Cricket

India Dominates West Indies in T20 World Cup Warm-UpDUBAI, United Arab Emirates - India showcased their prowess in a comprehensive 20-run victory over West Indies in a warm-up match ahead of the Women's T20 World Cup. Jemimah Rodrigues emerged as the star performer, anchoring India's innings with a crucial 52 off 40 deliveries.Rodrigues' steady knock, laced with five boundaries, provided the foundation for India's competitive total of 141 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Yastika Bhatia contributed a valuable 24 off 25 balls, including a four and a six, while Smriti Mandhana (14) and Deepti Sharma (13) made useful contributions.In response, West Indies struggled to keep pace with India's bowlers. Chinelle Henry's unbeaten 59 off 48 balls proved to be a lone bright spot, but it wasn't enough to prevent their team from falling short. Shemaine Campbelle (20) and Afy Fletcher (21) offered some resistance, but their efforts were in vain.India's bowling attack proved to be a formidable force, with Pooja Vastrakar leading the charge with three wickets. Deepti Sharma claimed two wickets for just 11 runs, while Renuka Singh, Asha Sobhana, and Radha Yadav chipped in with a wicket apiece.For West Indies, skipper Hayley Matthews was the standout performer with the ball, claiming 4 for 17 in her four overs. Chinelle Henry and Ashmini Munisar also picked up a wicket each.The victory serves as a confidence booster for India as they prepare for their opening match of the T20 World Cup against New Zealand on October 4. The tournament promises to be a highly competitive affair, with several top teams vying for the coveted title.

India's Pooja Vastrakar's costly drop in the fourth day of the one-off Test against South Africa at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday allowed Nadine de Klerk to survive and potentially alter the course of the match.In the 153rd over of South Africa's second innings, de Klerk attempted to hit a fuller delivery across the line, resulting in a top edge that flew towards mid-off. Vastrakar, positioned at mid-off, initially caught the ball but fumbled twice before eventually dropping it. Renuka Singh also rushed towards Vastrakar in an effort to catch the dropped ball but also failed to grab it.The dropped catch proved costly as de Klerk went on to score 61 runs, helping South Africa post a respectable total of 373 in their second innings. However, India's bowlers, led by Sneh Rana's impressive 8/77 in the first innings, ultimately proved too strong for the visitors.Despite valiant efforts from captain Laura Wolvaardt (122) and former skipper Sune Luus (109), South Africa were unable to avoid an innings defeat. India's openers, Shafali Verma and Shubha Satheesh, quickly reached the target of 37 runs in 9.2 overs, sealing a resounding 10-wicket victory for the hosts.Verma's blistering 197-ball double-century in the first innings was a record-breaking performance, while Rana's career-best figures helped dismiss South Africa for 266. India's dominance continued in the second innings, with the bowlers restricting South Africa to 373 despite de Klerk's half-century.The victory marked a significant achievement for India, who have now won their last three Test matches against South Africa. It also highlighted the team's depth and resilience, with several players stepping up to make crucial contributions.

India will aim to clinch the three-match ODI series against South Africa when the two teams meet in the second match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on June 19. The hosts hold a 1-0 lead after their commanding 143-run victory in the series opener.In the first encounter, Smriti Mandhana led India's batting with a magnificent century (117), ably supported by all-rounders Deepti Sharma (37) and Pooja Vastrakar (31 n.o.). The bowlers, spearheaded by debutant Asha Sobhana (4/21), then restricted South Africa to a paltry 122.However, India's top-order batters will be under scrutiny in the second match. Opener Shafali Verma has struggled in recent ODIs, scoring just 21 runs in her last six innings, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has managed only 41 runs in five matches. The duo will need to step up and provide a solid foundation for the middle order.Pooja Vastrakar's fitness will also be a concern for India. The 24-year-old left the field with a knee injury during the first ODI, but she bowled in the nets on Tuesday. Her availability for the second match remains uncertain.South Africa, on the other hand, will be desperate to bounce back from their disappointing performance in the first match. After letting India off the hook from 99 for five, their batting collapsed, with only Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, and Marizanne Kapp making starts.The Proteas will have a full squad to choose from for the second ODI. Pacer Nadine de Klerk confirmed that the illness that had sidelined several players, including herself, in the first match is now behind them. However, she remained tight-lipped about Kapp's return to bowling following a back injury.With the series on the line, both teams are expected to field their strongest possible lineups. India will be confident of sealing the series victory, while South Africa will be determined to level the score and force a decider in the third match.

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.