Sports
Harmanpreet Attributes Enhanced Domestic Strike Rates to WPL Influence
As the Women’s Premier League (WPL) prepares for its third edition, Mumbai Indians’ captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, asserts that the five-team tournament has significantly improved the strike rates of batters in the ongoing 2024/25 domestic season.
With the WPL set to run from February 14 to March 15, teams are gearing up against the backdrop of a domestic season marked by aggressive batting and innovative stroke play.
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Additionally, WPL franchises have been conducting off-season and pre-season camps for Indian players, focusing on skill enhancement, fitness, and nutrition.
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Harmanpreet emphasized, “It’s evident that the strike rates of batters in our domestic cricket this season have improved significantly, largely due to the influence of the WPL. There have been instances of over 300 runs scored in domestic games, and players are approaching their innings with a more competitive mindset. Cricketers understand that to compete in the WPL, they must enhance their strike rates and power-hitting skills.”
This observation was corroborated during the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy quarter-final in Rajkot, where Shafali Verma scored an impressive 197 runs off 115 balls for Haryana. However, Bengal successfully chased down the target with five wickets remaining and five balls to spare.
Tanusree Sarkar spearheaded Bengal’s chase, scoring 113 runs off 83 balls, aided by half-centuries from Priyanka Bala, Dhara Gujjar, and Sasthi Mondal, leading to a record for the highest successful chase in women’s List A cricket.
“The influence of the WPL on the improvement of strike rates is evident in our domestic matches, which is a major positive takeaway. Our cricketers are diligently focusing on enhancing their power-hitting skills and overall fielding. There are many areas they are working to improve every season, which is a positive development,” Harmanpreet elaborated.
The Mumbai Indians, winners of the WPL 2023, will kick off their 2025 season against the Delhi Capitals at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on February 15. Following the Vadodara matches, MI will compete in Bengaluru, Lucknow, and their home ground in Mumbai.
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Sports
Tim David Faces Criticism for Obscene Celebration against Mumbai Indians
IPL 2026 : In a dramatic IPL 2026 clash, Royal Challengers Bengaluru player Tim David has landed in controversy for allegedly making an obscene gesture after his team’s thrilling win against Mumbai Indians.
The incident took place during the 54th match of the Indian Premier League in Raipur. Batting first, Mumbai Indians scored 167 runs in 20 overs and set a competitive target for RCB.
While chasing the target, Royal Challengers Bengaluru needed 15 runs in the final over. The match went down to the last ball, where RCB required two runs for victory. Rasikh Dar helped the team secure a thrilling win in the final delivery.
Soon after the victory, Tim David, who was in the dugout, was seen allegedly showing his middle finger towards the Mumbai Indians camp during the celebrations. The video of the incident quickly went viral on social media and triggered criticism from cricket fans.
Reports suggest that match officials could take disciplinary action against the Australian batter. Under the ICC Code of Conduct, obscene or offensive gestures are considered a serious offence.
Such behaviour usually falls under Level 1 or Level 2 breaches of the ICC rules. Players found guilty can face fines ranging from 50 percent to 100 percent of their match fees. Demerit points may also be added to their disciplinary record. Repeated offences can even lead to suspension from matches.
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Similar incidents have happened in the past as well. In 2012, Virat Kohli was fined 50 percent of his match fee for showing the middle finger to spectators during a match in Sydney.
Cricket is widely known as a “gentleman’s game,” and players are expected to maintain discipline and respect on the field. Tim David’s celebration has now sparked debate among fans and experts about sportsmanship in modern cricket.
Sports
Pooran Super over Call Sparks Criticism
Sports: Lucknow Super Giants’ captain Rishabh Pant faced criticism after a failed Super Over decision against Kolkata Knight Riders. LSG sent Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram to bat, with Pooran on strike against Sunil Narine.
Pooran was bowled on the first ball, leading to heavy criticism from fans. Many questioned the decision, especially because Narine had earlier troubled Pooran in a past Super Over.
LSG coach Justin Langer defended the move. He said the team trusted Pooran as he has faced Narine many times and has a strong record against him. He added that teams must back their best players even in difficult moments.
Langer also said Pooran is one of the best T20 players in recent years but is currently low on confidence. He assured that the team is working hard to help him regain form
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Despite being at the bottom of the table, LSG remains hopeful. Langer said the team will use the break to improve and aim to win their remaining matches.
Sports
King Kohli Creates Two Records in One Match
Bengaluru: Virat Kohli made history in a match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium against Gujarat Titans. He achieved two big records in a single game.
Kohli became the first player in Indian Premier League history to hit 800 boundaries. He now has 807 fours. Shikhar Dhawan is second with 768, followed by David Warner and Rohit Sharma.
He also became the third player to hit 300 sixes in IPL. He reached this mark with his first six in the match. Chris Gayle leads with 357 sixes, while Rohit Sharma has 310.
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Kohli scored 81 runs from 44 balls. He hit 8 fours and 4 sixes. He won the Player of the Match award.
In the 2026 season, Kohli has scored 328 runs in 7 matches. He holds the Orange Cap and has three half-centuries.
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Since 2008, Kohli has played 274 IPL matches. He has scored 8,989 runs, including 8 centuries and 6 fifties. He also has 807 fours and 303 sixes.
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