Cricket

Shafali Verma, the dynamic opener of the Indian women's cricket team, has forged an unbreakable bond with her batting partner, Smriti Mandhana. Their contrasting styles complement each other perfectly, with Shafali's aggressive approach blending seamlessly with Mandhana's elegant strokeplay."We can sense each other's feelings just by our facial expressions while batting," Shafali revealed. "We know each other's strengths and weaknesses, and we give each other positive vibes."This understanding has been crucial to India's recent dominance in women's cricket. Shafali acknowledges the importance of their partnership, especially during the powerplay. "We try to perform well for ourselves, our teammates, and the country," she said.Shafali admires Mandhana's exceptional timing and ability to construct big innings. "These are the two things I admire most about her batting," she said.As India embarks on its Women's T20 World Cup campaign, Shafali is determined to make amends for the team's runner-up finish in 2020. "Winning the World Cup has always been a dream for Harmanpreet di," she said, referring to captain Harmanpreet Kaur. "She's a great player, a great teammate, and a fantastic captain who inspires and motivates us all the time."Shafali made her World Cup debut at the tender age of 16. Despite missing out on the trophy by a whisker, she is confident of changing that this time around. "We were so close to winning, but hopefully, we can change that this time around," she said.The experience of playing in the final against Australia in front of a packed MCG crowd has taught Shafali to handle pressure better. "I couldn't hear anything because of the massive crowd," she recalled. "I've learned to focus more now."Shafali's journey has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. But through it all, she has remained steadfast in her pursuit of excellence. Her partnership with Mandhana is a testament to the power of teamwork and mutual respect. As India aims to conquer the world stage, Shafali and Mandhana will undoubtedly play a pivotal role.

India's Women's T20 World Cup campaign kicks off on Friday with a highly anticipated clash against New Zealand. The team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, boasts a strong lineup featuring Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Deepti Sharma.Despite reaching the final in 2020 and the semi-final in 2022, India has fallen short against Australia on both occasions. However, former India regular Punam Raut believes the team has a chance to make a strong run this year."We have a very good setup and a strong team," Raut said. "Our preparations have been excellent, and we have been playing well."Raut highlighted the importance of consistency, particularly in the batting department. "In T20, bringing consistency is the most difficult thing for a batter," she said. "If our main five batters consistently perform well, only then can we win."The tournament will be played in the United Arab Emirates, a familiar venue for the Indian team. Raut believes the conditions will favor spinners, who could be the X-factor in the competition."Spinners will be the X-factor in this World Cup because the conditions are favorable for them," Raut said. "We have quite a few good spinners, like Shreyanka Patil and Deepti Sharma."India's second match in the tournament will be against Pakistan, a team they have traditionally dominated. Raut attributed this dominance to Pakistan's lack of batting strength."Pakistan always lack in batting, but they have a good bowling strength," Raut said. "If they have a good batting strength, they can do well against India."Australia remains the favorite to win the tournament, but Raut believes India can challenge them if they can overcome their consistency issues."Australia are a very good team, and we have to accept that," Raut said. "But if our main five batters consistently perform well, only then can we win."

As Team India embarks on their Women's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, the players received a heartwarming surprise that boosted their spirits. In a video shared on Instagram by 'Team India,' the squad was treated to special video messages from their family members on the eve of the tournament's commencement.From captain Harmanpreet Kaur to coach Amol Muzumdar, each player was greeted with a wholesome message from their loved ones. The video captured the players gathered in a room, their faces beaming with joy and emotion as they watched clips from their families. Smriti Mandhana's brother, Harmanpreet Kaur's parents, Shafali Verma's brother, Asha Shobana's family, Richa Ghosh's father, and Amol Muzumdar's daughter all shared heartfelt messages of support and encouragement.The players, who are currently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the tournament, were visibly moved by the surprise. They laughed, teared up, and expressed their gratitude for the love and support from their families back home.India has yet to claim a Women's T20 World Cup title in the eight editions of the tournament. Their best finish was a runner-up position in 2020. However, the team faces a challenging group stage, which includes six-time champions Australia, twice runners-up New Zealand, Women's Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.Despite the tough competition, India's spin-heavy squad, led by Deepti Sharma, is expected to benefit from the slow pitch conditions in the UAE. The team boasts at least five regular spin bowling options, while only three seamers are included in the 15-player squad.India will also rely on the experience of Smriti Mandhana and the explosiveness of Shafali Verma at the top of the order. Both players are in good form heading into the tournament.The Women's T20 World Cup 2024 promises to be an exciting and competitive event. Team India will be determined to make history and bring home the coveted trophy for the first time.

India's Smriti Mandhana Emphasizes the Importance of Giving 100% to Beat Australia in Women's T20 World CupAhead of the Women's T20 World Cup, India's vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has stressed the significance of giving their all to overcome the formidable Australian team. Australia has dominated the tournament, winning the last three editions.Mandhana acknowledged the strength of New Zealand and Sri Lanka, but emphasized that Australia demands a different level of focus. "You have to bring your best game on that particular day to get the better of them," she said. "There's always excitement when facing Australia because they're such a good team, and beating them is a great challenge."Regarding the highly anticipated clash against Pakistan, Mandhana highlighted the emotional intensity it evokes. "The India-Pakistan rivalry is more about the emotions of the fans than anything else," she said. "For me, every World Cup match is special, but there's definitely a lot of emotion attached to the India-Pakistan games."Mandhana also addressed the challenges of playing in Dubai's afternoon heat. "The afternoon game is going to be a challenge due to the heat, but when you play for India, there are no excuses," she said. "We have a couple of afternoon sessions lined up to help us get used to the conditions."Mandhana emphasized the importance of staying hydrated and mentally strong. "Mentally, we need to stay strong and keep pushing," she said. "By the time we face Pakistan, I'm sure we'll be ready."India will face New Zealand in their opening Group A match on Friday, followed by the highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on October 6.

As the highly anticipated Women's T20 World Cup draws near, former Indian cricketer Diana Edulji has shared her expert insights and hopes for the Indian team. The tournament, commencing on October 3, will witness 10 teams vying for the coveted trophy.Edulji emphasized the pivotal role of openers Shefali Verma and Smriti Mandhana in India's campaign. "The biggest bets are the two openers, Shefali and Smriti. They have to put a price on their wicket. The World Cup is fully dependent on them," she stated.Expressing high expectations for the team, Edulji urged them to seize the opportunity to bring the trophy home, emulating the success of the men's team. She acknowledged the competitive nature of the tournament, highlighting Bangladesh's impressive performance in the Asia Cup. "Bangladesh had an excellent Asia Cup campaign. We should play according to our strengths. It doesn't matter that Australia has won six World Cups, they can lose too. We have to give our 100%," she said.Edulji identified spin bowling as one of India's key strengths, praising Deepti Sharma's consistent form and ability to strike in the final overs. She also mentioned the promising talent of Shreyanka Patil and emphasized the depth in India's spin department. However, she pointed out the need to focus on pace bowling, mentioning Renuka Singh as a crucial player."Our strength is our spinners, Deepti Sharma has been in form since 2017, she will be important for us in the final overs. We also have Shreyanka Patil, so, we have plenty of spinners. We have got more than 5-6 bowlers, so there should not be any problem," she added.Edulji acknowledged the strength of other teams, including South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, England, Australia, and New Zealand, noting their consistent performance in international cricket. "This is an open world cup, South Africa looks strong, Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu is in good form, Bangladesh is causing upsets everywhere, England, Australia, and New Zealand are all looking good and they are playing cricket consistently," she said.She expressed confidence that the support staff have learnt from previous World Cups and will avoid past mistakes. Additionally, she appreciated the BCCI for providing ample facilities, with players gaining valuable experience in leagues like the Big Bash and The Hundred.

Smriti Mandhana, India's star batter, is preparing for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Known for her aggressive batting and consistency, Mandhana has been a cornerstone of the Indian women's cricket team.In a recent interview with Star Sports, Mandhana revealed that Virat Kohli is her favorite cricketer. She praised Kohli's batting prowess and mindset, stating that she had sought his advice on batting techniques and handling expectations."When I met Kohli, I asked him a lot of things about batting," Mandhana said. "I wanted to know his mindset, especially since I had a problem with my grip changing. He told me that he doesn't view expectations as pressure, but rather as a motivation to perform for his team."Mandhana acknowledged that she had struggled with handling expectations in the past, but Kohli's advice helped her develop a more positive mindset. "After hearing it from him, I realized that I needed to focus on my own performance and not let expectations weigh me down," she said.Both Mandhana and Kohli represent Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their respective leagues, the Women's Premier League (WPL) and the Indian Premier League (IPL). They are both iconic figures in Indian cricket, inspiring fans worldwide with their exceptional skills and leadership qualities.Mandhana's admiration for Kohli highlights the respect and camaraderie within the Indian cricket fraternity. Her willingness to seek guidance from a senior player like Kohli demonstrates her commitment to continuous improvement and her desire to become one of the best batters in the world.

India Unveils Squad for ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024The Indian Women's Cricket Team has announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from October 3rd to 20th. The tournament will feature 10 teams divided into two groups, with India placed in Group A alongside Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.Led by experienced captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, the Indian squad boasts a blend of seasoned veterans and promising young talent. The team's batting lineup is anchored by Mandhana, who is currently ranked as the world's top batter in T20Is. She will be supported by the likes of Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Richa Ghosh, who have all made significant contributions to the team's recent successes.The bowling attack is spearheaded by Renuka Singh Thakur, who has emerged as one of the most potent fast bowlers in the world. She will be joined by the experienced Deepti Sharma, who is known for her all-round abilities, and the promising Dayalan Hemalatha.The squad also includes wicket-keepers Yastika Bhatia and Shreyanka Patil, both of whom have shown impressive form in recent matches. The team's fielding has been a key strength in recent years, and the inclusion of players like Pooja Vastrakar and Arundhati Reddy will further bolster this aspect.India will be aiming to make a strong impact in the tournament and challenge for the title. They have a proven track record of success in T20 cricket, having reached the semi-finals of the previous two editions of the World Cup. With a talented squad and a wealth of experience, the team will be confident of putting up a strong performance in the UAE.

Defending Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) champions Adelaide Strikers have secured the services of Indian batting sensation Smriti Mandhana for the upcoming season. Mandhana, who has previously represented Brisbane Heat, Hobart Hurricanes, and Sydney Thunder in the WBBL, will be the Strikers' pre-draft signing.Mandhana's signing is a major coup for the Strikers, who have been keen to acquire her for several seasons. The left-handed opener is one of the most prolific batters in the world, having captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL) title earlier this year.During her stint with Sydney Thunder in 2021, Mandhana showcased her exceptional batting prowess by smashing an unbeaten 114 off just 64 balls against Melbourne Renegades. This innings remains the joint second-highest individual score in WBBL history.Strikers head coach Luke Williams, who also coached Mandhana at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, expressed his delight at her signing. "Smriti is an exceptional talent, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Strikers," Williams said. "Her technical skill, experience, and strategic insights are a tremendous asset for us."Mandhana's arrival could further strengthen the Strikers' already formidable top order, which includes South African captain Laura Wolvaardt. However, if Mandhana is allocated as the Strikers' first-round platinum player, they will not be able to use their retention rights for Wolvaardt in the same round.Ahead of the WBBL draft on September 1, the Strikers have also made a pick trade with Melbourne Renegades, acquiring picks 22 and 27 in exchange for picks 19 and 30. The Strikers now hold pick 6 in the first round and pick 14 in the second round.Other notable pre-draft signings in the WBBL include Nadine de Klerk (Brisbane Heat), Lizelle Lee (Hobart Hurricanes), Hayley Matthews (Melbourne Renegades), Marizanne Kapp (Melbourne Stars), Sophie Devine (Perth Scorchers), Amelia Kerr (Sydney Sixers), and Chamari Athapaththu (Sydney Thunder).

India's vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has ascended one spot to third in the latest ICC ODI rankings for women, released on Tuesday. With 738 rating points, Mandhana is the top-ranked Indian batter in the 50-over format, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur maintains her ninth position.Sri Lanka's star batter Chamari Athapaththu has slipped behind Mandhana to fourth place, but her compatriots Nilakshika de Silva (up three places to 32nd), Harshitha Samarawickrama (up eight places to 44th), and Kavisha Dilhari (up four places to 50th) have all made significant gains in the ODI batting rankings.Mandhana also retained her fourth spot in the T20 rankings, with Sri Lanka's Samarawickrama and Ireland opener Gaby Lewis reaching career highs. Samarawickrama's impressive knock of 65 off 44 balls in the second T20I between Sri Lanka and Ireland propelled her up three places to 13th position, while Lewis's match-winning 119 off 75 balls has lifted her four places to a career-best-equalling 21st position, which she had previously attained in July 2022.Mandhana's consistent performances in both ODI and T20 cricket have solidified her status as one of the world's leading batters. Her ability to score runs at a rapid pace and her versatility in playing different roles in the team make her a valuable asset for India.The rise of Sri Lankan batters in the rankings is a testament to the team's recent resurgence in women's cricket. Athapaththu, Samarawickrama, and de Silva have all played key roles in Sri Lanka's recent victories over Ireland and Pakistan.The ICC rankings are a reflection of the current form and performances of players and teams. Mandhana's rise in the rankings is a recognition of her exceptional batting skills and her contribution to India's success in women's cricket.