Cricket

ICC Unveils Theme Song for 2024 Women's T20 World Cup: 'Whatever It Takes'The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the official theme song for the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, set to kick off on October 3 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The song, titled "Whatever It Takes," is a powerful and inspiring anthem created by the Indian girl band W.i.S.H.W.i.S.H, a rising star in the music industry, consists of four talented members: Riya Duggal, Simran Duggal, Zoe Siddharth, and Suchita Shirk. The band's name, "World Inka Stage Hai," reflects their global aspirations and passion for performing. Since their debut in March 2023, they have amassed over 100K followers on Instagram, showcasing their growing popularity and connection with fans.The theme song, "Whatever It Takes," embodies the determination and spirit required to compete at the highest levels of cricket. Its lyrics and melody aim to inspire and energize fans worldwide, creating an emotional connection with the tournament. The song highlights the challenges and sacrifices that athletes face in their pursuit of excellence, while also celebrating the joy and camaraderie that comes with playing the sport.As the Women's T20 World Cup approaches, the theme song will undoubtedly become an integral part of the event's identity. It will be played at matches, during broadcasts, and in promotional materials, helping to build excitement and anticipation for the tournament. Fans can expect a thrilling and memorable competition, with "Whatever It Takes" serving as a constant reminder of the passion and determination that drives the athletes on the field.

India's Familiarity with UAE Conditions Gives Them an Edge in Women's T20 World CupFormer Indian women's cricket captain Mithali Raj believes that India will have a significant advantage in the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup, which will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from October 3.The UAE's conditions are similar to those found in India, giving the Indian team a familiarity that other teams may not have. "The UAE is, again, in very similar conditions, so we can say that, you know, our team has the advantage," Raj told Star Sports.However, Raj cautioned against complacency, emphasizing that every team will be well-prepared for the tournament. "But again, the World Cup means every team comes well prepared," she added.Despite reaching the finals of several ICC events, including two senior World Cups, the Indian women's team has yet to win a global title. "The Indian women's team, so far, hasn't won, other than the Under-19 World Cup," Raj said.Raj expressed her desire for the team to perform well in the tournament. "I think I will definitely want the team to do well because, like everybody else, when we get into the World Cup, we want our team to win," she said.India will open their campaign against New Zealand on October 4 in Dubai. They have been placed in Group A alongside Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh's Women's T20 World Cup squad for 2024 has undergone significant changes, with five players dropped and five new faces added. The most notable omission is experienced allrounder Rumana Ahmed, who has been replaced by uncapped top-order batter Taj Nehar.The recall of Sobhana Mostary, Shathi Rani, Fahima Khatun, and Disha Biswas adds experience and depth to the squad. Fahima, a veteran legspinner, has played in five T20 World Cups, while Rani, an opening batter, was the leading run-scorer in the recent Women's National Cricket League (NCL) T20 competition.Rumana's exclusion is attributed to her lack of aggressive batting in recent matches. Chief selector Sajjad Ahmed explained that the team needs batters who can score quickly in the T20 format.Mostary's selection, despite her recent struggles, is due to the lack of options at the No. 3 position. "She is a prospect, but she hasn't performed up to the mark," said Sajjad. "We don't have a lot of options at No. 3."The other players dropped from the squad are Rubya Haider, Shorifa Khatun, Sabikun Nahar, and Ishma Tanjim.Bangladesh's T20 World Cup campaign begins on October 3 against Scotland. The team will be hoping to improve on their performance in the 2023 edition, where they failed to progress beyond the group stage.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken a groundbreaking step towards gender equality in sports by announcing that the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 will offer equal prize money to both men and women. This historic decision, made at the ICC Annual Conference in July 2023, marks a significant milestone in the fight for equal pay in major sporting events.The tournament, scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will award the winners a staggering $2.34 million, a 134% increase from the $1 million won by Australia in 2023. The runners-up will receive $1.17 million, also a 134% rise from the $500,000 awarded last year.This prize money equality initiative aligns with the ICC's strategic goal of prioritizing the women's game and fostering its growth by 2032. Teams will now earn equal prize money for similar finishing positions in corresponding events and for match wins.Each group stage win will earn teams $31,154. The six teams not reaching the semi-finals will share a pool of $1.35 million based on their finishing positions. Third and fourth-placed teams in each group will receive $270,000, while the fifth-placed teams will get $135,000. All participating teams are guaranteed a minimum of $112,500.This prize increase is in line with the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022 prize fund of $3.5 million. The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 will commence on October 3 with a match between Bangladesh and Scotland at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.The ICC's decision to offer equal prize money in the Women's T20 World Cup is a testament to the growing recognition of the importance of women's sports. It is a significant step towards breaking down gender barriers and creating a more equitable playing field for all athletes.

Three-time defending women's T20 World Cup champions Australia are gearing up for the upcoming tournament in the UAE with a warm-up series against New Zealand starting on Thursday in Mackay. The Aussies have had a lengthy break between international assignments, having not played since March and April.Despite the break, Australia's squad has been active in other competitions. Several players participated in the women's Hundred in the UK, while Tahlia McGrath played in the Australia A limited-overs series against India A.Australia is one of the few teams that hasn't played international cricket in recent months. Pakistan and South Africa have squared off, while England and Ireland have also locked horns. New Zealand, on the other hand, had a lengthy tour of England in June and July.Phoebe Litchfield, who played in the Hundred for the Northern Superchargers, believes the defending champions shouldn't be too rusty. However, she acknowledges the need for heat acclimation before the trip to the UAE."It's going to be hot. Not too dissimilar to Bangladesh," Litchfield said. "So our preparation continues the same, and we're probably going to do some heat acclimation over the next sort of week and a half to get ready."Litchfield expressed disappointment over the tournament being moved from Bangladesh due to security reasons. However, she believes Dubai offers a suitable alternative.Litchfield, who has not played in a World Cup, is unsure of her starting position in the upcoming series and the tournament. She expects to bat in the middle order if she plays.Both Australia and New Zealand arrived in Mackay on Monday. The first two matches of the series will be played on Thursday and Sunday before the teams move to Brisbane for the final game next Tuesday. Both squads will then fly straight to the UAE next Wednesday.

India's Women's T20 World Cup Preparations Emphasize Mental StrengthAs the Indian women's cricket team prepares for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the UAE, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has highlighted the crucial role of mental strength in executing their plans.Kaur, who has led India to numerous victories, believes that the last few overs of a T20 match are pivotal. "The last 3-4 overs are the most crucial. T20 cricket is not a small format; at the end of the day, you are playing 40 overs. In the last 4-5 overs, the team that is mentally strong wins the match," she said.The Indian team has been working diligently on their mental fortitude. "We have been focusing on this for a while. If we can remain mentally stable in those final 5 overs, we can execute what's best for us. We are working on those aspects, and hopefully, we will overcome this hurdle in the tournament," Kaur added.India's squad for the T20 World Cup includes experienced players like Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, and Jemimah Rodrigues. They will face tough competition in Group A, which includes Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.In the previous edition of the T20 World Cup, India reached the semi-finals but lost to eventual champions Australia. Kaur is determined to improve on that performance and lead her team to glory."We have a good team, and we are confident of doing well in the tournament. We have been working hard, and we are ready to give our best," she said.India will kickstart their campaign against New Zealand on October 4, followed by a highly anticipated clash with Pakistan on October 6. The tournament promises to be an exciting spectacle of women's cricket, and India will be eager to make a mark on the global stage.

As the highly anticipated Women's T20 World Cup draws near, former Indian cricketer Diana Edulji has shared her expert insights and hopes for the Indian team. The tournament, commencing on October 3, will witness 10 teams vying for the coveted trophy.Edulji emphasized the pivotal role of openers Shefali Verma and Smriti Mandhana in India's campaign. "The biggest bets are the two openers, Shefali and Smriti. They have to put a price on their wicket. The World Cup is fully dependent on them," she stated.Expressing high expectations for the team, Edulji urged them to seize the opportunity to bring the trophy home, emulating the success of the men's team. She acknowledged the competitive nature of the tournament, highlighting Bangladesh's impressive performance in the Asia Cup. "Bangladesh had an excellent Asia Cup campaign. We should play according to our strengths. It doesn't matter that Australia has won six World Cups, they can lose too. We have to give our 100%," she said.Edulji identified spin bowling as one of India's key strengths, praising Deepti Sharma's consistent form and ability to strike in the final overs. She also mentioned the promising talent of Shreyanka Patil and emphasized the depth in India's spin department. However, she pointed out the need to focus on pace bowling, mentioning Renuka Singh as a crucial player."Our strength is our spinners, Deepti Sharma has been in form since 2017, she will be important for us in the final overs. We also have Shreyanka Patil, so, we have plenty of spinners. We have got more than 5-6 bowlers, so there should not be any problem," she added.Edulji acknowledged the strength of other teams, including South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, England, Australia, and New Zealand, noting their consistent performance in international cricket. "This is an open world cup, South Africa looks strong, Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu is in good form, Bangladesh is causing upsets everywhere, England, Australia, and New Zealand are all looking good and they are playing cricket consistently," she said.She expressed confidence that the support staff have learnt from previous World Cups and will avoid past mistakes. Additionally, she appreciated the BCCI for providing ample facilities, with players gaining valuable experience in leagues like the Big Bash and The Hundred.

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 is set to ignite the UAE with an unprecedented initiative: match tickets starting at a mere five dirhams (Rs 114.28) and free entry for fans under 18. This groundbreaking move, unveiled amidst a dazzling laser show on the iconic Burj Khalifa, aims to foster an inclusive and unforgettable tournament experience."The UAE's diversity is a key factor in this decision," stated ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice. "With fans from all over the world residing here, this tournament becomes a home World Cup for all 10 participating teams. To ensure maximum support and create a lasting legacy, we're thrilled to offer affordable tickets and free entry for our younger fans."The tournament, commencing on October 3, will witness 10 teams battling it out in 23 matches over 18 days. The teams are divided into two groups: Group A (Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) and Group B (Bangladesh, England, South Africa, West Indies, Scotland).The round-robin format ensures that each team faces the other four in its group, with the top two advancing to the knockout stages. The tournament kicks off in Sharjah with Bangladesh facing Scotland on October 3. The semi-finals are scheduled for October 17 in Dubai and October 18 in Sharjah, culminating in the grand finale on October 20 in Dubai.Prior to the tournament, teams will engage in warm-up matches from September 28 to October 1. This initiative not only promotes accessibility but also aims to inspire future generations of cricket enthusiasts. By making the tournament affordable and inclusive, the ICC hopes to create a lasting impact on the sport in the UAE and beyond.

Smriti Mandhana, India's star batter, is preparing for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Known for her aggressive batting and consistency, Mandhana has been a cornerstone of the Indian women's cricket team.In a recent interview with Star Sports, Mandhana revealed that Virat Kohli is her favorite cricketer. She praised Kohli's batting prowess and mindset, stating that she had sought his advice on batting techniques and handling expectations."When I met Kohli, I asked him a lot of things about batting," Mandhana said. "I wanted to know his mindset, especially since I had a problem with my grip changing. He told me that he doesn't view expectations as pressure, but rather as a motivation to perform for his team."Mandhana acknowledged that she had struggled with handling expectations in the past, but Kohli's advice helped her develop a more positive mindset. "After hearing it from him, I realized that I needed to focus on my own performance and not let expectations weigh me down," she said.Both Mandhana and Kohli represent Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their respective leagues, the Women's Premier League (WPL) and the Indian Premier League (IPL). They are both iconic figures in Indian cricket, inspiring fans worldwide with their exceptional skills and leadership qualities.Mandhana's admiration for Kohli highlights the respect and camaraderie within the Indian cricket fraternity. Her willingness to seek guidance from a senior player like Kohli demonstrates her commitment to continuous improvement and her desire to become one of the best batters in the world.