Sunday, May 03
Shreyas Iyer is on the cusp of a significant ODI milestone, needing just 34 runs to reach 3000. His recent 49 in the first ODI against New Zealand showcased his return to form after injury. Iyer has become a vital middle-order batsman, consistently performing for India since his 2017 debut.
Sherfane Rutherford’s 27-ball 53 and a match-turning double-wicket maiden from Gideon Peters powered Pretoria Capitals to a 53-run, bonus-point win over MI Cape Town at Centurion. Dewald Brevis starred with bat and in the field as MI Cape Town collapsed from 46/2 to 55/6, leaving their playoff hopes on the brink.
Virat Kohli is on the cusp of a new Indian record, aiming for his sixth consecutive ODI fifty-plus score against New Zealand in Rajkot. This remarkable streak places him alongside legends like Tendulkar and Dravid. With an exceptional recent run, Kohli's form is a major talking point as India seeks to extend their series lead.
Australian women's cricket captain Alyssa Healy announced her retirement from all formats, with the upcoming home series against India marking her final international appearances. The decision, influenced by mental fatigue and injuries, comes after a distinguished career highlighted by eight World Cup victories. Healy will conclude her career in the one-off Test at the WACA.
Punjab secured a dominant 183-run victory over Madhya Pradesh to advance to the Vijay Hazare Trophy semifinals. Batting first, Punjab posted a formidable 345/6, led by captain Prabhsimran Singh's 88. In response, Madhya Pradesh was bowled out for 162, with Sanvir Singh taking three wickets.
Lakshya Sen advanced to the second round of the India Open Super 750 with a straight-game win over Ayush Shetty. The Indian shuttler adapted well to the conditions and praised his opponent while focusing on taking one match at a time. Treesa Jolly–Gayatri Gopichand and top men’s doubles pairs also progressed, while some seeded players suffered early exits.
Denmark’s Mia Blichfeldt again criticised playing conditions at the India Open, saying the move to Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium has not helped. She described the venue as cold, dirty and unhealthy, making warm-up difficult, and urged organisers and the BWF to intervene ahead of the World Championships. Canada’s Michelle Li and former world champion Ratchanok Intanon also raised concerns over the cold conditions.
