Cricket

Smriti Mandhana, the prodigious Indian batter, has etched her name in the annals of women's cricket by surpassing Mithali Raj's record for the most ODI centuries scored by an Indian woman. With her latest century against New Zealand, Mandhana now boasts an impressive tally of eight ODI hundreds, eclipsing Raj's previous record of seven.Mandhana's remarkable achievement is a testament to her exceptional talent and unwavering determination. At just 27 years of age, she is already one of India's most prolific batters and is well on her way to challenging Meg Lanning's record of 15 ODI centuries. Having reached her current tally in just 88 matches, Mandhana has ample time to pursue this feat, especially considering her prime form.Throughout her ODI career, Mandhana has amassed a staggering 3,690 runs with an impressive average of 45.00 and a strike rate of 84.92. In addition to her eight centuries, she has also notched up 27 half-centuries, further solidifying her status as a consistent run-scorer.Mandhana's aggressive style of play and unwavering consistency have been instrumental in her success. Her ability to consistently score big runs is evident in her impressive average and strike rate, which rank her among the best in the game.Reflecting on her record-breaking performance, Mandhana acknowledged the challenges she faced during the recent T20 World Cup in UAE. However, she expressed her determination to move forward and regain the team's confidence."It's not been easy, the last one and a half months for the team," Mandhana said. "We had a lot of expectations from all of us individually and as a team in the World Cup. The series came too soon for everyone. Half of everyone's mind was still on the World Cup. This series win (against NZ) is definitely going to boost confidence, especially this being such a young team, they take things to heart. I'm really happy that we could win the series today and start the journey again."Mandhana's record-breaking achievement is a source of immense pride for Indian cricket and serves as an inspiration to aspiring young batters. Her journey towards challenging Meg Lanning's record is sure to be an exciting one, and her fans will be eagerly following her progress.

Smriti Mandhana, the star batter of Indian women's cricket, has etched her name in the annals of history by surpassing the legendary Mithali Raj to become the Indian player with the most ODI centuries. Mandhana's elegant stroke play and aggressive approach have been instrumental in her remarkable achievement.During the third ODI against New Zealand women at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Mandhana notched up her eighth century, surpassing Raj's record of seven. Her innings of 100 off 122 balls was a testament to her exceptional batting prowess and provided India with a strong start.Mandhana's ability to build big scores has set her apart as one of the finest batters in the game. Her powerful stroke play and elegance at the crease have often provided India with vital innings at crucial moments. In the final match of the three-match ODI series, India secured a six-wicket victory over New Zealand, winning the series 2-1.Behind Mandhana is Mithali Raj, a legendary figure in Indian cricket. With seven centuries to her name, Raj's approach was marked by precision, patience, and technical prowess. Her career spanned over two decades, during which she not only held together India's middle order but also inspired countless young cricketers. Her impact on Indian women's cricket is undeniable, and her seven centuries stand as a testament to her enduring skill and resilience.Current ODI skipper Harmanpreet Kaur is another notable name in the list of Indian batters with multiple ODI centuries. Known for her aggressive batting and match-winning knocks, Kaur has six ODI centuries to her name. She has often taken on the role of a game-changer, particularly in high-stakes situations. Her ability to counterattack and play under pressure has made her one of the most exciting players in the lineup.Punam Raut, with three centuries, has also made a significant contribution to India's journey in women's cricket. Her steady approach and ability to accumulate runs have earned her a place among the top batters in the country.These players have each contributed uniquely to India's success in women's cricket, creating a formidable legacy for future generations. Mandhana's record-breaking achievement is a testament to her exceptional talent and the bright future of Indian women's cricket.

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.

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.

India's Familiarity with UAE Conditions Gives Them an Edge in Women's T20 World CupFormer Indian women's cricket captain Mithali Raj believes that India will have a significant advantage in the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup, which will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from October 3.The UAE's conditions are similar to those found in India, giving the Indian team a familiarity that other teams may not have. "The UAE is, again, in very similar conditions, so we can say that, you know, our team has the advantage," Raj told Star Sports.However, Raj cautioned against complacency, emphasizing that every team will be well-prepared for the tournament. "But again, the World Cup means every team comes well prepared," she added.Despite reaching the finals of several ICC events, including two senior World Cups, the Indian women's team has yet to win a global title. "The Indian women's team, so far, hasn't won, other than the Under-19 World Cup," Raj said.Raj expressed her desire for the team to perform well in the tournament. "I think I will definitely want the team to do well because, like everybody else, when we get into the World Cup, we want our team to win," she said.India will open their campaign against New Zealand on October 4 in Dubai. They have been placed in Group A alongside Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Smriti Mandhana, the Indian women's cricket team's star opener, has etched her name in the annals of history by equaling Mithali Raj's record for the most centuries in women's One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Mandhana's scintillating knock of 136 runs against South Africa in the second ODI at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium marked her seventh ODI century, bringing her level with the legendary Raj.Mandhana's remarkable achievement is a testament to her exceptional talent and consistency. Her back-to-back centuries in the series against South Africa make her the first Indian woman to achieve this feat in ODI cricket. In the series opener, she had scored a brilliant 117 runs, setting the tone for India's dominance in the series.The match against South Africa began cautiously for Mandhana, who was kept quiet by the South African bowlers during the first powerplay. However, she gradually found her rhythm and began to dominate the bowlers. Her composed approach paid off as she reached her century in just 103 balls, eventually scoring 136 off 120 balls.Mandhana's knock was adorned with 18 boundaries and two sixes, showcasing her ability to both accumulate and accelerate runs. Her efforts propelled India past the 200-run mark inside the 40th over, setting a strong foundation for a formidable total.Supporting Mandhana at the other end was captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who also slammed an 87-ball century. The duo's partnership was crucial in maintaining the momentum and putting pressure on the South African bowlers.However, Mandhana was dismissed in the 46th over scoring 136 of 120 deliveries, attempting to hit Nonkululeko Mlaba over the cover region. India posted a mammoth total of 325 for three in 50 overs with the help of centuries by Mandhana and skipper Kaur.Mandhana's record-equaling century is a significant milestone in her illustrious career. It is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and unwavering determination. As she continues to shine on the international stage, Mandhana is poised to break even more records and inspire generations of young cricketers.

Former Indian women's cricket captain Mithali Raj has expressed her views on the impact of the new Impact Rule in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). The rule allows teams to substitute a player of their choice at any point during the match.Raj believes that the rule has been particularly beneficial for teams in the second innings. "It does support a team which swaps a bowler in the second innings," she said. This is because teams can bring in a fresh bowler to exploit the conditions and put pressure on the opposition batters.Raj also commented on the performance of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), who have struggled in the tournament so far. She identified the team's bowling as a major weakness. "Batting strength is good but even there except for Virat Kohli and the finisher Dinesh Karthik no one else is supporting Kohli," she said.Raj believes that RCB needs to improve its bowling resources. "I don't see any bowler whom you can say would win the match with one spell for RCB in this IPL," she said. She suggested that the team should consider shuffling its existing bowlers or acquiring quality spinners in the later stages of the tournament.Raj also praised the performance of 22-year-old Riyan Parag for Rajasthan Royals. "He has not done that great in the last few seasons and to overcome that and perform like the way he is doing now is amazing," she said.Regarding the upcoming T20 World Cup, Raj believes that Virat Kohli should be included in the team due to his class, experience, and consistency. She also suggested that Yuzvendra Chahal should be considered for selection based on his current form.

Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants Set for Thrilling Clash in WPL 2024Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Giants (GG) are poised for an exciting encounter in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 on Saturday in Delhi. Both teams will be eager to build on their recent victories and climb the standings.MI, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, enter the match with momentum on their side after a convincing 42-run win over UP Warriorz. The team's batting lineup has been in impressive form, with Smriti Mandhana and Nat Sciver-Brunt leading the charge.Gujarat Giants, on the other hand, will be looking to continue their resurgence after securing their first victory of the tournament against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Captain Mithali Raj and opener Shafali Verma have been key contributors for GG, providing stability and explosiveness at the top of the order.The match promises to be a close contest, with both teams boasting a wealth of talent and experience. MI will be aiming to maintain their position near the top of the table, while GG will be determined to move up from the bottom.The match will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, starting at 7:30 PM IST. Fans can expect a high-scoring encounter with plenty of sixes and wickets.