Category: Sports

New Delhi, June 9 (IANS) India head coach Amol Muzumdar believes the team’s sustained success over the last few years has helped create a winning culture within the squad, as the reigning ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup champions prepare for another shot at global silverware at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.

India enter the tournament carrying the tag of world champions after ending their long wait for a senior women’s ICC title by lifting the 50-over World Cup last year. The achievement has elevated expectations around the side, but Muzumdar insists his players are well-equipped to handle the pressures that come with competing on cricket’s biggest stage.

“There’s pressure in every tournament, and the players are used to it. They’ve been playing international cricket for some time now. But in a tournament like the World Cup, we’ll be going in as ODI World Cup champions for the first time,” Muzumdar told JioStar.

The coach believes India’s recent success has not been built solely on major tournament performances but on a mindset developed through consistently treating every series as an important assignment.

“Winning is a habit. Over the last three years, we’ve tried to win every series and to treat each one as extremely important, regardless of who we’re playing against. Once you get into the habit of winning series, it becomes second nature,” he said.

Under Harmanpreet Kaur and Muzumdar, India have established themselves as one of the most consistent teams in women’s cricket, with the World Cup triumph serving as the culmination of years of progress. The focus now is on maintaining those standards and ensuring the team approaches the T20 World Cup with the same intensity that fueled their success in the 50-over format.

Muzumdar also highlighted the commitment shown by the squad during its build-up to the tournament, praising the players’ dedication during the preparation phase.

“The team has been working very hard on this for the past month. I’ve never seen a team, irrespective of gender, work so hard and be so dedicated towards one goal,” he mentioned.

While India will rely heavily on experienced campaigners such as Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma and Jemimah Rodrigues, the squad also includes players who were not part of the World Cup-winning group. Integrating those players into the team’s culture has been a key focus for the coaching staff.

Discussing the message delivered to squad members who missed out on last year’s historic triumph, Muzumdar emphasised the importance of unity and knowledge-sharing within the dressing room.

“It’s about bringing the youngsters together. This team has seniors who are always ready to share whatever experiences they have gained,” Muzumdar stated.

The coach pointed to wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia as an example of a player capable of making an impact despite spending significant time away from the international arena because of injury setbacks.

“There are a few new faces in this team. Yastika has been playing for many years, but she was sidelined due to injury. She knows what international cricket is all about,” he added

For Muzumdar, the message to every player in the squad remains straightforward as India chase another ICC title, as he said, “So, there’s only one message: go out there, give your best, and try to win games for India. It’s as simple as that.”

With the confidence of world champions and a squad blending experience with emerging talent, India will head into the Women’s T20 World Cup aiming to prove that last year’s triumph was not the end of a journey, but the beginning of a sustained era of success.

–IANS

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New Delhi, June 9 (IANS) Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has been withdrawn from India’s squads for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England, with the selection committee naming Prasidh Krishna as his replacement.

BCCI said Siraj has been advised a period of rest following discussions between the medical team and the management. The board said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the right-arm pacer gets adequate recovery time ahead of a long international season.

“Following discussions between the BCCI Medical Team and the Team Management, Siraj has been advised a period of rest as part of his workload management programme. The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure adequate recovery ahead of a long international season,” the BCCI said in its statement.

Prasidh was in fine form in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The Gujarat Titans fast bowler took 16 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 10.44. He has played five T20Is so far, with eight wickets at an economy rate of 11. His last game for India in the format came in November 2023, against Australia in Guwahati.

Prasidh is also part of India’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan beginning June 13

Shreyas Iyer, who was appointed the new captain in place of Suryakumar Yadav, will lead the side, with Tilak Varma serving as vice-captain. The squad also includes 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who can become the youngest player to play international cricket for India.

India will play two T20Is in Belfast on June 26 and 28, followed by five matches in England from July 1 to 11. They will also play in the Men’s T20 event at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, in September.

India’s updated squad for the Ireland and England T20I series: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Prasidh Krishna.

–IANS

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Dubai, June 9 (IANS) New Zealand star Melie Kerr dethroned West Indies skipper Healy Matthews to regain the top spot in the T20I all-rounders chart as the International Cricket Council (ICC) released the updated women’s rankings on Tuesday.

Kerr returns to the top position just days before the start of the T20 World Cup, with West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews dropping back to the No.2 slot after she sat out her side’s final fixture of the recent tri-series in Ireland.

Despite New Zealand’s skipper claiming the throne, the race at the top of the all-rounders chart remains tight, with Kerr’s lead sitting at just five rating points as the two influential skippers jostle for positions at the upcoming T20 World Cup in England and Wales that commences on June 12.

While the Australian duo of Georgia Voll and Beth Mooney has continued to remain at top two positions in the batters ranking and will head to the tournament as number one and two batters.

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has improved her position by one spot and is back in the top 10 list following her unbeaten half-century in the recent series decider against England in Taunton.

There are also gains for the England players who performed well in the series, as Alice Capsey, who was the Player of the Match in the series decider with a superb innings of 82 runs has moved up 13 places to improve to 30th on the list for T20I batters.

Bangladesh Skipper Nigar Sultana has moved up two slots to come in at 18th position in the batters ranking. While England veteran Heather Knight moves to 21st position after moving up four spots.

England spinner Linsey Smith will enter as the Number 1 T20I bowler as she has maintained her narrow advantage in the No.1 position ahead of Pakistan counterpart Sadia Iqbal.

There are gains inside the top 10 for England duo Lauren Bell, who moves up one place to equal second and Charlie Dean, who has reached the fourth spot, while South Africa spinner Nonkululek Mlaba is up to fifth after she improved two rungs.

While Kerr and Matthews dominate the charts for T20I all-rounders, there are gains for Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce, who is up nine places to be placed at 17th following some decent efforts during their recent tri-series against Bangladesh and the Netherlands.

–IANS

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Ahmedabad, June 9 (IANS) Zambia’s remarkable journey from practising yoga on stitched-together sacks to winning medals at the inaugural World Yogasana Championship reflects the growing influence of Indian-origin communities in spreading yogasana across Africa.

When Chitula Albert first introduced yoga in his school in Zambia’s Copperbelt region, he did not have a single yoga mat. Instead, the vice-principal stitched together old sacks so that a handful of interested children could practice. Most people around him viewed yoga with suspicion.

Because of its roots in India, many associated it with religion rather than physical fitness, making it difficult for Albert to convince parents and students alike. Yet he persisted.

Albert’s own introduction to yoga dates back to the late 1980s, when he was a primary school student. An Indian resident living in the area taught him a few basic yoga practices. The lessons stayed with him for decades.

Years later, after becoming a teacher and eventually a vice principal, Albert saw yoga as an opportunity to improve children’s health and discipline. He began conducting small sessions in school, integrating yoga into physical education activities.

The early numbers were modest. Just five students turned up. But word gradually spread. Children enjoyed the practice, and Albert started using social media to reach a wider audience. He regularly live-streamed sessions, allowing youngsters from different parts of Zambia to watch and participate.

What started as a small school initiative soon began attracting attention beyond the Copperbelt.

A significant boost came in 2020 when an Indian-origin woman sponsored yoga mats for schoolchildren. For a programme that had relied on stitched sacks and improvised equipment, the support was transformative.

Over the next few years, yoga steadily gained ground across Zambia. More schools joined in, participation increased and efforts began to formalise the sport.

Indian-origin residents in the country became key supporters of the movement. Their assistance helped organisers build a structure that could sustain the sport’s growth.

The breakthrough arrived when government authorities started taking notice. The country’s yoga body secured official recognition from sports authorities in 2022, and from 2024 onwards, Zambia began conducting regular national Yogasana championships.

To further assess the sport’s development, officials from the ministry attended the 2025 national championships. Their visit reinforced confidence in the federation’s work and helped strengthen institutional support.

The results of those efforts were visible at the inaugural World Yogasana Championship in Ahmedabad’s EKA Arena.

Albert travelled with an 18-member Zambian contingent, bringing together athletes from different regions and communities, including participants from the Tonga tribe in southern Zambia. Six members of the team were sponsored by Indian-origin families living in the country.

Their performances reflected the rapid progress made in a short period. On Sunday, Zambia collected six medals, with young Niya Vijayvarjiya emerging as one of the stars of the contingent by winning three silver medals.

The championship also underlined yoga’s growing influence across other African nations inspired by Indians living there. Athletes from Rwanda, Niger, Chad, Sierra Leone, Lesotho, Uganda and Tanzania were among those participating. Many are studying in Indian universities and were introduced to yogasana during their time in India.

For some, the event was their first international exposure. For others, it was an opportunity to learn from practitioners from around the world and take those experiences back home.

Mahamadou Sanoussi Issia, Niger’s lone representative, said yoga is slowly finding a place in his country as well. According to him, celebrations linked to Yoga Day begin back home on June 7 before culminating in competitions around the International Day of Yoga on June 21.

For Albert, the scene unfolding at the World Championship was almost unimaginable a few years ago, as he constantly juggled between managing the Zambian contingent at the competition and monitoring his pupils back home on social media.

–IANS

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Indore, June 9 (IANS) The Holkar Stadium witnessed a batting spectacle as the Indore Pink Panthers etched their first win in the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 Scindia Cup 2026, beating the Malwa Stallions by 31 runs.

After posting a massive 229/5, Pink Panthers restricted the Malwa Stallions at 198/9 to secure a 31-run win.

The Panthers suffered an early setback when opener Siddharth Patidar was dismissed for just 2 off 10 balls. However, wicketkeeper-batter Atharv Joshi and Karan Tahliyani steadied the innings with a brisk 44-run partnership. Joshi played an aggressive knock of 45 off just 20 deliveries before departing, while Tahliyani continued to anchor the innings and went on to score a well-made half-century.

A couple of useful partnerships kept the scoreboard ticking, but the Panthers found themselves at 131/4 in the 15th over. It was then that captain Venkatesh Iyer joined forces with Saransh Surana, and the duo completely changed the complexion of the innings.

The pair launched a relentless assault on the bowlers, striking boundaries at will and dominating the final overs with some clean and powerful hitting. Their explosive partnership pushed the Stallions onto the back foot and helped the Panthers finish with a daunting total.

Iyer smashed a blistering 54 off just 22 balls, an innings studded with six sixes and a boundary, while Surana remained unbeaten on 50 off only 17 deliveries, hammering five sixes and three fours.

For Malwa Stallions, captain Ashutosh Sharma was the most economical bowler, finishing with figures of 1-32 from his four overs.

In reply, Indore Pink Panthers’ bowlers and especially Shivam Shukla responded brilliantly. Roshan Kewat provided the early breakthrough by dismissing Aryan Deshmukh for 10 off 5 balls.

Ansh Yadav and Sachin Vishwakarma then tried to revive the chase with a 55-run partnership. Ansh scored a quick 31 off 19 deliveries, while Vishwakarma contributed a fighting 47 off 32 balls.

However, the Panthers struck back strongly and ripped through the Stallions’ middle order, leaving them reeling at 144/7 and firmly on the back foot.

Parth Sahani provided some late entertainment with a fighting knock, playing a few delightful strokes and keeping the crowd engaged as he struck 54 off 28. However, the required run-rate had climbed too high by then, leaving Malwa Stallions with too much to do in the closing stages. Meanwhile, Shivam Shukla starred with the ball for Indore Pink Panthers, claiming a brilliant five-wicket haul to seal a dominant victory for his side.

Reflecting on the win, Panther skipper Iyer said, “It’s great to get our first win of the tournament and collect those two important points. But I feel we left at least 20 more runs out there with the bat. We probably had the opportunity to win by a much bigger margin.”

“Fielding is an area we need to improve as well. Some catches were difficult because the ball was swirling under the lights, but I don’t want to make excuses. I dropped a straightforward chance myself, so I take responsibility for that,” he further added.

Iyer also talked about his own batting and added, “As for my batting, I felt I could have started better. Once I got set, I knew which areas of the ground I wanted to target and tried to stick to my plans. It was a well-planned innings and I’m happy that I could contribute to the team’s victory. Most importantly, it was nice to see smiles on the faces of the players and support staff after our first win.”

The Panthers will now take on Rewa Jaguars in their next fixture at Daly College on Wednesday.

–IANS

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New Delhi, June 9 (IANS) Former Australian great Glenn McGrath has urged the Australian young pacers to make the best use of the opportunities they get as the legendary trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc move into later stages of their career.

McGrath believes that Australia has a promising crop of young fast bowlers waiting in the wings, but stressed that the next generation will need to seize the opportunities that come their way.

“Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins are all in their mid-to-late thirties, aren’t they? You wonder how long they can go,” McGrath said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

The legendary pacer noted that Australia faces an important transition period, particularly with an Ashes series in England on the horizon.

“I look at it from an Australian perspective in Test cricket. The Ashes is coming up next year in England, and Australia have not won an Ashes in England outright since 2001. Hopefully, there’s incentive for the boys to keep going, but there’s going to be that turnover,” he said.

McGrath pointed to several young fast bowlers who could emerge as long-term successors to the experienced trio.

“There’s a few coming through at the moment. The Pakistan tours before and after the World T20 didn’t go to plan, but I think there’s opportunity for quite a few young guys at the moment. Guys like Spencer Johnson have some real pace, but whether they’ve had enough opportunity? I know Nathan Ellis has been for a while and Xavier Bartlett; they are the next level in white-ball cricket,” he said.

McGrath also highlighted the depth available in Australia’s domestic system, naming Will Sutherland, Jack Edwards and Brendan Doggett among the players pushing for higher honours.

“You’ve also got Will Sutherland, Jack Edwards and Brendan Doggett. Plenty of young guys there, but we’ll wait and see if someone really puts their hands up,” he added.

The former fast bowler credited Australia’s Sheffield Shield competition for producing quality talent and believes strong performances at the domestic level will determine who earns a place in the national setup.

“A lot of it comes back to Shield cricket, I think. I don’t know their exact stats in Shield cricket, but state cricket in Australia is quite competitive. South Australia have won back-to-back, and a couple of their guys have done well. There’s going to be opportunities out there, and we’ll see once they get there,” McGrath said.

Meanwhile, the fitness and depth of Australia’s pace resources will be tested over the crucial next 14 months with at least 20 Tests on the schedule.

–IANS

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New Delhi, June 9 (IANS) As the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 approaches, fans across the globe are preparing for more than just a battle for the trophy. For several of the game’s most celebrated names, the tournament will mark the final chapter of remarkable international careers that have inspired a generation of cricketers.

With the competition set to begin on June 12 in England and Wales, a number of experienced stars are expected to take the field one last time on the global stage. Here are five players who could retire from international cricket after the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.

1. Sophie Devine (New Zealand)

One of the finest all-rounders in women’s cricket, Sophie Devine has already confirmed that the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup will be her final international assignment. A powerful batter and a dependable bowler, Devine has been a pillar of New Zealand cricket for more than two decades.

Having stepped away from ODIs in 2025, she now has one final opportunity to help the White Ferns defend their World Cup success. Her T20I career includes 3,719 runs, highlighted by her aggressive stroke play and match-winning ability. The 36-year-old has also taken 128 wickets in 154 matches.

2. Lea Tahuhu (New Zealand)

Veteran fast bowler Lea Tahuhu is also set to bring the curtain down on her international career after the tournament. Known for her pace, aggression and competitiveness, Tahuhu has been one of New Zealand’s most successful seamers.

She signed off from ODIs as her country’s leading wicket-taker in the format and enters her final tournament with nearly 100 T20I wickets to her name. Her experience will be crucial to New Zealand’s hopes of a memorable farewell campaign.

3. Suzie Bates (New Zealand)

Few players have left a bigger mark on women’s cricket than Suzie Bates. The former New Zealand captain remains one of the most accomplished batters in the history of the game and is widely expected to retire after the World Cup.

Bates is the leading run-scorer in Women’s T20I cricket and among the most prolific performers in ODIs. Across a career spanning nearly 20 years, she has combined consistency, longevity and leadership, while also contributing valuable wickets with the ball. Bates has scored 4720 runs in 183 T20I matches. The 38-year-old has also taken 62 wickets.

4. Megan Schutt (Australia)

Australia pace spearhead Megan Schutt has already announced that the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be her final ICC event. Since making her debut in 2012, Schutt has established herself as one of the most successful fast bowlers in women’s cricket.

With more than 300 international wickets and multiple world titles to her name, the Australian quick will be aiming to finish her career by helping her team add another trophy to its collection. Scutt has taken 152 wickets in 125 T20i matches.

5. Shabnim Ismail (South Africa)

For a time, it appeared that cricket fans had seen the last of Shabnim Ismail in South African colours post her side’s defeat at home in the 2023 edition of the tournament.

The legendary fast bowler’s most recent appearance for the Proteas came in the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup final, where she claimed her 122nd and 123rd T20I wickets. However, Ismail reversed her international retirement in May and returns as South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in the format. Her pace, experience and ability to strike in key moments make her one of the most feared bowlers in the competition.

However, the 37-year-old might again say goodbye to international cricket after the multi-national tournament concludes in England.

–IANS

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Cardiff, June 9 (IANS) India batter Bharti Fulmali believes the team is building momentum at the right time ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, with early preparation and valuable match exposure helping the squad settle into English conditions.

Fulmali’s comments came after India registered a convincing 26-run victory over the West Indies in a tournament warm-up fixture in Cardiff. The middle-order batter played a crucial role in the win, remaining unbeaten on 56 off 40 deliveries as India posted a challenging total before their bowlers completed the job.

Fulmali said the opportunity to feature in warm-up games was proving invaluable ahead of the tournament proper.

“I am very excited because playing in a World Cup is everyone’s dream. It is very important how you perform in the warm-up games because it makes things much easier for the main matches ahead. You get to understand the conditions and the pitches. So winning is very important,” she said in a video shared by Star Sports on X.

The knock was another encouraging sign for the 30-year-old, who has been among the players pushing for a bigger role in India’s T20 setup. Against the West Indies, she arrived at a crucial stage of the innings and anchored the middle order after India’s strong start at the top.

Fulmali credited her recent international opportunities for helping her confidence heading into the World Cup. “Before this, I got opportunities in the Australia series and in South Africa, and that experience is helping me now,” she added.

India have spent significant time acclimatising to conditions in England before the start of the competition, a factor Fulmali believes could prove beneficial as the tournament progresses.

“My preparation has been going according to plan, and our practice sessions have also been very good. We arrived here quite well in advance, which is a big advantage for us. So, we are on the right track,” she mentioned.

India’s comprehensive performance against the West Indies also featured strong contributions from the bowling unit, with the team successfully defending a total of 179. The victory offered another positive indication of the squad’s depth as players continue to stake their claim for places in the playing XI.

With another warm-up fixture against hosts England on the horizon, India will look to fine-tune their combinations further before beginning their quest for a maiden Women’s T20 World Cup title.

–IANS

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New Delhi, June 9 (IANS) India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been ‘almost declared fit’ by the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) to participate in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan starting on Sunday in Dharamsala.

Pandya was battling back spasms, which forced him to miss a few games for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026. As a result, he was sent to the CoE in Bangalore for his fitness regime. He was named in the 15-member squad for the Afghanistan ODIs; however, his availability was subject to fitness.

“Hardik is almost cleared for his ODI return. It was more of a formality, as he has been going well in batting, bowling and fielding since arriving at the CoE on June 2. Both Hardik and Rohit are still here. There’s one more day to go, as the ODI team will assemble in Dharamshala tomorrow,” a source aware of the development told IANS.

The seam-bowling all-rounder’s return to ODI cricket is a major boost for India, especially as the Men in Blue look to build their team for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, opener Rohit Sharma’s participation in the three-game series is subject to fitness, following a hamstring injury sustained in IPL 2026.

Hardik has not played an ODI since India’s Champions Trophy triumph in March 2025, while Rohit, who last featured in India’s previous ODI assignment in January, is returning from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for six IPL matches earlier this season.

Moreover, Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the upcoming three-ODI series against Afghanistan after injuring his hamstring during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s run to the IPL 2026 title last week. Yashasvi Jaiswal has replaced him in the squad.

India’s ODI series against Afghanistan begins with the first match on June 13 in Dharamsala, followed by fixtures in Lucknow (June 17) and Chennai (June 20). The squad for the ODIs in England will be picked after the series against Afghanistan.

–IANS

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Cardiff, June 9 (IANS) India’s preparations for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup were reinforced when several squad members capitalised on their chances in a strong warm-up win against the West Indies and stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana expressed satisfaction with the increasing competition within the team while also stating that the fringe players finding their mojo was a positive sign.

With regular skipper Harmanpreet Kaur absent from the fixture, Mandhana led the team and played a key role at the top of the order, striking a brisk 39 from 23 deliveries as India posted a challenging total before securing a 26-run win in Cardiff.

However, it was the performances of players fighting for spots in the playing XI that drew the most attention. Middle-order batter Bharti Fulmali produced an unbeaten 56 off 40 balls, while bowlers Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav combined to claim seven wickets and derail the West Indies’ chase.

Mandhana said the contributions from players who have had limited opportunities in recent months could only strengthen India’s World Cup campaign.

“(It was) really important. They have not got a lot of game time coming here in England. Radha, Shrey (Shreyanka) and Bharti all three had a brilliant game and it’s a good headache to have ahead of the World Cup. It’s very important for the 15 (player squad) to be in good nick because it always puts everyone else under pressure as well,” Mandhana said after the match.

India entered the contest looking to fine-tune combinations ahead of their tournament opener and used the match to test the depth of their squad. The response from those given extended opportunities is likely to provide selectors with plenty to consider in the coming days.

After an explosive start from Mandhana and Shafali Verma, India briefly lost momentum through the middle overs before Fulmali’s composed innings ensured the team finished strongly and set the West Indies a target of 180. Mandhana felt the outing served an important purpose beyond the result itself, particularly for batters lower down the order who had not spent much time at the crease recently.

“It was especially important for the middle order to bat and I think we did really well. I think all the bowlers were brilliant to restrict them to 150,” she added.

The bowling unit then supported the batting effort with a disciplined performance. Radha’s crucial spell during the middle overs fractured the West Indies’ chase, while Patil took four wickets, helping India secure a comfortable win.

This result offers positive signs for India ahead of their final warm-up matches, especially as several squad members are making strong cases for selection before the tournament starts.

India will continue preparations on Wednesday with another high-profile warm-up match against hosts England, while the West Indies will aim to regroup before their last practice game against Australia.

–IANS

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