Cricket world

Smriti Mandhana for RCB and Meg Lanning for DC in the WPL 2025 (PC: BCCI) The last game of the Bengaluru leg in the WPL 2025 is set to take place as the home team Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) faces an in-form Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium today. RCB’s Struggles in Bengaluru It has been a nightmare for RCB since returning to their home venue. The defending champions started their title defence in style, securing two convincing wins in Vadodara. However, their homecoming has been disappointing, as they suffered three consecutive losses. As a result, with just four points, they sit in third place and will be desperate to end the home leg with a victory. A loss here could completely derail their campaign, with the upcoming legs in Lucknow and Mumbai posing new challenges. The Lucknow pitches are expected to be slow, favouring spin, which might not suit RCB’s batting-heavy, chase-preferred approach. Smriti Mandhana’s tough run as captain and batter For Smriti ...

Rohit Sharma. Image: Rohit Juglan Bharath in Dubai ‘Where is Rohit Sharma?’ ‘Has Rohit come out for practice?’ ‘I still can’t seem to see Rohit.’ ‘Keep an eye on Rohit’ ‘Why hasn’t Rohit come out?’ From the volley of questions, it is crystal clear that the lenses of all the cameras and phones were zoomed in on one player, and that was Rohit Sharma. The simple reason behind the frenzy among the reporters at the ICC Academy was because Rohit had picked up a hamstring problem during the India-Pakistan encounter.  Around 15 minutes into the net session, Rohit slowly made his way into the middle. On expected lines, the cameras were zoomed in to observe whether he was wearing any protective gear. Yes, around his left thigh, one could notice a small strapping. The next question that flashes in the mind is did he partake in the training workshop? If the answer is yes, then for how long did he bat in the nets? What about the fielding drills? Rohit’s batting session started at around ...

In pic: NZ’s fast bowler William O’Rourke (PC: X) Vaibhav Tripathi in Dubai Virat Kohli was seen defending off the back foot against the pacers in Wednesday’s net session. But he soon expanded his game, crunching a couple of pull shots. The focus of India’s premier batter was on short-of-a-good-length deliveries, fully aware of the challenge ahead as India face New Zealand next, a team boasting a lineup of tall fast bowlers.  Much of the build-up to this clash has revolved around New Zealand’s spinners testing India’s batting might. But Kohli’s session painted a different picture, one of calculated preparation against the fast-bowling challenge that lies ahead. Even in the absence of Tim Southee, Trent Boult, and Lockie Ferguson, the Black Caps possess a pace arsenal that is raw yet potent. And in that mix, Will O’Rourke stands out, bringing an extra edge to the contest.  Having announced himself on the Test stage against South Africa last year, O’Rourke’s rise has been...

Nat Sciver-Brunt with the bat for Mumbai Indians in the WPL (PC: WPL) Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC) are set to face each other in a crucial fixture at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Both teams are in strong form, having secured three wins so far. MI, after four matches, lead the table with six points (three wins, one loss), while DC hold the second spot with the same points but have played an extra match (three wins, two losses). Both sides are coming off victories—MI defeated UP Warriorz, while DC overcame the Gujarat Giants (GG). Notably, both teams have only won while chasing this season, adding another layer of intrigue to this contest. It remains to be seen if either team can secure a win while defending a target. Previous encounter and Head-to-Head record The last clash between these two teams made headlines due to controversial run-out decisions. DC emerged victorious in that thrilling encounter, winning on the last ball with two wickets in hand. Overa...

Left: Virat Kohli, Right: Mike Hesson. Images: Instagram Bharath Ramaraj in Dubai The name Mike Hesson is synonymous with how he and Brendon McCullum helped New Zealand resurrect their fortunes in the international arena. He also was the Director of Cricket at Royal Challengers Bengaluru and went on to serve as the head coach of Islamabad United. In this freewheeling interview, Hesson shares his thoughts on cricketers that he has worked with before – Virat Kohli, Mitchell Santner and co. He also delves deeper to analyse India and New Zealand, two of the form teams in the ongoing Champions Trophy. Excerpts: The other day, Virat Kohli played a superlative knock against Pakistan. You have seen him from close quarters. Can you just take us through how he goes about constructing an innings in limited-overs cricket? In terms of his preparation, he is very aware of the bowlers that he has to take on, on particular surfaces. Quite a lot of preparation goes into it, from thought process...

Ashleigh Gardner scored 58 off 31 balls against RCB (PC: WPL/X) It was set up as the battle of two captains, but only one showed up . Ashleigh Gardner ensured Gujarat Giants remained in the hunt for a play – off spot this season. Scoring at a strike rate of 187, the Australian helped her team chase down Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s modest target of 125 with 21 ball s to spare. Even though this was the second-lowest total of the season, GG didn’t come out all guns blazing. Despite yet another shuffle in their batting order, their opening pair —Dayalan Hemalatha and Beth Mooney — continued to struggle. At the end of the p owerplay, GG were 30/1 and labo u ring toward the total. But Gardner meant it when she said, “Chasing seems to be easier throughout this competition.” She was the one to turn the tide for GG, taking the young and nervy Prema Rawat to the cleaners, scoring 19 off the only over she bowled in the game. On the flip side, “Hopefully we can put up a goo...

Smriti Mandhana for RCB and Ashleigh Gardner for GG in the first match of the WPL 2025 (PC: BCCI) Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will look to avoid a third consecutive loss at the Chinnaswamy Stadium when they face Gujarat Giants (GG) in the ongoing WPL. In the reverse fixture, RCB created history by chasing down the highest-ever target in the tournament. RCB now leads the head-to-head battle 3-2. Last year, they defeated GG at the same venue. Interestingly, all three of RCB’s wins have come while chasing, while both of GG’s victories have come while defending. RCB’s recent struggles RCB started the tournament well, winning their first two games. However, Smriti Mandhana and her team lost momentum, suffering back-to-back defeats. They lost to Mumbai Indians (MI) in the final over and to UP Warriorz in a Super Over. Smriti’s captaincy decisions were questioned in both games. Her choice to bowl Kanika Ahuja in the 19th over against MI, send herself to bat in the Super Over aga...

Virat Kohli ahead of the Pakistan clash in the ICC Champions Trophy (PC: ICC) Bharath Ramaraj in Dubai A few enthusiastic fans chanted “cheeku, cheeku, Kohli, Kohli” as the mainstay of the Indian line-up showcased his control over football in the net session, ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy game versus New Zealand. Kohli, who scored a hundred in India’s win over Pakistan, looked relaxed and chilled out. But as soon as he put on his cricket gear, he seemed to be wearing again his special suit – King Kohli – and he ramped up his intensity levels. Initially, while facing Mohammed Shami, Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh, Kohli was intent on defending off the back foot. But he soon expanded his game by crunching a couple of crackerjack pulls. The way he picked the length in a jiffy to go back and across and essay the shot brought enough cheers from those few journalists watching the practice session. Probably, Kohli’s plan was to prepare for New Zealand’s seam attack, which consists...