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NDTV
3 days ago
- Climate
- NDTV
West Indies Champions vs South Africa Champions Live Updates, World Championship Of Legends
! As we continue to wait for the skies to brighten up over Birmingham, here's a quick roundup from elsewhere in the cricketing world. In case you missed it, the Global Super League 2025 wrapped up with a thrilling final at Guyana's Providence Stadium, featuring defending champions Rangpur Riders and the Guyana Amazon Warriors. The Warriors emerged victorious with a commanding 32-run win. The Riders were in pursuit of 197 runs, but couldn't get through the final hurdle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz lit up the finale with a 66-run knock, earning the Player of the Match honours, and also finished as the tournament's top scorer with 139 runs. Meanwhile, their skipper and veteran leggie Imran Tahir, soon to link up with the South Africa Champions, claimed the Player of the Series award after scalping 14 wickets across five games. ! UPDATE - 4.59 pm IST (11.29 am GMT) - No positive news as the drizzle is quite persistent out there. In fact, some puddles have also been formed in some patches. It remains dark and grey overhead, and the hover cover is intact on the pitch, with the squares under white sheets. As of now, there's no movement on the ground. Stay tuned for more updates from Edgbaston. ! UPDATE - 4.36 pm IST (11.06 am GMT) - The toss would have happened by now and the teamsheets too would have flashed on the screens, but unfortunately, it's still raining in Birmingham. Hence, TOSS HAS BEEN DELAYED DUE TO RAIN. ! While rain continues to hold up proceedings here in Birmingham, it's a similar story miles down south in London. The toss and start of the second ODI between England Women and India Women at Lord's has also been delayed due to inclement weather. Currently, India Eves hold a 1-0 lead in that 3-match W-ODI series. England Eves did give tough competition to the tourists, but eventually, the visitors won the first W-ODI by 4 wickets, chasing 259 runs with ten balls to spare. ! UPDATE - 4.13 pm IST (10.43 am GMT) - Live visuals show that it's raining in Birmingham. Although it's a drizzle right now, the covers are firmly placed on the pitch and the squares. Nikhil Chopra on-air mentions that the rain is expected to ease up in about thirty minutes, according to the forecast. Stay tuned for further updates. ! When these two sides clashed last year, at the same Edgbaston Stadium, West Indies emerged victorious, but the Proteas gave them a good fight. They will be aiming to get going with a win and create early momentum. Of course, there would be sore and stiff bodies as many of them are taking the field after a fairly long time, but expect entertainment aplenty. However, the weather isn't looking that promising for the day in Birmingham with high chances of rain. Let's keep our fingers crossed that there's no interruption. Stick around for the toss and team updates. ! South Africa head into WCL 2025 with a sense of renewal, ready to build on the sparks of promise from last season. They chalked up a couple of wins but were edged out by net run rate, finishing second from the bottom. The side was then led by the evergreen Jacques Kallis. He's not part of the squad this time, and now, AB de Villiers takes over, bringing his trademark flair and vision to the leadership role. The squad may wear a slightly different look, but the pedigree is intact. Hashim Amla anchors the top with Richard Levi, while greats like Albie Morkel, JP Duminy, and JJ Smuts bring that all-round flexibility through the middle order. With Chris Morris and Wayne Parnell turning up the heat and Imran Tahir continuing his masterful deception through spin, South Africa arrive with purpose. ! Last season, West Indies found themselves on the brink. They were close enough to advance to the next stage, but just short of making the leap. They finished third with a couple of wins, leaving behind unfinished business. Now, they return with redemption on their minds and fire in their hearts. Chris Gayle leads a power-packed unit that oozes star quality. Dwayne Bravo brings the entertainment, Kieron Pollard arrives fresh off a championship run with MI New York in the MLC 2025, and the inclusion of Shivnarine Chanderpaul adds finesse and depth to the batting. With raw pace and precision, Shannon Gabriel, Sheldon Cottrell, and Fidel Edwards form a fearsome trio to round off a squad that means business. ! They say, the past is a lantern that lights the way, and in cricket, its glow is cast by the legends who turned moments into memories and games into folklore. It's because they lit up the grand stage with timeless brilliance that the sport stands tall today as a global spectacle. In celebration and honour of those trailblazers and the legacy they built with timeless classics of cricket, WCL 2025 charges ahead, bringing us Match 2, where the West Indies Champions face off against the South Africa Champions in the Birmingham leg of this thrilling second season. Not to forget, the weekend is here and it's a double-header Saturday with the fiery white-ball Ashes to follow in the evening after this. With that, a spirited welcome to our coverage. ... MATCH DAY ... ! The World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 gears up for its second match, a highly anticipated clash between the West Indies Champions and the South Africa Champions. This T20 encounter is set to electrify Edgbaston in Birmingham. The WCL, a tournament bringing together cricketing greats from six champion nations (India, Pakistan, England, Australia, South Africa, and West Indies), promises a nostalgic yet competitive spectacle. While India Champions are the defending champions from the previous edition, both West Indies and South Africa will be looking to make a strong statement early in this year's tournament. Last season, these two teams met in the group stages, with the West Indies Champions emerging victorious. South Africa Champions, despite securing two wins in the group stages, narrowly missed out on the playoffs due to an inferior Net Run Rate. This history adds an extra layer of intrigue to this encounter, with South Africa eager to settle the score. Led by the dynamic Chris Gayle, the West Indies Champions boast a squad brimming with power-hitters and skilled all-rounders, reminiscent of their glory days. The likes of Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo bring explosive batting and crucial death-over bowling. Veterans like Lendl Simmons and Shivnarine Chanderpaul will provide stability and experience at the top. The bowling attack features pace from Sheldon Cottrell and Fidel Edwards, complemented by the spin of Ashley Nurse and Sulieman Benn. Their natural flair and aggressive approach make them a formidable opponent on any given day. Captain AB de Villiers leads a formidable South African contingent known for their all-round prowess and tactical acumen. The batting lineup is a blend of elegance and aggression, with Hashim Amla providing a classical touch and De Villiers himself capable of dismantling any bowling attack. All-rounders like Chris Morris, Albie Morkel, and JP Duminy offer significant contributions with both bat and ball. The spin department will be spearheaded by the wily Imran Tahir, with the pace coming from Wayne Parnell and Duanne Olivier. While both teams possess match-winners, the West Indies Champions, with their explosive batting lineup and a prior win against South Africa in the last season, might have a slight edge. However, South Africa's balanced squad, led by the astute AB de Villiers and featuring a top-class spinner in Imran Tahir, is more than capable of turning the tables. Expect a fiercely contested game where individual brilliance and tactical decisions will be paramount. Cricket fans are in for a treat as these legends roll back the years and showcase their enduring class.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Yuvraj Singh Was Almost Dropped For 2011 World Cup, Says Gary Kirsten. Here's What MS Dhoni Said
India's 2011 World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten has made a massive revelation. He has said that all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who turned out to be the Player of the Series in the quadrennial event, was not a certainity in the team that was set to be picked for it. Yuvraj had a dull 2010, but as fate would have it, he was trusted and picked for the World Cup next year. He repaid the faith by playing an intrumental role in India winning the title. Yuvraj scored 362 runs while also picking 15 wickets in the tournament. MS Dhoni-led India defeated Sri Lanka in the summit clash of the tournament by 6 wickets as the side lifted the World Cup after 28 years. "Thank goodness we picked him because it was flipping close, he was. It was not a slam-dunk selection. The selectors kind of debated around the 15 players," Kirsten told Kirsten revealed that he and the then India captain Dhoni both were keen to have the all-rounder in the team. "I was very keen to have him in the team as was Dhoni, because of the experience that he brought to the group. And look at the World Cup he ended up having," the ex-India coach said. "I was always very fond of Yuvraj. We had this kind of great relationship where like, he used to frustrate the hell out of me sometimes, but I just loved him. He was good. I just want him to be scoring runs all the time because when I watch him bat, it's just like amazing to watch," he added. Kirsten also said that Paddy Upton, then India's mental conditioning and strategic leadership coach, too played a role in helping Yuvraj reach his best. "But there was a journey he had to walk and credit to Paddy (Upton). Paddy did a lot of work with Yuvi to get him ready for that World Cup. Yuvi himself made some key decisions around getting himself prepared and ready for the World Cup," Kirsten said.
News18
4 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Dominant India look to seal womens ODI series against England
London, Jul 18 (PTI) Armed with multiple match-winners, India will look to continue their excellent build-up to the forthcoming World Cup when they face England in the potentially series-deciding second and penultimate women's ODI here on Saturday. India won the opener at Southampton by four wickets, and a victory at Lord's will give the visitors an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match rubber. This would extend their string of wins in the format in recent times, including the tri-series triumph involving Sri Lanka and South Africa in May. The games against England carry added significance as they serve as vital preparation for the ICC Women's ODI World Cup, which India will host later this year. With several players delivering standout performances, competition for spots in the World Cup squad is heating up, but this problem of plenty is a happy headache for India coach Amol Muzumdar and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur. The management has several options to choose from for certain roles. The depth and bench strength of the team has never been this good. In the absence of pacers Renuka Singh Thakur and Pooja Vastrakar due to injures, the side preferred Kranti Goud over the slightly more experienced Arundhati Reddy. The 21-year-old newcomer showed her mettle with two big wickets in the opener while sharing the new ball with Amanjot Kaur, who is also a rookie. Pratika Rawal has emerged as the preferred choice for Smriti Mandhana's partner at the top of the order while Shafali Verma also remains in contention after her form in the T20 Internationals, the Women's Premier League (WPL), and domestic cricket. Harleen Deol is also in good nick and in the event Shafali returns to the playing XI in near future, Rawal could be pushed down to the number three slot. However, in that case, it will be difficult to accommodate Deol in the line-up that also comprises Harmanpreet, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh. Even the spin department has plenty of depth with the likes of left-arm spinner N Shree Charani joining the likes of Deepti, Sneha Rana and Radha Yadav. Charani was named Player of the Series in the preceding T20I series for topping the wickets tally with 10 scalps. Coming off her Rishabh Pant-like one-handed six during a match-winning half-century in the first ODI, senior all-rounder Deepti will be the cynosure of all eyes on Saturday. Having ticked almost all the boxes on the tour during which they won their maiden T20I series on these shores, victory in the ODI rubber would further boost India's preparations and morale ahead of the global showpiece, which starts on September 30. As far as England are concerned, they will need to pull up their socks and find a way to start winning matches. The result in the opener was India's fifth consecutive ODI victory on English soil. Teams (from): India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare. England squad: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith. Match starts at 3:30pm IST. PTI AH PM AH PM PM view comments First Published: July 18, 2025, 10:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
4 days ago
- Sport
- News18
IND-W Vs ENG-W, 2nd ODI: In-Form India Eye Series-Winning Lead At Lord's
Last Updated: India are aiming for an unassailable 2-0 lead against England in their ongoing bilateral ODI series after having clinched the first match by four wickets. Armed with a roster of match-winners, India aims to maintain their impressive momentum ahead of the upcoming World Cup as they face England in the potentially decisive second and penultimate women's ODI on Saturday. India secured a four-wicket victory in the opener at Southampton, and a win at Lord's would give them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. This would further extend their recent winning streak in the format, which includes a tri-series triumph involving Sri Lanka and South Africa in May. These matches against England are crucial as they serve as key preparation for the ICC Women's ODI World Cup, which India will host later this year. With numerous players delivering standout performances, the competition for spots in the World Cup squad is intensifying, presenting a welcome challenge for India coach Amol Muzumdar and captain Harmanpreet Kaur. The management has a wealth of options for various roles, and the team's depth and bench strength have never been stronger. In the absence of pacers Renuka Singh Thakur and Pooja Vastrakar due to injuries, the team opted for Kranti Gaud over the slightly more experienced Arundhati Reddy. The 21-year-old newcomer impressed by taking two crucial wickets in the opener, sharing the new ball with fellow rookie Amanjot Kaur. Pratika Rawal has emerged as the preferred choice to open alongside Smriti Mandhana, while Shafali Verma remains in contention following her form in T20 Internationals, the Women's Premier League (WPL), and domestic cricket. Harleen Deol is also performing well, and should Shafali return to the playing XI soon, Rawal might be moved down to the number three slot. However, accommodating Deol in a lineup that includes Harmanpreet, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, and Richa Ghosh could prove challenging. The spin department also boasts significant depth, with left-arm spinner N Shree Charani joining Deepti, Sneha Rana, and Radha Yadav. Charani was named Player of the Series in the preceding T20I series for leading the wickets tally with 10 scalps. Following her Rishabh Pant-like one-handed six during a match-winning half-century in the first ODI, senior all-rounder Deepti will be the centre of attention on Saturday. Having ticked almost all the boxes on this tour, including winning their maiden T20I series on English soil, a victory in the ODI series would further bolster India's preparations and morale ahead of the global showpiece starting on September 30. For England, they will need to step up and find a way to start winning matches. The result in the opener marked India's fifth consecutive ODI victory on English soil. India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare. England: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith. The match starts at 3:30pm IST. With PTI Inputs First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
ENG W vs IND W 2nd ODI preview: India look to seal series at Lord's
Armed with multiple match-winners, India will look to continue their impressive build-up to the forthcoming ICC Women's ODI World Cup when they take on England in the potentially series-deciding second and penultimate ODI at Lord's on Saturday. Having won the opener in Southampton by four wickets, a win at the iconic venue will hand the visitors an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match rubber. It would also extend India's fine run in the 50-over format, which includes their tri-series triumph against Sri Lanka and South Africa in May. With several players stepping up with standout performances, the competition for spots in the World Cup squad has intensified. However, this selection dilemma is a welcome one for head coach Amol Muzumdar and captain Harmanpreet Kaur. The team's bench strength and depth appear stronger than ever. In the absence of pace spearheads Renuka Singh Thakur and Pooja Vastrakar due to injuries, the management opted for 21-year-old Kranti Gaud over the more experienced Arundhati Reddy. Gaud repaid that faith by claiming two crucial wickets in the opener, sharing the new ball with fellow rookie Amanjot Kaur. At the top of the order, Pratika Rawal has emerged as the preferred opening partner for Smriti Mandhana, although Shafali Verma remains in contention following consistent performances across T20 Internationals, the Women's Premier League (WPL), and domestic competitions. Middle-order puzzle and spin riches Harleen Deol is also in good form, and should Shafali be included in the XI in the near future, Rawal may be slotted at No. 3. However, such a reshuffle would make it difficult to accommodate Deol in a middle order already featuring Harmanpreet, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh. India's spin arsenal is also brimming with options. Left-arm spinner N Shree Charani has joined the ranks of Deepti, Sneh Rana and Radha Yadav, adding variety to the attack. Charani, notably, was named Player of the Series in the preceding T20Is for finishing as the highest wicket-taker with 10 scalps. Momentum before the big stage Having already created history by winning their maiden T20I series on English soil, India will aim to wrap up the ODI series to further strengthen their confidence ahead of the global showpiece. The result in the first match marked India's fifth consecutive ODI win in England, underscoring the team's growing stature. England, meanwhile, will need to regroup and respond quickly if they are to stay alive in the series. Teams (from): India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare. England: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith. Match starts at 3:30 pm IST. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
