Cricket

India's women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur has climbed to the joint ninth spot in the latest ICC Women's ODI rankings, while opener Smriti Mandhana has maintained her fourth position. The rankings were released in Dubai on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.Kaur's rise in the rankings comes after her crucial role in India's six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third ODI of their ICC Women's Championship series in Ahmedabad. Despite slipping three slots after the first two matches, her unbeaten 59 off 63 balls propelled her back into the top 10.Left-hander Mandhana, who won the player of the match award for her century in the same match, added 23 rating points to reach a tally of 728. This places her just five points behind Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu in the list led by England's Natalie Sciver-Brunt with 760 rating points.Other Indian players also made significant progress in the rankings. Wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia moved up from 48th to 45th after contributing 35 runs. For New Zealand, Brooke Halliday's knock of 86 lifted her 12 spots to 24th position, while Georgia Plimmer's 39 runs took her from 85th to 74th position.In the bowling chart, seasoned spinner Deepti Sharma gained important rating points after helping India win the series 2-1. Sharma, who had already attained a career-high 687 rating points last week, added 16 more to reach 703 rating points. This solidifies her second place among bowlers, behind England's left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, who enjoys a huge lead with 770 rating points.India pacer Renuka Singh moved up four places to 32nd, while Saima Thakor (up 20 places to joint-77th) and Priya Mishra (up six places to 83rd) also progressed.In the ICC Women's Championship standings, India is placed third with 25 points, while New Zealand is sixth with 20 points from 21 matches. Australia and England are at the top with 28 points each, from 18 and 21 matches, respectively.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled a revamped Future Tours Programme (FTP) for women's cricket, introducing dedicated windows for major competitions and expanding the ICC Women's ODI Championship.Women's Premier League (WPL) WindowThe Women's Premier League (WPL), India's premier women's franchise competition, will find a new home in the January-February window from 2026 onwards. This shift has prompted Australia to move its marquee home summer to February-March to avoid a clash with the WPL, where Australian players are highly sought after.Hundred and WBBL WindowsThe Hundred, England's 100-ball competition, and the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), Australia's domestic T20 league, have been allotted dedicated windows in August and November, respectively. This will provide greater clarity and consistency in the women's cricket calendar.ICC Women's ODI Championship ExpansionThe ICC Women's ODI Championship has been expanded to 11 teams, with Zimbabwe becoming the latest entrants. This follows the addition of Bangladesh and Ireland to the ongoing cycle, which will culminate in the ODI World Cup in India in October 2023. The inclusion of Zimbabwe ensures that all of the ICC's Full Members, except Afghanistan, are now part of the championship.T20 Champions TrophyAs part of its strategic plan to have at least one women's global tournament each year, the ICC has introduced a T20 Champions Trophy to be held in Sri Lanka in 2027. This tournament will add to the already crowded calendar, which includes the LA Olympics in August 2028 and the T20 World Cup in September 2028.Other Key Decisions* The ICC has introduced a new points system for the ICC Women's ODI Championship, which will determine qualification for the ODI World Cup.* The ICC Women's T20 World Cup will be expanded to 12 teams from 2024 onwards.* The ICC has committed to increasing investment in women's cricket, including funding for development programs and coaching initiatives.These changes aim to enhance the visibility, competitiveness, and sustainability of women's cricket globally.

Smriti Mandhana, the prodigious Indian batter, has etched her name in the annals of women's cricket by surpassing Mithali Raj's record for the most ODI centuries scored by an Indian woman. With her latest century against New Zealand, Mandhana now boasts an impressive tally of eight ODI hundreds, eclipsing Raj's previous record of seven.Mandhana's remarkable achievement is a testament to her exceptional talent and unwavering determination. At just 27 years of age, she is already one of India's most prolific batters and is well on her way to challenging Meg Lanning's record of 15 ODI centuries. Having reached her current tally in just 88 matches, Mandhana has ample time to pursue this feat, especially considering her prime form.Throughout her ODI career, Mandhana has amassed a staggering 3,690 runs with an impressive average of 45.00 and a strike rate of 84.92. In addition to her eight centuries, she has also notched up 27 half-centuries, further solidifying her status as a consistent run-scorer.Mandhana's aggressive style of play and unwavering consistency have been instrumental in her success. Her ability to consistently score big runs is evident in her impressive average and strike rate, which rank her among the best in the game.Reflecting on her record-breaking performance, Mandhana acknowledged the challenges she faced during the recent T20 World Cup in UAE. However, she expressed her determination to move forward and regain the team's confidence."It's not been easy, the last one and a half months for the team," Mandhana said. "We had a lot of expectations from all of us individually and as a team in the World Cup. The series came too soon for everyone. Half of everyone's mind was still on the World Cup. This series win (against NZ) is definitely going to boost confidence, especially this being such a young team, they take things to heart. I'm really happy that we could win the series today and start the journey again."Mandhana's record-breaking achievement is a source of immense pride for Indian cricket and serves as an inspiration to aspiring young batters. Her journey towards challenging Meg Lanning's record is sure to be an exciting one, and her fans will be eagerly following her progress.

Smriti Mandhana, the star batter of Indian women's cricket, has etched her name in the annals of history by surpassing the legendary Mithali Raj to become the Indian player with the most ODI centuries. Mandhana's elegant stroke play and aggressive approach have been instrumental in her remarkable achievement.During the third ODI against New Zealand women at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Mandhana notched up her eighth century, surpassing Raj's record of seven. Her innings of 100 off 122 balls was a testament to her exceptional batting prowess and provided India with a strong start.Mandhana's ability to build big scores has set her apart as one of the finest batters in the game. Her powerful stroke play and elegance at the crease have often provided India with vital innings at crucial moments. In the final match of the three-match ODI series, India secured a six-wicket victory over New Zealand, winning the series 2-1.Behind Mandhana is Mithali Raj, a legendary figure in Indian cricket. With seven centuries to her name, Raj's approach was marked by precision, patience, and technical prowess. Her career spanned over two decades, during which she not only held together India's middle order but also inspired countless young cricketers. Her impact on Indian women's cricket is undeniable, and her seven centuries stand as a testament to her enduring skill and resilience.Current ODI skipper Harmanpreet Kaur is another notable name in the list of Indian batters with multiple ODI centuries. Known for her aggressive batting and match-winning knocks, Kaur has six ODI centuries to her name. She has often taken on the role of a game-changer, particularly in high-stakes situations. Her ability to counterattack and play under pressure has made her one of the most exciting players in the lineup.Punam Raut, with three centuries, has also made a significant contribution to India's journey in women's cricket. Her steady approach and ability to accumulate runs have earned her a place among the top batters in the country.These players have each contributed uniquely to India's success in women's cricket, creating a formidable legacy for future generations. Mandhana's record-breaking achievement is a testament to her exceptional talent and the bright future of Indian women's cricket.

India's women's cricket team clinched the three-match ODI series against New Zealand with a resounding six-wicket victory in the decisive match on Tuesday. The triumph was orchestrated by a masterful century from star batter Smriti Mandhana, who anchored India's chase of 233 with an unbeaten 100 runs off 122 balls.Mandhana's innings was a return to form for the talented batter, who had struggled to make an impact in the previous two ODIs and the preceding T20 World Cup. Her patient yet dominant knock, studded with 10 boundaries, laid the foundation for India's successful run chase.After a shaky start that saw India lose Shafali Verma early, Mandhana found a willing partner in Yastika Bhatia. The duo stitched together a crucial 76-run partnership for the second wicket, steadying the Indian innings. Bhatia played the perfect foil to Mandhana, scoring a brisk 35 runs before falling to a return catch.Mandhana's partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur proved decisive, effectively sealing the match for India. Their 118-run stand for the third wicket deflated the New Zealand bowling attack, with Kaur playing a supporting role with an unbeaten 59.By the time Mandhana departed in the 41st over, India were within touching distance of victory. Earlier in the day, New Zealand recovered from a precarious 88/5 to post a respectable total of 232/5, thanks to a fighting knock of 86 runs from Brooke Halliday. The Indian bowlers, led by Deepti Sharma and Priya Mishra, had initially dominated the proceedings, reducing New Zealand to a moderate total. Despite the late fightback from New Zealand, Mandhana's century proved to be the difference between the two sides.India's victory in the series is a testament to the team's resilience and determination. Despite facing a strong New Zealand side, the Indian women showed their mettle and emerged victorious. Mandhana's century was the highlight of the match, but the contributions of other players, such as Bhatia and Kaur, were equally crucial.

After the disappointing loss in the first ODI, the New Zealand women's cricket team bounced back with a strong performance in the second match, posting a competitive total of 259 for nine. Skipper Sophie Devine led from the front, scoring a superb 79 off 86 balls, making up for her bizarre run-out in the previous game. She was ably supported by Suzie Bates, who contributed 58 off 70 balls, and Georgia Plimmer, who added 41 off 50 balls.The middle order also chipped in with valuable contributions. Maddy Green played a fine knock of 42 off 41 balls, while Amelia Kerr added 28 off 32 balls. The Indian bowlers struggled to contain the New Zealand batters, with Radha Yadav being the most successful with four wickets for 69 runs. However, it was her brilliant fielding that caught the eye, as she pulled off a stunning catch to dismiss Bates.Deepti Sharma also bowled tidily, taking two for 30 from 10 overs, while the other bowlers conceded runs at an economy rate of around five or more. India's chase got off to a shaky start, as they lost Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma cheaply. Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership, but both fell in quick succession.Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma then put on a 40-run stand, but the Indian innings faltered after Ghosh's dismissal. India eventually fell short by 30 runs, with Radha Yadav remaining unbeaten on 25. The New Zealand bowlers shared the wickets, with Jess Kerr and Hayley Jensen taking two each.The victory gives New Zealand a 1-1 draw in the three-match ODI series. The final match will be played on October 29, with India needing a win to clinch the series.

Radha Yadav's Fielding Brilliance Shines in India's ODI TriumphIn the second One-Day International against New Zealand Women at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India's experienced spin bowler Radha Yadav showcased her exceptional fielding prowess. Her stunning catches played a pivotal role in India's victory, disrupting New Zealand's batting momentum and securing a crucial breakthrough.In the 16th over of New Zealand's innings, Radha Yadav pulled off a breathtaking catch to dismiss in-form opener Georgia Plimmer. Deepti Sharma's well-flighted delivery tempted Plimmer to flick it to the on-side, but Radha Yadav, diving to her right, executed a spectacular catch, preventing a potential boundary.Radha Yadav's fielding brilliance continued as she took another breathtaking catch to dismiss Brooke Halliday. Halliday attempted to loft debutant Priya Mishra down the ground but only managed to sky the ball towards the extra cover region. Radha Yadav sprinted back, executing a full-length dive, and expertly reached the ball with both hands, ensuring it stayed secure after hitting the grass.Earlier, New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine won the toss and elected to bat. India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur returned to the side after missing the series opener due to a niggle, while the hosts handed a maiden cap to young Priya Mishra. For New Zealand, Fran Jonas and Lea Tahuhu came in for injured Amelia Kerr and Molly Penfold.India lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first ODI by 59 runs. Radha Yadav's fielding brilliance, coupled with Deepti Sharma's bowling prowess, proved instrumental in India's victory, setting the stage for an exciting series finale.

In the second ODI between India and New Zealand in Ahmedabad, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine elected to bat first. The visitors made two changes to their lineup, with left-arm spinner Fran Jonas replacing Amelia Kerr and right-arm pacer Lea Tahuhu replacing Molly Penfold.India welcomed back regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who replaced D Hemalatha. They also handed a debut to legspinner Priya Mishra, who took the place of Renuka Singh Thakur. Mishra has impressed in recent domestic tournaments and was part of the India A tour of Australia.India currently leads the three-match series 1-0 after a 59-run victory in the first ODI. New Zealand needs to win the second game to keep the series alive and earn crucial points in the Women's Championship. Only the top five teams and host India will qualify directly for next year's World Cup.

The tenth season of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) is set to commence on Sunday, October 16, with a triple-header featuring reigning champions Adelaide Strikers and Brisbane Heat. The tournament has been reduced to 40 games plus finals to align with the BBL and accommodate the growing women's cricket calendar.Each club will play 10 regular season games, down from 14 last season. The top four teams will qualify for the finals, which will follow a three-game format. The team finishing top will host the final on December 1.The WBBL has introduced several new features this season. A third umpire will be available in every game, and there will be an increase in matches with full DRS. An innings timer will also be in operation, with 73 minutes available to bowl the first ball of the 20th over.Several key players will be on display in the WBBL, including Phoebe Litchfield, Annabel Sutherland, Amelia Kerr, and Deandra Dottin. Litchfield, the youngest full-time captain in WBBL history, will lead Sydney Thunder. Sutherland, who captained Melbourne Stars, is a rising star in Australian cricket. Kerr, the Player-of-the-World Cup, has joined Sydney Sixers from Brisbane Heat. Dottin, who had a brilliant T20 World Cup, will play for Melbourne Renegades.The WBBL is expected to be a competitive and exciting tournament, with several teams vying for the title. Adelaide Strikers will be aiming for a hat-trick of titles, while Brisbane Heat, Sydney Sixers, and Melbourne Stars will be among the other contenders.