The Indian women's cricket team will look to end a 47-year wait for its maiden ICC title when it takes the field at the ODI World Cup starting with a clash against Sri Lanka.
On paper, Pakistan are no match for South Africa even though Fatima Sana's team did win an ODI in the bilateral series that served as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup.
Leg-spinner Alana King's spellbinding wizardry formed the cornerstone of Australia's seven-wicket triumph over South Africa as the defending champions concluded the Women's World Cup league stage firmly on top of the table in Indore on Saturday.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has started working on an alternate plan as serious doubts have arisen over Afghanistan's participation in an upcoming T20 Tri-Series amid military conflict between the two countries.
For India, the battle is no longer about proving skill or form, but about crossing the elusive final hurdle that has so often tripped them -- including in this very tournament.
'Now, the sport has the opportunity to transcend barriers -- of gender, of perception, of accessibility.'
In 242 international appearances, Gambhir scored 10,324 runs at an average of 38.95, with 20 centuries and 63 fifties in 283 innings. He is amongst 14 Indians to have 10,000 international runs.
From travelling in unreserved coaches to cusp of history, Indian women's cricket set to turn a page
The wicketkeeper-batter has been retained by RCB alongside seasoned campaigners like Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry for the next year's competition, and planning is in full swing to get their hands on the elusive trophy.
Harmanpreet-led India scripted history on Sunday, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final to secure their maiden ICC Women's World Cup title.
Jemimah Rodrigues produced a sensational knock that included 14 fours as India pulled off the biggest successful chase in women's ODI history with nine balls to spare.
The Harmanpreet Kaur-led India will be playing an ODI World Cup final for the third time, having finished runners-up in 2005 and 2017 to Australia and England, respectively. This will be South Africa's maiden appearance in the final.
Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell retired from ODIs to focus on next year's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Veteran allrounder Marizanne Kapp excelled with both bat and ball, while skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus also smashed fine half-centuries as South Africa defeated Pakistan by 150 runs (DLS Method) in a rain-affected Women's World Cup match to go top of the table, in Colombo, on Tuesday.
West Indies spinner Fabian Allen on Wednesday moved into the top 10 of the ICC Men's T20I Player Rankings after featuring in his team's fine showing in the ongoing five-match series against Australia.
Allowing India to play all their matches in Dubai robbed Pakistan of the honour of hosting the final and disrupted the schedule of the knockout matches.
The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian side landed in the evening after completing their warm-up games in Bengaluru.
'We are going to play in front of a huge crowd in India, and it's going to be a memorable campaign and we are ready for it.'
Jemimah's success is carved not just from talent and hard work, but from dreams, faith, and an unshakable spirit.
Though the England-South Africa game yielded less than 150 runs thanks to the brilliant display by the English bowlers, the surface at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium is regarded as batting-friendly and has often produced high-scoring contests.
Rain forces abandonment of India's match against Bangladesh; Rawal injury scare for hosts
The competition begins with a series between world champions England and Ireland, beginning at Southampton on July 30. The rest of the schedule will be unveiled later.
ODIs will remain relevant because World Cup is Olympics of cricket: Steve Waugh
On Sunday, Goud repaid the faith shown in her with a telling spell of 3 for 20, that included three maidens, to derail Pakistan's chase of 247.
India's cricketing journey post-independence is a saga of triumphs! From iconic World Cup wins to unforgettable Test series victories, the nation's passion for cricket shines through.
'This game has given me so much, so I keep reminding myself that I need to show the world what the game has given to me, and I have to give it back to the game.'
'...there is every possibility that Shreyas will travel for the three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka. The last ODI that India played was in South Africa and he scored a half-century (52). He had 500 plus runs (530) in the World Cup and averages just around 50. Can you drop him?'
Here's wishing the OG 'Captain Fantastic' a very Happy Birthday.
Mithali Raj feels India can end their long-standing trophy drought if they seize key moments
West Indies all-rounder Russell set to retire from international cricket
'The Asia Cup is coming up, and for the white-ball players, they have got a good break after the IPL. I did play TNPL (Tamil Nadu Premier League), but still I have got a one-month break right now.'
The pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad which hosted the ODI World Cup final between India and Australia on November 19 has been rated "average" by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Kapil Dev said ICC has a 'bigger responsibility' to manage the sport.
David, the current chairman of selectors for Indian women's team, enters the ICC Hall of Fame a year after the induction of former captain Diana Edulji.
The BCCI bars active Indian cricketers -- international or domestic -- from playing in overseas leagues to protect the IPL's exclusivity.
Pakistan selectors rule out T20 role for Babar, Rizwan and Afridi in near future
In its bid to promote the traditional version of the game in the age of slam bang Twenty20 cricket, the ICC is contemplating of introducing a Test league from where top four teams would qualify for a quadrennial play-off event to begin in 2013.
According to a top ICC source, the decision was more or less finalised during an informal meeting between the body's new president Jay Shah and the Board of Directors, including Pakistan, at its headquarters in Dubai on Thursday.
The ICC is set to start a nine-team Test league and a 13-team ODI league in 2019 and 2020 respectively, aiming to bring "context and meaning to bilateral cricket".
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