The third edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) begins on February 14 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) facing Gujarat Giants in Vadodara. RCB's title defense is challenged by key player absences due to injuries. Gujarat Giants have appointed Ashleigh Gardner as captain, aiming for better performance this season.
Related news
Mohammad Kaif criticised the rising use of the 'retired out' tactic in IPL 2025, calling it an act of frustration. His remarks followed CSK’s decision to retire out Devon Conway on 69 during a steep chase against Punjab Kings — a move that failed as CSK lost by 18 runs.
Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has accepted an honorary membership from the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) in recognition of his significant contributions to cricket. The esteemed MCC announced the honor on Friday. Tendulkar holds the record for most runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Previously, Tendulkar received the Order of Australia in 2012.
India spinner Kuldeep Yadav is gearing up for a comeback ahead of the white-ball series against England starting January 22. After recovering from a chronic left groin issue, Kuldeep shared a video of his bowling practice on Instagram. He is aiming for 300 international wickets as India looks forward to the ICC Champions Trophy starting February 19.
Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to a lower back injury that has not responded to rehabilitation. Cricket Australia announced Marsh's replacement will be decided soon. Marsh is also doubtful for the upcoming IPL season with the Lucknow Super Giants. The injury has led to an extended rehabilitation period for Marsh.
Ravi Shastri criticized England for not putting in enough training effort during their tour in India, implying it affected their performance. However, Jos Buttler defended the team's training regimen, stating they had trained sufficiently despite some skipped sessions due to the tour's length.
The revamped RCB squad has achieved significant wins this season. They secured victories against Kolkata Knight Riders, CSK, and MI in away matches, yet stumbled against the Titans at their home ground. They aim to treat that defeat as a one-off incident, particularly considering the Capitals' formidable bowling arsenal.
MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals demonstrated strong home performances in the SA20 league, with both teams maintaining perfect records. The upcoming Qualifier 1 at St George's Park will be critical, as both teams face off at a neutral venue. Key players will be absent for the Royals. The Rashid Khan-led side have been the best travellers this season (11 points) including a win at this very ground against Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
Former chief selector Sunil Joshi backs Rishabh Pant's fearless approach ahead of the Gabba Test. Joshi believes Pant's aggressive style, reminiscent of Virender Sehwag, can shift pressure onto the bowlers and lead to an Indian victory, similar to his match-winning 89* in 2021. Despite recent lower scores, Joshi is confident Pant will deliver a game-changing innings at the Gabba again.
India spinner Varun Chakravarthy expressed his desire for improvement despite a match-winning performance against England in the first T20I. Dismissing key players including Jos Buttler, he used bounce to his advantage and kept the ball away from the hitting arc. Chakravarthy was named Player of the Match but emphasized the need for further development in his skills.
Harbhajan Singh encourages Virat Kohli to enjoy cricket and mentor young players during his return to the Ranji Trophy. Despite recent challenges, Harbhajan believes spending time on the crease will help Virat regain his form. Kohli's fans filled the stadium, showing their unwavering support for the cricket star.