分类： sports

In a thrilling turn of events, India’s women’s cricket team delivered a commanding performance to defeat New Zealand by 53 runs in a crucial ICC Women’s ODI World Cup match on Thursday night. The victory, achieved at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, secured India’s place in the semi-finals and marked a significant comeback after a series of disappointing losses earlier in the tournament. The match, attended by a record-breaking crowd of over 25,166 spectators, showcased India’s resilience and determination to overcome their recent struggles. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and rising star Pratika Agarwal set the tone with a stunning 212-run opening partnership, while Jemimah Rodrigues contributed an unbeaten half-century, propelling India to a record total of 340-3. New Zealand, despite a revised target of 325 due to rain interruptions, faltered under pressure, failing to match India’s intensity. This victory not only revitalized India’s campaign but also highlighted their potential to challenge the tournament’s top teams in the upcoming semi-finals. With Australia, England, and South Africa also advancing, India faces a daunting path to the title. However, the team’s renewed confidence and home support could prove decisive as they aim to break their World Cup jinx and claim their maiden championship.

In a thrilling display of cricketing prowess, Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal delivered centuries to secure India’s place in the Women’s World Cup semifinals. The dynamic duo’s partnership of 212 runs laid the foundation for India’s commanding total of 340-3 in 49 overs at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Mandhana’s 109 and Rawal’s 122 were instrumental in India’s 53-run victory over New Zealand, who finished at 271-8 while chasing a revised target of 325 in 44 overs. New Zealand’s campaign was marred by rain interruptions, including two abandoned matches in Colombo, leaving captain Sophie Devine expressing her frustration. India, on the other hand, showcased resilience after three consecutive defeats, with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur emphasizing the importance of enjoying the home crowd’s support. Mandhana’s fifth century of 2025 and Rawal’s maiden World Cup hundred were highlights of the match, with both players receiving accolades for their performances. India’s final league match against Bangladesh on Sunday will determine their momentum heading into the final on November 2 in Navi Mumbai.

In a highly anticipated rugby showdown, Eddie Jones, the former coach of Australia, is set to face his old team for the first time since his resignation following their disappointing 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign. Now at the helm of Japan, Jones aims to continue his dominance over the Wallabies, a team he defeated nine times in ten encounters during his tenure as England’s coach from 2015 to 2022. Despite Japan’s winless record against Australia in their six previous meetings, Jones remains optimistic about his team’s chances. Speaking ahead of Saturday’s match at Tokyo’s National Stadium, Jones acknowledged the unique emotions of facing his home country but emphasized his competitive drive. The 65-year-old coach will face a revamped Australian squad led by Nick Champion de Crespigny, who will captain the team in his third test. Regular skipper Harry Wilson will start on the bench, providing backrow cover. Australia’s head coach, Joe Schmidt, has opted to assess the team’s depth in this one-off test, resisting pressure to reintegrate Carter Gordon immediately after his return from the National Rugby League. Schmidt highlighted the threat posed by Japan, describing them as a tough and fast-playing team, especially on home soil. The Wallabies enter the match after a narrow 28-24 loss to New Zealand in the Rugby Championship, while Japan suffered a defeat to Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup final. Jones has made six changes to Japan’s starting lineup, including bringing in Michael Leitch and Ben Gunter to strengthen the back row. Leitch, a former captain, will earn his 90th cap, while Gunter, one of four Australia-raised players in the squad, starts at blindside flanker. The match marks the beginning of a challenging series for Australia, with upcoming tests against England, Italy, Ireland, and France in November.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a decisive step to combat match-fixing by petitioning the Supreme Court to classify it as a criminal offense. This move aims to intensify pressure on illegal bookmakers and players involved in corrupt practices. In court documents reviewed by AFP, the BCCI emphasized that match-fixing undermines the integrity of cricket and has a detrimental impact on the sport. The board argues that match-fixing constitutes cheating by deception, an offense already recognized under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The case originates from allegations of match-fixing during the 2018-2019 Karnataka state cricket league, involving six individuals, including players, a coach, and a team owner. Although the High Court dismissed the case in 2022, the BCCI is determined to pursue legal action. The issue of match-fixing in Indian cricket dates back to the infamous 2000 scandal involving South Africa’s captain Hansie Cronje, who admitted to throwing matches and implicated India’s then-captain Mohammad Azharuddin. In response, the BCCI introduced anti-corruption codes in 2019, empowering the board to impose fines and lifetime bans. The BCCI’s legal filing underscores the importance of public confidence in the authenticity of cricket, warning that its erosion could destabilize the sport. The Indian Premier League (IPL) also faced a match-fixing scandal in 2013, leading to bans for key players and suspensions for teams like Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings. Neighboring Sri Lanka has already implemented stringent laws against match-fixing, including penalties of up to 10 years in prison and hefty fines. The BCCI’s initiative reflects a broader effort to protect cricket’s credibility and ensure its future.