Women's WC: 'They Didnt Acknowledge That SA Also Had Match-winners', Says Anjum Chopra On India's Shortcomings

While South Africa: Former India captain and pundit Anjum Chopra discussed Indias shortcomings from their recent Womens World Cup game against South Africa, where the Proteas handed the Women in Blue their first defeat of the tournament in a thriller, saying that Harmanpreet Kaur-led side failed to analyse that the opposition team also has match-winners. Anjum also lauded Nadine de Klerks knock, as she held her nerves under pressure and took charge of the hitting to help her side clinch a nail-biting win. Richa Ghoshs steady batting anchored Indias innings, but de Klerk's unbeaten 84 led South Africa to victory. Anjum commented on Indias performance, highlighting the resilience of the middle order, especially Richas contribution. She also emphasised the importance of expanding bowling options and learning key lessons to improve as the tournament progresses. Nadine de Klerk played true to her strengths. Shes one of those underrated performers in South African and world cricket, someone whos often seen as a bowler who can send down a few overs or as a batter who contributes occasionally but is not always recognised as a major match-winner. Her knock will make people take notice. Coming in at number eight and knowing exactly how to finish games. Thats a big takeaway for world cricket, seeing another player of such calibre come through. For India, the positive takeaway was the effort from Richa Ghosh and the middle order, including Sneh Rana, who once again stood up for the team. They showed intent and composure, making it clear that the middle and lower orders are willing to take responsibility. When India came out to bowl, they looked in sync with the situation, aware of how crucial every run was. They were up for the contest and the fight. But somewhere along the way, that intensity dropped, perhaps thinking the game was in the bag. They didnt fully acknowledge that the opposition also had match-winners and depth in their batting line-up, much like India, Anjum said on JioHotstar. Indias bowling unit yet again performed brilliantly and added pressure on the Proteas by picking up wickets early in the game. While South Africas chances looked meek as they started off with the chase, de Klerk pulled off a miracle to change the fate of the game. Speaking on Indias bowling unit. The tall batting order we often talk about, capable of chasing big targets, now has to prove itself under pressure, just like South Africa did with Laura Wolvaardt, Chloe Tryon, and Nadine de Klerk leading the way. The same kind of conditions will be seen again in Vizag, Indore, and Mumbai. They are not going to change. Its about how India adapt to them and find the right bowling combinations to respond, Anjum added. India lacked a sixth bowling option, which is why skipper Harmanpreet Kaur took charge in the middle and bowled four overs in the game. She conceded 15 runs and went wicketless, but that move led to further questions being raised about India not having a sixth full-time bowler in the lineup. The tall batting order we often talk about, capable of chasing big targets, now has to prove itself under pressure, just like South Africa did with Laura Wolvaardt, Chloe Tryon, and Nadine de Klerk leading the way. The same kind of conditions will be seen again in Vizag, Indore, and Mumbai. They are not going to change. Its about how India adapt to them and find the right bowling combinations to respond, Anjum added. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score So, the team management will have to make a tough call, whether its sacrificing an opener, a number three, or a number five, a bowler must come in. Even with a deep batting order, when someone like Richa Ghosh is batting at number eight, its clear that several batters arent delivering consistently. Its time to strengthen at least one department decisively, she concluded. Article Source: IANS

Afghanistan eye another ODI series win over Bangladesh

They were victors in 2023 and 2024 and things are looking good this year as well

Women's WC: Batting Deep Is The Right Thing For Teams In The Tournament

ODI World Cup: South Africa's victory over India in the Women's World Cup has highlighted a rising trend in this edition of the 50-over tournament late order batting is the key to victory and defeat, and teams need not lose hope if they lose wickets in quick succession at the top. Beth Mooney of Australia did it the other day against Pakistan in Colombo. On Thursday, Richa Ghosh and Sneh Rana did it for India while Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk followed suit, hammering all-important runs despite their teams losing six wickets for nothing in the match. Mooney rescued the reigning World Champions, Australia, from a disastrous 76/7 to guide them to 221/9 in 50 overs, earning herself a well-deserved century in the process. On Thursday, Richa Ghosh hammered a 77-ball 94 and shared vital partnerships with Amanjot Kaur (13) and Sneh Rana (33 off 24) to lift India from 102/6 to 251. Nadine de Klerk blasted an unbeaten 84 off 54 balls, along with Chloe Tryon, who scored 49 from 66 balls, helping South Africa chase the 252-run target in 48.5 overs and secure victory in a thrilling match. These two matches, along with India's first two games, reinforced the belief that batting deep is the way to go in this World Cup, and the stats also show that the middle-order batters are thriving in the ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025. According to stats compiled by ESPNcricinfo, the top four batters have scored 1774 runs in 20 innings across 10 matches, including 11 scores of fifty or more and a century partnership. In comparison, batters from No.5 and lower have scored 1740 runs so far, including 10 fifty-plus scores and forming two century partnerships. South Africa's Nadine de Klerk agreed that teams that bat deep can extricate themselves from trouble. Really glad we got over the line. I think the most important part is, and we've seen it in this World Cup, is you just have to stick it out. Doesn't matter if you're batting No.8 or No.9, (you just have to) give yourself a chance. I mean, Richa (Ghosh) did it today for India as well. Just try and bat time, she said in the post-match press conference. And I guess when it comes to the back 10 (overs), you can really start backing yourself and try and take the game on. And if it does come off, that 70 or 80 runs in the last 10 makes a massive difference in these totals, he added. She also mentioned that seam bowling is somewhat easier to play in the latter part of an innings in this World Cup compared to spin. I think seam (bowling) was much easier on this wicket, and I think even when we bowled the back end, we felt like it was a pretty good wicket. She also mentioned that seam bowling is somewhat easier to play in the latter part of an innings in this World Cup compared to spin. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score The teams will perform well moving forward, and remember that a match is not over until the final ball, relying on their lower-order batters. If the top order sets the foundation, the lower order can go all the way and capitalise on that. If not, they are there to do the rescue, acting as the world watches them perform another miracle. Article Source: IANS

Theres A Bit Of Aura About Virat And Rohit: Connolly Excited To Share Field With Two 'world-class' Players

The West Australian: Australias rising star Cooper Connolly dubbed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as 'world-class players' and expressed excitement about sharing the field with the Indian stalwarts again while recalling the last time he played a game against the two stars. The 22-year-old all-rounder has been named in Australias ODI squad for their home series against India, starting from October 19 in Perth, and might get a chance to share the field with the senior Indian players again. Connolly shared the field with Kohli and Rohit during the two teams Champions Trophy semi-final clash this year in March. He was a part of Australias XI and opened the batting for them but was dismissed for a nine-ball duck. Its exciting, theyre two world-class players. Ive played them both before, and theres a bit of aura about them. You just think, these guys have played a lot of cricket and they have got that strut about them, Connolly told The West Australian. They own this game, pretty much. Its exciting; there will be a lot of fans here to watch those two go about it pretty much and were excited to play some good cricket. Theyre bringing over a pretty strong squad, but hopefully we can win the series. It would be an honour. Ive obviously looked up to Virat, hes a nice player. I havent had much communication with him, but itd be an honour to share the field one last time with him. Kohlis last game in Australia was the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which was also the last red-ball international game of his career before he announced his retirement from the format. They own this game, pretty much. Its exciting; there will be a lot of fans here to watch those two go about it pretty much and were excited to play some good cricket. Theyre bringing over a pretty strong squad, but hopefully we can win the series. It would be an honour. Ive obviously looked up to Virat, hes a nice player. I havent had much communication with him, but itd be an honour to share the field one last time with him. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score With Australia preparing to host India for three ODIs, followed by five T20Is, the seasoned duo of RoKo will finally be back in play. Article Source: IANS

2nd Test: Jaiswal Unbeaten On 40 As India Reach 94/1 At Lunch Against West Indies

Arun Jaitley Stadium: During the middle of the first session on Day 1 of the second and final Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, a small number of fans were chanting Kohli, Kohli, as they sorely missed the presence of the batting stalwart and local lad. By the time lunch was called, the sun was at its peak, and the fans had now started chanting Jaiswal, Jaiswal. They had their reasons, as Yashasvi scored an unbeaten 40 for India to reach 94/1 in 28 overs against the West Indies. It was a session where India ticked many boxes winning the toss, batting first, settling in, and slogging through the morning to build a steady foundation for a big total. Jaiswal and KL Rahul were cautious in their approach early on to take India to 15/0 in the first six overs, as a few balls from Anderson Philip and Jayden Seales swung. After that, Rahul played shots which pleased the shutterbugs a pristine punch and whip off Seales to score consecutive boundaries. The barrage of boundaries became three in a row when Jaiswal whipped Justin Greaves. There was a sense of pure swagger in Jaiswal a straight drive off Philip was as fierce as a bullet fired from a rifle. The straight drive would again come from Jaiswals willow with its execution flawless on an overpitched ball from Greaves. After a fifty-run partnership between the openers, Rahul had just lofted Khary Pierre for six and was preparing to dance down the pitch again - this time to Jomel Warrican but he was undone by sharp turn that went past his outside edge, resulting in the batter being stumped for 38. There was a sense of pure swagger in Jaiswal a straight drive off Philip was as fierce as a bullet fired from a rifle. The straight drive would again come from Jaiswals willow with its execution flawless on an overpitched ball from Greaves. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score Brief Scores: India 94/1 in 28 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 40 not out, KL Rahul 38; Jomel Warrican 1-21) against West Indies Article Source: IANS

Johnson's BBL and T20 World Cup hopes hinge on back scan

Johnson suffered a stress fracture in the IPL but it wasn't formally diagnosed until the lead-up to Australia's tour of the Caribbean