England squandered a prime opportunity to level the Women’s Ashes series, losing to Australia by 21 runs in a dramatic second ODI at the Junction Oval, Melbourne. Chasing a modest target of 181, England faltered to 159 all out, handing Australia a 4-0 lead in the multi-format series.

With just 22 runs needed and one wicket in hand, England’s hopes rested on Lauren Bell and Amy Jones. However, Bell was bowled by Megan Schutt for one in the penultimate over, completing a collapse from 120-5. Jones remained unbeaten on 47, but a tactical misstep marred England’s chances when Jones failed to capitalize on a free hit following Annabel Sutherland’s removal from the attack for bowling two no-balls in the 48th over.

England’s bowlers had set the stage for a memorable win by dismantling Australia for 180 in 44.3 overs. Sophie Ecclestone excelled with figures of 4-35, while Alice Capsey added 3-22, including the crucial wicket of Ellyse Perry, who top-scored with a composed 60 off 74 balls. Despite Australia losing eight wickets for just 49 runs, England could not capitalize on the opportunity.

The visitors began their chase solidly but suffered a similar collapse. Reduced from 68-2 to 120-5, their batting lineup failed to withstand the pressure. Alana King proved instrumental for Australia, claiming 4-25 to derail England’s innings.

This defeat is a bitter pill for England, whose tactical lapses in high-pressure situations raised concerns ahead of the series’ conclusion. With the final ODI set for January 16 in Hobart, followed by three T20 matches and a one-off Test, England faces an uphill battle to keep their Ashes hopes alive.

In response to India’s lackluster performance during the 2024-25 Test campaign in Australia, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly set to introduce stricter policies for players and their families during overseas tours. These new regulations aim to maintain focus and discipline within the team environment, particularly on long tours.

As per a report, one of the key changes includes limiting the duration families, especially wives, can stay with players during overseas tours. Previously relaxed rules allowed family members to accompany players for the entire duration of tours. However, the BCCI now plans to reintroduce a pre-2019 regulation, restricting family stays to a maximum of two weeks during a 45-day tour.

Additionally, the BCCI is enforcing team unity by mandating all players to travel in the team bus. Individual travel arrangements will be discouraged, and players will no longer be reimbursed for excessive luggage over 150 kilograms during air travel.

Impact on high-profile figures and families
This decision could significantly impact notable figures like Virat Kohli’s wife, actress Anushka Sharma, and other cricketers’ partners such as Ritika Sajdeh and Athiya Shetty, who are often seen on tours. The BCCI believes these measures will help players maintain a more focused approach to their cricketing commitments.

Gautam Gambhir under scrutiny
Head coach Gautam Gambhir and his manager Gaurav Arora are also facing tighter restrictions. The board reportedly plans to bar Gambhir’s manager from staying in team hotels, sitting in VIP boxes, or traveling in the team bus or associated transport. These measures aim to streamline operations and ensure uniformity in team management practices.

Internal discussions on team future
The future of senior players, including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and the tenure of Gambhir’s coaching staff were also major points of discussion during a recent meeting with BCCI officials. The meeting included India’s Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar.

These sweeping changes underscore the BCCI’s commitment to improving team performance and fostering a disciplined environment as the team prepares for future challenges.

India’s cricket fans can gear up for an action-packed season as BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla has officially announced the start dates for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 and the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. After the General Body meeting on Sunday, Shukla confirmed that WPL 2025 will commence on February 7, with the final scheduled for March 2, while IPL 2025 is set to begin on March 23, culminating in its final on May 25.

This announcement adjusts the initial IPL start date, previously speculated to be March 14, allowing players additional recovery time after the ICC Champions Trophy final on March 9.

WPL 2025: Venues and highlights

WPL 2025 will feature matches across four key cities: Baroda, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Lucknow. This setup ensures that four of the five participating teams will enjoy home support during the season. The exception will be the Delhi Capitals, the two-time finalists, who will play all their games at away venues. Details on the exact number of matches at each venue are expected soon.

IPL 2025: Match format remains unchanged

Contrary to earlier reports suggesting an expansion to 84 matches in 2025, the IPL format for the upcoming season will maintain the 74-match structure seen in 2023 and 2024. The BCCI appears to be prioritizing players’ workload, delaying any expansion until at least 2026. The format will feature the same group-stage and playoff system that has been a staple of recent seasons.

What’s next for IPL and WPL 2025 schedules?

The BCCI is scheduled to hold another General Body meeting on January 18, where the full schedule for IPL 2025 and WPL 2025 could be finalized. Fans can look forward to the announcement by the end of January, setting the stage for two months of thrilling cricket action across India.

Stay tuned as the cricketing calendar for 2025 shapes up, promising unforgettable moments for fans of the IPL and WPL alike.