Cricket

India's women's cricket team has announced its squads for the upcoming home series against South Africa, which will feature a three-match ODI series, a one-off Test, and three T20Is. The series will mark India's third Test in seven months, as they continue to promote the longer format of the game.The squads include several notable inclusions and exclusions. Batter Jemimah Rodrigues and allrounder Pooja Vastrakar have been named in all three squads, but their selection is subject to fitness. Rodrigues has been recovering from a back injury, while Vastrakar's injury status is unspecified.Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Uma Chetry has earned a call-up to all three squads, replacing Yastika Bhatia, who is out injured. Chetry was part of India's gold-medal winning team at the 2023 Asian Games.Top-order batter Priya Punia, who last played for India in July 2023, has been recalled to the Test side. Medium-pacer Arundhati Reddy has also been called up to the Test and ODI squads.Fast bowler Titas Sadhu, who played in the T20Is against Bangladesh and India's last ODI and Test assignments, has missed out on selection. Legspinner S Asha, who made her T20I debut in Bangladesh, has earned her maiden ODI call-up. D Hemalatha, who made her comeback in the Bangladesh series, could return to ODI action after almost two years.The series will begin with the ODI series in Bengaluru, followed by the Test in Chennai. The T20Is will also be played in Chennai. The one-off Test was not originally part of the ICC's FTP but was added as both the BCCI and CSA aim to promote women's Tests.

Delhi Capitals Eye Direct WPL Final Qualification in Clash with Gujarat GiantsWith the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 playoffs looming, the Delhi Capitals are poised to take on the Gujarat Giants in their final league stage match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday. The Capitals have already secured a berth in the playoffs with five wins and two losses, amassing 10 points.Jemimah Rodrigues, who played a pivotal role in Delhi's one-run victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore with a Player of the Match performance of 58 off 36 balls, expressed her confidence in the team's abilities. "I've been working hard and it's paying off. I'm glad I can contribute to the team's success," she said.Rodrigues, the eighth-highest run-getter in WPL 2024 with 197 runs in seven innings, has smashed two fifties, including a best score of 69*. She believes the team has recovered well from recent setbacks and is ready for the challenges ahead."We've had some close finishes, but those experiences will help us in the playoffs," she said. "Our approach remains the same: to keep improving and play good cricket."The Delhi Capitals will face the Gujarat Giants in their next match of the WPL 2024 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.