IND vs SL | BCCI announces revised schedule; Bangalore confirmed to host D/N Test

ICC announces Women's World Cup winner's prize money

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken a decision to double the prize money of the winners of the Women's World Cup. The winner will now receive a sum of $1.32 million and has also increased the overall prize money pot by 75%. The eight teams will get a share of $3.5 million. The team that will end as the runners-up will get $600,000 while the teams who will bow out in the semis will receive $300,000 each. Apart from this, the four other teams will get a sum of $70,000. The teams will also be rewarded $25,000 per win in the group stage. "This marks an increase in the prize money during the Women's Cricket World Cup for consecutive editions. The prize money between the 2013 and the 2017 edition witnessed a tenfold increase, going up from $200,000 to $2 million," an ICC statement said. The tournament will be played in a round-robin format with 28 games to be played and the four teams which will have the most points will advance ahead. "The matches will be played across six venues with the tournament opener taking place between hosts New Zealand and West Indies at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. The final will be played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on April 3," the statement added.

Tim Paine makes return in domestic cricketing circuit

Former Australia Test captain Tim Paine has returned to the domestic circuit - albeit in a coaching capacity. The wicketkeeper-batter has been out of the public eye since he decided to leave the leadership position at the Australian cricket team. Paine was caught in the dead centre of the lewd text controversy and chose to take an indefinite break from the national team. Considering that he was supposed to make a comeback in the Ashes series after his neck surgery, it is improbable that the 37-year-old will be able to break into the national team. However, Paine has never come out and deliberated on the same. Speaking to the press, interim Tasmania coach - the side Paine plays for the domestic circuit - stated that Paine has been helping out the Tasmania squad and he has been around the group for a while now. “...It's been great to have him around the group. It's been a nice little distraction for him, I guess, to spend some time with us. He's been great with our young players,” said the coach. Asked about Paine’s playing future, he stated that Paine has not thought that far ahead and is just enjoying his re-entry into the group.

'If you guys can keep quiet , he'll be alright' - Skipper Rohit comes to Kohli's aid

With India set to lock horns with the West Indies in a three-match T20I series, starting on Wednesday, captain Rohit Sharma addressed the media on the eve of the first match. Former skipper, Virat Kohli's form of late has been a matter of concern as the star India batter has not been in his groove. Criticism has been thrown away at the former India skipper as the dry spell continues to extend further. Pressure seems to be mounting on the batter, who was once termed as the 'Run-machine'. However, Rohit Sharma dismissed the questions surrounding Kohli's lean patch and suggested the media not to read too much into it. Speaking at the virtual press conference, Rohit backed Kohli and stated that his predecessor is in a great mental space. "I think it will start with you guys (media). If you guys can keep quite for a while, then Virat Kohli will be fine and everything will be taken care of. He is in a great mental space and he has been part of international cricket for more than a decade. When someone has spent such a long time in international cricket, they know how to handle pressure situations," Rohit replied when asked about Kohli in the virtual press conference. "I think it all starts from you guys, if you can keep it quiet for a bit, everything will fall in place," he continued. On Team's focus moving to International Cricket With the IPL 2022 mega auction now done and dusted, Rohit added that the team's focus is currently on international cricket and while playing for India, no emphasis will be given to the franchise-based competition. "It was understood that guys will go through ups and downs, some emotional feeling within themselves on which team they will play for in the IPL. But that was done the day before yesterday, we had a great meeting with everyone and we asked them to focus on the color blue for the next two weeks," the 34-year-old stated. "There's no consideration of IPL. What matters is where they are going to bat for India, not for their franchises. We will not focus on what will happen in IPL. We need to sort out things here and get it right. Guys have been spoken about what kind of roles they are expected. The mindset needs to be there about what fashion they will play in. They have been given clarity. It's up to them to adapt and get the maximum out of themselves," Rohit concluded.

You still haven’t got rid of your colonial mindset: Vanitha takes a dig at Isabelle Westbury

Commentator and Journalist Isabelle Westbury and Indian batter VR Vanitha were involved in a war of words after Isabelle took a dig at the Indian skipper, following the side's defeat in the second ODI against New Zealand in Queenstown. “Mithali Raj is both the best and worst thing about Indian cricket right now," Isabelle wrote on Twitter. “There is only the ‘BEST’ to it. Rather than worrying so much about Indian cricket, it will do you a world of good to worry about England. They were drubbed by the Aussies," Vanitha replied. Isabelle further added that she has all the right to have an opinion. She said: “Cool cool, I disagree. Surely that’s okay? Imo Mithali’s both one of best to have played but wholly unsuited to India’s progression. And I am surely allowed to hold that opinion? “And yes, believe me, I worry a lot about England. My most recent words on the subject, I believe.” Vanitha then pointed out how many international games had Isabelle played. She said: “Sorry just asking how many international games have you played? Didn’t find your stats on Wikipedia. You still haven’t got rid of your colonial mindset telling India what to do. Get yourself together Brit!!” Taling about the match, India had compiled a total of 270/6 in 50 overs after Mithali scored yet another fifty for the side. But courtesy, Amelia Kerr's unbeaten hundred, the New Zealand team chased down the target by 3 wickets and with one over to spare.