Cricket now

Deepti Sharma. Image : X By Trisha Ghosal in Guwahati The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 began with a familiar Indian script — Deepti Sharma holding the innings together and then dismantling the opposition with the ball. On a sluggish Guwahati surface that demanded application and awareness, Deepti once again showcased why she remains India’s most reliable all-rounder.  India’s batting had its moments of stutter. After Smriti Mandhana departed early and the middle order wobbled against disciplined Sri Lankan bowling, it was Deepti who walked in with intent but without panic. She first found an ally in Amanjot Kaur, who, returning from injury, played within herself while Deepti rotated strike and picked gaps with precision. Their stand repaired India’s innings, shifting the scoreboard from a precarious crawl to steady progress. When Amanjot fell, Deepti’s task only grew harder. Sneh Rana joined her in the middle and together the pair stitched a partnership that combined ...

Pakistan Women cricket team (L) India Women Cricket team(R) Images : X Boria Majumdar I write this with India Women just having won their first World Cup game against Sri Lanka. While it was a modest start at best, in normal circumstances, a tricky game against Sri Lanka would have helped India get into groove. Pakistan, the next opponent, aren’t a serious challenger, and India would have experimented with a series of tough games to follow. Not now. Not anymore. The India-Pakistan game in Colombo will not be another cricket match. It will be a continuation of the Asia Cup, and the only thing that changes is the gender. From men to women – that’s the only change. There will be no handshakes, lots of off-field drama and – under the influence of Mohsin Naqvi – on-field antics can’t be ruled out either. Pakistan will do all they can to draw attention with these antics, and yet again, India will just want to get the job done before speaking up. On the field, India are miles ahead. M...

Deepti (PC:X) India all-rounder Deepti Sharma added another feather to her cap as she became the second-highest wicket-taker for India in Women’s ODIs. She achieved the feat by dismissing Kavisha Dilhari, who was caught by Richa Ghosh, during the first match of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 against Sri Lanka in Guwahati. Neetu David previously held this record. Over her 13-year career, David took 141 wickets at an average of 16.34. India’s Jhulan Goswami tops the chart as the highest wicket-taker in Women’s ODIs, with 255 wickets to her name at an average of 22.04. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first. Deepti’s 103-run partnership with Amanjot Kaur from 99 balls was instrumental in guiding India Women to 269/8 in their 47 overs. Deepti completed her 16th fifty in Women’s ODIs. Batting at No. 6, she played a composed innings, scoring 53 off 53 balls, including three fours, at a strike rate of 100. In addition to dismissing Dilhari, Deepti also removed Sri Lanka’s...

India kickstart their campaign with a win over Sri Lanka. (PC: X/BCCI Women) Snehasis Mukherjee in Guwahati India began their home ODI World Cup journey with a convincing 59-run win over Sri Lanka at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. They posted 269/8 in 47 overs, but with rain interruptions and the DLS method, Sri Lanka were given a revised target of 271 in 47 overs. The bowlers knew an early wicket was key, and Kranti Gaud delivered. In the seventh over, she removed Hasini Perera for 14. After that, skipper Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama built a steady 52-run stand for the second wicket. Athapaththu looked dangerous, especially against Deepti Sharma. She smashed the all-rounder for two sixes and two fours. But Deepti struck back, dismissing the Sri Lankan captain for 43 to turn the game. India tightened their grip with regular strikes. In back-to-back overs (23rd and 24th), Sri Lanka lost Samarawickrama (29 off 45) and Vishmi Gunaratne (11 off 28). Hopes then r...

Writer Ashok Namboodiri with Revsportz Team. Image :Revsportz Ashok Namboodiri in Dubai The Asia Cup 2025 was a test of resilience, discipline, and passion, not just for the cricketers, but for me as a reporter on the ground for RevSportz. Every day was a 12-hour marathon stitched together by micro-planning, relentless hustle, and a constant readiness to pounce on stories as they unfolded. My day often began at six with a cup of strong coffee, scanning through news wires, social media chatter, and WhatsApp groups that hummed with speculation. The politically charged atmosphere of this tournament meant that nothing could be taken for granted. Press conferences were rescheduled without notice, team buses got delayed, and a sudden social media post could derail a day’s plan if not anticipated. When I signed up for this assignment, I had no idea what to expect. I was naïve to the point of imagining this to be a free pass to watch every match at the press box. Little did I know that...

India_Sri_Lanka (PC: ICC) Snehasis Mukherjee in Guwahati The Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati is set to host the opening match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 on September 30 between India and Sri Lanka. Assam recently mourned the loss of one of its favourite sons, singer Zubeen Garg. Now, this World Cup could bring a fresh breath of hope. A 40-minute tribute in memory of the singer will take place before the toss. After that, all focus will shift when Harmanpreet Kaur and her team begin their journey towards glory, aiming to lift the trophy for the first time. Head-to-Head in ODIs Overall: 35 matches, India 31, Sri Lanka 3, No result 1 In India: 10 matches, India 9, Sri Lanka 1 In Women’s ODI World Cups: 5 matches, India 3, Sri Lanka 1, No result 1 Current form India The hosts recently lost an ODI series 1-2 against Australia at home. Before that, they enjoyed a long run of success in the 50-over format. Earlier this year, they beat Ireland 3-0 at hom...

Pandya (PC: X/ICC) India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has said he is very disappointed to have missed the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan. In a video posted by the BCCI, Pandya praised the Indian team for their outstanding performance, which secured them the title. “I was very gutted to miss the most important game, but the way the boys played was outstanding. They showed a lot of character,” said Pandya in the BCCI video. Although Pakistan set a modest target, the match still went down to the final over. Pandya added that such situations will help the team learn to handle pressure better in the future. “These games are going to help us in the long run, where we will be tested and put under pressure. The way we held our nerves was fantastic,” said Pandya. Abhishek Sharma was in destructive form throughout the tournament, amassing 314 runs at an average of 44.85. Pandya applauded his fearless approach. “Outstanding effort by Abhishek from the top – the way he played and the f...

Revsportz team with Suryakumar Yadav after the Ind vs Pak final. Image : Revsportz   Boria Majumdar in Dubai It was 3am Dubai time and Suryakumar Yadav had just finished eating some food when he walked into the room at the Taj where we had planned the interview. He had a chocolate cake in his hand and said to me, “ Dada, aap ke liye hai. Aaj to banta hai [This is for you. Today, it’s a must].” That was what started the conversation. And Surya did not hold back. “I will not lie to you,” he told me. “If you measured my heartbeat at that time, it would have been 150 plus [beats a minute]. At one point, from overs 11-12, I kept pacing up and down in the dressing room. I just couldn’t sit with all the tension. And I told the coaches: how can you deal with this? There was a lot of pressure.” That’s what India dealt with better. Even at 20-3, not once did the team lack belief. In fact, India were confident because they had the extra batter. “It was Gauti bhai ’s call,” said Sury...

Tilak top-scored in the final of the Asia Cup 2025. (PC: ACC) The hero of the nail-biting final, Tilak Varma, dedicated the win against Pakistan and the Asia Cup title to all Indians. Tilak’s remarks came after his 53-ball 69 helped India win their ninth Asia Cup trophy by defeating Pakistan in a last-over thriller by five wickets. “One of the most special knocks of my life. This is for all Indians,” said Tilak after winning the Player of the Match award. Having played most of his T20I innings at No. 3, Tilak was given a middle-order role in the Asia Cup. While he didn’t have a fixed batting position throughout the tournament, Tilak was prepared to do the job for his team at any number. “We have prepared for every position. You should be flexible. I was prepared to bat at any position. I was backing my game,” he added. Tilak forged a match-defining fifth-wicket partnership of 60 runs with Shivam Dube, who scored 33 off 22 deliveries in the run chase. From 77 for 4, this partner...

Tilak_Varma_and_Suryakumar_Yadav (PC: BCCI) Tilak V a rma was the star of the night as India defeated Pakistan to win the Asia Cup 2025 . It was the first-ever Asia Cup final between the arch-rivals . The left-hande d batter played a match-winning knock after India lost three early wickets . Undefeated until the final, India won by five wickets with two balls to spare. This thrilling match will be remembered for Tilak’s heroics under pressure and India’s strong tea m performance . Tilak anchored India’s chase and remained not out on 69 from 53 balls with three boundaries and four maximums . He also bowled one over where he conceded nine runs . Over the tournament, Tilak was one of India’s most consistent batter s. He finished with a to tal of 21 3 runs at an average of 71. 00 and strike rate of 131.48 . His best innings of the tournament came today at a crucial tim e. Pakistan had posted a total of 146 runs after losing wickets regul...