Cricket

Australia A's Tahlia McGrath led her team to a comprehensive 3-0 series whitewash over India A in the third and final T20 match, with a blistering 22-ball 51* that propelled her side to a seven-wicket victory.India A, batting first, struggled to post a competitive total, managing only 120 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Tayla Vlaeminck, returning to the Australia A lineup, made an immediate impact, dismissing Shubha Satheesh for a duck in the first over.The Indian top and middle order failed to capitalize on the opportunity, with Priya Punia, Shweta Sehrawat, and Tanuja Kanwar all falling cheaply. Kiran Navgire and captain Minnu Mani provided some resistance with a 57-run partnership, but their efforts were not enough to lift India A to a challenging score.In response, Australia A's chase got off to a flying start thanks to Grace Wilson's aggressive approach. She struck two boundaries in the opening over and continued to punish the Indian bowlers, hitting two fours and a six off Tanuja Kanwar.Despite the loss of Katie Mack and Wilson, McGrath took control of the innings, hitting boundaries at will. She targeted Kanwar, Meghna Singh, and Mannat Kashyap, smashing eight fours and two sixes in her match-winning knock.McGrath's aggressive batting ensured that Australia A reached their target with ease, completing the series whitewash in style.

Australia A emerged victorious in the first T20 match of India A's multiformat tour, securing a hard-fought five-run victory at Allan Border Field.Tahlia Wilson's blistering half-century (50 off 33) laid the foundation for Australia A's innings. She shared a 74-run opening stand with Katie Mack (39), but India A's left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque triggered a collapse, claiming three wickets in quick succession.Despite losing wickets, Nicole Faltum and Maddy Darke provided a late surge, adding 31 runs off the final two overs to propel Australia A to 163 for 5.In response, India A's chase was anchored by Priya Punia's superb innings of 76 off 50 deliveries. She struck seven fours and three sixes, including two in three balls against Charli Knott. However, the required run rate proved elusive, and India A fell short by five runs.Tanuja Kanwar (27) provided support to Punia, but her dismissal by Faltum proved crucial. Left-arm spinner Sophie Day impressed with her economical spell, conceding just 19 runs from her four overs.With 28 runs coming off the 18th and 19th overs, India A entered the last over needing 16. Captain Tahlia McGrath defended the target despite conceding a boundary to Sayali Satghare.The teams will face off again in the second T20 match on Friday at Allan Border Field, followed by the final T20 on Sunday. Three ODIs will then be played in Mackay next week, concluding with a four-day game on the Gold Coast.

India has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2025 Men's Asia Cup cricket tournament in the T20 format, serving as a precursor to the T20 World Cup scheduled in the country in 2026. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced this decision in its Invitation for Expression of Interest (IEOI).The Asia Cup has traditionally been used as a dress rehearsal for the global event and is played in the same format as the World Cup. The 2023 edition, hosted by the Pakistan Cricket Board, was held in a 'Hybrid Model' due to India's refusal to travel to Pakistan. Instead, India played its matches in Sri Lanka.The 2027 Asia Cup will be held in Bangladesh in the ODI format, aligning with the 50-over World Cup scheduled in South Africa that year. Both the T20 Asia Cup in India and the 50-over continental event in Bangladesh in 2027 will comprise 13 games each, with 26 matches allocated in the said period.The ACC's IEOI statement defines the "Men's Asia Cup Tournament" as a biennial senior men's cricket tournament organized and administered by the ACC involving designated Members. It includes participation from Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and one Non-Test playing Member of ACC selected through qualifying events.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has announced that India will host the Men's Asia Cup in 2025, marking the return of the tournament to the T20 format. The 2023 edition, hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, was played in the 50-overs format.The 2025 Men's Asia Cup will feature six teams: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and a sixth team to be determined through a qualifying event. The tournament will consist of 13 matches, with the top two teams advancing to the final.The 2027 edition of the Men's Asia Cup will switch to the ODI format and will be hosted by Bangladesh. Both the 2025 and 2027 tournaments will include six teams, with 13 matches per edition.The next edition of the Women's Asia Cup (15 matches) will also be played in the T20 format and is scheduled for 2026. The 2024 Women's Asia Cup concluded in Dambulla on Sunday, with Sri Lanka winning their maiden title by stunning India in the final.In addition to the Men's and Women's Asia Cups, the ACC will also host four editions of the Under-19 Men's Asia Cup during this period, with each edition staging 15 matches.The ACC has also invited interested parties to submit their Expressions of Interest (IEOI) for ACC Sponsorship Rights for the period from 2024 to 2027. The document mentions that the details of the tournaments, including schedules, dates, years, formats, and venues, are tentative and may be subject to change at the discretion of the ACC.Meanwhile, the Indian Cricket Association (ICA) has decided to provide a one-time benefit to 26 former First-Class cricketers who are its members. These cricketers, who have played between 10-24 First-Class matches, are aged more than 70 and are not receiving any gratis from the BCCI or their state association.The ICA is also providing Group Health Insurance (Rs 2.5 lakhs) for its members who have played less than 10 First-Class matches and are not covered by BCCI medical reimbursement.

Rishabh Pant, the enigmatic Indian wicketkeeper-batter, has emerged from a harrowing accident with renewed determination and a profound appreciation for life. After a horrific car crash in December 2022, Pant's career and even his life hung in the balance. However, with unwavering resilience and a remarkable recovery, he has returned to the cricket field, proving that he is not just a talented player but also a true warrior.In the first T20I against Sri Lanka, Pant's performance was a testament to his indomitable spirit. Despite a sluggish start, he exploded into action, smashing a six and a four off consecutive deliveries. His innings of 49 off 33 balls showcased his trademark aggression and the ability to turn a match on its head.Pant's journey has been marked by both brilliance and adversity. In his six-year Test career, he has produced some of the most unforgettable knocks on foreign soil. His centuries in Australia, England, and South Africa have cemented his status as a world-class batter. However, his limited-overs career has been less consistent.But now, it seems that Pant has found his calling as a top-four batter in T20s. His ability to dominate the powerplay and anchor the innings makes him a valuable asset in any team. In November, he will return to Australia, where he has already established himself as a cult hero.Beyond his cricketing prowess, Pant is known for his infectious personality and quick wit. His banter with opponents and his ability to laugh at himself have endeared him to fans around the world. Despite the challenges he has faced, Pant remains the cuddly boy next door, with a maturity and cricketing acumen that belie his age.Rishabh Pant is a true inspiration, a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity. His return to cricket is not just a victory for him but also a reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope and determination can prevail.

India's newly appointed T20 captain, Suryakumar Yadav, has emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and a fearless approach following his team's back-to-back triumphs against Sri Lanka. The Indian side secured the T20I series with a 43-run victory on Saturday, followed by a seven-wicket win on Sunday in Pallekele.In his post-match statements, Surya was unequivocal about the team's future strategy in the shortest format. "We spoke about this before the start of the tournament - what brand of cricket we want to play. This is the template we want to go ahead with," said Suryakumar, who has been phenomenal as usual with the willow on both the days.The match was interrupted by a sudden downpour, which resulted in a reduction of overs. As a consequence, the target was adjusted to 78 runs in 8 overs. This occurred after Sri Lanka experienced yet another batting collapse. They had reached a promising position of 130 for 2 in 15 overs, but their innings faltered, and they were eventually restricted to 161 for 9."With the weather around, anything below 160 would have been nice. Rain helped us. The way the boys batted was wonderful," he said.As the team approaches the final game, which holds little significance, a question was posed to Surya regarding the potential inclusion of reserve players in the lineup. "We'll sit and decide (when asked if they'll test their bench strength). Very happy for the boys. Showed a lot of character in tough situations."Ravi Bishnoi, India's resident googly specialist in the shortest format, was pleased that his wrong 'uns have been consistently effective. "The pitch was a little different from yesterday. It was turning a bit. Today, in the first innings it was helping the spinners. I stick to my plans.""I just love bowling the wrong 'uns. It's a good responsibility to have (bowling in the death), as it means the captain and the management trust me."Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka expressed his disappointment with the middle-order's performance during crucial moments of the game. This is not the first time he has voiced his frustration regarding this issue. "I am really disappointed with the way we batted at the death. We must really improve. This pitch, when the ball gets older, it gets tough to bat. As professional cricketers, we have to do better.""We were behind by 15-18 runs. Weather also played its part. It's not easy to bowl eight overs with a wet outfield," Asalanka said.

The Indian cricket team embarks on a new era in T20 international cricket under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav. The duo faces the daunting task of replacing stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja, who recently retired from the format.As they prepare for the first match against Sri Lanka on Saturday, Gambhir and Yadav must make several crucial decisions regarding the team's playing XI. The opening partnership is expected to remain unchanged, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill retaining their spots.Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant are likely to occupy the No. 3 and No. 4 positions, respectively. Pant's return means Sanju Samson may have to sit out, unless the team management opts to play him as a specialist batter.Hardik Pandya is a certainty at No. 5, despite competition from Shivam Dube. Pandya's all-round abilities, including his bowling, give him an edge over Dube. However, Dube's superior batting skills against spin-heavy teams present a dilemma for the team management.Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube are vying for the No. 6 spot, with both capable of playing the finisher's role. Washington Sundar and Axar Patel are the two spin-bowling all-rounders likely to be included, while Ravi Bishnoi will serve as the specialist third spinner.In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj are expected to lead the pace-bowling attack.

The Texas Super Kings and San Francisco Unicorns faced off in a thrilling encounter, with the Unicorns emerging victorious in a high-scoring affair.The Unicorns won the toss and elected to bat first, with Finn Allen and Jake Fraser-McGurk providing a solid start. Allen, in particular, was in devastating form, smashing a half-century in just 25 deliveries. He was ably supported by Fraser-McGurk, who contributed a valuable 25 runs.The Texas Super Kings bowlers struggled to contain the Unicorns' onslaught, with Mohammad Mohsin and Calvin Savage conceding runs at an alarming rate. However, Noor Ahmad provided a much-needed breakthrough, dismissing Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Jake Fraser-McGurk in quick succession.Despite the wickets, the Unicorns continued to pile on the runs, with Josh Inglis and Sherfane Rutherford making significant contributions. Inglis scored a steady 20 runs, while Rutherford provided a late flourish with a quickfire 15.In the end, the Unicorns posted a formidable total of 180 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.In response, the Texas Super Kings got off to a shaky start, losing Devon Conway and Faf du Plessis cheaply. Aaron Hardie and Joshua Tromp attempted to rebuild the innings, but their efforts were hampered by some tight bowling from the Unicorns.The Unicorns bowlers continued to dominate, with Haris Rauf and Carmi le Roux picking up crucial wickets. In the end, the Texas Super Kings fell well short of their target, managing only 120 runs for the loss of 9 wickets.Finn Allen was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance with the bat.

Sri Lanka's new T20 captain, Charith Asalanka, has identified the Lanka Premier League (LPL) as the benchmark for selecting the national team's top-order batters. Asalanka believes that the LPL's high level of competition provides a reliable indicator of players' T20 abilities.Based on their impressive performances in the LPL, Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, and Kusal Perera have emerged as strong contenders for the top three batting positions. Kamindu Mendis, who showcased his versatility by bowling with both arms, has secured the No. 4 spot.Asalanka emphasized the importance of using the LPL as a selection criterion, stating, "If you look at the LPL, it's the No. 1 tournament we have to make decisions like this. More than domestic T20s, the LPL is at a much higher level."Mendis, Nissanka, Fernando, and Perera all displayed exceptional batting prowess in the LPL. Mendis accumulated 329 runs at a strike rate of 150, while Nissanka amassed 333 runs at a strike rate of 153. Fernando impressed with 374 runs at a strike rate of 163, and Perera boasted the highest strike rate of 169, scoring 296 runs.Asalanka's leadership style revolves around man-management and fostering a positive environment. He aims to extract the best from his players and empower them to execute their plans with confidence."I've played under many captains, and I've tried to absorb as many of their good traits into my captaincy and into my life as possible," Asalanka said. "What I really want is to get 100% out of my players, and to create a positive environment for them."With a wealth of talented batters at his disposal, Asalanka faces the challenge of selecting the optimal top three for Sri Lanka's upcoming T20 matches. The LPL performances of Mendis, Nissanka, Fernando, and Perera will heavily influence his decision-making process.