Cricket

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently held an informal meeting with representatives of all its affiliates at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. The meeting was chaired by BCCI secretary Jay Shah and aimed to exchange views on Indian cricket and discuss key issues.Shah expressed his satisfaction with the meeting, stating that it was a constructive dialogue that allowed for valuable contributions from the state associations. The meeting covered a wide range of topics, including the success of the 2023 World Cup, the Women's Premier League, and the Indian Premier League.Shah also shared updates on the development of the National Cricket Academy project in Bengaluru and proposed changes to the domestic season. The state associations welcomed the opportunity to provide their feedback and suggestions on these matters.The meeting was held at the recently renovated BCCI office, which has been upgraded with state-of-the-art facilities. The BCCI is committed to providing a modern and efficient work environment for its staff and stakeholders.The BCCI's focus on transparency and collaboration was evident in the meeting. By engaging with its affiliates, the BCCI aims to ensure that the interests of all stakeholders are considered in its decision-making process.The meeting was a positive step towards strengthening the relationship between the BCCI and its affiliates. It provided a platform for open dialogue and allowed for a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Indian cricket.

India and Bangladesh are set to clash in a five-match T20I series in Sylhet, starting Sunday, as both teams prepare for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh later this year.Bangladesh, who were thrashed 3-0 by Australia at home recently, will be looking to improve their batting, which struggled against the Aussies. Captain Nigar Sultana was the only consistent performer, scoring 96 runs in three innings. The hosts will need top-order batters such as Fargana Hoque, Sobhana Mostary, and Rubya Haider to provide a solid foundation.India, on the other hand, will be hoping to carry the momentum from the 2024 WPL into international cricket. Several of their international players got back to form in the tournament, including openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana. With some new names in the mix, India will be keen to experiment and find their ideal combinations before the T20 World Cup.One of the key problems for India will be how to accommodate all their talented spinners. Legspinner S Asha and spin-bowling allrounder S Sajana have earned maiden international call-ups on the back of their WPL performance, while Radha Yadav has returned to the squad after a year. With Deepti Sharma and Shreyanka Patil being the first-choice spinners, it remains to be seen how India squeeze in Asha, Radha, and Saika Ishaque in the XI.The pitch and conditions in Sylhet are expected to assist the seamers initially, but both teams might still bank on spinners for wickets. India have played two T20Is against Bangladesh at this venue, and both times, they scored 150-plus and restricted the hosts to 100 or below.

In the final group-stage encounter of the Women's Premier League (WPL), Gujarat Giants opted to bat first against Delhi Capitals in Delhi. While Delhi Capitals had already secured their place in the knockout phase, Gujarat Giants were playing for pride, having been eliminated from contention.Delhi Capitals made one change to their lineup, bringing in offspinner Minnu Mani for quick bowler Titas Sadhu. Gujarat Giants, on the other hand, fielded an unchanged XI.The match commenced after a brief spell of light rain earlier in the evening. Gujarat Giants' openers, Laura Wolvaardt and Beth Mooney, provided a solid start, putting on a 50-run partnership. However, the introduction of spin proved to be a challenge for the Giants, as they lost wickets at regular intervals.Dayalan Hemalatha and Phoebe Litchfield made valuable contributions, but the Giants were eventually restricted to 149/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Shabnam Shakil was the pick of the Delhi Capitals bowlers, claiming 2/25.In response, Delhi Capitals openers Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma got their team off to a flying start. Lanning, in particular, looked in ominous form, hitting boundaries at will. However, the introduction of Meghna Singh into the attack proved to be a game-changer.Singh dismissed both Lanning and Verma in quick succession, and the Delhi Capitals innings began to falter. Jemimah Rodrigues and Alice Capsey tried to steady the ship, but the Giants bowlers kept chipping away at the wickets.In the end, Delhi Capitals fell short of their target, finishing on 138/8. Singh was the star performer for Gujarat Giants, taking 3/23.Despite the defeat, Delhi Capitals remain in a strong position to qualify for the final directly. Gujarat Giants, on the other hand, will be disappointed to have ended their campaign on a losing note.

Delhi Capitals Opt to Bat First Against Royal Challengers Bangalore in WPL ClashIn the ongoing Women's Premier League (WPL), Delhi Capitals captain Meg Lanning continued her trend of choosing to bat first when they faced Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Lanning expressed confidence in the pitch, describing it as "pretty good" while acknowledging that there was "a little bit for the bowlers if you get in the right area."Delhi Capitals made a single change to their lineup, bringing back Marizanne Kapp in place of Annabel Sutherland. Lanning emphasized their strategy of fielding their strongest team in every match while considering the workload of their bowlers throughout the tournament.On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Smriti Mandhana also preferred to bat first but stated that she "didn't mind chasing" after witnessing Mumbai Indians' successful chase of 191 against Gujarat Giants the previous night. RCB handed a debut to Maharashtra's left-arm pacer Shradda Pokharkar, who replaced the injured Kanika Ahuja. They also made two other changes among their Indian players, bringing in Shreyanka Patil and Disha Kasat while leaving out S Meghana, Simran Bahadur, and Ekta Bisht. Their overseas contingent of Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine, Sophie Molineux, and Georgia Wareham remained unchanged.The pitch used for the match was the same as the one on Saturday, where a team chasing successfully broke a five-game streak of teams batting first winning in Delhi. A victory for Delhi Capitals would secure their place in the playoffs.

Deepti Sharma's All-Round Brilliance Powers UP Warriorz to Thrilling WPL VictoryIn a captivating encounter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Deepti Sharma's exceptional all-round performance propelled UP Warriorz to a nail-biting one-run victory over Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League (WPL).Sharma's batting prowess was on full display as she anchored the Warriorz innings with a crucial 59 runs off 48 deliveries. Her innings was a blend of power and finesse, with boundaries flowing effortlessly from her bat. She forged a vital 46-run partnership with skipper Alyssa Healy, providing a solid foundation for the team's total of 138 for 8.However, it was Sharma's bowling that truly stole the show. In a historic moment, she became only the second player in WPL history to claim a hat-trick. Her victims were Annabel Sutherland, Anuradha Reddy, and Shikha Pandey, all dismissed in the penultimate over of the match.Delhi Capitals, chasing 139 for victory, looked poised to pull off the win thanks to Meg Lanning's brilliant 60. However, Sharma's hat-trick triggered a dramatic collapse, with Delhi losing their last seven wickets for just 44 runs.The final over was a tense affair, with Delhi needing 10 runs for victory. Grace Harris picked up two wickets, while a crucial run-out sealed the win for UP Warriorz.Sharma's all-round brilliance was the difference between the two sides. Her contributions with both bat and ball were instrumental in securing the victory for her team.

WPL GG vs RCB Live: Giants Seek Redemption in Delhi, RCB Eyes Home AdvantageThe Women's Premier League (WPL) moves to Delhi for its second leg, with Gujarat Giants (GG) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) set to clash in Match 13 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.Gujarat Giants, led by Australian captain Beth Mooney, have endured a disappointing start to the tournament, losing all four of their matches in Bengaluru. Mooney has acknowledged the team's batting struggles, which have left them as the only side yet to register a win.RCB, on the other hand, ended the Bengaluru leg on a positive note with a victory over UP Warriorz. Skipper Smriti Mandhana is eager to see how the Delhi crowd embraces the WPL, having played in front of a packed stadium in Bengaluru.Mandhana has been in impressive form, scoring 164 runs in five games at a strike rate of 120.58. She has also praised her opening partner Sabbhineni Meghana, who has contributed 164 runs so far.The Giants face an uphill battle, needing to win all their remaining games to salvage their campaign. They will be hoping to turn their fortunes around in Delhi, where they will have the opportunity to play on a different surface.RCB, meanwhile, will be looking to build on their momentum and secure a top-four finish. They will be buoyed by the home advantage, having a large fan base in Delhi.The match promises to be an exciting contest between two teams with contrasting fortunes. Gujarat Giants will be desperate to break their losing streak, while RCB will be aiming to continue their winning ways.

Ellyse Perry's Colossal Strike Shatters Car Window in WPL ClashIn an extraordinary turn of events, Royal Challengers Bangalore batter Ellyse Perry unleashed a thunderous strike that shattered the window of a display car during the Women's Premier League (WPL) match against UP Warriorz at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.Perry's colossal blow came in the penultimate over bowled by Deepti Sharma. The Australian all-rounder muscled the ball over the deep mid-wicket fence, sending it hurtling towards a car parked on a podium. The ball struck the rear door window with such force that it shattered into pieces.A stunned Perry immediately reacted by placing her hand on her head as the packed crowd at the Chinnaswamy erupted in a mix of awe and disbelief. The incident was captured on camera and shared widely on social media.Despite the unusual occurrence, Perry continued her blistering innings, scoring a rapid 58 runs off just 37 deliveries. Her knock, along with a half-century from skipper Smriti Mandhana (80 off 50 balls), propelled RCB to a formidable total of 198 for 3 against the Warriorz.The incident highlights the immense power and skill of Perry, who is widely regarded as one of the best all-rounders in women's cricket. Her ability to generate such force with her batting is a testament to her exceptional technique and athleticism.The shattered car window also serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports and the potential for unexpected events to occur. While such incidents are rare, they add an element of excitement and unpredictability to the game.

Meg Lanning, the former Australian cricket captain, has emphasized the importance of enjoying the game after retiring from international cricket. In a recent press conference, Lanning expressed her desire to "have fun and enjoy cricket" while leading the Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League (WPL).Lanning, who retired in November 2023, believes that the pressure and expectations have diminished since her retirement. However, she remains competitive and determined to contribute to her team's success. "I still have the competitive edge when I need to," she said.The 31-year-old has found a supportive and enjoyable environment at Delhi Capitals. "The environment at Delhi is great, it's fun, it's really relaxed," she said. "We back each other to go and play to our strengths. It makes my job easier."Lanning's performance in the WPL has been impressive, with 148 runs in four matches, including two half-centuries. She attributes her success to her newfound freedom and enjoyment of the game. "I am just enjoying playing cricket," she said. "I feel like there's a little bit less pressure and expectation."Despite her retirement, Lanning has not yet fully processed the transition. "I actually haven't had a lot of time to do that [explore new things] yet," she said. "Once the tournament finishes, there will be a big chunk of time. It will probably hit me harder and you know, sort of come to terms with it a little bit more."Lanning is exploring various options for her future, but she is in no rush to make any decisions. "I can keep playing and keep being involved," she said. "When an opportunity pops up, I can take it."

Gujarat Giants' Hemalatha Ruled Out with Concussion, Satghare Makes History as First WPL Concussion SubstituteIn a significant development in the Women's Premier League (WPL), Gujarat Giants' middle-order batter D Hemalatha has been ruled out of the team's clash against Delhi Capitals due to a concussion. This marks the first instance of a concussion substitute being used in the WPL.Hemalatha sustained the injury while attempting to catch a high ball at deep midwicket during the 15th over of Delhi Capitals' innings. Jess Jonassen's powerful shot burst through Hemalatha's hands and struck her forehead, prompting immediate medical attention.Following the incident, Hemalatha was removed from the field and replaced by Sayali Satghare, a 23-year-old seam-bowling allrounder from Mumbai. Satghare's inclusion as a concussion substitute is a testament to the WPL's commitment to player safety and well-being.Satghare, who has represented Mumbai in domestic cricket, has impressive credentials. She recently scored a century against Arunachal Pradesh in the Senior Women's One Day Trophy and averaged 52 with the bat. She also claimed ten wickets in the competition.Gujarat Giants, who had lost three consecutive matches prior to the clash with Delhi Capitals, were hoping for a change in fortunes with Hemalatha's return to the lineup. However, her absence due to concussion has dealt a blow to their plans.The use of concussion substitutes in cricket has become increasingly common in recent years, with the aim of protecting players from the potential long-term effects of head injuries. The WPL's adoption of this practice is a positive step towards ensuring the safety of its athletes.