Cricket

Sanjay Manjrekar's Controversial Remark Sparks OutrageFormer Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has ignited a firestorm of controversy with his recent comment during live commentary on the India vs New Zealand Women's T20 World Cup match. While discussing the Indian women's cricket team's coaching unit, Manjrekar admitted that he lacks in-depth knowledge about players from North India."Sorry, I could not recognize him. North ke players ki taraf mera zyada dhyaan nahi hota (I don't pay much attention to the players from North India)," Manjrekar said on-air.The comment has drawn widespread condemnation on social media, with many accusing Manjrekar of bias and discrimination. Social media users have expressed outrage, calling for Manjrekar to be banned from commentary."I've no interest in North Indian Cricketers," one user tweeted. "Why so much hate?"Another user wrote, "I don't have interest in North Indian cricketers. Sanjay Manjrekar @ICC @BCCI how can you allow such a racist person in the commentary panel? Put a ban on him."The controversy has also raised questions about the representation of North Indian players in Indian cricket. Some have argued that Manjrekar's comment reflects a larger issue of regionalism and bias within the sport."Mumbai Lobby is a real thing!!" one user tweeted. "Sanjay Manjrekar said, 'I don't pay much attention to players from the North.'"In response to the backlash, Manjrekar has apologized for his remarks. However, the damage has been done, and the controversy is likely to continue.

India's middle-order batter Jemimah Rodrigues has urged her team to move on from their disappointing defeat against New Zealand and focus on the upcoming crucial matches in the Women's T20 World Cup. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side suffered a heavy 58-run loss to the Kiwis on Friday, leaving them in a precarious position in Group A.Rodrigues addressed the controversial run-out episode involving Amelia Kerr, stating that the team felt aggrieved but respected the umpire's decision. She explained that Kerr's departure from the crease indicated that the over had not been called dead, but the umpire's ruling ultimately prevailed.Despite the setback, Rodrigues praised the team's maturity in handling the situation. She emphasized the importance of Amelia Kerr's wicket and acknowledged that the team had to accept the decision and move forward.Rodrigues urged her teammates to avoid panic and instead focus on the process that has brought them success in the past. She stressed the need to take one game at a time and play to their strengths.The 24-year-old from Mumbai admitted that New Zealand came out with a strong intent, but India failed to respond adequately. She highlighted the need for a better approach in future matches, recognizing that the tournament is far from over.Rodrigues also discussed her role at number four in the batting order, stating that it did not present any significant challenges. However, she expressed regret for not staying at the crease long enough to build a partnership.

India vs Pakistan: A Rivalry Defined by Close Encounters in T20 World CupsIndia and Pakistan, two cricketing powerhouses, have engaged in a captivating rivalry in the T20 World Cup, with each encounter marked by intense competition and thrilling finishes. Their first meeting in the inaugural Women's T20 World Cup in 2009 set the tone for a series of memorable clashes.India has dominated the head-to-head record, winning 12 of the 15 matches played so far. However, Pakistan has shown resilience, triumphing in three games, including a narrow two-run victory in the 2016 edition.In the T20 World Cup, India has maintained its dominance, winning five of the seven matches against Pakistan. The upcoming encounter on Sunday in the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup promises to be another nail-biting affair.Key Moments in India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup Encounters:* 2009: India's Priyanka Roy claimed a five-wicket haul to restrict Pakistan to 75, leading India to a five-wicket victory.* 2010: Poonam Raut's unbeaten 54 guided India to a nine-wicket win, chasing down Pakistan's 104/6.* 2012: Pakistan's Nida Dar's three wickets helped restrict India to 97/8, securing a one-run victory for Pakistan.* 2014: India's Soniya Dabir took three wickets to restrict Pakistan to 100/9, securing a six-run victory.* 2016: Rain played a crucial role, with Pakistan declared the winner by two runs (DLS) after being ahead of the par score.* 2018: Mithali Raj's 56 off 47 led India to a seven-wicket victory, chasing down Pakistan's 133/7.* 2023: Jemimah Rodrigues' whirlwind 53 not out helped India chase down Pakistan's 149/4, securing a seven-wicket victory.Upcoming Clash:India and Pakistan will face off on Sunday in the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup. India, coming off a heavy defeat to New Zealand, will be eager to bounce back, while Pakistan will be confident after their victory over Sri Lanka. The match promises to be a high-stakes encounter, with both teams determined to secure a crucial victory.

India faces a crucial challenge in their second Women's T20 World Cup match against Pakistan on Sunday after a disappointing defeat to New Zealand. The loss has left India with a poor run-rate of -2.99, making it imperative for them to secure big victories in their remaining matches.India's performance against New Zealand was lackluster in all departments. They opted for an extra pacer in Arundhati Reddy, which led to a reshuffling of the batting order. Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Richa Ghosh were forced to bat out of their usual positions, affecting their rhythm.The decision to include three pacers was questionable, as there was no dew and the Kiwis' pacers exploited the hard deck. India also missed the presence of left-arm spinner Radha Yadav, their second-most successful T20I bowler.Head coach Amol Muzumdar faces a dilemma in selecting the right combination for the Pakistan match. India may consider adding Dayalan Hemalatha to bolster their batting.Pakistan, on the other hand, will be confident after defeating Sri Lanka in their opening match. Their bowling attack, led by Nida Dhar, Fatima Sana, and Sadia Iqbal, is formidable. However, they will be monitoring the fitness of lead pacer Diana Baig, who suffered a calf strain.India holds a 12-3 head-to-head advantage over Pakistan in T20Is, but Pakistan has the potential to upset any opposition. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter with both teams desperate for a victory.

India's hopes of reaching the semifinals of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 have suffered a major setback following their heavy 58-run defeat against New Zealand in Dubai. The loss has placed India in a precarious position, with net run rate (NRR) becoming a critical factor in a tough Group A.To qualify for the semifinals, India must now win all their remaining three group-stage matches against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia. However, their current NRR of -2.900 means they must not only win but do so by significant margins to improve their NRR.India's next match against Pakistan on October 6 is crucial. A comprehensive win here will boost both morale and their net run rate. The clash against Sri Lanka on October 9 is equally important, as Sri Lanka defeated India in the Asia Cup final in July. India must aim for a large-margin win to maintain their semi-final chances.The biggest test comes against Australia on October 13. India have a poor record against the dominant champions, but they must find a way to overcome them to secure their place in the top two of Group A.India's fate is not entirely in their hands. Other key group-stage results will play a pivotal role in determining semi-final spots. A victory for Australia over New Zealand on October 8 will create more room for India, while a New Zealand win will complicate their task.If Pakistan defeat New Zealand on October 14, it could throw the group wide open, making net run rate even more critical. India's priority would then shift towards winning by significant margins to keep pace with the NRR of other teams in the group.With India's NRR currently at -2.900, even three wins may not guarantee qualification if other results don't go their way. The team will need to capitalize on matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka by securing dominant victories to repair their NRR. In the worst-case scenario of multiple teams finishing with similar points, NRR will be the deciding factor for progression.

India's Women's T20 World Cup campaign suffered a major setback as they were comprehensively defeated by New Zealand by 58 runs in Dubai on Friday. The loss marked New Zealand's biggest win against India in T20Is and ended their 10-match losing streak.On a challenging pitch, New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine led the charge with an unbeaten 57 off 36 balls, guiding her team to a competitive 160 for 4. Devine's power-packed innings included seven boundaries and showcased her exceptional footwork.India's batting lineup struggled to cope with the slow and sticky conditions. They lost their top three batters, Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, and Harmanpreet Kaur, in the Powerplay for just 43 runs. Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh also failed to make significant contributions, as India's challenge fizzled out in a jiffy.New Zealand's bowlers, led by Rosemary Mair (4/19) and Lea Tahuhu (3/15), exploited the conditions to perfection. They used the tackiness of the track to their advantage, choking the Indian batters and restricting them to a meager 102 in 19 overs.The difference between the two sides was evident in their power-hitting ability. Devine and her openers, Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer, possessed the brute force necessary to clear the boundaries on a difficult pitch. In contrast, most Indian batters lacked the muscle to even clear the 30-yard circle.India's poor ground fielding also contributed to their downfall. Despite Rodrigues' brilliance in the deep, the team made several errors that allowed New Zealand to capitalize on their opportunities.

West Indies' hopes of advancing in the Women's T20 World Cup hang in the balance as they await injury updates on key players ahead of their crucial match against Scotland on Sunday.A crushing ten-wicket defeat to South Africa on Friday was compounded by an injury to opening bowler Zaida James, who suffered a blow to the jaw while attempting a return catch. James left the field and underwent medical assessment, leaving her availability for the Scotland match uncertain.Captain Hayley Matthews also expressed concerns about Stefanie Taylor's fitness, who played through discomfort in her knee during her innings of 44 not out. Taylor is scheduled for a medical evaluation before training on Saturday.The intense heat in Dubai, with temperatures reaching 38° Celsius, also took its toll on several West Indies players. Matthews acknowledged the challenging conditions but expressed confidence in their ability to adapt.Despite the setbacks, Matthews praised Taylor's resilience and leadership. "She's a huge part of us and she has been to West Indies cricket from 2008," Matthews said. "Her importance within the team has never gone down, it's probably only gone up more and more as the years have gone on."West Indies will need to regroup quickly and find a way to overcome their batting struggles. Matthews and Deandra Dottin fell cheaply, leaving Taylor to carry the team's hopes.The match against Scotland is crucial for West Indies' chances of reaching the semi-finals. A victory would keep their hopes alive, while a defeat would likely end their tournament.

New Zealand Elects to Bat First Against India in Women's T20 World Cup OpenerIn the opening match of the Women's T20 World Cup in Dubai, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine opted to bat first after winning the toss. Devine cited the pitch's stability as a factor in her decision, believing it would not deteriorate significantly throughout the innings.New Zealand's lineup features a pace-heavy attack, with Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, and Lea Tahuhu as the primary options. Eden Carson and Amelia Kerr provide spin support.India, on the other hand, has opted for a three-pronged fast bowling attack for the first time in a T20I this year. Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Singh, and Arundhati Reddy will lead the charge, while Radha Yadav, India's second-highest wicket-taker this year, has been omitted to accommodate an extra seamer. Shreyanka Patil and S Asha will provide spin options alongside Deepti Sharma.New Zealand enters the tournament with a modest record of one win in 13 T20Is this year, while India has been in impressive form, winning 11 out of 17 matches in the same period. India is considered the favorite heading into the match.

Heather Knight, England's captain, is fully focused on leading her team to victory in the Women's T20 World Cup. She insists that the disciplinary measures taken against her for a historic "blackface" photograph have been addressed and are no longer a distraction.Knight, 33, was reprimanded and fined £1000 by the Cricket Discipline Commission after the photograph surfaced on social media. She has expressed regret for her actions and stated that she has "long regretted" the incident.Now, on the eve of England's T20 World Cup opener against Bangladesh, Knight is turning her attention to the task at hand. She is confident that her team can improve on their semi-final finish at the last event and land their first ICC global title since 2017."It was obviously something that has been ongoing the last couple of months, but it is something that has been addressed," Knight said. "The line has already been drawn, in my opinion, so I am really excited for what is to come."England had an unbeaten home summer, winning 13 out of 14 matches against New Zealand and Pakistan. They will face Bangladesh, Scotland, West Indies, and South Africa in the World Cup group stage.Knight believes that Australia, the defending champions, will be the favorites. However, she is confident that England can challenge them."We feel in a really good place," Knight said. "We've been playing some brilliant cricket, and while the first goal is to get out of the group stages, we're pretty confident in what we bring. We believe we can beat anyone on our best day."England has spent much of the summer honing a side that can compete in spinning conditions. Knight is confident that their spin contingent, led by Sophie Ecclestone, will thrive at the tournament."We feel very prepared for what we've got to come," Knight said. "We've obviously got the quality spin attack. It's been our big strength, particularly through those middle overs."England has opted to overlook Lauren Filer for this tournament, instead relying on Lauren Bell as a sole specialist seamer. Knight believes that they have a versatile squad that can adapt to different conditions."We've got really good options, which is the nice thing," Knight said. "The depth that we've got allows us to play based on the conditions that we face, and the team that we're playing against."Knight is confident that her all-rounders, including Freya Kemp and Nat Sciver-Brunt, are fit and ready to deliver for the team."The allrounders are the fittest in the team, because of the role they have to do," she said. "Freya, in particular, she's super impressive with how she's come back from that [second] stress fracture."