Athapaththu took three wickets and there was one run-out in the 50th over as Bangladesh lost five wickets in their last nine balls

Madushka Balasuriya20-Oct-2025

Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images

A tournament lacking in genuine tight finishes has now produced two in two days, as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka played out a low-scoring thriller in Navi Mumbai. But in truth this game should have never got to that stage, as Bangladesh nursed their chase of 203 only to stumble at the last and fall to a seven-run defeat. The result means, Bangladesh are eliminated from semi-final contention, while Sri Lanka live to fight another day.This was a chase that Sri Lanka were behind for around 48 overs, but in a tantalising final dash they picked up five wickets and gave away two runs off the final nine deliveries, as Bangladesh were unable to close out a game that they had controlled for large parts.Madara pulled up

Sri Lanka’s Malki Madara has been reprimanded for breaching Level 1 of the ICC’s code of conduct during the match against Bangladesh on Monday. Madara was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the code, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an international match.”
The incident in question took place in the 11th over of Bangladesh’s innings when Madara, after dismissing Fargana Hoque, celebrated “excessively in close proximity to the batter”.
In addition, one demerit point has been added to Madara’s disciplinary record – it was her first offence in a 24-month period.

The final scorecard will read that Chamari Athapaththu picked up figures of 4 for 42, but three of those came in a game-stealing final over, where Bangladesh lost four wickets off the first four deliveries – a run-out in the middle ensuring it wasn’t an Athapaththu hat-trick.Up until then Nigar Sultana had anchored the chase, if not expertly then at least safely. Her 77 off 98 came mostly as part of two major partnerships – the first 82 off 120 with Sharmin Akhter and the second 50 off 58 with Shorna Akter – during which Sri Lanka were like passengers aboard a rudderless ship, just merely on for the ride.To stick with the analogy, this was not a ship moving particularly swiftly. With a pretty chaseable target of 203 on the board, Bangladesh were guilty of being overly cautious – perhaps bearing in mind their poor batting efforts earlier in the tournament – as they inched along.On a pitch, not offering much for the many spinners they picked, Sri Lanka were resigned to simply keeping things tight, unable to really impose themselves on the game with the ball until the dying moments when everything seemed to happen all at once.Hasini Perera scored her first ODI half-century•Getty Images

Earlier however, it was Sri Lanka who had been slowed to a crawl, after a stunning mid-innings collapse had halted them. Hasini Perera struck a maiden international fifty in her 143rd match, a shining light (85 off 99) in and otherwise disjointed batting effort and was one of only three batters – Athapaththu (46) and Nilakshika Silva (37) the other two – to reach double-digits.Both Athapaththu and Hasini brought up milestones – 4000 and 1000 ODI runs, respectively – during their knock as well, while Hasini was eventually named Player of the Match.Shorna once more proved decisive – despite only being introduced at the halfway point of the innings – as she picked up figures of 3 for 27, including the crucial wickets of both Hasini and Nilakshika. The rest of the wickets were spread out, with only Ritu Moni going wicketless.Bangladesh were sloppy in the field, missing several chances, including run-outs and stumpings, but they were also spot on with their reviews. Despite this, Sri Lanka had at several points been on the up – in control, even. There was the 72-run stand between Athapaththu and Hasini after the fall of that first wicket, which had Sri Lanka romping along at nearly run-a-ball.Related

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On a wicket with few demons, Athapaththu’s 46 off 43 included six fours and two sixes. For the most part she looked unfazed by what Bangladesh threw at her so when she was trapped lbw by one that snuck past her forward defence, it was against the run of play.After this point Sri Lanka were both unfortunate and architects of their own demise. A fledgling partnership of 15 between Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini was brought to an end after the former called for a non-existent second run and found herself a metre short.If that was self-inflicted, the next wicket was pure unadulterated bad luck. Kavisha Dilhari chopped an attempted cut into the ground, as the ball promptly bounced past the stumps, struck keeper Sultana, and bobbled on to the stumps. Bangladesh went about their business after this, the fielders even getting back into their positions, but the third umpire was alert and used the Smart Replay system in effect at this tournament to inform the on-field umpires of a possible stumping.And as it turned out, Dilhari’s back foot had momentarily lifted off the ground as she searched for balance. It was in that moment the bails had lit up – a fitting tribute to the Diwali celebrations around the stadium.As Bangladesh celebrated wildly, Sri Lanka had suddenly stumbled from 72 for 1 to 100 for 4, a worrying blip with them being a batter light after replacing allrounder Piumi Wathsala with seamer Udeshika Prabodani. Thankfully for the Lankans, in Hasini and Nilakshika they had the exact counterattacking pair the occasion called for.Shorna Akter ran through Sri Lanka’s middle order•ICC/Getty Images

Together they strung a 74-run stand off just 75 deliveries. It was a period in which batting seemed the easiest, with both players finding boundaries with regularity. If there was one criticism – and this would be one across Sri Lanka’s innings – it would be their lack of strike rotation.Despite the pair hitting nine boundaries (including three sixes) across their partnership lasting a shade over 12 overs, they were unable to usher in a run rate above six an over. This was a problem that would plague Bangladesh’s innings as well, later on.Perhaps it was their awareness of the lack of batting to follow that kept them in check, but it was unusual to see so many tossed up deliveries of spin dead-batted away. As it transpired, Nilakshika’s innings came to an end prematurely, as she shanked an on-side heave off Shorna to short third.This wicket proved to be a catalyst for Sri Lanka’s most devastating collapse, losing their next three wickets for just eight runs – Shorna getting two of them.From then on, Sri Lanka’s innings slowed to a trickle as they sought to bat time, before eventually being bowled out with eight deliveries remaining. Their final 103 balls saw 28 runs scored and six wickets fall, a feat somehow surpassed by Bangladesh.

Another international break is coming to an end, and Arsenal have yet more injuries to contend with.

On the annoying but manageable side of things, Kai Havertz will be out for a little longer after Julian Nagelsmann confirmed he had suffered a minor relapse with his knee injury.

However, the far more worrying development is that, following initial scans, Gabriel Magalhães is set to miss at least a month of action due to the groin injury he picked up playing at the Emirates for Brazil.

Thankfully, Mikel Arteta has several defenders he can call on to replace him at the back, and just maybe, Arsenal also have another international star who could pick up the slack at set-pieces and become Nicolas Jover’s new go-to man.

Arsenal's potential Gabriel replacements

Now, it should really go without saying, but losing Gabriel is a massive blow for Arsenal, as not only is he an incredible player, but a real leader.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

With that said, unlike in seasons past, Arteta does have the defensive backup to help minimise the impact of his absence and a few ways to rearrange the backline.

One solution to the problem could be to move Riccardo Calafiori in from left-back and start either Myles Lewis-Skelly or Piero Hincapie on the left.

This is the approach the manager took in pre-season, while Gabriel was recovering from the injury that ended his campaign last season.

However, while the Italian is more than capable of doing this, it would mean taking away the license he’s had to roam wherever he pleases so far this season, which in turn would make the attack far more predictable and therefore less potent.

So, another solution could be to move Hincapie into the back two alongside Saliba.

However, while this could be a solution further into the season, the Ecuadorian is still somewhat of an unknown quantity, having played just 170 minutes for the club and started one game at centre-back.

Therefore, the best bet for Arteta would surely be starting Cristhian Mosquera.

The young Spaniard has already played 597 minutes for the team this season, almost entirely at centre-back, and was brilliant against Liverpool and then Nottingham Forest there.

In all, there are options to cover the defensive deficit Gabriel’s injury will bring, but there might also be a way to cover the attacking side of his game that’ll be missed.

Jover's new Gabriel

While Gabriel certainly has the ability to influence the attacking side of the game from open play, it’s no great secret that he is phenomenal when it comes to set-pieces.

Just this season alone, he has scored twice and provided three assists, which would be a great return for an attacker, let alone a centre-back.

Therefore, his absence from the team could seriously hinder Arsenal’s potency in dead-ball situations, unless Arteta starts using Mikel Merino more often. After all, he has been described as an “aerial duel monster” by Como scout Ben Mattinson.

While there are certainly other players who could chip in more from set-pieces like Saliba, Calafiori and maybe even Viktor Gyokeres when he’s fit again, it’s the Spaniard who could become Jover’s new star.

After all, while he’s certainly not the best player in the team, the former Real Sociedad star has proven beyond all reasonable doubt over the course of the year that he knows how to score a goal.

Appearances

44

16

Starts

29

9

Minutes

2635′

820′

Goals

9

3

Assists

5

1

For example, since the turn of the year, he has put the ball in the back of the net 19 times and provided seven assists for club and country, which is truly an incredible return and more than justifies Arsenal writer Adam Keys calling him “a magnet in the box.”

More than that, though, plenty of those goals have either been one-touch finishes or headers, which is generally how someone scores from a set-piece.

Now, this doesn’t mean Arteta has to start the 29-year-old game-changer in every match, but when the team are chasing a goal, this goalscoring ability should see him become one of the first names off the bench.

Ultimately, losing Gabriel is a huge blow, but with their defensive depth and the prospect of Merino becoming Jover’s new set-piece king, Arsenal should be alright.

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The Philadelphia Phillies already boast one of MLB's best starting pitching rotations, and that five-man group is set to welcome another member in the coming days.

Manager Rob Thomson told reporters today that Aaron Nola will be making his return to the Phillies after missing the last three months with an ankle injury and a subsequent stress fracture to his ribs.

Nola is set to make his return to the rotation on Sunday against the Nationals, and Thomson informed reporters that Philadelphia will go with a six-man pitching rotation for the time being, via ESPN. He didn't specify how long that would last, though he said the team will go through the rotation "once, for sure" and reassess after that.

Given the performance of their starting pitchers this season, it's a move that makes plenty of sense. The Phillies have two Cy Young candidates in Zack Wheeler and Cristopher Sanchez, and four starters––Wheeler, Sanchez, Ranger Suarez and Jesus Luzardo––with a bWAR of 2.4 or greater. Taijuan Walker has also been a solid rotation member since returning to starting duties, and he owns a 3.05 ERA over his last five starts.

It's not a bad problem to have, as the Phillies map out their pitching plans for the remainder of the season. Getting a sixth man in the rotation will allow all of the starters to get a bit more rest, which could prove valuable down the stretch run of the season.

Nola had uncharacteristically struggled before landing on the IL. The 32-year-old had a 6.16 ERA in his first nine starts, and had surrendered 11 home runs in 49 2/3 innings. After a lengthy spell on the shelf, he'll hope to return to his previous form as he gets back to the mound.

Tottenham Hotspur fans have entered the 2025/26 campaign with huge expectations, especially after the Europa League triumph against Manchester United at the end of May.

The Lilywhites ended their 17-year wait for a trophy in Bilbao, which has no doubt cranked the pressure up on Thomas Frank after he took the reins from Ange Postecoglou during the off-season.

He completed four deals of his own during his maiden summer in North London, with his arrivals racking up over £100m spent to help improve the options at the Dane’s disposal.

The likes of Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons made the move to join the Lilywhites, with the pair helping the side sit in fifth-place in the Premier League at present.

However, Frank will no doubt want to further bolster his squad in the upcoming January transfer window to improve the club’s chances of finishing in the Champions League places once again.

Numerous players have been strongly touted with a switch to North London, but one name has been continuously been mentioned over the last couple of weeks.

The latest on Semenyo's move to Spurs in January

Over the last couple of days, Spurs have been named as one of numerous Premier League clubs in the hunt to land a deal for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo in January.

The 25-year-old has been one of the division’s biggest talents in the 2025/26 campaign, with the Ghanian already scoring six times and registering three assists in his 11 appearances.

Such a tally of nine combined goals and assists is the second-highest of any player in the division, with only Erling Haaland notching more at this stage of the season.

Over the last couple of days, it’s become apparent that the winger could be available in the upcoming transfer window, with the Cherries potentially powerless to losing their starman.

It’s been reported that Semenyo has a £65m release clause which becomes active in the winter market, with Spurs just one side currently interested in a move for his signature.

The likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool also remain keen on a deal for the attacker, but it’s unclear who is leading the race for his signature.

However, it would be yet another huge investment by Frank, especially after splashing upwards of £50m on two different additions during the recent summer window.

A deal for Semenyo would also be a joint-club record, with such a fee matching the price paid for Dominic Solanke after his own switch to North London from Bournemouth back in 2024.

If the club are to afford such a deal in the coming months, the club will likely have to offload numerous first-team players to help balance the books in the process.

How Spurs can fund the Semenyo move

Over the years, Spurs have spent big on numerous players across various areas of the pitch in an attempt to try and battle for Premier League supremacy.

The hierarchy have spent upwards of £400m in the last couple of years to back various managers, but their investment has often been wasted on numerous players who have failed to match the demands in North London.

Tanguy Ndombele is arguably the biggest example, after the hierarchy forked out a reported £63m for the Frenchman’s signature back in the summer of 2019.

He only made a total of 91 appearances for the Lilywhites over a five-year spell, before being released and returning to his homeland to join Nice back in the summer of 2024.

Frank’s current squad also does boast numerous big-money additions, with the centre-back partnership of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero costing nearly £100m combined.

However, the pair have been worth every penny in North London, with the partnership helping the Dane’s side keep the fourth-best defensive record in the division at present.

However, not all the club’s big-money investments have paid off in recent years, with Richarlison one player who has massively struggled to match expectations at the club.

The Brazilian joined the Lilywhites for a reported £60m back in the summer of 2022, with such a move raising the eyebrows of many supporters given the nature of the transfer fee.

In the three and a half years since such a move, the 28-year-old has racked up a total of 108 appearances for the first-team, only finding the back of the net on 24 occasions.

This season alone, Richarlison has massively struggled to match the levels many expect of him, with the club desperately needing to move the former Everton man on in the near future.

He’s often been ineffective in numerous matches, as seen by his average of 22.3 touches per 90 this season, with the Brazilian only notching 10 touches in 90 mins against Bodo Glimt in the Champions League.

Other figures, such as a 50% dribble success rate and just 42% aerials won in the Premier League to date, showcase his poor all-round quality at the top end of the pitch.

As a result of his disappointing displays in recent months, Gabriel Agbonlahor stated that he believes the Brazilian is “one of the worst signings in Premier League history”.

Games played

11

Goals scored

4

Pass accuracy

63%

Dribble success

50%

Aerials won

42%

Big chances missed

5

Fouls committed

1.5

Touches per 90

22

The manager will no doubt want added quality in the final third, as seen by their move for Semenyo, but they will likely need to move Richarlison on to generate the funds needed to land the Ghanaian.

However, Richarlison has been subject to interest in recent months, with MLS outfit Orlando City FC already registering interest in a potential transfer for the striker.

Frank and the hierarchy will certainly need to jump at the rumoured interest, with this window one of the last opportunities to get some of their £60m investment back.

If the club want to land Semenyo, a sale of the Brazilian is desperately needed, with all parties needing a fresh start, which could help secure a move for the Bournemouth star in the process.

Spurs already have their answer to Semenyo out on loan & he's "like Son"

Spurs could save themselves from having to dip into the transfer market for Antoine Semenyo…

ByRobbie Walls Nov 19, 2025

South Africa’s wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta has welcomed the change in venue – they have moved to Indore – after being skittled for 69 against England in Guwahati on Saturday. South Africa will meet New Zealand in Indore on Monday, nearly a year after the teams had faced each other in the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Dubai. New Zealand have already played a game in Indore in this World Cup.”We always knew coming into a tournament like this, games like this happen,” Jafta said. “Because it’s such a long tournament, we just have to accept what has happened. Laura [Wolvaardt] capped it off nicely and said, we don’t become a bad batting unit overnight. Obviously, homework was done, and now we’re just looking forward to the next one.”We had to leave the town [Guwahati] behind us. When you look and you’re coming into Indore, the people have been fantastic. For us, it’s like a fresh perspective. We saw the first game they had – it was a high-scoring day. For us as a batting unit, it’s just to knuckle down and bat. Don’t think too much about the outcome. Just take it one ball at a time.”Related

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While Jafta admitted that South Africa had erred with their approach against England, she said her team “won’t dwell’ on the batting collapse.”We were a bit rushed,” Jafta said. “We weren’t really present in that moment. When I went back, I realised I wasn’t really present in the delivery I went out. It wasn’t a good day, but we won’t dwell on it. We’ve got another opportunity.”That opportunity comes against a New Zealand side, which is also coming off a defeat, against Australia. Jafta said that South Africa will not underestimate New Zealand whom they have not faced in an ODI since October 2023.”You have the likes of Amelia Kerr, Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine – players who’ve been playing for a really long time,” she said. “But also, you’re not underestimating your Georgia Plimmer, your [Maddy] Greens, your Izzy Gaze – she came off. For us as a bowling unit, it’s about being very disciplined in how we go about our things.”Laura Wolvaardt tunes up for the match against New Zealand in Indore•ICC via Getty Images

Execution, Jafta said, will be crucial, something the team has focused on during their recent tours of the subcontinent. South Africa won a T20I series 2-1 in Pakistan before the World Cup and took part in a tri-series involving India and Sri Lanka in Colombo, where they lost three out of four matches, in May.”We’ve been playing in these conditions – it’s nothing new,” she said. “I always make a joke, we’ve probably faced all of these deliveries in net sessions. Why can’t we just go into a game and execute? We had a blowout, but we’ve got New Zealand ahead of us.”We know that when it comes to being tactical, they [New Zealand] are probably high up there, so we have to bring in full intensity. Coach has said, ‘Leave everything behind. Tomorrow is another opportunity.’ A lot of different individuals will put up their hands in tomorrow’s game.”

He remains under observation in a Sydney hospital after suffering the injury during the third ODI against Australia

Shashank Kishore27-Oct-2025 • Updated on 28-Oct-2025

Shreyas Iyer is helped off the ground after taking a pain-causing catch to dismiss Alex Carey•Cricket Australia/Getty Images

India batter Shreyas Iyer remains under observation in a Sydney hospital after being treated for a lacerated spleen. While there is no clear timeline yet for his discharge, Shreyas is in a stable condition.”Shreyas Iyer sustained a blunt injury to his abdomen, resulting in a laceration of his spleen with internal bleeding on 25th October during the third ODI against Australia,” a statement from BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said on Tuesday.”The injury was promptly identified, and the bleeding was immediately arrested. His condition is now stable, and he continues to be under observation. A repeat scan done on Tuesday, 28th October, has shown significant improvement, and Shreyas is on the road to recovery. The BCCI Medical Team, in consultation with specialists in Sydney and India, will continue to monitor his progress.”The BCCI’s previous statement, on Monday, had said Shreyas was “under treatment, medically stable, and recovering well”.Shreyas suffered the injury upon impact after he took a catch running backwards from point to dismiss Alex Carey during India’s third ODI against Australia in Sydney. He immediately clutched his rib cage and signalled for medical attention.Related

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Shreyas was taken off the field and did not return for the remainder of Australia’s innings. At the time, the BCCI issued a brief statement that said their medical team had taken him to the hospital for “further evaluation and assessment”. As things stand, it’s unclear as to when Shreyas can return to play.A member of BCCI’s medical team remains in Sydney with Shreyas, even as the other ODI specialists left Australia on Sunday. Those part of the T20I squad have departed for Canberra, where India had their first training session on Monday.”Just by looking from the outside, when he held the catch, we felt that it was normal,” Suryakumar said about Shreyas ahead of the first T20I. “Those who were there told us that after going inside [the dressing room], it felt that he needed careful attention. Then he was rushed to the specialist, and then they told that he’s suffered this injury.”Only when he started talking normally then it felt like he is getting a little better now. The doctors and physios said that it was unfortunate and very rare. This almost never happens. But Shreyas is also a rare talent. But it’s okay, God has supported him, he is recovering really well, doctors are supporting him. He will recover soon, and then we will take him home with us.”India won the third ODI by nine wickets, but lost the three-match series 2-1 after going down in the first two games in Perth and Adelaide.The five-match T20I series gets underway on October 29 in Canberra, followed by matches in Melbourne and Hobart. Shreyas isn’t part of the T20I squad. India next play an ODI series against South Africa, which begins on November 30 in Ranchi.smallOctober 28, GMT 1345 The story was updated after the BCCI sent out its second update on Shreyas’ condition.

Maxwell was struck on the right wrist by a Mitch Owen straight drive while bowling in the nets and will likely miss the India series in late October

Alex Malcolm30-Sep-2025Australia have suffered another injury blow with Glenn Maxwell ruled out of the T20I series against New Zealand with a fractured right wrist after being hit by a Mitchell Owen straight drive while bowling in the nets in Mount Maunganui.Maxwell has been sent home and will see a specialist in the coming days. It is understood Australia’s medical staff are expecting a relatively quick recovery but he will be in doubt for the five-match home T20I series against India which begins on October 29. He would be more likely to be fit for the start of the BBL in mid-December subject to the advice from the specialist. It adds to a wretched run of injuries for Maxwell dating back to the broken leg in 2022.Sydney Sixers and New South Wales wicketkeeper-batter Josh Philippe has been called up. Philippe was close to being inclided when Josh Inglis was ruled out with a calf injury but Alex Carey was selected ahead of him.Related

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Philippe is not a like for like replacement for Maxwell, but Australia needed an option to cover Carey if he got injured on the morning of the match as they had only one keeper in the original squad and Maxwell was set to be Australia’s unlikely short term fallback to keep in that scenario.Maxwell’s injury further complicates Australia’s planning towards the 2026 T20 World Cup with the next eight games seen as a key block to bed down their best XI. Australia are now missing two of their most dynamic and versatile batters in Inglis and Maxwell for the series against New Zealand. They are also missing Cameron Green who has remained home to play Sheffield Shield cricket in the lead-up to the Ashes and he will also miss the T20I series against India in order to prioritise his Ashes preparation.Pat Cummins will miss both series due to the hot spot in his back while Nathan Ellis is also missing the New Zealand series for the birth of his first child.Maxwell is also the first-choice fifth bowler in Australia’s line-up and was set to match-up against New Zealand’s left-handers. Matt Short is on return from injury having missed the past two series against West Indies and South Africa and will be needed to bowl some overs. Marcus Stoinis also returns to the squad and will be capable of bowling the overs that Green was unable to in the previous two series.Captain Mitch Marsh is unlikely to bowl again in the short term and remains an unknown as far as bowling goes for the World Cup. Australia is also keen to continue to develop Travis Head’s offspin in the shortest form. He has a decent ODI record with the ball but has only bowled six overs in T20I cricket in 41 matches and none in his last 24 dating back to April 2022.Josh Philippe last played for Australia in 2023•Associated Press

Philippe returns to Australia’s T20I set-up for the first time since 2023 having come off an impressive tour of India with Australia A where he scored 123 not out, 39 and 50 in the two unofficial Tests against India A in Lucknow. But while his red-ball form has been strong in recent years for Australia A, his T20 returns have not been as prolific for Sixers in the BBL.He has made just one half-century across the last two BBL seasons and has struck at under 130 across 24 innings in that time. He has only two scores above 13 in 12 T20Is striking at just 109.48.Australia preferred Carey because of his ability to play as a finisher in a rejigged line-up despite replacing Inglis who is the permanent No. 3. Philippe has opened in half his T20I innings and never batted lower than No. 4. He has only batted lower than No. 4 10 times in his domestic T20 career but has not done so since 2020.

India have also run Australia close in some high-stakes T20 clashes in recent years but to take them down in ODIs will require a sustained top-level performance

Vishal Dikshit11-Oct-20251:14

Rana: India’s batting ‘not a major concern’

Big picture: The most-awaited clashBatting collapses and low totals on slow pitches, catches put down, questionable umpiring decisions, mostly one-sided matches…if there is a contest the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 needed to kick it alive and make it a blockbuster spectacle, it’s India vs Australia. Australia clean-swept the Women’s Ashes earlier this year, winning all seven games across formats. India have won all 12 of their ODIs against Pakistan. As a result, the face-off between India and Australia has the makings of an epic on the biggest stage.All 15,087 tickets have been sold out for India vs Australia – obviously scheduled for a Sunday – and the ACA-VDCA Stadium’s near-26,000 capacity is set to break the record for the highest attendance at an ICC women’s T20I or ODI World Cup league match, current held by the ACA Stadium in Guwahati, which had a crowd of 22,843 in the opening game of this World Cup.As the competition nears its halfway stage, India have a lot at stake. While both teams have stumbled their way to Visakhapatnam after collapses in all their respective games, it cost India two points when their five bowling options and the batting-friendly conditions couldn’t put the brakes on South Africa and Nadine de Klerk.India’s concerns don’t stop at their five bowlers though; their top five, especially the senior trio of Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues, is yet to fire, the fielding hasn’t been as good as it can be and their batters have been perishing to left-arm spinners more than anyone else this tournament, with 12 dismissals in three innings.The washout against Sri Lanka aside, Australia also collapsed in their two outings, but even 128 for 5 and 76 for 7 weren’t enough to keep them down, as Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney reminded us of their depth and quality with their centuries. In their recent bilateral series against India, they did however get bowled out for 190 in the second game, and the high-scoring decider also gave a glimpse of how oppositions could create chances against the world champions.India have also run Australia close in some high-stakes T20 clashes in recent years – the Commonwealth Games 2022 final, the 2023 T20 World Cup semi-final and last year’s T20 World Cup league match. But to take Australia down in ODIs will require a sustained top-level performance from India, which they haven’t come close to so far.Form guideIndia LWWLW (last five completed games, most recent first)
Australia WWWLWIn the spotlight: Tahlia McGrath and Harmanpreet KaurYou wouldn’t normally expect a big score from a No. 7 now and then but Australia have collapsed in three of their last four outings, which have given Tahlia McGrath the overs to go out and chip in with notable contributions. When Australia were reeling against New Zealand and Pakistan, she walked out in the 22nd and 16th over respectively but chipped catches to midwicket and extra cover for 26 and a 20-ball 5 which might put some pressure on her. “I’m hoping I don’t have to play much of a role with the bat…” she had joked before their opening game in Indore and even though Australia wouldn’t want another collapse, McGrath will hope more runs come off her bat soon.All eyes will be on Harmanpreet Kaur during the match against Australia•Getty Images

There won’t be as many eyes on anyone as there will be on Harmanpreet Kaur on Sunday. The wrecker-in-chief of the historic 2017 semi-final, which made India – and perhaps other teams – believe that Australia are also mortal in World Cups, that too in knockouts, will be itching to get a big one against the world champions after her 9, 19 and 21 in this campaign so far. Even in the bilaterals recently, she scored over 20 just once in three outings, although that came soon after her seventh ODI century, in England. A sell-out crowd in Visakhapatnam will keep their fingers crossed that there’s another big score coming on Sunday.Team news: Will Molineux return to Australia’s XI?The batting conditions in Visakhapatnam and the loss to South Africa will make India wonder if they need to bolster their attack of five bowlers. But they will need to drop a batter for that and their batting has been stuttering anyway, which makes the solution far from straightforward.India (probable): 1 Smriti Mandhana, 2 Pratika Rawal, 3 Harleen Deol, 4 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), 5 Jemimah Rodrigues, 6 Deepti Sharma, 7 Richa Ghosh (wk), 8 Amanjot Kaur, 9 Sneh Rana, 10 Kranti Gaud, 11 Shree CharaniWill Australia bring back Sophie Molineux?•Getty Images

Australia would have kept their eyes on how India lost wickets to left-arm spinners every game and will be tempted to bring in Sophie Molineux for that reason after she missed their last match, against Pakistan.Australia (probable): 1 Alyssa Healy (capt & wk), 2 Phoebe Litchfield, 3 Ellyse Perry, 4 Beth Mooney, 5 Annabel Sutherland, 6 Ashleigh Gardner, 7 Tahila McGrath, 8 Georgia Wareham/Sophie Molineux, 9 Kim Garth, 10 Alana King, 11 Megan SchuttPitch and conditionsVisakhapatnam offered runs, swing in the afternoon and under lights, and turn as well as the game progressed between India and South Africa. That match was delayed by an hour because of rain, but there is none in forecast for Sunday. The maximum temperature is set to be around 32 degrees, albeit with plenty of humidity like it has been at most venues this World Cup. There was dew in the evening in India’s game against South Africa here, which could affect the teams’ decision at the toss.Stats and trivia Even though Mandhana has been scratchy against swing in the World Cup so far, it will be interesting to see if Australia bring on Ashleigh Gardner in the powerplay. Out of the nine times Gardner has removed Madhana in T20s, eight have been in the powerplay. But in ODIs, Mandhana has fallen to Gardner just twice in the powerplay in 57 balls. Overall, Mandhana has scored 148 runs off 132 balls off Gardner in ODIs, and been dismissed five times The new-ball contest of Gaud vs Healy is one to watch out for. Gaud, just 10 ODIs old, has dismissed Healy three times in 35 balls while conceding 39 runs for an average of just 13 Mandhana needs just 58 more runs to 5000 in ODIs Mooney needs another 93 runs to reach the 3000 mark in ODIs Deepti Sharma is three away from 150 wickets in ODIsQuotes”We’ve seen Australia’s style for many years; they always play aggressively. But our plans are also clear. Whatever we’ve discussed in our meetings, we’ve made our strategies, and we hope to give a positive start tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I think that’s what makes this World Cup so unique, is that you don’t get an opportunity to settle.”

The India quick bowled for close to an hour during Tuesday’s optional practice session

Nagraj Gollapudi08-Jul-2025

Jasprit Bumrah had a lively training session at Lord’s on Tuesday•PA Photos/Getty Images

Old ball or new ball was the question from India bowling coach Morne Morkel. “I’ll definitely take the new ball,” Jasprit Bumrah said as he searched for the right one out of the Dukes box. A few minutes later Bumrah was appealing animatedly on bent knees, raising both hands, having induced what looked like an outside edge from Karun Nair with a delivery that seamed away viciously from good length.Bumrah last bowled on June 24, the final afternoon of the first Test at Headingley. He bowled 43.4 overs in that Test, picking up a five-for in the first innings and going wicketless in the second. Having been advised to play only three out of the five Tests in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy due to his back issues, Bumrah opted out of the second Test in Birmingham. That decision received heavy flak as critics feared India could go down 2-0 with England taking advantage of an inexperienced bowling attack.With those fears not coming true and India drawing level with a dominant victory, Shubman Gill’s team arrived for their first training session at Lord’s on Tuesday wearing a relaxed look. None more so than Bumrah, who has been chirpy and playful right from the first day of the tour. After observing Nitish Kumar Reddy delivering an outswinger at good pace, Bumrah quipped “good one, Brett Lee.” At one point Shardul Thakur would bow towards Bumrah’s feet as if he was paying obeisance as the pair shared a light moment.

Bumrah's ready to return at Lord's pic.twitter.com/ZEoT5jiRhw

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