Page 40 - T20 Cricket

WPL 2024: Meet Fatima Jaffer; a fascinating rare ambidextrous bowler

Cricket runs in the blood for Fatima Jaffer, but the young Mumbai Indians player has walked a different route and defied the family tradition. The niece of former India and Mumbai batter Wasim Jaffer, Fatima is more drawn towards bowling, and that too in a quirky way. She is one of the rare ambidextrous bowlers in the Indian domestic circuit a right-arm medium pacer who can fill in the role of a left-arm spinner when the situation demands so. But her beginning as an ambidextrous bowler happened in a less than creditable circumstances. "I got into the Mumbai side as a right-arm pacer. But in the first match that I played, three of our spinners got called for chucking,' Fatima was quoted in the MI website. However, the unfortunate turn of events opened a door to Fatima. "My then coach knew that I used to practice left-arm spin, not as a profession, just for fun. So, he came up to me and asked me if I could bowl it in the match. "The first ever match I bowled in as a left-arm spin

WPL 2024: Jemimah wants to erase disappointment by winning title this time

Delhi Capitals vice-captain Jemimah Rodrigues said on Thursday it was difficult overcoming the loss to Mumbai Indians in the WPL title showdown last season and hoped that with this edition's final scheduled to be held in the national capital, her team would aim for the trophy. DC fell short in the title showdown, losing by seven wickets to MI at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai last season. "It was hard (losing the final). We were doing well throughout the tournament, and we had some amazing games. The one we really wanted to win the most; that didn't go in our favour," she told JioCinema. "But, that's sport. That's why we love playing. You win some, you lose some. It teaches you a lot -- to get back up and gives you another chance always. This (upcoming edition) is our other chance. Hopefully, this year on our home ground, we lift the WPL trophy." Jemimah added that working with Australian stalwart and DC skipper Meg Lanning had helped her understand the nuances of captaincy ...

From Ecclestone to Titas Sadhu: Top five bowlers to watch out in WPL 2024

A look at the top five contenders who could take home the Purple Cap by being leading wicket-takers in WPL 2024

From Mandhana to Athapaththu: Top five batters to watch out in WPL 2024

A look at the top five contenders who could take home the Orange Cap by being leading run-scorers and top batters in WPL 2024

Marsh helps Australia snatch last-ball win over New Zealand in 1st T20

Tim David hit a four from the last ball of the match to give Australia a six-wicket win over New Zealand on Wednesday in the first Twenty20 international. New Zealand made 215 for three batting first in an innings which included 13 sixes and 10 fours. Captain Mitch Marsh piloted Australia's innings with an unbeaten 72 from 44 balls and was man of the match for his role in Australia's third-highest successful run chase. But, David took over at the end, hitting two sixes and a four from the last three balls of the 19th over to leave Australia needing 16 runs from the last six balls. Veteran seamer Tim Southee was given the responsibility of bowling the last over for New Zealand as the highest wicket-taker in T20 cricket. His first two balls were wides, then there was a leg bye and Australia needed 12 from three balls. David came close to settling the issue when he just caught up with a ball from Southee heading down the leg and hit a remarkable six behind square. That left Australia

Women's Premier League: Gujarat Giants SWOT analysis, schedule for WPL 2024

In India's Rana, Australians Mooney and Garnder and South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt, they have an experienced quartet which has played a lot of cricket at the highest level

Women's Premier League: UP Warriorz SWOT analysis, schedule for WPL 2024

With four world-class players in Healy, Deepti, Ecclestone and McGrath and a quality support cast in Grace Harris, Wyatt and young gun Dinesh, Warriorz are prime contenders

WPL 2024: DC skipper Lanning spills beans and some coffee on preparations

Lanning, who was the leading scorer in the tournament with 345 runs in nine matches, said that she enjoyed coffee all the time and that becoming associated with the cafe was a surreal experience

Women's Premier League: RCB SWOT analysis, schedule for WPL 2024

A batting-heavy team, RCB will enjoy their outing in front of their home crowd at the M Chinnswamy

IPL 2024 start date confirmed, entire tournament in India despite elections

IPL chairman Arun Dhumal confirmed that because of the general elections clashing with the IPL window, the schedule could be announced in two phases

Women's Premier League: Mumbai Indians SWOT analysis, schedule for WPL 2024

Sciver-Brunt proved invaluable to the Mumbai-based team last season as she amassed 332 runs and claimed ten wickets

Women's Premier League: Delhi Capitals SWOT analysis, schedule for WPL 2024

DC is one of the strong teams in WPL 2024, with former Aussie skipper Meg Lanning at the helm of affairs. CHeck Delhi Capitals' full schedule and squad here

Rahul Dravid to remain India's head coach till T20 World Cup: Jay Shah

Rahul Dravid will continue to remain in the position of India's head coach till the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in June this year, confirmed BCCI secretary Jay Shah. Dravid's contract ended after the ODI World Cup final last year, but he was asked to continue in his role along with other support staff for the December-January tour to South Africa without finalising the tenure. But Shah said he held an initial talk with Dravid here before arriving at the decision to retain the former captain's services till the ICC showpiece to be held in the West Indies and the USA. After the (2023) World Cup, Rahul bhai had to leave for the South Africa tour immediately. We did not get to meet in between which finally happened today, Shah said here on the sidelines of the renaming function of the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Wednesday night. Why are you worried about a contract for such a senior person like Rahul Dravid? Rahul bhai will remain the coach in the T20 World Cup, Shah ...

Confirmed! Rohit Sharma to lead India in ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in US & WI

India will be playing the T20 World Cup 2024, to be organised in the Caribbean and the USA, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, said BCCI secretary Jay Shah at an event here on Wednesday. India have had Hardik Pandya as their full-time skipper in the shortest format but the heartbreaking loss in the final of the 2023 World Cup to Australia have reignited the murmurs of senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit returning for the T20 showpiece in June. "In 2023 (final) at Ahmedabad, even though we did not win the World Cup after 10 straight wins, we won hearts. I want to promise you that in 2024 (T20 World Cup) in Barbados (venue for the final), under Rohit Sharma's captaincy, ham Bharat ka jhanda gaadenge (we will hoist the Indian flag)," Shah said at the end of his speech. Shah was present at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Khanderi, which was renamed after veteran cricket administrator Niranjan Shah, as the chief guest. Shah made a speech in front of a gathering of sever

Yuvraj joins New York Strikers as captain and icon player for LCT season 2

Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh was on Wednesday named New York Superstar Strikers captain and icon player for the upcoming Legends Cricket Trophy (LCT) Season 2. Yuvraj will lead the team comprising the likes of Babar Azam, Rashid Khan, Keiron Pollard, Imam Ul Haq, Naseem Shah, Matheesha Pathirana, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Asif Ali and Mohammad Amir. "Yuvraj's addition enriches the squad with a depth of expertise, skill, and leadership, fortifying New York Superstar Strikers' readiness to lead in the upcoming edition of the tournament," the franchise said in a statement. The tournament, to be played in a 90-ball format, will be held in Kandy, Sri Lanka from March 7-18. The first season, played in the 20-over format, was held in Ghaziabad from March 22 to 30 last year. Indore Knights and Guwahati Avengers were declared joint winners of the inaugural season after the final was washed out. In the LCT90BALLS format, five bowlers of each team can bowl three overs. The captain of the

SA20 is blessed to have six of the strongest IPL franchises: Graeme Smith

Former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith feels the expertise of six of the strongest IPL franchises has contributed to the success of the SA20, which recently wrapped up its second season. The SA20 comprises six franchises -- MI Cape Town, Joburg Super Kings, Durban's Super Giants, Paarl Royals, Pretoria Capitals, and Sunrisers Eastern Cape, all of which are owned by the owners of IPL teams. "We're very blessed to have six IPL franchises -- the six of the strongest franchises in the world game. They bring a lot of expertise on several levels," Smith, who is the commissioner of the ongoing Betway SA T20 League, said in a media interaction on Tuesday. The 46-year-old has enjoyed a cordial relationship with the Indian board as well, both as a player and administrator, which has also helped the SA20. "With my interactions with India and Indian cricket, we (SA20) certainly always reach out and have conversations and learn in debates. We have a very strong relationship which is a positiv

Sunrisers Eastern Cape win back-to-back SA20 titles, beat Durban by 89 runs

Sunrisers Eastern Cape won back-to-back SA20 titles after an empathic 89-run victory over Durban's Super Giants at Newlands here. After topping the group stage, the Sunrisers delivered a clinical performance in the final on Saturday. Half-centuries from Tom Abell (55) and Tristan Stubbs (56 not out) along with contributions from Jordan Hermann and captain Aiden Markram, who both contributed 42, respectively, saw the Sunrisers post a formidable 204/3. The defending champions then bowled out the Super Giants for a paltry 115 in 17 overs. Partnerships were crucial in the Sunrisers' innings with Hermann and Abell setting up the winning total with a 90-run stand for the second wicket after the early loss of Dawid Malan. Durban's Super Giants captain, Keshav Maharaj, hit back with a double-wicket over by removing both set batters in Hermann and Abell. But the Sunrisers showed they had plenty more in reserve with Markram and Stubbs rebuilding the innings before exploding towards the bac

Spinners will play key role in ICC T20 World Cup 2024: Keshav Maharaj

South Africa's premier left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj is confident that slow bowlers will play a vital role on flat decks expected to be on offer during the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in the Americas in June. The ninth edition of the T20 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the West Indies and USA from June 1 to 29 this year. "Spinners will play a crucial role in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Wickets are getting better and boundaries are getting shorter. There is much need for a spinner in the team to provide control and variety," told PTI in an exclusive interview. "Hopefully, these T20 platforms can give spinners even bigger role to players coming to the international stage," he added. The ace left-arm orthodox spinner, who picked up 14 wickets in nine matches at an impressive economy rate of 4.37 with a four-wicket haul against New Zealand in last year's ODI World Cup in India, is a vital cog in South African team. The 34-year-old feels that key recipe of his success is being a .

Jasprit Bumrah will be best pacer of ICC T20 World Cup: Vernon Philander

His ability to hold a line, bowl wicket-taking deliveries without leaking runs along with those lethal yorkers make Jasprit Bumrah the most complete bowler in international cricket, says former South African seamer Vernon Philander, who foresees the Indian outperforming all his contemporaries in this year's T20 World Cup in the Americas. Bumrah on Wednesday became the first Indian pacer to be crowned number one in ICC Test rankings. This was after his magical performance in the second Test against England that yielded nine wickets on a sporting track at Visakhapatnam. Philander, who has played 64 Tests for South Africa with 225 wickets against his name, said Bumrah doesn't seem to have any chinks in his armour. "Bumrah is the (most) complete bowler at the moment. He has got magnificent skills and he has also learnt the trade of holding a line and length and that is the reason behind his success at the Test level," Philander told 'PTI Bhasha' in an interview on the sidelines of the S

IPL 2024 performance gains significance for T20 World Cup selection: Moody

Veteran coach Tom Moody on Thursday felt the players' performance in highly-competitive leagues like IPL and ILT20 will have an added heft this time because of the impact it can have on the team selection ahead of the T20 World Cup. This edition of the marquee ICC event is scheduled to be held jointly in the West Indies and the USA in June and most of the teams, including India, have already finished their T20I assignments. The IPL (set to be played between March-May), along with any other T20 tournament, like the ILT20, is important for any player to be performing because every home team is looking at the performances of all their players in these tournaments because of the high-quality cricket in these (leagues), Moody said during a virtual media interaction facilitated by the Desert Vipers team of the ILT20. Moody then described how these outings could help players to secure a berth in the World Cup-bound squads. If you are scoring runs, taking wickets and showing consistency, i