Decision to abandon Pakistan tour was out of our hands: New Zealand coach Gary Stead

AUSW vs INDW | 3rd ODI: India hold nerves to clinch consolation win in another nail-biter

The Indian women’s team finally etched a win in the three-match ODI series after clinching a victory in the third and final clash in Mackay. India were off to a steady start after Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma stitched a 59-run stand for the first wicket. Mandhana departed for 22 off 25 and Verma was joined by Yastika Bhatia at the crease. The two batters took the onus on themselves and put up a partnership of 101 runs for the second wicket. Verma was eventually out for 56 after she was cleaned up by Sophie Molineux while Yastika too notched up a half-century. The visitors then lost some wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 208/6 when Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana joined hands to steady the ship and score 33 runs for the seventh wicket. India looked comfortable in the chase at one stage but Sharma and Sneh Rana’s dismissals pushed them on back foot. The equation was finally down to 4 required off the last 6 balls with Jhulan Goswami and Meghna Singh at the crease. Singh got a single on the second ball of the over while Goswami struck a boundary on the third to wrap up the win for India in another nail-biting finish. With this win, India also broke Australia’s 26-match winning streak. Earlier, Australia managed to score 264/9 in 50 overs, courtesy half-centuries from Mooney and Gardner and a 32-ball 47. Goswami and Pooja Vastrakar picked up three wickets apiece for India. Australia captain Meg manning lauded India for the way they played this particular contest. “It was a great contest. We had our chances, we couldn't take them. India came out really well with the ball and kept fighting with the bat, so they deserved this win,” she said in the post-match presentation. India skipper Mithali Raj expressed delight on India’ win. “We are happy that we have won the last game, just told the girls that the winning streak of Australia started in 2018, against India in India and we needed to be the one who broke that streak. we need to put up a A-grade performance, so happy with the victory,” she said. Australia had earlier won the first two ODIs to take an unassailable lead.

Dale Steyn picks KL Rahul as RCB's long-term contender for captaincy

Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn is of the opinion that the Royal Challengers Bangalore should rope in KL Rahul as the next skipper for the side as Virat Kohli is set to step down from the post after the conclusion of IPL 2021. "If RCB are going to look at a long-term contender as captain, they should be looking within their own borders. The name I've got is an ex-Bangalore player. It's KL Rahul. I just have a feeling he is going to return back to Bangalore in next year's auction," Steyn told ESPNCricinfo. KL Rahul who is presently leading Punjab Kings since 2020 had earlier played for RCB. Punjab Kings (earlier knock as Kings XI Punjab) had bought him in the 2018 IPL auctions. When asked about AB de Villiers being the contender for the post, Steyn said that the right-handed batsman is a phenomenal player and a great leader but is nearing the end of his career and further added that the franchise should think of long term. "I don't think AB de Villiers is the right way to go. I think he is a phenomenal player. But he is at the end of his career. I think he is a great leader," Steyn added. RCB haven’t won any IPL trophy despite playing three finals. The present skipper Kohli led them to the finals in the 2016 edition were they suffered defeat against David Warner’s Sunrisers Hyderabad in the title clash.

IPL 2021 | DC vs RR: Rajasthan Royals fined for maintaining slow over rate

Rajasthan Royals have been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during the match against Delhi Capitals in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. “As it was the team’s second offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over rate offences, Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson was fined Rs 24 lakhs,” an IPL statement read. “The rest of the members of the playing XI were each fined a lesser of either Rs 6 lakhs or 25 percent of their individual match fee,” the statement added. The Royals suffered a thumping defeat against Delhi after getting restricted to 121/6 while chasing 155 in 20 overs during the course. Batting first, Delhi rode on some fine piece of batting from Shreyas Iyer and Shimron Hetmyer to put up a decent total on the board. Later, the DC bowlers dominated RR batting unit thoroughly to etch a comprehensive win. While captain Samson remained unbeaten at 70, no other batsmen got into the groove and the Rajasthan side lost the match eventually. For DC, it was Anrich Nortje who was the pick of the bowlers after he scalped a couple of wickets at the cost of 18 runs in 4 overs. The Royals will now play SRH in Dubai on Monday.

IPL 2021 | SRH vs PBKS: Hope the TRP is up due to Punjab Kings, says KL Rahul

Punjab Kings were involved in yet another close encounter when they faced Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday in Sharjah. But this time the KL Rahul-led side was on the winning podium after defending a target of 126 runs. The Punjab skipper Rahul during the post-match press conference said that the side has been playing some entertaining cricket for the past two-three years. “We are playing some entertaining cricket and have been doing so for the last two or three years, but I'll take the win. Hope the TRP is up due to Punjab Kings,” he said. The wicket-keeper batsman also talked about the track in Sharjah and how it didn’t really have much on offer for the batters. “We wanted to get another 20-30 more runs but we'll take the win. There was no pace on the pitch. It was important for our team for Chris and others to get stuck in. Unfortunately, that didn't happen,” Rahul added. The Punjab Kings bowler Mohammed Shami picked up early wickets after sending David Warner and captain Kane Williamson packing. Hailing Shami’s performance with the ball, Rahul lavished praise on the pacer. “Shami to start of, bowled really well, getting two big batters in Warner and Williamson. Made it easier for our spinners to settle into a nice line and length," said Rahul. Punjab Kings will now play Mumbai Indians on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi.