Category Archives: cricket

cricket, politics, sports

Mithun Manhas emerges as front-runner for BCCI president post: Report

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**Mithun Manhas Emerges as Front-Runner for BCCI President Post: Report**

*By Gaurav Tripathi | Sep 21, 2025, 07:51 AM*

Former Delhi cricketer Mithun Manhas has emerged as the leading candidate for the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). According to Cricbuzz, the final decision is expected to be announced on Sunday morning, just hours before the nomination deadline.

**Election Details and Nominations**

Manhas has been nominated by the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) for the upcoming BCCI election and Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled for September 28. Despite facing competition from notable contenders such as Sourav Ganguly and Harbhajan Singh, Manhas has solidified his position as a strong candidate.

Former Indian Test cricketer Raghuram Bhatt is also in the fray and is expected to arrive in Mumbai on Sunday to file his nomination.

**Strategic Discussions Ahead of the Polls**

A key meeting in New Delhi on Saturday saw the presence of BCCI office-bearers and former officials, who deliberated on potential office-bearers for the upcoming elections. A source close to the meeting revealed that there is a 90% chance of Manhas being chosen as the next BCCI president.

While Bhatt is likely to secure a spot on the apex council, Arun Dhumal is anticipated to continue his role as IPL chairman. The final round of discussions will take place Sunday morning, just before nominations close in the afternoon.

**Profile: Mithun Manhas**

Mithun Manhas, 45, boasts an impressive domestic cricket career spanning 18 years from 1998 to 2016. He played 157 first-class matches, amassing nearly 10,000 runs at an average of around 46. He captained Delhi to the prestigious Ranji Trophy title during the 2007-08 season.

Although Manhas never represented India at the international level, he was regarded as one of the most dependable players in domestic cricket. Off the field, he has gathered valuable administrative experience through his work with the JKCA and his participation in BCCI’s AGMs on behalf of his state.

As the countdown to the elections continues, Mithun Manhas appears poised to take on a pivotal role in shaping the future of Indian cricket administration.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/mithun-manhas-emerges-front-runner-for-bcci-president/story

cricket, international cricket, sports, statistics, women's sports

3rd WODI, Beth Mooney slams career-best 138 versus India: Stats

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By Rajdeep Saha | Sep 20, 2025, 05:39 PM

**Beth Mooney’s Majestic 138 Powers Australia in 3rd ODI Against India**

Australia women’s cricket team batter Beth Mooney delivered a sublime performance, smashing a magnificent 138-run knock against India in the 3rd and final ODI at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi.

Mooney walked to the crease when Australia were 150/2 in the 22nd over. She immediately took charge and shared crucial partnerships throughout her innings—a 106-run stand with Ellyse Perry, 82 with Ashleigh Gardner, and an additional 40 runs with Tahlia McGrath. Australia posted a formidable total of 379/6 when Mooney’s innings came to an end.

### Mooney Powers Australia with a Blazing Hundred

The quality of Mooney’s 138-run innings was outstanding. She reached her century in just 57 balls during the 38th over, showcasing aggressive intent and maintaining the momentum provided by Australia’s top order. Throughout her innings, Mooney remained unflappable, expertly maneuvering the ball and putting the Indian bowlers under constant pressure.

Unfortunately, her innings was cut short by a run-out in the 45th over, shortly after the dismissal of McGrath.

### Did You Know?
**Joint-2nd Fastest Hundred in Women’s ODIs**
Beth Mooney’s 57-ball century equals the joint-2nd fastest century in Women’s ODIs. She matched former Aussie star Karen Rolton, who also reached 100 in 57 balls against South Africa in 2000. The record for the fastest ton is held by Meg Lanning, who scored her century in just 45 balls against New Zealand in 2012.

### Stats That Impress

– Mooney’s 138 came off 75 balls.
– She struck 23 fours and 1 six during her innings.
– Playing her 85th WODI (78 innings), Mooney has now amassed 2,786 runs at an impressive average of 49.75.
– This innings was her 4th WODI century, in addition to 19 half-centuries.

Against India specifically, Mooney has been in splendid form. According to ESPNcricinfo, she has scored 698 runs in 18 matches (16 innings) at an average of 58.16, including two centuries and four fifties.

### More Milestones

– This was Mooney’s 9th fifty-plus score in away WODI matches (away from her home ground). In 36 away matches (33 innings), she has accumulated 1,212 runs at an average of 44.88, including 2 centuries and 7 fifties.

### Records Broken

**Highest Individual Score for Australia Against India**
According to ESPNcricinfo, Mooney’s 138 is now the highest individual score by an Australian batter against India in Women’s ODIs. She surpassed the previous best of 133 runs set by Alyssa Healy in 2018.

Beth Mooney’s scintillating innings not only set up a commanding total for Australia but also cemented her place among the elite batters in women’s cricket history.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/beth-mooney-slams-hundred-versus-india-in-3rd-women-s-odi/story

asia cup, cricket, sports

Asia Cup 2025: Andy Pycroft, Who PCB Requested To Be Removed Over Handshake Row, Set To Officiate IND vs PAK Super 4 Clash, Claims Report

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Zimbabwean match referee Andy Pycroft, who the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) requested to be banned from Asia Cup 2025 following the controversial handshake incident, will reportedly officiate the Super 4 match between Pakistan and India on Sunday, September 21.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected PCB’s request to ban Pycroft from the remainder of the tournament. Despite the controversy, Pycroft officiated Pakistan’s recent match against the UAE without any changes.

The controversy arose after the Group stage match between India and Pakistan, when the PCB released a statement claiming that Pycroft had instructed captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands. Pakistan was visibly upset over the Indian players not shaking hands, with Agha notably skipping the post-game presentation duties in protest.

Before the match against the UAE, the PCB had formally written to the ICC requesting Pycroft’s ban, citing a violation of the spirit of cricket. The Pakistan vs. UAE match was also surrounded by rumors of a potential boycott from Pakistan’s side. However, after an hour’s delay, the game proceeded as scheduled.

Looking back at recent performances, both Team India and Pakistan secured victories in their previous matches. India defeated Oman, while Pakistan managed a 41-run win over the UAE. Though Pakistan will draw confidence from their recent win, they face a challenging task in overcoming the formidable Indian side.

In their Group Stage encounter, the Men in Blue outplayed Pakistan comprehensively, winning by seven wickets. While India rested key players Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy against Oman, both are expected to return for the high-stakes clash with Pakistan.

For Pakistan to triumph over India, they will need to deliver an exceptional performance. The Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup kicks off on Sunday with Sri Lanka facing Bangladesh, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling tournament phase.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/asia-cup-2025-andy-pycroft-who-pcb-requested-to-be-removed-over-handshake-row-set-to-officiate-ind-vs-pak-super-4-clash-claims-report

bharat, cricket, sports

Asia Cup 2025: Suryakumar Yadav Shares Tips With Oman Players After Team India Wins The Match By 21 Runs

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Team India T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav was seen engaging warmly with Oman players after India secured a 21-run victory on Friday, September 19. During the post-match presentation, Oman captain Jatinder Singh spoke about their conversation, saying, “Surya spoke about the game and praised us, which means a lot. Our boys had enquiries about the various T20 game phases. It was a pleasure to speak with him.”

In the lead-up to the match, Jatinder had also expressed excitement about sharing the field with some of his cricketing idols. Following the game, players from both teams were seen taking pictures together, highlighting the spirit of camaraderie.

Recognizing the valiant effort from their opponents, Suryakumar Yadav led the Indian team towards the Oman dugout to initiate handshakes and exchange smiles. This gesture was especially significant, coming just days after Indian players were seen skipping handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts.

### India Escapes Defeat Against Oman

India wrapped up their group stage campaign at the Asia Cup 2025 in dominant fashion by defeating Oman by 21 runs in their final group match. With this win, India not only secured the top spot in their group but also maintained an unbeaten record heading into the Super Four stage.

Winning the toss, India captain Suryakumar Yadav chose to bat first on a pitch that looked conducive for scoring—a decision that paid off. Despite a few early setbacks, the Indian batting lineup posted a competitive total of 188/8 in 20 overs. Sanju Samson anchored the innings with a fluent 56-run knock, providing stability and momentum.

Setting a challenging target of 189, India faced an Oman side playing against the T20 World Champions for the first time. Although the Indian bowling attack was without key players Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy, they managed to maintain composure and kept Oman at bay during the crucial final overs. Oman were eventually restricted to 167/4 in 20 overs.

It was also a memorable day for Arshdeep Singh, who became the quickest pacer to reach 100 T20I wickets, achieving the milestone in just 64 matches. He is the first Indian bowler to accomplish this feat, adding another highlight to India’s victory.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/asia-cup-2025-suryakumar-yadav-shares-tips-with-oman-players-after-team-india-wins-the-match-by-21-runs

australia, cricket, india, sports, women's sports

India Women vs Australia Women, 3rd ODI: Preview and stats

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**India Women vs Australia Women, 3rd ODI: Preview and Stats**

*By Rajdeep Saha | Sep 19, 2025, 02:20 pm IST*

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The third and final ODI match between India Women (IND-W) and Australia Women (AUS-W) is set to take place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday, September 23. The match will begin at 1:30 pm IST, with the toss scheduled half an hour earlier.

Led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian team will be aiming to seal the series after their convincing 102-run victory in the second Women’s ODI.

### Series Overview: India Seeks Victory as Australia Looks to Bounce Back

Following their dominant performance in the second encounter, India will rely heavily on the form of opener Smriti Mandhana to continue their success against Australia. On the other hand, Australia, captained by Alyssa Healy, will be eager to bounce back in the final ODI.

Australia’s squad features some key players including Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, and Ashleigh Gardner. They will look to replicate their strong performance from the first ODI in Mullanpur, where they comprehensively defeated India.

### Predicted Teams

**India Women:**
Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav, Renuka Singh Thakur / Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Goud, Sree Charani.

**Australia Women:**
Alyssa Healy (c & wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt.

### Head-to-Head Record

According to ESPNcricinfo, India and Australia have met 58 times in Women’s ODIs. Australia holds a dominant record with 47 wins compared to India’s 11. When playing in India, the teams have faced each other 26 times, with Australia winning 21 matches and India 5.

### Player Focus: Key Stats

– **Smriti Mandhana (India)**
In 107 WODIs, Mandhana has scored 4,763 runs at an average of 47.15, including 12 centuries and 32 half-centuries.

– **Ellyse Perry (Australia)**
Perry has amassed 4,261 runs in WODIs at an average of 48.97, with 3 centuries and 35 fifties. As an all-rounder, she also boasts 166 wickets in WODIs at an average of 25.56.

– **Megan Schutt (Australia)** and **Deepti Sharma (India)** both have an impressive haul of 138 wickets each in their WODI careers.

### Broadcast Information

Fans in India can watch the third India vs Australia Women’s ODI live on the Star Sports Network. The match will also be available for live streaming on the JioCinema app and website.

Don’t miss the action as the game kicks off at 1:30 pm IST on September 23.

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Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting finale to this ODI series!
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/indw-vs-ausw-2nd-odi-preview-and-stats/story

cricket, fitness, international events, lifestyle, sports

Nuwan Thushara claims his 3rd four-wicket haul in T20Is: Stats

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**Nuwan Thushara Claims His 3rd Four-Wicket Haul in T20Is**

*Stats & Highlights | By Rajdeep Saha | Sep 18, 2025, 11:13 PM*

Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thushara delivered a stunning bowling performance against Afghanistan in Match 11 of the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 held in Abu Dhabi. Thushara picked up 4 wickets for just 18 runs in his full quota of 4 overs, showcasing his skill and precision on the big stage.

Afghanistan posted a competitive total of 169/8 in their 20 overs, setting Sri Lanka a target of 170 runs to chase. Thushara’s fiery spell played a crucial role in restricting the opposition and putting Sri Lanka in a strong position.

**Wickets and Key Moments**

Thushara opened the bowling for Sri Lanka and made an early impact, striking twice in his second over. He dismissed opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who attempted an aggressive shot, and soon after bowled Karim Janat. Continuing his momentum, Thushara took down Sediqullah Atal with a brilliant delivery in his third over during the powerplay.

He then struck again in the 17th over, taking a wicket off the very first ball, completing a memorable four-wicket haul that helped choke Afghanistan’s scoring rate.

**Performance Stats**

This four-wicket haul marks Thushara’s third such instance in T20 Internationals and his fifth overall in T20 matches. With this performance, he has now claimed 35 wickets from 25 T20Is at an impressive average of 18.28.

On a broader scale, according to ESPNcricinfo, Thushara has accumulated 169 wickets in 127 T20 matches at an average of 19.71. His T20 career also features two five-wicket hauls alongside his five four-wicket hauls, underscoring his impact as a leading pacer in the format.

**Notable Achievements**

– This is Thushara’s second four-wicket haul against Afghanistan in T20Is, having taken two four-fers in just three matches against them, with an outstanding average of 10.37.
– He is now the second Sri Lankan pacer to claim a four-wicket haul in the Men’s T20 Asia Cup, following Pramod Madushan’s four-for against Pakistan in 2022.

Nuwan Thushara’s continued excellence with the ball highlights his key role in Sri Lanka’s bowling attack, and fans will be eager to see more match-winning performances from the young pacer in the coming games.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/nuwan-thushara-shines-versus-afghanistan-in-t20-asia-cup/story

asia, cricket, entertainment, sports

Asia Cup 2025: Mohammad Nabi Launches Merciless Assault On Dunith Wellalage’s Bowling In SL vs AFG Match, Clobbers 5 Sixes; Video

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Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi launched a merciless assault on Sri Lankan spinner Dunith Wellalage in the Asia Cup 2025 game at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, September 18. Nabi clobbered five sixes off the 20th over of the innings, helping Afghanistan finish strongly and set a stiff target for the opposition.

The moment occurred as Charith Asalanka turned to the left-arm spinner Wellalage, taking a massive gamble against the big-hitting Nabi. The veteran smashed the first three sixes off long-off, mid-wicket, and long-on. Wellalage followed it up with a no-ball, and the 40-year-old cleared the boundary two more times. Nabi tried to go again on the final ball but Sri Lanka managed to run him out.

Nabi’s explosive 60 off 22 deliveries, laced with six sixes, ensured that Sri Lanka reached a competitive total of 169/8 despite being 79/6 at one stage. Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Thushara bowled outstandingly with the new ball, finishing with figures of 4-0-18-4. Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, and Dasun Shanaka claimed one wicket each.

Earlier in the match, Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan won the toss and elected to bat first, as both sides chased a crucial win in the last match of Group B.

**Sri Lanka Playing XI:**
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara.

**Afghanistan Playing XI:**
Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

In other tournament news, India and Pakistan have sealed their spots into the Super 4 round from Group A, each with two wins. Team India now has the opportunity to make it three out of three in the tournament.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/asia-cup-2025-mohammad-nabi-launches-merciless-assault-on-dunith-wellalages-bowling-in-sl-vs-afg-match-clobbers-5-sixes-video