Cricket

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has etched her name in the record books as the fastest Indian to score a half-century in a Women's T20 World Cup. In a blistering display of power-hitting, Kaur reached the milestone in just 27 balls against Sri Lanka in Dubai.Kaur's innings was a masterclass in aggression, as she unleashed a barrage of boundaries and sixes, putting the Sri Lankan bowlers under relentless pressure. She surpassed the previous record held by Smriti Mandhana, who reached the mark off 31 deliveries against Australia in 2018.Coming in at a crucial stage, Kaur wasted no time in settling, targeting both spinners and pacers with equal authority. She cleared the boundary with ease, dispatching deliveries at her own will. The rapid fifty not only showcased her explosive batting but also shifted the momentum in India's favor, as they posted a commanding 172-run total.With this knock, Kaur also joined an elite group of batters, becoming only the third player after Suzie Bates of New Zealand and her compatriot Smriti Mandhana to amass 3500 runs in Women's T20Is. Her fearless approach and ability to dominate the bowling attack in high-pressure situations have become her signature, further cementing her reputation as one of the premier batters in women's cricket.In 176 T20Is till date, the seasoned 35-year-old has amassed an impressive tally of 3522 runs. Her batting prowess is evident in her commendable average of 28.63 and a strike-rate of 108.13. Harmanpreet's consistency is further highlighted by her single century and 13 half-centuries in the shortest format of the game.

India Opts to Bat First Against Sri Lanka in T20 World Cup RematchIn a crucial encounter at the T20 World Cup, India's captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and elected to bat first against Sri Lanka. This rematch of the Asia Cup final holds significant implications for both teams.Kaur, who had suffered a neck injury in the previous match against Pakistan, confirmed her recovery and expressed her desire for the batters to "bat freely" and establish a substantial total. India remained unchanged in their lineup, while Sri Lanka replaced batter Hasini Perera with fast bowling allrounder Ama Kanchana.Sri Lanka's captain, Chamari Athapaththu, emphasized the importance of introspection and smart batting in the challenging conditions. The Dubai International Stadium's square boundaries are relatively short, but the straight hit remains the longest. Former India head coach WV Raman predicted that the cooler evening temperatures would favor the batters.India's victory is crucial for improving their net run rate and maintaining their semi-final hopes. A loss would significantly diminish their chances of advancing.India's Playing XI:1. Shafali Verma2. Smriti Mandhana3. Harmanpreet Kaur (capt)4. Jemimah Rodrigues5. Richa Ghosh (wk)6. Deepti Sharma7. S Sajana8. Shreyanka Patil9. Arundhati Reddy10. Asha Sobhana11. Renuka SinghSri Lanka's Playing XI:1. Vishmi Gunaratne2. Chamari Athapaththu (capt)3. Harshitha Samarawickrama4. Kavisha Dilhari5. Nilakshika Silva6. Anushka Sanjeewani (wk)7. Ama Kanchana8. Sugandika Kumari9. Inoshi Priyadharshani10. Udeshika Prabodhani11. Inoka Ranaweera

India's revamped T20I team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, is poised to clinch the series against Bangladesh in the second T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Yadav's leadership qualities have become evident since his appointment as captain in July, as he actively engages in training sessions and provides guidance to younger players.Yadav's intense batting session and discussions with Abhishek Sharma and Jitesh Sharma highlight his focus on evolving and adapting to the demands of international cricket. The team's composition reflects a long-term strategy towards the 2026 T20 World Cup, with fresh faces and specific player pools for different formats.Head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar have emphasized the importance of format-specific specialization. Speedster Mayank Yadav has been identified as a potential asset for the next T20 World Cup, and this series serves as an audition for players aiming to establish themselves in the shortest format.Yadav's mandate is to build a team capable of defending India's T20 World Cup title. While Bangladesh may not pose a significant challenge, the Indian team management is using the series to assess the progress of its own players. The emphatic victory in the first T20I suggests that younger players are emerging as potential threats to the established seniors.

India's T20 World Cup campaign has hit a roadblock after a disappointing start. Despite being pre-tournament favorites, Harmanpreet Kaur's team has underperformed, losing to New Zealand and narrowly defeating Pakistan.The team's biggest concern lies in their batting unit. Explosive openers Shafali Varma and Smriti Mandhana have failed to make an impact, struggling against spin and posting dismal Powerplay scores. The onus falls on Mandhana to lead the charge against Sri Lanka's spin-heavy attack, despite her underwhelming record against them.The bowlers have also been inconsistent. India's dominant record against Sri Lanka (19/5) offers little solace, as the Indian team has not played since the Asia Cup final in July, where they suffered a defeat.Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be eager to secure their first points after losses to Pakistan and Australia. Led by Chamari Athapaththu, they will look to exploit India's vulnerabilities and make a strong comeback.With a crucial match against Australia looming, India cannot afford another slip-up. They must improve their net run rate (-1.217) and find a way to ignite their batting unit. The team's fate hangs in the balance as they face Sri Lanka in a must-win encounter.

Australia's formidable batting lineup and experienced bowling attack proved too much for New Zealand in the Women's T20 World Cup on Tuesday. The defending champions posted a challenging 148/8, thanks to Beth Mooney's 40 and Ellyse Perry's 30, and then restricted their opponents to 88 all out.Opener Mooney and Alyssa Healy (26) provided a solid start for Australia, adding 41 runs for the first wicket. Mooney, who was initially given out lbw but successfully overturned the decision, played a crucial role in setting the platform for a big total.Perry, batting at number three, chipped in with a valuable 24-ball 30, while Phoebe Litchfield contributed 18. New Zealand's Amelia Kerr was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4/26, including the wicket of Litchfield.In reply, New Zealand's chase never really got going. They lost wickets at regular intervals, with Megan Schutt (3/3), Annabel Sutherland (3/21), and Sophie Molineux (2/15) sharing the spoils.Kerr, who had earlier impressed with the ball, top-scored for New Zealand with 29, but her efforts were in vain as the team fell well short of the target.With this victory, Australia maintained their unbeaten record in the tournament and moved to the top of Group A. New Zealand, on the other hand, suffered their first defeat and will need to bounce back in their remaining matches.

Sadia Iqbal's brief reign as the top-ranked ICC women's T20I bowler was a historic moment for Pakistan cricket. However, Sophie Ecclestone quickly reclaimed the top spot, highlighting the intense competition at the pinnacle of the sport.Iqbal's rise to the top was fueled by her impressive performance in the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup. She equaled Ecclestone's ranking after taking three wickets for 17 runs against Sri Lanka in Pakistan's opening match. Ecclestone's return of 0 for 21 against South Africa allowed Iqbal to briefly overtake her.However, Iqbal's subsequent performance against India (1 for 23) and Ecclestone's Player-of-the-Match winning 2 for 15 against South Africa saw the English spinner regain her top ranking. The gap between the two remains narrow (762 points for Ecclestone, 754 for Iqbal), indicating the possibility of further changes in the rankings.Iqbal's success is a testament to her exceptional skills as a left-arm spinner. She has taken the most wickets (28) in T20Is in 2024 among all players participating in the World Cup. Sana Mir, the former Pakistan captain, is the only other Pakistani woman to top an ICC player table, having been the top-ranked ODI bowler in 2018-19.Beyond the top two, several other players have made notable movements in the rankings. Suzie Bates' 27 runs against India lifted her to seventh place among batters, while Harmanpreet Kaur's performances against New Zealand and Pakistan saw her rise to 12th. Danni Wyatt-Hodge's impressive scores against Bangladesh and South Africa helped her climb to joint 18th.Among bowlers, Megan Schutt's 3 for 12 against Sri Lanka propelled her into the top ten at No. 10. Sarah Glenn moved up to third, behind Ecclestone and Iqbal, while Ash Gardner and Rabeya Khan also made significant gains. Nonkululeko Mlaba's impressive performances for South Africa saw her rise nine spots to 13th.The ongoing Women's T20 World Cup has showcased the depth of talent in women's cricket. The competition for rankings positions remains fierce, with players from various nations vying for supremacy. As the tournament progresses, further changes in the rankings are likely, reflecting the unpredictable nature of the sport.

Scotland and South Africa will face off in their first-ever women's cricket match in any format on Tuesday in Dubai. Scotland, making their T20 World Cup debut, have lost their first two matches, while South Africa are coming off a seven-wicket defeat to England.Scotland's hopes of reaching the semi-finals are slim, as they sit bottom of Group B with a negative net run rate. South Africa, on the other hand, can move to the top of the group with a big win.South Africa's Nonkululeko Mlaba is the tournament's leading wicket-taker with five scalps, and she will be a key player to watch in the match.In the second match of the day, India will take on Sri Lanka in Dubai. India lost their opening game to New Zealand but bounced back with a six-wicket win over Pakistan. Sri Lanka have lost both of their matches so far and are bottom of Group A.India's captain Harmanpreet Kaur is a doubt for the match after suffering a neck injury in the win over Pakistan. Smriti Mandhana will be a key player for India, as she looks to give her team a strong start.

Arshdeep Singh, the T20 World Cup-winning left-arm pacer, believes in living in the present and not dwelling on the past or future. Despite making his debut just two years ago, the 25-year-old has already played 55 T20Is, including two World Cups."I'm enjoying my game and didn't even realize how these two years flew by. I just try and stay in the present, enjoy the highs and lows, that's my focus," Arshdeep said ahead of the second T20I against Bangladesh.Arshdeep's mantra is to live in the moment. "Today is my rest day so I will enjoy my rest today. Kal ka kal dekhenge (Will think about tomorrow when it comes). The T20 World Cup is two years away, very far. I don't think much about the future," he added.The Punjab bowler has been making a case for his first Test cap but is unwilling to discuss it. He developed his red-ball skills in county cricket last season and recently put on an outstanding performance in the Duleep Trophy."I want to do my best in all the formats wherever I get the opportunity," he said.Arshdeep believes that playing in different formats helps players adapt to various conditions and improve their skills. "It gives opportunity to the players to explore their skills. How he can take wickets in different ways, how to absorb pressure," he said.The second game of the series is anticipated to be a high-scoring contest, with the hosts leading 1-0. Teams reached the 200-run mark eight times in the five IPL games played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium earlier this year."We (Punjab Kings) didn't have a match here in the IPL this season but seeing the scores at this ground, I didn't feel like seeing the wicket. We will come tomorrow and assess the conditions and make plans accordingly. The coach and captain will check the wicket and tell us the plan," Arshdeep said.

Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni: A Tale of Two CaptainsRohit Sharma and MS Dhoni, two of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history, have led the national team to numerous victories and ICC titles. While Dhoni won three ICC trophies during his tenure, Rohit opened his account with the T20 World Cup triumph in 2024.Over the past year, Rohit's leadership has been highly praised, particularly for his ability to guide the team through challenging situations. However, comparing the two captains is a difficult task, especially for players who have played under both.Shivam Dube, who has played under Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings and Rohit in the Indian team, was recently asked to choose between the two. His response was both diplomatic and insightful."When I am playing for Chennai, MS Dhoni is the best, when I am playing for India, Rohit Sharma is the best," Dube said.This answer highlights the different strengths of each captain. Dhoni is known for his calm demeanor, strategic brilliance, and ability to inspire his players. Rohit, on the other hand, is a more aggressive leader who leads by example and encourages his team to play with freedom.Rohit Sharma, who was also a guest on the show, spoke about the intense pressure during the T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa."They had wickets in plenty and a settled batter on the field. We were all tense, freaking out. But at that moment, a captain has to show a strong front for the whole team, signaling that there is no need to panic," Rohit said.He further added that the team expected South Africa to face similar challenges in their batting lineup, which ended at the seventh position."We had to take a wicket at any cost since Klaasen and Miller were playing," Rohit said.It was at this point that Pant went down with an injury concern, and the break in the game helped Team India disrupt South Africa's momentum.The contrasting leadership styles of Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni have both proven successful for the Indian cricket team. While Dhoni's calm and strategic approach has led to numerous victories, Rohit's aggressive and inspiring leadership has also brought success. Ultimately, the choice between the two captains depends on the specific needs and circumstances of the team.