Cricket

KL Rahul Reflects on Intense Exchange with LSG Owner After Humiliating IPL LossIndia wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul has shed light on the heated conversation he had with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka following the team's crushing 10-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 2024 IPL.The loss shattered LSG's playoff hopes, and Goenka's visible displeasure after the match led to an animated exchange with Rahul along the boundary line. Rahul admitted that the incident was "not the nicest thing to be part of" and acknowledged its impact on the team."We were all in shock because every game was crucial at that stage," Rahul said. "We had to win three out of five or two out of the last four games. When this happened, it was a big shock for us."Rahul emphasized that the conversation was not constructive and should have been held in private. "It did affect the entire group," he said. "We still had a chance to make the playoffs, but unfortunately, our best wasn't good enough."The exchange between Goenka and Rahul sparked controversy, with experts and fans criticizing the public nature of the discussion. Rahul acknowledged the criticism and expressed regret over the incident."I don't know how much was made outside, but it was probably one of the worst games I've been part of," Rahul said. "We watched on TV how dominating Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma were, but to see it from up close was ridiculous."LSG's batting performance in the match was particularly disappointing, with Rahul scoring a sluggish 29 off 33. SRH's openers, Head and Sharma, then tore into the LSG bowlers, chasing down the target of 166 runs in just 9.4 overs without losing a wicket.Notably, LSG released Rahul in the IPL 2025 retentions day, ending their three-year association with the batter. Pooran became their biggest retention at Rs 21 crore, followed by Ravi Bishnoi and Mayank Yadav at Rs 11 crore each.

Essex Women's Cricket Team Embarks on New Era with Sunrisers Duo at the HelmEssex County Cricket Club has appointed Danni Warren and Andy Tennant, formerly of the Sunrisers women's team, to lead their women's set-up as they transition to Tier 1 status for the upcoming season.Warren, who previously served as the regional director of women's cricket for London and the east, will assume the role of performance director at Essex. Tennant, a former Scotland international, will take over as Essex Women's team director, having previously been head coach of Sunrisers."I'm incredibly excited to take on this new role with Essex Women as we enter a new era for the women's professional game," said Tennant. "Having worked with Danni and the majority of the staff and players at Sunrisers, I know the strength and potential of the team we're building here.""Our focus will be on creating an environment where players and staff can thrive and fulfil their potential, both on and off the field. This is a fantastic opportunity to drive towards sustainable success and help Essex Women become a leading force in the game, and I know we all can't wait to get started."Warren, who has been regional director at Sunrisers since 2020, brought in Tennant as coach ahead of the 2023 season. Together, they oversaw Sunrisers' first title of the women's regional era, defeating South East Stars in the final of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy last summer.Essex was one of eight teams to be awarded Tier 1 status during a bidding process earlier this year, as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) returned to structuring women's cricket within the pre-existing county system.The appointments of Warren and Tennant mark a significant step forward for Essex Women's Cricket Team as they prepare to compete at the highest level of domestic women's cricket in England. With their experience and expertise, the duo is expected to guide the team towards success and establish Essex as a force to be reckoned with in the women's game.

Sunrisers, once the perennial underdogs of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, have emerged as the final regional champions of the tournament. Their remarkable turnaround culminated in a 27-run DLS victory over South East Stars, a testament to their newfound resilience and determination.Kate Coppack, a formidable new-ball bowler, played a pivotal role in dismantling the Stars' top order. Her career-best figures of 4 for 27 left the Stars reeling at 53 for 4. Alice Davidson-Richards, however, provided a glimmer of hope with a valiant 93, forming crucial partnerships with Aylish Cranstone and Phoebe Franklin.Despite Davidson-Richards' heroics, the Stars were eventually bowled out for 212. Cordelia Griffith, in scintillating form, then led the Sunrisers' chase with a blistering half-century. Her 54-ball 57, adorned with elegant cover drives and powerful pulls, propelled the Sunrisers to a comfortable position.As the rain intensified, the match was halted with the Sunrisers well ahead of the DLS par score. Their victory marked a historic moment, as they became the last team to lift the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in its regional format.Sunrisers' triumph is a testament to their unwavering spirit and the exceptional performances of their players. Coppack's accuracy and Griffith's explosive batting proved to be the difference-makers in their remarkable journey from wooden spoon winners to regional champions.

Sunrisers' trio of Grace Scrivens, Cordelia Griffith, and Jodi Grewcock propelled the team to a maiden Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final appearance with a dominant seven-wicket victory over Northern Diamonds.Chasing 233 at Headingley, Sunrisers' openers Scrivens and Jo Gardner laid a solid foundation with a 70-run partnership. Scrivens, who captained the side, notched up 56 runs off 73 deliveries, including a towering six over long-on.After Gardner's dismissal, Griffith took charge, scoring a season-best 68 off 89 balls. Her innings featured an array of shots, including a memorable cut for four off Katie Levick and a six over square-leg off Rachel Slater.Grewcock, who also registered a season-best score of 63 not out off 68 balls, joined Griffith in a crucial 134-run partnership for the third wicket. Their alliance effectively sealed the victory for Sunrisers in the 44th over.Northern Diamonds, aiming for their fourth 50-over final, had posted a competitive 232 for 8. Opener Emma Marlow led the way with a measured 63, while Sterre Kalis contributed 49 and Phoebe Turner chipped in with a late 32 not out.Sunrisers' bowlers, led by Kate Coppack and Grewcock, kept the Diamonds in check throughout the innings. Coppack conceded only 29 runs from her 10 overs, while Grewcock took one wicket and conceded 26 runs in eight overs.Despite the absence of key seamer Sophie Munro, who left the field injured after bowling just two overs, Sunrisers cruised to victory with eight RHF Trophy wins this season, surpassing their combined total of six wins in the first four seasons of regional cricket.Sunrisers will now face South East Stars in the final at Leicester next Saturday, aiming to cap off a remarkable season with their first RHF Trophy title.

Sunrisers have secured their place in the knockout stages of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for the first time, defeating defending champions Southern Vipers in a thrilling rain-affected encounter.After failing to win a single match in the first three editions of the competition, Sunrisers narrowly missed out on qualification last year. However, this season, they have emerged as a formidable force, with their seventh victory of the tournament coming against the holders.Cordelia Griffith and Lissy MacLeod laid the foundation for Sunrisers' impressive total of 281, scoring half-centuries. Former Sunriser Naomi Dattani claimed a maiden five-wicket haul for Vipers, but her efforts were not enough to prevent Sunrisers from posting a challenging target.In response, Vipers were restricted to 88 for 8 in their 10-over chase of 94 under the DLS method. Despite a winless Hundred campaign, Vipers had already secured a semi-final berth but their hopes of a home tie were dashed by South East Stars' victory over Northern Diamonds.Dattani's bowling spells proved pivotal for Vipers, as she dismissed key Sunrisers batters Grace Scrivens and Jo Gardner. Her return to the attack also saw Jodi Grewcock and Eva Grey depart, while Rebecca Tyson and Ava Lee's tight spin kept the run rate in check.However, MacLeod and Flo Miller counterattacked with an enterprising 90-run partnership, with MacLeod reaching her first RHFT fifty since 2021. Miller also contributed a valuable 41 off 31 balls.In the final overs, Vipers fought back with wickets, but Sunrisers managed to post a competitive total of 281. Rain intervened during the interval, reducing Vipers' innings to just 10 overs.Despite the challenging target, Vipers started brightly, but wickets fell regularly, including those of Rhianna Southby, Ella McCaughan, and Dattani. Emily Windsor and Nancy Harman kept Vipers in the hunt with a 26-run stand, but their dismissals and a run out left Vipers needing 13 off the last over. They could only muster seven, handing Sunrisers a memorable victory.

Western Storm's Chloe Skelton emerged as the hero at Radlett, propelling her team to a crucial 30-run victory over Sunrisers in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. Skelton's exceptional five-wicket haul (5-29) proved instrumental in dismantling the Sunrisers' batting lineup, dealing a significant blow to their semi-final aspirations.The visitors, Western Storm, were initially put on the back foot by Sunrisers' bowlers. However, Amanda-Jade Wellington's counter-attacking 45 not out, supported by Skelton's valuable contribution, lifted Storm to a competitive total of 180.Sunrisers' chase began promisingly, with Cordelia Griffith (39) and Alice Macleod (48) establishing a solid partnership. However, Skelton's introduction turned the tide in Storm's favor. Her off-spin wizardry proved too much for the home side, as she claimed five wickets, including the crucial scalp of Macleod.Macleod's dismissal, courtesy of a stunning one-handed catch by Alex Griffiths, proved to be a pivotal moment. Storm's spinners, led by Skelton, tightened their grip on the game, restricting Sunrisers' scoring and eventually securing the victory with 10.3 overs to spare.This triumph marked Western Storm's fourth win of the competition, while Sunrisers' hopes of reaching the knockout stage now hinge on their final fixture against Southern Vipers.

The Blaze, chasing a target of 246, secured a six-wicket victory over Sunrisers at Derby, keeping their hopes of qualifying for the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy knock-out stage alive. All-rounder Kathryn Bryce played a pivotal role, scoring an unbeaten 87 and claiming four wickets for 41 runs.England's Tammy Beaumont (59) and Sarah Bryce (41) provided a solid foundation for The Blaze's chase, putting on a 76-run opening partnership. Ella Claridge contributed an unbeaten 33 from 27 balls to help Bryce finish things off.For Sunrisers, Cordelia Griffith top-scored with 65, while Eva Gray (37) and Jodi Grewcock (36) made valuable contributions. However, Bryce's bowling prowess proved too much for Sunrisers, as she dismissed Griffith, Gray, and Amara Carr in quick succession.The result was a setback for Sunrisers, who remain in contention for a top-four finish and a semi-final berth. The Blaze, on the other hand, have gained momentum with six wins in their last eight completed matches.

Sunrisers' Mady Villiers celebrated her 26th birthday with a career-best bowling performance, leading her team to a three-wicket victory over Northern Diamonds at Chelmsford. Villiers' 4 for 36 and Sophie Munro's 3 for 25 restricted Diamonds to 188 for 9, despite Sterre Kalis' 36 and Katherine Fraser's 34.In reply, Grace Scrivens' 56 anchored the chase, sharing half-century partnerships with Cordelia Griffith and Jody Grewcock (40). Despite a late wobble, Sunrisers reached their target with 12 overs to spare, moving third in the standings.Diamonds, missing Lauren Winfield-Hill and Bess Heath, opted to bat first on a used pitch. Fraser provided early momentum with four boundaries, but Eva Gray dismissed her on the final ball of the powerplay. Villiers then took center stage, dismissing Hollie Armitage, Emma Marlow, and Rebecca Duckworth to leave Diamonds reeling at 97 for 4.Kalis and Beth Langston counter-attacked with a 50-run stand, but Villiers and Munro struck again to remove both batters. A stubborn ninth-wicket partnership between Maddie Ward and Katie Levick helped Diamonds reach a par score of 188.In the chase, Sunrisers lost early wickets, but Griffith and Scrivens steadied the innings with a 53-run stand. Scrivens reached her half-century with a towering six, but was dismissed shortly after. Grewcock was run out in a mix-up, and Villiers was dropped by Kalis.Fraser caused late panic with the wickets of Miller and Gray, but Lissy Macleod (23 not out) guided Sunrisers home. Diamonds' dropped catches proved costly, as they missed out on a chance to consolidate their position in the top two.

The South East Stars secured a dominant 44-run victory over the Sunrisers in the Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy at Beckenham on Sunday, thanks to a record-breaking partnership and a clinical bowling performance.Batting first, the Stars posted a formidable total of 258, with Bryony Smith (84) and Alice Davidson-Richards (70) sharing a historic 148-run stand for the third wicket. Jodi Grewcock was the pick of the Sunrisers bowlers with 3 for 43.In reply, the Sunrisers made a promising start, reaching 88 for 1. However, the dismissal of Jo Gardner (39) triggered a collapse, with Dani Gregory (3 for 47) and Smith (2 for 31) leading the charge. Alice Macleod top-scored for the visitors with 44, but they were eventually bowled out for 214.The Stars' innings was characterized by patience and resilience. Smith, dropped twice, played a measured knock, while Davidson-Richards reached her half-century with a stylish boundary. The pair's partnership laid the foundation for a strong total.The Sunrisers' chase began with a setback as Phoebe Franklin dismissed Mady Villiers for 11. Macleod and Gardner steadied the ship, but Gregory's dismissal of the former proved pivotal. A flurry of wickets followed, with Smith and Gregory claiming key scalps.Despite a late rally from Sophie Munro (12), the Sunrisers were unable to keep pace with the required run rate. Ryana MacDonald-Gay sealed the victory for the Stars, dismissing Kate Coppack for five.The result sees the Stars move above the Sunrisers in the standings. The competition now enters a break for the Hundred, with both teams looking to maintain their momentum upon its resumption.