Sanjay Manjrekar emphasized the importance of Harshit Rana's three crucial wickets that played a significant role in sealing India's victory against England in the first ODI at Nagpur. Despite Rana having the highest economy rate, his performance was vital in restricting England to 248 runs.
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The IPL's 'Impact Player' rule has sparked controversy, with critics calling it unfair. Meanwhile, Jemimah Rodrigues of the Delhi Capitals supports its exclusion from the Women’s Premier League, citing concerns for bowlers and alignment with international cricket norms. The Capitals are preparing intensely for the WPL final after a week-long break.
South Africa's sports minister, Gayton McKenzie, urged the national men's cricket team to boycott Afghanistan at the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan to support Afghan women who face severe repression under Taliban rule. McKenzie argued for solidarity, echoing concerns from activists and organisations about the Taliban's restrictions on women's rights in Afghanistan.
Pakistan made history by becoming the first team to sweep South Africa 3-0 in an ODI series in South Africa. Saim Ayub smashed his second century of the series; he scored 101 runs. Ayub joined the ranks of Virat Kohli, Joe Root, David Warner, Kevin Pietersen and Fakhar Zaman with his second ton of the series. Pakistan won the match by 36 runs (DLS method).
Joe Root has ruled out leading England’s white-ball side, focusing on their upcoming Test series against India and The Ashes in Australia. Following Jos Buttler's resignation, Root emphasized moving forward with a new captain. Root is optimistic about England's potential in the Test series and believes they can reclaim success with diligent performance.
Jasprit Bumrah's fiery spell brought India back into the third Test against Australia at The Gabba. He dismissed Steve Smith (101), Mitchell Marsh (5), and Travis Head (152) in quick succession, securing his 12th five-wicket haul in Tests. Head and Smith's 241-run partnership had put Australia in a commanding position, but Bumrah's heroics shifted the momentum.
Nathan Lyon found humor in Yashasvi Jaiswal's dramatic run-out during the Boxing Day Test, which led to a late collapse for India. Miscommunication with Virat Kohli resulted in Jaiswal's wicket, destabilizing the team. Kohli's subsequent quick dismissal further impacted India's innings, leaving them at 164/5 by day's end.
Ashwani Kumar had an exceptional IPL debut for Mumbai Indians, taking four wickets for 24 runs and playing a crucial role in his team's victory over Kolkata Knight Riders. Missing lunch due to nerves, he followed captain Hardik Pandya's advice and impressed with his aggressive bowling.
Tickets for the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025, set to take place in Dubai, go on sale on Monday, February 3. Fans can buy tickets for India's matches and the semi-final online. Tickets for games in Pakistan, held in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, are already available. The final match tickets will be sold after the first semi-final.
The SA20 cricket competition is focusing on the playoffs this week. The first Qualifier between MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals will be at St George’s Park. The Eliminator match will be in Centurion, followed by the grand final at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. The event promises intense action and exciting matches leading up to the final.
Smriti Mandhana, a prominent figure in Indian women's cricket, has had an exceptional year, emerging as the ICC's Women's ODI Player of the Year. With 747 runs in 13 One-Dayers in 2024, she outperformed top players globally. Her consistent performances, including four centuries, and leading Royal Challengers Bangalore to a title, underscore her growth and maturity.