Author: Nandini Sharma

The Indian Women’s Cricket Team for the Blind has been officially recognized as BBC Star Performers of the Year 2025. This prestigious accolade follows their historic and unbeaten campaign in the inaugural Blind Women’s T20 World Cup, where they clinched the title in November 2025. Led by captain Deepika TC, the team delivered a dominant performance in the final at Colombo’s P Sara Oval. After restricting Nepal to 114/5, India chased down the target in just 12.1 overs, losing only three wickets to lift the maiden trophy. Key Highlights of the 2025 Honors BBC Changemakers of the Year 2025 The…

Following an exceptional performance on the international stage, Pakistan’s Sadia Iqbal has ascended once again to the number one position in the ICC Women’s T20I bowling rankings. Her rise comes after a series of dominant displays against South Africa, allowing her to leapfrog top-tier competitors like Australia’s Annabel Sutherland and India’s Deepti Sharma. The latest rankings update reflects a high-octane week of cricket, highlighted by South Africa’s narrow series win over Pakistan and India’s rain-affected triumph against Australia in Sydney. These matches provided a platform for subcontinental bowlers to showcase their skill, resulting in significant shifts across the leaderboard. Major…

Following a disappointing performance in the series opener against India, Australian batter Phoebe Litchfield has emphasized the need for “batting ownership” as the team prepares for the second T20I in Canberra. The heavy defeat in Sydney has put the world champions in a precarious position, facing their first potential home bilateral series loss in nearly a decade. The collapse at the SCG saw Australia lose their final five wickets for just 12 runs, a trend Litchfield believes must be reversed immediately. Despite a personal recovery during the match, where she accelerated after a slow start, the 24-year-old insists that the…

In a ceremony held in New Delhi on February 16, 2026, Indian cricket sensation Smriti Mandhana was officially named the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year for 2025. This prestigious accolade serves as the crowning achievement for a season that saw the 29-year-old redefine the limits of women’s batting on the international stage. Currently in Australia for a multi-format tour, Mandhana expressed her gratitude via a pre-recorded video, noting that 2025 was a “special year” for the growth of the women’s game. A Season of Unprecedented Milestones Mandhana’s 2025 campaign was characterized by a level of consistency rarely seen in…

In a significant boost for the visitors, Pratika Rawal has been officially drafted into the Indian squad as the 16th member for the three-match ODI series against Australia. This addition comes as India currently holds a 1-0 lead in the T20I leg of their multi-format tour. While Rawal was previously named in the red-ball squad for the one-off Test, this latest update suggests her return to international competition could happen much sooner than originally anticipated. The batting sensation has been sidelined since late October after sustaining knee and ankle injuries during a World Cup match against Bangladesh. According to a…

Following a dominant performance at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), India Women have taken a 1-0 lead in the T20I leg of their multi-format tour of Australia. The victory, secured via the DLS method after rain interrupted the chase, was built on a clinical bowling display led by Arundhati Reddy, who claimed career-best figures for the second time on Australian soil. The win reinforces India’s status as a global powerhouse following their recent ODI World Cup triumph, with the team now looking to secure the T20I series in Canberra this coming Thursday. Match Highlights: Australia vs. India (1st T20I) Australia…

Bangladesh is poised to join the global wave of professional women’s franchise cricket. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially confirmed that the first-ever Women’s Bangladesh Premier League (WBPL) T20 will take place from April 3 to 15, 2026. This landmark announcement marks a turning point for the sport in the country, providing a long-awaited professional platform for local athletes to showcase their talent alongside international stars. Tournament Structure and Vision The inaugural edition of the WBPL is designed to bridge the gap between domestic cricket and the high-pressure environment of international T20s. The Captain’s Perspective: A Long-Awaited Milestone For…

In a transformative shift for New Zealand cricket, 25-year-old superstar Amelia Kerr has been officially named the all-format captain of the White Ferns. She takes over the mantle from Sophie Devine, who vacated the leadership position following the conclusion of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in October. Kerr, who famously debuted at the record-breaking age of 16, brings a wealth of tactical knowledge and world-class skill to the role. Her permanent appointment comes after successful temporary stints leading the squad in both white-ball formats. The all-rounder’s leadership will be put to the test immediately as New Zealand prepares for…

In a landmark moment for Indian domestic cricket, Jammu and Kashmir captain Paras Dogra became only the second player in history to surpass 10,000 runs in the Ranji Trophy. The 41-year-old veteran reached the milestone on Monday, February 16, 2026, during the high-stakes semifinal against Bengal at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani. Dogra achieved the feat with his 11th run of the innings, walking in at No. 4 after India international Mohammed Shami had struck early for Bengal. By reaching this figure in his 147th match, Dogra cements his status as a titan of the domestic circuit, joining…

India Women kicked off their tour of Australia on a high note, defeating the Governor-General’s XI by five wickets in their T20 warm-up match at the North Sydney Oval on Friday, February 13, 2026. Chasing a modest target of 121, India’s experienced core ensured a clinical victory, setting a positive tone for the upcoming multi-format series. Match Summary: India Women vs. Governor-General’s XI The Indian bowlers utilized the conditions effectively after winning the toss and electing to field, keeping the Australian domestic side under constant pressure. 1st Innings: Governor-General’s XI (120/7) 2nd Innings: India Women (121/5) Key Takeaways & Performance…