Jemimah Rodrigues of India (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Delhi Capitals have named Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues as their new captain ahead of the 2026 Women’s Premier League season. The announcement was made on Tuesday. Rodrigues comes into the role after an outstanding year with the Indian team.

She played a major part in India’s ICC Women’s World Cup win, producing one of the finest knocks of the tournament. In the semi-final against Australia, she scored a brilliant unbeaten 127 while chasing a record target of 339. The innings showcased her composure, confidence, and ability to perform on the biggest stage. Reacting to her appointment, Rodrigues expressed pride and gratitude. “It is an absolute honour to be named captain of the Delhi Capitals, and I am deeply grateful to the owners and the support staff for placing their faith in me to lead this team,” Rodrigues said in a release.“It has truly been a dream year for me and my family, winning the World Cup and now being entrusted with this wonderful opportunity at a franchise that has held a very special place in my heart since the very first season of the WPL,” she added. Rodrigues has been a key part of the Delhi Capitals setup since the league began. She was the franchise’s first pick at the inaugural WPL auction and has played 27 matches so far. In those games, she has scored 507 runs at a strike rate of 139.67. She has also featured in all three WPL finals. She takes over the captaincy from Meg Lanning, who was released by the franchise ahead of last month’s auction. Rodrigues said her time under Lanning’s leadership helped shape her growth as a player. “I have learned so much over the last three years and have shared some of my best moments with the Delhi Capitals. We have a strong group, and I can’t wait to get going as we look ahead to what we hope will be a very successful season, and finally cross that line that has eluded us in the last three years,” she remarked. At the international level, Rodrigues has played 113 T20Is, scoring 2,444 runs, and 59 ODIs, where she has made 1,749 runs. Delhi Capitals will begin their WPL 2026 campaign against Mumbai Indians on January 10 in Navi Mumbai.

Deepti Sharma was not part of India Women’s playing XI for the second T20I against Sri Lanka Women due to a mild fever. The all rounder was ruled out as a precaution, with the team management opting not to take any risk so early in the five match series. Sneh Rana came into the side as her replacement. India captain Harmanpreet Kaur confirmed the development at the toss after winning it and choosing to field first at the ACA VDCA Cricket Stadium. She said Deepti was unwell and added that the rest of the team would stick to the same approach that worked in the opening match.

India entered the match with a 1 0 lead in the series after a convincing performance in the first T20I. The decision to rest Deepti was seen as a sensible move, especially with several matches still to come and the all rounder expected to play a key role later in the series once fully fit. Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu said her team would go in with the same playing XI and stressed the need to bat with confidence and play straighter than they did in the previous game. She admitted that Sri Lanka had played too much behind the wicket in the opener and would look to correct that.Sri Lanka Women (Playing XI): Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu(captain), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshi de Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Kaushani Nuthyangana(wicketkeeper), Malki Madara, Inoka Ranaweera, Kawya Kavindi, Shashini GimhaniIndia Women (Playing XI): Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Richa Ghosh(wicketkeeper), Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Arundhati Reddy, Vaishnavi Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani.

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir with batting coach Sitanshu Kotak (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak)

Former India spinner Amit Mishra has weighed in on India’s 0-2 Test series loss to South Africa, emphasising the need for senior players to take responsibility and guide the younger members of the squad. Speaking to ANI, Mishra stressed that both experienced campaigners and newcomers must adjust their game according to the conditions and the bowling attack. Mishra, who represented India in 68 international matches and claimed 156 wickets—including 76 in 22 Tests at an average of 35.72—highlighted that the recent defeat was a stark reminder of India’s struggles at home against top SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) teams. November’s series saw dominant performances from South Africa’s Temba Bavuma, Marco Jansen, and Simon Harmer, handing India their second successive home series whitewash after last year’s 0-3 loss to New Zealand, ending a 12-year streak of home dominance.

“We will have to bat according to the wicket and show maturity,” Mishra said. “Not every pitch allows you to score 200-220 runs. Some matches can be won with totals of 140-170. While inexperience exists, seniors have to stand up and guide youngsters on which shots to play, which bowlers to target, and which deliveries to respect.” On the issue of India’s use of spin-friendly pitches, Mishra defended the tradition, stressing patience and respect for quality bowling. “We have been playing on such wickets for years. Players need to show maturity, stay patient, and respect good bowlers. Coaches also need to instil the right mindset,” he said. Mishra also backed head coach Gautam Gambhir and his staff amid criticism. “They need time. It’s not like the team hasn’t won under them. We lifted the Asia Cup and Champions Trophy. Players must take responsibility. Seniors must guide the youngsters, and youngsters must step up. Coaches can’t play on the field—it’s the players who have to execute the plans, understand match-ups, and make the right decisions,” he added.

Deepti Sharma and Laura Wolvaardt (PTI)

India all-rounder Deepti Sharma and South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt have made significant strides in the latest ICC Women’s Player Rankings, both claiming the top spots in their respective categories. Deepti Sharma climbed to No. 1 among T20I bowlers for the first time in her career, following a strong performance in India’s opening T20I against Sri Lanka at home. Wolvaardt, meanwhile, reclaimed the top position among ODI batters, previously held by India’s Smriti Mandhana, after finishing South Africa’s ODI series against Ireland on a high note.

Australia’s Annabel Sutherland had been the leading T20I bowler since August, but Deepti’s impressive 1-20 from four overs in Vizag proved decisive. Her efforts in India’s eight-wicket win earned her five rating points, giving her a slender one-point advantage over Sutherland at the summit of the T20I bowling charts. Deepti’s teammate Arundhati Reddy also made gains, moving up five places to 36th among T20I bowlers following the Sri Lanka match. On the batting front, Jemimah Rodrigues was the standout climber, rising five spots to reach ninth position in the T20I batter rankings after scoring an unbeaten half-century and earning the Player of the Match award. Rodrigues now joins fellow Indians Mandhana (third) and Shafali Verma (10th) in the top 10. In ODIs, Wolvaardt’s remarkable form saw her leapfrog Mandhana to reclaim the No. 1 spot. The South African captain scored back-to-back centuries in the final two matches of the three-match series against Ireland, helping her side secure a 3-0 sweep and reaching a career-high rating. Mandhana dropped to second place as a result. Other South African players also benefited from strong performances. Sune Luus rose seven places to 34th among ODI batters and climbed 11 spots to 22nd in the ODI all-rounders rankings, thanks to her contributions with both bat and ball. Ireland’s players also made notable progress in the rankings. Arlene Kelly moved up five spots to 27th among ODI bowlers, Gaby Lewis advanced four places to 18th, and Amy Hunter climbed three spots to 28th, highlighting the strides the Irish team is making in both bowling and batting departments. Overall, the latest rankings reflect standout performances across India, South Africa, and Ireland, with Deepti Sharma and Laura Wolvaardt cementing their status as leaders in women’s cricket.

Virat Kohli’s much-anticipated return to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium was put on hold on Tuesday after the Bengaluru city police refused permission to stage the Vijay Hazare Trophy match between Delhi and Andhra at the venue. Kohli, who arrived in the city on Monday night, is slated to feature in two matches, including one against Gujarat. Both fixtures had earlier been shifted from the KSCA Alur Stadium to the Chinnaswamy Stadium in anticipation of crowd-related issues at the Alur venue on the city’s outskirts.

It has been learned that the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had sounded out the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) as a backup venue on Monday, and the two matches will now be held there. The CoE premises house three grounds. On Monday, a committee comprising the Bengaluru city police commissioner and officials from the public works department, fire and emergency services, and the health department inspected the Chinnaswamy Stadium and submitted its report to Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) commissioner Maheshwar Rao, who heads the panel. Confirming the development, city police commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh said: “The committee inspected the stadium and concluded that there are no proper facilities to conduct matches. A decision on allowing matches will be made only after the required work is completed. For now, KSCA’s request to conduct matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium has been rejected.” During the meeting, KSCA officials and the panel also discussed the implementation of the Justice John Michael Cunha Commission report, which outlined 17 recommendations. Security concerns ahead of the December 24 match further complicated matters, with the city police also tasked with managing Christmas festivities in the Central Business District. The matches will now be held on Grounds Two and One respectively at the Centre of Excellence, ending weeks of uncertainty over Kohli’s return to the Chinnaswamy Stadium for the first time since the June 4 stampede outside the venue during RCB’s IPL victory celebrations. Both matches will be played behind closed doors, as there is no provision for spectators at the CoE. Kohli hits the ground running Kohli and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant joined the Delhi squad for net practice on Tuesday. The duo trained for about an hour alongside teammates Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini.

NEW DELHI: Fans are unlikely to get the chance to watch Virat Kohli’s return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday, with the Karnataka government set to stage the match behind closed doors owing to security concerns.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Delhi’s Elite Group D opener against Andhra Pradesh was moved from Alur to the Chinnaswamy Stadium after Kohli and Rishabh Pant confirmed their availability for the first two matches of the tournament. However, as per ESPNcricinfo report, despite the venue change, spectators are now expected to be barred from entry. The BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru is being considered as a backup venue if police permission for the Chinnaswamy is not granted, according to the report.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had initially explored the option of opening two stands to the public, which could have accommodated around 2,000 to 3,000 spectators. That proposal, however, was rejected by the state government, which cited potential security and compliance issues. The report further stated that the government is keen to avoid crowd-related chaos around the stadium during the holiday season, particularly given the stature of players involved.Following a formal request from the KSCA, the Karnataka government constituted a committee comprising officials from the police, public works and fire safety departments. The committee inspected the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday and is expected to submit its report on Tuesday. The findings are likely to reinforce the decision to hold the match behind closed doors.

The cautious approach stems from the tragic stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations in June, which resulted in 11 deaths and several injuries. Kohli, Pant, Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini are all part of Delhi’s squad for the 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, with Pant appointed captain. Kohli and Pant arrived in Bengaluru late on Monday and are expected to train with the team on Tuesday.

England’s Ben Stokes, centre, celebrates with teammates (AP Photo/James Elsby)

England managing director Rob Key has said the board will examine claims that players drank excessively during a mid-series break in Queensland, following reports that the trip resembled a “stag-do” during the Ashes. After heavy defeats in the opening two Tests in Perth and Brisbane, the England squad travelled to Noosa, a popular holiday spot on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. The players spent several days at the beach and visiting local restaurants and bars, with their movements closely followed by television crews, photographers and reporters. England then moved on to Adelaide, where they lost the third Test and with it the Ashes.

According to Britain’s Daily Telegraph, several players, though not the entire squad, were said to have been drinking for five or six days after the Brisbane Test. The report stressed that nothing outrageous took place in Noosa but raised concerns about the amount of alcohol consumed, particularly given existing questions around England’s preparation and professionalism on tour. Speaking to English media in Melbourne ahead of the Boxing Day Test, Key said the matter would be looked into if the claims proved accurate. He made it clear that excessive drinking was not acceptable for an international team at any stage. “If people are saying our players went out and drank excessively, then of course we will investigate that,” Key said. “That would not be something I would expect to see.” Key, who did not travel with the squad to Noosa, added that it would have been wrong not to review the situation. However, he said that the information he had received so far suggested the players had conducted themselves well. He stressed that he had no objection to players having the occasional drink, but drew a clear line if it went beyond that. Key said he supported the idea of the Noosa trip if its purpose was to help players switch off, step away from cricket and spend time on the beach. But he said any suggestion that it had turned into a heavy drinking exercise would be completely unacceptable. Key also revealed that he had previously looked into reports of England players being seen drinking on the eve of a limited-overs match in New Zealand shortly before the Ashes tour. On that occasion, he felt the situation did not merit formal disciplinary action, though he believed informal warnings were appropriate. Despite England losing the Ashes inside just 11 playing days, the joint fastest defeat in more than a century, Key voiced his support for head coach Brendon McCullum. The future of both men now lies with the England and Wales Cricket Board. Reflecting on recent disappointments, Key admitted England had fallen short on major occasions, including the drawn home Ashes series and last summer’s series against India, where they failed to convert strong positions into victories. “The big moments have passed us by,” he said. “We have to evolve and make sure we are doing things better going forward.”

Adil Rashid of Sharjah Warriorz

Sharjah Warriorz kept their playoff hopes alive with a nerve-jangling four-wicket win over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Monday. The victory lifted the Warriorz to six points and ensured a tight scramble for the remaining playoff spots ILT20 Season 4.The Knight Riders were rocked early after opting to bat, collapsing to 10/4 as Taskin Ahmed and Wasim Akram tore through the top order. Adil Rashid later tightened the noose with a decisive three-wicket haul, limiting the Knight Riders to 134/9 despite Sherfane Rutherford’s lone resistance of 44 off 36 balls.

In response, the Warriorz also endured a shaky start. Jason Holder removed Johnson Charles for a duck, while Ajay Kumar struck soon after to leave them two down early. Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Tom Abell steadied the innings briefly, but disciplined bowling from Sunil Narine and Olly Stone kept the chase under control, with the Warriorz reaching just 58/3 at the halfway mark.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Narine eventually broke the stand by trapping Kohler-Cadmore LBW, but Sikandar Raza kept the Warriorz in the hunt. James Rew then shifted the momentum, counterattacking with timely boundaries and rotating the strike smartly alongside Raza. Their 57-run partnership off 35 balls brought the equation within reach.

James Rew of Sharjah Warriorz plays a shot during Match 25 of the DP World ILT20 between the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and the Sharjah Warriorz

Raza fell in the 18th over, and a superb penultimate over from Holder left 12 needed from the final six balls. Rew, however, held his nerve, finishing unbeaten on 42 off 29 balls, and with support from Rashid, guided the Warriorz home off the final delivery.Earlier, after the early collapse, Sherfane Rutherford and Alishan Sharafu attempted a recovery, but the Knight Riders continued to lose wickets through the middle overs. A late counterattack from Andre Russell and Holder briefly lifted hopes, but Rashid closed out the innings with two wickets in the final over to cap a match-winning all-round display.

Sherfane Rutherford of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders plays a shot during Match 25 of the DP World ILT20 between the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and the Sharjah Warriorz

Player of the Match Rashid credited clear plans and experience against elite finishers for his success at the death. “It was pleasing to contribute in a situation where things could easily have gone the other way, especially bowling the 18th and 20th overs. Having played against Jason and Andre for a long time does help — they’re world-class players — but thankfully the plans came off for me,” said Rashid.Knight Riders captain Holder admitted his side fell short with the bat despite a spirited bowling effort that took the game deep. He said: “We didn’t put enough runs on the board, although full credit goes to our bowlers for the way they fought and took the game deep. We needed a few moments to go our way, particularly keeping wickets intact during the powerplay. Sunil Narine’s spell was vital, and if we had picked up one or two more wickets there, the momentum could have shifted.”

Brief ScoresAbu Dhabi Knight Riders: 134/9 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 44, Unmukt Chand 24; Adil Rashid 3/18, Wasim Akram 2/12, Taskin Ahmed 2/41)Sharjah Warriorz: 135/6 in 20 overs (James Rew 42 not out, Tom Kohler-Cadmore 30, Sikander Raza 28; Ajay Kumar 2/29, Jason Holder 2/25)