With her elegant stroke play and powerful hitting, Mandhana has consistently made significant contributions to the Indian women’s cricket team. Her performances in major tournaments, including the ICC Women’s World Cup and T20 World Cup, have showcased her exceptional talent and ability to perform under pressure.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of her impact:

1. Batting Prowess and Consistency:

Aggression and Power: Mandhana is renowned for her aggressive batting style and ability to hit boundaries at will. Her powerful strokes and timing make her a nightmare for bowlers.
Consistency: She has consistently performed at the highest level in various T20 leagues, proving her reliability and ability to deliver under pressure.

2. Leadership and Experience:

Mentoring Younger Players: Mandhana’s experience and leadership qualities can be invaluable in guiding and mentoring younger players in the Strikers squad.

In-game Decision Making: Her ability to make sound decisions on the field, especially in crucial moments, can be a game-changer.

3. Fan Base and Brand Value:

Drawing Crowds: Mandhana’s immense popularity and fan base will undoubtedly attract more spectators to Strikers matches, contributing to increased revenue and excitement.

Boosting Brand Value: Her association with the team can enhance the Strikers’ brand value and visibility in the global cricket market.

In essence, Smriti Mandhana’s signing is a win-win situation for both the Adelaide Strikers and the WBBL. Her batting prowess, leadership, and fan appeal make her a valuable asset that can significantly contribute to the team’s success in the upcoming tournament.

Rashid Khan, the 24-year-old leg spinner from Afghanistan, has impeccable bowling figures in his career around the world. He has taken 369 international wickets till now in a total of 200 innings he played with an average of 18.04 and a stingy economy of 4.46, including all formats.

Recently, he led Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup and made history by taking them to the semi-finals for the first time. Rashid also plays cricket leagues of different countries, such as IPL, SAL, MLC, The Hundred, ILT20, and so on.

Here, we will have a look at the moments when the dominator Rashid Khan got his economies crushed by the maximums of the batsman consecutively in his over.

AB de Villiers in the T20 World Cup (2016)

Rashid Khan was bowling the 17th over in the T20 World Cup match no. 10 against South Africa, 29 runs an over.

Ball-by-ball summary of the infamous over by Rashid Khan against AB de Villers

16.1 Rashid bowled a short ball, and AB de Villiers pulled it on from the back foot towards the mid-wicket area.

16.2 Rashid to de Villiers. Short pitched ball on the outside off hit by de Villiers in the air towards mid-wicket, fielder tried to dive in but the ball bounced in front of him and went to four

16.3 Rashid bowled a full ball to de Villiers, and he galloped forward to hit it down the ground for maximum.

16.4 Rashid to de Villiers. Again, half-pitched the ball towards the line of the stumps and hammered on the mid-wicket for a six.

16.5 Rashid Khan bowls a long ball outside off to DeVilliers; he slugs the ball for a long shot as it comes in his hitting arc and smashed into the fence.

16.6 Rashid to de Villiers. Ab slides it on the off for a single and keeps the strike.

Chris Gayle in IPL (2018)

Chris is one of the most explosive opener batsmen in the world with a destructive six-hit ability; due to his height and strong physique, he can stand and deliver sixes as if it’s a cakewalk for him.

In the IPL 2018 KXIP vs. SRH match, Rashid was bowling in the 14th over, and Chris was in his hitting zone at that time, 27 runs from the over.

Ball-by-ball summary of Rashid Khan’s over vs Chris Gayle

13.1 Rashid to Nair. He pushes the length ball on the deep mid-wicket area for a single

13.2 Rashid bowls Chris Gayle a fuller ball, and Chris gets the ball in his hitting arc and sends it for a six.

13.3 Chris gets a short-pitched delivery by Rashid and clobbers the ball over his head towards the sight screen straight.

13.4 Rashid to Chris Gayle. It goes fuller this time, and Chris strikes a clean hit even bigger than the last one above the sight screen with the use of his strong bottom hand, lofted straight toward the audience.

13.5 Rashid to Chris Gayle. Gayle made a sweet connection with the fuller delivery bowled from wide of the crease and muscles it towards the cow corner.

13.6 Chris pushes the delivery on the leg and takes two by running, which is a rare sight to see.

Marco Jansen in SA20 (2023)

In the 2023 SA20 League, the SEC needed 67 runs in 30 balls from MICT to win. Rashid came to bowl in the 16th over and was humbled by Marco Jansen, who’s a bowler all-rounder, with 28 runs in total scored in this over.

Ball-by-ball summary of Rashid Khan’s over vs Marco Jansen

15.1 Rashid bowls a googly with a speed of 87 kmph, and Jansen waits for it to spin then delivers it above the square leg for a six.

15.2 Rashid bowls a drifter to invite Jansen for a drive and edges it towards the slip, going to four as the third man was under the 30-yard circle.

15.3 Jansen whacks the overpitched delivery by Rashid towards mid-wicket and adds up six runs to the scoreboard.

15.4 Rashid delivers another delivery near the slot, and Jansen slogs it in the mid-wicket area, a little bit directed towards Squarer.

15.5 Jansen blocks the ball directed towards the stumps by Rashid and gives no runs.

15.6 Jansen slogs it again with a sweep for a 75-meter six as Rashid gambles on the length outside off but does not work out in their favor.

Kieron Pollard in The Hundred (2024)

Kieron Pollard was struggling with scoring just 6 runs off 14 balls and completely changed the wind after 5 balls bowled by Rashid Khan. Southern Brave needed 49 of 20 balls to win from Trent Rockets, and Rashid came to bowl 5 balls.

Pollard makes room for the ball and clobbers it towards the wide, long-on region on a googly delivery by Rashid Khan.

Rashid bowls on the off stump with a length ball; Pollard waits and hits it with the sheer power of his biceps towards the long off. Pollard hits it bigger and longer again on the long off for a six on Rashid’s overpitched delivery.

Rashid bowls a short-pitched delivery and gets no turn, which Pollard sort pulls and sends it out of the ground, proper power hitting showcased by the Pollard.

Rashid bowls a fuller on the outside off, and Pollard manages to get it for a six for 5th consecutively, completely changing the scenario of the match and scoring 30 runs off 5 balls, which are the maximum runs possible to score out of legal deliveries.

Now Southern Brave needed just 19 off 15 balls and won the match from a dead end against the Trent Rockets.

Kieron Pollard !! ❤️‍🔥 absolute crazy stuff man ; smashed 5 sixes off 5 balls off Rashid Khan & won the game! He's a part time cricketer now but has still got it 🔥🔥 legend of the game,one of the best ever all rounders ❤️‍🔥🤝🏻#TheHundred • #KieronPollard pic.twitter.com/bXr3TvKLOE

— Ishaan 🔴 (@Ishaan_04) August 10, 2024

The Hundred is a league in which 100 balls are bowled in each inning max; this league is played in England and Wales between the cities of these countries. There are a total of 8 teams in the league named – Welsh Fire, Manchester Originals, Southern Brave, Northern Superchargers, Oval Invincibles, London Spirit, Birmingham Phoenix, and Trent Rockets.

International players from various countries play in this league for the teams, and many cricketers who have not yet debuted for England also get the chance to play in this league along with the big international players. Let’s look at 2 players who captained the teams of the Hundred League and have not yet made a debut for England in international cricket.

Tom Abell

An English batting all-rounder from Taunton, Somerset. He is 30 years old and debuted in first-class cricket on August 15, 2018. He made 95 runs in his first inning and got out on a silver duck the following inning.

Further, he made a debut in the T20 format in the Nat-West Blast T20 for Somerset but unfortunately got out on 7. He has an average of 32.85 in T20Is and captained the Welsh Fire team in the Hundred League. Currently, he played for Birmingham Phoenix this year. He has 14 matches in the Hundred League in which he made a total of 195 runs with an average of 16.2.

Josh Cobb

Josh is a 33-year-old English cricketer from Leicester City. He made his appearance in cricket with his debut in 2008 for Leicester in first-class cricket. He made 23 runs in his debut match and bowled 9 overs, out of which he got no wickets. He debuted in T20Is for Leicester City, playing against Glamorgan. He scored 251 when he played a U-19 match against Bangladesh in 2009. He was the captain of Welsh Fire in 2022 in the Hundred League.

Surprisingly both of the players are from the same team which shows that the team promotes domestic cricket and allows the native players to showcase their talent among the bigger players who play internationally and represent cricket on a global level.

The Artistry and Science of Bat Repair: A batsman is incomplete without his/her bat. It is like a sword of a warrior for the batsman. The cricket field turns into a battlefield and the bat is the only tool to dominate and fight back from the opposition’s attack. That is the reason why cricket bats are so near and dear to a cricketer,

Types Of Bat Profiles

3 types of bat profiles are designed and used majorly in cricket. The types of profiles are -High Rise, Mid Rise, and Low Rise. Mostly, international cricketers use “Duckbill” profile bats. The sweet spot of the Duckbill bats is similar to that of “Mid Rise” bats and the edges are thicker at the bottom to provide a stable balance to the batsman for hitting the ball. The handles of the bats are joined externally later after the bat is crafted so that the bat absorbs the shock of hitting the ball and the batsman can easily use it for playing any kind of deliveries.

Let’s discuss some common bat damages that a batsman faces :

• Handle loosened/Broke
• Broken Toe
• Crack on the Edges
• Damage in the middle/upper spot of the bat

Techniques of bat repair and the science behind

The first step involves identifying the type of damage is identified in a bat. After identifying the type of damage, repair methods are applied.

For a loosened/broken handle

The entire handle is taken out from the bat. The dimensions of the bat are then measured and a handle of those dimensions is crafted and manufactured. Handles are made with 3 or 4 rubber cushioning placed between them. This helps in absorbing the shock of hitting the ball and provides a good grip to the batsman. The end of the handle is then glued to the body of the bat and joined firmly.

After this process, the handle is wrapped around by a thread which keeps those rubber cushions intact and makes the grip more firm and stable. At the end, the grip is applied on the bat as demanded according to the batsman.

Broken Toe

The toe of the bat can be called the most vulnerable and takes higher hittings than the whole body. A Batsman regularly taps the bat on the ground while taking his stance and even though the batsman wants to hit the ball by the middle of the bat but toes are highly open to the risks of getting damaged. To fix it, the damaged part is removed or nailed to make a place for applying the glue.

Once the glue is applied inside the space of the damaged area, the bat is taped with tape or hot glue. Later, when the bat is all dried up, the toe is shaped or crafted by the cylindrical cutter/shaper.

Edge’s Cracks

This is the part of the bat where the bowler always wants the batsman to hit the ball, as mostly bowlers try to swing or spin the ball deceiving the directed path of the ball and the batsman edges it to the slip behind/beside resulting in giving out their wicket. The edges usually crack when the ball unfortunately hits very hard directly on it. The deteriorated part is hammered and removed entirely from the bat, glues are applied. Willow is crafted after taking the measurements and placed to join firmly with the bat.

Further, taping is used on the vulnerable part and left for some hours to let it settle and join as it was earlier. Then the bands are wrapped around the bat if the batsman wants it or just an English tape is applied.

Broken sweet spot/upper part

This damage is bound to happen unfortunately for every cricket bat as they have a very short life span. The reason behind it is, that this part is where a batsman wants to hit the ball. A hard leather ball is delivered toward the batsman and hit/defended by this bat two or three thousand times before it gets broken. There’s a limit to bat till that can bear those hits and the same goes for the ball as well, they are even more vulnerable and are used once only in a match.

For fixing the sweet spot of the cricket bat, either the bat is cut in half or the entire sweet spot from the front of the bat excluding the slope is removed. The dimensions of the removed are measured and a willow similar to that of the bat is created. Later the glue is applied and the newly created part is placed upon it.

The bat is left for a couple of days to settle down and join firmly. Then the tape or band is applied for the protection of the repaired part as it’s still vulnerable for some days. After some net sessions or knocking, the bat gets ready to use and hits the balls out of the park.

There are different types of cutters and shapers used in making and repairing the bat. The skilled artisans are only capable of repairing the bats as they know exactly where to use what and in what quantity as discussed above. Different kinds of batsmen desire their ideal kind of bat from these craftsmen and they deliver it to them efficiently.

They have to take care of the bat Profile, Weight Of The Bat, Personal Alterations demanded by The Batsman, and Provide the Best Willow Bat. Hats Off ! to those craftsmen who create a beautiful bat just out of wood, which only has a short span of life. That’s truly an art.

The stage is set for an epic clash as the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) lock horns in the fourth match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur will play host to this high-octane encounter, scheduled for March 24, with the first ball set to be bowled at 3:30 PM IST.

As the pink city prepares to welcome two of the most formidable sides in the IPL, all eyes are on the Royals, who hold the upper hand with their impressive track record. The head-to-head statistics between the two teams speak volumes, with RR leading 2-1, including a hard-fought 10-run victory in their previous encounter during IPL 2023.

The Sawai Man Singh stadium has been a fortress for the Royals, with the team emerging victorious in both their previous outings at this venue. However, the Lucknow Super Giants will be far from pushovers, boasting a star-studded lineup capable of turning the tide on any given day.

The clash promises to be a battle of titans, with both teams fielding some of the most celebrated names in the T20 format. The Royals will bank on the explosive batting prowess of Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler, and the emerging talent of Yashasvi Jaiswal, while their bowling attack will be spearheaded by the guile of Yuzvendra Chahal and the ever-reliable Ravichandran Ashwin.

On the other hand, the Super Giants will look to unleash the destructive force of Marcus Stoinis and Shimron Hetmyer, while relying on the promising Dhruv Jurel to provide the spark at the top of the order. Their bowling arsenal is equally potent, with a perfect blend of pace and spin, ensuring a well-rounded challenge for the Royals’ batting lineup.

The pitch at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium promises a balanced contest, offering equal assistance to both batters and bowlers. With an average first-innings score of 160 and teams batting first winning 55% of the matches, the toss could prove to be a crucial factor in determining the course of the game.

As the countdown to the highly anticipated encounter begins, the city of Jaipur is abuzz with excitement, eagerly awaiting the clash between these two cricketing giants. While the Royals may hold the edge based on their past performances, the unpredictable nature of the IPL ensures that every ball will be contested fiercely, making this a must-watch spectacle for cricket enthusiasts across the globe.

The much-anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 is set to kick off with defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the opening match. As the cricketing world gears up for this exciting clash, the probable playing XI for both teams is a topic of great interest and speculation.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

CSK, under the leadership of the legendary MS Dhoni, is known for its consistency and success in the IPL. The team boasts a strong batting lineup with players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Ajinkya Rahane, and the ever-reliable Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali. In the bowling department, CSK has the likes of Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, and the promising Maheesh Theekshana or Mustafizur Rahman.Probable CSK Playing XI vs RCB:

1. Ruturaj Gaikwad
2. Rachin Ravindra
3. Ajinkya Rahane
4. Shivam Dube
5. Moeen Ali
6. Ravindra Jadeja
7. MS Dhoni (c & wk)
8. Shardul Thakur
9. Deepak Chahar
10. Maheesh Theekshana
11. Mustafizur Rahman

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

RCB, led by Faf du Plessis, is a team with a star-studded batting lineup featuring the likes of Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Faf du Plessis himself. The team’s bowling, however, poses a concern, with the need to balance the playing XI by utilizing all-round abilities. Players like Cameron Green, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik, and the bowling spearhead Mohammed Siraj will play crucial roles.Probable RCB Playing XI vs CSK:

1. Faf du Plessis (c)
2. Cameron Green
3. Virat Kohli
4. Rajat Patidar
5. Glenn Maxwell
6. Mahipal Lomror
7. Dinesh Karthik (wk)
8. Mohammed Siraj
9. Akash Deep
10. Karn Sharma
11. Alzarri Joseph

As the cricketing world eagerly awaits this thrilling encounter between CSK and RCB, the composition of their playing XIs will play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the match. Stay tuned for the electrifying start to IPL 2024 as these two powerhouse teams clash in what promises to be a riveting contest on the cricket field.

RCB, one of the prominent teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has officially changed its name to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This historic change was announced by the franchise during the ‘RCB Unbox’ event on March 19, 2024, marking the first alteration in the team’s name since its establishment in 2008.

The decision to rename the franchise from ‘Bangalore’ to ‘Bengaluru’ aligns with the city’s official name change in 2014, reflecting the local sentiment and embracing the vernacular. This move comes as a response to longstanding demands from local fans following the city’s name change to Bengaluru, resonating with the heritage and identity of the city.

The renaming of the franchise signifies a significant shift for Royal Challengers Bengaluru as they gear up for the IPL 2024 season. Their first match is scheduled for March 22, 2024, against the defending champions, Chennai Super Kings, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

The team’s initial schedule includes a series of matches against various opponents before heading to Jaipur for an away match against Rajasthan Royals on April 6.

In the history of One Day International (ODI) cricket, scoring a double century was once a rare achievement, but it has become more common in recent years. As of now, several cricketers have reached this milestone.

Here is a list of some notable players who have scored double centuries in ODI cricket:

1. Rohit Sharma:
   • 264 runs against Sri Lanka in 2014, which is the highest individual score in ODIs.
   • 209 runs against Australia in 2013.
   • 208* runs against Sri Lanka in 2017
2. Martin Guptill:
   • 237* runs against West Indies in 2015
3. Sachin Tendulkar:
   • 200* runs against South Africa in 2010
4. Shubman Gill:
   • 208 runs against New Zealand in 2023
5. Ishan Kishan:
   • 210 runs against Bangladesh in 2022
6. Glenn Maxwell:
   • 201* runs against Afghanistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup
7. Amelia Kerr:
   • 232* runs against Ireland in 2018
8. Belinda Clark:
   • 229* runs against Denmark in 1997, the first female cricketer to achieve this feat
9. Virender Sehwag, Chris Gayle, and Fakhar Zaman are also among the players who have scored double centuries in ODI cricket

Rohit Sharma holds the record for the most double centuries by any player in ODI cricket, with three to his name. His remarkable performances have solidified his place as one of the greatest ODI batsmen of all time.The evolution of the game towards more aggressive batting has seen an increase in double centuries being scored, showcasing the exceptional talent and skill of modern-day cricketers.It is worth noting that achieving a double century in ODI cricket requires not only exceptional skill but also immense concentration and stamina, making it a remarkable feat in the world of cricket.

South Africa secured a thrilling victory over India in the second Twenty20 International, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

After rain ended the Indian innings with three balls remaining, South Africa was set a target of 152 off 15 overs, which they chased down with seven balls to spare. Led by a hard-hitting 49 off 27 balls by Reeza Hendricks, South Africa won by five wickets using the DLS method. Despite rapid half-centuries by Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh for India, South Africa’s strong performance led them to victory.

The match, which took place at St. George’s Park in Gqeberha, was affected by rain, with the conditions favoring the South African team. The third T20 match is scheduled for December 17 in Johannesburg.

The Indian cricket team claimed a thrilling 6-run victory over Australia in the fifth and final T20 match on Sunday at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. With the series already sealed after India’s win in the fourth fixture at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium on Thursday, both sides used the dead rubber to test the depths of their squads ahead of the fast-approaching World Cup.

Batting first after losing the toss, India posted a respectable 160-8 from their 20 overs. A brilliant half-century from the in-form Shreyas Iyer provided the backbone for the hosts’ innings. In response, Australia captain Matthew Wade valiantly tried to chase the total down with 44 runs from 32 balls but found little support from the other end. Arshdeep Singh held his nerve in a tense final over, and clever bowling from Mukesh Kumar ultimately restricted the tourists to 154-8 – six runs shy of India’s target.

The win caps off a dominant home series for India, who claimed victory in three of the five matches against the reigning T20 World Cup champions. With the World Cup on the horizon in October, both sides will be pleased to have players in form and plenty of information to assess from this entertaining series.