Author: Priya Menon

Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to step down as India’s captain across all three formats brings to an end one of the most successful leadership tenures in the history of Indian women’s cricket. Having first taken charge of the T20I side in 2016 before becoming India’s all-format captain, Harmanpreet led the team through some of its greatest achievements, including a historic ODI World Cup triumph, multiple continental titles and landmark victories in Test cricket. Here are the unique milestones that defined her captaincy. 1. First India Women’s Captain to Win an ODI World Cup The defining moment of Harmanpreet’s leadership came in…

Smriti Mandhana is the overwhelming favourite to become the next captain of the India women’s cricket team following Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to step down across all formats. Having served as Harmanpreet’s deputy for several years and already led India successfully on multiple occasions, Mandhana has built a strong leadership résumé at both international and franchise level. However, while the captaincy debate is close to being settled, the vice-captaincy presents a more intriguing long-term question. India must now identify the player who can eventually lead the side beyond the Mandhana era. Mandhana Has Already Built a Strong Leadership Record Mandhana has…

Harmanpreet Kaur has brought an end to one of the most defining leadership eras in Indian women’s cricket after stepping down as captain across all three international formats. Her decision follows a review meeting involving the BCCI leadership, head coach Amol Muzumdar and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana in Guwahati. Shortly afterwards, Harmanpreet confirmed through social media that she was relinquishing the captaincy while continuing her international playing career. Her tenure will be remembered for delivering India’s first senior women’s ICC title, multiple Asian Games gold medals, two T20 Asia Cup titles and memorable individual achievements, while also including heartbreaking defeats and…

Bangladesh have announced a 16-member squad for their upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, with Nigar Sultana Joty set to captain the side and spinner Nahida Akter appointed as vice-captain. The squad remains largely unchanged from the group that represented Bangladesh at the Women’s Asia Cup and the 2026 Asian Games. The tour will provide Bangladesh with a valuable opportunity to test themselves in challenging Australian conditions as they continue their ICC Women’s Championship campaign. Joty to Lead Experienced Core Nigar Sultana Joty retains the captaincy, with Nahida Akter serving as her deputy. Fast bowler Marufa Akter will spearhead the…

Hayley Matthews struck her second century of the series as West Indies defeated Zimbabwe by 91 runs in the third ODI to seal the three-match series 2-1. West Indies posted 271/5 after being asked to bat, with Matthews scoring 118 and Shemaine Campbelle adding 96. Zimbabwe were then bowled out for 180 despite an unbeaten 74 from captain Josephine Nkomo. Matthews and Campbelle Build Match-Winning Stand West Indies started cautiously, reaching 38 after 10 overs, with Matthews contributing 34 of those runs. After Realeanna Grimmond was dismissed for 3, Matthews and Campbelle took control with a 160-run partnership for the…

Victoria opened their 2026-27 Women’s National Cricket League campaign with a dramatic two-wicket win over South Australia under lights at Junction Oval, chasing down 291 with three balls to spare. Tahlia McGrath delivered a superb all-round performance for South Australia, scoring 154 and taking two wickets, but centuries and key late contributions carried Victoria home in a tense finish. McGrath Rescues South Australia South Australia were in serious trouble at 97/5 before McGrath took control of the innings. The Australia vice-captain rebuilt alongside Jemma Barsby, with the pair adding 167 runs for the sixth wicket. Barsby contributed 50 from 71…

India Women spinner N Sree Charani has etched her name into the record books after achieving the highest-ever rating in the ICC Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings. The left-arm spinner’s remarkable performances during India’s triumphant Women’s Asia Cup and Asian Games 2026 campaigns have earned her a record rating of 817 points, surpassing the previous all-time best of 806 set by Australia pacer Megan Schutt in November 2018. Charani’s Outstanding Tournament Performances Charani has enjoyed a sensational run in international cricket, emerging as one of India’s most effective bowlers across both tournaments. She collected 20 wickets in just eight T20I innings,…

Sophie Molineux admits she could never have imagined where her career would be just a year ago. After overcoming another injury setback, the Australia all-rounder is now the national captain and a T20 World Cup-winning skipper, capping the most memorable year of her career. With the new domestic season beginning on September 29, Molineux reflected on a remarkable 12 months that transformed both her career and her outlook. “I didn’t envisage it 12 months ago,” she said. “It’s been a whirlwind, full of highs and lows, but I wouldn’t change any of it. The experience of the World Cup, it…

Seventeen years after helping England lift the 2009 Women’s Cricket World Cup, Isa Guha remains one of the most influential figures in the game. The former England seamer has successfully transitioned from international cricketer to one of cricket’s leading broadcasters while continuing to champion greater opportunities for women and girls in the sport. From World Cup Winner to Broadcaster Guha represented England for 11 years before retiring from international cricket in 2012 with 148 wickets across all formats. Looking back, she takes pride not only in England’s World Cup triumph but also in how the team transformed women’s cricket during…

Rayalaseema Xen Stars Women were crowned Women’s Andhra Premier League (WAPL) 2026 champions after defeating Godavari Golden Eagles Women by six wickets in the final at the ACA International Stadium in Mangalagiri. Godavari posted 96/9 from their 20 overs before Rayalaseema completed the chase at 98/4 in 17.1 overs, winning with 17 balls to spare. Rayalaseema Bowlers Restrict Godavari to 96 Godavari struggled to build momentum after losing wickets at regular intervals. Captain Henrietta Flavia Pereira led the resistance with 45 from 44 balls, while M. Mahalakshmi Manoja contributed 20 from 29 deliveries. However, Rayalaseema’s bowlers kept the pressure on…