Friday, May 08
Indian women cricketers' domestic match fees are set for a crucial review at the BCCI's December 22 Apex Council meeting. This follows India's World Cup success and growing calls for better financial support. The meeting will also address men's central contracts, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's grading under scrutiny.
20-year-old Indian GM R Praggnanandhaa secured his spot in the Candidates 2026, joining his sister R Vaishali. Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri, however, believes India could have had more representatives than just one. Giri also highlighted the formidable nature of lower-rated players in the line-up like Matthias Bluebaum, predicting a highly competitive tournament.
Sanju Samson's T20I future appears uncertain as Shubman Gill's elevated status pushes him out of the playing XI. Experts suggest Gill is now in the league of Rohit and Kohli, making it difficult to displace him from the opening slot. This leaves Samson, a successful opener, relegated to a finisher role, which many believe doesn't suit him.
Alex Carey acknowledged England's mid-series break in Noosa could be beneficial but cautioned Australia against complacency, citing their inability to win the 2023 Ashes after a 2-0 lead. He emphasized the need for continued strong performance, drawing on past experiences to keep the team alert. Carey also noted the importance of players refreshing themselves during the demanding Ashes series.
Shubman Gill's recent appointment as T20I vice-captain signals a clear path towards him becoming India's sole captain across all formats. Former selector Salil Ankola revealed Gill's leadership potential was recognised as early as 2023, with consensus among selectors and senior players. Gill's exceptional batting and Test captaincy in England solidified confidence in his readiness to lead.
New Zealand's second Test against the West Indies saw pace bowler Blair Tickner hospitalised with a shoulder injury after a brilliant spell. Tickner's 4-32 triggered a West Indies collapse, but his departure cast a shadow. Despite the setback, New Zealand dominated the bowling, with Michael Rae also impressing. Both teams faced injury concerns heading into the match.
The Desert Vipers extended their perfect ILT20 start with a dramatic one-run win over MI Emirates. Defending 160, David Payne produced a stunning 19th over, taking three wickets to derail MIE, who needed just 17 off the last two overs. Despite Rashid Khan’s late surge, a last-ball run-out sealed the result as MIE finished on 158 for 9.
Newly elected KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad is prioritizing the resumption of top-level cricket at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium. He met with Karnataka's Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to secure necessary permissions. Prasad also inspected the Belagavi stadium, emphasizing development across various state centers to revive cricket's glory.
India dominated South Africa in the first T20I, winning by 101 runs thanks to Hardik Pandya's explosive 59*. The bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah, restricted the visitors to 74. Meanwhile, commentator Aakash Chopra's witty remark about hitting Bumrah for a six went viral, playfully referencing Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan.
Fresh from their World Cup win, Indian women cricketers Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma credit the Women's Premier League for their rapid evolution. They highlight improved skills and mental strength, inspired by global stars and former players like Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami. The duo also emphasized the need for more matches, especially Test games, to further enhance their game.
