<p>The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday released TV and digital viewing figures for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2020 group stage, setting new TV and digital records and becoming the most-watched women`s cricket event ever.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Across ICC's digital and social platforms, fans have engaged in greater numbers than ever before with an unprecedented 701 million video views to date.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is a record for ICC women's events with the previous best coming in 2017 for the Women's Cricket World Cup, which netted a total of 100 million views from the whole event.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the official tournament social channels have attracted 34 million engagements and over 2 billion impressions with fans.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Through the ICC's global broadcast partner, the event has been shown in almost 160 territories across the world through live and highlights television coverage.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Continuing the TV viewership records, Australia's opening game against India became the second most-watched women's match in Australia with a combined average audience of 448,000 across the networks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Whilst in India, the same game saw a reach of 20 million and an average audience of 3.55 million which is 39 per cent higher than the most-watched match at the ICC Women`s World Twenty20 2018 edition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The first 12 matches of this event have attracted 2.46 billion viewing minutes in India versus 787 million viewing minutes for the same matches in the 2018 event.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This represents a 213 per cent increase. The final of the tournament will be played between host Australia and India at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) later in the day.</p>


The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday released TV and digital viewing figures for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2020 group stage, setting new TV and digital records and becoming the most-watched women`s cricket event ever.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday released TV and digital viewing figures for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2020 group stage, setting new TV and digital records and becoming the most-watched women`s cricket event ever. Across ICC's digital and social platforms, fans have engaged in greater numbers than ever before with an unprecedented 701 million video views to date. This is a record for ICC women's events with the previous best coming in 2017 for the Women's Cricket World Cup, which netted a total of 100 million views from the whole event. Meanwhile, the official tournament social channels have attracted 34 million engagements and over 2 billion impressions with fans. Through the ICC's global broadcast partner, the event has been shown in almost 160 territories across the world through live and highlights television coverage. Continuing the TV viewership records, Australia's opening game against India became the second most-watched women's match in Australia with a combined average audience of 448,000 across the networks. Whilst in India, the same game saw a reach of 20 million and an average audience of 3.55 million which is 39 per cent higher than the most-watched match at the ICC Women`s World Twenty20 2018 edition. The first 12 matches of this event have attracted 2.46 billion viewing minutes in India versus 787 million viewing minutes for the same matches in the 2018 event. This represents a 213 per cent increase. The final of the tournament will be played between host Australia and India at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) later in the day.

ICC Women's T20 World Cup breaks all audience records

<p>Defending champions Australia has proceeded into the finals of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup after beating the South African women's cricket team by 5 runs (DLS) on Thursday.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/icc-womens-t20-world-cup-india-progress-to-finals-after-semifinal-match-gets-abandoned-284411" hreflang="en">ICC Women's T20 World Cup: India progress to finals after semifinal match gets abandoned</a></p>

<p>Despite losing Perry, Australia must not be underestimated as they stunned the cup favourites South Africa team.</p>

<p>Australian women's team scored 134 runs by the end of the 20 overs. Their captain Meg Lanning led the team from the front as she scored 49 runs (not out).</p>

<p><strong>Also see:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/icc-womens-t20-world-cup-semifinal-why-indias-women-in-blue-will-beat-england-284286" hreflang="en">ICC Women's T20 World Cup semifinal: Why India's 'Women in Blue' will beat England</a></p>

<p>South African innings were revised due to rain. The revised target is 98 runs off 13 overs. The Proteas fell five runs short of the target scoring 92 runs off 5 wickets in 20 overs.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/icc-womens-t20-world-cup-shafali-verma-stars-as-india-qualify-for-semifinals-283099">ICC Women's T20 World Cup: Shafali Verma stars as India qualify for semifinals</a></p>

<p>The hosts (Australians) will now face India in the final match on Sunday.&nbsp; For the first time in their history, India has qualified for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup final.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/teen-sensation-shafali-verma-now-has-highest-strike-rate-in-womens-t20is-283027">Teen sensation Shafali Verma now has highest strike-rate in Women's T20Is</a></p>

<p>The 'Women in Blue' are having a dream-run in this years ICC T20 World Cup. Harmanpreet and Co are the only unbeaten side in the tournament. They started their campaign by defeating the defending Champs and hosts Australia by 17 runs. Aussies will be eyeing redemption against the 'women in blue'.</p>

<p>Australia's star all-rounder Ellyse Perry is out of the tournament after she was struck by a hamstring injury during their match with New Zealand.</p>

<p>India's explosive opener Shafali Verma and bowler Poonam Yadav's form could guide the women to their maiden ICC trophy.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Defending champions Australia has proceeded into the finals of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup after beating the South African women's cricket team by 5 runs (DLS) on Thursday.

Defending champions Australia has proceeded into the finals of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup after beating the South African women's cricket team by 5 runs (DLS) on Thursday. Also read: ICC Women's T20 World Cup: India progress to finals after semifinal match gets abandoned Despite losing Perry, Australia must not be underestimated as they stunned the cup favourites South Africa team. Australian women's team scored 134 runs by the end of the 20 overs. Their captain Meg Lanning led the team from the front as she scored 49 runs (not out). Also see: ICC Women's T20 World Cup semifinal: Why India's 'Women in Blue' will beat England South African innings were revised due to rain. The revised target is 98 runs off 13 overs. The Proteas fell five runs short of the target scoring 92 runs off 5 wickets in 20 overs. Also read: ICC Women's T20 World Cup: Shafali Verma stars as India qualify for semifinals The hosts (Australians) will now face India in the final match on Sunday. For the first time in their history, India has qualified for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup final. Also read: Teen sensation Shafali Verma now has highest strike-rate in Women's T20Is The 'Women in Blue' are having a dream-run in this years ICC T20 World Cup. Harmanpreet and Co are the only unbeaten side in the tournament. They started their campaign by defeating the defending Champs and hosts Australia by 17 runs. Aussies will be eyeing redemption against the 'women in blue'. Australia's star all-rounder Ellyse Perry is out of the tournament after she was struck by a hamstring injury during their match with New Zealand. India's explosive opener Shafali Verma and bowler Poonam Yadav's form could guide the women to their maiden ICC trophy.

ICC Women's T20 World Cup: India set to face Australia in finals

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<p>Indian women's team are set to face England in the first semifinals clash on Thursday. The match will be played on Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/icc-t20-world-cup-can-indian-womens-cricket-team-repeat-an-83-281967">ICC T20 World Cup: Can Indian women's cricket team repeat an '83?</a></p>

<p>The 'Women in Blue' are having a dream-run in this years ICC T20 World Cup. Harmanpreet and Co are the only unbeaten side in the tournament. They started their campaign by defeating the defending Champs and hosts Australia by 17 runs.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/icc-womens-t20-world-cup-shafali-verma-stars-as-india-qualify-for-semifinals-283099">ICC Women's T20 World Cup: Shafali Verma stars as India qualify for semifinals</a></p>

<p>The second match was played against Bangladesh, India won the match by 18 runs. Indian women's team had a close encounter against the New Zealand women's team. But the Indian side managed to win by 3 runs.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/teen-sensation-shafali-verma-now-has-highest-strike-rate-in-womens-t20is-283027">Teen sensation Shafali Verma now has highest strike-rate in Women's T20Is</a></p>

<p>India topped their table after beating Sri Lanka by 7 wickets.&nbsp;</p>

<p>England women's team started their campaign with a loss against South Africa (SA topped their table). They were defeated by 6 wickets.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But the English side was back on track after thrashing Thailand by 98 runs. They defeated Pakistan and West Indies by 42 and 46 runs respectively.&nbsp;</p>

<p>England's bowling attack has been world-class whereas India's Shafali Verma is leading the mighty Indian batting side. India and England, both have managed to defend their totals well.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The weather is predicted to play spoilsport as heavy rains lash East Australia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Final two matches (Pakistan women's team vs Thailand women's team and South Africa women's team vs West Indies women's team) were abandoned without a ball being bowled due to the rain. India will qualify&nbsp;just in case the rain spoils the match as they topped the table, whereas, England were second in their pool. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Squads:&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>India:</strong>&nbsp;Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(captain), Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Shikha Pandey, Radha Yadav, Taniya Bhatia (wicket-keeper), Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav, Veda Krishnamurthy, Pooja Vastrakar, Harleen Deol</p>

<p><strong>England:</strong>&nbsp;Amy Ellen Jones(wicket-keeper), Danielle Wyatt, Fran Wilson, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Winfield, Heather Knight (captain), Katherine Brunt, Anya Shrubsole, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Natalie Sciver, Georgia Elwiss, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Mady Villiers</p>


Indian women's team are set to face England in the first semifinals clash on Thursday. The match will be played on Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. Also read: ICC T20 World Cup: Can Indian women's cricket team repeat an '83?

Indian women's team are set to face England in the first semifinals clash on Thursday. The match will be played on Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. Also read: ICC T20 World Cup: Can Indian women's cricket team repeat an '83? The 'Women in Blue' are having a dream-run in this years ICC T20 World Cup. Harmanpreet and Co are the only unbeaten side in the tournament. They started their campaign by defeating the defending Champs and hosts Australia by 17 runs. Also read: ICC Women's T20 World Cup: Shafali Verma stars as India qualify for semifinals The second match was played against Bangladesh, India won the match by 18 runs. Indian women's team had a close encounter against the New Zealand women's team. But the Indian side managed to win by 3 runs. Also read: Teen sensation Shafali Verma now has highest strike-rate in Women's T20Is India topped their table after beating Sri Lanka by 7 wickets. England women's team started their campaign with a loss against South Africa (SA topped their table). They were defeated by 6 wickets. But the English side was back on track after thrashing Thailand by 98 runs. They defeated Pakistan and West Indies by 42 and 46 runs respectively. England's bowling attack has been world-class whereas India's Shafali Verma is leading the mighty Indian batting side. India and England, both have managed to defend their totals well. The weather is predicted to play spoilsport as heavy rains lash East Australia. Final two matches (Pakistan women's team vs Thailand women's team and South Africa women's team vs West Indies women's team) were abandoned without a ball being bowled due to the rain. India will qualify just in case the rain spoils the match as they topped the table, whereas, England were second in their pool. Squads: India: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(captain), Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Shikha Pandey, Radha Yadav, Taniya Bhatia (wicket-keeper), Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav, Veda Krishnamurthy, Pooja Vastrakar, Harleen Deol England: Amy Ellen Jones(wicket-keeper), Danielle Wyatt, Fran Wilson, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Winfield, Heather Knight (captain), Katherine Brunt, Anya Shrubsole, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Natalie Sciver, Georgia Elwiss, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Mady Villiers

ICC women's T20 World Cup: India are set to face England in semifinals

<p>Indian women's cricket team will be looking forward to getting a maiden ICC trophy this year by winning the ICC T20 women's World Cup.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/icc-t20-world-cup-can-indian-womens-cricket-team-repeat-an-83-281967" hreflang="en">ICC T20 World Cup: Can Indian women's cricket team repeat an '83?</a></p>

<p>They face a mighty challenge to get to the knockout phase as they progress in the tournament. They have an on-going match with the ICC world number one and hosts Australia. Australians are favourite to lift the coveted trophy.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It is time for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/T20WorldCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#T20WorldCup</a> opener 😎😎<br />
<br />
Let's get back behind <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a> 🇮🇳🇮🇳 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvIND</a> <a href="https://t.co/uuXdD1pEtr">pic.twitter.com/uuXdD1pEtr</a></p>
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCIWomen/status/1230753990331129856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Indian women's team's young guns such as Shafali Verma, Taniya Bhatia and Radha Yadav have been in an excellent form and India's in-form trio (Harmanpreet, Mandhana, Rodrigues) and that does not rule out the chances of winning.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Years Indian women's team has reached three ICC semifinals:<br />
1). 2009<br />
2). 2010<br />
3). 2018</p>

<p>Years Indian women's team crashed out early in the tournament:&nbsp;<br />
1). 2012<br />
2). 2014<br />
3). 2016</p>

<p>India's fixture:&nbsp;<br />
India vs Australia, February 21&nbsp;<br />
India vs Bangladesh, February 24&nbsp;<br />
India vs New Zealand, February 27&nbsp;<br />
India vs Sri Lanka, February 29</p>

<p>The tournament commences on February 21 and the finals will be played March 8 on Melbourne cricket ground.&nbsp;</p>


Indian women's cricket team will be looking forward to getting a maiden ICC trophy this year by winning the ICC T20 women's World Cup. Also read: ICC T20 World Cup: Can Indian women's cricket team repeat an '83?

Indian women's cricket team will be looking forward to getting a maiden ICC trophy this year by winning the ICC T20 women's World Cup. Also read: ICC T20 World Cup: Can Indian women's cricket team repeat an '83? They face a mighty challenge to get to the knockout phase as they progress in the tournament. They have an on-going match with the ICC world number one and hosts Australia. Australians are favourite to lift the coveted trophy. It is time for the #T20WorldCup opener 😎😎 Let's get back behind #TeamIndia 🇮🇳🇮🇳 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/uuXdD1pEtr — BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) February 21, 2020 × Indian women's team's young guns such as Shafali Verma, Taniya Bhatia and Radha Yadav have been in an excellent form and India's in-form trio (Harmanpreet, Mandhana, Rodrigues) and that does not rule out the chances of winning. Years Indian women's team has reached three ICC semifinals: 1). 2009 2). 2010 3). 2018 Years Indian women's team crashed out early in the tournament: 1). 2012 2). 2014 3). 2016 India's fixture: India vs Australia, February 21 India vs Bangladesh, February 24 India vs New Zealand, February 27 India vs Sri Lanka, February 29 The tournament commences on February 21 and the finals will be played March 8 on Melbourne cricket ground.

Indian women's cricket team begins ICC World Cup campaign against Australia

<p>As Women's T20 World Cup is about to start, fans across the country just have one question on their mind, can the Indian side replicate the feat of Kapil Dev's 1983 World Cup-winning squad?</p>

<p>In 1983, The Indian team had defeated an invincible West Indies in the finals to lift the World Cup trophy for the first time. After the win, cricket got a fillip in the country, elevating the sport to religion for fans with every child wanting to become a cricketer.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Wow, Jemimah Rodrigues looks in some serious form ahead of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/T20WorldCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#T20WorldCup</a> opener tonight 🙌<br />
<br />
The way she holds the pose after some of these drives is 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/YJ46rWK23b">pic.twitter.com/YJ46rWK23b</a></p>
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/T20WorldCup/status/1230703762701873152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>In the final against West Indies, India had scored 183 runs after being put in to bat. Krishnamachari Srikkanth top-scored for India with a knock of 38 runs and Andy Roberts took the maximum wickets for West Indies as he sent three batsmen to the pavilion. West Indies, in its chase, failed to leave a mark as both Madan Lal and Mohinder Amarnath scalped three wickets and bundled them out for 140 runs, handing India a win by 43 runs.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Just hours to go for the start of the Women's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/T20WorldCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#T20WorldCup</a> 🎆<br />
<br />
Who's excited? 🙋<br />
<br />
Last tickets released for tonight's opening match and celebration. Adults from $20, kids just $5 at <a href="https://t.co/oBabmfwB80">https://t.co/oBabmfwB80</a> <a href="https://t.co/3CRDfxWLK1">pic.twitter.com/3CRDfxWLK1</a></p>
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/T20WorldCup/status/1230669724989698048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Now talking about the women's side, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led team has the best chance of winning their first ICC title. Apart from Australia and England, India is being viewed as the prime favourites to win the title.</p>

<p>The team has a perfect balance of youngsters and experienced campaigners. Shafali Verma, Richa Ghosh would be playing their first World Cup and they would rely on experienced campaigners like Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana.</p>

<p>No one likes to compare men's and women's cricketers, but the 23-year-old Mandhana is now the lynchpin of the Indian side and is viewed as Virat Kohli of the women's game by many.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Just hours to go for the start of the Women's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/T20WorldCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#T20WorldCup</a> 🎆<br />
<br />
Who's excited? 🙋<br />
<br />
Last tickets released for tonight's opening match and celebration. Adults from $20, kids just $5 at <a href="https://t.co/oBabmfwB80">https://t.co/oBabmfwB80</a> <a href="https://t.co/3CRDfxWLK1">pic.twitter.com/3CRDfxWLK1</a></p>
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/T20WorldCup/status/1230669724989698048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Mandhana has the record for registering fastest fifty by an Indian batswoman in the T20I format and her along with Shafali Verma will look to give the Indian side a fast start at the top.</p>

<p>Sixteen-year-old Shafali Verma has taken the global sport by storm. She has a playing style similar to that of Virender Sehwag, as she relies majorly on scoring boundaries. In the recent women's tri-series, the youngster hit a straight six off Australia's bowler and the shot went viral on social media.</p>

<p>Harmanpreet Kaur, the most experienced Indian batswoman will give stability to the middle order and will look to finish off matches. India's lower-order has failed to rise to the occasion, so it would be interesting to see how the side manages to cope if Mandhana and Harmanpreet fail.</p>

<p>In terms of bowling, India looks the most settled as the side has a perfect combination of spin and pace. Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav and Deepti Sharma are known for spinning a cob-web around the opposition batters and the trio has an ability to defend modest totals.</p>

<p>India has a big challenge ahead of them in the first match, as the team would lock horns with hosts and defending champions Australia. The side managed to reach the finals of ICC 50-over World Cup in 2017. They also went to the semis of the 2018 T20 Women's World cup, but now, can they go all the way to bring a major title for the women's sport in the country?</p>


As Women's T20 World Cup is about to start, fans across the country just have one question on their mind, can the Indian side replicate the feat of Kapil Dev's 1983 World Cup-winning squad?

As Women's T20 World Cup is about to start, fans across the country just have one question on their mind, can the Indian side replicate the feat of Kapil Dev's 1983 World Cup-winning squad? In 1983, The Indian team had defeated an invincible West Indies in the finals to lift the World Cup trophy for the first time. After the win, cricket got a fillip in the country, elevating the sport to religion for fans with every child wanting to become a cricketer. Wow, Jemimah Rodrigues looks in some serious form ahead of the #T20WorldCup opener tonight 🙌 The way she holds the pose after some of these drives is 🔥 pic.twitter.com/YJ46rWK23b — T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 21, 2020 × In the final against West Indies, India had scored 183 runs after being put in to bat. Krishnamachari Srikkanth top-scored for India with a knock of 38 runs and Andy Roberts took the maximum wickets for West Indies as he sent three batsmen to the pavilion. West Indies, in its chase, failed to leave a mark as both Madan Lal and Mohinder Amarnath scalped three wickets and bundled them out for 140 runs, handing India a win by 43 runs. Just hours to go for the start of the Women's #T20WorldCup 🎆 Who's excited? 🙋 Last tickets released for tonight's opening match and celebration. Adults from $20, kids just $5 at https://t.co/oBabmfwB80 pic.twitter.com/3CRDfxWLK1 — T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 21, 2020 × Now talking about the women's side, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led team has the best chance of winning their first ICC title. Apart from Australia and England, India is being viewed as the prime favourites to win the title. The team has a perfect balance of youngsters and experienced campaigners. Shafali Verma, Richa Ghosh would be playing their first World Cup and they would rely on experienced campaigners like Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana. No one likes to compare men's and women's cricketers, but the 23-year-old Mandhana is now the lynchpin of the Indian side and is viewed as Virat Kohli of the women's game by many. Just hours to go for the start of the Women's #T20WorldCup 🎆 Who's excited? 🙋 Last tickets released for tonight's opening match and celebration. Adults from $20, kids just $5 at https://t.co/oBabmfwB80 pic.twitter.com/3CRDfxWLK1 — T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 21, 2020 × Mandhana has the record for registering fastest fifty by an Indian batswoman in the T20I format and her along with Shafali Verma will look to give the Indian side a fast start at the top. Sixteen-year-old Shafali Verma has taken the global sport by storm. She has a playing style similar to that of Virender Sehwag, as she relies majorly on scoring boundaries. In the recent women's tri-series, the youngster hit a straight six off Australia's bowler and the shot went viral on social media. Harmanpreet Kaur, the most experienced Indian batswoman will give stability to the middle order and will look to finish off matches. India's lower-order has failed to rise to the occasion, so it would be interesting to see how the side manages to cope if Mandhana and Harmanpreet fail. In terms of bowling, India looks the most settled as the side has a perfect combination of spin and pace. Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav and Deepti Sharma are known for spinning a cob-web around the opposition batters and the trio has an ability to defend modest totals. India has a big challenge ahead of them in the first match, as the team would lock horns with hosts and defending champions Australia. The side managed to reach the finals of ICC 50-over World Cup in 2017. They also went to the semis of the 2018 T20 Women's World cup, but now, can they go all the way to bring a major title for the women's sport in the country?

ICC T20 World Cup: Can Indian women's cricket team repeat an '83?

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<p>Australian women's team beat India by 11 runs in finals of the tri-nation women's T20 series in Melbourne on Wednesday and clinched the series win.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">What a spell that was from Jess Jonassen to power Australia to victory in the tri-series final over India 👏 <a href="https://t.co/RHwbPIluFa">pic.twitter.com/RHwbPIluFa</a></p>
— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1227487510730887168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Indian opener Smriti Mandhana's quickfire 66 runs off 37 balls was overpowered by Australian spinner Jess Jonassen's five-wicket haul which helped Australia defend a challenging total.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Australia won the toss and chose to bat. Beth Mooney scored the most for the team (71 runs). Australia made good use of the last over. India's Rajeshwari Gayakwad conceded 19 runs in the final over.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Australia have reduced India to 69/3 at the halfway mark, with Tayla Vlaeminck claiming two key wickets!<br />
<br />
Can India fight back?<br />
<br />
Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvIND</a> 👉 <a href="https://t.co/cocffiMMUe">https://t.co/cocffiMMUe</a> <a href="https://t.co/15THXQbxTD">pic.twitter.com/15THXQbxTD</a></p>
— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1227460063369080832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Indian women's Smriti Mandhana scored the most for India, at one point India was 115 for the loss of 3 wickets in the 15th over, but after Smriti Mandhana and Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur wickets in consecutive overs shattered the Indian hopes. India was all-out on144 runs in 20 overs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jess Jonassen was adjudged the Player of the match after her match deciding five-wicket haul. Beth Mooney's fertile run-scoring performance earned her the Player of the Series.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Tri-nation series consisted of Australia, India and England. All the teams won and lost two matches.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Playing XI:&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>Australia:</strong>&nbsp;Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Meg Lanning (c), Ellyse Perry, Rachael Haynes, Nicola Carey, Annabel Sutherland, Jess Jonassen, Megan Schutt, Tayla Vlaeminck</p>

<p><strong>India:</strong>&nbsp;Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Richa Ghosh, Shikha Pandey, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav</p>


Australian women's team beat India by 11 runs in finals of the tri-nation women's T20 series in Melbourne on Wednesday and clinched the series win. What a spell that was from Jess Jonassen to power Australia to victory in the tri-series final over India 👏 pic.

Australian women's team beat India by 11 runs in finals of the tri-nation women's T20 series in Melbourne on Wednesday and clinched the series win. What a spell that was from Jess Jonassen to power Australia to victory in the tri-series final over India 👏 pic.twitter.com/RHwbPIluFa — ICC (@ICC) February 12, 2020 × Indian opener Smriti Mandhana's quickfire 66 runs off 37 balls was overpowered by Australian spinner Jess Jonassen's five-wicket haul which helped Australia defend a challenging total. Australia won the toss and chose to bat. Beth Mooney scored the most for the team (71 runs). Australia made good use of the last over. India's Rajeshwari Gayakwad conceded 19 runs in the final over. Australia have reduced India to 69/3 at the halfway mark, with Tayla Vlaeminck claiming two key wickets! Can India fight back? Follow #AUSvIND 👉 https://t.co/cocffiMMUe pic.twitter.com/15THXQbxTD — ICC (@ICC) February 12, 2020 × Indian women's Smriti Mandhana scored the most for India, at one point India was 115 for the loss of 3 wickets in the 15th over, but after Smriti Mandhana and Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur wickets in consecutive overs shattered the Indian hopes. India was all-out on144 runs in 20 overs. Jess Jonassen was adjudged the Player of the match after her match deciding five-wicket haul. Beth Mooney's fertile run-scoring performance earned her the Player of the Series. The Tri-nation series consisted of Australia, India and England. All the teams won and lost two matches. Playing XI: Australia: Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Meg Lanning (c), Ellyse Perry, Rachael Haynes, Nicola Carey, Annabel Sutherland, Jess Jonassen, Megan Schutt, Tayla Vlaeminck India: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Richa Ghosh, Shikha Pandey, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav

Australian women's team beat India by 11 runs to clinch Tri-nation T20 series

<p>Jemimah Rodrigues has become the third Indian batter to play Kia Super League (KSL) after Yorkshire Diamonds signed her for the upcoming fourth and final edition of the league.</p>

<p>Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur are the other two Indian cricketers who have competed in the history of this T20 league hosted in England.</p>

<p>Diamonds announced its 15-member squad which also features big names including Australia wicket-keeper batter Alyssa Healy and England fast bowler Katherine Brunt.</p>

<p>The 18-year-old, who made her international debut in February 2018, has a strike rate of 123.57 in just 25 T20Is.</p>

<p>Recently, the batting all-rounder had an impressive stint in a three-match ODI series in the backyard of New Zealand, scoring a career-best unbeaten 81 which helped India secure a 2-1 series victory.</p>

<p>Mumbai-born Rodrigues played for Harmanpreet-led Supernovas in the Women's T20 Challenge in Jaipur and was named Player of the Tournament after amassing 123 runs in three matches.</p>

<p>Former England off-spinner Danielle Hazell replaced Paul Grayson, who has taken on the role of men`s batting coach, to become Yorkshire Diamonds'&nbsp;coach.</p>

<p>Hazell played for the Diamonds in the first year of the KSL but left the team to captain Lancashire Thunder for the last two years before retiring as a player.</p>

<p>In three years of the KSL so far, the Diamonds have not qualified for Finals Day."</p>

<p>Over the last few years, Yorkshire, a massive county, have probably underperformed in the Super League. We've now got a chance to put it right in the final year of the competition as it is now," Hazell said in a statement.</p>

<p>"Hopefully some good signings and good performances can achieve that. I believe it's a good squad and one of the strongest I've seen at the Diamonds. We're pretty happy with it," the Diamonds coach added.</p>

<p>The 2019 KSL, which will be replaced by the Hundred from 2020, will start on August 6 and will see six teams - Lancashire Thunder, Loughborough Lightning, Western Storm, Surrey Stars, Yorkshire Diamonds, Southern Vipers - playing each other twice in a league format.</p>

<p>The top three teams qualify for finals day on September 1, with the second and third-placed sides competing for the chance to face the first-place league winners in the final. Southern Vipers, Western Storm, and Surrey Stars have won the tournament once each in 2016, 2017, 2018, respectively.</p>


Jemimah Rodrigues has become the third Indian batter to play Kia Super League (KSL) after Yorkshire Diamonds signed her for the upcoming fourth and final edition of the league.

Jemimah Rodrigues has become the third Indian batter to play Kia Super League (KSL) after Yorkshire Diamonds signed her for the upcoming fourth and final edition of the league. Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur are the other two Indian cricketers who have competed in the history of this T20 league hosted in England. Diamonds announced its 15-member squad which also features big names including Australia wicket-keeper batter Alyssa Healy and England fast bowler Katherine Brunt. The 18-year-old, who made her international debut in February 2018, has a strike rate of 123.57 in just 25 T20Is. Recently, the batting all-rounder had an impressive stint in a three-match ODI series in the backyard of New Zealand, scoring a career-best unbeaten 81 which helped India secure a 2-1 series victory. Mumbai-born Rodrigues played for Harmanpreet-led Supernovas in the Women's T20 Challenge in Jaipur and was named Player of the Tournament after amassing 123 runs in three matches. Former England off-spinner Danielle Hazell replaced Paul Grayson, who has taken on the role of men`s batting coach, to become Yorkshire Diamonds' coach. Hazell played for the Diamonds in the first year of the KSL but left the team to captain Lancashire Thunder for the last two years before retiring as a player. In three years of the KSL so far, the Diamonds have not qualified for Finals Day." Over the last few years, Yorkshire, a massive county, have probably underperformed in the Super League. We've now got a chance to put it right in the final year of the competition as it is now," Hazell said in a statement. "Hopefully some good signings and good performances can achieve that. I believe it's a good squad and one of the strongest I've seen at the Diamonds. We're pretty happy with it," the Diamonds coach added. The 2019 KSL, which will be replaced by the Hundred from 2020, will start on August 6 and will see six teams - Lancashire Thunder, Loughborough Lightning, Western Storm, Surrey Stars, Yorkshire Diamonds, Southern Vipers - playing each other twice in a league format. The top three teams qualify for finals day on September 1, with the second and third-placed sides competing for the chance to face the first-place league winners in the final. Southern Vipers, Western Storm, and Surrey Stars have won the tournament once each in 2016, 2017, 2018, respectively.

Jemimah Rodrigues becomes third Indian to play Kia Super League

<p>"It has been a long time since we have seen women's matches in Jaipur. It will be interesting what the crowds are like," former India women captain Shubhangi Kulkarni had told ANI ahead of the recently-concluded <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/womens-t20-league-was-great-but-need-to-have-more-teams-harmanpreet-218084/amp&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj2iOG68JriAhXVlOYKHTEYAn4QFjAAegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0WVMX411ZUxpWrXB-eepYI">Women's T20 Challenge.</a></p>

<p>The three matches prior to the May 11 showdown at Sawai Mansingh stadium saw fewer spectators.</p>

<p>However, the finale between Velocity and eventual champions Supernovas witnessed a crowd of over 13,000 people cheering both Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur's teams contesting in the low-scoring last-ball thriller.</p>

<p>"Mostly in the major cities, we haven't had a good crowd. There were times earlier when we used to have packed stadiums. We had an England versus India match in Centurion in 2004 (which saw) a packed stadium. In 1976, we played a Test match at Patna and we had a full stadium. I think we need to pick the right venues to be able to attract the crowd. We need to think differently about women's games. Think of those venues where we will get full crowds," Kulkarni said.</p>

<p>Staging a full-fledged league may take some more time, given the concerns of BCCI over the depth of India's domestic pool of players.</p>

<p>'Use inter-school and inter-university tournaments to build base'&nbsp;India women's first captain Shantha Rangaswamy is of the view that inter-school state tournaments is where the base will improve.</p>

<p>"You need to have a wider and much larger pool of players to choose from. My worry is where is the wide base we are looking for to select? Even if they make 4-5 teams (for Women`s IPL), they have to work from the back end and popularise the game at the school level," Rangaswamy said in an interview to ANI.</p>

<p>"I feel we should coordinate with Indian universities and inter-schools and fix their tournaments in such a way that it doesn't clash with the BCCI tournaments because that is where the players are coming from. It's a feeder and we need to nourish the feeders."</p>

<p>"Right now inter-university is basically a shadow of what it was 30-40 years back. There was a very high level of standards then but now most of the girls are busy playing state. That's why there's a need for better coordination. Coming on TV, diving, taking a couple of catches, it's all good, people need that - I agree. But the larger picture is still hazy. That`s where we need to concentrate without ignoring this (Women's T20 Challenge), which needs to go on. The show must go on," Rangaswamy explained.</p>

<p>"Was BCCI willing to do this also? No! After 2017, things have changed. The perception has changed within BCCI itself. It has changed for the better. I`ll be very happy in the next 4-5 years if franchises come forward and we have a full-fledged IPL, but for that to happen, the next 5 years we need to do a lot of preparatory work. BCCI has in place T20 inter-state for juniors, for seniors, under 19 and 23. I still regret that BCCI has dispensed with inter-zonal -- that was the platform where we found high standards, more competition,"&nbsp;Rangaswamy added.</p>

<p>"Now they are holding Challengers which I feel is a crazy move and I don't subscribe to that whatever be the merits. It can never ever replace inter-zonal because inter-zonal was (I can assure you) the pinnacle of domestic cricket. It's a sad story or whatever the reasons I don't know but I feel they must reintroduce inter-zonal for one-day as well as T20. Inter-zonal was the litmus test in domestic cricket because the pressure and standards were high, we must get that revived," Rangaswamy, a veteran of 16 Tests and 19 ODIs, said.</p>

<p>On the other hand, Kulkarni, secretary of the erstwhile Women's Cricket Association, said, "I feel the girls will adapt when they play more T20 games. If you see it has happened with the men's team. Initially, they were not prepared to play T20 Internationals. During the first World Cup in 2007, men were not prepared for it. But as they went along they all got better. In men's cricket, the more players are playing, the better they are getting."</p>

<p>"I feel once these girls start playing these matches, their skill level will get enhanced and they will start performing better. There is a lot of interest; people are following women's cricket right from the World Cup final in 2017. Since then, there has been an interest shown by not just spectators but even sponsors. Girls are now being managed by agencies, there are people giving them sponsorship. I definitely see a full-fledged IPL beginning," Kulkarni, who has played 19 Tests and 27 ODIs, added.</p>

<p>The women's T20 league offers a great platform to showcase talent and hone skills by rubbing shoulders with professional overseas players. With a stronger Indian base, the tournament is set to become more competitive, and, in turn, force franchises to invest more and make it a huge success.</p>


"It has been a long time since we have seen women's matches in Jaipur. It will be interesting what the crowds are like," former India women captain Shubhangi Kulkarni had told ANI ahead of the recently-concluded Women's T20 Challenge.

"It has been a long time since we have seen women's matches in Jaipur. It will be interesting what the crowds are like," former India women captain Shubhangi Kulkarni had told ANI ahead of the recently-concluded Women's T20 Challenge. The three matches prior to the May 11 showdown at Sawai Mansingh stadium saw fewer spectators. However, the finale between Velocity and eventual champions Supernovas witnessed a crowd of over 13,000 people cheering both Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur's teams contesting in the low-scoring last-ball thriller. "Mostly in the major cities, we haven't had a good crowd. There were times earlier when we used to have packed stadiums. We had an England versus India match in Centurion in 2004 (which saw) a packed stadium. In 1976, we played a Test match at Patna and we had a full stadium. I think we need to pick the right venues to be able to attract the crowd. We need to think differently about women's games. Think of those venues where we will get full crowds," Kulkarni said. Staging a full-fledged league may take some more time, given the concerns of BCCI over the depth of India's domestic pool of players. 'Use inter-school and inter-university tournaments to build base' India women's first captain Shantha Rangaswamy is of the view that inter-school state tournaments is where the base will improve. "You need to have a wider and much larger pool of players to choose from. My worry is where is the wide base we are looking for to select? Even if they make 4-5 teams (for Women`s IPL), they have to work from the back end and popularise the game at the school level," Rangaswamy said in an interview to ANI. "I feel we should coordinate with Indian universities and inter-schools and fix their tournaments in such a way that it doesn't clash with the BCCI tournaments because that is where the players are coming from. It's a feeder and we need to nourish the feeders." "Right now inter-university is basically a shadow of what it was 30-40 years back. There was a very high level of standards then but now most of the girls are busy playing state. That's why there's a need for better coordination. Coming on TV, diving, taking a couple of catches, it's all good, people need that - I agree. But the larger picture is still hazy. That`s where we need to concentrate without ignoring this (Women's T20 Challenge), which needs to go on. The show must go on," Rangaswamy explained. "Was BCCI willing to do this also? No! After 2017, things have changed. The perception has changed within BCCI itself. It has changed for the better. I`ll be very happy in the next 4-5 years if franchises come forward and we have a full-fledged IPL, but for that to happen, the next 5 years we need to do a lot of preparatory work. BCCI has in place T20 inter-state for juniors, for seniors, under 19 and 23. I still regret that BCCI has dispensed with inter-zonal -- that was the platform where we found high standards, more competition," Rangaswamy added. "Now they are holding Challengers which I feel is a crazy move and I don't subscribe to that whatever be the merits. It can never ever replace inter-zonal because inter-zonal was (I can assure you) the pinnacle of domestic cricket. It's a sad story or whatever the reasons I don't know but I feel they must reintroduce inter-zonal for one-day as well as T20. Inter-zonal was the litmus test in domestic cricket because the pressure and standards were high, we must get that revived," Rangaswamy, a veteran of 16 Tests and 19 ODIs, said. On the other hand, Kulkarni, secretary of the erstwhile Women's Cricket Association, said, "I feel the girls will adapt when they play more T20 games. If you see it has happened with the men's team. Initially, they were not prepared to play T20 Internationals. During the first World Cup in 2007, men were not prepared for it. But as they went along they all got better. In men's cricket, the more players are playing, the better they are getting." "I feel once these girls start playing these matches, their skill level will get enhanced and they will start performing better. There is a lot of interest; people are following women's cricket right from the World Cup final in 2017. Since then, there has been an interest shown by not just spectators but even sponsors. Girls are now being managed by agencies, there are people giving them sponsorship. I definitely see a full-fledged IPL beginning," Kulkarni, who has played 19 Tests and 27 ODIs, added. The women's T20 league offers a great platform to showcase talent and hone skills by rubbing shoulders with professional overseas players. With a stronger Indian base, the tournament is set to become more competitive, and, in turn, force franchises to invest more and make it a huge success.

Pick right venues and improve base for Women's IPL, say India's former captains

<p>The inaugural Women's T20 League was a great concept but it was too short and the tournament needs to have more teams and matches going forward, said Supernovas skipper Harmanpreet Kaur after clinching the maiden title.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Supernovas defeated Velocity by four wickets to win the inaugural Women's T20 Challenge, a T20 league involving three teams.</p>

<p>But Harmanpreet, who has hit a vital 51 in Supernovas last-ball win here on Saturday night, has called for more participation from teams after the success of the tournament.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Firstly it was great tournament for me, I learnt a lot from it and the same goes for other players also. We learned a lot from this tournament and that's what we were expecting," she said after the victory.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We wanted to play a T20 league in India and I am really happy the way it went. We are looking for more matches and more teams in the next Women's T20 League," added Harmanpreet, who was surprised to witness a strong crowd of 15,000 cheering both the teams.</p>

<p>Harmanpreet said even the foreign players want the tournament to be held in a large-scale next year.</p>

<p>"It shows how important this league is for the foreign players too. They were always asking when the women's league was to be played in India where they can come and play. You can see how important these games were for everyone. How keen they were to play here," she said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I think everybody was so excited for these games."</p>

<p>Speaking about her own performance, the Indian women's T20 captain said she was delighted to finish off the job for her side on Saturday night.</p>

<p>"I learnt how to finish because depending all the time for sixes is not going to work and sometimes you can play along the ground and win the games. I did half the job and Radha Yadav came and finished the game," Harmanpreet said.</p>

<p>"A lot of youngsters like Radha Yadav, Jemimah (Rodrigues), Deepti (Sharma) have great future and perhaps they would get an opportunity to play in other leagues and that would help us in building our national team."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Velocity batswoman Sushma Verm, who hit an unbeaten 32-ball 40 and was involved in a 51-run partnership with Amelia Kerr (36 off 38) for the sixth wicket, said the biggest lesson she had learnt from this tournament was positivity.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I felt that the foreign players are very positive in their approach. I would like this positivity to trickle down to Indian players too. I personally really liked the approach of the foreign players," Verma said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"You've seen how the environment in the dressing room changes in the face of quick wickets. But those girls were so chilled out and relaxed. They keep such a light and positive atmosphere in the dressing room.</p>

<p>"Personally I have learnt how to stay tension-free and chilled out in all situations," she added.</p>


The inaugural Women's T20 League was a great concept but it was too short and the tournament needs to have more teams and matches going forward, said Supernovas skipper Harmanpreet Kaur after clinching the maiden title.

The inaugural Women's T20 League was a great concept but it was too short and the tournament needs to have more teams and matches going forward, said Supernovas skipper Harmanpreet Kaur after clinching the maiden title. Supernovas defeated Velocity by four wickets to win the inaugural Women's T20 Challenge, a T20 league involving three teams. But Harmanpreet, who has hit a vital 51 in Supernovas last-ball win here on Saturday night, has called for more participation from teams after the success of the tournament. "Firstly it was great tournament for me, I learnt a lot from it and the same goes for other players also. We learned a lot from this tournament and that's what we were expecting," she said after the victory. "We wanted to play a T20 league in India and I am really happy the way it went. We are looking for more matches and more teams in the next Women's T20 League," added Harmanpreet, who was surprised to witness a strong crowd of 15,000 cheering both the teams. Harmanpreet said even the foreign players want the tournament to be held in a large-scale next year. "It shows how important this league is for the foreign players too. They were always asking when the women's league was to be played in India where they can come and play. You can see how important these games were for everyone. How keen they were to play here," she said. "I think everybody was so excited for these games." Speaking about her own performance, the Indian women's T20 captain said she was delighted to finish off the job for her side on Saturday night. "I learnt how to finish because depending all the time for sixes is not going to work and sometimes you can play along the ground and win the games. I did half the job and Radha Yadav came and finished the game," Harmanpreet said. "A lot of youngsters like Radha Yadav, Jemimah (Rodrigues), Deepti (Sharma) have great future and perhaps they would get an opportunity to play in other leagues and that would help us in building our national team." Meanwhile, Velocity batswoman Sushma Verm, who hit an unbeaten 32-ball 40 and was involved in a 51-run partnership with Amelia Kerr (36 off 38) for the sixth wicket, said the biggest lesson she had learnt from this tournament was positivity. "I felt that the foreign players are very positive in their approach. I would like this positivity to trickle down to Indian players too. I personally really liked the approach of the foreign players," Verma said. "You've seen how the environment in the dressing room changes in the face of quick wickets. But those girls were so chilled out and relaxed. They keep such a light and positive atmosphere in the dressing room. "Personally I have learnt how to stay tension-free and chilled out in all situations," she added.

Women's T20 League was great but need to have more teams: Harmanpreet

Indian women's ODI captain Mithali Raj throws light on a campaign featuring her, Harmanpreet Kaur, Veda Krishnamurthy and men's captain Virat Kohli for a revolutionary mixed-gender cricket match that aims to promote gender equality through Sport. She also speaks about the gender pay gap in Sport in an exclusive conversation with WION.

Mithali Raj Exclusive: Mixed-gender cricket on the cards?

<p>In the presence of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Harmanpreet Kaur, team India launched their new kit for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The kit makers have added special features to the kit as they have emblazoned dates of India's past World Cup triumphs - which are the ODI World Cups in 1983 and 2011, and the T20 World Cup win in 2007 - behind the back of collar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Team India launched the kit on the eve of the first one-day international between India and Australia in Hyderabad. Ajinkya Rahane, Jemimah Rodrigues and Prithvi Shaw were also present there.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Team India donned the jersey for the first time in five-match series against Australia.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Presenting <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a>'s new jersey<br />
<br />
The new kits have arrived! As the Men in Blue put on the revamped jerseys for the first time, we take you behind the scenes to know what’s changed - by <a href="https://twitter.com/28anand?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@28anand</a><br />
<br />
📹📹<a href="https://t.co/pvS2ciEuqz">https://t.co/pvS2ciEuqz</a> <a href="https://t.co/3oMc6aKBBo">pic.twitter.com/3oMc6aKBBo</a></p>
— BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1101706262025101312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>"This is our new jersey, which we will be sporting during the ODI series. It helps to be agile on the field," Rohit Sharma told BCCI.tv.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"One interesting fact is, along with all the colours, the dates when we won the first World Cup, the T20 World Cup, and our second 50-over World Cup winning date in Mumbai."</p>

<p>"[That is] rare and it is pretty nice and good looking."&nbsp;</p>


In the presence of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Harmanpreet Kaur, team India launched their new kit for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019. The kit makers have added special features to the kit as they have emblazoned dates of India's past World Cup triumphs - which are the ODI World Cups in 1983 and 2011, and the T20 World Cup win in 2007 - behind the back of collar.

In the presence of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Harmanpreet Kaur, team India launched their new kit for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019. The kit makers have added special features to the kit as they have emblazoned dates of India's past World Cup triumphs - which are the ODI World Cups in 1983 and 2011, and the T20 World Cup win in 2007 - behind the back of collar. Team India launched the kit on the eve of the first one-day international between India and Australia in Hyderabad. Ajinkya Rahane, Jemimah Rodrigues and Prithvi Shaw were also present there. Team India donned the jersey for the first time in five-match series against Australia. Presenting #TeamIndia's new jersey The new kits have arrived! As the Men in Blue put on the revamped jerseys for the first time, we take you behind the scenes to know what’s changed - by @28anand 📹📹https://t.co/pvS2ciEuqz pic.twitter.com/3oMc6aKBBo — BCCI (@BCCI) March 2, 2019 × "This is our new jersey, which we will be sporting during the ODI series. It helps to be agile on the field," Rohit Sharma told BCCI.tv. "One interesting fact is, along with all the colours, the dates when we won the first World Cup, the T20 World Cup, and our second 50-over World Cup winning date in Mumbai." "[That is] rare and it is pretty nice and good looking."

Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Harmanpreet Kaur launch team India's new jersey

<p>The International Cricket Council on Monday awarded Harmanpreet Kaur as the captain of women T20I team&nbsp;of the year. Overwhelmed Kaur said, "This award means a lot to me to build my confidence, BCCI is showing confidence on me - that I can do well in the format and I am looking forward to do well in the future."</p>

<p>New Zealand's Suzie Bates has been appointed as the captain of women ODI team of the year. Reacting to the news, Bates said, "Thank you very much to everyone who voted for the ICC team of the year. To be named captain is just an absolute honour.".</p>

<p>The ODI team comprised of players from seven countries, including two each from England (Tammy Beaumont and Sophie Ecclestone), India (Smriti Mandhana and Poonam Yadav), New Zealand (Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine) and South Africa (Dane van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp), and one player each from Australia (Alyssa Healy), Pakistan (Sana Mir) and Deandra Dottin (the Windies).&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ICC Women's ODI Team of the Year:</strong></p>

<p>Smriti Mandhana (India), Tammy Beaumont (England), Suzie Bates (New Zealand) (captain), Dane van Niekerk (South Africa), Sophie Devine (New Zealand), Alyssa Healy (Australia) (wicketkeeper), Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Deandra Dottin (Windies), Sana Mir (Pakistan), Sophie Ecclestone (England), Poonam Yadav (India).</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congratulations to the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year 2018!<br />
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<p><strong>ICC Women's T20I Team of the Year:</strong></p>

<p>Smriti Mandhana (India), Alyssa Healy (Australia) (wicketkeeper), Suzie Bates (New Zealand), Harmanpreet Kaur (India) (captain), Natalie Sciver (England), Ellyse Perry (Australia), Ashleigh Gardner (Australia), Leigh Kasperek (New Zealand), Megan Schutt (Australia), Rumana Ahmed (Bangladesh), Poonam Yadav (India).</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Meet the ICC Women's T20I Team of the Year 2018!<br />
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<p>India's Smriti Mandhana and Poonam Yadav are the two players who feature in both the ODI and T20I squads apart from Australia’s Healy and Bates of New Zealand.</p>

<p>Rumana is the first Bangladesh player to have been selected in the ICC squad.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The teams have been selected by the voting academy which comprised members of the media and broadcasters.</p>


The International Cricket Council on Monday awarded Harmanpreet Kaur as the captain of women T20I team of the year. Overwhelmed Kaur said, "This award means a lot to me to build my confidence, BCCI is showing confidence on me - that I can do well in the format and I am looking forward to do well in the future.

The International Cricket Council on Monday awarded Harmanpreet Kaur as the captain of women T20I team of the year. Overwhelmed Kaur said, "This award means a lot to me to build my confidence, BCCI is showing confidence on me - that I can do well in the format and I am looking forward to do well in the future." New Zealand's Suzie Bates has been appointed as the captain of women ODI team of the year. Reacting to the news, Bates said, "Thank you very much to everyone who voted for the ICC team of the year. To be named captain is just an absolute honour.". The ODI team comprised of players from seven countries, including two each from England (Tammy Beaumont and Sophie Ecclestone), India (Smriti Mandhana and Poonam Yadav), New Zealand (Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine) and South Africa (Dane van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp), and one player each from Australia (Alyssa Healy), Pakistan (Sana Mir) and Deandra Dottin (the Windies). ICC Women's ODI Team of the Year: Smriti Mandhana (India), Tammy Beaumont (England), Suzie Bates (New Zealand) (captain), Dane van Niekerk (South Africa), Sophie Devine (New Zealand), Alyssa Healy (Australia) (wicketkeeper), Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Deandra Dottin (Windies), Sana Mir (Pakistan), Sophie Ecclestone (England), Poonam Yadav (India). Congratulations to the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year 2018! 🇮🇳 @mandhana_smriti 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 @Tammy_Beaumont 🇳🇿 @SuzieWBates (c) 🇿🇦 @danevn81 🇳🇿 @sophdevine77 🇦🇺 @ahealy77 🇿🇦 @kappie777 🌴 @Dottin_5 🇵🇰 @mir_sana05 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 @Sophecc19 🇮🇳 @poonam_yadav24 #ICCAwards ⬇️https://t.co/V6qREy5SAD pic.twitter.com/WZbsbRliXE — ICC (@ICC) 31 December 2018 × ICC Women's T20I Team of the Year: Smriti Mandhana (India), Alyssa Healy (Australia) (wicketkeeper), Suzie Bates (New Zealand), Harmanpreet Kaur (India) (captain), Natalie Sciver (England), Ellyse Perry (Australia), Ashleigh Gardner (Australia), Leigh Kasperek (New Zealand), Megan Schutt (Australia), Rumana Ahmed (Bangladesh), Poonam Yadav (India). Meet the ICC Women's T20I Team of the Year 2018! 🇮🇳 @mandhana_smriti 🇦🇺 @ahealy77 🇳🇿 @SuzieWBates 🇮🇳 @ImHarmanpreet(c) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 @natsciver 🇦🇺 @EllysePerry 🇦🇺 @akgardner97 🇳🇿 Leigh Kasperek 🇦🇺 @megan_schutt 🇧🇩 Rumana Ahmed 🇮🇳 @poonam_yadav24#ICCAwards ⬇️https://t.co/R37impUn79 pic.twitter.com/n96VV7aaNc — ICC (@ICC) 31 December 2018 × India's Smriti Mandhana and Poonam Yadav are the two players who feature in both the ODI and T20I squads apart from Australia’s Healy and Bates of New Zealand. Rumana is the first Bangladesh player to have been selected in the ICC squad. The teams have been selected by the voting academy which comprised members of the media and broadcasters.

India's Harmanpreet Kaur named captain of women T20I team of the year by ICC

<p>Senior Indian woman cricketer and ODI captain <a href="http://www.wionews.com/search?q=mithali+raj">Mithali Raj</a> Tuesday lashed out at Committee of Administrators' member Diana Edulji and coach Ramesh Powar, saying a "few people in power are out to destroy me".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Breaking her silence on the omission from the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/womens-t20-2018-semi-final-england-thrash-india-178881">World T20 semi-final against England</a> that raised quite a few eyebrows after India's eight-wicket loss, Mithali alleged that Edulji, who had backed her axing, "used her position against me".</p>

<p>The 35-year-old was dropped despite scoring back-to-back fifties in the group stage of the competition held in the West Indies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"For the first time in a 20 year long career, I felt deflated, depressed and let down. I am forced to think if my services to my country are of any value to a few people in power who are out to destroy me and break my confidence," she wrote in a letter to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and Cricket Operations GM Saba Karim.</p>

<p>"I would also like to point out that I have nothing against the T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur except for the fact that her call to support the decision of the coach to leave me out of the eleven was baffling and hurtful.</p>

<p>"I wanted to win the world cup for my country and it hurts me because we lost a golden opportunity."</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/like-mithali-i-too-was-dropped-at-my-peak-sourav-ganguly-179341">Like Mithali, I too was dropped at my peak: Sourav Ganguly</a></p>

<p>She slammed Edulji, a former India captain, for defending the team's decision to drop her.</p>

<p>"To put things in perspective, I have always reposed faith in Diana Edulji and have always respected her and her position as a member of the COA, Never did I think she will use her position against me, more after hearing what all I had to go through in the Caribbean as I had spoken to her about it .&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Her brazen support in the press with regard to the decision of my benching in the semifinal of the T20 World Cup has left me deeply distressed, more because she knows the real facts having spoken to me."</p>

<p>On Powar, she narrated a series of instances where she felt slighted by the coach.</p>

<p>"For instance, walking off if I am sitting anywhere around, watching in the nets when others bat but choosing to walk away when I am batting in nets, if I try to go up to him to talk to start looking into his phone and keep walking.</p>

<p>"It was embarrassing and very evident to everyone that I was being humiliated. Yet I never lost my cool," she said.</p>


Senior Indian woman cricketer and ODI captain Mithali Raj Tuesday lashed out at Committee of Administrators' member Diana Edulji and coach Ramesh Powar, saying a "few people in power are out to destroy me".

Senior Indian woman cricketer and ODI captain Mithali Raj Tuesday lashed out at Committee of Administrators' member Diana Edulji and coach Ramesh Powar, saying a "few people in power are out to destroy me". Breaking her silence on the omission from the World T20 semi-final against England that raised quite a few eyebrows after India's eight-wicket loss, Mithali alleged that Edulji, who had backed her axing, "used her position against me". The 35-year-old was dropped despite scoring back-to-back fifties in the group stage of the competition held in the West Indies. "For the first time in a 20 year long career, I felt deflated, depressed and let down. I am forced to think if my services to my country are of any value to a few people in power who are out to destroy me and break my confidence," she wrote in a letter to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and Cricket Operations GM Saba Karim. "I would also like to point out that I have nothing against the T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur except for the fact that her call to support the decision of the coach to leave me out of the eleven was baffling and hurtful. "I wanted to win the world cup for my country and it hurts me because we lost a golden opportunity." Also Read: Like Mithali, I too was dropped at my peak: Sourav Ganguly She slammed Edulji, a former India captain, for defending the team's decision to drop her. "To put things in perspective, I have always reposed faith in Diana Edulji and have always respected her and her position as a member of the COA, Never did I think she will use her position against me, more after hearing what all I had to go through in the Caribbean as I had spoken to her about it . "Her brazen support in the press with regard to the decision of my benching in the semifinal of the T20 World Cup has left me deeply distressed, more because she knows the real facts having spoken to me." On Powar, she narrated a series of instances where she felt slighted by the coach. "For instance, walking off if I am sitting anywhere around, watching in the nets when others bat but choosing to walk away when I am batting in nets, if I try to go up to him to talk to start looking into his phone and keep walking. "It was embarrassing and very evident to everyone that I was being humiliated. Yet I never lost my cool," she said.

'Few people in power are out to destroy me,' says Mithali Raj

<p>The Indian women's T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur and ODI skipper Mithali Raj met top BCCI officials on Monday to air their views on the selection call that has triggered a storm after the team's World T20 semi-final loss to England.</p>

<p>Mithali was left out of the team despite being fit and Kaur had gone on to justify the call even after the humiliating eight-wicket loss on Sunday. Both the senior players along with manager Trupti Bhattacharya met BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and GM (Cricket Operations) Saba Karim.</p>

<p>"Yes, we (Johri and Karim) met Mithali, Harman and manager Trupti Bhattacharya. All of them met us separately and put across their viewpoints. We have noted everything down," Johri told PTI.</p>

<p>However, he refused to divulge the details of the meeting.</p>

<p>"Please don't ask me what has been discussed during the meeting," Johri said.</p>

<p>It is expected that Johri and Karim will present a detailed report to the CoA which will then assess and, if required, speak to the individuals concerned.</p>

<p>There is speculation that one of the CoA members has spoken to Mithali but it couldn't be independently verified.</p>

<p>Coach Ramesh Powar is expected to meet Johri and Karim on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While this may not exactly be related to the selection fiasco in Antigua but Powar is unlikely to get an extension as his interim contract ends on November 30.</p>

<p>The BCCI will continue with its policy of inviting fresh applications for the coach's position and Powar will also be eligible to apply.</p>

<p>"Even a player of Anil Kumble's stature was asked to re-apply and we don't see a reason why there should be an exception for Powar. Obviously, Ramesh can also apply but a fresh interviews of interested candidates will take place," a senior BCCI official said on condition of anonymity.</p>

<p>A strong possibility exists that Mithali may never play the shortest format for India again and, like her contemporary Jhulan Goswami, only concentrate on 50-over cricket.</p>


The Indian women's T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur and ODI skipper Mithali Raj met top BCCI officials on Monday to air their views on the selection call that has triggered a storm after the team's World T20 semi-final loss to England.

The Indian women's T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur and ODI skipper Mithali Raj met top BCCI officials on Monday to air their views on the selection call that has triggered a storm after the team's World T20 semi-final loss to England. Mithali was left out of the team despite being fit and Kaur had gone on to justify the call even after the humiliating eight-wicket loss on Sunday. Both the senior players along with manager Trupti Bhattacharya met BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and GM (Cricket Operations) Saba Karim. "Yes, we (Johri and Karim) met Mithali, Harman and manager Trupti Bhattacharya. All of them met us separately and put across their viewpoints. We have noted everything down," Johri told PTI. However, he refused to divulge the details of the meeting. "Please don't ask me what has been discussed during the meeting," Johri said. It is expected that Johri and Karim will present a detailed report to the CoA which will then assess and, if required, speak to the individuals concerned. There is speculation that one of the CoA members has spoken to Mithali but it couldn't be independently verified. Coach Ramesh Powar is expected to meet Johri and Karim on Wednesday. While this may not exactly be related to the selection fiasco in Antigua but Powar is unlikely to get an extension as his interim contract ends on November 30. The BCCI will continue with its policy of inviting fresh applications for the coach's position and Powar will also be eligible to apply. "Even a player of Anil Kumble's stature was asked to re-apply and we don't see a reason why there should be an exception for Powar. Obviously, Ramesh can also apply but a fresh interviews of interested candidates will take place," a senior BCCI official said on condition of anonymity. A strong possibility exists that Mithali may never play the shortest format for India again and, like her contemporary Jhulan Goswami, only concentrate on 50-over cricket.

Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur meet CEO Johri, GM Karim separately over selection row

<p>After a near perfect beginning, the Indian women's team will be overwhelming favourites against arch-rivals Pakistan in its second group league encounter of the ICC World T20 here on Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Not considered among the top T20 teams in the world, India produced a power-packed performance, winning the opener against a formidable New Zealand side by 34 runs after skipper Harmanpreet Kaur's 51-ball 103.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With momentum firmly on India's side, the 'Women In Blue' would like to set the record straight after losing to their arch-rivals in the 2016 edition at home.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, since that loss in Delhi, India have played Pakistan thrice across two editions of Asia Cup, winning all the battles.</p>

<p>That Pakistan lost by a comprehensive 52-run margin to Australia in their lung opener will also give India an upper hand during Sunday's encounter.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The best aspect about India's performance against 'White Ferns' was young Jemimah Rodrigues's matured effort. With her skipper going for the jugular, 18-year-old Rodrigues just tapped for singles giving the senior player bulk of the strike. Yet, she managed to hit seven boundaries at a strike rate of 130 plus.</p>

<p>So much so that veteran Mithali Raj's services wasn't required during the Indian innings.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A heroic Harmanpreet hundred lit up the opening match of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WT20?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WT20</a> to help India to victory against New Zealand in Guyana.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NZvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NZvIND</a> REPORT ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/VQvbMa7sO3">https://t.co/VQvbMa7sO3</a> <a href="https://t.co/odHL9WqQBh">pic.twitter.com/odHL9WqQBh</a></p>
— ICC World Twenty20 (@WorldT20) <a href="https://twitter.com/WorldT20/status/1060989025799061504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Providence Stadium track proved to be helpful for the slow bowlers with India using as many as four of them in off-spinners Deepti Sharma and Dayalan Hemlatha, leg-spinner Poonam Yadav and left-arm orthodox Radha Yadav.</p>

<p>The spinners accounted for eight of the nine New Zealand wickets with lone seamer Arundhati Reddy picking the other scalp.</p>

<p>Against Pakistan, India might be tempted to use a second seamer in either Mansi Joshi or Pooja Vastrakar.</p>

<p>The Pakistan team has some quality players in skipper Javeria Khan, veteran spinner Sana Mir and all-rounder Bismah Maroof. Against Australia, the Pakistan batting simply fell apart chasing a target of 153.</p>

<p>Not a single batter could cross the individual score of 30 with Bismah's 26 being the top scorer. The bowlers were also off the mark during the first eight overs when Beth Mooney and Alyssa Healey took them to the cleaners with a 72-run stand.</p>

<p>Sana's off-day (0/32 in 4 overs) was one of the factors for Pakistan not being able to contain Australia during the initial overs.</p>

<p>Come Sunday, they will have an onerous task at hand against the high on confidence Indian outfit.</p>


After a near perfect beginning, the Indian women's team will be overwhelming favourites against arch-rivals Pakistan in its second group league encounter of the ICC World T20 here on Sunday.

After a near perfect beginning, the Indian women's team will be overwhelming favourites against arch-rivals Pakistan in its second group league encounter of the ICC World T20 here on Sunday. Not considered among the top T20 teams in the world, India produced a power-packed performance, winning the opener against a formidable New Zealand side by 34 runs after skipper Harmanpreet Kaur's 51-ball 103. With momentum firmly on India's side, the 'Women In Blue' would like to set the record straight after losing to their arch-rivals in the 2016 edition at home. However, since that loss in Delhi, India have played Pakistan thrice across two editions of Asia Cup, winning all the battles. That Pakistan lost by a comprehensive 52-run margin to Australia in their lung opener will also give India an upper hand during Sunday's encounter. The best aspect about India's performance against 'White Ferns' was young Jemimah Rodrigues's matured effort. With her skipper going for the jugular, 18-year-old Rodrigues just tapped for singles giving the senior player bulk of the strike. Yet, she managed to hit seven boundaries at a strike rate of 130 plus. So much so that veteran Mithali Raj's services wasn't required during the Indian innings. A heroic Harmanpreet hundred lit up the opening match of #WT20 to help India to victory against New Zealand in Guyana.#NZvIND REPORT ➡️ https://t.co/VQvbMa7sO3 pic.twitter.com/odHL9WqQBh — ICC World Twenty20 (@WorldT20) November 9, 2018 × The Providence Stadium track proved to be helpful for the slow bowlers with India using as many as four of them in off-spinners Deepti Sharma and Dayalan Hemlatha, leg-spinner Poonam Yadav and left-arm orthodox Radha Yadav. The spinners accounted for eight of the nine New Zealand wickets with lone seamer Arundhati Reddy picking the other scalp. Against Pakistan, India might be tempted to use a second seamer in either Mansi Joshi or Pooja Vastrakar. The Pakistan team has some quality players in skipper Javeria Khan, veteran spinner Sana Mir and all-rounder Bismah Maroof. Against Australia, the Pakistan batting simply fell apart chasing a target of 153. Not a single batter could cross the individual score of 30 with Bismah's 26 being the top scorer. The bowlers were also off the mark during the first eight overs when Beth Mooney and Alyssa Healey took them to the cleaners with a 72-run stand. Sana's off-day (0/32 in 4 overs) was one of the factors for Pakistan not being able to contain Australia during the initial overs. Come Sunday, they will have an onerous task at hand against the high on confidence Indian outfit.

Women's World T20 2018: India start firm favourites against Pakistan

<p>Indian skipper of women's cricket team Harmanpreet Kaur has considered all the odds and evens of her squad as the ICC Women's World Twenty20 gets underway in Guyana on 9th November.</p>

<p>India will open their campaign playing against New Zealand on the first day of the tournament.</p>

<p>While speaking to reporters, Kaur said that she has learned to stay calm on the field.</p>

<p>As per the official website, the 29-year-old Kaur said, "Earlier, I was always aggressive on the field. I have learned how I can stay calm."</p>

<p>"Because, now it's not just about how I am playing for my team, but how can I performance from other players also."</p>

<p>The right-hand batswoman also spoke about other teams and said that the tournament will be challenging.</p>

<p>"It's a short form of the game. And you cannot say this team is better and this team is a bit, like, you can win easily (against) these teams."</p>

<p>"But everything is equal in short format, and it only depends on how you are going on that particular day. And I think you cannot take any team easier.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I think the only thing is in short format you always have to be more focused and more aware and always on your toes, and only then can you win the game."</p>

<p>India have been placed in Group B along with Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan.</p>


Indian skipper of women's cricket team Harmanpreet Kaur has considered all the odds and evens of her squad as the ICC Women's World Twenty20 gets underway in Guyana on 9th November.

Indian skipper of women's cricket team Harmanpreet Kaur has considered all the odds and evens of her squad as the ICC Women's World Twenty20 gets underway in Guyana on 9th November. India will open their campaign playing against New Zealand on the first day of the tournament. While speaking to reporters, Kaur said that she has learned to stay calm on the field. As per the official website, the 29-year-old Kaur said, "Earlier, I was always aggressive on the field. I have learned how I can stay calm." "Because, now it's not just about how I am playing for my team, but how can I performance from other players also." The right-hand batswoman also spoke about other teams and said that the tournament will be challenging. "It's a short form of the game. And you cannot say this team is better and this team is a bit, like, you can win easily (against) these teams." "But everything is equal in short format, and it only depends on how you are going on that particular day. And I think you cannot take any team easier. "I think the only thing is in short format you always have to be more focused and more aware and always on your toes, and only then can you win the game." India have been placed in Group B along with Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan.

Women's World T20 2018: 'Can't take any team easier,' says India's skipper Harmanpreet Kaur

<p>The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday announced the 13-member squads for the Women’s T20 Challenge match to be played ahead of the IPL 2018 qualifier 1 on May 22 at the Wankhede Stadium.&nbsp</p>

<p>The contest will pit IPL Trailblazers, captained by Smriti Mandhana, against IPL Supernovas, to be led by Harmanpreet Kaur.</p>

<p>The one-off match will feature 26 players, including 10 international cricketers from Australia, England and New Zealand.</p>

<p>As per reports, Australia captain Meg Lanning has recovered from her injury and is set to be a part of the Supernovas which also features England’s Danielle Wyatt, Mithali Raj, Ellyse Perry, Veda Krishnamurthy.&nbsp</p>

<p>Taniya Bhatia will be the wicketkeeper for Supernovas.&nbsp</p>

<p>On the other side, India’s left-handed opener Mandhana will lead the Trailblazers which has key members including Alyssa Healy (wicketkeeper), Suzie Bates, rising Indian sensation Jemimah Rodrigues and highest wicket-taker in ODIs Jhulan Goswami.</p>

<p>Committee of Administrators (CoA) member and former India captain, Diana Edulji had said at the time of announcement of the captains, “We are excited to announce the first-of-its-kind exhibition match involving our women cricketers. BCCI has been pulling out all stops to promote and nurture women’s cricket and this is a small yet significant step towards a prospective league involving women’s stars in the future."</p>

<p>"The IPL is the biggest and most popular league in the world and it has been a long-time endeavour to have a women’s league that can match the exuberance of IPL," she added.</p>

<p>IPL Trailblazers: Alyssa Healy (wk), Smriti Mandhana (c), Suzie Bates, Deepti Sharma, Beth Mooney, Jemimah Rodrigues, Danielle Hazell, Shikha Pandey, Lea Tahuhu, Jhulan Goswami, Ekta Bisht, Poonam Yadav, Dayalan Hemalatha</p>

<p>IPL Supernovas: Danielle Wyatt, Mithali Raj, Meg Lanning, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Sophie Devine, Ellyse Perry, Veda Krishnamurthy, Mona Meshram, Pooja Vastrakar, Megan Schutt, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Anuja Patil, Taniya Bhatia (wk)</p>

<p>The T20 match will begin at 2 PM and will be followed by the IPL 2018 Qualifier 1 at 7 PM.</p>


The contest will pit IPL Trailblazers, captained by Smriti Mandhana, against IPL Supernovas, to be led by Harmanpreet Kaur.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday announced the 13-member squads for the Women’s T20 Challenge match to be played ahead of the IPL 2018 qualifier 1 on May 22 at the Wankhede Stadium. The contest will pit IPL Trailblazers, captained by Smriti Mandhana, against IPL Supernovas, to be led by Harmanpreet Kaur. The one-off match will feature 26 players, including 10 international cricketers from Australia, England and New Zealand. As per reports, Australia captain Meg Lanning has recovered from her injury and is set to be a part of the Supernovas which also features England’s Danielle Wyatt, Mithali Raj, Ellyse Perry, Veda Krishnamurthy. Taniya Bhatia will be the wicketkeeper for Supernovas. On the other side, India’s left-handed opener Mandhana will lead the Trailblazers which has key members including Alyssa Healy (wicketkeeper), Suzie Bates, rising Indian sensation Jemimah Rodrigues and highest wicket-taker in ODIs Jhulan Goswami. Committee of Administrators (CoA) member and former India captain, Diana Edulji had said at the time of announcement of the captains, “We are excited to announce the first-of-its-kind exhibition match involving our women cricketers. BCCI has been pulling out all stops to promote and nurture women’s cricket and this is a small yet significant step towards a prospective league involving women’s stars in the future." "The IPL is the biggest and most popular league in the world and it has been a long-time endeavour to have a women’s league that can match the exuberance of IPL," she added. IPL Trailblazers: Alyssa Healy (wk), Smriti Mandhana (c), Suzie Bates, Deepti Sharma, Beth Mooney, Jemimah Rodrigues, Danielle Hazell, Shikha Pandey, Lea Tahuhu, Jhulan Goswami, Ekta Bisht, Poonam Yadav, Dayalan Hemalatha IPL Supernovas: Danielle Wyatt, Mithali Raj, Meg Lanning, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Sophie Devine, Ellyse Perry, Veda Krishnamurthy, Mona Meshram, Pooja Vastrakar, Megan Schutt, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Anuja Patil, Taniya Bhatia (wk) The T20 match will begin at 2 PM and will be followed by the IPL 2018 Qualifier 1 at 7 PM.

BCCI announce squads for Women's T20 Challenge

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Take a bow <a href="https://twitter.com/ImHarmanpreet">@ImHarmanpreet</a> , best innings I&#39;ve ever seen!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWC17?src=hash">#WWC17</a></p>
&mdash; Charlotte Edwards (@Lottie2323) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lottie2323/status/888063123101536261">July 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Incredible batting by <a href="https://twitter.com/ImHarmanpreet">@ImHarmanpreet</a>! Come on India- Let&#39;s go out and win the second half of the game as well. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvIND?src=hash">#AUSvIND</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWC17?src=hash">#WWC17</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WomenInBlue?src=hash">#WomenInBlue</a></p>
&mdash; sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) <a href="https://twitter.com/sachin_rt/status/888071405081952257">July 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is a genuinely Kapil-Dev-at-Tunbridge-Wells kind of innings from <a href="https://twitter.com/ImHarmanpreet">@ImHarmanpreet</a> now. Hope it inspires other young girls to follow</p>
&mdash; Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) <a href="https://twitter.com/bhogleharsha/status/888062344298889216">July 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Leaving aside what it has done for India, Harmanpreet&#39;s blockbuster is one of best things to have happened to women&#39;s cricket.</p>
&mdash; Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) <a href="https://twitter.com/sambitbal/status/888071418998513664">July 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>This was a week which began with a sparking off of the Greatest-Of-All-Time debate in sport. Roger Federer&#39;s capturing of a record-extending 19th Grand Slam with a historic eighth title at Wimbledon had arguably sealed his position in the pantheon of sporting immortals. Think Ali, Bradman, Dhyan Chand, Pele, Jordan, Phelps - surely Federer already ranks among them, but could he be considered better?</p>

<p>Comparisons are difficult. Especially when they are across generations. When they are across disciplines. When they are across formats. When they are across gender.</p>

<p>Late last year, Harmanpreet Kaur, then 27, became the first (and thus-far only) Indian to play in the Women&#39;s Big Bash League in Australia. A little over seven months later, the Aussies might rue the hospitality and platform, they provided Down Under.</p>

<p>Only four times in the 44-year history of Women&#39;s ODI cricket had an individual scored over 171 in an innings. Only once had someone touched three figures in a World Cup knockout game.</p>

<p>Kaur did it with India in a position of discomfort, having lost their top-three, against six-time champions of the competition. &nbsp;India had only ever made one final before.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When you consider different generations in sport, everything that changes with time - basically, everything - becomes a hindrance in drawing comparisons.</p>

<p>When you consider different formats of the same sport - say Tests and ODIs, for instance - the varied challenges faced depending on scenario becomes a hindrance in drawing comparisons.</p>

<p>When you consider different genders in sport, societal convention - effectively, everything - becomes a hindrance in drawing comparisons.</p>

<p>Let&#39;s go back in time, say two decades earlier when the Indian Men&#39;s team was accustomed to tasting defeat with regularity against a to-be world-conquering Australian unit.</p>

<p>Let&#39;s say the sides met in a match to decide whether India could reach the final of the tournament.</p>

<p>Imagine one man scored an exorbitant proportion of the team&#39;s runs, say close to 60% even, to alter the course of the game and provide India the desired result.</p>

<p>You could call it one of the greatest innings ever, couldn&#39;t you?</p>

<p>Against Australia, at Sharjah, in the final group stage match of the Cherry Blossom Sharjah Cup, on 22 April 1998, Sachin Tendulkar scored 59.09% of India&#39;s runs.</p>

<p>Against Australia, at Derby, in the semi-finals of the ICC Women&#39;s World Cup 2017, on 20 July 2017, Harmanpreet Kaur scored 60.85% of India&#39;s runs.</p>

<p>Yes, comparisons are difficult. They rely heavily on an element of opinion. Opinion, while not always, does sometimes deviate from fact. And facts are the best base for comparison.</p>

<p>But whichever way one looks at it, Harmanpreet Kaur&#39;s epic is one of the greatest knocks in the history of Indian cricket - Men&#39;s, or Women&#39;s.</p>

<p>Since we&#39;re there, let&#39;s say this too: If India are to defeat England at Lord&#39;s this Sunday, it will be the greatest moment in Indian cricket - Men&#39;s, or Women&#39;s - since 2 April 2011.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Perhaps even since 25 June 1983.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As an aside, Sachin Tendulkar followed that breath-taking century at Sharjah with another one two days later to win India the title.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Over to Lord&#39;s then. Go on, #WomenInBlue.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Harmanpreet Kaur&#39;s astonishing unbeaten 171, the highest individual score ever made in a women&#39;s world cup knockout game, powered India to victory against the six-time world champions setting a final showdown with hosts England at Lord&#39;s on Sunday (WION)</p>
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India's Harmanpreet Kaur struck an astonishing unbeaten 171, the highest score by an Indian player, male or female, in a World Cup knockout match

Take a bow @ImHarmanpreet , best innings I've ever seen!! #WWC17 — Charlotte Edwards (@Lottie2323) July 20, 2017 × Incredible batting by @ImHarmanpreet! Come on India- Let's go out and win the second half of the game as well. #AUSvIND #WWC17 #WomenInBlue — sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 20, 2017 × This is a genuinely Kapil-Dev-at-Tunbridge-Wells kind of innings from @ImHarmanpreet now. Hope it inspires other young girls to follow — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 20, 2017 × Leaving aside what it has done for India, Harmanpreet's blockbuster is one of best things to have happened to women's cricket. — Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) July 20, 2017 × This was a week which began with a sparking off of the Greatest-Of-All-Time debate in sport. Roger Federer's capturing of a record-extending 19th Grand Slam with a historic eighth title at Wimbledon had arguably sealed his position in the pantheon of sporting immortals. Think Ali, Bradman, Dhyan Chand, Pele, Jordan, Phelps - surely Federer already ranks among them, but could he be considered better? Comparisons are difficult. Especially when they are across generations. When they are across disciplines. When they are across formats. When they are across gender. Late last year, Harmanpreet Kaur, then 27, became the first (and thus-far only) Indian to play in the Women's Big Bash League in Australia. A little over seven months later, the Aussies might rue the hospitality and platform, they provided Down Under. Only four times in the 44-year history of Women's ODI cricket had an individual scored over 171 in an innings. Only once had someone touched three figures in a World Cup knockout game. Kaur did it with India in a position of discomfort, having lost their top-three, against six-time champions of the competition. India had only ever made one final before. When you consider different generations in sport, everything that changes with time - basically, everything - becomes a hindrance in drawing comparisons. When you consider different formats of the same sport - say Tests and ODIs, for instance - the varied challenges faced depending on scenario becomes a hindrance in drawing comparisons. When you consider different genders in sport, societal convention - effectively, everything - becomes a hindrance in drawing comparisons. Let's go back in time, say two decades earlier when the Indian Men's team was accustomed to tasting defeat with regularity against a to-be world-conquering Australian unit. Let's say the sides met in a match to decide whether India could reach the final of the tournament. Imagine one man scored an exorbitant proportion of the team's runs, say close to 60% even, to alter the course of the game and provide India the desired result. You could call it one of the greatest innings ever, couldn't you? Against Australia, at Sharjah, in the final group stage match of the Cherry Blossom Sharjah Cup, on 22 April 1998, Sachin Tendulkar scored 59.09% of India's runs. Against Australia, at Derby, in the semi-finals of the ICC Women's World Cup 2017, on 20 July 2017, Harmanpreet Kaur scored 60.85% of India's runs. Yes, comparisons are difficult. They rely heavily on an element of opinion. Opinion, while not always, does sometimes deviate from fact. And facts are the best base for comparison. But whichever way one looks at it, Harmanpreet Kaur's epic is one of the greatest knocks in the history of Indian cricket - Men's, or Women's. Since we're there, let's say this too: If India are to defeat England at Lord's this Sunday, it will be the greatest moment in Indian cricket - Men's, or Women's - since 2 April 2011. Perhaps even since 25 June 1983. As an aside, Sachin Tendulkar followed that breath-taking century at Sharjah with another one two days later to win India the title. Over to Lord's then. Go on, #WomenInBlue. Harmanpreet Kaur's astonishing unbeaten 171, the highest individual score ever made in a women's world cup knockout game, powered India to victory against the six-time world champions setting a final showdown with hosts England at Lord's on Sunday (WION) ×

Harmanpreet's hour: India's hero, India's pride

<p>India&#39;s women&#39;s cricket team beat Australia by 36 runs to reach the Women&#39;s World Cup final.</p>

<p>Harmanpreet Kaur hit an incredible 171 not out as India made 281 off their rain-restricted 42 overs before they dismissed six-time champions Australia for 245.</p>

<p>Australia, set 282 to win and what would have been a record World Cup chase if successful, got off to a terrible start as they lost three wickets inside the opening eight overs.</p>

<p>Despite some impressive hitting from Elyse Villani, who recorded her best ODI score of 75, they were never able to keep up with the required run rate and were dismissed for 245 with 11 balls to spare.</p>

<p>India will face now England, the three-time champions, in Sunday&#39;s final at Lord&#39;s. This is only the second time&nbsp;the Indian cricket team has reached the finals.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Brilliant finish by the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WomenInBlue?src=hash">#WomenInBlue</a>! The pic says it all! Here we come Lord&#39;s! My best wishes for the final against England <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvIND?src=hash">#AUSvIND</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWC17?src=hash">#WWC17</a> <a href="https://t.co/WPNLsLFhuE">pic.twitter.com/WPNLsLFhuE</a></p>
&mdash; sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) <a href="https://twitter.com/sachin_rt/status/888113519371014149">July 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Filled with pride seeing <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCIWomen">@BCCIWomen</a> perform like this.Congratulations on the great victory. Unforgettable knock by <a href="https://twitter.com/ImHarmanpreet">@ImHarmanpreet</a></p>
&mdash; Kapil Dev (@therealkapildev) <a href="https://twitter.com/therealkapildev/status/888111461137997824">July 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Player of the Match award went to none other than India&rsquo;s Harmanpreet Kaur.</p>

<p>Indian had won the toss and elected to bat first.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/cricket/live-updates-womens-world-cup-india-win-toss-elect-to-bat-first-18123">Women&#39;s World Cup semi-final: Harmanpreet Kaur&#39;s ton puts India on top against Australia</a></p>

<h1 title="Women's World Cup semi-final: Harmanpreet?Kaur's ton puts India on top against Australia">&nbsp;</h1>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Winners! ????<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvIND?src=hash">#AUSvIND</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWC17?src=hash">#WWC17</a> <a href="https://t.co/SoQEomeRgS">pic.twitter.com/SoQEomeRgS</a></p>
&mdash; Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketworldcup/status/888110267422261249">July 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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India won the Women?s World Cup semi-final against Australia by 36 runs

India's women's cricket team beat Australia by 36 runs to reach the Women's World Cup final. Harmanpreet Kaur hit an incredible 171 not out as India made 281 off their rain-restricted 42 overs before they dismissed six-time champions Australia for 245. Australia, set 282 to win and what would have been a record World Cup chase if successful, got off to a terrible start as they lost three wickets inside the opening eight overs. Despite some impressive hitting from Elyse Villani, who recorded her best ODI score of 75, they were never able to keep up with the required run rate and were dismissed for 245 with 11 balls to spare. India will face now England, the three-time champions, in Sunday's final at Lord's. This is only the second time the Indian cricket team has reached the finals. Brilliant finish by the #WomenInBlue! The pic says it all! Here we come Lord's! My best wishes for the final against England #AUSvIND #WWC17 pic.twitter.com/WPNLsLFhuE — sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 20, 2017 × Filled with pride seeing @BCCIWomen perform like this.Congratulations on the great victory. Unforgettable knock by @ImHarmanpreet — Kapil Dev (@therealkapildev) July 20, 2017 × The Player of the Match award went to none other than India’s Harmanpreet Kaur. Indian had won the toss and elected to bat first. Women's World Cup semi-final: Harmanpreet Kaur's ton puts India on top against Australia Winners! ????#AUSvIND #WWC17 pic.twitter.com/SoQEomeRgS — Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) July 20, 2017 ×

India trounce Australia to enter Women's World Cup final