Category: Cricket

by Abhishek Shukla

South Africa Crowned World Test Champions After Thrilling Victory Over Australia

Lord’s, London – South Africa ended 27 years of ICC trophy heartbreak in dramatic fashion, defeating Australia by five wickets in a tense finale to win the ICC World Test Championship 2025 at Lord’s.

Aiden Markram’s heroic 136 guided the Proteas to glory, as they chased down a target of 282 on the fourth day to claim their first-ever World Test Championship title. The victory also ended a long drought in ICC tournaments, with South Africa’s last major trophy coming in the 1998 Champions Trophy.

A Nerve-Wracking Chase

Resuming the day at 213/2, needing just 69 more runs, South Africa suffered early setbacks as Pat Cummins removed captain Temba Bavuma (66) in the third over. Tristan Stubbs then fell to a brilliant delivery from Mitchell Starc, leaving the Proteas at 241/4 and giving Australia a glimmer of hope.

But Markram, playing the innings of his life, anchored the chase alongside David Bedingham. The pair batted with composure, weathering Australia’s relentless attack. With just six runs needed, Markram’s magnificent knock ended when he was caught at mid-wicket off Josh Hazlewood, leaving the finish to Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne.

The wicketkeeper-batter fittingly struck the winning runs, driving Starc through the off-side to spark wild celebrations among the South African fans at the Home of Cricket.

Rabada’s Heroics Set Up Victory

Earlier in the match, Kagiso Rabada had been the destroyer-in-chief, taking 5/51 in Australia’s first innings and 4/59 in the second to keep the target within reach. His efforts, along with crucial contributions from Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi, restricted Australia to 212 and 207 across both innings.

Despite a fighting 58* from Mitchell Starc in the second innings, South Africa’s disciplined bowling ensured they needed 282 to win—a challenging total but one that Markram and Bavuma made look achievable with a 138-run partnership on Day 3.

A Historic Triumph

This victory marks a new chapter for South African cricket, erasing years of near-misses in ICC events. For Australia, the defeat was a rare stumble in a major final, but they fought valiantly until the very end.

Scores in Brief:

Australia – 212 (Webster 72, Smith 66; Rabada 5/51) & 207 (Starc 58*, Carey 43; Rabada 4/59)
South Africa – 138 (Bedingham 45, Bavuma 36; Cummins 6/28) & 282/5 (Markram 136, Bavuma 66; Starc 3/66)

Result: South Africa win by 5 wickets

With this triumph, South Africa’s class of 2025 has etched their names into cricketing history, finally lifting an ICC trophy after decades of waiting. The scenes at Lord’s will live long in the memory, as the Proteas celebrated a victory that was as emotional as it was hard-fought.

by Abhishek Shukla

Snehal Pradhan: ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Ready to Build on Initial Success

The inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, held in 2023, marked a significant milestone in the history of women’s cricket. Originally scheduled for January 2021 in Bangladesh, the tournament was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and ultimately took place in South Africa. Despite these changes, the event proved to be a resounding success, creating a strong foundation for future editions.

A Unique Opportunity for South Africa

The unexpected shift in venue and timing offered South Africa a rare opportunity to host two consecutive global women’s cricket events. The U19 tournament in January was followed by the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup a month later. Snehal Pradhan, Manager of Women’s Cricket at the ICC, highlighted how this sequence boosted women’s cricket in the region.

“It created momentum with the Under-19 World Cup starting to create awareness around women’s cricket in the country, which was capitalised upon with the Women’s T20 World Cup that culminated in a sell-out crowd in Newlands,” Pradhan explained.

Pioneering Parity and Opportunity

The inaugural U19 Women’s T20 World Cup underscored the ICC’s commitment to gender parity, matching the men’s cricket calendar with equivalent women’s events. Pradhan credited the vision of her predecessors and the ICC events team for championing this initiative.

“Having this Under-19 tournament meant there was parity between the men’s and women’s events,” she said. “The ambition was to drive change in member countries and build junior pathways, and that’s exactly what we saw.”

Thrilling Cricket and Emerging Stars

The tournament delivered high-quality cricket and surprises from the outset. Bangladesh stunned Australia in the opening match, setting the tone for an unpredictable and exciting competition. India’s squad, featuring senior internationals Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh, showcased both experienced and emerging talent. Verma captained the side, leading them to their first ICC women’s title.

Pradhan praised the tournament’s dual role in nurturing new talent and providing a platform for established stars. “For someone like Shafali Verma, leading the team was fantastic. It’s huge for the tournament to produce stars but also have stars coming in,” she said.

India’s journey to the title was dramatic, overcoming a loss to Australia in the Super 6 stage to defeat New Zealand in the semi-finals and England in the final. Meanwhile, players like Georgia Plimmer of New Zealand and Theertha Satish of the UAE used the tournament as a springboard to senior international success.

Innovations and Global Impact

The ICC introduced social media protection measures for female cricketers during the tournament, reflecting a broader commitment to player welfare. Additionally, the participation of 16 teams made this the largest women’s event ever organised by the ICC, signaling the growing global reach of women’s cricket.

Building on Success in Malaysia

The next edition of the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, set to be held in Malaysia, aims to build on the success of the inaugural tournament. Pradhan expressed confidence in the event’s lasting impact.

“It was a fantastic success. It was a commitment to equity and a leap of faith,” she said. “Having 16 teams was a fantastic starting point, and this will drive more progress in those countries.”

As the tournament continues to evolve, it promises to be a catalyst for the development of women’s cricket worldwide, inspiring a new generation of players and fans.

ICC Awards 2024
by Abhishek Shukla

ICC Awards 2024: Final Shortlists unveiled in men’s Test, Heyhoe Flint and Sobers categories

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today revealed the final set of shortlists in the ICC Awards 2024, honouring the outstanding performers in Men’s Tests and in the overall categories; the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year and the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year.

Acknowledging the best overall men’s cricketer during the year, the nominees for the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy include a heavyweight list of candidates.

Harry Brook produced fireworks in all formats during a memorable year on the international stage, lighting up England’s Test, ODI and T20I encounters with explosive hitting and boasting an average of over 50 in all three formats. His compatriot Joe Root earns a nomination following a scintillating year in the longest format, having struck more runs (1,556) and more centuries (six) than any other batter.

Another star performer at the peak of his powers in 2024 was India’s pace sensation, Jasprit Bumrah, who dominated batters in World Test Championship duels and inspired India’s surge to glory at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June, clinching the Player of the Tournament with 15 wickets at a phenomenal average of 8.24.

The final name on the list for the coveted accolade is Australia all-rounder Travis Head. The top ranked Men’s T20I batter will be aiming to go one better than his nomination in the same category last year, after hitting almost 1,400 runs across all formats with trademark flair.

The Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year sees Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapathu and South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt nominated in their third category, after both captains were honoured on the ODI and T20I shortlists on Sunday.

Athapaththu was an inspirational leader for Sri Lanka, hitting over 1,100 runs during the year across formats, taking 30 wickets and famously guiding her team to an historic first Asia Cup success in front of their home crowd.

Leading batter in the ICC Women’s ODI Batter Rankings, Wolvaardt was at her sublime best in 2024, scoring over 1,500 runs in all formats, and led from the front as South Africa reached their second successive Women’s T20 World Cup final in the UAE.

Amelia Kerr was the principal architect of South Africa’s defeat in that final, and she is among the nominees for the Heyhoe Flint Trophy after another stellar year with bat and ball in which she hit 651 runs and took 43 wickets, not to mention her starring role in a record-breaking campaign as Player of the Tournament at the Women’s T20WC.

The final name in contention is Australia’s Annabel Sutherland. The 23-year-old wowed during a breakthrough year, hitting the fastest ever double-century in women’s Tests against South Africa in February and recording Player of the Series accolades in notable victories over India and New Zealand at the latter end of the year. She ends the year with 615 runs and 37 wickets.

Finally, the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year shortlist features a dazzling quartet, three of whom have been honoured on the shortlist for the Sobers Trophy.

Harry Brook hit 1,100 Test runs during the calendar year at an average of 55.00, and four centuries, including an unforgettable triple-hundred in England’s opening victory over Pakistan in Multan back in October. He shared a 454-run stand with Joe Root in that match, and his teammate celebrates back-to-back nominations in the Test category after a year in which he surpassed ICC Hall of Famer Sir Alastair Cook to become England’s all-time highest run-scorer in the longest format and seized back the number one spot in the ICC Men’s Test Batter Rankings.

Jasprit Bumrah is the lone bowler shortlisted with a sterling 71 wickets in Tests in 2024 – the highest of any bowler, at an average of 14.92. With electric spells coming against South Africa, England and Australia among his highlights, the top-ranked Test bowler spearheaded India’s attack with relentless pace, accuracy and threat.

Completing the lineup is Sri Lanka’s record-breaking batter Kamindu Mendis, who ends a breakthrough year with 1,049 runs at a phenomenal average of 74.92, and during which the 26-year-old also became the first batter to hit a half-century in each of his first eight Tests and the fastest batter in 75 years to reach 1,000 Test runs.

More information about each of the nominees can be found here on the ICC website.

Fans are now able to vote for their winners at www.icc-cricket.com/awards. Fan voting results will be combined with selections made by a prominent panel of international cricket media – the ICC Voting Academy – to identify the winner in each of the shortlisted categories.

The ICC Awards 2024 comprises 12 individual awards, with shortlists in nine categories having been revealed by the ICC between 28 and 30 December.

Shortlists were drawn up by a specialist panel of cricket writers and broadcasters, who selected the nominees according to on-field performances and overall achievements in international cricket throughout the calendar year.

Other categories which will be celebrated in the ICC Awards 2024 include the ICC Men’s and Women’s Associate Cricketers of the Year and the ICC Umpire of the Year.

In addition to the individual awards, five ICC Teams of the Year will be also decided by the ICC Voting Academy, identifying the standout XIs across men’s and women’s international cricket during the calendar year.

Winners of the ICC Awards 2024 will be announced in late January 2025.

ICC Awards 2024 – the complete shortlists

Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year; Harry Brook (ENG), Jasprit Bumrah (IND), Travis Head (AUS), Joe Root (ENG)

Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year; Chamari Athapaththu (SL), Amelia Kerr (NZ), Annabel Sutherland (AUS), Laura Wolvaardt (SA)

ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year; Harry Brook (ENG), Jasprit Bumrah (IND), Kamindu Mendis (SL), Joe Root (ENG)

ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year; Wanindu Hasaranga (SL), Kusal Mendis (SL), Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG), Sherfane Rutherford (WI)

ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year; Chamari Athapaththu (SL), Smriti Mandhana (IND), Annabel Sutherland (AUS), Laura Wolvaardt (SA)

ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year; Babar Azam (PAK), Travis Head (AUS), Sikandar Raza (ZIM), Arshdeep Singh (IND)

ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year; Chamari Athapaththu (SL), Amelia Kerr (NZ), Orla Prendergast (IRE), Laura Wolvaardt (SA)

ICC Emerging Men’s Cricketer of the Year; Gus Atkinson (ENG), Saim Ayub (PAK), Shamar Joseph (WI), Kamindu Mendis (SL)

ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year; Annerie Dercksen (SA), Saskia Horley (SCO), Shreyanka Patil (IND), Freya Sargent (IRE)

South Africa vs Pakistan
by Abhishek Shukla

South Africa win thriller to become first team to qualify for ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 at Lord’s

South Africa overcame Pakistan by two wickets in a breathless conclusion at Centurion on Sunday to win the first Test and become the first team to qualify for the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 at Lord’s from 11 to 15 June 2025, barring any subsequent point deductions.

Chasing 148 for victory, the home side battled back from 19 for three and 99 for eight to edge over the line on day four, thanks to a scintillating, unbeaten 51-run ninth wicket partnership between Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada.

The victory came as the Proteas extended their superb run of form in Tests to six successive wins, helping them reach 66.67 percentage points atop the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings with just one Test to play as the cycle draws to a close.

June’s Ultimate Test represents a week-long celebration of the longest format, and will see South Africa compete for the first time at the event, where they will be hoping to emulate previous winners from the southern hemisphere – New Zealand in 2021, and Australia in 2023.

With their opponents yet to be decided, the matchup promises to be a thrilling spectacle, pitting the two best Test teams against each other following a dramatic two years of intense competition at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground – the venue for some of the most memorable moments in the sport’s celebrated history.

Fans can register their interest for tickets to the Ultimate Test by clicking here.

Reacting to their qualification for the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said: “At the start of this World Test Championship cycle, we set our sights on reaching the Final. Given our journey to this point, it’s a proud moment for the entire team.

“It’s been a great effort from everyone, and it feels like all the hard work we’ve put in over the past 12 months has paid off. Different guys have stepped up at different times — it’s been a real team effort.

“I also want to give a special thanks to Shukri (Conrad), our coach. The belief he’s instilled in us over the last year has been huge. He’s always backed us, and that confidence has been key in getting us to this point.

“To play the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s is a dream come true for any cricketer – it’s a huge occasion, and we can’t wait to take it all in.”

With only six Tests left to play in the WTC calendar, the last remaining contenders India, Australia and Sri Lanka continue to do battle in the hope of securing the last spot at the Ultimate Test.

Australia have the upper hand currently with 58.89 percentage points and three remaining fixtures after the ongoing Melbourne Test match, while India stand on 55.88 percentage points with just the solitary Test to play – the last contest in the Border-Gavaskar Series in Sydney starting 2 January.

Sri Lanka, on 45.45 percentage points, also retain a mathematical possibility of qualification, but they will need to sweep Australia in their two-match series on home soil next month and hope that other results go their way.

Remaining fixtures in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25:

2 January – Australia v India, Sydney
3 January – South Africa v Pakistan
17 January – Pakistan v West Indies, Multan
25 January – Pakistan v West indies, Multan
29 January – Sri Lanka v Australia, Galle
6 February – Sri Lanka v Australia, Galle

ICC Awards 2024
by Abhishek Shukla

ICC Awards 2024: ODI and T20I nominees revealed on second day of shortlist announcements

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today revealed the leading international cricketers in contention to win the ODI and T20I Cricketer of the Year categories as ICC Awards 2024 shortlist announcements moved into a second day.

Following yesterday’s announcement of shortlisted candidates in the Emerging Men’s and Women’s categories, four more sets of nominees were unveiled on Sunday, celebrating the star performers from a breathless year in the shorter formats.

The lineup for the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year includes Sri Lankan duo Wanindu Hasaranga and Kusal Mendis, who boast the most wickets (26) and the most runs (742) respectively in the 50-over format in 2024.

Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai also earns his way onto the shortlist after impressing with both bat and ball during the calendar year, notching 417 runs and 17 wickets. Completing the lineup is the West Indies’ Sherfane Rutherford, whose 425 runs in 2024 came at a sparkling average of 106.25.

Sri Lanka are also represented among the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year nominees, where Chamari Athapaththu will be aiming to emulate last year’s success in this category after another headline-grabbing series of performances. She stands against another past winner and two-time Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy winner, India’s Smriti Mandhana, who ends 2024 as the leading run-scorer in the format and four-time century-maker.

Australia’s superlative all-rounder Annabel Sutherland is the third candidate for the ODI crown thanks to a batting average of over 52 and a bowling average of under 18. The final name on the shortlist is South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt, for striking 697 runs during the calendar year.

The ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year features a stellar list of high impact performers. Among the candidates for the T20I prize is joint leading wicket-taker from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies, India’s Arshdeep Singh, who also jointly sits atop the wicket-taking charts across the whole year in the format with 36.

Also nominated for the award is Pakistan’s Babar Azam, who leads the run-scoring list for the year with 738, Australia’s Travis Head, who scored 539 runs from his 15 matches and Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza, who once again enjoyed a fruitful 2024 with bat and ball.

Finally, the shortlist for the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year was revealed, where Athapaththu and Wolvaardt were nominated once again. Athapaththu showcased the breadth of her talents in the format with 720 runs and 21 wickets to add to her leading role in Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup success, while Wolvaardt scored more runs than anyone else at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in October, as she inspired South Africa all the way to the final under her leadership.

New Zealand eventually claimed their maiden T20 World Cup title, and their premier all-rounder Amelia Kerr was the standout performer during the landmark event – setting a new record for wicket-taking and producing a brilliant display in the final to secure the trophy. She is nominated with a total of 29 wickets and 387 runs during the year.

Completing the lineup is Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast, who exhibited superb form in T20Is, taking 21 wickets and hitting 539 runs in 2024.

Fans are now able to vote for their favourite cricketers at www.icc-cricket.com, with other categories unlocked as the final nominees are revealed by the ICC over the next 24 hours.

More information about each of the nominees can be found here on the ICC website.

The ICC Awards 2024 comprises 12 individual awards, with shortlists in nine categories being revealed by the ICC between 28 and 30 December.

Shortlists have been drawn up by a specialist panel of cricket writers and broadcasters, who selected the nominees according to on-field performances and overall achievements in international cricket throughout the calendar year.

Fan voting results will be combined with selections made by a prominent panel of international cricket media – the ICC Voting Academy – to identify the winner in each of the shortlisted categories.

Other categories which will be celebrated in the ICC Awards 2024 include the ICC Men’s and Women’s Associate Cricketers of the Year and the ICC Umpire of the Year.

In addition to the individual awards, five ICC Teams of the Year will be also decided by the ICC Voting Academy, identifying the standout XIs across men’s and women’s international cricket during the calendar year.

Winners of the ICC Awards 2024 will be announced in late January 2025.

ICC Awards 2024 – the shortlists revealed to date

ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year; Wanindu Hasaranga (SL), Kusal Mendis (SL), Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG), Sherfane Rutherford (WI)

ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year; Chamari Athapaththu (SL), Smriti Mandhana (IND), Annabel Sutherland (AUS), Laura Wolvaardt (SA)

ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year; Babar Azam (PAK), Travis Head (AUS), Sikandar Raza (ZIM), Arshdeep Singh (IND)

ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year; Chamari Athapaththu (SL), Amelia Kerr (NZ), Orla Prendergast (IRE), Laura Wolvaardt (SA)

ICC Emerging Men’s Cricketer of the Year; Gus Atkinson (ENG), Saim Ayub (PAK), Shamar Joseph (WI), Kamindu Mendis (SL)

ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year; Annerie Dercksen (SA), Saskia Horley (SCO), Shreyanka Patil (IND), Freya Sargent (IRE)

by Abhishek Shukla

Adani’s Gujarat Giants Unveil Jersey, Kick Start Preparation for Season 2 of WPL

Bengaluru, 16th February, 2024: Ahead of the monumental second season the WPL, which tees off in Bengaluru, the Adani Sportsline owned Gujarat Giants began their preparations, by unveiling their jersey for the tournament. 
The Gujarat Giants’ Head Coach Michael Klinger and Mentor Mithali Raj were present at the ceremony as they presented the new jersey to the squad ahead of their training in the evening. The Giants, will be captained by Australian run-machine Beth Mooney, with Indian all-rounder Sneh Rana as the vice-captain. 

In preparation for this season’s WPL, the team in orange kick started their training with great gusto in the Garden City of Bengaluru, and are putting in the hard yards as they approach their first game. The Gujarat Giants will open its campaign at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru against Mumbai Indians on 25 February. 

While Michael Klinger is the Head Coach and Mithali Raj is the Mentor and Advisor, one of India’s most renowned spinners Nooshin Al Khadeer is the Bowling Coach for the team this season. 

Speaking on the sidelines of the ceremony, Head Coach Michael Klinger said, “This is a new season in the WPL and we are really excited about it. But we must work very hard to be able to put in a good show for our fans. We have a few plans for our players, and the roles for everyone are also well defined, and we hope the players are the best version of themselves every day. There is a lot to look forward to here, and the team is gung-ho about the upcoming season, and we are quietly confident about doing well once things kick off.” 

“The WPL is a great platform for women’s cricket, and the Adani Sportsline team have been tremendous in terms of supporting the team with whatever is needed as we build up to our opening game. We have a well-balanced squad with a lot of youth and plenty of experience in the senior players, and together, we are always looking to put our best foot forward. This is an important season for the Gujarat Giants, and I want all our players to give it their very best, in every training session and in every game of course, and ask all the questions they need to, because that’s the best way to make sure the preparation is on-point,” said Mithali Raj, Mentor and Advisor, Gujarat Giants.

by Abhishek Shukla

Chennai Singam’s Lion on the Prowl for Team Players, 125 Players participated in Scouting Camp

Mumbai, 16 February 2024: Actor Suriya Sivakumar and business stalwarts Rajdipkumar Gupta, Sandipkumar Gupta promoted Chennai Singams saw 125 players participating in its scouting camp that was held today at Saraswati Sports Complex in Malad.All the participants were blue ticket holders for the upcoming inaugural edition of the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL), India’s first T10 Tennis Ball Championship.

Coaches and co-owners of Chennai Singams oversaw the trials and have identified the players who could be a good fit for the roaring ethos of the team. Chennai Singams is the first franchise to conduct a scouting camp this season.

Over 18 lakh people had registered for ISPL and 350 players were selected to become Blue Ticket Holders. Former cricketers and heads of the selection committee (ISPL), Pravin Ambre and Jatin Paranjape carried out the selection process.   

Rajdipkumar Gupta, Co-owner of Chennai Singams said “To be the best you need to see the best, the players make us as much as we make them. We scouted so we could identify traits such as commitment, attention to detail, self-belief, and an analytical mind besides the stomach to roar to shunt or stunt opponents. We look forward to the auction scheduled on 25th February 2024.”

The inaugural edition of the Indian Street Premier League will get underway from 6th to 15th March 2024.

Tennis ball cricket has become a popular sport around the world, transcending boundaries and enthralling fans of all ages. This fast-paced game originated on South Asian streets, specifically in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, and has grown in popularity due to its accessibility and thrill. In India, the game is extremely popular, with local leagues and tournaments being held in every corner of the country.

The introduction of floodlit tournaments, indoor facilities, and professional leagues has fuelled the growth of tennis ball cricket, providing players with a platform to showcase their abilities and compete at various levels. With the rise of social media and digital platforms, tennis ball cricket has gained ground, paving the way for it to be recognized as a legitimate sport beyond its humble beginnings.

by Abhishek Shukla

PUMA & Delhi Capitals come together to deepen engagement in city’s cricket fandom

Bangalore, February 16, 2024: PUMA India has joined forces with Delhi Capitals to engage in the city’s strong fanbase and tap into the growing pool of sporting talent in the region.

PUMA’s multi-year partnership with Delhi Capitals as their official kit partner ahead of the year’s high-powered WPL and IPL season furthers its footprint in the cricketing landscape. 

Commenting on this historic collaboration, Karthik Balagopalan, Managing Director, PUMA India said, “We are thrilled to partner with Delhi Capitals and begin our association with the young vibrant team. Delhi is emerging as a huge magnet to sporting talent with an inimitable fanbase that has a pulse on the city’s soul and local culture. As a brand, PUMA has continuously championed cricket across levels, and this alliance underscores our commitment towards building the future generation of cricket as well as strong sports merchandising assets. We believe in the power of cricket to unite people, ignite aspirations and are here to push cricket & cricket culture forward.”

PUMA’s association with Royal Challengers Bangalore has proven to be a big success in the league.

Jemimah Rodrigues, cricketer and Delhi Capitals’ Vice Captain said, “We’re excited to have PUMA, a brand that’s shown tremendous commitment towards women’s sports, on board with the Delhi Capitals team. We’re thrilled for them to be a part of our journey as we look ahead to another smash-hit season of the Women’s Premier League.”

As kit partner, PUMA’s logo will be present on the leading arm of the jersey of both the men’s and women’s teams of Delhi Capitals. Inspired by the pulse of the country’s capital, the jersey incorporates the route map of the Delhi Metro Rail – the iconic representation of the city’s enterprising spirit. The players’ kit will also comprise training wear, accessories, travel gear and athleisure, capturing the same design aesthetic as the jersey.

This partnership also reinforces the long-standing relationship between PUMA and Delhi Capital’s parent company JSW through the sports brand’s association with Bengaluru Football Club. 

Commenting on the occasion, Sukhvinder Singh, interim CEO, Delhi Capitals, said, “Delhi Capitals is beyond thrilled to partner with PUMA for both our women’s and men’s squads. Being a franchise that focusses on young cricketing talent has always been crucial for us, which makes our association with a youth brand like PUMA an organic one. We’re confident that this partnership which kicks off with the upcoming seasons of the Women’s Premier League & the Indian Premier League is going to be a cracking success.”

Over the years, PUMA has forged partnerships with diverse sporting teams, encompassing global and Indian football giants such as Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Mumbai City FC, and Bengaluru FC, as well as the both the teams of Royal Challengers Bangalore. The brand also boasts a star-studded lineup of brand ambassadors featuring batting icon Virat Kohli, champion sprinter Usain Bolt, football stars Neymar Jr and Sunil Chhetri, celebrated boxer MC Mary Kom, and cricketers Harmanpreet Kaur and Mohammed Shami.

Additionally, PUMA has demonstrated its commitment to support emerging and versatile sports and activities by venturing into the thriving Esports industry in India through kit partnerships with organizations such as Revenant Esports and Orangutan Esports.

by Abhishek Shukla

‘Talent is brilliant here’: Adani Gulf Giants pacer Chris Jordan lauds UAE youngsters after loss in Qualifier 2

Sharjah, 16 February 2024: The Gulf Giants faced elimination from the DP World ILT20 Season 2 after a loss to the Dubai Capitals in their Qualifier 2 clash at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday. The side needed to defend 138 runs for the victory. The Adani Sportsline-owned Giants fought hard during the match, but eventually lost the match in the 18th over.

After the match, star pacer Chris Jordan spoke about how proud he was of his team, “It took a lot to come into back-to-back games and try to pick ourselves back up, but we had to do it. I’m proud of the team because we came through adversity early in the season. But we went on a good run and played some good cricket during our campaign. I am proud especially of the younger guys for finding solutions and working things out.”

The Englishman saved special praise for their two young UAE spinners in the side — Aayan Afzal Khan and Zuhaib Zubair, “I can’t look past our two young spinners, Aayan and Zuhaib. The way they have stood up this season, playing against some of the best players in the world, is incredible. They have been a big part of us turning things around, making an impact and that’s all you can ask from youngsters.

Jordan also wanted to share his appreciation about the DP World ILT20 season 2, and is already looking forward to the next season, “The standard has gone to another level this year, which is great to see because up until the last game, every single team was in the tournament.

“This is great for the tournament and for the competitiveness because there is no dead game, so every single game counts. It’s brilliant to see the organisation off the field and the way everything was run. You can’t ask for more. Obviously, we ourselves as a group will debrief and work on the areas that we can improve off the field,” he concluded.

by Abhishek Shukla

Rajasthan Royals rope in Poornima University as Official University Partner

Jaipur (Rajasthan), 16 February 2024: Royals Sports Group-owned franchise Rajasthan Royals on Friday announced Poornima University as its Official University Partner for the upcoming season. As part of the partnership, the University’s logo will feature on the back of the caps and helmets of the Royals’ players, with a host of on-ground activations also planned at the University’s campus in Jaipur.

This collaboration acts as a significant milestone for both institutions, it brings together their shared commitment towards excellence in education and sports. As the Official University Partner of the Rajasthan Royals, Poornima University aims to enhance the academic and athletic experiences of students and fans alike on an international forum. Through this partnership, Poornima University will leverage its expertise in higher education to offer unique opportunities for learning, skill development, and engagement with cricket enthusiasts across the globe.

Rahul Singhi, Co-Founder of Poornima University, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to join forces with Rajasthan Royals, a team synonymous with passion, resilience, and excellence. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our vision of empowering the next generation of leaders through holistic education and immersive experiences. Together, we will inspire students to pursue their dreams on and off the field.”

Jake Lush McCrum, Chief Executive Officer, Rajasthan Royals, shared his excitement for the partnership, remarking, “One of our fundamental pillars at the Royals is the local community, and through this association with Poornima University, we are aiming to provide our young and local fanbase with the opportunity to connect with the team and feel closer to their favourite players. Through this association, we intend to promote the importance of integrating sport within the education model. With a host of engaging activations planned for the coming season, we are looking forward to fostering deeper connections with the local students and also provide the University the opportunity to reach a national audience.”

The collaboration between Poornima University and Rajasthan Royals exemplifies the power of education and sports to unite communities and drive positive change. Through joint initiatives focused on student engagement, both institutions aim to inspire the next generation of leaders and cricket enthusiasts while focusing on the importance of their holistic development.

by Abhishek Shukla

Captain of Indian blind cricket team announced for Pak, SL Tri Series

Delhi [India], February 15, 2024: The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) in association with the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled on Thursday announced the captain and vice-captain of the Indian Men’s Cricket team for the Blind ahead of the upcoming Triangular series between India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Dubai. Air Water has joined hands with Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled and Cricket Association for the Blind in India by being the official partner of the India Men’s Cricket team for the Blind for this series.

Indian men’s cricket team for the blind along with Pakistan and Sri Lanka will feature in a Triangular Series in Dubai from February 22 to February 25. Durga Rao Tompaki will captain the Indian Men’s while, Sunil Ramesh will be his deputy for the Tri-Series.

Speaking on the announcement ahead of the Tri-series, the Chairman of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) Dr Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar said “Cricket for the Blind will grow only when we play against the good teams and win matches against the tough teams. This is an another triangular series and an opportunity to the players to play the tough games and bring laurels to the country. I would like to thank Ajay Kumar Reddy for his leadership skills and I am happy to announce the new captain and vice-captain of the Indian Men’s Cricket team for the Blind. Both are good and strong players and we are sure under their leadership cricket for the blind in India will bring more laurels to the Mother Land”

“It’s the biggest Honour and privilege to lead the Indian Team. I have played for the last 10 years and all my seniors and fellow teammates have helped to this day. I am grateful to all for having that faith in me and I am sure we all will work hard and make the country proud” said the Captain Durga Rao.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Kausik Mukhopadhyay Managing Director at Air Water India Private Limited said “We at Air Water India (AWIPL) are committed to work towards the well- being of the communities where we operate and beyond. Taking a leaf out of our parent company’s dedication towards sustainable CSR interventions, we have adopted UNSDGs #4 & #6 to channelize our energies in the space of corporate social responsibility.

However, AWIPL has always been open to explore and go beyond the scope laid out in the above UNSDGs and contribute our efforts to any meaningful project that leads to the empowerment of individuals and assist in developing sustainable livelihood and a more inclusive society.

Given that the CABI project is focussed on providing a platform for the differently abled to showcase their talent in the field of cricket, it is an obvious choice for AWIPL to participate in this engagement, thereby getting to live our core values of inclusiveness and equal opportunity.

Speaking on the occasion the legendry Indian cricketer Mr Mohammed Kaif Said “I am happy to be here supporting Cricket Association for the Blind in India and Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled in their endeavour of promoting cricket for the Visually Impaired across the World. I was here last time wishing the teams the best for the IBSA World Games 2023. Sports is the best platform to build an inclusive society and Cricket has the potential to bring in the change the society needs. Cricket for the Visually Impaired has proven to be a very positive transformative tool to empower and transform the visually impaired. I am glad that I am here because the players inspire us by bringing laurels to the country and they need our support. Let us all support cricket for the Visually Impaired and I wish the captain and the entire team the best. “Indian team will have 17-member squad for the Triangular series and players are chosen based on their performances in the 6th edition of Nagesh Trophy which concluded on early this month.

Debaraj Behera (B1) from Odisha, Sanjay Kumar Shah (B1) from Delhi and Magunta Sai (B2) from Karnataka have received maiden call to the National team for the Triangular series.

The coaching camp for the Indian men’s blind cricket team is being held from February 8 to February 20 in Bangalore. India will play Pakistan and Sri Lanka with one match each and the top 2 teams based on the points will play the finals on February 25.

Indian Men’s Squad for Triangular Series 2024 at Dubai

1. Nareshbhai Balubhai Tumda– B1– Gujarat
2. Nilesh Yadav– B1– Delhi
3. Ajaykumar Reddy Illuri– B1– Andhra Pradesh
4. Debaraj Behera– B1– Odisha
5. Maharaja Sivasubramanian– B1– Tamil Nadu
6. Sanjay Kumar Shah– B1– Delhi
7. Venkateswara Rao Dunna– B2– Andhra Pradesh
8. Pankaj Bhue– B2– Odisha
9. Lokesha– B2– Karnataka
10. Nakula Badanayak– B2– Odisha
11. Magunta Sai– B2– Karnataka
12. Durga Rao Tompaki– B3– Andhra Pradesh
13. Sunil Ramesh– B3– Karnataka
14. Sukhram Majhi– B3– Odisha
15. Ravi Amiti– B3– Andhra Pradesh
16. Dinesh Rathva– B3– Gujarat
17. Dhinagar. G– B3– Pondicherry
by Abhishek Shukla

UP Warriorz and Sisters in Sweat Join Hands to Help Inspire Women to Take Up Sport

Bengaluru, 14 February, 2024: The Women’s Premier League, one of the most watched cricket tournaments in the world, is going to kick off its second season very soon, and ahead of that, the UP Warriorz, who are owned by Capri Sports, are collaborating with Sisters in Sweat, with a focus towards opening more doors in sport for women in Bengaluru and New Delhi, and eventually the rest of India.
This partnership is built on a mutual mission by UP Warriorz and Sisters in Sweat to enhance the presence and participation of women in cricket. The collaboration aims to create accessible opportunities for women to engage with the sport, regardless of their experience level. Players from the UP Warriorz’s squad for WPL Season 2 will make their presence felt at games organised by this partnership, with Day 1 scheduled to be on 17th February in Bengaluru.
“We’re thrilled about our partnership with Sisters in Sweat. The initiative aligns perfectly with our values at UP Warriorz, where we strive to excel in the WPL and also to be game changers by fostering a vibrant community for women in sports. We’re excited about the potential of our joint efforts,” said Jinisha Sharma, Director – Capri Sports, UP Warriorz.
Swetha Subbiah, Co-founder and Performance Coach, Sisters in Sweat, stated,, “Partnering with UP Warriorz is a pivotal moment for us. Cricket has the power to bring people together and inspire action. We’re looking forward to seeing the positive effects of our work together in communities and beyond.”
UP Warriorz and Sisters in Sweat encourages everyone to support this cause. Whether you’re an experienced player, a newcomer, or a fan of women’s sports, you’re invited to take advantage of this opportunity to experience cricket and the multitude of benefits the sport brings with it.
The UP Warriorz, who finished third in the WPL’s inaugural season in 2023, will open their campaign this year against the Royal Challengers Bangalore on 24 February, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Keep an eye out for upcoming events and ways to get involved. For more information visit – https://sistersinsweat.in/

by Abhishek Shukla

Anrich Nortje: The legacy of the U19 Men’s CWC 2024 is that it will continue to inspire more future stars for years to come

The last few weeks, which I spent being the event ambassador for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, was an exhilarating experience, especially watching the young talent on show in this special tournament.

It was nerve-racking to do commentary and work behind the mic – I haven’t been that nervous in a while – but it was great to see how everyone worked together to make it a successful production. I was immersed in the World Cup and I enjoyed every moment of it.

The tournament benefited enormously from a vibrant atmosphere at each of the five venues, and this will no doubt have helped bring the best out of the exceptional talent and formidable teams on display. Australia emerged as the deserving winners, but before delving into their triumph, it’s essential to acknowledge how remarkable it is to organise such a significant event in such a short space of time. 

It will have taken a huge amount of work and I must give a lot of credit to the ICC and Cricket South Africa for making this tournament successful with such little time to prepare.

While we saw glimpses of brilliance from players throughout the tournament, I think the two semi-finals summed up how close some of the top teams were. It was pleasing to see these youngsters playing fearless cricket under this amount of pressure in front of packed crowds.

It’s hard to imagine what must go through the minds of the young fans watching on. It will have no doubt been an inspirational experience for a 10-year-old child. After all, it could be a dream for them to one day represent their country on this stage, a stepping stone to making it to a higher level.

Being on the ground, you couldn’t help but notice how the fans streamed through the gates in big numbers. On the grass banks, you saw a lot of families, even on weekdays. It was great to have parents deciding to bring their kids along to witness the action.

South Africa is a place that loves sport, especially cricket. An event like this brings people together, and it creates memorable experiences for families to cherish for a long time. 

When you see cricket happening in your country, in your own backyard rather than on TV, it just feels more realistic, more accessible. You see the young guys, you see the players, you see the opportunity that there is. And that makes it special. That’s what the tournament is about. 

On to the cricket itself, India and Australia were really impressive and deserved to be in the final. But, naturally, I always kept a close eye on South Africa, and I thought they were exceptional. Their semi-final against India was a high-quality game, and it could have gone either way. In all, the South African team can keep their head high – they were one of the top teams in the tournament, and they made all those fans who came down to watch them proud. 

After those closely-fought semi-finals, the final was perhaps a bit one-sided, but you could see the quality in Australia. They were the team with the most all-round strength, and it showed, especially in the final when they needed a big team contribution. They had four different fast bowlers who all bowled well, a dependable captain, and different players who all stepped up at different stages of the tournament. 

For instance, in the final, Harjas Singh contributed with the all-important half-century – he did not have the greatest of tournaments up until then, but he came good when it mattered. As a team, you don’t want to be relying on one or two players. The whole team needs to contribute, and Australia had more players who they could rely on than the other semi-finalists. And that’s the mark of a good team.

As a fast bowler, I always keep a particularly keen eye on that discipline, and I came away very impressed with the pace-bowling on display in the tournament. Many pacers made an impression in the tournament, particularly the Australian attack – I thought they complemented each other well. I’m not going to put pressure on the players by naming who stood out to me, however. All these players still have a long way to go.

Make no mistake, playing in this World Cup would have been an invaluable experience for every player who turned out for their countries in the last few weeks. They’d have all learnt so many things; what you need to do at certain stages in matches, how you need to react when the pressure is on – these are things you can only learn from playing high-pressure tournaments. 

I didn’t have that till much later in my journey as I didn’t transition to the senior team through the U19 World Cup route. After not making the squad, I tried as hard as I could to reach every other level there was. And I was a better player for it when I finally got my breakthrough at senior level. That’s a valuable reminder to everyone – the work doesn’t stop. The journey has just begun.

It’s also, of course, important to savour the good moments. So I’d urge all the players to take some time to reflect on the last few weeks – it’s a great honour and a massive step in your career to make the jump into an international U19 team. After that, just keep on doing what you’ve been doing. You don’t have to change things to be the best version of yourself. 

Keep on doing what you’ve been doing, and hopefully, I’ll play with and against some of you soon at international level

by Abhishek Shukla

‘Management kept faith in us throughout:’ Dubai Capitals spinner Haider Ali

Abu Dhabi, 14 February, 2024: The Dubai Capitals dominated the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to secure an important 85-run victory in their DP World ILT20 Season 2 playoff clash at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. The batters for the Dubai Capitals helped their team to a score of 188, which was then easily defended by the GMR Sports-owned team.
Slow left arm orthodox spinner Haider Ali spoke highly of the coaching staff’s support after the game, “As a team, the way we have come from the bottom to reach the playoffs, we deserve to win the final. I would especially like to credit my management because despite us losing matches, they never lost their faith in us. We came back very well after we found the right combinations.”
He also credited the ILT20, saying, “As a youngster, playing in the ILT20 is a very big opportunity. We get to learn a lot of new things. When you play well among all the international stars in the ILT20, then you get noticed in the cricket world as well. As a UAE player, it is important to do well in this tournament.
Haider Ali was joined by Tom Adell, who said, “Mood is great in the camp. Winning always breeds confidence, and being in the position that we are is important because then it helps us carry that momentum for the big knockout games.
He is also looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead for his team, “It’s obviously great when all six teams go into last few group games with a chance to qualify. We are obviously delighted that we could make it to the top four. Every game now is equivalent to a final now.”

by Abhishek Shukla

Beth Mooney back as captain of Adani’s Gujarat Giants, Sneh Rana to be her deputy

Bengaluru, 14 February, 2024: With the second season of WPL around the corner, the Adani Sportsline-owned Gujarat Giants has announced that Australian batter Beth Mooney will captain the team and Indian all-rounder Sneh Rana will be her deputy. They will be part of the leadership group with head coach Michael Klinger, mentor and advisor Mithali Raj, and assistant coach Nooshin Al Khadeer.

Mooney was appointed captain of Gujarat Giants in the inaugural season of WPL. However, she had to leave the tournament after the first game due to an injury.

Mooney is one of the best batters in international T20 cricket. In addition to being part of the team that won the T20 World Cup in 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2023, she was also in the squad that won the 2022 ODI World Cup and Gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Despite being in the 2014 T20 World Cup-winning squad, she did not make her international debut for Australia till January 2016. In December 2017, she won both the inaugural ICC T20I Player of the Year and Emerging Player of the Year awards. She was named Wisden’s Leading Woman Cricketer in the World in 2021 and 2022. Her 24 half-centuries is the second-most by a batter in T20I cricket; she was also the fastest women’s cricketer to reach 2,000 runs in the shortest format of the game.

Rana, an off-break bowler and a right-handed batter, is one of India’s top cricketers. She made her ODI and T20I debut against Sri Lanka in 2014, and in Tests against England in 2021. In season 1 of the WPL, she was named the skipper of Gujarat Giants following Mooney’s injury, and bagged 6 wickets in 7 innings. She was part of the team that won Silver for India at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“I am delighted to be back with Gujarat Giants and grateful for the team’s trust in me. We have a fantastic squad, and I am confident we will put up a good show. It is good WPL will be played in Bengaluru and New Delhi, which are new to the tournament,” said Mooney.

“The second season of WPL will be another festival of cricket. That Beth is back as skipper is fantastic news, and I will do everything I can to support her. The squad is well-balanced, and we are in a good place as a team,” said Rana. 

“Mooney and Rana are stalwarts, and we at Adani Sportsline are delighted to have them leading the team. WPL is an important part of cricketing history, and we are proud to be associated with it. We have some of the best minds in the game working towards a common goal of glory, and I am sure that will be reflected on the field,” said Sanjay Adesara, CBO, Adani Sportsline. 

Gujarat Giants will open its campaign at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru against Mumbai Indians on 25 February.

by Abhishek Shukla

Indian Street Premier League’s Chennai Singams Unveils its Brand Identity

Mumbai, February 14th, 2024: The Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) franchise Chennai Singams unveiled their logo for the highly anticipated inaugural edition of the league. Rajdipkumar Gupta, Sandipkumar Gupta- promoters of Route Mobile Ltd and Actor Suriya Sivakumar are the co-owners of Chennai Singams, a Chennai-based franchise.

The logo with a roaring lion depicts the great strength and valour of Chennai. The standout logo perfectly aligns with ISPL’s mission to merge the spirit of the streets with the grandeur of stadium cricket. Additionally, the highlighted yellow colour in the logo visually depicts the radiance of Chennai.

Rajdipkumar Gupta, Co-Owner of Chennai Singams said “Both I and Sandip besides being entrepreneurs are very passionate towards sports and the same reflects in our ownership of multiple clubs in MCA that have produced talented players like Sudhir Naik, Zaheer Khan, Wasim Jaffer, Rajesh Pawar, Raju Sutar, Nilesh Kulkarni besides our ownership of North Mumbai Panthers that plays at the Mumbai T20 Premiere League and Saraswati Sports Complex in Mumbai that provides good sporting amenities.

Additionally,he stated, “Women’s Cricket is another focus area we would like to develop and currently we have set up a team via National Cricket Club from which 5 women and 5 men are part of the Mumbai State team in BCCI”

ISPL is scheduled to kick off from March 6th to March 15th 2024, in Mumbai, The Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) is India’s first-ever T10 tennis ball cricket tournament. Promising an enthralling display of cricketing brilliance, the tournament will feature 19 high-intensity matches, boasting a line-up of six teams – Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Srinagar.

by Abhishek Shukla

Joseph and Hunter win ICC Player of the Month awards for January

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month award winners for January 2024 after shortlists were announced last week.

Shamar Joseph celebrates a maiden ICC Men’s Player of the Month crown after making a sensational debut for the West Indies in their dramatic Test series in Australia.

Amy Hunter is named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month thanks to her rapid run-scoring feats in Ireland’s T20I series victory over Zimbabwe last month.

Men’s Player of the Month Joseph enjoyed a stellar start to his West Indies career. Brought into the side for their Test series against Australia, the 24-year-old made an instant impact, removing Steve Smith with his first ball in international cricket.

His first outing in Test cricket saw him claim five wickets in the first innings in Adelaide, taking the prized wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green as well as Smith, but it will be his efforts in the second Test in Brisbane which will long be remembered.

Defending a modest 216 to prevent an Australian victory in the second innings, Joseph produced an unforgettable display of fast bowling, taking seven for 68 – four of which were bowled – to skittle the home side out in dramatic fashion eight runs short of the target.

The win saw the West Indies claim a historic 1-1 draw, with Joseph sealing the Player of the Series award for his impressive debut. This latest accolade means he is the first West Indian to win the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award since its inception in January 2021.

ICC Men’s Player of the Month for January, Shamar Joseph, said, “I am extremely delighted to win this award. To get such an award on the world stage feels special. I totally enjoyed every moment of that experience playing for West Indies in Australia, especially the magic of the final day at the Gabba. Taking the wicket to win the match was a dream!

“It was a truly memorable moment for me, and I just want to continue to work hard and deliver more match-winning performances for the West Indies with the ball; and when required also with the bat.

“I want to say special thanks to the teammates and support staff in Australia who backed me from the start to get the job done. I will be the one receiving the award, but this is also for the team, and all the fans in the West Indies as well.”

ICC Women’s Player of the Month Amy Hunter is another of the young talents lighting up the international stage, and she celebrates her maiden award on the back of significant scores with the bat as Ireland won decisively in Zimbabwe last month.

After a subdued ODI series to start the month, Hunter followed up with an explosive series of knocks in the T20I series in Harare.

The first T20I match saw the 18-year-old wicketkeeper-batter smash a glittering 101 not out in just 66 balls from atop the order as the away side won by 57 runs. Hunter hit a further 77 and 42 runs in the second and third outings respectively as Ireland comfortably secured the series win away from home.

Across her three T20Is during the month, her 220 runs came at an impressive strike rate of 144.73, helping her become the first Ireland player to win the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award since Arlene Kelly won back in August 2023.

ICC Women’s Player of the Month for January, Amy Hunter said, “It’s an honour to win the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for January. To be on a shortlist alongside two of the world’s best is something that I am immensely proud of.

“It’s been an amazing start to the year, with two convincing series wins against Zimbabwe. I am pleased to have been able to contribute to the team’s success and hope to continue to do so.”

Joseph and Hunter win their awards following votes gathered from global fans registered at icc-cricket.com and a specialist panel comprising ICC Hall of Famers, former international players, and media representatives.

Joseph overcame other top performers in Tests during the month: England’s Ollie Pope and Australia’s Josh Hazlewood, while Hunter wins from the Australian duo of Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney.

by Abhishek Shukla

JioCinema Amps Up Advertiser Advantage for IPL 2024 with a Slew of Innovations

Mumbai, February 13, 2024: Viacom18 announced the launch of multiple innovations for advertisers around the upcoming IPL season, including unique offerings that are a first for the Indian broadcasting ecosystem. After digital ad revenues surpassed that of linear TV’s last IPL, reinforcing digital as advertisers’ preferred platform, JioCinema has now expanded the breadth of its offerings to aid advertisers irrespective of their marketing goals or the scale of the business. Each proposition being unveiled this year has been carefully curated to enhance the brand’s proposition and increase the potential of scale and targeting possibilities they can extract on digital.

Every proposition from JioCinema this season has been developed to address a specific use case, such as creating better brand impact, sharper brand integration, friction-free lead generation, and drive better engagement through innovation. Here is a snapshot of JioCinema’s offerings for IPL 2024 with their exciting use cases for advertisers:

Impact

JioCinema has launched its newest high-impact feature, Brand Spotlight that latches on the IPL’s ability to aggregate India in an unrivalled way, especially on opening day. It elevates brand visibility by providing an industry-first opportunity during the first game for five select brands to unveil their IPL campaigns in the opening moments of the first match. This offering will facilitate a marketer’s moment without the conventional boundaries of a mass media campaign. Having a priority spot to launch their engaging IPL opening day blitz will help these five brands play on the audience minds that are on the lookout for the most fun ad campaigns of the season. Brands will be able to even tell the story behind their IPL campaigns through the JioCinema app.

In addition to Brand Spotlight, JioCinema’s Masthead will also support video from this season, making it the go-to destination for brands to launch new products, announce sales, unveil new creatives, and more. Another impact property entering the scene this year is Scorecard Branding, which will allow advertisers to build salience among an audience set displaying sticky behaviour by allowing, the advertiser to own a scorecard, stats, and match analytics.

Innovation

After piloting more than a dozen feeds last IPL, now JioCinema is offering advertisers a chance to own an entire feed. Custom Feeds can be tailored to a brand’s brief to offer them a way to drive the deepest visibility, storytelling, and consideration possible. JioCinema’s innovation for this season has also stretched itself to include Vertical Highlights, packaging match highlights in a shorter vertical orientation akin to trending social media short-form videos.

Engagement

India’s largest live fan engagement opportunity, Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan, saw over 50 million participants last season, with over a billion game plays. This season, JioCinema is opening up the high engagement avenue for brands to partner with them offering salience, special brand message integration, deeper engagements on rewards, and an opportunity to gamify their communication at scale.

Ads for Business

An entire set from JioCinema’s advertiser proposition this season is designed to aid seamless lead generation for advertisers without intruding on the fan’s viewing experience. One such feature is Click to WhatsApp which takes the viewer to a brand’s WhatsApp business chat through a click, while the ad plays on the screen. By overhauling the process of redirecting consumers, JioCinema will help brands talk to their audience one to one on WhatsApp while they watch the IPL in PIP mode. On the other hand, Auto-fill Ads is devised to simplify consumer data collection by removing several layers of friction in this process. These hard-working midrolls reflect already captured data, leaving the user with just one field to fill, no matter what the product, service, or experience they are signing up for.

Integration

One leg of JioCinema’s proposition also focuses on better integration through which brands will now be able to create their own stories and campaigns to reach a wider audience by accessing Cricket’s biggest social media influencer pool, comprising 100+ cricketing legends/influencers and celebs for their social media activations.

“The launch of our array of offerings around IPL 2024 showcase the degree to which customisations are possible in digital advertising along with bringing great value to the table,” said Viacom18 Sports Head of Revenue, Anup Govindan. “For the consumer, we continue removing barriers to accessibility, affordability, and language, while for the advertiser, we continue innovating, democratising the process, and setting new industry benchmarks. Brand Spotlight, in particular, will become an anchor offering in the years to come for its compelling proposition.”

After clocking a record-breaking reach of 450 million during IPL 2023, JioCinema is targeting over 650 million throughout the 2024 season, thus making the launch of JioCinema’s plethora of ad innovations a high stakes game for advertisers. With the advent of soaring CTV sales and Ultra HD 4K devices commanding a 35% market share within the CTV category, JioCinema will offer advertisers to target the premium universe on IPL for the very first time with the innovative formats available this season.

The JioPhone and JioBharat 4G enabled feature phones from Reliance have democratized internet access, connecting blue-collar workers, farmers, and artisans across urban & rural India. With IPL streaming on these devices, an incremental 35-40 Mn users are expected to be enthralled in their regional language of choice, making the tournament bigger than ever before.

by Abhishek Shukla

Excitement soars as Herschelle Gibbs to lead Red Carpet Delhi in Indian Veteran Premier League

Dehradun (Uttrakhand) [India], February 13: Former South African batting maestro Herschelle Gibbs is set to return to cricket after a considerable amount of time when he will take the field for Red Carpet Delhi as the captain of the side in the upcoming first edition of the Indian Veteran Premier League (IVPL).

Known for his swashbuckling style at the crease, Gibbs brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the Red Carpet Delhi team. His presence is sure to electrify the IVPL, scheduled to take place from February 23 to March 3, 2024, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun.

Joining Gibbs in the Red Carpet Delhi squad are former Afghanistan cricketer Asghar Afghan, Sri Lanka all-rounder Thisara Perera, and South African spinner Imran Tahir, all serving as icon players. Adding to the team’s depth is former IPL champion Manvinder Bisla.

Expressing his excitement on joining IVPL, Herschelle Gibbs said, “Hi everyone, Herschelle Gibbs here and I’m very excited to announce that I’ll be playing in the Indian Veteran Premier League (IVPL). I’ll be representing the Red Carpet Delhi Team and can’t wait to get started and see you all then.”

Organized by the Board for Veteran Cricket in India (BVCI) and managed by 100 Sports, the IVPL is bringing together veterans such as Sehwag, Munaf Patel, Suresh Raina, Rajat Bhatia, Chris Gayle, Praveen Kumar, Yusuf Pathan, Gibbs, and many more.

Shri Praveen Tyagi, the Acting President of BVCI and Chairman of IVPL said, “We are thrilled to have Herschelle Gibbs in the Indian Veteran Premier League. Fans are excited to see his explosive batting. We look forward to witnessing Gibbs and his fellow veterans showcase their talents on the grand stage of the IVPL.”

The participating teams include VVIP Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan Legends, Red Carpet Delhi, Chhattisgarh Warriors, Telangana Tigers, and Mumbai Champions. Each team is a powerhouse of talent, as cricketing legends and regional stars come together to relive their passion for the game. Each team will have four to five iconic players from across the World.

The matches will be broadcasted live in India on the Eurosport channel, DD Sports, and Fancode, and tickets for the matches at the iconic Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium will soon be available for purchase.

Fans eagerly awaiting the opportunity to experience the live cricketing extravaganza firsthand can secure their seats and be part of the electric atmosphere at the stadium.

Red Carpet Delhi:

Squad: Herschelle Gibbs (C), Asghar Afghan, Thisara Perera, Imran Tahir, Abhimanyu Mithun, Rajeev Tyagi, Jitendra Kumar, Shajil B, Kapil Rana Vikram Dhanraj Batra, Baburao Yadav, Ashu Sharma Yujvender Singh, Amit Sharma, Aashis Sharma, Manvinder Bisla, Rakesh Tandel, Vikrant Yadav, Amit Tomar

Icon Players: Asghar Afghan, Thisara Perera, Imran Tahir, Abhimanyu Mithun

Reserve Player: Pankaj Tyagi, Deepak C.M Kerla, Manish Tyagi

by Abhishek Shukla

ICC reveals U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 Team of the Tournament

Future stars hailing from five different nations including newly-crowned champions Australia comprise the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 Team of the Tournament, announced today by the International Cricket Council.

Australia captain Hugh Weibgen is given the honour of leading out the star-studded lineup, chosen by an esteemed panel of media, broadcast and ICC representatives.

India enjoyed a resounding campaign leading up to Sunday’s final, and mark their impressive tournament with four names in the team. Champions Australia have three players included, South Africa have two names – including the Player of the Tournament Kwena Maphaka – while the West Indies and Pakistan each have one player feature.

The selection panel consisted of commentary representatives Ian Bishop, Melinda Farrell and Abhinav Mukund, media representative Telford Vice, and ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley.

The Team of the Tournament for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup (in batting order):

  1. Lhuan-dre Pretorius (SA) (wk) – 287 runs at 57.40
  2. Harry Dixon (AUS) – 309 runs at 44.14
  3. Musheer Khan (IND) – 360 runs at 60.00
  4. Hugh Weibgen (AUS) (captain) – 304 runs at 50.66
  5. Uday Saharan (IND) – 397 runs at 56.71
  6. Sachin Dhas (IND) – 303 runs at 60.60
  7. Nathan Edward (WI) – 101 runs at 50.50 and 11 wickets at 17.81
  8. Callum Vidler (AUS) – 14 wickets at 11.71
  9. Ubaid Shah (PAK) – 18 wickets at 12.38
  10. Kwena Maphaka (SA) – 21 wickets at 9.71
  11. Saumy Pandey (IND) – 18 wickets at 10.27

and

  1. Jamie Dunk (SCO) – 263 runs at 65.75

South Africa’s Pretorius takes the gloves for this Team of the Tournament, and also heads up the batting order, after a series of impressive and explosive displays in the Proteas surge to the semi-final.

The wicketkeeper batter hit three half-centuries towards the back end of the tournament, including an eye-catching 76 in the semi-final against India, and will be remembered for contributing heavily to his side’s fast starts, ending the U19 Men’s CWC with a strike rate of 94.09.

Australia’s Harry Dixon partners him atop the order after a superb tournament and some invaluable contributions in the knockout stages. Dixon remained resolute in the semi-final and final despite the challenges posed by bowling attacks of Pakistan and India, registering important runs atop the order in both, as well as their emphatic win over England in the Super Six stage.

India’s Musheer Khan takes the number three spot as the only batter to register two centuries during the competition. Despite a subdued end to the tournament, Musheer displayed plenty of early promise, featuring a wide array of attacking shots, as well as an ability to pick up wickets with his probing left-arm spin.

Captain Weibgen was instrumental to Australia’s fourth U19 Men’s CWC title, providing valuable runs and making intelligent on-field decisions that sparked another successful campaign. After a sensational match-winning century against rivals England on a difficult Kimberley pitch in the Super Six stage, Weibgen continued to grow as a player and leader, eventually sealing the deal with victory in Benoni inspired by his decision at the toss and with team selection.

Top run-scorer for the event, Uday Saharan played a pivotal role in India’s dominance through to the final. Scoring consistently throughout the event and registering a century against Nepal, Saharan saved his best performance for the thrilling semi-final against South Africa, dragging India back from the brink of elimination with a vital 81 runs to seal their spot in the final.

Saharan’s primary ally that day was Sachin Dhas, and the composed right-hander also earns a place in the Team of the Tournament for his ability to relieve pressure situations, and the innovative and aggressive strokeplay that charactised India’s wins over Nepal (116 runs) and South Africa (96 runs).

The West Indies made a promising start to the tournament, and could have progressed through to the semi-finals had their all-or-nothing match against Australia not been washed out. All-rounder Nathan Edward was a standout performer for the side, in particular during their win against England in Potchefstroom, taking three wickets and hitting 49 in a high-pressure chase.

The four out and out bowlers in the side all found success in their respective sides.

Australia’s Callum Vidler enjoyed plenty of pace and bounce on the South African surfaces, and posed a constant threat to batters throughout the competition. He starred in wins over England and Sri Lanka before his efforts in the semis and final included prized wickets with the new ball.

Ubaid Shah was in scintillating form for Pakistan in the U19 Men’s CWC, spearheading their bowling attack and demonstrating lethal amounts of pace that produced vital wicket taking spells in his side’s wins over New Zealand (three for 30) and Bangladesh (five for 44) in their run to the semi-final.

Player of the Tournament Kwena Maphaka set the World Cup alight from day one. Searing pace and swing handed him his first of three five-wicket hauls in the dramatic win over West Indies on opening day, and the pacer never looked back, with stellar performances in wins over Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.

Maphaka almost provided South Africa with another match-winning performance in the semi-final defeat against India, yet his pace, bounce and ability to take important wickets just saw the young Proteas fall short.

Maphaka ended the tournament with 21 wickets, leaving him at the summit of the wicket-taking charts.

Completing the lineup is India’s Saumy Pandey, whose left-arm spin threat yielded 18 wickets – the most by any spinner in the tournament. Twinned with a supreme ability to bowl economical spells, Pandey was inspirational in the early stages in Bloemfontein, highlighted by his performances in wins over Bangladesh (four for 24) and New Zealand (four for 19).

The twelfth player listed in the ICC Team of the Tournament is Scotland opening batter Jamie Dunk. So important in their journey to the World Cup through the Europe Qualifiers, Dunk adapted well to the World Cup environment, registering impressive half-centuries against West Indies (57), South Africa (90) and in the gripping play-off match against Namibia (76).

by Abhishek Shukla

The ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 – The tournament that had it all

After 23 days and 41 matches, it was Hugh Weibgen’s Australia who got their hands on the coveted ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 trophy, beating five-time champions India in the final in Benoni.

Weibgen’s triumph places him in esteemed company with Geoff Parker, Cameron White, and Mitchell Marsh as captains who guided Australia to U19 Men’s CWC titles. This triumph marked the end of a 14-year U19 trophy drought for Australia.

Weibgen not only led by example with the bat but was praised for his tactical acumen during difficult moments in the tournament, including the brave decision to pick four seamers and bat first against India in the final in overcast conditions.

Australia posted a formidable total of 253/7 in 50 overs. Harjas Singh’s half-century, coupled with significant contributions from Harry Dixon, Weibgen, and Oliver Peake, played a pivotal role in Australia posting the highest score in U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup final history.

In response, the Australian pacers dominated the Indian batsmen, who had performed exceptionally well throughout the tournament. The pressure of the scoreboard eventually led to India falling short by 74 runs, securing Australia’s first victory over India in the tournament since 1998.

India’s woes in finals against Australia continue, the senior side having previously lost out to Australia in last year’s ICC World Test Championship Final and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

How the tournament played out

A total of 16 teams were divided into four groups of four, with three teams from each group progressing to the new Super Six stage.

India, Bangladesh and Ireland progressed from Group A while South Africa, England and West Indies moved forward from Group B.

While Australia, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe qualified from Group C, it was Group D that witnessed a dramatic finale to the group stages, as Nepal edged out Afghanistan in a low-scoring thriller to join Pakistan and New Zealand in the Super Six.

The Super Six stage infused a renewed sense of excitement and energy into the tournament, elevating the stakes for the eagerly awaited semi-finals.

In Group 1, Bangladesh and Pakistan played out a humdinger in a low-scoring affair. In the end, it was Pakistan’s pacers who made the difference, defending 155 runs to take their side through to the semis.

Group 2 saw the vibrant West Indies crash out due to rain interruption in their virtual knockout against eventual champions Australia. Both teams needed a victory to progress, but the match concluded with no result, leading to Australia and West Indies sharing points.

Both semi-finals were closely contested matches that went right down to the wire.

For the first time in the tournament, the undefeated Indian team faced a stern test from the hosts South Africa. Despite a formidable effort by the South African pacers, led by the exceptional Kwena Maphaka, India – reduced to 32 for four in a chase of 245 – managed to secure victory, with skipper Saharan and Sachin Dhas putting together a pivotal partnership.

The second semi-final witnessed Australia initially cruising in their pursuit of 180 before Pakistan’s talented pace attack made a spirited comeback, with 15-year-old Ali Raza claiming four for 34. Australia still emerged victorious but by the slimmest margin of a one-wicket victory in the last over. 

The win gave them valuable momentum to help them secure their fourth U19 Men’s CWC title.


Stand-out moments


Kwena Maphaka vs Jewel Andrew: The Battle of the Best

The inaugural day of the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 provided a tantalising preview of the tournament’s emerging talents. 

In the clash between South Africa and West Indies, Kwena Maphaka showcased his prowess by dismantling the Windies batting lineup with figures of five for 38. However, his efforts were countered by the determined Jewel Andrew, who nearly single-handedly guided his team to victory in a thrilling fightback.

Entering the crease with the scoreboard reading 52 for four while chasing 286, Andrew exhibited extraordinary poise, not only rescuing the team from a precarious situation but also steering them within reach of victory. Mixing caution with aggression, Andrew crafted a remarkable innings, tallying 130 runs off 96 deliveries, laced with 14 fours and three sixes.

Windies were 36 runs away from victory when Andrew fell, extinguishing West Indies’ hopes of securing a victory. South Africa ultimately won by 31 runs.


Steve Stolk shatters records

It wasn’t just the hosts’ bowling that shone in the tournament, with Steve Stolk leaving an indelible mark with his batting prowess.

Having succumbed to their first defeat of the tournament against England in the previous game, South Africa bounced back with authority in their next, led by the fiery batting of Stolk.

Scotland put up a formidable total of 269 and the pressure was on South Africa. However, Stolk’s eye-catching strokeplay eventually made light work of the chase. 

Scotland were blown away in the early exchange as Stolk created history by smashing the fastest fifty in U19 Men’s CWC history off just 13 balls, surpassing Rishabh Pant’s record off 18 balls. The onslaught didn’t halt there, as the opening batter neared a century before being adjudged LBW, falling just 14 runs short of a memorable hundred.

Stolk concluded his blistering innings having scored a remarkable 86 runs off 37 balls, comprising 7 fours and 8 sixes, boasting a staggering strike rate of 232.43.


The World Cup for thrillers

Despite not making it past the group stage, Afghanistan – the semi-finalists in the previous edition – gave the tournament two of the most memorable matches.

In a face-off against New Zealand, after being bowled out for 91, Afghanistan’s spinners weaved magic with the ball, turning what seemed like a straightforward victory for New Zealand into a nail-biting affair. 

New Zealand needed 10 runs with two wickets in hand and there was a run-out at the non-striker’s end to add to the drama.

The Black Caps eventually got across the line but Afghanistan’s spirited display earned plaudits from the cricketing fraternity.

Then, Afghanistan once again found themselves narrowly edged out, this time by Nepal, in a fiercely contested battle for the final Super Six spot from Group D. 

Defending a target of 146, Afghanistan’s spinners once more fought valiantly to keep their hopes alive. However, Nepal skipper, Dev Khanal, played a captain’s innings, scoring a splendid fifty to keep his team in contention.

When Khanal departed, Nepal had only two wickets in hand and still needed 19 runs for victory. It was Subash Bhandari who emerged as the hero, displaying composure to secure the win with a boundary, taking Nepal into the Super Six stage amid wild celebrations.

Despite not progressing beyond the group stage, Afghanistan, with their spirited performances, left a lasting mark on the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024. Their captivating matches against New Zealand and Nepal underlined the team’s resilience and fighting spirit.


The semi-final mayhem

Both the semi-finals of the U19 Men’s CWC 2024 lived up to their billing, going right down to the wire as all four teams fought for their chance at glory.

In the first semi-final, India won the toss and opted to field first for the first time. Prior to the semis, India had steamrolled all their opponents, with four of the five victories coming by a margin of over 100 runs.

Batting first, Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Richard Seletswane scored fifties and laid the foundation for a final flourish from Juan James and Tristan Luus, setting India a challenging target of 245.

Kwena Maphaka and Luus wreaked havoc with an outstanding exhibition of pace and swing bowling. At 32for four, India were staring at defeat when Uday Saharan and Sachin Dhas bailed them out of trouble with a 171-run partnership.

India were cruising to victory with the two at the crease when Maphaka struck twice in his final spell, including the wicket of Dhas on 96 to bring South Africa back into the contest.

Despite the setback, Saharan remained resolute at the other end and nearly guided India across the finish line. Unfortunately, he was run out in the penultimate over, but Raj Limbani stepped up, scoring the winning runs and securing India’s place in the final with two wickets and seven balls to spare.

The second semi-final clash between Australia and Pakistan produced perhaps the most blockbuster finish in the tournament.

Tom Straker wreaked havoc on the Pakistan batting line-up, reducing them to 79 for five before Azan Awais and Arafat Minhas anchored Pakistan’s innings with solid half-centuries to rescue them from a dire situation to 179.

What looked like a routine chase for Australia with a 33-run opening stand took a dramatic turn when Ali Raza bowled an inspired spell to turn the game on its head.

At 102 for five, the partnership of Oliver Peake and Tom Campbell took the team closer to victory before another collapse meant Australia fell to 164 for nine, still needing 16 runs.

In a heart-pounding climax, an inside edge from Raf MacMillan’s bat found its way to the boundary, eluding the desperate dive of Ubaid Shah as Australia sealed victory with just a wicket and five balls remaining.


Future stars

The U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 was the stomping ground for future generation of superstars with none more prominent than the Player of the Tournament Kwena Maphaka, who finished the tournament with 21 wickets, which included three five-wicket hauls.

Having played the previous edition as well, Maphaka finished with 28 scalps in total in U19 Men’s Cricket World Cups, tied with Zimbabwe’s Wessly Madhevere for most wickets in the tournament’s history.

Among the other pacers, Ubaid Shah, brother of Naseem Shah, gave a glimpse of the fast-bowling riches that continue to come out of Pakistan. With a combination of pace and swing that bewildered batters, Shah ended the tournament as the joint second-highest wicket-taker, accumulating an impressive tally of 18 scalps.

Australia’s pace bowling duo, Callum Vidler and Tom Straker played pivotal roles in the team’s title triumph, securing 13 and 14 wickets respectively. Vidler consistently posed a threat throughout the tournament, while Straker delivered a standout performance in the semi-final against Pakistan, finishing with figures of 6/24, surpassing Kagiso Rabada’s 6/25 for the best figures in a U19 Men’s CWC semi-final or final.

In a tournament largely dominated by pacers, India’s Saumy Pandey stood out as the sole spinner in the top five wicket-takers, sharing the second spot with Ubaid.

Among the batters, India captain Uday Saharan demonstrated the significance of composure in the dynamic realm of modern batting. Leading by example, he emerged as the leading run-scorer in the tournament with 397 runs, second only to Cameron White’s record of 423 in 2002.

In Musheer Khan, India might have found a brilliant batting all-rounder who can do damage both with the bat and ball. The second-highest run-getter behind Saharan, Musheer lit up the tournament with two centuries. With ball in hand, Musheer snared seven wickets in as many matches while bowling at a miserly economy of 3.63.

South Africa’s opening duo, Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Steve Stolk, dazzled with their aggressive batting, amassing 383 runs in six matches at a remarkable run rate of 8.09, creating early havoc for opposing teams on their journey to the semi-finals.

Australia’s Harry Dixon (309 runs) and captain Hugh Weibgen (304 runs) played pivotal roles in their team’s success, rescuing them from challenging situations on multiple occasions. Both featured among the top five highest run-scorers in the tournament and were the backbone of the title-winning batting lineup, including their crucial contributions in the final after an early breakthrough by India.

by Abhishek Shukla

Sharjah Warriors’ Skipper Tom Kohler-Cadmore Praises His Side’s Commitment Despite the Tough Days

Sharjah, February 12, 2024: The Sharjah Warriors faced defeat against the Desert Vipers in their final league game of the ongoing DP World ILT20 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday night. The side needed to defend 121 runs to win but lost the match in a thriller in the final over, finishing fifth on the points table.
Speaking after the match, skipper Tom Kohler-Cadmore lauded his teammates for their committed performances throughout the tournament. “Disappointed to not make it to the playoffs. We were at a good stage halfway through the tournament. We did not perform the way we’d have liked to. We could have done better with the low scores at which we got out during a crucial stage of the tournament. But there is a lot to learn, and we can come back stronger in the next season,” the skipper said.
The Sharjah Warriors were not able to make it to the next round, but Kohler-Cadmore said that the players would walk away with a fair amount of learning from the season. He said, “We had a lot of highs and a lot of lows. Everyone will reflect and come away with positives. Every tournament is short and sharp these days, so a lot is about momentum. Captaincy was good fun. Challenging at times but great for learning.
The Englishman also spoke about his side’s ability to dig deep and fight hard no matter what the situation was. He said, “The bounce-back ability that we had as a squad showed that we can put it on the line till the very end. This could be seen with Daniel Sams’ run out in the final over despite the fact that we were already eliminated.”
“The boys had a lot of commitment, but sometimes we have bad nights. For me, it was the energy and the enthusiasm we showed on the field because we never gave up,” he signed off.

by Abhishek Shukla

Yellove! Chinna Thala Suresh Raina set to lead UP battalion at IVPL

Dehradun (Uttrakhand) [India], February 12: 

Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina, often referred to as Chinna Thala by fans, is set to reignite his love for the game as he will be donning the yellow jersey again but this time for his home side VVIP Uttar Pradesh in the first edition of the Indian Veteran Premier League (IVPL).

As Raina prepares to lead VVIP Uttar Pradesh, it marks a journey back to his roots, relishing his formative years when he first took the bat for his home State. Often regarded as one of the greatest T20 players for India, Raina is thrilled to be part of the IVPL to showcase his dynamic batting prowess and captaincy for VVIP Uttar Pradesh.

“Hello everyone. I’m Suresh Raina and I’m super thrilled to be part of the Indian Veteran Premier League, I will be playing for Team VVIP Uttar Pradesh. This is the chance to play with veteran cricketers once again,” said Raina in a statement.

Joining Raina in VVIP Uttar Pradesh are former IPL champions Rajat Bhatia and former Australian all-rounder Dan Christian. With their collective experience and skill, the team is poised to make a formidable impression in the IVPL, which is slated to be played from February 23 to March 3, 2024, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun.

Organized by the Board for Veteran Cricket in India (BVCI) and managed by 100 Sports, the IVPL is bringing together veterans such as Sehwag, Munaf Patel, Suresh Raina, Rajat Bhatia, Chris Gayle, Praveen Kumar, Yusuf Pathan, Herschelle Gibbs, and many more.

Shri Praveen Tyagi, the Acting President of BVCI and Chairman of IVPL said, “The veteran cricketers will infuse a new energy for Veteran Cricket in India. We welcome Suresh Raina to the IVPL family and I’m sure fans will be happy to see him back on the field.”

The participating teams include VVIP Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan Legends, Red Carpet Delhi, Chhattisgarh Warriors, Telangana Tigers, and Mumbai Champions. Each team is a powerhouse of talent, as cricketing legends and regional stars come together to relive their passion for the game. Each team will have four to five iconic players from across the World.

The matches will be broadcasted live in India on the Eurosport channel, DD Sports, and Fancode, and tickets for the matches at the iconic Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium will soon be available for purchase.

Fans eagerly awaiting the opportunity to experience the live cricketing extravaganza firsthand can secure their seats and be part of the electric atmosphere at the stadium.

by Abhishek Shukla

‘We hit form at the right time;’ Max Holden commends Dubai Capitals after second straight win

Abu Dhabi, 11 February 2024: Dubai Capitals defeated the MI Emirates by 19 runs in their final DP World ILT20 Season 2 league stage game at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. The team defended 148 runs to secure an important win and possibly a place in the competition’s playoffs.
Speaking after the match, opener Max Holden said, “It’s good to get the win. With the bowlers we got, we felt in control of the game. With the start that we had, we would have wanted more runs on the board, but that has been the trend of this tournament. So, we knew we were in the game and always in T20 cricket, if you bowl and field well then you can defend your totals.”
Having scored 51 runs, he was happy with his own performance, “I’m happy to come in at the top of the order, I’ve really enjoyed it and it’s been a good opportunity. I’m grateful to contribute. It’s a big win for the team and hopefully we can progress to the knockouts. T20 cricket is all about momentum and we have peaked at the right time. It’s good to win a pressure game like this because that prepares us for the playoffs.”
The Englishman also thanked the fans and commended the DP World ILT20 for it’s competitive nature, “The DP World ILT20 is an amazing competition. The best players around the world are here and I get to test myself against them. I also get to learn from the likes of David Warner in our dressing room. Also, the atmosphere in the stadiums, especially at home in Dubai, has been amazing. I thank the fans for their support.”

by Abhishek Shukla

Australia clinch U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup crown with emphatic win over India

A dominant Australian side produced a superb all-round performance to secure their fourth ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup crown, overcoming a formidable Indian side amid a vibrant final atmosphere at Willowmoore Park, Benoni on Sunday.

Led by Hugh Weibgen, Australia put in an exceptional display in the blockbuster finale, first posting the highest total ever recorded in a U19 Men’s CWC final and then executing a flawless display of bowling to dismantle India’s chase and secure the win by 79 runs.

Echoing the dominance of Pat Cummins and his senior counterparts in India a few months earlier, the young Aussie team secured their country’s first U19 title since Mitch Marsh led his team to victory in 2010.

India, who entered the tournament as defending champions, came off second best in what was their fifth consecutive final appearance in the U19 Men’s CWC.

Australia beat India by 79 runs

Australia 253/7 (50 overs) v India 174 (43.5 overs)

Australia won the toss and opted to bat under a cloudy sky in Benoni, and immediately got off to a fiery start. Harry Dixon stayed true to his burgeoning reputation as a David Warner replica by smashing Naman Tiwari for two fours and a swivelled pull for six in the second over, setting a blistering tone to the innings.

Raj Limbani was the first to strike from an Indian bowling outfit that had looked so dominant before the final, producing a brilliant inswinger to go through the defence of Sam Konstas. 

India introduced Saumy Pandey into the attack early, hoping to capitalize on any vulnerability Hugh Weibgen may have had against left-arm spin. The Australian skipper had been dismissed by left-arm spinners in three matches in the tournament prior to the final, and once by Pandey himself in a warm-up game in January.

But with the left-handed Dixon at the other end, the Aussie pair rotated strike easily against the Indian bowlers. Captain Uday Saharan turned to Musheer Khan, another left-arm spinner, to save Pandey’s overs, but the Webgen-Dixon partnership grew in confidence.

Though the introduction of spin momentarily slowed the scoring rate, it failed to yield wickets. Consequently, India reverted to pace after 11 successive overs of spin. It immediately reaped dividends. Tiwari induced a miscue from Weibgen, who drove straight to Musheer at backward point for 48.

Tiwari struck again in his next over, coaxing Dixon to lob one skyward with a well-disguised knuckle ball. With two quick wickets, India clawed their way back into contention, but Harjas Singh, who had previously struggled for form in the tournament, rose to the occasion with a crucial knock.

Teaming up with Ryan Hicks, Harjas anchored the Australian innings. With only two frontline quicks and the medium pace of Arshin Kulkarni at their disposal, India had little choice but to turn back to spin. However, the Aussie pair continued to accumulate runs with minimal risk.

Harjas opened up against Priyanshu Moliya, smashing him for a six and a four to assert his dominance on the bowling attack. He continued to take full toll on the spinners while Hicks found gaps to rotate the strike regularly.

The return of Limbani brought a wicket as the seamer trapped Hicks in front for 20 to break the partnership. Harjas continued unperturbed and completed a fine half-century – his first in the tournament – off 59 balls.

Pandey came back into the attack in the 38th over and trapped Harjas in front for 55 to give India a massive breakthrough. Musheer added another scalp, that of Raf MacMillan, in the 40th over and Australia slipped from 165/3 to 187/6.

Ollie Peake, coming in off a match-winning knock in the semi-finals, and Charlie Anderson built steadily before Limbani picked up his third wicket by trapping the latter in front in the 46th over. 

Peake remained unbeaten on 46 as Australia finished on 253, the highest total registered in a final of an U19 Men’s CWC. 

India had a daunting target ahead of them against a formidable pace attack. Callum Vidler started the second innings with a maiden over and Anderson, who had taken four wickets in the warm-up game against India, bowled another tight over with the new ball.

The mounting pressure gave way to the first wicket – Vidler had Kulkarni edging behind off a delivery that seamed away. Australia had their first strike, and it forced India into defensive mode with Adarsh Singh and Musheer Khan aiming to survive the new ball spells from the Aussie quicks.

Musheer showed early glimpses of promise with some fine shots, one of them a seamless punch down the ground for four. However, Mahli Beardman was introduced into the attack and the extra pace of an angled delivery into the right-hander exposed a gap in the batter’s defence.

India’s most reliable batter in the tournament, their skipper Uday Saharan, joined Adarsh in the middle with his side in huge trouble. The scoring rate hadn’t picked up, and they were staring at a big target with two wickets down already.

Saharan attempted to break free after a cautious start, but an aggressive drive resulted in a thick edge that found its way to Weibgen at backward point as Beardman struck for the second time in quick succession. 

India’s woes compounded as Sachin Dhas, the in-form batter, perished to MacMillan’s first ball. The off-spinner had Dhas caught behind for nine as India leaving India in dire straits at 68/4.

Adarsh found some company from Moliya and the stand got India into the nineties, but he top-edged a pull off Anderson and the resistance was broken.

Aravelly Avanish gave a return catch to MacMillan in the next over and India were six down.  

Sensing the increasing need to add runs, Adarsh attempted to accelerate his subdued innings, finding boundaries with a four and a six off Vidler. However, he ultimately nicked a short ball from Beardman to the ‘keeper, departing after a patient vigil at the crease, having scored 47.

Murugan Abhishek provided some late fireworks, but it was too little, too late for India, who were too far adrift from the target to mount a successful comeback. He finished on 42, miscuing a pull off Vidler’s final over. 

India were bowled out for 174, finishing second-best to an effective Australian unit that reserved their best performance for the final of the tournament. Beardman walked away with the Player of the Match award for what proved to be a match-winning spell of three for 15 from his seven overs.

Australian skipper Hugh Weibgen was proud of the effort from his team, especially the quicks, and also had a few words of encouragement for India.

“Our plan was to bat first and try and get runs on the board. We backed ourselves. A quality innings from Harjas [Singh]. Full credit to the coaches for sticking with him. They [pacers] can go far as a unit, they know their roles so well. I’ll be surprised if the four of them don’t go a long way in their careers. India are a class side, they dominated the whole tournament, just came out on the wrong side.”

Indian captain Uday Saharan commended the fighting spirit of his team and hoped to learn from the experience.

“I’m proud of the boys, they played very well and showed good fighting spirit. We played a few rash shots and didn’t spend time in the middle. We were prepared but couldn’t quite execute well. There are a lot of learnings from the tournament. We learnt a lot from the coaches and support staff and more importantly from the games themselves.”