Cricket

India's star batter Jemimah Rodrigues has acknowledged the team's subpar performance at the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup in the UAE. India's campaign ended in the group stage, with a tough loss to New Zealand, followed by victories over Pakistan and Sri Lanka. However, a nine-run defeat to Australia and Pakistan's subsequent loss to New Zealand dashed India's hopes of advancing.Rodrigues expressed disappointment with the team's performance, stating that they "didn't play the best cricket that we should have played as an Indian team." She emphasized that each player is aware of their shortcomings and is determined to improve.With the ODI World Cup scheduled for next year in India, Rodrigues expressed confidence that the hosts will learn from their mistakes and prepare well for the 50-over tournament. She stressed the importance of individual accountability and teamwork in achieving success.Rodrigues also highlighted the benefits of playing in global leagues like the WPL, WBBL, CPL, and The Hundred for Indian cricketers. She believes that these leagues provide opportunities to play against the best in the world and adapt to different conditions."Playing these foreign leagues and playing in WPL does help because you play against the best in the world in all these leagues. And at the same time, you get to play in different conditions," Rodrigues said.She added, "In India, we play in different conditions. Over here, every ground is too different to the other. I think that is one of the best parts of playing franchise cricket—that you get used to playing in different conditions."Rodrigues' insights underscore the importance of international exposure and the need for Indian cricketers to embrace global opportunities to enhance their skills and prepare for major tournaments.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) women's team is gearing up for the upcoming Women's Premier League (WPL) season three auction by planning a series of camps for its players. The team has retained 14 players, including six overseas stars, ahead of the auction, which is expected to take place in December.RCB assistant head coach Malolan Rangarajan revealed the team's plans in a statement. "We will have a couple of camps for our players and players of interest," Rangarajan said. "This will help us create a shortlist of players for the auction and identify our targets and backups."The retention list includes captain Smriti Mandhana, star batter Ellyse Perry, and wicket-keeper Richa Ghosh, who were key contributors to RCB's championship victory in the inaugural WPL season. Rangarajan emphasized the importance of retaining the team's core values and the players who have proven their worth on and off the field."We have thought really hard about how we wanted to recruit in the last auction and we brought in a couple of players with experience," Rangarajan added. "That has held together and given us a good core to go forward with."RCB emerged as the champions of the WPL 2024, defeating Delhi Capitals by eight wickets in the final. The team's retained players include:* Asha Shobana* Dani Wyatt* Ekta Bisht* Ellyse Perry* Georgia Wareham* Kanika Ahuja* Kate Cross* Renuka Singh* Richa Ghosh* S. Meghana* Shreyanka Patil* Smriti Mandhana* Sophie Devine* Sophie MolineuxRCB has released five players: Disha Kasat, Indrani Roy, Shraddha Pokarkar, Shubha Satheesh, and Simran Bahadur. The team is confident that the upcoming camps and the auction will help them build a strong squad for the upcoming WPL season.

The Women's Premier League (WPL) is set to undergo a roster shakeup ahead of its third season in early 2025. Several prominent cricketers, including Sneh Rana, Poonam Yadav, and Lea Tahuhu, have been released by their respective franchises.Gujarat Giants, who have struggled in the WPL's first two seasons, have parted ways with Rana, Tahuhu, and Kathryn Bryce. Rana, an all-rounder who captained the Giants in the first season, has struggled in the WPL, averaging just 6.71 with the bat and 52.16 with the ball. Tahuhu, a veteran New Zealand pacer, played only two games for the Giants in 2024.Delhi Capitals, the WPL's two-time runners-up, have released legspinner Poonam Yadav. Once a mainstay of the Indian team, Yadav hasn't played international cricket since 2022 and didn't feature in the WPL last season.Mumbai Indians have also made some changes, releasing Fatima Jaffer, Humaira Kazi, Priyanka Bala, and Issy Wong. However, they have retained their core of international stars, including captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Amelia Kerr, and Hayley Matthews.UP Warriorz, who reached the playoffs in the first season but finished fourth in 2024, have released Parshavi Chopra, Laxmi Yadav, S Yashasri, and Lauren Bell.These roster moves indicate that the WPL is becoming increasingly competitive, with teams looking to strengthen their squads for the upcoming season. The auction, likely to be held in early December, will provide franchises with an opportunity to acquire new talent and bolster their rosters.

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.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge, the prolific English batter, has made a significant move ahead of the upcoming Women's Premier League (WPL) season. She has been traded from UP Warriorz (UPW) to the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The trade sees Wyatt-Hodge join a star-studded RCB squad that includes the likes of Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, and Sophie Devine.Wyatt-Hodge, 33, is a seasoned campaigner with an impressive international record. She is the third-most capped player in T20Is worldwide, having represented England in 164 matches. Her batting prowess is evident in her tally of 2979 runs at an average of 22.91 and a strike rate of 127.85, including two centuries and 16 half-centuries.Despite her impressive credentials, Wyatt-Hodge went unsold in the first WPL auction in December 2023. However, she was picked up by UPW ahead of the second season but did not feature in any matches as the team failed to qualify for the playoffs.Wyatt-Hodge's recent performances at the T20 World Cup have showcased her continued form. She emerged as England's leading run-scorer in the tournament, amassing 151 runs at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 124.79.The trade to RCB provides Wyatt-Hodge with an opportunity to showcase her skills on a bigger stage. RCB, under the leadership of Smriti Mandhana, will be aiming to defend their WPL title and will be counting on Wyatt-Hodge's experience and batting prowess to bolster their lineup.

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has been appointed as the Director of Cricket for JSW Sports, a leading sports management company in India. Ganguly's role will encompass all cricketing properties owned by JSW Sports, including the Delhi Capitals franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women's Premier League (WPL), as well as the Pretoria Capitals franchise in the South African T20 league (SA20).Ganguly's appointment marks a significant development for JSW Sports, which is co-owned by JSW Group and GMR Group. The company has been actively involved in cricket, with the Delhi Capitals being one of the most successful franchises in the IPL. Ganguly's experience and expertise are expected to further enhance the team's performance and strategic direction.Prior to his appointment as Director of Cricket, Ganguly served as an advisor to the Delhi Capitals in 2019, working closely with head coach Ricky Ponting. He later returned to the franchise as Director of Cricket after completing his tenure as President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).The appointment of Ganguly comes amidst a restructuring of the management of cricket operations for the Delhi Capitals. Under a two-year rotation policy, GMR Group will handle the operations of the IPL team for the next two years, while JSW Sports will oversee the WPL team.Commenting on Ganguly's appointment, JSW Sports founder Parth Jindal said, "Dada has always had a special place at JSW Sports. For us, he is family first and then the cricketing icon that he is. I've said this in the past and it stands true even today – he is one of the sharpest brains in cricket and we will always stand to benefit from his guidance and wisdom of the sport."Ganguly expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating, "I've had the pleasure of knowing the JSW Group and the Jindal family personally and professionally which made this an easy decision. JSW Sports has been doing visionary work across the board, and I am pleased to be able to lend my experience to all its cricketing projects."

India's head coach Amol Muzumdar has finally revealed the mystery surrounding the team's No. 3 batting position, confirming that Harmanpreet Kaur will occupy the crucial spot in the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup. This decision was made prior to the tournament and was solidified during India's warm-up matches.The No. 3 position has been a revolving door for India in recent times, with several players tried and tested. However, Harmanpreet's power-hitting ability and experience make her the ideal candidate to maximize her impact in the middle order.Muzumdar explained that Harmanpreet's strike rate has been significantly lower when batting at No. 4 or 5, and the team believes that giving her the opportunity to set herself at No. 3 will allow her to unleash her full potential.While Yastika Bhatia was initially considered the frontrunner for the No. 3 spot, her knee injury during the Bangladesh tour opened the door for Harmanpreet. Despite Bhatia's return to the squad, she may have to wait for her chances.Muzumdar also highlighted the importance of Jemimah Rodrigues at No. 4 or 5, where her ability to maneuver against spin and find gaps in the field is crucial. Rodrigues' strike rate at No. 5 is significantly higher than at No. 3.The Women's Premier League (WPL) has played a significant role in identifying and developing players for the Indian team. Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, and S Asha are among those who have enhanced their reputations through the WPL and have earned their place in the World Cup squad.Muzumdar emphasized the elevated fitness levels and fielding standards of the team, which have been a priority since he took over as coach. The team has undergone rigorous training and monitoring to improve their overall performance.

The rise of franchise cricket has sparked a debate in women's cricket, with former India fast bowler Jhulan Goswami advocating for its prioritization over bilateral series. Goswami, who has been involved in the Women's Premier League (WPL) and Women's CPL, believes that franchise cricket is crucial for the growth of the sport.Goswami highlights the success of franchise leagues like the WBBL and Hundred in producing quality cricketers. She argues that giving priority to these leagues will ensure the availability of top players, leading to more competitive and successful tournaments.The calendar clash between franchise leagues and bilateral series has become a concern, with players facing difficult choices. Goswami suggests that the ICC should prioritize franchise league windows to avoid losing out on quality cricketers. She believes that bilateral series should be scheduled after these windows to ensure the growth of women's cricket.Goswami's views are supported by the busy calendar for the rest of 2024. The women's Hundred, WCPL, T20 World Cup, and WBBL are all scheduled within a short period, followed by international matches and home seasons for various teams.The prioritization of franchise cricket is seen as a way to address the limited pool of quality cricketers in women's cricket. By giving priority to these leagues, the ICC can ensure that the best players are available for the most competitive tournaments, which will ultimately benefit the growth and development of the sport.

Ashleigh Gardner's life took a dramatic turn after a FaceTime call during the T20 World Cup. The auction for the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL) was underway, and Gardner watched in disbelief as her bid soared to INR 3.2 crore. This life-changing sum, equivalent to A$558,000 for three weeks' work, marked a significant milestone in women's cricket.Gardner's journey began with a modest state contract worth A$3,000 as a teenager. The WPL contract represented a paradigm shift, reflecting the growing interest and investment in women's cricket. Gardner acknowledges the transformative power of the sport, stating, "People are buying into what the women's game is, showcasing women in sport."However, Gardner has grappled with the pressure associated with her high-priced contract. Despite solid performances in the WPL, she admits to falling short of her own expectations. "The ridiculous price tag brought an expectation that I had to live up to," she says. "It's a perceived pressure thing that I'm putting on myself."Gardner's current stint with the Trent Rockets in the Hundred provides a fresh perspective. Her contract, while significantly lower than her WPL salary, represents a 60% increase from previous years. The Hundred offers a valuable opportunity for Australian players to prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Gardner believes that Australian cricket could learn from the Hundred's success. She suggests exploring double-headers and leveraging the popularity of men's cricket to grow the women's game. The WBBL's recent schedule changes, including more matches at major stadiums, are seen as positive steps.Gardner's immediate focus is on helping the Rockets reach the knockout stages of the Hundred. She recognizes the expectations placed on international players and aims to contribute both on and off the field. With the T20 World Cup approaching, Gardner remains confident in her abilities and the team's potential.