Sri Lanka triumphed over New Zealand in the third ODI at Auckland, clinching a 140-run victory. Key performances included Asitha Fernando and Eshan Malinga's three-wicket hauls. Pathum Nissanka led Sri Lanka's batting with 66 runs. Despite Mark Chapman's 81, New Zealand were bowled out for 150.
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Smriti Mandhana's impressive 91 and Renuka Thakur Singh's five-wicket haul led India to a resounding 211-run victory over West Indies in the first ODI at Vadodara. India posted a formidable 314/9, powered by Mandhana's knock and contributions from Rawal, Deol, Kaur, Ghosh, and Rodrigues. Thakur Singh's devastating bowling spell dismantled the West Indies batting lineup, restricting them to just 103.
India turns focus to limited-overs cricket with upcoming T20I and ODI series against England after Test series losses against New Zealand and Australia. The series is pre-cursor to the ICC Champions Trophy which begins on 19 February with India playing a day later in Dubai. Rohit Sharma is expected to captain India in both series.
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald praised Rishabh Pant's adaptability with the bat during the fifth Test at SCG. Pant showcased contrasting approaches in two innings, impressing McDonald with his strategic play. The SCG pitch offered a fair contest between bat and ball, deviating from its usual batting-friendly nature, making the match thrilling and competitive.
England's recent decline in white-ball cricket becomes evident as they prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy. Struggling under Jos Buttler's leadership, England face challenges from strong opponents and must adapt their strategies to progress in the competition.
Despite his recent struggles with the bat, Virat Kohli's charisma remains undiminished. Kohli was greeted by adoring fans at Bhubaneswar airport after the second ODI against England in Cuttack. A viral video shows Kohli hugging a female fan amid tight security, highlighting his immense popularity.
Smriti Mandhana's explosive 81 off 47 balls and a solid 107-run stand with Danni Wyatt-Hodge propelled RCB to a commanding eight-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League. Renuka Singh and Georgia Wareham led RCB's strong bowling performance, dismissing Delhi for 141. RCB now leads the league with two wins in two matches.
England captain Jos Buttler is contemplating his role in the team's performance following their early exit from the Champions Trophy and sixth consecutive ODI defeat. Their latest setback came with an eight-run loss to Afghanistan, eliminating them from the race to semi-finals.
Rain forced the cancellation of the ICC Champions Trophy match between Australia and South Africa in Rawalpindi after the field was not fully covered. Mohammad Kaif criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board for mismanagement of ICC funds. Both teams shared points, with South Africa leading Group B.
Steve Smith's unbeaten 104 propelled Australia to 330-2 on day one of the opening Test in Galle on Wednesday, surpassing 10,000 Test runs alongside Usman Khawaja's 147. The pair's unbroken 195-run stand frustrated Sri Lanka. Smith became the fourth Australian to reach the milestone, joining cricket legends Allan Border, Steve Waugh, and Ricky Ponting.
Former Pakistan skipper Younis Khan has been appointed as Afghanistan cricket team's mentor for the 2025 Champions Trophy, beginning February 19. The high-stakes tournament, with 15 matches held across Pakistan and Dubai, will see eight teams competing. Naseeb Khan, Afghanistan Cricket Board CEO, expressed confidence in Younis' expertise given the conditions.