Cricket

The Women's Premier League (WPL) is set to undergo a roster shakeup ahead of its third season in early 2025. Several prominent cricketers, including Sneh Rana, Poonam Yadav, and Lea Tahuhu, have been released by their respective franchises.Gujarat Giants, who have struggled in the WPL's first two seasons, have parted ways with Rana, Tahuhu, and Kathryn Bryce. Rana, an all-rounder who captained the Giants in the first season, has struggled in the WPL, averaging just 6.71 with the bat and 52.16 with the ball. Tahuhu, a veteran New Zealand pacer, played only two games for the Giants in 2024.Delhi Capitals, the WPL's two-time runners-up, have released legspinner Poonam Yadav. Once a mainstay of the Indian team, Yadav hasn't played international cricket since 2022 and didn't feature in the WPL last season.Mumbai Indians have also made some changes, releasing Fatima Jaffer, Humaira Kazi, Priyanka Bala, and Issy Wong. However, they have retained their core of international stars, including captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Amelia Kerr, and Hayley Matthews.UP Warriorz, who reached the playoffs in the first season but finished fourth in 2024, have released Parshavi Chopra, Laxmi Yadav, S Yashasri, and Lauren Bell.These roster moves indicate that the WPL is becoming increasingly competitive, with teams looking to strengthen their squads for the upcoming season. The auction, likely to be held in early December, will provide franchises with an opportunity to acquire new talent and bolster their rosters.

Sneh Rana, the Indian women's cricket team's spin-bowling all-rounder, believes that the recent success of Rohit Sharma and his team in the T20 World Cup has instilled a renewed sense of self-assurance and determination within the women's squad. This newfound belief has fueled their ambition to secure their first-ever ICC trophy.The Women's Asia Cup, commencing in Sri Lanka on Friday, sees India once again as the top contenders to clinch the title. However, the real challenge for the team lies ahead in the T20 World Cup in October and the ODI World Cup, which they will host next year.Rana is confident that the Indian team, having come close to victory on several occasions, has put in immense effort to achieve success in a global tournament. She firmly believes that the elusive triumph is well within their reach."The Indian women's cricket team, if you look at the past 2-3 years, they are doing their best," Rana told PTI in an exclusive interview on Friday. "For (winning) the ICC trophy, let's take the men's (team's example), it took almost 10 years to get the trophy. They have been preparing and working hard for it for a long time.""To achieve something big, it will not happen overnight. It will take time. It will take a lot of sacrifices, a lot of struggle, a lot of things in between. But eventually, we will get there," Rana said.The players and coaches have recognized that fielding is a problematic area that needs improvement. However, according to Rana, the team is not lacking in determination to enhance their performance in this aspect of the game."When we play N number of matches, the chances of errors are more. But it doesn't mean that someone is bad at it. Obviously, as a player, when you are on the field, you want to always do your best for your country," she said."No one is there to say that it's okay, it will happen (ho jayega). (But) it could also be a matter of a bad day for someone.""As far as ICC trophies are concerned, for big events, the more matches we play, the more experience we will get," Rana said.Since her introduction to international cricket in 2014, Rana patiently waited for the opportunity to represent her country in the longest format of the game. After a prolonged period of seven years, she finally received her maiden Test cap. The right-arm off-spinner now reflects on her journey with pride, having featured in three more Test matches since her debut."I'm glad I got the opportunity. It had been a while, right? The scenario for Indian women's Test cricket is changing for good. The number of Tests we're getting to play now, it's the best opportunity for players.""The inclusion of a multi-day format in domestic cricket is also a big step from the BCCI to take this forward," Rana said.Since 2014, the team had not participated in any 'home' Tests for an extended period of nine years. However, since December 2023, they have emerged victorious in all three Tests they have played.Rana attributed the team's success to the players' exceptional fitness levels and remarkable endurance, which have been crucial factors in their recent triumphs."It's a matter of mindset. Obviously, you've been playing cricket for so long, the 50-overs and 20 overs. But the long formats that we used to have, the multi-days, that we played last in 2018," she said."You have to be on the field for four days, you need endurance for that. Fitness is very important and as a senior player, it's (even) more important because you have to be there all the time," said Rana, who took a 10-for against South Africa earlier this month in the Chennai Test."You have to guide your youngsters as well. It's a bit challenging. But lastly, it's all about the mindset," she said.The Women's Premier League has made the Indian players busier than before but its versatile nature will help in the longer run, Rana said."Since WPL came, we have become a bit more busy. I think the busier, the better. Cricket has got more exposure since WPL came. The match exposure is always good for a player.""The versatility that WPL brings on the table by sharing dressing rooms with the overseas players. (The) new-found talent of the country, (will bring) a refreshing change to women's cricket," she said.Rana's current focus is to regain her position in the white-ball squad, as she was not selected for the Asia Cup tournament. This presents a significant hurdle for her to overcome."I won't lie. It was a little heartbreaking to be dropped from the team. You want to play for India, be it Test cricket or white-ball cricket," she said."But at the same time, it has developed a hunger in me to rejoin the T20 format with my team or the 50-overs game. I'm eagerly waiting for the opportunity," she said."I know I have it in me and I have penned down my manifestation (too)," said Rana, who has played 25 T20Is and 27 ODIs.Rana expressed his approval of the extended tenure being given to the current head coach, Amol Muzumdar, compared to some of the coaches who came before him."Longevity and consistency in the side definitely helps, be it in the regards of coach or a player. With the amount of time one spends with the team, the knowledge about the player and the bonding within, that automatically increases," Rana said."He knows each and every player, their strengths... and how he can use that particular player in a match. At which moment, when and where he can use that player... he knows everything," Rana added.

The recently concluded one-off Test between India and South Africa in Lucknow highlighted the compelling case for more international Tests in the women's game. The match showcased a captivating blend of individual brilliance, gritty performances, and challenging conditions.India's batting prowess was on full display as Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana slammed a double century and a century, respectively, setting the tone for the game. Off-spinner Sneh Rana emerged as the match-winner, claiming a historic maiden ten-wicket haul (ten for 188). Her career-best figures of eight for 77 in the first innings included five of the last six wickets on the third morning.Despite India's comprehensive 10-wicket victory, the match was far from one-sided. The South Africans, despite not playing any multi-day games at home, showed remarkable resilience. After conceding a massive 337-run lead in the first innings, they fought back valiantly in the second.Skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus led the charge with valiant centuries. The Proteas adopted a patient approach, adjusting to the slow nature of the surface and playing on the backfoot. They managed to overhaul India's deficit by 36 runs, forcing the game into the final session on the last day.While India's dominance in Tests was underscored with their third win in seven months, South Africa's performance served as a reminder of the importance of investing in the longer format. The match provided a platform for both teams to showcase their skills and highlighted the need for more competitive opportunities in women's Test cricket.

Player-of-the-match Sneh Rana's unwavering belief and the team's resilience propelled India to a thrilling victory in the one-off Test against South Africa. Despite South Africa's spirited batting display, India remained steadfast in their conviction that they would emerge victorious."We always had positive vibes. There was not a single player who thought the match was slipping away from us. The match was always inclined towards India. Everyone believed we would take the wickets," Rana said after the match.The Indian team's unwavering belief extended beyond the players to the support staff, who shared the same conviction. Rana's satisfaction stemmed not only from the victory but also from the fact that it came against one of the best teams in the world."As far as satisfaction is concerned, there's a lot of satisfaction especially when you beat the best teams; when you give a performance against them at a time when it is needed the most. I think there is nothing more satisfactory than that," she added.Rana acknowledged the challenges posed by the pitch, which favored batters more than bowlers. However, she emphasized the importance of adapting to different conditions and using variations in bowling. She also highlighted the need for more Test cricket, believing it to be one of the best formats for women's cricket."I think Test is one of the best formats of cricket. And the more it is played, the better it is for women's cricket. Thanks to the BCCI for organizing multi-day domestic competition. I think that will also help. According to me, there should be at least two Tests (in a series)," she said.

India's resounding victory in the one-off Test against South Africa was largely attributed to Sneh Rana's remarkable eight-wicket haul. India coach Amol Muzumdar praised Rana's performance, highlighting her sense of belonging within the team.Muzumdar emphasized that Rana's participation in the inter-zonal matches and the bowlers' camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) prior to the Test demonstrated her commitment and dedication. He stated, "The message is very clear to her that she is an integral part of this team, and she delivered at the right time in the morning. To pick up eight wickets, it's a sensational performance."Despite following on, the Proteas batters displayed impressive spin-handling skills, similar to their performance on day two. South Africa batting coach Baakier Abrahams attributed this improvement to a shift in mindset and a focus on developing the necessary skillset.Abrahams explained, "The first thing was really just around the mindset. Watched a lot of videos around people that have been successful in India and what tools they use. So, it was more about trying to transfer that information over to them."He also highlighted the importance of individual preferences and playing to strengths. "And then, it was really around the skillset required to be successful based on the successes of the previous batters. Then, it was just about them deciding on what their preferred options are and playing towards their strengths."Abrahams specifically praised Sune Luus' impressive batting, particularly against spin. He attributed her improvement to a combination of technical adjustments and a shift in mindset. "I think it's been a bit of a journey with Sune. I did the ODI series as a consultant in Sri Lanka. She didn't have the best series and was really hurt. So, she took a couple of weeks off from the game and just reflected."Abrahams continued, "We spoke a lot about her why. Like, what's the motivation? And she came up with some really strong information around that. And then, it was just ironing out one or two technical things. But the biggest shift has been the mindset."

India's Sneh Rana and South Africa's Sune Luus showcased exceptional performances in the one-off Test match at the MAC Stadium. Rana's devastating bowling in the first innings and Luus' gritty century in the second innings highlighted the third day's play.Rana's off-spin spell proved lethal as she claimed eight wickets for 77 runs, dismantling South Africa's batting lineup. Her superb delivery to dismiss Marizane Kapp and her quick dismissal of Sinalo Jafta completed her five-wicket haul. India's dominance continued as they bowled out the visitors for 253, securing a 337-run lead.However, South Africa showed resilience in the second innings. Despite losing opener Anneke Bosch early, Luus and skipper Laura Wolvaardt forged a formidable partnership. Luus played with determination and technique, countering the Indian spinners' turn and uneven bounce. Her maiden Test century, an innings of 109 runs off 203 balls, gave South Africa hope.The Indian spinners struggled with consistency and missed their lengths, allowing Luus and Wolvaardt to accumulate runs. Deepti Sharma dropped Kapp twice, further aiding South Africa's recovery. At stumps, the Proteas were 232 for two, still needing 105 runs to make India bat again.The match remains evenly poised, with South Africa aiming to salvage a draw and gain confidence ahead of the T20Is. India, on the other hand, will look to capitalize on their first-innings lead and secure a victory.