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Virender Sehwag blames selectors for not picking back up opener, suggests Rohit Sharma to be removed as T20I captain to manage workload

Team India’s all format captain Rohit Sharma has not been featured in all of India’s matches since taking over as captain due to injuries and workload management

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Team India has suffered a huge blow in the form of Rohit Sharma, who tested positive for Covid-19 just days before the rescheduled fifth Test against England.

Amid the opening conundrum, former India opener Virender Sehwag has questioned the selectors for not picking up backup players during Covid-19. He feels current skipper Rohit Sharma, who has not been featured in all of India’s matches since taking over as captain due to injuries and workload management, could be relieved as T20I skipper to manage his workload better.

If the selectors has someone else in their mind as captain in the T20 format, then Rohit Sharma could be relieved and the following can be taken into consideration going forward, Sehwag told PTI in an interview.

Speaking with Sony’s pre-match show for India vs Ireland Extra Innings, Sehwag said there is a mistake on the part of selectors that they didn’t take an extra opener as back-up because everyone thought Rohit is fit, Shubman Gill is fit.

Read Also: From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, India saw five captains in five tours

Former team India opener said no one anticipated this Covid factor. There should be one or two extra players during Covid days and have 20-22 extra players. If the selectors have 22-man squad then there would be no need of an extra opener, it’s a big mistake on the selectors part, he said.

Team India’s all-format skipper was playing in a four-day warm-up match against Leicestershire but did not bat in their second innings on Saturday’s third day.

Mayank Agarwal has been called up to join the Indian squad for the rescheduled India vs England Test that will be begin on Friday at Edgbaston, Birmingham

At present, India have got Shubman Gill in the ranks, with KS Bharat and Cheteshwar Pujara being alternatives for Rohit at the top.

Rohit was India’s top scorer in the Test series last year, hitting 368 runs, including a hundred and 2 fifties.

Virender Sehwag blames selectors for not picking back up opener, suggests Rohit Sharma to be removed as T20I captain to manage workload

Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled a 208 Kmph delivery in 1st T20I against Ireland? Pacer gets praise, Tweeple ask who is Shoaib Akhtar, Umran Malik?

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From basketball gold to cricket stardom: Pratika Rawal’s journey with 92.5% in CBSE to India’s ODI debut

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Pratika Rawal during her cricket training session

In a remarkable journey that intertwines academic excellence, athletic prowess, and cricketing brilliance, Pratika Rawal has emerged as India’s promising opening batter. At just 24 years old, Pratika’s story is one of resilience, versatility, and dedication.

A graduate in psychology from Jesus & Mary College in New Delhi, Pratika secured an impressive 92.5% in her CBSE Class 12 examinations. Her achievements, however, are not limited to academics. A gold medalist in basketball at the 64th School National Games in 2019, she has also displayed her talent across multiple sports disciplines.

Pratika’s passion for cricket took root early in life. Her father, Pradeep Rawal, a BCCI-certified umpire with the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), nurtured her budding interest in the sport. At the age of 10, she joined the Rohtak Road Gymkhana Cricket Academy, training under the legendary coach Sharvan Kumar. Despite being the academy’s first female trainee, Pratika’s enthusiasm and determination quickly earned her respect.

“She was a natural talent, but I always pushed her to work harder,” Sharvan recalls. “Her progress over the years has been phenomenal, and watching her don the Indian jersey is a proud moment for all of us.”

Pratika balanced cricket with her studies, excelling in both fields. She transitioned from Bal Bharati School to Modern School, Barakhamba Road, on the strength of her cricketing talent. The shift proved pivotal as it provided her access to better facilities and opportunities.

By 2021, Pratika had made headlines with a stunning 161-run knock for Delhi in her debut domestic season. Over the next two years, she amassed over 950 List A runs, cementing her reputation as a formidable batter. Her ability to adapt and refine her technique under coaches like Dipti Dhyani and Dishant Yagnik played a crucial role in her development.

“Initially, Pratika’s game was heavily leg-side dominant,” Yagnik, a former Rajasthan cricketer, explained. “We worked on her grip and balance, unlocking her potential to score freely on the off-side. This transformation made her a more versatile batter.”

Her adaptability extended to leadership roles, where she captained the Delhi U-23 team to the T20 Trophy final earlier this year. As she continues to shine in domestic cricket, her performances in the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy have further solidified her place in the national setup.

Off the field, Pratika’s grounded demeanor endears her to peers and coaches alike. “She’s always been a team player, putting collective goals above personal milestones,” said Dhyani, who has closely mentored her through challenging phases in her career.

Now donning the national colors, Pratika’s ODI debut against the West Indies at the Kotambi Stadium marked a new chapter in her journey. For her father, who witnessed the match in Vadodara, and coach Sharvan Kumar, the moment was deeply emotional—a culmination of years of unwavering belief and hard work.

Pratika’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and passion. As she embarks on her international career, her blend of academic rigor, sporting versatility, and cricketing skill sets her apart as a role model for aspiring athletes across the nation.

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India women vs West Indies women 2nd ODI: Harleen Deol’s century, Jemimah Rodrigues’ fifty take India past 300

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harleen deol raises her bat in celebration after scoring her maiden century against west indies women

In the ongoing second ODI between India Women and West Indies Women at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, India have put up a solid performance, reaching 358/5 in 50 overs. Harleen Deol is in impressive form, standing strong at century, while Jemimah Rodrigues contributes with half century as they continue to build on their momentum after India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur chose to bat first after winning the toss.

India had earlier dominated the first match of the series with a commanding 211-run victory, marking their second-largest win in women’s ODIs. The West Indies team is looking to bounce back from that crushing defeat, which was their heaviest in terms of runs in ODI history.

India has remained unchanged from the first ODI, with Pratika Rawal, who was part of the record-setting 211-run win, getting another chance to impress at the top of the order. The West Indies, aiming to level the series, have handed a debut to Nerissa Crafton, the 26-year-old middle-order batter, in place of Shabika Gajnabi. Crafton’s inclusion also adds an additional bowling option for the visitors after they struggled to control the Indian batters in the previous match, conceding 160 runs off the last 20 overs.

India’s lineup includes Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Saima Thakor, Titas Sadhu, Priya Mishra, and Renuka Singh. The West Indies squad consists of Hayley Matthews (capt), Qiana Joseph, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Deandra Dottin, Rashada Williams, Zaida James, Nerissa Crafton, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, and Karishma Ramharack.

The match is still in progress as India looks to build on their strong position.

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Sutherland’s masterful century guides Australia to victory in rain-affected ODI

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Annabel Sutherland raising her bat after scoring a century in the second ODI against New Zealand

Australia 291/7 (Sutherland 105, McGrath 34, Penfold 4-42, Carson 2-65) defeated New Zealand 122/5 (Kerr 38, James 27, Garth 2-17) by 65 runs (via DLS)*

Australia secured a commanding 65-run victory over New Zealand in a rain-affected second ODI at the Basin Reserve, with Annabel Sutherland once again taking center stage with an unbeaten 105. The rain-hit match, which saw Australia post 291 for 7, was halted after 31 overs with New Zealand on 122 for 5, ensuring Australia’s 14th consecutive win over their trans-Tasman rivals.

The contest began with anticipation surrounding Alyssa Healy’s return to the international fold after a lengthy injury layoff. Healy, playing as a specialist batter, contributed a steady 34 off 32 balls, providing solid support at the top of the order. However, it was Sutherland’s explosive innings that truly dominated the day.

Sutherland, who had recently made an impressive 110 against India in Perth, showed her prowess in tough batting conditions. She became the first player to hit back-to-back ODI centuries from the No.5 position, guiding Australia to a challenging total. With the ball swinging in the seaming conditions, New Zealand’s bowlers struggled to contain her. Sutherland launched two sixes in the final overs and reached her century off just 78 balls, sealing her third ODI ton with a boundary.

After a rain delay disrupted play, New Zealand found themselves needing to chase a steep target, and the early loss of key wickets left them in a difficult position. Debutant Bella James was aggressive early on, pulling Megan Schutt for a six, but her knock ended at 27 when she was caught off Kim Garth. Suzie Bates, who had presented James with her debut cap, was dismissed cheaply, leaving New Zealand at 60 for 3.

Captain Sophie Devine’s departure after edging Ellyse Perry further put New Zealand on the back foot, and although Jess Kerr and Frankie MacDonald showed resilience, the required run rate was steadily climbing. New Zealand’s hopes were dashed as the heavens opened up, signaling the end of the match with them still well short of the target.

The rain-shortened match reflected not just Australia’s superiority with the bat, but also the challenges New Zealand faced in the field. Notably, debutant James had a tough outing, dropping three catches, including one when Sutherland was on 26. Despite a spirited 4-46 from Molly Penfold, New Zealand’s fielding lapses proved costly.

For Australia, the win was a continuation of their dominant form after their 3-0 whitewash against India. New Zealand’s defeat has complicated their path to directly qualifying for the 2025 Women’s World Cup, with the team sitting precariously in sixth position on the Women’s Championship standings.

The match marked a significant milestone for Healy, who made her return after a lengthy injury layoff. Although her knock was brief, it was a welcome sight for Australia’s leadership. She has been working hard in the nets to regain form, and her boundary off Rosemary Mair’s second ball was a signal of her readiness for the challenges ahead.

The ODI series will now shift focus to the third and final match, with both teams eager to secure a crucial victory as the Women’s Championship points race continues.

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