Cricket

India's women's cricket team is gearing up for their one-off Test against South Africa, buoyed by recent white-ball series victories. However, head coach Amol Muzumdar believes there's room for improvement in all departments."We have the momentum, but we're trying to focus on each game as it comes," Muzumdar said. "The demands of Test cricket are different, but the team is up for it."India last played a Test in December, beating Australia in Mumbai. They also won a one-off Test against England at home. Most of the top players also participated in the Senior Women's Inter-Zonal Multi-day Trophy in March-April.Despite having only five days to prepare for the Test, Muzumdar is confident that the players are ready for the challenge. "We're aware that red-ball cricket will be a part of women's cricket going forward," he said. "The inter-zonal tournament was critical in sending that message."The core of the team will remain the same, but Shubha Satheesh, Sneh Rana, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, and Meghna Singh will be coming in for the Test. "They're very important players," Muzumdar said. "They've had a specific workload in the camp and are raring to go."Muzumdar also expressed support for a women's World Test Championship, similar to the men's format. "It's not a bad idea," he said. "Test cricket is always special, and every game is important."The team has also included 17-year-old uncapped medium pacer Shabnam Shakil. "She's a superb talent," Muzumdar said. "We're including her so she gets a feel of the team culture and atmosphere."

England's women's cricket team has welcomed a rising star to their ranks, with 20-year-old seamer Ryana MacDonald-Gay receiving her maiden senior call-up for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand.MacDonald-Gay, who has impressed with her performances for South East Stars in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy, has been added to the 14-player squad as cover due to minor injuries within the group.The young bowler has a proven track record, having represented England at Under-19 and England A levels. In the current season's Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy, she has emerged as the second-leading wicket-taker, claiming 12 wickets at an impressive average of 11.75.England head coach Jon Lewis praised MacDonald-Gay's abilities, stating, "Ryana has been a standout bowler in domestic 50-over cricket and had a good 50-over tour of New Zealand with our England A team. We have brought her in at this point as we have a couple of niggles in the squad. We have been really impressed with her skill level and accuracy."MacDonald-Gay's journey in cricket began at the tender age of 15 when she made her debut for Kent. She has since represented Oval Invincibles in the Women's Hundred, showcasing her versatility across different formats.During England A's tour of New Zealand in March, MacDonald-Gay made a significant impact, taking six wickets in two 50-over matches and five wickets in two T20s. Her performances caught the attention of the national selectors, leading to her inclusion in the senior squad.MacDonald-Gay's addition to the team adds depth to England's bowling attack and provides them with a promising young talent for the future. She is expected to join the squad in Durham on Tuesday ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday.

India's 3-0 ODI series sweep against South Africa has provided a timely boost to the team's preparations for the T20 World Cup later this year. The series not only erased the bitter memories of the 0-3 loss to Australia earlier this year but also allowed the team to assess players' form, fitness, and overall fielding standards.Smriti Mandhana emerged as the star of the series, scoring a remarkable 117, 136, and 90 in her three outings. Her exceptional strokeplay and remarkable endurance, having spent 122.3 overs at the crease out of India's total of 140.4, were highly impressive.Captain Harmanpreet Kaur also returned to form, scoring a brilliant century in the second match, her first since September 2022. However, the form of Shafali Verma, who managed only 52 runs in three innings, raised concerns.India experimented with D. Hemalatha and Priya Punia at No. 3, a move that is likely to continue in the upcoming T20Is against South Africa. The series also witnessed promising ODI debuts for leg-spinner Asha Sobhana and pacer Arundhati Reddy.Asha, 33, made an immediate impact, taking a four-wicket haul in her first outing. Arundhati, 27, who has played 26 T20Is since her debut in 2018, also impressed with her bowling, particularly in the second ODI, where she bowled the penultimate over and helped India secure a narrow four-run victory.One of the most heartening aspects of the series was India's improved ground fielding. Jemimah Rodrigues was particularly impressive, saving more runs than the margin of victory in the second game. Coach Amol Muzumdar expressed his satisfaction with the team's fielding efforts, emphasizing the importance of saving runs.The 3-0 sweep has provided India with a solid foundation as they prepare for the T20 World Cup. The team will now play three T20Is against South Africa in Chennai before participating in the inter-zonal multi-day tournament. These matches will offer further opportunities to evaluate players and fine-tune their preparations for the global event.

Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has etched her name in the history books by becoming the woman player with the most runs in a three-match bilateral ODI series. Mandhana achieved this remarkable feat during India's third ODI against South Africa at Bengaluru on Sunday.In the third ODI, Mandhana played a pivotal role in India's victory, scoring 90 runs off 83 balls, including 11 fours. Her innings came at a strike rate of 108.43, further solidifying her status as one of the most dangerous batters in women's cricket.Mandhana's performance in the series was nothing short of exceptional. In the first ODI, she scored 117 runs off 127 balls, with 12 fours and a six. In the second ODI, she went one step further, scoring 136 runs off 120 balls, with 18 fours and two sixes.Overall, Mandhana ended the three-match series with a staggering 343 runs, at an average of 114.33 and a strike rate of above 103. Her tally included two centuries and a fifty, a testament to her consistency and ability to score runs in all conditions.Mandhana's heroics earned her the 'Player of the Series' award as India whitewashed South Africa by 3-0. Her performance has not only helped India secure a series victory but has also cemented her position as one of the best batters in the world.The previous record for the most runs in a bilateral ODI series by a women's player was held by former Australian player Karen Rolton, who scored 394 runs in six ODIs against New Zealand in 2004. Mandhana's achievement is even more impressive considering that she did it in just three matches.In the third ODI, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. Skipper Laura Woolvaardt (61 off 57 balls) and Tazmin Brits (38 off 26 balls) provided a solid start with a 102-run opening stand. However, Indian bowlers fought back, with Deepti Sharma (2/27) and Arundhati Reddy (2/36) leading the charge. South Africa was eventually bowled out for 215 runs in 50 overs.In the run-chase, Mandhana held one end steady, while Shafali Varma (25 off 39 balls), Priya Punia (28 off 40 balls), and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (42 off 48 balls) played crucial knocks. Jemimah Rodrigues (19* off 20 balls) and Richa Ghosh (6* off 10 balls) finished the job, guiding India to a comfortable six-wicket victory with 56 balls to spare.Deepti Sharma was named 'Player of the Match' for her all-round performance, which included two wickets and a crucial 20 runs off 24 balls.

India's women's cricket team continued their dominance over South Africa, completing a comprehensive 3-0 sweep of the ODI series with a resounding six-wicket victory at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.Chasing a modest target of 216, India romped home with more than nine overs to spare, thanks to a brilliant 90-run knock from Smriti Mandhana. The left-handed opener once again showcased her exceptional batting skills, driving, clipping, and steering the ball effortlessly to the boundary. Despite missing out on a third consecutive century, her innings was a testament to her class and consistency.Priya Punia, who replaced D. Hemalatha in the lineup, made a valuable contribution with 28 runs, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur chipped in with 42. However, it was Mandhana's brilliance that set the tone for India's victory.Earlier, South Africa, who opted to bat first, began promisingly with captain Laura Wolvaardt (61) and Tazmin Brits (38) putting on a 102-run partnership. However, Wolvaardt's dismissal triggered a collapse, as the Proteas lost wickets in quick succession.Arundhati Reddy, who replaced injured pacer Renuka Singh, played a key role in South Africa's downfall, taking two wickets for 36 runs. She dismissed Wolvaardt with a sharp catch off her own bowling and then accounted for Anneke Bosch in a similar fashion.Shreyanka Patil, who came in for leg-spinner Asha Sobhana, also made an impact, dismissing star batter Marizanne Kapp to reduce South Africa to 120 for four.Despite some resistance from Nadine de Klerk (26) and Mieke de Ridder (26 not out), South Africa could only manage to post 215 for nine in their allotted 50 overs.India's bowlers, led by Reddy and Patil, kept the South African batters in check throughout the innings, with the Proteas failing to build any substantial partnerships.In the end, India's superior batting depth proved too much for South Africa, as they cruised to victory with ease. The win extended India's unbeaten streak in ODIs against South Africa to 10 matches.

India's women's cricket team stands on the cusp of a historic 3-0 series sweep against South Africa in the third and final ODI on Sunday. Despite facing challenges in the first two matches, India has emerged victorious, showcasing resilience and exceptional batting performances.In the opening match, India's batters overcame a precarious 99 for five to post a formidable 260-plus total. The bowlers then defended the target with determination. However, in the second game, the Indian bowlers faced a stern test against centurions Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp. Despite conceding a heavy total, they held their nerve until the final ball to secure the win.Throughout both matches, Smriti Mandhana has been a standout performer, scoring consecutive centuries (117 and 136). She has become the first Indian woman batter to achieve this feat in ODIs and has equaled Mithali Raj's record of seven one-day centuries.Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur's timely return to form with an 88-ball 103 in the second match has also boosted India's confidence. However, the team will be eager to see a substantial contribution from opener Shafali Verma, who has endured a run of low scores.With the series already in hand, India may consider giving opportunities to fringe players such as bowlers Shreyanka Patil, Saika Ishaque, and top-order batter Priya Punia.South Africa, on the other hand, will be determined to salvage a win and earn valuable ICC Women's ODI Championship points, which are crucial for their qualification for next year's 50-over World Cup. A victory would also provide a much-needed confidence boost ahead of the Test and T20I series.The visitors will need a collective effort from their batters and bowlers to challenge India's dominance.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fans have always been vocal in their support for their team, even in unrelated sports events. This was evident once again at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 16, where a section of supporters erupted into chants of "RCB, RCB" during India women's emphatic 143-run ODI victory over South Africa.The chants were not entirely out of place, as two key contributors to RCB's recent Women's Premier League (WPL) triumph were on display. Smriti Mandhana, who captained RCB to the title, scored a magnificent 117-run knock, while leg-spinner Asha Sobhana claimed a four-wicket haul on debut.Mandhana's century was a testament to her determination and resilience. She had crossed the half-century mark 31 times in ODIs but had only reached three figures on five occasions. However, on a challenging pitch, she showed her class by overcoming mid-innings cramps and guiding her team out of trouble."I started off pretty well, and whenever you get two cover drives in the first over you always feel good," said the 27-year-old. "But whenever I thought of taking the game on, there was a wicket. Maybe that helped me stay at the crease."Asha, 33, also had a memorable outing. After playing a starring role in RCB's IPL triumph, she earned a maiden National team call ahead of the five-match T20I tour to Bangladesh in May. She played two matches there and the ODI debut has followed soon after."Back in 2017 or 2018, I remember looking at her in the Challengers, and thinking ‘Oh she can really turn the ball’,” said Mandhana about Asha. “Her last eight months have shown what hard work can do to a player.""The way she bowled [versus South Africa], turning the ball square, I am happy that she is in my team. Whenever I face her in the nets, it’s really hard to go over the top. I love (batting against) leg-spinners, but I can’t really do it against Asha. That shows her strength.”The victory was a resounding statement from the Indian women's team, who are preparing for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa. Smriti Mandhana and Asha Sobhana's performances will give the team a much-needed boost of confidence as they aim to make a strong impact on the global stage.

Niranjana Nagarajan Retires from Cricket: A Journey of Gratitude and AccomplishmentsIndian fast bowler Niranjana Nagarajan has bid farewell to the sport she has dedicated 24 years of her life to. In an emotional social media post, the 35-year-old announced her retirement from all forms of cricket.Nagarajan's journey began at the tender age of 19 when she made her international debut in an ODI against England in Bath. She went on to represent India in two Tests, 22 ODIs, and 14 T20Is between 2008 and 2016.Her Test debut in Wormsley in 2014 was a memorable one. She claimed four wickets in the first innings, helping India bowl out England for a mere 92 runs. Nagarajan also contributed with a gritty 27 runs, paving the way for India's historic fourth Test win overall and second against England.Throughout her career, Nagarajan picked up 24 wickets in ODIs and nine in T20Is. She last played for India in a T20I against Sri Lanka in Ranchi in 2016.Beyond her international exploits, Nagarajan was a key figure for Railways and Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket. Her contributions to the sport have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Arjuna Award in 2012.In her retirement announcement, Nagarajan expressed her gratitude for the opportunities cricket has given her. "Playing cricket at a professional level has been the best thing that could have happened to me," she said. "It gave me a vision, ambition, and reason to look forward in life."Nagarajan's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian women's cricket. She leaves behind a legacy of determination, resilience, and a love for the game that will continue to inspire future generations.

South East Stars emerged victorious in a dominant five-wicket triumph over The Blaze at Derby, solidifying their aspirations for a second Charlotte Edwards Cup title. The Stars' bowling attack proved formidable, dismissing The Blaze for a mere 84 runs, marking the first defeat in 16 points-table matches for Kirstie Gordon's team since their rebranding from Lightning two years ago.Alexa Stonehouse led the Stars' bowling charge with three wickets for 13 runs, while Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Dani Gregory, and Tilly Corteen-Coleman each claimed two wickets. England's Sarah Glenn top-scored for The Blaze with 21 runs from 24 balls.In response, Emma Jones' unbeaten 30 from just 25 balls guided the Stars to victory with 29 balls to spare. The Blaze's innings had a disastrous start, losing three wickets in the first two overs and a fourth in the fifth. Corteen-Coleman dismissed Tammy Beaumont leg before, while Stonehouse removed Marie Kelly and Sarah Bryce in a double-wicket maiden.Heather Graham's dismissal in the fifth over left The Blaze reeling at 12 for four. Kathryn Bryce and Ella Claridge fell cheaply, and Josie Groves was caught off Gregory's bowling, leaving The Blaze at 66 for 7. Glenn's resistance ended with a bowled dismissal by Corteen-Coleman, and Gordon and Lucy Higham holed out to mid-on.Despite missing key run-getters Paige Scholfield and Sophia Dunkley, the Stars never looked in danger of defeat. They lost Bryony Smith early, but Jones' three boundaries in the 14th over brought the target within reach. Glenn claimed two wickets, but Jones sealed the victory with a six over Gordon's head in the next over.The Stars' triumph sets up a potential rematch with The Blaze in next Saturday's Final on the same ground, with both teams already qualified for the semi-finals.