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Which team is the favourite for the 2022 T20 World Cup?

Charbel Coorey
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Which team is the favourite for the 2022 T20 World Cup?

The highly anticipated 2022 T20 World Cup is fast approaching. With that comes great speculation, discussion and debate on which teams will challenge for the title, and of course, who will emerge victorious.

Australia will host a number of terrific teams in this tournament, many of whom are a genuine chance of reclaiming the title from Aaron Finch’s team. New Zealand are always thereabouts, India have too many good players to count out, England are packed with power, and the likes of Pakistan and South Africa are dark horses.

Who is the favourite for the T20 World Cup?

Below are the betting odds, according to sportsbet.com.au. In what comes as no surprise, there are a few leading contenders according to the bookmakers, each considered to be a decent chance of lifting the trophy on November 13 at the MCG.

Australia $3.50

The host nation is favourite to successfully defend their title. Australia, at home, with the addition of Tim David and possible inclusion of Cameron Green, look strong. Also, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc are all set to return after missing the recent India series.

On paper, Australia look to have all bases covered. However, areas of concern look to be the T20I form of Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell, as well as how Steve Smith fits into the team. But, the squad depth is looking healthy.

India $4.33

India are listed as second favourite for the title. The men in blue are seeking their first ICC trophy since their triumph in the 2013 Champions Trophy, and eyes will be fixed on whether Rohit Sharma’s team can hold their nerve in the big moments.

However, the absence of Jasprit Bumrah could prove to be a massive blow. Also, how India overcome the mental baggage of falling short in recent global tournaments will be interesting to see. But, they have too much talent to be written off.

England $5.00

England have had a challenging year in T20Is. However, the talent and power they have on paper makes them too good to ignore. That consensus is also held by the bookmakers, with Jos Buttler’s team listed at third favourite for the title.

South Africa $8.00

Can the Proteas overcome their ICC tournament curse? Heading into the tournament as one of the world’s most exciting T20 teams, South Africa have an opportunity to put years of hurt behind them with glory on November 13. They have a side filled with batting power, and their bowling attack possesses the pace and variety to do well in Australia.

However, Temba Bavuma’s batting and leadership will come under the spotlight, as well as whether South Africa can perform under pressure. It must be remembered, though, that they had an excellent 2021 campaign, narrowly missing out on the Semi Finals in heartbreaking fashion despite winning four of their five matches.

New Zealand & Pakistan $9.00

The Black Caps are always in the conversation at the business end of global tournaments. In fact, New Zealand played in the 2015 and 2019 ODI World Cup Finals, as well as the 2021 T20 World Cup Final. However, they failed to win any of those three matches, and whether they can produce their best cricket in Australia remains to be seen.

Pakistan are also at $9.00. The men in green are always a team to watch given the talent they have in their ranks. However, the reliance on key players such as openers Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam is a concern.

What are the other teams priced at?

West Indies, who have a vastly different team to that of 2021, are priced at $15.00. Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka have come in from $21.00 to $18.00, as they have the potential to surprise teams.

Afghanistan, who boast of a number of players with T20 experience, are out at $51.00. Bangladesh are further out at $101.00, followed by Zimbabwe, Ireland, Namibia, Netherlands, Scotland and UAE all priced at $501.00.

I’ll call batsman back after a mankad in a WC Final – Jos Buttler

Tarkesh Jha
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I’ll call batsman back after a mankad in a WC Final – Jos Buttler

Cricket News: I’ll call batsman back after a mankad in a WC Final – Jos Buttler | Buttler says England are against running out a non-striker

English limited-overs skipper Jos Buttler has expressed that his team doesn’t stand for a bowler running out a non-striker and that his team will rather call back a batsman if any of their players dismissed the opposition that way.

“No, I am calling the batsman back. No one wants to see them (mode of dismissal) in the game because they always create such a talking point when it should be about the battle between bat and ball and watching great games of cricket. They always seem to happen at unsavoury times,” Buttler told TalkSPORT as he was confronted with this question in the aftermath of the Deepti Sharma-Charlotte Dean episode at Lord’s on Sunday.

Moeen Ali shares similar views to Jos Buttler about the mankad

Vice-captain Moeen Ali has further reiterated that he understood that the mode of dismissal wasn’t illegal but he hoped that it wouldn’t become a common practice. “I don’t think I’ll ever do it unless I was really angry with someone. It’s in the laws and there’s nothing illegal so people that do it have the right, but I just hope it doesn’t become a common thing, or something that’s regularly done,” the all-rounder said in an interaction with the Telegraph.

The 35-year-old added, “You are not really working to get a wicket. At least with a run-out, there’s a bit of work that has to be done, and with all the other dismissals. This is just waiting for the guy and taking the bails off. Even when I played cricket as a kid in the garden, it’s not my thing to do.”

The Marlyebone Cricket Club (MCC) has, however, put the onus on the non-striker to back up at the crease at the time of the release of the delivery. Buttler’s comments have gained traction in social media as he was at the centre of a similar incident involving him and Ravichandran Ashwin in one of the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches back in 2019.

Buttler and Moeen join the long list of former and current English internationals to have criticised Deepti Sharma and the Indian women’s team for resorting to such a method to emerge victorious in the third ODI between the two teams on Sunday. England is in the middle of a seven-game T20I series against Pakistan that the latter is leading by 3-2 currently.

Will there be DRS in the Big Bash League (BBL)?

Tarkesh Jha
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Will there be DRS in the Big Bash League (BBL)?

Cricket News: Will there be DRS in the Big Bash League (BBL)? | An update on the new playing conditions in the WBBL and BBL

The Decision Review System (DRS) will be introduced for both the men’s and women’s versions of the Big Bash League (BBL) from the coming season onwards.

However, DRS will be available in all of the BBL games but only 24 WBBL games that will be broadcast on both Seven and Foxtel.

On the other hand, 35 WBBL matches will be broadcast via live stream on Seven and cricket.com.au. As of now, BBL officials have assured that they will work towards bringing about greater and widespread DRS coverage for the future WBBL campaigns.

Delighted to have DRS in the BBL – Alistair Dobson

Logistical hurdles, multiple games played on the same day coupled with different technology providers used by Seven and Foxtel had emerged as impediments in the implementation of the DRS in the BBL so far.

“The league is delighted to introduce DRS… in line with the very best cricket competitions in the world. Implementing DRS has been a challenging task for the BBL, which is the most logistically complex T20 league in the world,” BBL chief Alistair Dobson was quoted in a report by cricket.com.au.

Dobson added, “That, plus the impact of the pandemic on travel and movement, have meant the technology has not been possible to introduce until this season.”

No more Bash Boost point or X-Factor substitution

The Power Surge innovation in which the batting side is allowed a two-over period from the 11th over onwards with only two opposition fielders outside the inner circle will now be extended to the WBBL. However, the powerplay duration is reduced to only four overs at the start of the innings in this case. On the other hand, the Bash Boost point and X-factor substitution modifications will be done away with in the upcoming campaign.

“We retain a clear desire to innovate and drive our leagues forward but are also willing to review decisions that have not realised the intended positive impact, such as the Bash Boost point and X-Factor substitution,” Dobson opened up on this latest development.

The opening match of the WBBL between Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers in Mackay on 13th October will be the first game in the history of the competition to have the DRS technology available.

Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of T20 World Cup – reports

Charbel Coorey
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Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of T20 World Cup – reports

Cricket News: Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of T20 World Cup – reports | Bumrah out of T20 World Cup due to back stress fracture injury

According to BCCI sources, Jasprit Bumrah is set to miss the 2022 T20 World Cup due to a back stress fracture injury. Bumrah missed the first T20I against South Africa on September 28 due to back soreness, and reports have emerged that the injury is worse than first thought.

ESPNcricinfo confirmed Bumrah was in Bengaluru for fresh scans on his back on Wednesday. However, the consensus is that he will not play in the World Cup.

The news comes as a huge blow to India’s World Cup hopes. The men in blue are without a global trophy since 2013, and Bumrah is a key part of the attack given his ability to strike in all phases of an innings. His absence will force the think tank to work out how to effectively replace his quality.

Reports: Bumrah out of T20 World Cup, Shami or Siraj likely to be added to squad

“Bumrah is not going to play the World T20 for sure. He has a serious back condition. It’s a stress fracture and he could be out for a period of six months,” said a senior BCCI official to PTI.

Bumrah’s likely absence is already on top of Jadeja’s. “Losing Bumrah and Jadeja will be huge for India. We didn’t expect that things will pan out as they have. He was rested for the Asia Cup precisely to manage his workload management. Now it remains a question if he was even fit enough to play the Australia series,” said the BCCI official.

According to reports, either Mohammed Shami or Mohammed Siraj are likely to be added to the squad as Bumrah’s replacement. Shami was set to feature in the T20Is against Australia and South Africa after he was left out for the Asia Cup, but he tested positive for COVID-19 and was subsequently ruled out. Fellow seamer Siraj’s inclusion may seem a risk on first glance given his last T20 was back in IPL 2022. However, the right-armer has improved his game over the past two years, particularly in the powerplay and middle overs.

Soon after the World Cup, India will travel to New Zealand for three T20Is and three ODIs of which Bumrah is likely to be unavailable, and is the case for India’s subsequent assignments too.

ECB offers India & Pakistan to play a Test against each other in England

Tarkesh Jha
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ECB offers India & Pakistan to play a Test against each other in England

Cricket News: ECB offers India & Pakistan to play a Test against each other in England | Will India and Pakistan play a Test in England?

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has offered to host a Test series between India and Pakistan.

The arch-rivals last competed in the red-ball format way back in December 2007. ECB’s deputy chairperson Martin Darlow has sounded his idea to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ramiz Raja amidst England’s ongoing T20I series against Babar Azam’s men.

The offer is being seen as the ECB’s way of making it up to the PCB after England pulled out of a two-match T20I series in Pakistan last year. However, the PCB is unlikely to accept the aforementioned offer as it has managed to bring international cricket back to their home grounds after playing host in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for many years.

Back in 2010, Pakistan had hosted Australia for a couple of Tests in England. However, the Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir, Mohammed Asif spot-fixing scandal strained the relations between the Pakistani and English cricketing boards later on that year.

India, Pakistan two great teams and two massive playing nations – Moeen

“That would be brilliant. It’s a shame that they don’t obviously play each other unless it’s a World Cup or an ICC event but they’re two great teams and two massive playing nations,” England’s stand-in skipper Moeen Ali was quoted in a report by the ESPNcricinfo.

The 35-year-old added, “With the viewing [figures] and all that, it would be one of the biggest games because it’s not been done for a very long time. It would be a great game because Pakistan have a really good bowling attack as well as India now, and India have a great Test side. It would be really good.”  

India and Pakistan have largely met only in multi-nation tournaments as political relations between the two countries strained in the aftermath of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. Pakistan last toured India for a couple of T20Is and three ODIs in December 2012-January 2013.

Will Jos Buttler play in the Pakistan T20 series?

Tarkesh Jha
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Will Jos Buttler play in the Pakistan T20 series?

Cricket News: Will Jos Buttler play in the Pakistan T20 series? | Update on whether Jos Buttler will feature in the Pakistan T20I series

English skipper Jos Buttler could return for the last couple of games of the team’s ongoing seven-match T20I series vs Pakistan. Head coach Matthew Mott has, however, conceded that the team management is unwilling to take a risk with Buttler.

“With regard to Jos, he’s still a while off, he’s not a player we want to take a risk on at this stage, so close to the World Cup, and it was a reasonably significant injury that he had,” Mott was quoted in a press conference after Pakistan’s victory in the fourth T20I of the series.

He added, “So, he’s champing at the bit for a game, but we’ll just try and see how we go and maybe in the last game or two we might give him a chance.”

Jos Buttler “still a while away”, making return in Pakistan series a tough prospect

Tied 2-2 currently, this series is being largely perceived as a major assignment for both sides as they gear up to head into the T20 World Cup in Australia next year.

Buttler has been in an indifferent run of form in T20Is this year as he has amassed merely 87 runs in six innings so far. His return to form and the setup in general is essential as England look to fare well in the World Cup in the coming month. The team has struggled in the limited-overs formats this year as it is dealing with a host of injury issues and form-related concerns to instrumental players.

The bowling unit is missing frontline pacers whereas Jason Roy’s poor form created a vacuum in the top-order that the management is looking to fill appropriately in the 11th hour. The fourth T20I was a close contest between the two opponents as England fell short of the 167-run target by merely three runs. Liam Dawson’s 34 off 17 deliveries threatened to take the game away from Pakistan’s hands though Haris Rauf managed to pull the game back in Pakistan’s favour eventually.

Mott reflected upon the team’s performance and explained, “Taking wickets in the powerplay put us on the back foot, it took a really good partnership to get us back in it. Liam’s knock was special. It took everyone by surprise, we didn’t think in our wildest dreams we’d get in that position. It just shows in T20 cricket you’ve never got it done.”

Regardless of his recent form in T20Is, Buttler was in imperious touch during the Indian Premier League (IPL). He notched 864 runs and four centuries in a season in which the Rajasthan Royals (RR) finished as the runners-up. The English think-tank will be banking on Buttler to replicate a similar touch as they harbour hopes of lifting the World T20 title for the second time in the tournament’s history.

IND vs SA 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report

Charbel Coorey
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IND vs SA 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report

IND vs SA 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | IND vs SA 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Thiruvananthapuram Pitch Report

Preparations for the T20 World Cup continue with take two of India v South Africa in 2022. The teams drew 2-2 in a five-match series in June this year, with Bengaluru rain robbing us of a result in a duel that ebbed and flowed.

After Asia Cup disappointment, India beat Australia in a three-match series, with victory in the final T20I orchestrated by the classy Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli. Death bowling remains a key area of focus, and with Arshdeep Singh back in the squad for this series, he may possibly get the nod against a powerful Proteas batting lineup.

Speaking of South Africa, Temba Bavuma returns to captain a team that has been in terrific form this year. Lungi Ngidi, who may not even find a place in a strong bowling attack despite his good performances, spoke of the promise this young Proteas team is showing.

“We’ve got a lot of young players in our team, too, and if we are putting in the performances with these guys now, once they settle into their roles I can only imagine what’s going to happen. So we’re in a pretty good space,” he said in an recent interview.

IND vs SA 1st T20 Possible Playing XI

Rohit Sharma previously stated that Virat Kohli may open in these run of games against Australia and South Africa. Today could be the day he opens.

Hardik Pandya has been rested for this series. Shahbaz Ahmed has replaced him in the squad. Also, Shreyas Iyer has reportedly been included in the squad for the injured Deepak Hooda.

India: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. KL Rahul, 3. Virat Kohli, 4. Suryakumar Yadav, 5. Shreyas Iyer, 6. Dinesh Karthik (wk), 7. Axar Patel, 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar/Deepak Chahar, 9. Yuzvendra Chahal, 10. Arshdeep Singh/Harshal Patel, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

Temba Bavuma, whose T20 credentials copped a huge blow last week, is back to lead what looks to be a strong South Africa team. David Miller, who has been excellent when chasing in T20s this year, spoke of the Proteas’ strengths.

“We’re playing really, really well as a team…Individual performance is obviously crucial and the lads are putting their hands up when they need to. But as a team, we’ve bought into what we want to do and what works,” he said in an interview with Betway.

South Africa: 1. Reeza Hendricks, 2. Quinton de Kock (wk), 3. Temba Bavuma (c), 4. Aiden Markram, 5. Rilee Rossouw, 6. David Miller, 7. Dwaine Pretorius/Andile Phehlukwayo, 8. Keshav Maharaj, 9. Kagiso Rabada, 10. Anrich Nortje/Lungi Ngidi, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi

IND vs SA Head-to-Head Stats & Key Players

India:

  • Virat Kohli is returning back to some of his best form. He has struck four 50+ scores in his last seven innings, including 63 vs Australia and a drought-breaking 71st century.
  • Suryakumar Yadav continues to impress. His strike rate of 182.84 this year is easily the highest among India players who have batted at least five times in 2022. Overall, he has struck 682 runs in 20 innings (avg. 37.88) with five 50+ scores.
  • Watch out for Dinesh Karthik as a finisher. He hit 92 runs against South Africa earlier this year at a strike rate of 158.62. Also, in two T20 innings on this ground, Karthik has scored two fifties at an overall strike rate of 163.01.
  • Axar Patel was outstanding against Australia. The left-arm spinner was awarded player of the series courtesy of his eight wickets at an average of 7.87 and economy of 6.30.
  • India may keep Axar for Aiden Markram. Markram has been dismissed three times by left-arm orthodox in 28 balls in T20s this year (36 runs).
  • Bhuvneshwar Kumar has the most wickets in IND-SA T20Is (14) at an average of 17.00 and economy of 6.80. Earlier this year, he was superb value for his six wickets in four games vs SA, which included figures of 4/13.

South Africa:

  • Quinton de Kock has struck two fifties in five T20I innings against India. His 173 runs come at an average of 43.25 and strike rate of 139.51.
  • Reeza Hendricks is having a dream year as opener, so the Proteas may be tempted to bat Bavuma at three. In seven innings this year, Hendricks has scored 323 runs at an average of 46.14 and strike rate of 139.82. This includes four consecutive half-centuries.
  • Aiden Markram was unavailable for the T20Is against India earlier this year. Now, he will be aiming to make up for lost time. In 15 T20 innings this year, Markram has smashed 515 runs at an average of 51.50 and strike rate of 148.41.
  • Kagiso Rabada has a good record against Virat Kohli. The pacer has dismissed Virat four times in 35 balls in T20s, conceding just 39 runs in the process.
  • Tabraiz Shamsi took figures of 1/102 off ten overs in India earlier this year. Since then, he took 11 wickets in five T20Is against England and Ireland.

Other Stats and Facts

  • Head-to-head: Matches 20, India 11, South Africa 8, 1 N/R.
  • South Africa lead India 5-3 in India.
  • There may be a case to give Deepak Chahar a run in this game. The seamer has taken nine wickets in just four T20s on this ground at an average of 14.22 and strike rate of 9.67.
  • Harshal Patel took the most wickets in the IND-SA T20Is earlier this year (7) at a strike rate of 10.4 and economy of just 7.23.
  • Temba Bavuma has scored just 13 runs off 25 balls against Bhuvneshwar Kumar in T20Is (one dismissal).
  • Dwaine Pretorius was South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in India earlier this year (5) at a strike rate of 18 and economy of 9.66.

Greenfield International Stadium Thiruvananthapuram Pitch Report and Weather

This will be the first T20 match on this ground since West Indies beat India by eight wickets in 2019. In that game, India scored 170 but struggled against the Windies’ cutters and spinners. The same could be the case in this match in terms of the pitch.

There is a chance of some rain during the day and evening. Expect the captain who wins the toss to choose to chase.

IND vs SA 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction 28 September 2022

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.

Option 1:

IND vs SA 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | IND vs SA 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Thiruvananthapuram Pitch Report
IND vs SA 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

IND vs SA 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | IND vs SA 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Thiruvananthapuram Pitch Report
IND vs SA 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction

Fan2Play Prediction

Base Team:

  • Wicket-Keepers: Quinton de Kock
  • Batsmen: Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav
  • All-Rounders: Aiden Markram, Axar Patel
  • Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Jasprit Bumrah

IND vs SA 1st T20 Match Prediction: Who Will Win?

The chasing team is likelier to win. India start as favourites with recent matches under their belt.

Meg Lanning makes decision to skip WBBL to continue break

Tarkesh Jha
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Meg Lanning makes decision to skip WBBL to continue break

Cricket News: Meg Lanning makes decision to skip WBBL to continue break | Meg Lanning will miss WBBL 08 due to personal reasons

Australian skipper Meg Lanning will miss the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) as she has decided to extend her indefinite break from the sport. The 30-year-old is contracted with the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL and there is no clarity over her return to professional cricket at this point in time. Lanning had led Australia to a gold-medal finish in the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Birmingham.

“The club respects her decision and asks that her privacy continue to be respected,” the Stars’ official statement was quoted in a report by ESPNcricinfo.

Lanning to skip WBBL, Melbourne Stars seek replacement

The club begins its upcoming campaign against the Brisbane Heat on 15th October and they will be in the lookout for a new captain in Lanning’s absence. Most probably, the Australian women’s team will require a new skipper for their tour to India in mid-December provided Lanning continues her on-going break from the sport.

Newly-confirmed head coach Shelley Nitschke has explained that talks over Lanning’s future haven’t taken place yet. She has expressed confidence on the potential of the squad to give rise to a new leadership group as former vice-captain Rachael Haynes has hung her boots from international and state cricket as well.

“When the time is right we’ll have those conversations about whether she (Lanning) is back in December or whenever it might be,” Nitschke opened up on the issue.

She added, “There are a good group of emerging leaders in our team that are going to have opportunities to stick their hands up. We don’t have a designated leadership group but there are people amongst the team and group that are leaders on and off the field. Some girls lead in their states. They all have different strengths.”

Lanning has led the Australian women’s team for the better part of the last decade. She has been at the helm of multiple World Cup titles across the ODI and T20 formats. The batter also captained them to several Ashes victories and rounded it all up with the aforementioned CWG gold medal before stepping aside from the game temporarily for personal reasons.

Also read: The growth of women’s cricket, in numbers

When will the IPL 2023 Auction take place?

Tarkesh Jha
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When will the IPL 2023 Auction take place?

Cricket News: When will the IPL 2023 Auction take place? | What are the dates of the IPL 2023 Auction and trade window?

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering holding the auction for the 16th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in mid-December. At the time of writing, 16th of December is the probable date in IPL 2023.

The provisional schedule has been discussed amongst the franchises, Cricbuzz reports. The 2023 edition of the IPL will see a restoration to normalcy as the league will go back to its traditional home and away format for the first time since 2019.

Each team will get a salary purse of Rs 95 crore and this amount can be enhanced provided that the franchises release or trade certain players. The trade window for the coming season will conclude a week before the auction and will resume after it. The season itself might begin from the fourth week of March 2023 onwards. 

“The next season of men’s IPL will also go back to the home and away format with all 10 teams playing their home matches at their designated venues,” BCCI President Sourav Ganguly was quoted in a report by the aforementioned website. 

IPL 2023 Auction: Prospective Trade Deals

Cricbuzz has reported that a few franchises including the Delhi Capitals have shown interest in acquiring Ravindra Jadeja in a trade from the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). It has been widely speculated that the star all-rounder has fallen out with the four-time IPL champions after the captaincy fiasco that unfolded last year. 

Some reports even predicted a trade between CSK and the Gujarat Titans (GT) for Jadeja and Shubman Gill. Both the franchises denied such a move to Cricbuzz. Apparently, even GT have received requests for Rahul Tewatia and R Sai Kishore but they have turned down the proposals as well.

Women’s IPL on the cards?

Simultaneously, there have been growing calls for a women’s version of the IPL. Ganguly shed some light on the same too in his letter to the various state units of the BCCI.

“The BCCI is currently working on the much-awaited Women’s IPL. We are expecting to start the first season early next year. More details on this will follow in due course,” Ganguly further opened up on the topic.  

The issue of women’s IPL will be taken up in the annual general meeting (AGM) of the board next month. The process to initiate the league will begin once it has received the nod of the general body of the board.

Growth of women’s cricket: The numbers confirming the rise

Charbel Coorey
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Growth of women’s cricket: The numbers confirming the rise

Cricket News: Growth of women’s cricket: The numbers confirming the rise | A look at the growth of women’s cricket in numbers

As Deepti Sharma whipped off the bails to hand India a 3-0 ODI series win in England, Cricket Twitter went into a frenzy. The controversial mankad to dismiss Charlie Dean saw thousands of tweets and reactions, led by England players who believed the move was not in the spirit of the game.

Whatever your view may be on the issue, the fact that fans have access to women’s cricket, plus the reaction afterward, is a by-product of wonderful growth women’s cricket has achieved over the last 10-15 years in particular.

The 2009 ODI World Cup Final between Australia and England at North Sydney Oval yielded a crowd of about 2,300. 11 years later, the MCG was deemed the worthy venue for the 2020 T20 World Cup Final, which saw a record 86,174 fans flood the gates. This is just part of the story.

The growth of women’s cricket, in numbers

The growth of women’s cricket: A snapshot of the numbers.

2023 will see the first ever Women’s Indian Premier League (WIPL) tournament take place, which is expected to accelerate the growth of the women’s game. India, who regularly challenge champions Australia, will be to able to fast track local talent in conjunction with the world’s best cricketers featuring, including Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning, Dane van Niekerk, Stafanie Taylor, and Heather Knight, among others.

In a recent Future of Cricket survey by CricBlog, 41.5% of respondents believe women’s T20 leagues will form a significant chunk of the cricketing calendar, including the flourishing Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). The WBBL itself had a record season in 2021, with 535,000 viewers tuning in for the final between Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers. Also, in Australia, men are taking an interest in women’s sports, with 67% of viewers across leading sporting leagues, including WBBL, males according to recent research.

Project130: Cricket NSW launched partnership with University of Techology Sydney (UTS)

Women’s cricket may soon see the 130km/h barrier broken. Cricket New South Wales (NSW) recently joined forces with UTS to form The Cricket Lab.

According to the press release, the partnership “aims to break new ground, to explore new and brilliant possibilities for cricket and the university, to deliver local and global impact and meaningful societal benefit.”

This includes Project130, a world-first research project that aims to shift the average seam bowling speed from 115km/h to 130km/h. One of the key goals of the program is to develop of set of data that can predict potential and physiology type to increase speeds whilst reducing risk of injury.

Over the coming years, the program, along with the continued growth of women’s cricket, can see increased uptake of cricket among girls. The way things are heading, it will be reality sooner than we realise.

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