West Indies women scripted a one-run victory over India in the first ODI of the three-match series here at the North Sound Stadium on Friday (local time).

Chasing 226, India's openers Jemimah Rodrigues and Priya Punia provided a steady start and put on 78 runs for the first wicket.

Their partnership was broken in the 22nd over as Stafanie Taylor dismissed Rodrigues (41).

Poonam Raut came out to bat next and she had a partnership of 46 runs with Punia, but West Indies once again got a breakthrough at a crucial juncture as Raut (22) was run-out.

Captain Mithali Raj next came out to the middle and she along with Punia, stitched together a stand of 46 runs.

India had a big setback as Punia (75) was sent back to the pavilion in the 40th over, with the team still 56 runs away from the target.

After Punia's dismissal, India lost wickets in a cluster and was 217/9 in the final over with the team still requiring nine more runs for a win.

Jhulan Goswami tried her best to get the team over the line, but West Indies got the last wicket of Poonam Yadav and won by a run. 
Earlier, Taylor's knock of 94 runs enabled West Indies to post a score of 225/7 in the allotted fifty overs.

West Indies got off to a steady start with openers Stacy-Ann King and Natasha McLean putting up a 51-run stand. But India got two quick wickets, leaving the team at 51/2 in the 17th over.

The side kept losing wickets at regular intervals, but Taylor held the fort. She found support in Chedean Nation and the duo ensured that the team posted a healthy total on the board.

For India, Shikha Pandey and Deepti Sharma got two wickets each.

The next ODI is on Sunday, November 3.&nbsp;

West Indies women scripted a one-run victory over India in the first ODI of the three-match series here at the North Sound Stadium on Friday (local time). Chasing 226, India's openers Jemimah Rodrigues and Priya Punia provided a steady start and put on 78 runs for the first wicket.

West Indies women scripted a one-run victory over India in the first ODI of the three-match series here at the North Sound Stadium on Friday (local time). Chasing 226, India's openers Jemimah Rodrigues and Priya Punia provided a steady start and put on 78 runs for the first wicket. Their partnership was broken in the 22nd over as Stafanie Taylor dismissed Rodrigues (41). Poonam Raut came out to bat next and she had a partnership of 46 runs with Punia, but West Indies once again got a breakthrough at a crucial juncture as Raut (22) was run-out. Captain Mithali Raj next came out to the middle and she along with Punia, stitched together a stand of 46 runs. India had a big setback as Punia (75) was sent back to the pavilion in the 40th over, with the team still 56 runs away from the target. After Punia's dismissal, India lost wickets in a cluster and was 217/9 in the final over with the team still requiring nine more runs for a win. Jhulan Goswami tried her best to get the team over the line, but West Indies got the last wicket of Poonam Yadav and won by a run. Earlier, Taylor's knock of 94 runs enabled West Indies to post a score of 225/7 in the allotted fifty overs. West Indies got off to a steady start with openers Stacy-Ann King and Natasha McLean putting up a 51-run stand. But India got two quick wickets, leaving the team at 51/2 in the 17th over. The side kept losing wickets at regular intervals, but Taylor held the fort. She found support in Chedean Nation and the duo ensured that the team posted a healthy total on the board. For India, Shikha Pandey and Deepti Sharma got two wickets each. The next ODI is on Sunday, November 3.

Antigua ODI: West Indies women script one-run victory over India

India Women’s cricket team has made all the right noises in the recent past but it still lags behind in terms of benefits, outreach and popularity to the men's game.

And now, with men's Indian Premier League (IPL) having entered its 12th edition and its popularity growing in leaps and bounds with each passing year, Indian women's ODI captain Mithali Raj proposed to have such a tournament for her side also.&nbsp;

In an exclusive to WION, Mithali talked about the growing clamour for a women's IPL in the country, saying "it is the right time to start the tournament."

However, a year or so earlier, Mithali was the one who said on the record that such a tournament is not viable because there isn't perhaps a large enough talent pool of Indian women players. 
&nbsp; 
When asked does that still holds true, Mithali said, after the 2018 Women's Twenty20 Asia Cup, things have changed for the women players in the country.&nbsp;

"I was asked about the IPL 3-4 years ago. Back then I felt that we as women's cricket in India still need to grow, still need to spread that awareness among people. Attract people to follow women's cricket."

"But now after the world cup, after the one-day world cup, I have seen how people are so interested to follow the national side, the performance of the team and even the profiling of each player has improved since then. And I only think that we should start, even though we don't have a pool of players. "

The 36-year-old women cricketer said, that such tournament will help create a base.

"We should start may be as three or four teams and try to have a double leg because it will create a base and in another two-three season we might improve and increase the participation of team," she added.

Mithali is the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket and the only female cricketer to surpass the 6,000 run mark in WODIs.&nbsp;

During the 2018 Women's Asia Cup, she also became the first player from India (either male or female) to score 2000 runs in T20Is, and also became the first woman cricketer to reach 2000 WT20I runs.

And after achieving all such record, Raj felt that the women's side is not getting its worth and hence she proposed a mixed gender cricket match.

When asked why such where this idea came from, Raj said," It is all about having a gender equality platform and we should be starting from sports arena and cricket is something, where for a long period people associate men's cricket when they talk about the sport. "

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"But since the 2-3 years after the World Cup, the way the India women's cricket team has done, now the conversation tilts towards women's cricket too."

Raj also added that the cricket sport should not be seen as one gender's property.

"I think this is important that this as a sport should be seen in our country and not men's cricket or women's cricket. And this is also a good concept I feel because a lot of general people, when they travel on the streets, see a lot of boys playing but never do you get to see a girl playing along with them."

When asked if that is even possible, Raj was quick to say 'yes' because "as professional cricketers, we train along with boys at the nets or we have some matches playing against them."

"So I think it is a great thing to have a gender-mixed match and promote gender equality for young kids, where boys and girls are playing together for the same team."

India Women’s cricket team has made all the right noises in the recent past but it still lags behind in terms of benefits, outreach and popularity to the men's game.

India Women’s cricket team has made all the right noises in the recent past but it still lags behind in terms of benefits, outreach and popularity to the men's game. And now, with men's Indian Premier League (IPL) having entered its 12th edition and its popularity growing in leaps and bounds with each passing year, Indian women's ODI captain Mithali Raj proposed to have such a tournament for her side also. In an exclusive to WION, Mithali talked about the growing clamour for a women's IPL in the country, saying "it is the right time to start the tournament." However, a year or so earlier, Mithali was the one who said on the record that such a tournament is not viable because there isn't perhaps a large enough talent pool of Indian women players. When asked does that still holds true, Mithali said, after the 2018 Women's Twenty20 Asia Cup, things have changed for the women players in the country. "I was asked about the IPL 3-4 years ago. Back then I felt that we as women's cricket in India still need to grow, still need to spread that awareness among people. Attract people to follow women's cricket." "But now after the world cup, after the one-day world cup, I have seen how people are so interested to follow the national side, the performance of the team and even the profiling of each player has improved since then. And I only think that we should start, even though we don't have a pool of players. " The 36-year-old women cricketer said, that such tournament will help create a base. "We should start may be as three or four teams and try to have a double leg because it will create a base and in another two-three season we might improve and increase the participation of team," she added. Mithali is the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket and the only female cricketer to surpass the 6,000 run mark in WODIs. During the 2018 Women's Asia Cup, she also became the first player from India (either male or female) to score 2000 runs in T20Is, and also became the first woman cricketer to reach 2000 WT20I runs. And after achieving all such record, Raj felt that the women's side is not getting its worth and hence she proposed a mixed gender cricket match. When asked why such where this idea came from, Raj said," It is all about having a gender equality platform and we should be starting from sports arena and cricket is something, where for a long period people associate men's cricket when they talk about the sport. " × "But since the 2-3 years after the World Cup, the way the India women's cricket team has done, now the conversation tilts towards women's cricket too." Raj also added that the cricket sport should not be seen as one gender's property. "I think this is important that this as a sport should be seen in our country and not men's cricket or women's cricket. And this is also a good concept I feel because a lot of general people, when they travel on the streets, see a lot of boys playing but never do you get to see a girl playing along with them." When asked if that is even possible, Raj was quick to say 'yes' because "as professional cricketers, we train along with boys at the nets or we have some matches playing against them." "So I think it is a great thing to have a gender-mixed match and promote gender equality for young kids, where boys and girls are playing together for the same team."

Right time to start women's IPL tournament: ODI captain Mithali Raj to WION

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?

Coronavirus cases in the United crossed 3 million amid new outbreaks reported in the country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-tale-of-three-presidents-whove-pushed-their-countries-to-the-edge-311732">Also Read:&nbsp;A tale of three presidents who've pushed their countries to the edge</a>

According to Johns Hopkins coronavirus tracker, the US now has 3, 016,515 cases of COVID-19 infections with 131, 666 deaths which is the highest in the world,

Amid the crisis, the Trump administration said 39 million Americans have been tested for the virus with three million Americans testing positive and over 1.3 million Americans having recovered from the virus.

Watch:

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The US has been grappling with reopening measures even as Texas, Florida, Arizona and California reported new outbreaks even as Top US infectious diseases expert Anthony Fauci said that the US was "knee-deep" in the first coronavirus wave.

Meanwhile, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said that he had seen "some real progress - technical progress" &nbsp;in reopening travel with the European Union after it closed its borders for American visitors due to the pandemic.

"Both sides understand that our economies depend on it. The deep, important transatlantic relationship matters," Pompeo said, adding,"and then there'll be a system - a system to monitor and measure to make sure that we get the timing right."

US President Donald Trump had earlier imposed a ban on Europeans in March as the virus cases surged in the continent.

President Donald Trump in March also imposed a ban on most Europeans. As the virus continued to widen across the United States, President Donald Trump on Tuesday formally started the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization(WHO).

Trump has earlier accussed the WHO of mishandling the virus crisis and not informing the world earlier about the pandemic.

However, US presidential candidate hit out at Trump's action, saying: "Americans are safer when America is engaged in strengthening global health. On my first day as President, I will rejoin the WHO and restore our leadership on the world stage."&nbsp;

Coronavirus cases in the United crossed 3 million amid new outbreaks reported in the country. Also Read: A tale of three presidents who've pushed their countries to the edge According to Johns Hopkins coronavirus tracker, the US now has 3, 016,515 cases of COVID-19 infections with 131, 666 deaths which is the highest in the world, Amid the crisis, the Trump administration said 39 million Americans have been tested for the virus with three million Americans testing positive and over 1.

Coronavirus cases in the United crossed 3 million amid new outbreaks reported in the country. Also Read: A tale of three presidents who've pushed their countries to the edge According to Johns Hopkins coronavirus tracker, the US now has 3, 016,515 cases of COVID-19 infections with 131, 666 deaths which is the highest in the world, Amid the crisis, the Trump administration said 39 million Americans have been tested for the virus with three million Americans testing positive and over 1.3 million Americans having recovered from the virus. Watch: The US has been grappling with reopening measures even as Texas, Florida, Arizona and California reported new outbreaks even as Top US infectious diseases expert Anthony Fauci said that the US was "knee-deep" in the first coronavirus wave. Meanwhile, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said that he had seen "some real progress - technical progress" in reopening travel with the European Union after it closed its borders for American visitors due to the pandemic. "Both sides understand that our economies depend on it. The deep, important transatlantic relationship matters," Pompeo said, adding,"and then there'll be a system - a system to monitor and measure to make sure that we get the timing right." US President Donald Trump had earlier imposed a ban on Europeans in March as the virus cases surged in the continent. President Donald Trump in March also imposed a ban on most Europeans. As the virus continued to widen across the United States, President Donald Trump on Tuesday formally started the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization(WHO). Trump has earlier accussed the WHO of mishandling the virus crisis and not informing the world earlier about the pandemic. However, US presidential candidate hit out at Trump's action, saying: "Americans are safer when America is engaged in strengthening global health. On my first day as President, I will rejoin the WHO and restore our leadership on the world stage."

We don't lack in fast bowling department, says Smriti Mandhana

The Indian women cricket team is on a roll. Their limited-overs tour to South Africa has been one of their most successful ones in recent times. After defeating the hosts 2-1 in the ODI series under Mithali Raj&rsquo;s captaincy, they now have an unassailable 2-1 lead in the T20Is as well. With the fifth and last game of the T20I series set to be played today at Newlands, Cape Town, India now stands a rare chance of double limited-overs whammy on this high-profile tour. Clinching the T20Is series would ensure that their tour ends on a complete successful note.&nbsp;

India has been thoroughly dominant in their performances here and barring a couple of occasions have looked like a well-balanced side. However, there are some causes of worry that captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her girls would like to address before the final T20I. After winning the first two games comfortably, they let the intensity dip and have not been up to their standards. The inclusion of bowlers Rumeli Dhar and Deepti Sharma in the last game, seen as a measure to strengthen their bowling unit, hasn&rsquo;t really paid rich dividends. Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad, who was so successful in the ODI series, has been rather expensive in the two games she has played and has gone at an expensive economy rate of 8.50. &nbsp;

Clearly, India&rsquo;s spin bowling department is a cause for concern and that is something that the team management would need to work on before the Women&#39;s World T20 in November in West Indies.

Another issue that needs to be worked on is India&rsquo;s lower order which hasn&rsquo;t been able to contribute successfully. They have failed to capitalize on the robust starts provided by the Indian top-order, who has been in sensational form. The lower order has not been tested enough and in the third ODI India lost their last five wickets for nine runs.

The wicket at Cape Town for the final T20I is likely to be a high-scoring one and the Indian team would be banking on their batswomen to bail them through again. Star batswoman Mithali Raj and opener Smriti Mandhana have been India&rsquo;s top two run-getters of the series and would continue to provide India with solid starts. They would also seek solid contributions from Veda Krishnamurthy, who was excellent in the ODI series, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur.

And since South Africa has been handling India&rsquo;s spinners rather well, perhaps the inclusion of another pacer, Shikha Pandey, would not be a bad idea as well.

The T20I series in South Africa was an important one for the Indian women&rsquo;s team. With the World T20 just a few months away now, they need to look at their best possible combinations. They have been poor in the format and have suffered first-round exits in each of the last three editions of the World T20. This time, however, they have the team to make a difference and their performance in the first two T20Is against South Africa in this series certainly reflects that.

This final T20I against South Africa is hence of immense significance to India. Last year, the Indian women&rsquo;s team had made the nation proud by reaching the finals of the 50-over World Cup in England in emphatic fashion. The sport has gained a lot of attention and momentum in the country post the success of the World Cup and a win here would not only mean a successful T20I series victory against a top side away from home but will also hold Team India in good stead for the challenge of the World T20 later this year and will come as another shot in the arm for women&rsquo;s cricket in India. 
&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Indian women cricketers look to round off successful tour to South Africa with T20I series win. However, lower order and spinners need to be sorted before Women's World T20 in November in West Indies arrives.

The Indian women cricket team is on a roll. Their limited-overs tour to South Africa has been one of their most successful ones in recent times. After defeating the hosts 2-1 in the ODI series under Mithali Raj’s captaincy, they now have an unassailable 2-1 lead in the T20Is as well. With the fifth and last game of the T20I series set to be played today at Newlands, Cape Town, India now stands a rare chance of double limited-overs whammy on this high-profile tour. Clinching the T20Is series would ensure that their tour ends on a complete successful note. India has been thoroughly dominant in their performances here and barring a couple of occasions have looked like a well-balanced side. However, there are some causes of worry that captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her girls would like to address before the final T20I. After winning the first two games comfortably, they let the intensity dip and have not been up to their standards. The inclusion of bowlers Rumeli Dhar and Deepti Sharma in the last game, seen as a measure to strengthen their bowling unit, hasn’t really paid rich dividends. Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad, who was so successful in the ODI series, has been rather expensive in the two games she has played and has gone at an expensive economy rate of 8.50. Clearly, India’s spin bowling department is a cause for concern and that is something that the team management would need to work on before the Women's World T20 in November in West Indies. Another issue that needs to be worked on is India’s lower order which hasn’t been able to contribute successfully. They have failed to capitalize on the robust starts provided by the Indian top-order, who has been in sensational form. The lower order has not been tested enough and in the third ODI India lost their last five wickets for nine runs. The wicket at Cape Town for the final T20I is likely to be a high-scoring one and the Indian team would be banking on their batswomen to bail them through again. Star batswoman Mithali Raj and opener Smriti Mandhana have been India’s top two run-getters of the series and would continue to provide India with solid starts. They would also seek solid contributions from Veda Krishnamurthy, who was excellent in the ODI series, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur. And since South Africa has been handling India’s spinners rather well, perhaps the inclusion of another pacer, Shikha Pandey, would not be a bad idea as well. The T20I series in South Africa was an important one for the Indian women’s team. With the World T20 just a few months away now, they need to look at their best possible combinations. They have been poor in the format and have suffered first-round exits in each of the last three editions of the World T20. This time, however, they have the team to make a difference and their performance in the first two T20Is against South Africa in this series certainly reflects that. This final T20I against South Africa is hence of immense significance to India. Last year, the Indian women’s team had made the nation proud by reaching the finals of the 50-over World Cup in England in emphatic fashion. The sport has gained a lot of attention and momentum in the country post the success of the World Cup and a win here would not only mean a successful T20I series victory against a top side away from home but will also hold Team India in good stead for the challenge of the World T20 later this year and will come as another shot in the arm for women’s cricket in India. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Indian bats-women Mithali Raj again a star in South Africa T20I, but what about lower order?

After the Men in Blue took charge of the series with a 2-0 lead in six-match series, Indian Women cricket team produced a clinical all-round performance to thrash South Africa by 88 runs in the first ODI of the ICC Women&#39;s Championship at Diamond Oval here on Monday.

Opener Smriti Mandhana smashed 84 off 98 while the pace duo of Jhulan Goswami and Shikha Pandey took 4 for 24 and 3 for 23 respectively.

The duo shared seven wickets between them to emerge as the architects of India&#39;s victory.&nbsp;

Electing to bat, left-handed batswoman Mandhana hit eight boundaries and a six in her 98-ball innings and shared a 99-run stand with skipper Mithali Raj (45) to help India post 213 for seven in 50 overs.&nbsp;

South Africa, meanwhile, chasing 214 for a win, failed to stitch partnerships and kept losing wickets at regular intervals.&nbsp;

Skipper D van Niekerk top-scored for South Africa with a 41.

Pandey rocked the hosts early by removing opener Lizelle Lee (3), wicket-keeper Trisha Chetty (5) and Mignon du Preez (0) to leave them at 23/3 in 9.2 overs.&nbsp;

Spinner Poonam Yadav (2/22) then accounted for the other opener Laura Wolvaardt (21), while Goswami trapped Chloe Tryon LBW as South Africa lost half their side in 22.5 overs.

The hosts were 125-all out after 43.2 overs.

Opener Smriti Mandhana smashed 84 off 98 balls

After the Men in Blue took charge of the series with a 2-0 lead in six-match series, Indian Women cricket team produced a clinical all-round performance to thrash South Africa by 88 runs in the first ODI of the ICC Women's Championship at Diamond Oval here on Monday. Opener Smriti Mandhana smashed 84 off 98 while the pace duo of Jhulan Goswami and Shikha Pandey took 4 for 24 and 3 for 23 respectively. The duo shared seven wickets between them to emerge as the architects of India's victory. Electing to bat, left-handed batswoman Mandhana hit eight boundaries and a six in her 98-ball innings and shared a 99-run stand with skipper Mithali Raj (45) to help India post 213 for seven in 50 overs. South Africa, meanwhile, chasing 214 for a win, failed to stitch partnerships and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Skipper D van Niekerk top-scored for South Africa with a 41. Pandey rocked the hosts early by removing opener Lizelle Lee (3), wicket-keeper Trisha Chetty (5) and Mignon du Preez (0) to leave them at 23/3 in 9.2 overs. Spinner Poonam Yadav (2/22) then accounted for the other opener Laura Wolvaardt (21), while Goswami trapped Chloe Tryon LBW as South Africa lost half their side in 22.5 overs. The hosts were 125-all out after 43.2 overs.

1st ODI: After Men in Blue, Indian women thrash South Africa by 88 runs