SPORTS

After India trudged over the line to chase 100 runs with one ball to spare, to level the T20 series 1-1 against New Zealand on Sunday, the pitch curator at Lucknow's Ekana Stadium has been sacked, according to sources in the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA).

Following the six-wicket win, India skipper Hardik Pandya called the pitch "a shocker of a wicket", that saw spin bowled for 30 out of 39.5 overs, and a grand total of 200 runs scored on it.

The India skipper was also unhappy about the state of the pitch in Ranchi's JSCA Stadium, another turner where India suffered a 21-run defeat at the hands of the Kiwis. "Both the games (pitches) we have played on so far (have been shockers). I don’t mind difficult wickets. I am all up for that, but these two wickets are not made for T20. Somewhere down the line, the curators or the grounds that we are going to play in should make sure they prepare the pitches earlier," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated the Under-19 Indian Women Cricket Team for winning the inaugural edition of the Women's U-19 T20 World Cup by beating England in the final at the Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.

While lauding the young players, PM Modi said that they have played excellent cricket and added that their success will inspire several upcoming cricketers.

The Shafali Verma-led India U-19 squad first bundled out England for 68 in 17.1 overs and then returned to knock off the target in 14 overs to secure the historic win. The team put on a comprehensive display in the final to beat England by a huge margin of 7 wickets.

India's T20 side captain for the New Zealand series, Hardik Pandya was slammed on social media for his poor performance in the first T20I match against the Kiwis on Friday (January 27). At a crucial moment of the game, Suryakumar brought out the lofted drive over extra cover for six against Ish Sodhi in the 12th over. But on the very next ball, he was foxed by a googly from the leg-spinner and chipped straight to long-on, falling for 47. In the next over, Hardik went for the big shot against Bracewell and got trapped.

Fans questioned the India captain's decision of attacking New Zealand spinner just after losing the wicket of Suryakumar Yadav.

Team India has suffered a blow before the start of the New Zealand T20I series as opener Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the series due to a wrist issue. The right-handed batsman complained about the issue during the ongoing Ranji Trophy season and went to the National Cricket Academy for rehabilitation.

Cricbuzz has reported that the wrist pain has ruled him out of the series. Ruturaj's absence has reportedly upset the decision-makers as he has missed a couple of series in his short career. The wrist issue ruled him out of the T20I series against Sri Lanka in 2022. On the Ireland tour, Ruturaj didn't get to bat in the first T20I due to a niggle and got ruled out of the 2nd game.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has got richer by Rs 4699.99 crore. Ever since the board rolled out its plan to launch a T20 league for women on the lines of the Indian Premier League, top corporate houses had shown interest in owning the five teams up for grabs. On Wednesday, when the bids in Mumbai, the BCCI was celebrating another big pay day.

The inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) will have five teams based out of Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi and Lucknow. The tournament is set to take place in March with player auction set for February.