Cricket world

Chris and Adam at the Captain Bligh’s Brewery. Images: Revsportz Subhayan Chakraborty in Hobart With the Indian and Australian teams scheduled to arrive in Hobart, on the evening of the eve of the third T20I at Bellerive Oval, Saturday morning felt wonderfully light. While taking a casual stroll through the Salamanca Market, open only on Saturdays, delivered an unexpected sporting delight. Amid the vibrant array of street vendors and stalls offering local food, mementos, spirits, and clothing, the market buzzed with tourists and locals soaking in authentic Tasmanian culture. One stall stood out: Captain Bligh’s Brewery, where Chris and Adam enthusiastically showcased their range of local spirits. Spotting two Indians wandering nearby, Chris called out, “Are you here for the cricket?” And just like that, a warm conversation began. “Australia defeated India last night,” this writer replied. “The crowd was great last evening but I am more interested in how your women’s team does in...

Laura Wolvaardt. Images: Proteas Women By Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai Laura Wolvaardt is in the form of her life and India have only themselves to blame. Ever since that group-stage clash where the South African captain scratched her way to a fighting 70, she has been unstoppable. Three fifties and a monumental 169 in the semi-final later, Wolvaardt has turned into the biggest threat standing between India and their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup title. The question now is simple, but brutal: how do you stop her? For starters, India must win the first 10 overs. Renuka Singh Thakur’s inswingers have the best chance of unsettling Wolvaardt early. History suggests the South African opener is vulnerable to the moving ball when new to the crease. But if Renuka strays short, she’ll be punished through those crisp square drives. The message is clear, keep it full, keep it swinging. At the other end, Kranti Gaud must attack Wolvaardt’s middle and off stump, hitting the deck hard. Short-o...

Winning moments for India women in the semi-final against Australia W. Images : X Boria Majumdar In 24 hours, India’s women’s team will play the most important match of their lives. The stakes are at their highest and there is a huge amount of interest all round. The upset semi-final win over Australia has ignited fan passion and the tournament has come alive ahead of the final. I still call it an upset, for Australia were indeed the team to beat. They have proved it time and again, and set the bar really high. For India, the batting effort exceeded expectations. At the break, with 339 to chase down, hardly anyone gave India a chance. The bowling and fielding were poor and the captaincy left a lot to be desired. Now, here is the interesting point. In our mid-innings show, Trisha Ghosal, Gargi Raut and I were critical of Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision-making and rightly so. Not to bowl Renuka Thakur was a mistake in our eyes, and we called it out. The fielding was below-par and we n...

Jemimah Rodrigues. Image: BCCI Women For the longest time, people have said that all she does is make fancy reels, that she is more a social media phenomenon than a cricketer. That she had talent has always been known. Tonight was when all of it came to light, and Jemimah Rodrigues helped vanquish the world’s greatest-ever women’s  cricket team. Coming into bat early on after Shafali Verma was dismissed, Jemi knew she had to stay on and play big. More so when Smriti Mandhana was caught down the leg side. It was Jemi who took on the role of senior partner in the run chase. She guided the skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur, and just when it seemed that Australia were unbeatable, she made us think otherwise. The Navi Mumbai miracle is real, and the World Cup dream is well and truly alive. Make no mistake, Harmanpreet played a stellar hand with the bat. It helped her redeem some of the captaincy calls she made. Her brilliant knock helped Jemi and the more the match went on, the raucous cr...

Image: MCA Ahead of the Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) elections for the posts of the office-bearers, Ajinkya Naik, the incumbent president, has given his vote of thanks. Naik would complete his term on November 12, when the elections would be held.  “The last three years have truly been an incredible journey,” Naik said. “It was only because of your trust, love, and blessings that I could serve as your representative and work wholeheartedly for the betterment of Mumbai Cricket.” He added: “With your constant support, we as an Apex Council were able to take over 50 important decisions — all focused on uplifting our maidan clubs and secretaries, office clubs, school and college clubs, and our men and women cricketers. Every step we took came from one emotion — to give back to the people who keep Mumbai Cricket alive. I will always remain deeply grateful for the faith you placed in me.” In July last year, at 37 years of age, Naik became the MCA’s youngest-ever president, d...

Smriti Mandhana (Image: BCCI) As journalists, we are expected to be objective. And it is our job to be so. But on occasion, you find it really difficult to stay neutral and talk reason. Today is one such. Yes, Australia are the favourites. They are the best team in the world by a mile. But then, this is a one-off game. We all know what can happen in a one-off contest. Rain and inclement weather notwithstanding, India do have a chance. In 2017, it was Harmanpreet Kaur who made the unthinkable happen. In 2025, it is yet one more opportunity for her and the girls. Smriti Mandhana has been tremendous in the last few games. She has 365 runs already and is looking superb each time she steps out. Today is the day for her. To do something special, and elevate herself to a pedestal no one has reached in the women’s game in India. Yes, India have played multiple World Cup finals in the past. But a home World Cup final would be different. When we say Australia are the favourites, we must re...

IND_Practice (PC: RevSportz) Snehasis Mukherjeen Navi Mumbai Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh were in focus as India trained at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, ahead of their semi-final clash against Australia. After being named as the replacement for injured Pratika Rawal, Shafali arrived in Navi Mumbai last night and had a full net session today. The training began with a warm-up routine followed by catching drills, where players took turns practicing both flat and high catches. Once that was done, the team moved to their net sessions. There was one net set up on the main ground and two more beside it. On the main ground, Richa Ghosh, who had injured her finger against New Zealand, started with some light catching drills with her gloves. Later, she did wicketkeeping practice with fielding coach Munish Bali, facing deliveries from net bowlers. After a short session, Richa had a long chat with Bali before leaving the field for a while. She returned later to bat alongside Jemima...

Pratika-Smriti (PC: BCCI_Women) Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai Pratika Rawal has been ruled out of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup due to an ankle injury, with Shafali Verma replacing her in the squad. Since RevSportz first broke the news of Pratika’s withdrawal, opinions have pulled strongly in both directions; some believe it’s a blessing in disguise, while others call it a major setback. But what has gone largely undiscussed is how this forced change affects the player at the other end, Smriti Mandhana. Mandhana and Shafali opened the innings for India from 27 June 2021 to 29 October 2024. In this period, their partnership across 25 innings produced 893 runs at an average of 37.20, including six fifty-run stands and one century partnership. Mandhana’s role with Shafali has traditionally been to anchor, dial back certain strokes, and build steadily. Her personal returns in this phase stand at 1518 runs in 32 innings, averaging 48.96 at a strike rate of 84.85, including nine fifties ...

Pratika_Shafali (PC: BCCI_Women) Sport is cruel. Just when you think nothing can go wrong and the negativity is behind you, something happens that is least expected. That’s what transpired with Pratika Rawal against Bangladesh. She over ran the ball and then suffered that severe ankle sprain. It looked dire, and as she limped off, it was evident that her World Cup was over. With 308 runs, including a match-winning hundred against New Zealand, Pratika was a star for India in this competition. Against Australia in the pool stage, she played a very strong hand. To not have her in the semi-final is a massive blow for India. Now we also know that she is out for the next five to six months. For anyone, this is a setback, and more so if you are young and making a mark. It will test her. Impact her mental health. And this is when, as analysts and fans, we need to stand by her and give her every possible support. She will be a wiser person at the end of this recovery period and will surel...

Ravi_Shastri (PC:X) Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has revealed how Ravi Shastri used to motivate and inspire the dressing room when he was the coach with his energetic words.  Parthiv said in Doordarshan’s The Great Indian Cricket Show, “Ravi Shastri sent me to open the Johannesburg Test match in the second innings. Usually, a coach would offer some advice about the pitch or playing conditions.” “But what did Mr. Shastri say?” he said. “He simply said, ‘Rabada ka kabada kar de’. That is exactly how he thinks… Just imagine the kind of energy and motivation he would have given to the others in the team. Nobody does it better than him.” Parthiv was talking about the Johannesburg Test in January 2018, in which India defeated South Africa by 63 runs. In the low-scoring match, India posted 187 runs in the first innings. Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara hit half-centuries. In reply, South Africa were bundled out for 194. Jasprit Bumrah was brilliant and took a fi...