harmanpreet kaur news: Harmanpreet Kaur powers India women to first series win in England in 23 years

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored a scintillating unbeaten century to guide India to a comprehensive 88-run victory in the second ODI, marking the country’s first series win against England since 1999.

A vintage Harmanpreet relived memories of the 2017 World Cup with an unbeaten 143 that came off just 111 balls as India posted a mammoth 333 for 5.

India bundled out England for 245 in 44.5 overs on Wednesday night with the help of medium pacer Renuka Singh (4/57).

Danny Wyatt’s 58-ball 65 was the only bright spot in an otherwise disappointing performance by England’s batsmen.

The last time Indian women won an ODI series in England was in 1999 when they won 2-1.

Chasing a fine total, England needed a quick start but Renuka denied them by dismissing two top-order batsmen in Emma Lamb (15) and Sofia Dunkley (1).

Tammy Beaumont (6) was run out as the hosts were reduced to 47 for 3 by the end of the eighth over.

Alice Capsi (39) and Wyatt added 55 runs for the fourth wicket and Wyatt then put on another 65-run partnership with captain Amy Jones (39) before England chased down Renuka in the 30th over. Clean bowled to Wyatt.

In the end, Charlie Dean (37) and Kate Cross (14) tried their best but India registered a resounding victory.

Sent in to bat, Harmanpreet hit 18 fours and four sixes in her 111-ball knock and enjoyed a scintillating 112-run partnership with Harleen Deol (58 off 72 balls) for the fourth wicket.

He shared an unbroken sixth-wicket partnership of 50 with Pooja Vastrakar (18) and 71 runs in four overs with Deepti Sharma (15 not out).

However, it was in the last three overs that Harmanpreet literally took the game away from England’s grip as a target of 334 runs in a women’s ODI always looked impossible, even if the pitch was a batting belt.

In the last three overs, the Indian team scored 62 runs courtesy their captain, who was in high touch as he reached his fifth century in women’s ODIs.

The innings saw Harmanpreet’s trademark slog sweep sweep over the cow corner, getting her some sixes, while there were disdainful sixes on the cover area.

With little help offered from the pitch for the bowlers, it was very easy to hit through the line and England’s bowling attack ended with only off-spinner Charlie Dean (1/39) with respectable figures.

The worst victim was left-arm seamer Freya Kemp, who performed decently till the end of his seventh over, conceding only 28 runs.

Such was Harmanpreet’s dominance that Deepti Sharma, who still holds the individual record (188) by an Indian batsman in women’s ODIs, was more of a spectator during her sixth-wicket stand.

Brief Scores: India Women 333/5 in 50 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 143 not out, Harleen Deol 58, Freya Kemp 1/82).

England: 245 all out in 44.2 overs (Danny Wyatt 65; Renuka Singh 4/57).

Originally published at Pen 18

federer: Roger Federer’s goodbye will be in doubles, maybe with Nadal

Roger Federer is known for his style of play, for his longevity, for his 20 Grand Slam titles – and for his occasional tears in his most emotional moments after the match, whether after a win or a loss. There was no such sadness on Wednesday, just smiled and cracked some jokes on his own, as Federer appeared at a news conference to discuss his retirement from professional tennis after a knee operation at the age of 41 . He will end his career with a doubles match at the Laver Cup on Friday – probably with longtime rival Rafael Nadal.

Federer said he is now at peace with the decision to walk away, which comes weeks after Serena Williams is expected to be her last at the US Open, and wants the farewell to be a celebration.

“I really don’t want it to be a funeral,” Federer said.

“I want it to be really happy and powerful and party mode.”

Dressed in a blue blazer with sleeves rolled up to the elbow and a white polo shirt, Federer spent nearly half an hour taking questions in the arena, which will host a team event set up by his management company.

“I’m terrified to go in, because I haven’t played in so long,” he said.

“I hope I can be somewhat competitive.”

Federer, who announced last week via social media that he would retire after the Laver Cup, said it took him a while to get used to the idea of ​​being away from the competition.

But it was something he understood he needed to do during his rehabilitation in July after running into setbacks during his third surgery on his right knee in nearly 1 1/2 years.

“You try to go to the next level in training, and I could feel it was going to be difficult. … Believe it was going to turn around. You start being too pessimistic. Then I got a scan. Got back too, which I didn’t want it to be,” Federer explained.

“At some point, you sit down and go, OK, we’re at a crossroads here, at a crossroads, and you have to take a turn. Which way is it?’ I was unwilling to go in this direction: ‘Let’s risk it all.’ I’m not ready for it. I always said that was never my goal.”

And the hardest part came when he knew he needed to stop.

“You’re sad,” Federer said, “at the very moment you realize, well, this is the end.'”

His last knee procedure came shortly after his quarterfinal loss to Hubert Herkaz at Wimbledon in July 2021, which would go into the books as the final singles match of an illustrious career that began in the 1990s and would include 103 tournament titles, one Davis Championships, Olympic medals and hundreds of weeks at No. 1 in the ATP rankings for the Cup Switzerland.

In his online farewell message last week, Federer referred to retirement as a “bitter decision”.

On Wednesday, he was asked which aspect was the bitterest and which was the sweetest.

“Bitterness: You’ve always wanted to play forever,” he said.

“I love being out on the court. I love playing against guys. I love traveling. … It was perfect. I love my career from every angle.”

And then he added: “The funny thing was that I know everyone has to do it at one point; everyone has to leave the sport. It’s been a great, great journey. For that, I’m really grateful.” Am.”

He will play doubles for Team Europe against Team World on the first day of the event, then replace 2021 Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini for singles on the weekend. Federer said the plan was spearheaded by the ATP and both team captains John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg.

As for the last storm for your duet partner? Federer wouldn’t say for sure – he said it was up to Borg – but the not-so-hidden secret is that it is expected to be Nadal, who holds the men’s record of 22 major championships.

Back in February, when word surfaced that Federer would be in London this week, he said Nadal had messaged him last year that they would play doubles together again. They teamed up to win the doubles match during the first Laver Cup in 2017.

“If we are able to share the court once again as a doubles pair, it will be a really special experience for both of us at this stage in our careers,” Nadal said in February.

While Federer’s other contemporaries and stars of the sport are in Team Europe, such as 21-time Slam winner Novak Djokovic and three-time major winner Andy Murray, the Federer versus Nadal matchup will go down in history as the greatest rivalry. Tennis or any other sport.

He played 40 times in total (Nadal won 26), with 14 Grand Slam matchups (Nadal won 10). Nadal came out on top in his 2008 classic Wimbledon final, considered the greatest match in history; Federer’s last appearance was in the semi-final of 2019 at the All England Club.

“It could be quite, I don’t know, a unique situation, if it were to happen,” Federer said of the pair.

“For us, at the same time, going through the careers of both of us and being able to come out on the other side and build a good relationship, I think, is probably a great message, as well, not only for tennis but sports and maybe even more than that.” Even further.”

As for his future?

The father of two sets of twins – girls 13, boys 8 – wouldn’t say exactly what he planned, other than a vacation, but did say he’d be involved with tennis in some capacity.

Federer tried to reassure his fans by saying: “I won’t be a ghost,” recalling the way Borg stayed away from the sport for years after his retirement.

Originally published at Pen 18

england: England, Australia to play first 5-day women’s cricket test

The first women’s cricket Test match to be played over five days will be next year when England and Australia meet in the Ashes. Women’s Test matches are traditionally played over four days, as opposed to five in the men’s game. There have been only six women’s trials around the world since 2017, all of which have ended in draws after time runs out.

The decision to break a long-standing tradition by the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Australia comes three months after International Cricket Council President Greg Barkley said he wanted women to play five-day Tests, while Also raises doubts about the long term. The future of the format in women’s cricket.

England captain Heather Knight said, ‘I am very happy.

“I feel like I’ve been drumming for five days in a long time, so it’s a special moment. It feels like the right time, for five days, for big grounds, and it feels like a long time.” has come .

“I probably spent most of my career being grateful for what you did. When I started with anything it was a bonus, you were happy just playing the game you love for England and getting paid Not even doing it, but my eyes are opened. A little more. You see the inequalities you’ve gone through and haven’t really felt. Moving on to the same level is a logical progression.”

The Test will take place at Trent Bridge from June 22-26 as part of the multi-format Ashes series in 2023 which also includes three Twenty20s and three One Day Internationals.

The men’s Ashes will be a five-Test series, with matches in June-July at Edgbaston, Lord’s, Headingley, Old Trafford and The Oval.

Originally published at Pen 18

ioa: Khanna quits as IOA acting president, takes dig at IOC

Senior sports administrator Anil Khanna on Wednesday resigned as the acting president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) after the IOC refused to recognize any “acting/interim president”. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued a suspension threat on 8 September, saying the IOA should hold elections by December this year.

Khanna took charge of the IOA following a court’s decision to end Narinder Batra’s rule as head of the apex sports body in the country.

IOA senior vice president Khanna said he “respects” the IOC’s view, but at the same time asked the world’s umbrella sports body who would have the final say in deciding and interpreting the “law of the land”. and a NOC (National Olympic Committee) constitution.

“Based on the Constitution of the IOA, as approved unanimously by the House of General and in support of a similar previous precedent in the vacancy of the office of President in 2011, I have for a brief period the responsibility of the President’s duties and functions. Khanna said in a statement.

He was referring to the then senior vice-president VK Malhotra taking over as the caretaker IOA president following the arrest of current chief Suresh Kalmadi on corruption charges related to the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

“The Hon’ble High Court of Delhi has confirmed this on 24th June 2022,” Khanna said in a letter addressed to the IOA General Secretary and members.

“I am honored to be a part of the IOA sports fraternity for the past several years and have served in various capacities. It was my privilege to be a part of the Commonwealth Games as the Acting President where India made a remarkable performed well.”

The IOC, in its September 8 letter, said it would not recognize any “acting/interim president” after Batra stepped down as IOA chief and added that he would serve as the main point of contact with Secretary General Rajeev Mehta.

“While I respect the views of the IOC, at some point, when the dust settles, I would like to ask the IOC who will decide and interpret the ‘law of the land’ and the constitution of the NOC in a nation.

“Will this interpretation be done by the IOC or even by the Hon’ble Courts of a Nation? Once the Hon’ble Courts of a Nation have made a decision after due consideration, will it be appropriate for the IOC to refer to one of the Hon’ble Courts? Different interpretation than the findings!!”

Khanna, former president of the All India Tennis Association (AITA), admitted that the IOA is passing through a tough phase.

“It is no secret that the IOA has been passing through a turbulent time in the last two years and elections are coming up within a few months and also because of the Hon’ble High Court order which may affect the future of some of the affiliated members. The concerns of many in our family have increased, resulting in continuous litigation for the past few weeks.

“Various factions of the IOA are clearly taking opposite stances on constitutional matters, including the interpretation of the Constitution and the position of the interim/acting president. does not recognize.”

He said that the government is making serious efforts to normalize the conduct of the IOA and the Supreme Court is sensitive to the views of the IOC to protect the interests of Indian sportspersons.

“I have already stated in my earlier letter dated 18th September 2022 that it is the duty of the entire IOA family to join hands and cooperate with the Government and take steps under the guidance of IOC and Hon’ble Courts. Principles of Fair Elections, Good Governance to be mutually decided as per the time-limits to be adhered to.

“In order to bring about greater harmony within the entire membership of the IOA, and to achieve the above objective, I have decided to abdicate from the responsibilities and duties of the President by the Constitution of IOA and the Hon’ble High Court.”

Originally published at Pen 18

rishabh pant: Collective Artists Network to exclusively represent cricketer Rishabh Pant

The Collective Artist Network of India’s leading talent management agency (formerly KWAN) has signed cricketer Rishabh Pant and will exclusively manage his business interests.

Prior to Collective, Pant was managed by JSW Sports.

Vijay Subramaniam, Group CEO and Founder, Collective Artist Network said, “I am really excited to welcome Rishabh to Collective Artist Network. “His pure talent in the field and his naturally friendly personality make him a truly unique proposition for his fans and partners. We at Collective look forward to taking the Rishabh brand forward with the infrastructure.”

The 24-year-old wicket-keeper batsman from Uttarakhand made his T20 International debut in 2017 and was named the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year at the 2018 ICC Awards.

In February 2021, Pant was named the Men’s Player of the Month at the first edition of the ICC Player of the Month Awards. He was also the fourth youngest Indian to captain an IPL team and stood in for the injured Shikhar Dhawan for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

“I am thrilled to be working with Collective Artists Network. It feels incredible to be exclusively represented by India’s biggest players in the talent ecosystem in India and I am sure it will be a very successful partnership,” said Pant.

The collective also manages Deepika Padukone, Kartik Aaryan, Shraddha Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, Sara Ali Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Tiger Shroff, Hrithik Roshan, Yash and Pritam Chakraborty.

In its sports department, the company manages Indian women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Indian junior badminton champion Anupama Upadhyay.

“We are very proud to announce the signing of our marquee at the Games, Rishabh Pant. He is the poster child of a young and fearless India who is a marketer’s delight. We are really looking forward to see what we can create together,” said Ritesh Nath, Head-Sports, Collective Artists Network.

Originally published at Pen 18

ICC rule change impact: No more trolling Ashwin, close games to get interesting, reverse swing may become extinct

A proud Indian, Sunil Gavaskar always got furious whenever anyone around him uttered the word ‘Mankading’ as he felt it was an insult to Vinoo Mankad, one of the first superstar cricketers of the country. In the 1948 tour of Australia, Mankad had run out home team keeper Bill Brown, who often left his crease at the non-striker’s end to gain a few yards.

Mankad had warned Brown twice before setting out for trying to “gain ground the wrong way”. This was a completely legal method of dismissal, but Australian media dubbed it ‘mankding’.

First World countries – England and Australia – adopted the term and said the practice was against the spirit of the game.

“Why do we call it Mankading and not Brown?” Gavaskar once asked.

Kapil Dev was banned for running out Peter Kirsten in an ODI in 1992, while Murali Karthik faced wrath several times during his career for Railways and English county cricket, simply for playing by the rule book. For.

When Ravichandran Ashwin ran out Jos Buttler during an IPL game, all hell broke loose with Jimmy Anderson putting a picture of the Indian off-spinner in a shredder. To play with the spirit of the game Ashwin tearing apart figuratively.

After the ICC finally termed it as ‘run out’ and removed ‘unfair play’ in its rule book, the stigma of players being run out on non-strikers has started.

The change in the playing conditions of the ICC will come into effect from October 1.

PTI looks into each rule and its impact on the teams.

rule 1. Batsmen returning when caught: When a batsman is caught out, the new batsman will come at the striker’s end, regardless of whether the batsman crosses before taking the catch.

Implication: In close matches this rule will be gold dust for the bowling teams. Often when the last two wickets are left and there is at least one established batsman on the non-striker’s end, the crossing over set during the catch usually gives the batsman a distinct advantage. But the change of rules means that number 11 will have to take the strike due to a catch in the fall of the ninth wicket.

Rule 2: Use of saliva to shine the ball: This ban has been in place in international cricket for more than two years as a temporary measure related to Kovid, and it is considered appropriate to make the ban permanent.

Implication: Saliva is heavier than the body’s sweat and, for decades, it has helped bowlers use it as one of the ways to maintain shine on the one hand and make it heavier when sore on the other. Similarly reverse swing came into play and if we look at Test matches in the last two years, traditional swing is taking reverse overs in the red ball format.

Rule 3: Coming batsman ready to face the ball: An incoming batsman now needs to be ready to take strike within two minutes in Tests and ODIs, while the current limit of ninety seconds in T20Is remains unchanged.

Meaning: This is done deliberately to avoid a time-wasting strategy, especially in close Test matches on the fifth day, when the team batting in the fourth innings tries to delay proceedings during the final leg.

Rule 4: Striker’s right to play the ball: This is restricted so as to require some part of their bat or person to remain within the pitch. If they overtake, the umpire will call and signal a dead ball. Any ball which forces the batsman to leave the pitch is also called a no ball.

Meaning: is of no importance as it is very rare at the highest level.

Rule 5: Improper act by the fielding side: Any improper and intentional act by the bowler while bowling may result in the umpire awarding five penalty runs to the batting side, also known as a dead ball.

Meaning: Fielders usually back up and cover some ground, but it would now be considered unfair if this happens before the delivery is complete. A few quick singles inside the circle that used to be saved might not be otherwise.

Rule 6: Run out by a non-striker: The playing condition obeys the laws in transferring this method of effecting a run out from the ‘Unfair Play’ section to the ‘Run out’ section.

Implication: The rule has always been there, but it is the bowler that has got the stick from the cricket community as the Australians and the English see it as going against the spirit of cricket. Bowlers have been judged for years by what is considered legal but not in spirit. This will change now.

Rule 7:Bowler throwing towards the striker’s end before delivery: Previously, a bowler who saw the batsman going down the wicket before entering his delivery stride could throw the ball in an attempt to run the striker out. This exercise will now be called a dead ball.

Implication: Most bowlers are not seen using this trick. Fast bowlers in particular are in motion, and even if they find the batsman charging while loading, it is difficult to get out of action as it can lead to injury.

Rule 8: In-match penalty introduced in T20Is in January 2022 (whereby a fielding team fails to bowl its overs by the stipulated end time, bringing an extra fielder inside the fielding circle for the remaining overs of the innings), 2023 After the completion of the ICC Men’s World Cup Super League in ODI matches will also be adopted.

Implication: Teams are now taking about four hours to complete 50 overs, knowing that only a nominal financial penalty is applicable, and that too is paid by the boards. This rule would mean that a low fielder outside the 30-yard circle in the last two or three overs could affect the game widely. Especially for the defense.

Originally published at Pen 18

australia: Australia tear into Indian attack, gun down 209-run target to take 1-0 lead

India’s weaknesses with the ball were laid bare as Australia comfortably chased down the target of 209 for a four-wicket win in the first T20I here on Tuesday.

KL Rahul (55 off 35 balls) and Hardik Pandya (71 not out on 30) helped India post 208 for six after Australia called the hosts to bat.

Australia dominated the run chase in 19.2 overs chasing home. Last year’s World Cup heroes Matthew Wade (45 not out on 21) and Cameron Green (61 off 30) made short work of a tight target by playing special innings.

It was a formidable total but the way Australia started, it was over early.

Opening for the first time in international cricket, Green was in a menacing mood as he hit four consecutive boundaries off Umesh Yadav, who made his first T20I comeback since February 2019.

The veteran Indian pacer immediately felt the heat, and resorted to slow deliveries in his very first over, which did not work.

There was no heavy dew but no swing to offer for both Umesh and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The batsmen were able to hit through the line, which made the Indian attack look too normal.

Stand out bowler Axar Patel for India achieved the much-needed breakthrough by removing opposition skipper Aaron Finch. However, more carnage was in store as Green, who was not even a part of Australia’s T20 World Cup squad, messed with the bowling while Steve Smith enjoyed from the other end.

In the eighth over, he hit Yuzvendra Chahal for two sixes and a four for 19 runs. India dropped Green and Smith didn’t help his cause either.

At 109 for one in 10 overs, Australia were running out of the competition before India fought back with three quick wickets, two of which came through a brilliant DRS call from Rohit Sharma, which saw Smith and Glenn Maxwell back to the hut. sent in.

With five wickets in hand, Australia needed 55 runs in the last 24 balls.

However, Australia debutant Tim David, in the company of the experienced Wade, did ballistics to set up a fine run chase in the death overs.

Two big overs in which Bhuvneshwar took 15 and Harshal 22 sealed the fate of the home team.

Earlier, Hardik smashed an unbeaten 71, which included five sixes, before Rahul made a statement with a high-quality innings.

Suryakumar Yadav also played an innings of 46 runs in 25 balls. Hoping for dew, Australia decided to bowl.

Jasprit Bumrah, who was picked for the series after recovering from a back injury, was not surprisingly picked for the series opener. Dinesh Karthik was selected ahead of Rishabh Pant.

Rahul and Suryakumar shared a 42-ball 68-run partnership after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli fell cheaply. It was raining sixes when they were in the middle.

His intention was clear as Rahul walked across the stumps to send Josh Hazlewood to cow corner before he smashed Cameron Green for a six at deep square leg. Suryakumar’s playing style is often awe-inspiring and the Mohali crowd saw him in his deadly form.

Out of his four sixes, his SWAT at fine leg off a good length delivery from Cummins stood out. India were able to maintain their momentum in the middle overs as Suryakumar picked leggie Adam Zampa for two consecutive sixes at long on and deep midwicket.

After this Hardik took over and pushed India past 200. He was quick to cut anything short of fast bowlers and his pick-up shot from Pat Cummins in the 18th over was the highlight of his entertaining innings.

He hit three consecutive sixes off Green in the 20th over, including a flat in the mid-wicket area. 67 runs came off the last five overs.

Originally published at Pen 18