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Aus women complete 3-0 T20I series sweep over NZ
Australia held their nerve to seal a dramatic eight-run victory over New Zealand, completing a 3-0 whitewash in the T20I series, here at the Sky Stadium. Also Read: Djokovic into QFs, Sabalenka to face Paolini in semi-finals Despite a valiant effort from Maddy Green (62) and Amelia Kerr (66), New Zealand fell just short as Annabel Sutherland’s game-changing 19th over ensured Australia maintained their dominance. Georgia Voll made the most of her luck, and laid the foundation for Australia’s 180-4 with her 75. Brief scoresAus W 180-4 in 20 overs (G Voll 75; S Bates 1-18) beat NZ W 172-8 in 20 overs (A Kerr 66, M Green 62; A Sutherland 4-35) by eight runs This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 March,2025 08:37 AM IST | Wellington | IANS
Seifert’s 97* helps NZ crush Pak to wrap up T20I series 4-1
A destructive Tim Seifert ensured New Zealand made short work of their 129-run target to win the final Twenty20 against Pakistan by eight wickets on Wednesday and take the series 4-1. Also Read: Hardik Pandya remains No. 1 T2OI all-rounder Seifert, who made an unbeaten 97 off 38 deliveries, set the big-hitting tone in Wellington with 18 off the first over by Jahandad Khan after being hit on the body with the first ball. Fellow opener Finn Allen followed with 14 in the second over from Mohammad Ali. When Jahandad returned in the sixth over Seifert was even more belligerent when he belted 25, including three sixes. “After I nearly got hit on the head with that first ball I thought there’s only one way to play,” Seifert said. Brief scoresPakistan 128-9 in 20 overs (S Agha 51; J Neesham 5-22) lost to New Zealand 131-2 in 10 overs (T Seifert 97*; S Muqeem 2-6) by eight wickets This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 March,2025 08:30 AM IST | Wellington | AFP
Hardik Pandya remains No. 1 T2OI all-rounder
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya retained his No. 1 T2OI all-rounder position, whereas Abhishek Sharma, No.2 T2OI batter, and Varun Chakravarthy, No.2 T2OI bowler, too claimed their spot in the latest ICC Men’s T2OI rankings. New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy made a significant leap in the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings, breaking into the top five for the first time after his stellar performances against Pakistan in the ongoing five-match series. Also Read: No immediate plans to increase WPL teams: IPL chief Duffy’s impressive haul of 4-20 in Mount Maunganui, and his 1-37 in the previous match in Auckland, has propelled him seven places up to the fifth position in the latest rankings update. His contributions were instrumental in New Zealand’s commanding 115-run victory over Pakistan, sealing a 3-1 series lead. Duffy was not the only New Zealand bowler to see an upward trajectory in the rankings. Zakary Foulkes, who supported him with figures of 3-25 in Mount Maunganui, has jumped 26 spots to claim the 64th position. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Haris Rauf has also made significant strides, moving up 11 places to 15th after picking up three wickets in each of the last two matches. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 March,2025 08:28 AM IST | Dubai | IANS
No immediate plans to increase WPL teams: IPL chief
The Women’s Premier League has “grown phenomenally” in the last three years but there are no immediate plans to increase the number of teams from the existing five, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal, who is also a part of the WPL committee, has said. The WPL committee headed by BCCI president Roger Binny. The Board had plans to increase the number of teams after three seasons but it now wants to consolidate. “To further strengthen this tournament for the time being, we want to consolidate before we take a call on further addition of any team. There are no immediate plans [to add teams],” Dhumal said. Also Read: IPL 2025 | "We have a good chance of reaching 300 runs": Heinrich Klaasen Having said that, Dhumal is pleased with the growth of the tournament. “So, within three editions, WPL has grown phenomenally in terms of traction for in-stadium attendance. All the broadcast numbers are very, very encouraging. And it has given new impetus to women’s cricket worldwide. “So, we are hoping this continues to grow. And this augurs very well for not only the tournament, but women’s cricket in general,” he added. WPL has not yet been played in home and away format, like it is the case with the Indian Premier League. The BCCI combined smaller centres like Baroda and Lucknow with Mumbai and Bangalore to host the latest edition that ended on March 15. Mumbai Indians won their second title in three years beating Delhi Capitals in the final in Mumbai. The BCCI had mopped up Rs 4,670 crore from the sale of five teams representing Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, UP and Gujarat. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 March,2025 08:25 AM IST | New Delhi | PTI
IPL 2025 | "We have a good chance of reaching 300 runs": Heinrich Klaasen
The marauding Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) batters seem to have instilled fear in rival bowlers, particularly at their den. They get into the fast lane straightaway, the moment the umpire signals play. If Travis Head, Abhisekh Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Reddy were the scourge of the bowlers till last year, they have now added pocket dynamo Ishan Kishan this season, who got into the act in his first match with a whirlwind century. With skipper Pat Cummins and coach Daniel Vettori giving the thumbs up to their attacking batting style, SRH batters have set a new high in the art of big-hitting. Home advantage for SRH As SRH host Lucknow Super Giants at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Thursday, the visiting team’s think-tank will be scratching their heads over what length they should bowl to stop the destructive hosts. Since last season, SRH have scored 287-3 v Royal Challengers Bengaluru, 286-6 v Rajasthan Royals, 277-3 v Mumbai Indians and 266-7 v Delhi Capitals. Given the beast mode the SRH batters are in, if there’s one team that can breach the 300-mark, it’s them. “300, everyone wants to see it at his IPL, so yeah, why not,” said Head. Klaasen added: “We have that batting line up and definitely have a good chance of reaching 300 runs.” SRH bowling coach James Franklin couldn’t agree more. “We’ve already seen in a couple of other games that 230, 240 is being achieved. So, why not [300],” he said. At a promotion event recently, skipper Cummins endorsed the same view by putting up three fingers, indicating his team will try to achieve it. Also Read: ‘Selfless Shreyas’ LSG opener Mitchell Marsh “That the players are pretty open with trying to evolve their games and expand their games, and there are a lot of batters now who are fully 360 and they’ve got in credible power. It also has got a huge amount to do with the positive mindset that batters do have now,” said Franklin. LSG depend on Pant & Co However, if SRH have Head, Sharma, Kishan and Klaasen, LSG also have hard-hitters like Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, Rishabh Pant and Mitchell Marsh. Though Pant failed to score at Visakhapatnam, Marsh and Pooran were in top form during LSG’s one-wicket defeat to Delhi Capitals. According to Marsh, 230 is the new par score at most grounds. “We respect that they [SRH] have a phenomenal batting line-up with a lot of power, but we’re here to focus on our game and hopefully match them,” said Marsh. The battle lines are drawn and it looks like there will be plenty of fireworks with the willow on Thursday. SRH’s performance at home in 2024287-3 v Royal Challengers Bengaluru286-6 v RR (2025) 277-3 v Mumbai Indians 266-7 v Delhi Capitals
27 March,2025 08:23 AM IST | Hyderabad | N Jagannath Das
‘Selfless Shreyas’
Punjab Kings batter Shashank Singh’s boundary-hitting spree in the final over of the Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Gujarat Titans left his captain Shreyas Iyer stranded on unbeaten 97 but the latter was not worried about his personal landmark. Iyer missed maiden ton Iyer missed his maiden IPL ton by a mere three runs but his 42-ball knock, which featured nine sixes and five fours, powered PBKS to a massive 243 for 5 and helped them win their season opener by 11 runs. Shashank, who hit five of his six fours in the final over off Mohammed Siraj and took a double to collect 23 runs against the India pacer, said PBKS captain Iyer didn’t ask him to rotate the strike. “I didn’t see the scoreboard, to be very honest. But after the first ball I hit [for a four], I saw the scoreboard and Shreyas was on 97,” Shashank, who scored a 16-ball 44 not out, told the media after the match on Tuesday. Also Read: IPL 2025 | "Shashank Singh has beautiful hands and doesn’t move excessively": Williamson “I didn’t say anything, he came and told me ‘Shashank don’t worry about my hundred’, because obviously I was going to say to him that should I give you a single or something. “It takes a lot of heart and courage to say because obviously hundreds don’t come easily in T20s, especially in IPL,” he added. Shashank said Iyer’s message was to keep attacking the bowler. “Shreyas told me ‘Shashank go and just [try and] hit every ball for a boundary for a four or a six.’ That gave me even more confidence, obviously, it’s a team game at the end of the day, we all know,” he said. Skipper’s advice “But then, at those situations it’s difficult to be that selfless. But Shreyas was one. I know him since past 10-15 years. He is the same and he told me just to be calm, to play cricketing shots what I usually play, to maintain my balance and I think we had a good finish,” added Shashank. Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans spinner R Sai Kishore, who returned with figures of 4-0-30-3, said his side thought they were ahead in the game. Chasing 244, GT remained in the hunt but were eventually overpowered by the mammoth target, finishing at 232 for five in their stipulated 20 overs. GT’s hits and misses “We were also surprised, to be honest. We thought we were on course. We thought we were ahead of the game, we thought so. But in that situation, I think no matter what planning you do, if you are able to be fully zoned in in the present moment, that is the difference and these games happen,” said Sai Kishore, who rued the fact that the Gujarat Titans failed to hit more boundaries during the course of their innings. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 March,2025 08:18 AM IST | Ahmedabad | PTI
IPL 2025 | "Shashank Singh has beautiful hands and doesn’t move excessively"
New Zealand batting great Kane Williamson was all praise for Punjab Kings’ middle-order batter Shashank Singh, whose blistering unbeaten 44 off just 16 deliveries played a crucial role in his team’s 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans in their IPL match on Tuesday. Williamson lauded Shashank’s ability to remain composed at the crease while displaying a wide range of attacking strokes. “Shashank is coming off an outstanding breakout season last year. He’s incredibly still at the crease, has beautiful hands, and doesn’t move excessively, yet he possesses so many scoring options. He has the time to adjust to short-pitched deliveries — whether ramping it over the keeper or pulling off a length — but he can also hold his position and play powerful straight drives,” Williamson said on JioHotstar. Also Read: Par score doesn’t exist anymore: Arshdeep on high totals in IPL Kane Williamson “The way he comes in during the death overs, with little time to settle, and takes on bowlers with confidence is exceptional. Whether it’s Rashid Khan missing his length slightly and Shashank slapping it back over the square — that’s an incredibly difficult shot against someone of Rashid’s calibre. It just speaks to the quality of the player,” Williamson added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 March,2025 08:15 AM IST | New Delhi | IANS
Par score doesn’t exist anymore: Arshdeep on high totals in IPL
India’s highest wicket-taker in T20I, Arshdeep Singh, commented on the high-scoring trends after his side, Punjab Kings’ 11-run victory over the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Also Read: IPL 2025 | "...was the one who changed the game": Ricky Ponting Arshdeep, who was the highest wicket-taker for his side with the two important wickets of Sai Sudharsan and Sherfane Rutherford, believes there are no par scores anymore in the format. He also praised Impact Substitute Vijaykumar Vyshak for consistently finding the wide yorker in pressure situations and allowing his side to control the game. “The thought was simple and very clear — make them hit to the off-side, it is not easy to hit there. If they hit a good shot, clap, say well played, and go again. “Credit goes to all the batters who went in and smashed from ball number one. That’s how it goes in this format nowadays. There is no par score, 240, 250, 260 — score as much as possible and then try and defend it,” said Arshdeep in the post-game presentation. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 March,2025 08:10 AM IST | Ahmedabad | IANS
IPL 2025 | "...was the one who changed the game": Ricky Ponting
After Punjab Kings sealed a narrow 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans in a high-scoring contest, head coach Ricky Ponting revealed what made him bring on Vijaykumar Vyshak as an Impact Player, saying captain Shreyas Iyer asked him to bring the medium pacer to nail a couple of overs at yorkers and close out the game. It was Vyshak’s crucial middle-over spells that restricted GT to 232-5 at the end of their 20 overs to seal a narrow win. Also Read: Punjab Kings all-rounder Stoinis hails fearless Indian youngsters “While sitting in the dugout, I was like they need 13 or 14 runs in an over and I sent the message to Shreyas and asked what do you want to do and he straight away said, just get Vyshak out here. He will nail a couple of overs at yorkers and we will close the game and Vyshak was the one who changed the game,” Ponting said. Vyshak, who changed the game with his exceptional bowling at the end reflected on his performance and stated, “It’s a surreal feeling when you win the game, especially when you do it for the team in that situation, it really feels good.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 March,2025 08:06 AM IST | New Delhi | IANS
Punjab Kings all-rounder Stoinis hails fearless Indian youngsters
Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has been left supremely impressed by the quality of youngsters in the Punjab Kings squad as well as the Indian T20 set up on the sidelines of the IPL. After the retirement of stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, the depth of Indian cricket have ensured that the T20 team has built on the success of the 2024 T20 World Cup courtesy the likes of Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma. At Punjab Kings camp, rookies like opener Priyansh Arya have already made a mark even though it is early days in the IPL. “There’s great depth here [in Indian cricket]. There always has been. And I think they’re getting the chance to show their skills on a world stage,” Stoinis said. ‘They’re super confident’ “They are super confident. They’ve had almost the advantage of growing up with IPL, being under pressure from the early stages in their career. It’s brilliant to see how fearless they are with their cricket and especially [while playing for] Indian cricket [team]. Also Read: IPL 2025: KKR defeat RR by eight wickets, register first win of the season “Some of the youngsters in the Punjab Kings camp who have never really played the IPL are very impressive,” said the 35-year-old. ‘Feels like home here’ Stoinis returns to the franchise after almost a decade and is excited to work with compatriot and head coach Ricky Ponting. “A lot of Aussie boys here, which is nice for me. So it does feel at home,” he said referring to the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie and Josh Inglis.” Stoinis’ connection with Virat Kohli goes back to their U-19 days when the Indian led his team to the World Cup title in 2008. Stoinis said he remains in touch with the Indian superstar and has enjoyed tracking his remarkable career. “We’ve known each other for a long time. We’ve got a mutual friend in Perth that has known him for a long time as well. So that’s sort of how that relationship started,” he said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
27 March,2025 08:01 AM IST | New Delhi | PTI
IPL 2025: KKR defeat RR by eight wickets, register first win of the season
Kolkata Knight Riders’ bowlers performed in unison as the defending champions defeated Rajasthan Royals comfortably by eight wickets to open their account in IPL-18 here on Wednesday. KKR spinners Varun Chakravarthy (2-17 in four overs) and Moeen Ali (2-23 in four overs) got deliveries to grip and turn on a sticky track while seamer Vaibhav Arora (2-33 in four overs) also used clever change of pace to get his scalps after the visitors opted to bowl first. KKR’s India pacer Harshit Rana (2-36) also did well and picked up a couple of wickets. Also Read: I’m angry: India coach Marquez rues Bangladesh draw KKR’s Quinton de Kock during his 97 not out yesterday. Pic/AFP In reply, opener Quinton de Kock top-scored for KKR with an unbeaten 97 off 61 balls as they chased down the target in 17.3 overs. Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga (1-34) claimed one wicket for RR. Earlier, Varun Chakravarthy and Ali dismantled the RR’s middle order, picking up two wickets each in successive overs right after the Powerplay, shifting the momentum in KKR’s favour. Chakravarthy, varying his pace masterfully, bowled out his quota with exceptional figures of 2-17, while Moeen Ali finished with a tidy 2-23 from his four overs. Seamer Vaibhav Arora (2-33) was expensive, but chipped in with two crucial wickets — regular RR skipper Sanju Samson (13 off 11) with a yorker in the Powerplay before dismissing impact substitute Shubham Dubey (9) cheaply. Harshit Rana (2-36) was instrumental at the death, breaking Dhruv Jurel’s promising innings of 33 (28) and removing the dangerous Shimron Hetmyer for just 7, both in the crucial penultimate over. A quickfire cameo 16 off seven balls from Jofra Archer ensured that they reached the 150-mark, before he fell to Spencer Johnson (1-42) in the penultimate ball of their innings. Brief scoresRR 151-9 in 20 overs (D Jurel 33, Y Jaiswal 29; V Chakravarthy 2-17, M Ali 2-23, V Arora 2-33, H Rana 2-36) lost to KKR 153-2 in 17.3 overs (Q de Kock 97*) by 8 wickets This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 March,2025 07:53 AM IST | Guwahati | Agencies