Jhulan Goswami broke the record for most wickets at the Women's World Cups, going past Australia's Lynn Fullston for the incredible feat. Goswami picked her 40th wicket of the tournament against the West Indies when she dismissed Anisa Mohammed on 2. The Indian pacer, who already holds the record for most wickets in women's ODIs, reached the feat in her 31st World Cup appearance. Among current players, Australia's Megan Schutt is the closest to Goswami with 27 wickets at the World Cups to her name. Jhulan, widely considered as one of the best pacers in women's cricket history, achieved the feat in the 36th over of the Windies innings when substitute fielder Taniya Bhatia picked an easy catch to dismiss Anisa Mohammed for West Indies' 9th wicket.
Gujarat Titans launch official team jersey
Gujarat Titans launched their official jersey at a function at the Narendra Modi Stadium last week. The jersey was launched by BCCI secretary Jay Shah. Titans head coach Ashish Nehra, director of cricket Vikram Solanki and captain Hardik Pandya were present on the occasion. Also in attendance were members of the Titans squad such as Wriddhiman Saha, Varun Aaron, Vijay Shankar, Yash Dayal, Darshan Nalkande, Abhinav Manohar and B Sai Sudharshan. Later, Pandya claimed his bowling would be a "surprise" element in the upcoming IPL. The pace bowling all-rounder, who struggled to manage his bowling workload post his back surgery, will return to action in the IPL since his last appearance for India in the T20 World Cup at Dubai on November 8. The Titans squad also includes Shubman Gill, Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan, Australia's Matthew Wade, pacer Mohammad Shami and New Zealand quick Lockie Ferguson.
MCG to host public farewell to Warne on March 30
Melbourne Cricket Ground will host his public farewell on March 30. Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed the MCG as the venue for a state memorial service to honor Warne, who died of a suspected heart attack last week in Thailand. He was 52. The family has announced it will hold a private funeral before the MCG service. "There's nowhere in the world more appropriate to farewell Warnie than the 'G," Andrews tweeted. The MCG was the stage of Warne's famous Ashes hat trick in 1994 and his 700th test wicket on Boxing Day in 2006 during his final series before retiring from international cricket. He was born and raised in Melbourne.
Gujarat’s Shubangi named in India squad
Attacking midfielder Shubangi Singh was named in the 23-member Indian squad for the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-18 Women’s Championship 2022 at Jamshedpur from March 15-25. The 15-year-old Shubangi hails from South Gujarat’s Tapi district and trains at the Sports Authority of Gujarat’s (SAG) academy in Himmatnagar. Hailing her selection, Gujarat State Football Association (GSFA) secretary Mulrajsinh Chudasama said, “Congratulations to Shubangi Singh selected to represent India in the SAFF U-18 Women’s Championship 2022. . . Proud of your performance.” He further said, “She is amongst the youngest in the squad and the future star of Indian football.” Last year, Shubangi was named in the India probables camp for the U-17 Women’s World Cup, which will be held later this year in India. Two other footballers from Gujarat - Lavanya Verma and Shilpa Thakor were also included in the camp.
Ankita-Rutuja win title in Bendigo
India’s top-ranked women’s tennis player Ankita Raina and her partner Rutuja Bhosale bounced back after losing the opening set to win the ITF W$25k doubles title at Bendigo, Austral ia, last week. Ankita and Rutuja defeated Polish-Australian pair of Weronika Falkowska and Alexandra Bozovic 4-6, 6-3, 10-4. The Indian pair hit three aces and crucially won 60% first serve points compared to the solitary ace and 53% first serve points won by the Polish-Australian pair. En route to their triumph, Ankita and Rutuja broke their opponents’ serve five times from the five chances they received and saved two break points they faced on their service. Ankita-Rutuja pair, who were recently named in the Indian team for the Billie Jean King Cup, had won their previous three matches without losing a set but began their quest for the title in a unconvincing manner, losing a close opening set.
IndianOil gives jobs to 9 women’s hockey stars
State-run IndianOil inducted into its rolls nine stars of the Indian women’s hockey squad, becoming the first corporate in the country to encourage women’s hockey as part of a policy. The players inducted by India’s largest oil refiner and fuel retailer are Suman Devi Thoudam, Rajwinder Kaur, Rashmita Minz, Sharmila Devi, Ishika Chaudhary, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Deepika, Baljeet Kaur and Akshata Dhekale. The players are from Haryana, Punjab, Manipur, Odisha and Maharashtra and have played in international tournaments, including the Tokyo Olympics and Asian Champions Trophy. IndianOil chairman SM Vaidya handed over the appointment letters in the presence of Federation of International Hockey president Narinder Dhruv Batra, who also heads the Indian Olympic Association.
Ireland pacer Josh Little to join CSK as net bowler
Ireland pacer Josh Little has been roped in by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as a net bowler for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. “Congrats to Josh Little who is heading off on a development opportunity with the Chennai Super Kings in the early stages of the upcoming IPL. The experience as a net bowler for CSK should be fantastic,” Cricket Ireland tweeted. The BCCI had announced the schedule for IPL 2022.
