Right-arm medium pacer Sophie Devine and spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad stole the spotlight as Gujarat Giants survived anxious moments to edge past Delhi Capitals by three runs in a pulsating Women's Premier League match here on Tuesday. Devine's (4/37) four-wicket haul and Rajeshwari Gayakwad's (3/20) three scalps derailed Delhi Capitals' chase, as Jemimah Rodrigues' side faltered while pursuing 175, finishing at 171 for 8 in 20 overs. With nine runs needed off six balls, Devine struck twice, dismissing Sneh Rana and Niki Prasad, as Delhi Capitals' chase came to a halt. Sent in to bat, veteran Australian wicketkeeper-batter Mooney scored a measured 58 off 46 balls, while Anushka Sharma contributed 39 off 25 deliveries as Gujarat Giants posted a competitive 174 for 9. Chasing, Delhi Capitals got off to a strong start, reaching 16 in the first two overs, with Shafali Verma contributing 14 off 10 balls. Shafali's innings was cut short by left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad, caught at long-on by skipper Ashleigh Gardner after attempting an ill-timed hoick. Delhi Capitals suffered a second blow soon after, as Lizelle Lee struggled for 11 off 20 balls before offering a simple catch to Ashleigh Gardner at mid-on off Sophie Devine's bowling. The going was tough for Delhi Capitals' batters as Tanuja Kanwar and Sophie Devine bowled incisively to keep them under control. Even skipper Jemimah Rodrigues and Laura Wolvaardt struggled to find their range, allowing the required run rate to climb. Attempting to break the shackles, Jemimah miscued a scoop off Devine's slower delivery and was bowled. In the very next over, Ashleigh Gardner dismantled Kapp's defence. To make matters worse, Laura Wolvaardt was bowled by Rajeshwari as DC slumped to 84 for 5 in the 13th over. Delhi Capitals kept losing wickets at regular intervals, with Chinelle Henry falling next to Rajeshwari. However, Niki Prasad came in and made an impact immediately, scoring 47 off 24 balls and hitting boundaries to keep DC in the hunt. Prasad began her assault with a four and followed it up with four consecutive boundaries off Devine. Sneh Rana (29 off 15) then lofted Devine for a six, helping DC score 23 runs in the 17th over. Prasad continued her onslaught, smashing Kanwar for a four through the covers to bring the equation within reach. Needing 29 off 12 balls, Sneh Rana launched a six over Gardner, followed by two consecutive fours in the 19th over. Niki Prasad added another boundary off Gardner in the same over, reducing the equation to nine runs off six balls. The late onslaught by Prasad and Rana threatened to snatch the game from Gujarat Giants, but Devine struck in the final over, dismissing Rana, caught by Wareham, to leave DC needing five runs off the last two balls. The duo added 60 runs off just 31 balls to keep DC in the hunt but ultimately fell short. Needing four off the final ball, Niki Prasad, after a brilliant innings, was caught at long-on by Gardner off Devine while attempting the winning shot. Earlier, DC left-arm spinner Shree Charani picked up 4 for 31 but Beth Mooney's half-century lifted GG to a competitive score. GG lost Devine (13) early before skipper Mooney and Sharma (39 off 25) stitched 54 runs for the second wicket to give some momentum to the innings. GG skipper Ashleigh Gardner (2) disappointed once again, while Georgia Wareham (11) tried to force her way but failed. Brief scores: Gujarat Giants 174/9 in 20 overs (Beth Mooney 58, Anushka Sharma 39; Sree Charani 4-31, Chinelle Henry 2-38) beat Delhi Capitals 171/8 in 20 overs (Niki Prasad 47, Sneh Rana 29; Sophie Devine 4-37, Rajeshwari Gayakwad 3-20) by three runs This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
28 January,2026 03:04 AM IST | Vadodara | PTITeam India is all set to lock horns with New Zealand for the fourth T20I match on January 28 at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. Ahead of the match, Team India's Sanju Samson, who has been struggling to find himself among the runs, will be expected to deliver a big knock. Despite poor performances, Team India's bowling coach Morne Morkel feels that the right-handed batsman is just one knock away from regaining his form. "Sanju is one knock away from getting that confidence, getting that form back. For us, building up to the World Cup it's important for the guys to find that peak performance at the right time. He's training well, he's hitting the ball very well," he said. IND vs NZ T20Is: Sanju Samson's outings In the first T20I match against the "Black Caps", Samson departed after scoring 10 runs in seven balls, including two boundaries. In the second match, he returned to the pavilion after registering six runs off five deliveries, which was laced with a maximum. In the third clash, he was dismissed on a duck on the very first ball of his innings. Despite it being an optional nets session, Samson spent more than 30 minutes at nets facing various bowlers such as Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Abhishek and side-armer Raghu. The bowling coach also said that the focus is on the success that the team has tasted in the series. The "Men in Blue" have already sealed the series 3-0 against the "Black Caps". "So, I think it's just a matter of time for him to get his foot on the board. But the main focus is that the team is winning, and I think that's important. We're 3-0 up in this series at the moment, the boys are playing some very good cricket," said Morkel. He is also optimistic about Samson getting his form back before the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. "We've got a couple of games now before the start of the World Cup, and I have no doubt that Sanju will find his form," concluded the 41-year-old former cricketer. Team India will soon engage in the global showpiece, which is scheduled to kick off from February 7. (With PTI Inputs)
27 January,2026 08:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn the WPL 2026 match against the Gujarat Giants (GG), Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Jemimah Rodrigues won the toss and elected to bowl first at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium in Kotambi. After winning the toss, Delhi Capitals' captain Rodrigues said that, considering that the dew has not come in, the batting will be easier in the second innings at the venue. She also feels that the pitch is suitable for batswomen. Speaking about her captaincy, the 25-year-old cricketer said that she is learning a lot in the role. On the other hand, the toss didn't make much difference for Gujarat Giants' skipper Ashleigh Gardner, as she wanted to bat first in the clash. On the learnings from the different batting composition in their last match, she said that having Sophie Devine in the middle order gives a lot of firepower towards the end. Danni Wyatt-Hodge will miss out on the clash due to sickness, and Georgia Wareham will come back into the team. Devine will open the innings, and the skipper wants her team to fight hard, irrespective of what the match's result turns out to be. Currently, the Delhi Capitals are in third position on the WPL 2026 points table. Having played six matches, the side has emerged victorious on three occasions and has suffered defeats in three matches. They have a net run rate (NRR) of -0.169 and six points. The fourth place is in the name of the Giants. With a similar scenario of three wins and three losses in six games, they have a net run rate (NRR) of -0.341 and six points. It will be interesting to see which team emerge victorious tonight, in order to take an edge in the WPL 2026. WPL 2026, GG vs DC: Confirmed Playing XI Gujarat Giants: Beth Mooney (WK), Sophie Devine, Anushka Sharma, Ashleigh Gardner (C), Kanika Ahuja, Georgia Wareham, Bharti Fulmali, Kashvee Gautam, Tanuja Kanwer, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh Thakur. Delhi Capitals: Shafali Verma, Lizelle Lee (WK), Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues (C), Marizanne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Chinelle Henry, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Sree Charani, Nandni Sharma.
27 January,2026 07:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAhead of the T20 World Cup 2026, South Africa's Ryan Rickelton said that he wants to lean a little bit more on his Indian Premier League (IPL) experience. Rickleton and Tristan Stubbs have been added to South Africa's squad for the global showpiece as Tony de Zorzi and Donovam Ferreira have sustained injuries. "I probably need to lean a little bit more on my IPL experience. It was one-day cricket where I was struggling. I suppose I got a bit of experience with the IPL, with the pressure, I'm quite familiar with the ground and probably a lot of the players I'm going to come up against," Rickelton said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. Ahead of the upcoming ICC event, Rickelton said that he needs to think about his approach in the subcontinent, where he has two ducks from two ODIs in India but scored a century in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. He also feels that in a country like India, where cricket is considered a religion, every match is a big game. "At ICC events, everything ramps up. Especially in India, where cricket is a religion. The intensity with which the game is played goes through the roof. Everyone gets up for it, no matter what physical or mental state you're in....and every game is a big game," he said. So far, Rickelton has represented South Africa in 18 T20I matches and has accumulated 381 runs. He has also registered two half-centuries under his name, and has a top score of 76 runs. T20 World Cup 2026: Group D teams Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, South Africa is placed in Group D along with teams such as Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Aiden Markram has been named as South Africa's skipper for the tournament. Additionally, Dewald Brevis will be a player to watch out for from South Africa's dugout during the much-awaited tournament. With the marquee event scheduled to kick off from February 7, the Proteas will begin their campaign on February 9 by playing a clash against Canada at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. (With ANI Inputs)
27 January,2026 07:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn the WPL 2026 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians' premier all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt played a knock of an unbeaten 100 runs off just 57 deliveries, which was laced with 16 boundaries and a maximum. With this, she became the first player to register a century in the Women's Premier League's history. During the knock, she also stitched a 100-plus runs partnership with Hayley Matthews, who departed after scoring 56 runs in just 39 balls, with the help of nine boundaries. Speaking about her blistering century, Sciver-Brunt labelled it as a "special moment" and also said that she just tries to stay in the moment. "Special moment to get that milestone but more importantly, the runs on the board for the team. Getting that partnership with Hayley, it was massive for the team. (On her consistency) Just preparing the same way. Trying to turn up mentally in the same place too, and staying in the moment. Today, I was just reacting to the balls that were given to me. (On how she plans the innings) Tactically, some bowlers might be more of your strength than others. Some bowlers might be on fire that day, so may be better to try scoring against the others," she said. The "Paltan" defeated RCB by 15 runs at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium in Kotambi. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur expresses happiness over crucial victory Speaking about the victory, MI skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said that it is good to see someone stand up for the team. "Don't know what to say. It was a good show from Nat and good contribution from Matthews. Good game overall. We have been playing together. This is our fourth year, we know each other well. Whenever team needs, someone stands up. Really happy everyone came together," she said. The captain also heaped praise on Sciver-Brunt by saying everyone in the team enjoy to see her bat and play along with her. "She has been amazing for our team. We love watching her batting and love playing with her. She is always taking responsibility and love to see that," added Kaur. With this crucial win, the Mumbai Indians stay alive in the tournament, whereas the Bengaluru-based franchise suffered their second consecutive defeat. (With ANI Inputs)
27 January,2026 04:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTeam India's star batsman KL Rahul admitted that the thought of retirement did cross his mind, but he also said that it is still some time away. In an interview with former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen, Rahul said that the decision to step away from the sport won't be difficult for him. "I've (thought about it). I don't think it's (retirement) gonna be that difficult. If you're honest with yourself, when it's time, it's time. And there's no point dragging it. Obviously, I'm some time away," he said. The Bengaluru-born cricketer also said that he doesn't consider himself important and stated that there are different things in life which need attention. "Just quit. Just enjoy the stuff that you've got and you have your family and just do that. That's the hardest battle. So I try and tell myself that I'm not that important. Cricket in our country will carry on. Cricket in the world will carry on. There are more important things in life and I think this mindset I've always had, but ever since I've had my first baby, it's just like, the way you look at life is completely different," said the 33-year-old cricketer. He also mentioned about the "hardest battle" that a sportsperson faces when he is injured. "There have been times when I'm injured and I've been injured so many times and that's the hardest battle that you have to face. It's not the pain that the physio puts you through or the surgeon puts you through. It's the mental battle where your mind just gives up. When it happens so many times, your mind is just like, you've done enough. You've been lucky enough that cricket's given you enough money. You can survive for the next how many ever years," he concluded. KL Rahul's statistics in international cricket So far, KL Rahul has represented India in 67 Tests, 94 ODIs, and 72 T20I matches. In the longest format of the game, the right-hander has garnered 4053 runs, with a top score of 199 runs. In the 50-over format, he has smashed 3360 runs, with a career best score of an unbeaten 112 runs. Rahul also has 2264 runs in the shortest format, with a top score of an unbeaten 110 runs. (With PTI Inputs)
27 January,2026 04:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Pakistan government has given a go-ahead to the national team to play against India in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Colombo, sources said, adding that the decision was arrived at after a meeting between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Monday. Though PCB Chairman Naqvi wrote in a social media post that a final decision on this matter will be announced by Friday or Monday, sources told IANS that Pakistan will play India in the T20 World Cup. "Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and briefed him in detail about the ICC T-20 World Cup and the current situation regarding the Bangladesh Cricket Board," a source told IANS. There were reports that Pakistan are likely to boycott their match against India if not the entire tournament to show solidarity with Bangladesh, who have been replaced by Scotland in the T20 World Cup schedule after they refused to travel to India for their matches citing security fears. In a post on X, the PCB Chairman said that he had a "productive meeting" with the Prime Minister. "Briefed him on the ICC Matter, and he directed that we resolve it while keeping all options on the table. It was agreed that the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday", Naqvi wrote in the post on X. Though the Pakistan government has given its nod to play the ICC T20 World Cup and India match, reports said they could make some form of protest before that. "The team could wear black armbands in the match or issue a statement in support of Bangladesh before it," sources told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net). Naqvi is also Pakistan's Interior Minister, and thus the second-in-command after PM Sharif, and by leaving the decision to him and the PCB, the Pakistan government is hoping to pile on the pressure on the ICC. Sources also told IANS that PM Shehbaz Sharif has also directed the PCB to write a letter to the ICC on the Bangladesh issue. Pakistan is the only board among the top affiliated national associations to come out in support of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) during the ICC board meeting at which the global governing body for cricket decided to reject Bangladesh's request for a venue change. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 January,2026 09:37 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSIndian all-rounder Hardik Pandya reflected on completing 10 years in international cricket, saying that it is "merely the beginning" and he is only "getting started on the path I truly wish to walk". Hardik made his international debut against Australia in an ODI at Adelaide on the Republic Day in 2016. Taking to Instagram, Hardik wrote, "10 years of this journey, the year I turn 33. It is one thing to play the sport I love with all my heart, and it is another to be able to serve my country through it. I love you all, thank you for everything. Thankyou god for the trials and tribulations that got me here... The chances that so many people took... The opportunity to live this life." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hardik Pandya (@hardikpandya93) "This year has taught me that this is merely the beginning... I am only just getting started on the path I truly wish to walk." Hardik also said that if he may look back at a "young Hardik running an extra few miles to get to play from Baroda - a batsman bowling extra balls in the nets to bowlers who never got to practice batting, becoming an all rounder at 19, and from getting noticed and getting rejected" - getting to play for my desh has been the most worthwhile journey for me". "God had great plans for me when he let me debut on the 26th of January. I have become a man while playing this sport, and I will grow old playing it too," he concluded. Since his debut, Hardik has been a contributor to India's white-ball success and has won the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy with the Men in Blue, delivering clutch performances in crucial matches over the years. His best performance came during the 2024 T20 WC in which he scored 144 runs in six innings at a strike rate of over 151 and an average of 48.00. He took 11 wickets at an average of 17.36, with best figures of 3/20. In the final, he bowled the final over and took the match-sealing wicket of David Miller, with Suryakumar Yadav pulling off a catch for ages. In 94 ODIs, he has scored 1,904 runs in 68 innings at an average of 32.82 and a strike rate of 110.89, with 11 fifties and a best score 92*. He has also taken 91 wickets at an average of 35.50, with best figures of 4/24. In 127 T20Is, he has scored 2,027 runs at an average of 28.54, with a strike rate of over 143, with seven fifties and a best score of 71*. In Tests, he has scored 532 runs in 18 innings at an average of 31.29, with a century and four fifties and best score of 10. He has taken 17 wickets at an average of 31.05 and best figures of 5/28 to his name. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 January,2026 09:24 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIShai Hope will lead two-time title winners West Indies in next month's T20 World Cup with the Caribbean squad also featuring rookie batter Quentin Sampson and pacer Shamar Joseph. Former skipper Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd and Rovman Powell also returned to the West Indies' side after missing their three-match series against Afghanistan -- which they lost 1-2 -- due to T20 commitments. Hope did not feature in the series against Afghanistan as he was busy playing in the recently concluded SA20. As many as 11 players from the last T20 World Cup, which was held in the Americas, were retained in the squad for the competition that features 20 teams and starts on February 7. West Indies have won the T20 World Cup twice, in 2012 and 2016, under the captaincy of Daren Sammy, who is now their head coach. The Caribbean side are placed in Group C along with former champions England, debutant Italy and Nepal, and Scotland, who have replaced Bangladesh after their refusal to travel to India for the tournament. West Indies will take on South Africa in an away three-match T20I series to bolster their preparations for the T20 World Cup from January 27-31. Their opening match in the T20 World Cup will be against Scotland in Kolkata on February 7. West Indies squad: Shai Hope (c & wk), Johnson Charles (wk), Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hossein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 January,2026 09:20 AM IST | St John's (Antigua and Barbuda) | PTIA Baggy Green cap worn by Australia batting legend Don Bradman during a home Test series against India in 1947-48 and gifted to opponent player Sriranga Wasudev Sohoni was on Monday sold for a whopping USD 460,000 at an auction here. Sohoni's family preserved the cap for the last 75 years, never exhibited publicly, before it was sold on Monday by Lloyds Auctions. The baggy green is adorned with the Australian cricket coat of arms, with "1947-48" embroidered underneath. The 1947-48 contest against India was Bradman's final home Test series before retiring in 1948 with a career batting average of 99.94, earning him the reputation as cricket's greatest batter. The series marked India's first Test tour of Australia as an independent nation. Led by Lala Amarnath, the Indian team faced a formidable Australian side captained by Don Bradman. Australia dominated, winning 4-0 with one match drawn. Terming the cap a "holy grail of cricket" during the auction, Lee Hames, the chief operating officer of Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers, said that Sohoni's "dying wish was to have the cap return to Australian shores", reported The Guardian newspaper. "It has been hidden for 75 years, that's over three generations under lock and key," Hames was quoted as saying in the report. "If you were a family member you were only allowed to look at it when you were 16 years old for five minutes." A spokesperson for Lloyds Auctions said the cap would now remain in Australia and "will be put on display at a prominent museum". On the inside of the cap, the names "D.G. Bradman" and "S.W. Sohoni" are inscribed. The report said bids for the baggy green started at USD 1, garnering significant interest from buyers in person and online from around Australia, India and the UK -- ultimately selling for USD 460,000 before the addition of a 16.5% buyer's premium. "Cherished in the family collection ever since, this cap links you to Don Bradman's invincible era and a memorable exchange with the Indian squad," the cap's auction description said, according to the report. "A baggy green he personally gifted, carefully preserved by the same family for 75 years and still in remarkable condition, is a piece of history with genuine national importance and one rarely seen outside private hands." There are 11 known Bradman baggy greens in existence -- from an era when Test cricketers wore a different cap for each series, unlike modern Australian players. Bradman's first cap, from his 1928 debut season, sold for USD 450,000 in 2020. The baggy green he wore on his last tour, to England in 1948, went for USD 425,000 in 2003 later resold for about USD 400,000 in 2008. In 2024, his "sun faded and worn" baggy green sold at auction for USD 479,700 -- a record high for a cap worn by Bradman. The record price for a baggy green belongs to Shane Warne, which raised USD 1,007,500 for the Australian Red Cross bushfire appeal in 2020. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 January,2026 09:18 AM IST | Gold Coast | PTIDevdutt Padikkal on Monday replaced Mayank Agarwal as Karnataka skipper ahead of their last Ranji Trophy league match against Punjab, beginning at Mullanpur from January 29. Agarwal was retained in the role of a senior batter in the 15-man squad which also featured India players KL Rahul and Prasidh Krishna. This will be Rahul's first Ranji match after playing against Haryana in January 2025. Agarwal endured a middling season so far, scoring 298 runs in nine innings at an average of 33, with a century and two fifties. Devdutt made 96 and 15 in the season's first match against Saurashtra at Rajkot before moving away for national duties. But his return to Ranji circuit was less than delightful, making two ducks against MP at Alur last week. However, he did have a wonderful run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, making 725 runs from nine innings at a stunning average of 90.62. Ravichandran Smaran, who missed the previous league game against Madhya Pradesh here because of a shoulder niggle, has made a comeback. However, senior batter Karun Nair will miss the contest after suffering a webbing injury during the match against Madhya Pradesh. Nair did not bat in Karnataka's second innings as Nikin Jose came in as a concussion substitute in the match which the hosts lost by a whopping 197-run margin. Karnataka (21 points) are placed third in Group B behind Maharashtra (24) and MP (22), and need to beat Punjab to enter the knockout phase without going through the agony of mathematical calculations. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 January,2026 09:12 AM IST | Bengaluru | PTIADVERTISEMENT
