Author: Ishaan Shahane

He was once touted as the next Sachin Tendulkar. However, Prithvi Shaw’s career has taken a turbulent turn, plagued by controversies and inconsistent performances. Despite a stellar start in domestic and international cricket, Shaw struggled to maintain his form and capitalise on early success. His recent exclusion from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad, attributed to fitness concerns and disciplinary issues, has further clouded his future. Once seen as a prodigy, Shaw now faces the challenge of rebuilding his career and addressing the growing doubts surrounding his commitment and approach to the game. In the two Ranji Trophy matches he featured in,…

England faced West Indies in a crucial decider for a spot in the semi-finals. Despite Nat Sciver-Brunt’s valiant effort, scoring a brilliant knock to take England to 141/7, it wasn’t enough. West Indies’ openers Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph stole the show with outstanding innings of 50 and 52, guiding their team to victory and securing a place in the semi-finals, winning by 6 wickets. England started briskly, with openers Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt taking on the West Indies bowlers. Both looked comfortable at the crease until Hayley Matthews struck, dismissing Wyatt. England’s troubles deepened in the next over…

England faced Scotland at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, and secured a dominant 10-wicket win that significantly boosted their hopes of a last-four place at the Women’s T20 World Cup. Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt shone with unbeaten knocks of 62 and 51, as England needed just over to breeze past the modest target of 110. Scotland won the toss and opted to bat, a decision that initially seemed promising. Saskia Horley and Sarah Bryce gave their team a steady start, laying a solid foundation. However, accelerating the run rate proved challenging. Horley was the first to fall, outsmarted by Nat Sciver-Brunt,…

With the T20 series already sealed, India came out all guns blazing in the third game against Bangladesh, delivering a commanding performance with the bat. Sanju Samson stole the spotlight with a blistering 111 off just 47 balls, supported by captain Suryakumar Yadav’s powerful 75. Riyan Parag and Hardik Pandya carried the momentum, propelling India to a record 297/6. It was the highest T20I total in a match featuring two Test-playing nations. Bangladesh managed only 164/7, falling 133 runs short, which is a huge margin in this format. The Indian team got off to a flying start, with Sanju taking…

A common perception is that elite athletes are super-fit in every sense, including being strong in the head. For those who grew up hearing the phrase ‘chokers’, especially in tennis, a player unable to handle key moments or pressure was viewed as one who lacked killer instinct. These days, such phrases are avoided, since people recognise what damage they can do. Today, on World Mental Health Day, each person in society has a role to play. Work places are supposed to provide an atmosphere where nobody suffers from pressure which can affect performance or lead to a dangerous situation, as…

South Africa faced Scotland in the eleventh match of the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup, with both teams needing a win to enhance their chances of qualification. South Africa’s decision to bat on winning the toss proved fruitful as Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, their openers, gave their team a flying start, scoring 40 and 43 runs. Marizanne Kapp’s blazing 24-ball 43 helped propel South Africa to a total of 166, and their bowlers collectively restricted Scotland to just 86 to seal an emphatic victory. Wolvaardt and Brits punished the Scottish bowlers, smashing them to all corners in the first…

India’s T20 World Cup campaign begins tomorrow as the Women in Blue face New Zealand at Dubai International Stadium. A strong start is crucial for India and success will depend on the team performing as a cohesive unit. After attending specialised skill and fielding camps in preparation for this tournament, it’s time for them to step up when it counts the most. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur must lead from the front to set the tone for India’s campaign. Expectations are high for openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana to go hard at the top and provide strong starts, a strategy teams…

New Zealand will have their work cut out in this edition of the T20 World Cup, as their form hasn’t exactly been good in the recent past and they will be up against quality teams. There will be tons of expectations on the captain Sophie Devine as the lead player. With Devine likely playing her last World Cup, this New Zealand team has no better opportunity to make it a memorable campaign for themselves and their skipper. Strengths Amelia Kerr The conditions in the UAE will suit Amelia Kerr’s game perfectly, giving her the chance to contribute the most. She…

Under the leadership of Heather Knight, England enter the World Cup as one of the stronger contenders, boasting of a well-balanced squad in good form. With a real shot at claiming the title, they must avoid costly slip-ups and provide finishing touches. Strengths Heather Knight Heather Knight’s recent improvement (strike rate) has significantly enhanced her T20 game, providing a major boost to England’s campaign this year. Her ability to anchor the innings while playing aggressive shots makes her a complete player in the T20 format. England will also rely on Knight’s leadership and experience to steer the team in…

India A topped the table after an all-round performance and holding their nerve till the end, securing a 132-run victory over India C. Despite Sai Sudharsan’s brilliant 111, India C fell short, getting bowled out for 217. Meanwhile, India D registered their first points with a dominant 257-run win against India B, led by Arshdeep Singh’s standout bowling performance of 6/40. India D began Day 4 at 244/5, with Ricky Bhui and Akash Sengupta at the crease. However, Navdeep Saini struck early, dismissing Sengupta, and Mukesh Kumar soon removed Saurabh Kumar. Despite the wickets falling around him, Bhui reached a…