Mumbai: JSW-Owned Pretoria Capitals announced Mega Casino World, an igaming brand operating in the space of betting, casino and real money gaming, as Principal Partner for the upcoming season of SA20. The multi-year deal will see Pretoria Capitals sport the Mega Casino World brand on the front and back of their match and training shirts.

Speaking on the association, Divyanshu Singh, Chief Operating Officer of JSW Sports said, “We are delighted to have Mega Casino World as the principal partner for the Pretoria Capitals. The team has made quite the impression in the first season of the SA20, and the interest we have drawn from some top brands is a testament to that. I would like to extend Mega Casino World a warm welcome to the Pretoria family, and I am confident that we will have a season to celebrate.”

The Capitals’ squad features several internationals and South African talent, who played a crucial role in their run to the final last term. The fan-experience and atmosphere at Supersport Park, the Capitals’ home ground, was among the best in the League, and saw soaring attendances, in what was the inaugural edition of the competition.

Commenting on the partnership, Mega Casino World Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Lee Yong Fuk said, “We are very much delighted and thrilled to partner with Pretoria Capitals for SA20 Season 2. Cricket is recognized as a worldwide sport and has a fast-growing audience not only in South Africa but globally.”

In season one, Pretoria Capitals topped the league stage with seven wins in ten games. However, after a convincing win over Paarl Royals in the semifinal, they went down to the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the summit clash. Pretoria begin the new season on January 12 with a fixture against Paarl Royals.

India star, Suryakumar Yadav solidified his position at the helm of the batters list of the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings thanks to his quick-fire, half-century in the second T20I against South Africa in Gqeberha on Tuesday. The skipper sits comfortably on 865 ratings points in the weekly update, which considers the performances of the week up to 12 December.

Yadav smashed 56 from 36 deliveries to gain a total of 10 rating points to further extend his lead as the number one ranked batter in T20 international cricket.

In other movements following the match, Rinku Singh’s star continues to rise as he rocketed 46 slots to 59th among the batters, following his dazzling and unbeaten 68 from just 39 balls, which lifted him to career-best 464 rating points. The twenty-six-year-old now averages 82.66 with a strike rate of 183.70 in his 11 T20 international matches to date. 

South Africa went one-nil up in the three-match series after the opening match in Durban was washed out. Captain, Aiden Markram, remains in third place among the batters on 758 points, but advanced two slots to second place among the all-rounders (212 points), while Reeza Hendricks slid up a slot to take eighth place in the batters list.

The bowlers list saw the rise of Rashid Khan to joint-first place, sharing with India’s Ravi Bishnoi, who missed out on selection for the South Africa tour, while the Proteas’ Tabraiz Shamsi became the eighth spinner in the top 10 of the list when he hopped two places from 12th, moving to 654 points.

The latest MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings saw movement after the completion of the 1-1 tied series between Bangladesh and New Zealand. Glenn Phillips’ Player of the Match-winning performance saw him progress significantly in all three lists, reaching career-best rating points in all of them as he went. He shot up 59 slots to 55th among the batters with 502 points, then jumped 20 places to 65th on 290 points in the bowlers list and advanced 42 slots to 24th (145 points) in the all-rounders list. 

Phillips’ teammate Ajaz Patel rose seven places to 33rd on the bowlers’ list, while Bangladesh duo, Mehidy Hasan (up two spots to 21st) and Nayeem Hasan (up five slots to 44th) also made good progress. 

In the latest MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings which follows West Indies’ historic 2-1 series win against England, Player of the Series and Windies captain, Shai Hope’s performances saw him park just shy of the top ten of the batters list, he remains in 11th place with 699 points.

For more information on player rankings, please click here.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced that the pitch for the second Test of the ICC World Test Championship series between Bangladesh and New Zealand at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur has been rated as “unsatisfactory” under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.

ICC Match Referee, David Boon, submitted his report to the ICC expressing the concerns of the match officials and after consulting with the captains of both teams. Following the assessment, the venue has received one demerit point.

The report has been forwarded to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), who now have 14 days if they wish to appeal against the sanction.

Mr Boon said: “The outfield was very good and held up extremely well with the rain. However, it appeared that the pitch may have been under prepared, as it was not hard and was covered in grass clippings on day one. From the first session onwards, throughout the remainder of the match the bounce was inconsistent with numerous balls bursting the surface. Deliveries from spin bowlers often went over the batter’s shoulder when playing forward and then occasionally stayed very low.”

In its ongoing efforts to speed up the pace of play in international cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a stop clock, on a trial basis, in Full Member Men’s ODI and T20I matches (approximately 59 fixtures) between December 2023 and April 2024.

The trial will start with the first T20I match between the West Indies and England on 12 December in Barbados.

The stop clock will restrict the amount of time taken between overs, meaning that the bowling team will need to be ready to bowl the first ball of their next over within 60 seconds of the previous over being completed. Failure to do so for the third time in an innings (following two warnings) will result in a five-run penalty being imposed against the fielding team.

Wasim Khan, ICC General Manager – Cricket said: “We are continually looking at ways to speed up the pace of play across international cricket.

“The stop clock trial in white ball international cricket follows the introduction of a successful new playing condition in 2022, which resulted in the fielding team only being allowed four fielders outside of the inner circle if they were not in a position to bowl the first ball of their final over in the stipulated time.

“The outcomes of the stop clock trial will be assessed at the end of the trial period.”    

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today revealed the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month award winners for November 2023 after shortlists were announced on Thursday last week.

Australia’s Travis Head is crowned the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for November after orchestrating their memorable march to Cricket World Cup glory with Player of the Match contributions in both the semi-final win over South Africa, and the blockbuster final victory over India in Ahmedabad.

Spin maestro Nahida Akter lost out in October’s voting, but clinches the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for November for her wicket-taking exploits during last month’s competitive ODI series victory over Pakistan on home soil.

Head was nominated for his first ICC Men’s Player of the Month award back in June 2023 for his role as chief architect in Australia’s ICC World Test Championship Final victory over India. He goes one better this month, winning the award after two remarkable performances in the knockout stages inspired their sixth Men’s Cricket World Cup title.

South Africa were the first opponents to be undone by Head’s brilliance in the semi-final showdown in Kolkata. Bowling first, the spinner removed the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen in consecutive balls, limiting the Proteas score to a modest 212. With bat in hand, the opener then set a brisk pace in response, and top scored with 62 from 48 balls as Australia chased down the target with three wickets in hand.

His crowning glory however came in the final triumph over India. An economical bowling display and a phenomenal running catch in the outfield to dismiss Rohit Sharma preceded an outstanding performance with the bat that clinched the silverware.

With 241 set for victory, Head cemented his growing reputation as a player for the big occasion by hitting a sparkling 137 in 120 balls to see Australia overcome the tournament hosts.

Reacting to his award win, Head commented, “It’s been an incredible 12 months for the team which it has been a real privilege to be a part of. The way we have navigated a home summer, away trips to India, England, South Africa, India and the World Cup has been great credit to Pat, the players and the staff.

“I was fortunate that they kept the faith in me for the World Cup after breaking my hand, so it was a great opportunity for me to pay them back. I felt the World Cup was amongst the best I have ever batted, so maybe having a rest before every campaign is the key.

“It’s a great honour to be recognised with this award, but it is a team effort. Without my team-mates across all formats this wouldn’t have happened; so these types of awards are as much for them as they are for me.”

ICC Women’s POTM – November 2023

Nahida Akter also celebrates her maiden Player of the Month crown after tearing through opposition batters in her side’s closely fought victory over Pakistan in Mirpur last month.

The first ODI encounter of the series saw Akter claim three wickets for 30 with a consistent spell of pressure bowling. With Pakistan chasing down a lowly 82 for victory, the spinner kept the contest competitive, claiming the wickets of Sidra Ameen, Bismah Maroof and Aliya Riaz to trouble the tourists in their charge to victory.

A quieter second match followed before Akter once more starred in the decisive third fixture. A superb economical 10-over spell produced three wickets for 26 runs as the tourists stumbled to 166 for nine in their 50 overs, laying the foundations for Akter’s teammates to seal the series with the bat in a seven-wicket victory.

Akter claimed the Player of the Series accolade after having taken seven wickets at an impressive average of 14.14 across the three matches.

ICC Women’s Player of the Month, Akter said, “This is a moment to cherish. To be recognised by such a distinguished panel of cricket experts means a lot and winning the ICC Women Player of the Month award will be a massive source of inspiration and motivation for me.

“We have played some amazing cricket in recent months and I am so happy to have contributed to the successes we have tasted as a team. I must thank my captain, coaches and teammates for always believing in me and that has allowed me to play my natural game against quality opponents and perform under pressure.”

Head and Akter emerged victorious from a process which gathered votes from global fans registered at icc-cricket.com and a specialist panel comprising ICC Hall of Famers, former international players, and media representatives.

Head overcame fellow World Cup winner Glenn Maxwell and record-breaking Indian bowler Mohammed Shami to claim the November crown, while Akter wins from two other stars of the same series, compatriot Fargana Hoque and Pakistan’s Sadia Iqbal. 

The journey to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Bangladesh continues as Uganda opens her doors to host the Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier from 9 to 17 December.

For the first time, two spots are up for grabs from the Africa region as Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe look to book their place in the Global Qualifier taking place in the Dubai next year. 

Group A includes tournament favourites, Zimbabwe, alongside Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania, while Group B comprises Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda.

Botswana announced themselves when they hosted the ICC Africa Division 2 Qualifier in September this year. They finished in second place, behind Kenya after beating Malawi and Lesotho in the preliminary round, followed by an inspired performance against Sierra Leone in the semi-finals to book their ticket to the regional qualifier in Uganda. 

Kenya made their intentions known with an unbeaten run as they won the ICC Africa Division 2 Qualifier in Botswana earlier this year. They will look to add to their winning streak when they meet Zimbabwe in the tournament opener on the ninth.

Namibia have set themselves high targets, knowing that they are capable of qualifying for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifiers from their past experience in 2019. With the recent successes of their senior men’s team in qualifying for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies, the Eagles will look to emulate that triumph in their own hunt for qualification glory.

Nigeria have amassed a large fan-following in spite of the fact that the majority of the fixtures they have played have been away from home. As a growing team, they will throw caution to the wind, playing their now trademark, fearless style of cricket as they take on Africa’s most promising names.

Rwanda will be one of the teams to look out for, with a squad that comprises a large number of their history-making women’s U19 squad which beat Zimbabwe and West Indies at the inaugural ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup in South Africa in January this year.

Tanzania aim to make history by qualifying for the Global Qualifiers for the first time. They prepared for the Africa Qualifiers in a quadrangular series played in Hong Kong, the game time from there, giving them confidence as they look to face Africa’s brightest up-and-coming stars.

Uganda will hope to make use of their home ground advantage as they also aim to reach the same heights as their men’s team, which recently qualified for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies alongside Namibia. They have left no stone unturned in their preparation, scheduling two training camps in Eastern Uganda and Entebbe, where the event will be held.

Zimbabwe will open the final regional qualifying event of what has been a busy calendar year as favourites considering their history in this event. In preparation for the event, they come from a 17-day training camp at the “I Can We Can Cricket” Institute in Mumbai, India, followed by an unofficial T20 series against the South Africa Emerging Women, which they hosted at Harare Sports Club, narrowly losing 3-2.

Patricia Kambarami, ICC Regional Development Manager – Africa said: “It is an exciting time for women’s cricket in Africa. We are delighted by the growth in the number of teams involved in the pathway to this event this year.

“The expansion of the sport and increase in fan support on the continent is culminating in what will surely be a festival of cricket in Uganda over the next nine days.

“This tournament will show off Africa’s most promising talent, with two representatives moving onto the Global Qualifiers in Dubai next year. We look forward to a closely contested and entertaining tournament, where fresh talent will be discovered and celebrated.”

Participating squads:

Botswana: Laura Mophakedi (c, wk), Onneile Keitsemang, Oratile Kgeresi, Bontle Madimabe

(wk), Pako Mapotsane, Goabilwe Matome, Tebogo Moitoi, Amantle Mokgotlhe,

Shameelah Mosweu, Tebogo Motlhabaphuti, Wendy Moutswi, Merapelo Phiase,

Florence Samanyika, Tuelo Shadrack.

Kenya: Esther Wachira (c), Queentor Abel, Josephine Abwom, Mercy Ahono, Lavendah

Idambo, Melvin Khagoitsa, Kreeshna Mehta, Charity Muthoni (wk), Mary Mwangi

(wk), Jemimah Ndanu, Flavia Odhiambo, Kelvia Ogola, Judith Ogolla, Venasa

Ooko.

Namibia: Irene van Zyl (c), Naomi Benjamin, Jurriene Diergaardt, Merczerly Gorases,

Kayleen Green, Victoria Hamunyela, Yasmeen Khan (wk), Bianca Manuel,

Mekeleya Mwatile, Sylvia Shihepo, Saima Tuhadeleni, Sune Wittmann, Edelle Van

Zyl.

Nigeria: Blessing Etim (c), Rukayat Abdulrasak, Adeshola Adekunle, Peculiar Agboya,

Christabel Chukwuonye, Favour Eseigbe, Sarah Etim (wk), Victory Igbinedion,

Abigail Igbobie (wk), Lucky Piety, Rachael Samson, Esther Sandy, Salome

Sunday, Lillian Udeh.

Rwanda: Diane Marie Bimenyimana (c), Alice Ikuzwe, Flora Irakoze, Rosine Irera, Gisele

Ishimwe, Henriette Ishimwe, Immaculee Muhawenimana, Belise Murekatete,

Zulufat Mutoniwase, Shakila Niyomuhoza, Josiane Nyirankundineza, Marie

Tumukunde, Clarisse Uwase, Merveille Uwase (wk).

Tanzania: Fatuma Kibasu (c), Saum Borakambi, Sophia Jerome, Perice Kamunya, Sheila

Kizito, Aisha Mohamed, Shufaa Mohamedi (wk), Saum Mtae, Hudaa Omary, Agnes

Qwele, Monica Pascal, Neema Pius, Mwajabu Salum, Mwanamvua Ushangaeko.

Uganda: Concy Aweko (c), Janet Mbabazi (vc), Sarah Akiteng, Prosscovia Alako, Irene Alumo, Lorna Anyait, Evelyn Anyipo, Malisa Ariokot, Kevin Awino (wk), Esther Iloku, Patricia

Malemikia, Rita Musamali, Immaculate Nakisuuyi, Stephanie Nampiina.

Zimbabwe: Mary-Anne Musonda (c), Modester Mupachikwa (wk), Chiyedza Dhururu, Josephine Nkomo, Precious Marange, Ashley Ndiraya, Nomvelo Sibanda, Kelis Ndhlovu,

Lindokuhle Mabhera, Audrey Mazvishaya, Nyasha Gwanzura, Francisca Chipare, Chipo

Tiripano, Loreen Tshuma.

FIXTURES: 

Saturday 9^th December

09:30: Zimbabwe vs Kenya

13:50: Tanzania vs Botswana

Sunday 10^th December

09:30: Namibia vs Nigeria

13:50: Rwanda vs Uganda

Monday 11^th December

09:30: Kenya vs Tanzania

13:50: Botswana vs Zimbabwe

Tuesday 12^th December

09:30: Nigeria vs Rwanda

13:50: Uganda vs Namibia

Wednesday 13^th December

09:30: Kenya vs Botswana

13:50: Zimbabwe vs Tanzania

Thursday 14^th December

09:30: Namibia vs Rwanda

13:50: Uganda vs Nigeria

Saturday 16^th December

09:30: Semifinal 1 – A1 vs B2

13:50: Semifinal 2 – B1 vs A2

Sunday 17^th December – Finals

09:30: 3^rd/4^th Play-off Final – Loser Semi-final 1 vs Loser Semi-final 2

13:50: Final – Winner Semi-final 1 vs Winner Semi-final 2

*All games will be played at the lakeside Entebbe Cricket Oval.

*All times are local time.

New Delhi, 08 December 2023: JSW-GMR co-owned Delhi Capitals are all geared up to strengthen their squad in the WPL Auction 2024, set to be held in Mumbai on Saturday. The Delhi-based franchise, which has retained 15 players, has to acquire three players in the Auction to complete their squad for WPL 2024, and has a remaining purse of  INR 2.25 crore ahead of the Auction.

Speaking ahead of the Auction, Head Coach Jonathan Batty said, “We want to improve the depth of the squad. We did really well in last year’s Auction and constructed a good 18-player squad. We’ll just look to make our current squad slightly better in the upcoming Auction. The coaching group has had a few discussions on the team we want to have and we are excited to go into the Auction.”

Batty also expressed that the WPL has set the standard for all the other women’s tournaments in the world, “We witnessed a great quality of cricket in the last edition of the Women’s Premier League. The best players in the world were in the tournament. We saw some great matches and scores. This tournament is the benchmark for all the other women’s tournaments in the world.”

When asked about the impact of the WPL, Assistant Coach Hemlata Kala said, “There’s a lot of excitement among the women cricketers after the advent of the Women’s Premier League. All players want to be a part of the tournament. The first season of the WPL has had a positive impact on women’s cricket. And we can see that with the Indian team doing well in T20s in recent months. The players have also improved their skills in power-hitting and fielding.”

Please find below the names of the players retained by the Delhi Capitals for WPL 2024:

Overseas Players: Meg Lanning (C), Jess Jonassen, Marizanne Kapp, Alice Capsey, Laura Harris.

Indian Players: Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Shikha Pandey, Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Taniyaa Bhatia, Minnu Mani, Sneha Deepthi, Titas Sadhu.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has today named the shortlists of contenders in line for the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards from November’s international contests.

The ICC Men’s Player of the Month shortlist features two of Australia’s key performers as they secured their sixth Men’s Cricket World Cup crown, and one of India’s record-breaking strike bowlers.

Travis Head wrote himself into World Cup legend during November courtesy of two match-winning performances in the semi-final and final of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup to earn his first nomination since June. Similarly, Glenn Maxwell grabbed the headlines with an unforgettable innings to seal qualification through to the knockout stages. Completing the lineup of nominees is India’s Mohammed Shami, whose inspired bowling performances saw India blitz their opponents on the way to the final.

Three figures from the see-saw battle between Bangladesh and Pakistan comprise the shortlist for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for November.

Bangladesh left arm spinner Nahida Akter celebrates her second successive nomination for the Women’s Player of the Month after more wicket-taking heroics in her side’s ODI series triumph against Pakistan. Compatriot Fargana Hoque joins her on the shortlist after starring with the bat, notching valuable runs in the second and third encounters. The final name on the list is Pakistan’s Sadia Iqbal, nominated for the first time thanks to her economical spells and an impressive performance in the first match.

An independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world will now be invited to cast their votes to decide the winners, which will be announced next week. Fans registered at icc-cricket.com/awards will be able to vote for their favourite performers until Saturday.

ICC Men’s Player of the Month Nominees for November:

Travis Head (AUS)

Head is nominated for the Men’s Player of the Month for the first time since his match-winning contributions helped Australia clinch the ICC World Test Championship Final in June. A similar story unfolded in India, culminating in two Player of the Match performances in the knockout stages. South Africa were thwarted by Head’s brilliance with bat and ball in the semi-final in Kolkata; the spinner taking the key wickets of Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen before top scoring with 62 in 48 balls in the thrilling chase. His crowning glory however came in Ahmedabad. Staring at 241 for victory, Head hit a sparkling 137 in 120 balls to see his side home at a canter amid jubilant celebrations.

Glenn Maxwell (AUS)

The Australian veteran is shortlisted for the first time after a prolific November, which included arguably one of the great World Cup performances against Afghanistan in Mumbai. Chasing down 292 for victory after being 91 for seven, Maxwell smashed 31 boundaries in his unbeaten 201 to seal Australia’s safe passage to the knockout stages. Fast forward to the final, and Maxwell again made key contributions, bowling a disciplined spell and removing the threat of Rohit Sharma before hitting the winning runs. Not done there, Maxwell also starred in the subsequent T20I matches against India, hitting 104 not out in 48 balls in the third encounter in Guwahati.

Mohammed Shami (IND)

Shami topped the wicket-taking charts at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, and led India’s bowling attack in fine fashion with a number of scintillating displays during the month. He started November with a Player of the Match performance against Sri Lanka in Mumbai, tearing through their batting lineup with sterling figures of five for 18. His highlight came in the semi-final victory over New Zealand though, where the pacer took seven wickets for 57 runs, booking the home team’s ticket to the Final. During the calendar month, Shami took 15 wickets at a remarkable average of 12.06.

Nominees for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for November 2023

ICC Women’s Player of the Month Nominees for November:

Nahida Akter (BAN)

Akter is named on the shortlist for the second successive month after her performances guided Bangladesh to a 2-1 victory over Pakistan in Mirpur. Nominated in October for her T20I endeavours, this time she conquered in ODIs – Akter winning the Player of the Series award with seven wickets across the three matchups at an average of 14.14, taking three for 30 in the first match and three for 26 in the decisive final fixture.

Fargana Hoque (BAN)

With 110 runs in the victorious ODI series, Hoque earns her inaugural nomination for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month. The opener played a key role in levelling the series with a valuable 40 runs in the second outing in addition to a catch and a run out in the field as Bangladesh won in the Super Over. The series was won when Hoque top-scored in the third match with a controlled score of 62 to chase down the target and seal the triumph.

Sadia Iqbal (PAK)

The left-arm spinner was among the wickets once more during Pakistan’s visit to Bangladesh. Despite falling short of series victory, Iqbal impressed with economical wicket taking spells in the early exchanges. The first match was a particular highlight for the 28-year-old, her nine overs going for 13 runs with four wickets falling. This Player of the Match display was followed by another two wicket-haul, and Iqbal ended the month with six wickets at 12.50 and an economy rate of 2.58.

The ICC Player of the Month Voting Process: 

The three nominees for either category are shortlisted based on performances from the first to the last day of each calendar month. The shortlist is then voted on by the independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world. The ICC Voting Academy comprises prominent members of the cricket fraternity including well-known journalists, former players, broadcasters and members of the ICC Hall of Fame. The Voting Academy submit their votes by email and hold a 90 per cent share of the vote. Fans registered with the ICC can vote via the ICC website, accounting for the remaining 10 per cent. Winners are announced every second Monday of the month on ICC’s digital channels. 

Voting Academy for ICC Player of the Month October 2023: 

Afghanistan: Hameed Qayoomi and Javed Hamim; Australia: Scott Bailey and Lisa Sthalekar; Bangladesh: Mohammad Sekander Ali and Md Ariful Islam Roney; England: Elizabeth Ammon and Lydia Greenway; Ireland: Ger Siggins and Clare Shillington; India: S Gomesh and Irfan Pathan; New Zealand: Merryn Anderson and Craig Cumming; Pakistan: Sawera Pasha and Sana Mir; South Africa: Zaahier Adams and Ashwell Prince; Sri Lanka: Azzam Ameen and Farveez Maharoof; West Indies: Daren Ganga and Stacy Ann King; Zimbabwe: Daniel Nhakaniso and Grant Flower; Others: Ajit Vijaykumar and Dirk Nannes.

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a significant step towards enhancing women’s cricket by announcing the formation of a prestigious committee to oversee the Women’s Premier League (WPL). This move is seen as a crucial development in the growth and promotion of women’s cricket in India.

The committee, which comprises experienced cricket administrators and advocates for women’s sports, is tasked with guiding the WPL to new heights. The members of this committee are:

• Mr. Roger Binny – Chairperson
• Mr. Jay Shah – Convenor
• Mr. Arun Dhumal – IPL Chairperson
• Mr. Rajeev Shukla – BCCI Vice-President
• Mr. Ashish Shelar – BCCI Honorary Treasurer
• Mr. Devajit Saikia – BCCI Honorary Joint Secretary
• Mrs. Madhumati Lele
• Mr. Prabhtej Bhatia

This committee represents a diverse range of expertise and experience, underscoring the BCCI’s commitment to fostering a holistic growth environment for women’s cricket. Their collective experience is expected to be instrumental in shaping the direction and success of the Women’s Premier League.

The Women’s Premier League aims to mirror the success of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for men, providing a platform to showcase and nurture female cricketing talent. The committee’s focus will be on establishing a strong framework for the league, ensuring that it meets international standards of competitiveness and organization.

The BCCI’s initiative to launch the Women’s Premier League with such a robust guiding committee is a reflection of the increasing recognition and importance of women’s cricket in India. It marks a significant step toward gender equality in sports and sets the stage for further developmental initiatives in women’s cricket.

With the establishment of the WPL, the future of women’s cricket in India looks promising, offering exciting prospects for players and fans. The league is expected to play a pivotal role in showcasing the talent and skill of women cricketers, contributing to the overall development of the sport.

Bengaluru, November 30, 2023: The country’s most decorated shooter Abhinav Bindra on Thursday stressed that for India to progress as a sporting nation it must create a sustainable and thriving ecosystem and stop looking at sports from the narrow lens of high performance. Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic champion, shared his thoughts  at the RCB Innovation Lab’s Leaders Meet India.

“What I would really like to see India as a country is to start looking at sport more holistically and not singularly from the prism of high performance. It is a very narrow view and if you only look at it from a high-performance perspective, it will be very challenging to make that next leap from seven Olympic medals in Tokyo.” 

Bindra said if India aspires to become a sporting superpower then the investment has to be holistic. “If you want to get to 50 it is not just going to be pumping money into the elite. It is only going to be a very small percentage of your population that is going to get involved in sports, so you need more people to play and the by-product of that hopefully will be that more people will be involved in sport. So I believe that the shift in perspective needs to happen and it needs to happen now.”

RCB Innovation Lab through the Leader’s Meet: India is creating a participative platform where global sporting heavyweights, influential dialogues, and the exchange of innovative ideas become center stage.

“It is extremely credible what RCB with their Innovation Lab has put together here. India is not a one-sport nation and they recognized that fact. To bring thought leadership into Indian sport is the need of the hour and an event like this brings experts from all over the world to ideate on the newest global trends, and opportunities that exist. Congratulations to RCB and I wish them all the best for the future,” commented Mr. Abhinav Bindra while discussing the significance of the event.

The 41-year-old, who has secured India’s only gold medal in shooting at the Olympics to date, also talked about the country potentially hosting the prestigious multi-sport tournament as well as the Youth Olympics Games.

“I think giving more opportunities to young people to simply enjoy sport is that to me an important element that has to be developed for the whole Olympic project. The number two point is developing an economy for the future. The whole country needs to be involved in not just celebrating Indian success but also celebrating sports.” 

“If you have that larger goal in mind and you have this more holistic thought process in mind, I think you come up with an interesting project that will not just be limited to the two weeks of sports, but to how the Olympic Games can truly be the driver for real change,” he said.

The RCB Innovation Lab’s Leaders Meet India will conclude today (November 30).

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 28: The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) in association with the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled and Fedfina on Tuesday announced the captain and vice-captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket team for the Blind ahead of their first-ever Women’s Bilateral Series in India which gets underway from December 11, 2023 at Police Gymkhana.

The Bilateral series is to be played against Nepal. India will play 5 T20 Matches at Mumbai from December 11, 2023, to December 15, 2023. Varsha, who led Team India to a gold medal in the finals of the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) World Games 2023 in Birmingham, will captain the side for the Nepal T20Is. Phula Saren will be continued as her deputy for the Women’s Bilateral Series in Mumbai.

Speaking on the announcement ahead of the Nepal T20Is, the President of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) Mr Buse Gowda said, “This is the first ever Women’s International Bilateral in India. City of Dreams is the best place to organize these matches dreaming that our women cricketers will get the massive support and go on to become the torch bearers of Cricket for the Blind. We welcome the team from Nepal and may the best team win”  

Speaking on the occasion, Anila Rajneesh Chief Human Resources Officer Fedfina said, ” We take great pride in extending our support to the inaugural International Cricket Series dedicated to visually impaired Women Cricketers. We firmly believe that this series will serve as a powerful source of inspiration for numerous aspiring individuals, empowering them to conquer obstacles and pursue their dreams. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to Samarthanam Trust for the disabled and CABI for granting us the chance to collaborate with them, as we collectively work towards establishing a solid foundation that ensure Cricket is accessible and inclusive for everyone.

After being appointed as the captain for the Nepal T20Is, Varsha said, ” Once again I am given the responsibility to lead the side and both Phula(VC) and I are honored. We are sure that the team will give the best and new records, new players and new dreams will be dreamt through this series taking this game to the next level.

All the distinguished guests present at the media release joined hands with CABI officials in unveiling the Indian Women’s Cricket Team for the Blind Jersey for the upcoming T20 Bilateral Cricket Series.

 The chairman of Cricket Association for the Blind in India(CABI) Dr Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar wished both the teams the best and said “I thank FedFina for joining hands with Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled and CABI in promoting Cricket for the Blind. May this partnership help us in providing the holistic development to our visually impaired cricketers.”

Earlier this month, the Indian team for the Nepal T20Is was announced. Four players have got a maiden call-up to the Indian women’s squad and the players are Simranjeet Kaur (Rajasthan) B2, Sunita Sarathe (Madhya Pradesh) B2, Geetha Mahato (Jharkhand) B3, and Kavya N R (Karnataka) B3.

Determined to overturn their previous 1-3 series loss in Nepal during April, the Women in Blue are gearing up for 5 T20 Matches in Mumbai from December 11 to December 15, 2023. As part of their preparation, the women’s squad has been undergoing an intensive 22-day cricket coaching camp which started on November 20, 2023, at CBD Belapur, Maharashtra.

The Nepal team is expected to arrive in India on December 10, 2023, setting the stage for the inaugural Fedfina Women’s Bilateral T20 Cricket Series for the Blind 2023.

Indian Women’s Squad for India Vs Nepal Fedfina Women’s Bilateral T20 Cricket Series for the Blind 2023

1.     Varsha U (Captain)                 – B1                 – Karnataka

2.     Valasanaini Ravanni               – B1                 – Andhra Pradesh

3.     Simu Das                                – B1                 – Rajasthan

4.     Padmini Tudu                         – B1                 – Odisha

5.     Killaka Sandhya                     – B1                 – Andhra Pradesh

6.     Priya                                        – B1                 – Madhya Pradesh

7.     Sandra Davis Karimalikkal    – B2                 – Kerala

8.     Basanti Hansda                       – B2                 – Odisha

9.     Pritiben Desai                         – B2                 – Gujarat

10.  Simranjeet Kaur                      – B2                 – Rajasthan

11.  Sunita Sarathe                         – B2                 – Madhya Pradesh

12.  Sushma Patel                          – B3                 – Madhya Pradesh

13.  M. Satyavathi                         – B3                 – Andhra Pradesh

14.  Phula Saren (Vice-Captain)   – B3                 – Odisha

15.  Jhili Birua                               – B3                 – Odisha

16.  Ganga Sambhaji Kadam         – B3                 – Maharashtra

17.  Geetha Mahato                        – B3                 – Jharkhand

18.  Kavya N R                               – B3                – Karnataka

Mumbai, 28th November 2023: Following the overwhelming success of the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) season earlier this year, Capri Sports-owned U.P. Warriorz, is poised to bring forth the narrative of women’s cricket with a novel docuseries that showcases the squad in an up-close and real manner, highlighting the magical moments, triumphs of the season, formidable challenges, breakthroughs, and inspiring journeys from the heart of UP and realities of women’s sports from the heartland of India and internationally.
 
In an era where women’s sports is on the rise, the U.P. Warriorz franchise seeks to lead the charge in breaking gender barriers, not just in cricket but across the entire spectrum of sports.
 
This docuseries, co-produced by ART&M and Victory Sports Media, will be a cultural milestone that stands to inspire sportswomen and women in general across all spheres in their ongoing journeys of striving towards social and economic change. Capri Sports envisions an extensive and diverse viewership, encompassing cricket enthusiasts, sports aficionados, aspiring young female cricketers, and anyone eager to delve into the compelling narrative of women in sports.
 
Award-winning filmmaker Arlene Nelson, ASC DGA,  Director and Executive Producer of the series, is a consummate storyteller instrumental in building and showcasing compelling narratives. Represented by United Talent Agency (UTA), she will be directing the U.P. Warriorz docuseries, leveraging her ability to explore the deepest corners of the human psyche, conveying the full power and passion of the world we live in, thus enhancing the impact of this cinematic venture.
 
“In the current zeitgeist, a global groundswell is propelling female protagonists to the forefront. The docuseries embraces this momentum and allows me to weave a rich narrative where resilient women athletes emerge as trailblazers. I’m honored to be entrusted with the telling of this universal story that I believe is destined to captivate audiences worldwide,” said Arlene Nelson.
 
Co-Founder of ART&M and Producer/Showrunner, Arnab Chakraborty, expressed the company’s commitment to impactful storytelling, emphasizing the docuseries’ role in taking cricket to a larger global audience and inspiring young girls around the world to take up sports.
 
Jai Khanna, CEO of Victory Sports Media, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of sharing the U.P. Warriorz story globally, celebrating achievements, shattering glass ceilings, and inspiring future generations.
 
With the Women’s Premier League (WPL) currently valued at $150 million and the Capri Sports owned U.P. Warriorz franchise contributing significantly to this valuation, the docuseries serves not only as a testament to the prowess of women in sports but also as a strategic investment in the burgeoning landscape of women’s cricket.
 
Scheduled to be shot from November 2023 to April 2024, the docuseries aims to capture the entirety of the team’s journey, from the intense preparation phase to the heart of the tournament. The timing ensures an immersive experience for viewers, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution and dedication of the U.P. Warriorz.
 
Captain Alyssa Healy, expressing her enthusiasm, stated, “I believe this docuseries marks a revolutionary moment for women’s sports, offering a fresh perspective that could reshape public perception of women’s cricket.” Jinisha Sharma, U.P Warriorz Team Owner & Director – Capri Sports, concluded, “Our docuseries isn’t just capturing the heart of cricket; it’s amplifying the voices of women who are catalysts for change. U.P. Warriorz is proud to showcase not just their athletic prowess but their ability to impact society and business positively—a milestone that reverberates far beyond the field.
 

Jammu [India], November 24, 2023: Goa thrashed Railways by 10 wickets while Jammu & Kashmir defeated Punjab by 77 runs in the ongoing 6th edition of Men’s National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind 2023-24 also known as Nagesh Trophy on Friday.

The IndusInd Bank Nagesh Trophy kicked off on Thursday with all the four teams of Group E battling out for the glory here at the University of Jammu. The tournament will run till January 30, 2024 and the League stage will be played till December 29, 2023.

In the first match on Friday, Goa restricted Railways for 134/8 in the allotted 20 overs and then chased down the target in the 16th over to register a dominating win. Nilesh and Vinod stitched an unbeaten 135-run partnership to seal the win in style. Nilesh from Goa was the player of the Match.

In the second game, Jammu & Kashmir defeated Punjab following a sensational bowling display. Batting first, Jammu & Kashmir scored 164/6 in the allotted 20 overs and then folded Punjab for 87 to register a thumping win. Sahil was awarded the player of the match.

Jammu & Kashmir and Goa both have now won two matches while Punjab and Railways have faced defeat in both the games.

On Thursday, Jammu & Kashmir thrashed Railways by 82 runs at the University of Jammu while Goa defeated Punjab by 3 wickets here.

Jammu & Kashmir will now lock horns with Goa while Railways will meet Punjab on Saturday.

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has also joined hands with Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) as Brand Ambassador for Nagesh Trophy.

Meanwhile, after the league matches end on December 29, 2023, Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) in association with the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled will hold the Super 8 Stage Matches at Nagpur, Maharashtra in January 2024.

The league matches of the 6th edition of the IndusInd Bank Nagesh Trophy will be played across 6 venues namely, Jammu, Dehradun (Uttarakhand), Kochi (Kerala), Chandigarh, Agarthala (Tripura), and Kota (Rajasthan).

A total of 28 Teams (State /UT’s and an Indian Railways team which is represented by the Visually Impaired working in Railways) will play the T20 format Tournament. 28 teams are divided based on the last year’s ranking into 6 groups. The first 4 groups have 5 teams each and the last 2 teams have 4 teams each.

The 5th edition had the joint winners (Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka) due to the rain. Odisha has won the Nationals once while Andhra Pradesh had emerged victorious in the finals of the tournament 3 times.



Group A: Group A brings together teams from Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.



Group B: Group B will have trams from Karnataka, Delhi, Maharashtra, Pondicherry, and Uttarakhand.



Group C: In Group C, the stage is set for a competitive showdown as Odisha, Jharkhand, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar face off.



Group D: Group D is a collection of teams, featuring Gujarat, Chandigarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana.



Group E: Jammu & Kashmir, Railway, Punjab, and Goa will compete against each other in Group E.



Group F: Group F comprises teams from the north-eastern and central regions of India. Manipur, Assam, Tripura, and Chhattisgarh will showcase their talents.



Nagesh Trophy was launched in the memory of Late Shri SP Nagesh, Founder President, Cricket Association for the Blind in India and Founder Trustee, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled. The launch of the tournament brought together the entire blind cricket community into one huge platform, by creating a milestone in the blind cricket history.