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Pratika Rawal smashes half-century in second women’s ODIs

Rawal, who had already scored a match-winning 89 in the first ODI, continued her excellent form in this match.

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1 year ago

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Young Indian women’s cricket team opener Pratika Rawal made an impressive contribution with a solid 67 runs off 61 balls during the second ODI against Ireland at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Sunday. Rawal, who had already scored a match-winning 89 in the first ODI, continued her excellent form in this match.

Teaming up with Smriti Mandhana, who scored 73, Rawal established a strong 156-run opening partnership, laying a solid foundation for the innings. Throughout her innings, Rawal displayed remarkable maturity beyond her years. Tejal Hasabnis also made a notable return, scoring a fifty, as India comfortably defeated the inexperienced Ireland team by six wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match women’s ODI series on Friday.

In the first ODI, Rawal was instrumental in anchoring the chase for 239 runs, following a brisk 41 from stand-in skipper Smriti Mandhana, who made a career-best 89 off 96 balls, hitting 10 fours and one six. Hasabnis, who had not played ODI cricket since October 2024 against New Zealand, marked her comeback with an innings of 53 not out off 46 balls, striking nine boundaries.

Rawal and Hasabnis formed a match-winning partnership of 116 runs off 84 balls, leading India to victory with 93 balls remaining. Continuing her dominant form from the West Indies series, Mandhana scored a rapid 41 runs off just 29 balls, marked by six fours and a six, and, in doing so, became the second Indian and the 15th overall player to surpass 4,000 runs in ODIs.

Mandhana’s aggressive stroke play unsettled the Irish bowlers, especially in the eighth over against seamer Dempsey, where she struck a boundary, a six, and another four in quick succession. Rawal, who made her debut during the West Indies series, provided excellent support, and the pair successfully shared their third fifty-plus opening partnership in four matches.

Ireland managed to break through at the end of the powerplay when Mandhana mistimed a shot and was caught, falling just nine runs short of her half-century. Despite Harleen Deol (20) and Jemimah Rodrigues (9) looking promising early on, clever bowling by left-arm spinner Aimee Maguire (3/57 from 8 overs) temporarily halted India’s progress. Maguire successfully stumped Rodrigues, who was well out of her crease after stepping out excessively.

During this phase, India lost three wickets for just 46 runs. However, thanks to Mandhana’s explosive start, the team remained well on track. Ireland’s lack of experience was evident as they allowed 21 runs through extras, with Laura Delany particularly struggling in the bowling department, bowling two no-balls and delivering waist-high full tosses, which Hasabnis capitalized on with back-to-back boundaries.

Earlier, India’s fielding let Ireland off the hook as they dropped several catches, allowing visiting captain Gaby Lewis to score a classy 92 runs and lift her team to a competitive total of 238 for 7. Opting to bat first, Ireland faced early trouble at 56 for 4 by the 14th over. However, Lewis and Leah Paul (59 off 73 balls) mounted a recovery, adding 117 runs for the fifth wicket, marking the team’s first-ever century partnership against India.

Lewis’s innings came off 129 balls, featuring 15 boundaries, while the duo of Lewis and Paul navigated through the innings with calculated precision. India’s first breakthrough came from medium pacer Titas Sadhu, who took the wicket of Sarah Forbes (9) after a misplayed shot edged to slip where Deepti Sharma made the catch.

In their first trip to India, Ireland stumbled to 34 for 2 after a disastrous mix-up led to the run out of Una Raymond-Hoey (5), who attempted a single after hitting the ball directly to Jemimah Rodrigues in cover. Orla Prendergast (9) soon followed her back to the pavilion, stumped by Ghosh off the bowling of leg-spinner Priya Mishra (2/56), leaving Ireland in a precarious position at 56 for 3 by the 14th over.

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Who is Praful Hinge? Young pacer who made instant impact with match-turning IPL debut spell

Praful Hinge grabbed attention with a three-wicket over on his IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

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2 days ago

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April 14, 2026

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Praful Hinge bowling for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL

Praful Hinge is an emerging Indian fast bowler who grabbed attention after a remarkable debut in the Indian Premier League. Representing Sunrisers Hyderabad, the young pacer made headlines by taking three wickets in a single over, a rare and impactful feat in T20 cricket.

His performance came against Rajasthan Royals, where he turned the game with a decisive spell, announcing his arrival on the big stage.

Domestic cricket background

Hinge hails from Nagpur and has been associated with the Vidarbha cricket team in domestic cricket. Like many cricketers rising through India’s competitive system, his progress at the domestic level paved the way for his IPL opportunity.

While detailed statistics from his domestic career remain limited in public reports, his selection in the IPL reflects recognition of his potential and performances.

Bowling style and strengths

Praful Hinge is a right-arm fast bowler known for:

  • Maintaining a disciplined line and length
  • Ability to generate movement off the pitch
  • Effectiveness in short, impactful spells

His debut spell highlighted composure under pressure, especially in a high-intensity league like the IPL.

Breakthrough IPL moment

Making an immediate impact in the IPL is never easy, but Hinge’s three-wicket over on debut stands out as a defining moment. Performances like these often play a key role in shaping a young cricketer’s early career and gaining attention from teams and selectors.

A promising start

Praful Hinge’s debut has positioned him as a young fast bowler to watch. While it is still early in his career, such impactful performances suggest potential for further opportunities in domestic and franchise cricket.

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At 15, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi eyes India debut, could surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s record

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi may soon make his India debut after a standout IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals.

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2 days ago

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April 14, 2026

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Rising cricket prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is reportedly on the verge of earning his first senior India call-up following an impressive run in IPL 2026. The 15-year-old batter has been shortlisted for the upcoming India tour of Ireland, according to multiple reports.

The young Rajasthan Royals player has quickly emerged as one of the most talked-about talents this season, delivering impactful performances that have caught the attention of selectors.

Strong performances boost selection chances

Sooryavanshi’s explosive batting in IPL 2026 has played a key role in pushing his case for national selection. Representing Rajasthan Royals, the teenager has consistently taken on top bowlers with confidence, showcasing both aggressive stroke play and maturity beyond his age.

Reports suggest he is among several young players being monitored for India’s Ireland tour, with selectors looking to test emerging talent in a relatively shorter series.

Could become youngest India debutant

If selected and given an opportunity, Sooryavanshi could script history by becoming one of the youngest players to represent India at the international level. At just 15, he would surpass long-standing age records set by former greats like Sachin Tendulkar, who debuted at 16.

The potential milestone has added further excitement around the youngster, whose rapid rise through domestic and franchise cricket has been closely followed by fans and experts alike.

Future tours also on radar

Apart from the Ireland series, reports indicate that Sooryavanshi could also be considered for other upcoming assignments later in 2026, including a possible tour of Zimbabwe. His consistent performances and fearless approach have made him a strong contender for continued inclusion in India’s plans.

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Guwahati weather poses threat to RR vs MI blockbuster as rain delays toss

The IPL 2026 clash between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians faces a delay as the Guwahati weather brings persistent rain to the Barsapara Cricket Stadium.

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1 week ago

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April 7, 2026

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Guwahati weather

The much-anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 encounter between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Mumbai Indians (MI) has hit a weather hurdle. Scheduled to take place at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, the toss for Match 13 has been officially delayed due to persistent rain in the city.

Rain intensifies at Barsapara Stadium

The Guwahati weather has taken a turn for the worse as heavy drizzle forced the groundstaff to keep the pitch and square under covers. While the rain had momentarily eased, allowing for a brief inspection, it returned shortly after, frustrating both fans and players. According to media reports, the probability of rain during match hours has surged to nearly 50%, a significant increase from earlier forecasts.

Cut-off time and over reductions

As the clock ticks, the pressure on the match officials increases. Overs were scheduled to start being reduced from 8:40 PM IST. For those hoping for at least a shortened game, the cut-off time for a minimum five-over-a-side contest has been established at 10:56 PM IST. The city remains under a weather alert, with cloud cover expected to be a major factor throughout the evening.

High-stakes encounter on hold

Rajasthan Royals enter this game with a perfect record, having won their first two matches of the season. On the other hand, Mumbai Indians, led by Hardik Pandya, are looking to bounce back after a mixed start. A key highlight of this match is the potential battle between 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and the experienced Jasprit Bumrah.

Historically, the two teams share a fierce rivalry, with Mumbai holding a slight edge with 16 wins compared to Rajasthan’s 14 in their 31 previous meetings.

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