Half-centuries from Harleen Deol and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur helped India secure a four-wicket win via the DLS Method in their second ICC Women's World Cup warm-up match in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Although sidelined due to a knee and ankle injury during the group-stage game against Bangladesh and forced to miss the semifinal and the final, the 25-year-old opener received a rousing welcome from teammates and fans alike.
The charismatic presence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma alongside a host of top India cricketers lends unprecedented gravitas to the Vijay Hazare One-Day Trophy beginning on Wednesday, giving all of them a chance to prove a point amid a renewed focus on domestic grind.
Rain forces abandonment of India's match against Bangladesh; Rawal injury scare for hosts
Captain Alyssa Healy struck a magnificent unbeaten 113 to lead Australia to a crushing 10-wicket win over Bangladesh, virtually sealing his side's semifinal spot in the Women's World Cup, in Visakhapatnam, on Thursday.
Rohit Sharma to captain India in this year's T20 World Cup
He has since returned for key assignments, including the 2022 T20 World Cup victory and both the Ashes and ODI World Cup campaigns in 2023.
'India is much stronger in white ball than the red ball. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli... they know that these youngsters are pushing them.'
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Australia might experiment in the group stage to find their best XI. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa will play a crucial role while left-arm spinner Ashton Agar is also expected to be in the mix.
'The Pakistani team visited India in 2005-2006, and there was a grand dinner. He urged me to get on stage and speak on behalf of the Punjab Cricket Association!' 'Imagine, a coach from Pakistan speaking on behalf of the PCA!'
While Maxwell is still harbouring aspirations of making a fleeting appearance during Australia's ODI series in India later this month, the 34-year-old maintains being fit for the World Cup is his primary focus.
Quinton de Kock had retired from ODIs after the 2023 World Cup and had not played T20Is since the loss to India in the 2024 T20 World Cup final until October.
Pathan felt the same learning curve now applies to Gill, who has rapidly risen through the ranks and embraced leadership roles across formats.
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.
His two-year contract will expire at the end of ODI World Cup but head coach Rahul Dravid's future will be followed keenly in case the Indian team lifts the coveted trophy.
The others to arrive after a delayed flight were K L Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy along with some members of the support staff.
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta feels that India's T20I vice-captain Shubham Gill, who is currently struggling to get going in the shortest format, has to play a similar role what Virat Kohli did for so long by consistently holding on to one end.
From England's fiery all-rounder Ben Stokes to India's rising star Shubman Gill, and the ever-reliable Babar Azam from Pakistan, these cricketing maestros are ready to redefine the game.
India's record-breaking chase against Australia in the Women's ODI World Cup semifinal sent a wave of pride and emotion through the country's sporting fraternity.
While new young stars have emerged in Indian cricket in the last few years, none can match the monumental batting feats or the electric fan frenzy that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli command.
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 stood still for a moment, her eyes glistening under the floodlights. This was more than just a match-winning hundred - it was a moment of deliverance.
The clash was a record-breaking one. Right from individual pieces of glory to team milestones, India opener Smriti Mandhana's records to Australia once again re-writing history books to justify the seven titles in their trophy cabinet, this match had it all.
Hussey felt this certainly was not the best side competing against the hosts.
Pakistani presenter Zainab Abbas, part of the ICC digital team covering the ODI World Cup, on Monday left India after facing backlash on social media over her alleged anti-India posts in the past.
'Meg brings a rare combination of experience, clarity, and calmness that sets her apart as a leader.'
'He has responded extraordinarily well since coming out of the coma to the point where his family feels it's like some sort of miracle.'
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma feels facing an Indian side with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma is nothing new.
New Zealand batter Glenn Phillips said the chance to script another chapter of history in India was "pretty cool" but stressed that his side would rely on process and adaptability rather than emotion as they eye a rare white-ball series success against a formidable host.
To mark the beginning of Diwali and celebrate the ongoing edition of the ICC Men's ODI World Cup, the ICC and the BCCI showcased a special 3D projection on the historical and iconic Gateway of India in Mumbai.
'Australia is his favourite hunting ground, and now he is making his comeback after the IPL. I am really looking forward to seeing him bat in those three ODIs, and hopefully, out of those three, he gets at least two centuries for India.'
An outdated batting approach, dismal performance of the spinners, lack of back-up options and selection blunders have led to another early World Cup exit for the forever unpredictable Pakistan unit.
A minor hip injury kept Ben Stokes out of the World Cup opening match which England lost by nine wickets against New Zealand.
A month and half back, Ravichandran Ashwin was eloquently explaining on his Tamil YouTube channel, why a talent like Tilak Varma should be seriously considered for the ODI World Cup.
'It's something the ICC will have to weigh up in whether the tournament goes ahead. Will every team in the competition have the opportunity to prepare adequately for a World Cup? There are still a few teams that have to go through the qualifying process so I'm not sure how that will pan out.'
As India gear up for the T20 World Cup at home, the selectors have backed a squad built on impact, and versatility.
He has since matured into a complete three-format player: 2,647 runs in 37 Tests at 41.35, 2,775 runs in 55 ODIs at a Bradmanesque 59.04, and 578 runs in 21 T20Is.
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