T20 Internationals, will join former captain Virat Kohli in the 15-man squad for the three-match series.Following India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Sharma announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game. Kohli had also retired from T20Is after the tournament. The ODI series against Sri Lanka will mark their return to the 50-over format.With only six ODIs remaining before next year's Champions Trophy, the series is crucial for both Sharma and Kohli. It will provide them with an opportunity to fine-tune their skills and help new coach Gautam Gambhir assess tactical combinations.Sharma's confirmation of his availability is a significant boost for the Indian team. The veteran opener is one of the most experienced and successful batters in the world, and his presence will add stability to the top order.Kohli, who has been in excellent form in recent months, will also be eager to make a mark in the ODI series. The former captain is India's all-time leading run-scorer in the format and will be looking to add to his tally.The ODI series against Sri Lanka will be played from July 18 to 23. The first match will be held in Colombo, followed by the second and third matches in Pallekele.