2 months ago
India's search for consistency in T20I cricket will continue with a three-match series against Afghanistan, but the team's batting combination could once again come under scrutiny, particularly with vice-captain Tilak Varma's role yet to appear fully settled.
India, led by Shreyas Iyer, endured a difficult run following their second consecutive T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year. The team lost all six of its T20Is against Ireland and England before finally putting together a 3-0 clean sweep against Zimbabwe.
The Afghanistan series begins on September 13 (Saturday), with India also scheduled to play a historic T20I against ******* an before featuring in the Asian Games 2026.
With several established batters competing for places, former South Africa star AB de Villiers believes India could face a selection headache, particularly when it comes to deciding where Tilak Varma fits into the batting order.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, de Villiers pointed to the number of batting options available to India and questioned how the team would accommodate its vice-captain.
"There will definitely be some selection issues with regard to the batters. Obviously, Shreyas, captain, Ishan Kishan, Samson, Sooryavanshi, and then there are all-rounders, Tilak Varma; I think that's where the balance is quite tricky. Where will he bat?" de Villiers said.
Tilak's recent numbers also underline why his position could become a talking point.
Since the 2026 T20 World Cup, the left-hander has scored 255 runs from 10 innings at a strike rate of 159.36, with three scores of 50 or more. However, the numbers need some context. One of those half-centuries came during the recent Zimbabwe series, while another was scored in the fifth T20I against England, by which point India had already conceded the series.
His overall returns therefore look stronger in isolation than his performances across the entire period suggest. Tilak endured a particularly difficult run during India's tour of the UK, and his inconsistency has remained a concern despite the occasional big score. That makes his position in India's batting order an even bigger talking point ahead of the Afghanistan series.
The presence of Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gives India several batting options, while the team also has to factor in its all-rounders.
For de Villiers, the challenge is not simply about selecting the strongest players but finding a combination in which every batter has a clearly defined role.
He believes India have enough quality in their squad to deal with Afghanistan, but stressed that clarity will be particularly important against a side he considers dangerous.
"Really, really strong squad, but the balance will be tricky to figure out. It is T20 cricket, so they can play around with the squad a little bit. There are different roles, but the role clarification will still be incredibly important for India, as
India, led by Shreyas Iyer, endured a difficult run following their second consecutive T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year. The team lost all six of its T20Is against Ireland and England before finally putting together a 3-0 clean sweep against Zimbabwe.
The Afghanistan series begins on September 13 (Saturday), with India also scheduled to play a historic T20I against ******* an before featuring in the Asian Games 2026.
With several established batters competing for places, former South Africa star AB de Villiers believes India could face a selection headache, particularly when it comes to deciding where Tilak Varma fits into the batting order.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, de Villiers pointed to the number of batting options available to India and questioned how the team would accommodate its vice-captain.
"There will definitely be some selection issues with regard to the batters. Obviously, Shreyas, captain, Ishan Kishan, Samson, Sooryavanshi, and then there are all-rounders, Tilak Varma; I think that's where the balance is quite tricky. Where will he bat?" de Villiers said.
Tilak's recent numbers also underline why his position could become a talking point.
Since the 2026 T20 World Cup, the left-hander has scored 255 runs from 10 innings at a strike rate of 159.36, with three scores of 50 or more. However, the numbers need some context. One of those half-centuries came during the recent Zimbabwe series, while another was scored in the fifth T20I against England, by which point India had already conceded the series.
His overall returns therefore look stronger in isolation than his performances across the entire period suggest. Tilak endured a particularly difficult run during India's tour of the UK, and his inconsistency has remained a concern despite the occasional big score. That makes his position in India's batting order an even bigger talking point ahead of the Afghanistan series.
The presence of Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gives India several batting options, while the team also has to factor in its all-rounders.
For de Villiers, the challenge is not simply about selecting the strongest players but finding a combination in which every batter has a clearly defined role.
He believes India have enough quality in their squad to deal with Afghanistan, but stressed that clarity will be particularly important against a side he considers dangerous.
"Really, really strong squad, but the balance will be tricky to figure out. It is T20 cricket, so they can play around with the squad a little bit. There are different roles, but the role clarification will still be incredibly important for India, as
2 months ago
Second ODI, Derby - England win toss and bowl
England lead three-match series 1-0
Prendergast picks out Kemp at deep mid-wicket off Villiers, who then removes Stokell cheaply
Wong dismisses Lewis, Paul and Little
Dunkley pulls off superb run out to dismiss Ireland opener Tector
#prendergast #lewis
England lead three-match series 1-0
Prendergast picks out Kemp at deep mid-wicket off Villiers, who then removes Stokell cheaply
Wong dismisses Lewis, Paul and Little
Dunkley pulls off superb run out to dismiss Ireland opener Tector
#prendergast #lewis
2 months ago
Captain Siya Kolisi is set to be recalled to the South Africa side bidding to hit back in the second Test against New Zealand, with Handre Pollard preferred to Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at fly-half.
The Springboks had a 12-match winning run ended by the All Blacks in a heavy defeat at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, to fall 1-0 behind in the four-match Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series.
Kolisi was left out for the opener but is primed to take the place of Paul de Villiers, provided he makes it through training this week. Fellow flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit – who captained in Kolisi's stead in Johannesburg – will win his 100th cap as part of an experienced back row.
Pollard is called in to start at No 10 as Feinberg-Mngomezulu drops to the bench. Scrum-half Grant Williams and wing Cheslin Kolbe are ruled out due to injury, with Cobus Reinach and Ethan Hooker starting.
Kurt-Lee Arendse is cleared to feature in the back three despite an early withdrawal from the 33-16 defeat at Ellis Park.
#ellis #park #match
The Springboks had a 12-match winning run ended by the All Blacks in a heavy defeat at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, to fall 1-0 behind in the four-match Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series.
Kolisi was left out for the opener but is primed to take the place of Paul de Villiers, provided he makes it through training this week. Fellow flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit – who captained in Kolisi's stead in Johannesburg – will win his 100th cap as part of an experienced back row.
Pollard is called in to start at No 10 as Feinberg-Mngomezulu drops to the bench. Scrum-half Grant Williams and wing Cheslin Kolbe are ruled out due to injury, with Cobus Reinach and Ethan Hooker starting.
Kurt-Lee Arendse is cleared to feature in the back three despite an early withdrawal from the 33-16 defeat at Ellis Park.
#ellis #park #match
2 months ago
AB de Villiers believes Virat Kohli took India's batting success in overseas Test cricket to another level, while crediting Sachin Tendulkar for first showing that Indian batters could thrive in conditions traditionally considered difficult for players from the subcontinent.
The former South Africa batter and Kohli's ex-Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate was speaking after India's 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in Galle on Wednesday.
De Villiers acknowledged Tendulkar's pioneering role but argued that Kohli went a step further in establishing himself as an outstanding overseas Test batter.
"I think of someone like Sachin Tendulkar way back, who started that trend for India. Yet, he wasn't as strong as someone like Virat Kohli, who was even better. But Sachin was the first guy to show that as a subcontinent batter, you can do well in bouncy and seaming conditions. Virat took that forward and raised the bar," said de Villiers on his YouTube channel.
Tendulkar remains the highest run-scorer in Test cricket, having accumulated 15,921 runs in 200 matches before retiring in 2013. Kohli, who retired from Test cricket in May 2025, ended his career with 9,230 runs in 123 Tests, placing him 19th on the all-time list.
The statistics, however, suggest Tendulkar still holds the edge when it comes to performances away from home. Of his 15,921 Test runs, 8,705 came outside India, accounting for around 55% of his total. He is also the leading run-scorer among batters in overseas Test cricket.
Kohli scored 4,774 runs in 66 Tests outside India.
The comparison remains in Tendulkar's favour even when the focus is restricted to SENA countries: South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia. Tendulkar amassed 5,387 runs in 63 Tests in those countries at an average of 51.30, including 17 centuries and 23 fifties.
Kohli, meanwhile, scored 3,661 runs in 46 Tests in SENA conditions at an average of 42.08, with 12 centuries and 14 fifties.
De Villiers' ******* sment therefore appears to focus less on the raw numbers and more on Kohli's wider influence on Indian Test cricket. During Kohli's tenure, India established itself as a formidable side overseas, setting higher expectations for performances outside home conditions.
According to de Villiers, that influence has carried into the current generation, with batters such as KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal following the path laid by Tendulkar and Kohli.
"Because of that, there are quite a few players now like [KL] Rahul and [Devdutt] Padikkal, who have started to up that trend and follow in the footsteps of a Virat and a Sachin," he added.
De Villiers did, however, identify overseas batting as an area where Rahul needs to improve. Despite praising the Karnataka batter's technique and importance to the Indian side, he pointed out that Rahul averages only 34 away from home.
"KL is a guy with a sound technique and is a big ******* et in that Indian lineup. But he averages only 34 away f
The former South Africa batter and Kohli's ex-Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate was speaking after India's 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in Galle on Wednesday.
De Villiers acknowledged Tendulkar's pioneering role but argued that Kohli went a step further in establishing himself as an outstanding overseas Test batter.
"I think of someone like Sachin Tendulkar way back, who started that trend for India. Yet, he wasn't as strong as someone like Virat Kohli, who was even better. But Sachin was the first guy to show that as a subcontinent batter, you can do well in bouncy and seaming conditions. Virat took that forward and raised the bar," said de Villiers on his YouTube channel.
Tendulkar remains the highest run-scorer in Test cricket, having accumulated 15,921 runs in 200 matches before retiring in 2013. Kohli, who retired from Test cricket in May 2025, ended his career with 9,230 runs in 123 Tests, placing him 19th on the all-time list.
The statistics, however, suggest Tendulkar still holds the edge when it comes to performances away from home. Of his 15,921 Test runs, 8,705 came outside India, accounting for around 55% of his total. He is also the leading run-scorer among batters in overseas Test cricket.
Kohli scored 4,774 runs in 66 Tests outside India.
The comparison remains in Tendulkar's favour even when the focus is restricted to SENA countries: South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia. Tendulkar amassed 5,387 runs in 63 Tests in those countries at an average of 51.30, including 17 centuries and 23 fifties.
Kohli, meanwhile, scored 3,661 runs in 46 Tests in SENA conditions at an average of 42.08, with 12 centuries and 14 fifties.
De Villiers' ******* sment therefore appears to focus less on the raw numbers and more on Kohli's wider influence on Indian Test cricket. During Kohli's tenure, India established itself as a formidable side overseas, setting higher expectations for performances outside home conditions.
According to de Villiers, that influence has carried into the current generation, with batters such as KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal following the path laid by Tendulkar and Kohli.
"Because of that, there are quite a few players now like [KL] Rahul and [Devdutt] Padikkal, who have started to up that trend and follow in the footsteps of a Virat and a Sachin," he added.
De Villiers did, however, identify overseas batting as an area where Rahul needs to improve. Despite praising the Karnataka batter's technique and importance to the Indian side, he pointed out that Rahul averages only 34 away from home.
"KL is a guy with a sound technique and is a big ******* et in that Indian lineup. But he averages only 34 away f
3 months ago
The Hundred women's competition, Old Trafford
Sunrisers Leeds 166-4 (100 ******* ): Sutherland 62* (36); Villiers 2-25
Manchester Super Giants 125-8 (100 ******* ): Scrivens 31 (24); Jonassen 3-21
Sunrisers Leeds won by 41 runs
Scorecard. Table
#sunrisers #trafford #villiers #Giants
Sunrisers Leeds 166-4 (100 ******* ): Sutherland 62* (36); Villiers 2-25
Manchester Super Giants 125-8 (100 ******* ): Scrivens 31 (24); Jonassen 3-21
Sunrisers Leeds won by 41 runs
Scorecard. Table
#sunrisers #trafford #villiers #Giants
3 months ago
The Hundred women's competition, Headingley
Sunrisers Leeds 142-4 (100 ***** ): Sutherland 35 (24); Villiers 1-6
Manchester Super Giants 147-6 (96 ***** ): Mandhana 88* (50); Baker 1-9
Manchester Super Giants won by four wickets
Scorecard. Table
#headingley #sunrisers #leeds #villiers
Sunrisers Leeds 142-4 (100 ***** ): Sutherland 35 (24); Villiers 1-6
Manchester Super Giants 147-6 (96 ***** ): Mandhana 88* (50); Baker 1-9
Manchester Super Giants won by four wickets
Scorecard. Table
#headingley #sunrisers #leeds #villiers
4 months ago
India Women moved to the brink of a historic maiden Test victory at Lord's after a dominant third day, powered by Yastika Bhatia's record-breaking maiden century before the bowlers reduced England to 130/6 in pursuit of an improbable 457-run target.
With just four wickets separating them from scripting history at the Home of Cricket, Harmanpreet Kaur's side ended the day firmly in control despite a spirited lower-order resistance from Amy Jones and Mady Villiers.
Resuming Day 3 with a healthy first-innings lead, India continued to pile on the runs despite England enjoying a better opening session with the ball. Lauren Bell removed Smriti Mandhana (70) early before also dismissing Jemimah Rodrigues. Sophie Ecclestone then trapped Harmanpreet Kaur lbw as England briefly clawed their way back into the contest.
However, Yastika Bhatia remained unfazed. Displaying remarkable composure and elegant strokeplay, the left-hander brought up her maiden Test century to become the first-ever woman to score a Test hundred at Lord's. Her memorable knock of 113 off 158 ***** also became the highest score by an Indian woman in the third or fourth innings of a Test match.
England spinner Sophie Ecclestone fought tirelessly and completed her fourth five-wicket haul in Women's Tests, but lacked support from the other end as India continued to dominate.
Following Bhatia's departure, wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh injected fresh momentum into the innings with a brisk unbeaten 50 off 52 ***** , taking the attack to the England bowlers. With India's lead swelling beyond 450, captain Harmanpreet Kaur declared the innings at 341/7, leaving England with a mammoth 457-run target to survive or chase down.
India's bowlers wasted little time in tightening their grip on the contest.
Debutant Kranti Gaud and Sayali Satghare produced another outstanding new-ball spell, removing openers Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier inside the opening four overs. Beaumont's dismissal also marked the end of her international career, while former captain Heather Knight, playing her final Test before retirement, was later dismissed by Kranti Gaud and received a touching guard of honour from the Indian team as she walked off.
England's problems deepened when Sneh Rana bowled Nat Sciver-Brunt with a beauty before Sayali breached Alice Capsey's defence, reducing the hosts to 59/5.
Just when India appeared set to wrap up the match on the third evening itself, Amy Jones and Mady Villiers mounted a determined fightback. The duo stitched together a resilient 67-run partnership, frustrating the Indian attack and briefly keeping England's hopes alive.
The stand was eventually broken in spectacular fashion as Richa Ghosh pulled off a stunning close-in catch at silly point to dismiss Villiers off Sneh Rana's bowling. Jones continued her resistance, bringing up a gritty half-century, but England still finished the day in deep trouble at 130/6, requiring another 327 runs with only four w
With just four wickets separating them from scripting history at the Home of Cricket, Harmanpreet Kaur's side ended the day firmly in control despite a spirited lower-order resistance from Amy Jones and Mady Villiers.
Resuming Day 3 with a healthy first-innings lead, India continued to pile on the runs despite England enjoying a better opening session with the ball. Lauren Bell removed Smriti Mandhana (70) early before also dismissing Jemimah Rodrigues. Sophie Ecclestone then trapped Harmanpreet Kaur lbw as England briefly clawed their way back into the contest.
However, Yastika Bhatia remained unfazed. Displaying remarkable composure and elegant strokeplay, the left-hander brought up her maiden Test century to become the first-ever woman to score a Test hundred at Lord's. Her memorable knock of 113 off 158 ***** also became the highest score by an Indian woman in the third or fourth innings of a Test match.
England spinner Sophie Ecclestone fought tirelessly and completed her fourth five-wicket haul in Women's Tests, but lacked support from the other end as India continued to dominate.
Following Bhatia's departure, wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh injected fresh momentum into the innings with a brisk unbeaten 50 off 52 ***** , taking the attack to the England bowlers. With India's lead swelling beyond 450, captain Harmanpreet Kaur declared the innings at 341/7, leaving England with a mammoth 457-run target to survive or chase down.
India's bowlers wasted little time in tightening their grip on the contest.
Debutant Kranti Gaud and Sayali Satghare produced another outstanding new-ball spell, removing openers Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier inside the opening four overs. Beaumont's dismissal also marked the end of her international career, while former captain Heather Knight, playing her final Test before retirement, was later dismissed by Kranti Gaud and received a touching guard of honour from the Indian team as she walked off.
England's problems deepened when Sneh Rana bowled Nat Sciver-Brunt with a beauty before Sayali breached Alice Capsey's defence, reducing the hosts to 59/5.
Just when India appeared set to wrap up the match on the third evening itself, Amy Jones and Mady Villiers mounted a determined fightback. The duo stitched together a resilient 67-run partnership, frustrating the Indian attack and briefly keeping England's hopes alive.
The stand was eventually broken in spectacular fashion as Richa Ghosh pulled off a stunning close-in catch at silly point to dismiss Villiers off Sneh Rana's bowling. Jones continued her resistance, bringing up a gritty half-century, but England still finished the day in deep trouble at 130/6, requiring another 327 runs with only four w
4 months ago
Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (83, 108b, 11x4, 1x6), captain Harmanpreet Kaur (58, 121b, 7x4) and seasoned allrounder Deepti Sharma (57, 87b, 7x4) struck resolute fifties as India posted 285 before pacer Kranti Gaud's early breakthrough left England at 21 for one on an engrossing opening day of the historic first-ever women's Test at Lord's.
After opting to bat, India looked set for a much bigger total at 190 for three but suffered a collapse, losing seven wickets for 95 runs.
England dominated the final session, taking the last four wickets for just 11 runs in 42 ***** . Leftarm spinner Sophie Ecclestone (368) finished with three wickets, including the final three, as India were bowled out in 74.5 overs.
India struck back late when pacer Kranti Gaud trapped opener Tammy Beaumont (2), playing the final Test of her career, lbw with a sharp inswinger. Gaud nearly dismissed Heather Knight too, but India declined a review that balltracking later showed would have hit the stumps. Maia Bouchier was unbeaten on 17 and Knight on one at stumps.
Earlier, England made the perfect start. Lauren Bell and Lauren Filer struck inside the opening seven overs, removing Shafali Verma for a duck and Yastika Bhatia (12). Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues (35) rebuilt with a brisk 64run stand before Rodrigues dragged Issy Wong onto her stumps.
Mandhana then combined with Harmanpreet in an 89-run fourthwicket partnership that steadied India after a shaky start. The lefthander played with characteristic fluency, peppering the off-side with elegant drives and also launching Ecclestone for six. However, she fell for 83, edging Wong behind while chasing a wide delivery.
Harmanpreet, under scrutiny after India's group-stage exit at the Women's T20 World Cup, responded with a patient half-century despite battling cramps. Soon after Mandhana's dismissal, she was undone by debutant off-spinner Mady Villiers, who picked up her maiden Test wicket with a delivery that drifted and turned through the gate.
Richa Ghosh (13) failed to make an impact, but Deepti's composed knock and a 46-run stand with Sneh Rana kept India afloat before another collapse ended the innings.
Brief Scores:
India 285 (Mandhana 83, Harmanpreet 58, Sharma 57) lead England 21-1 by 264 runs.
After opting to bat, India looked set for a much bigger total at 190 for three but suffered a collapse, losing seven wickets for 95 runs.
England dominated the final session, taking the last four wickets for just 11 runs in 42 ***** . Leftarm spinner Sophie Ecclestone (368) finished with three wickets, including the final three, as India were bowled out in 74.5 overs.
India struck back late when pacer Kranti Gaud trapped opener Tammy Beaumont (2), playing the final Test of her career, lbw with a sharp inswinger. Gaud nearly dismissed Heather Knight too, but India declined a review that balltracking later showed would have hit the stumps. Maia Bouchier was unbeaten on 17 and Knight on one at stumps.
Earlier, England made the perfect start. Lauren Bell and Lauren Filer struck inside the opening seven overs, removing Shafali Verma for a duck and Yastika Bhatia (12). Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues (35) rebuilt with a brisk 64run stand before Rodrigues dragged Issy Wong onto her stumps.
Mandhana then combined with Harmanpreet in an 89-run fourthwicket partnership that steadied India after a shaky start. The lefthander played with characteristic fluency, peppering the off-side with elegant drives and also launching Ecclestone for six. However, she fell for 83, edging Wong behind while chasing a wide delivery.
Harmanpreet, under scrutiny after India's group-stage exit at the Women's T20 World Cup, responded with a patient half-century despite battling cramps. Soon after Mandhana's dismissal, she was undone by debutant off-spinner Mady Villiers, who picked up her maiden Test wicket with a delivery that drifted and turned through the gate.
Richa Ghosh (13) failed to make an impact, but Deepti's composed knock and a 46-run stand with Sneh Rana kept India afloat before another collapse ended the innings.
Brief Scores:
India 285 (Mandhana 83, Harmanpreet 58, Sharma 57) lead England 21-1 by 264 runs.
4 months ago
India and England shared the honours on an engrossing opening day of the historic first-ever women's Test at Lord's, with the visitors posting 285 before reducing England to 21/1 at stumps on Friday.
After England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt won the toss and chose to field, India appeared well placed for a much bigger total thanks to impressive half-centuries from Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma. However, a late collapse ensured England regained control before the close of play.
The hosts then negotiated 11 overs in fading light but lost opener Tammy Beaumont cheaply, leaving the match finely balanced heading into Day 2.
India endured a shaky start after losing Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia early, but Smriti Mandhana once again showcased her class with a fluent innings of 83 off 108 **** . The left-hander was positive from the outset, driving elegantly through the covers and punishing anything overpitched. She struck 11 fours and a six while stitching together crucial partnerships that helped India recover from the early setbacks.
Jemimah Rodrigues looked comfortable during her brief stay, adding a valuable stand with Mandhana before throwing away a promising start.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur then joined Mandhana to steady the innings with an important 89-run partnership. While Mandhana played the aggressor, Harmanpreet anchored the innings with a patient 58 off 121 deliveries, ensuring India remained in a commanding position through the afternoon session.
At 190/3, India looked set to cross the 350-run mark. But Mandhana's dismissal shifted the momentum dramatically.
England's spinners, led by Sophie Ecclestone, exploited the ageing ball brilliantly. Ecclestone extracted sharp turn and bounce to finish with 3/68, while debutant Mady Villiers made an immediate impact as India slipped from a position of strength.
With wickets falling regularly around her, Deepti Sharma produced a composed knock under pressure. The experienced all-rounder compiled a valuable 57 from 87 **** , striking seven boundaries and guiding India to a competitive 285 before becoming the last batter to fall in the 75th over.
England had only 11 overs to negotiate before stumps and suffered an early setback when Kranti Gaud dismissed Tammy Beaumont for just two. Maia Bouchier looked **** ured during her unbeaten 17, while captain Heather Knight remained unbeaten on one as England closed the day on 21/1, trailing India by 264 runs.
India: 285 all out in 74.5 overs (Smriti Mandhana 83, Harmanpreet Kaur 58, Deepti Sharma 57; Sophie Ecclestone 3/68, Issy Wong 2/41)
England: 21/1 in 11 overs (Maia Bouchier 17*, Heather Knight 1*; Kranti Gaud 1/8)
After England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt won the toss and chose to field, India appeared well placed for a much bigger total thanks to impressive half-centuries from Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma. However, a late collapse ensured England regained control before the close of play.
The hosts then negotiated 11 overs in fading light but lost opener Tammy Beaumont cheaply, leaving the match finely balanced heading into Day 2.
India endured a shaky start after losing Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia early, but Smriti Mandhana once again showcased her class with a fluent innings of 83 off 108 **** . The left-hander was positive from the outset, driving elegantly through the covers and punishing anything overpitched. She struck 11 fours and a six while stitching together crucial partnerships that helped India recover from the early setbacks.
Jemimah Rodrigues looked comfortable during her brief stay, adding a valuable stand with Mandhana before throwing away a promising start.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur then joined Mandhana to steady the innings with an important 89-run partnership. While Mandhana played the aggressor, Harmanpreet anchored the innings with a patient 58 off 121 deliveries, ensuring India remained in a commanding position through the afternoon session.
At 190/3, India looked set to cross the 350-run mark. But Mandhana's dismissal shifted the momentum dramatically.
England's spinners, led by Sophie Ecclestone, exploited the ageing ball brilliantly. Ecclestone extracted sharp turn and bounce to finish with 3/68, while debutant Mady Villiers made an immediate impact as India slipped from a position of strength.
With wickets falling regularly around her, Deepti Sharma produced a composed knock under pressure. The experienced all-rounder compiled a valuable 57 from 87 **** , striking seven boundaries and guiding India to a competitive 285 before becoming the last batter to fall in the 75th over.
England had only 11 overs to negotiate before stumps and suffered an early setback when Kranti Gaud dismissed Tammy Beaumont for just two. Maia Bouchier looked **** ured during her unbeaten 17, while captain Heather Knight remained unbeaten on one as England closed the day on 21/1, trailing India by 264 runs.
India: 285 all out in 74.5 overs (Smriti Mandhana 83, Harmanpreet Kaur 58, Deepti Sharma 57; Sophie Ecclestone 3/68, Issy Wong 2/41)
England: 21/1 in 11 overs (Maia Bouchier 17*, Heather Knight 1*; Kranti Gaud 1/8)
4 months ago
India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana said she feels proud to reach 300 international matches, with the milestone coming during the first-ever women's Test at Lord's.
The 29-year-old also became the youngest woman in cricket history to achieve the feat and is the 12th woman overall to play 300 international games.
Before the match, England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt won the toss and chose to bowl. India handed a Test debut to Shree Charani, while Yastika Bhatia returned to the playing XI. England gave debut caps to Alice Capsey and Mady Villiers.
Mandhana revealed that she only found out about the milestone the night before the match. Reflecting on her journey, she recalled playing the 2017 Women's World Cup final at Lord's and how uncertain she felt about her future after a difficult tournament.
"I actually got to know about the 300th international match last night. As a player, you don't really keep track of games across all formats. I remember playing the 2017 World Cup final here at Lord's.
"I didn't have a great World Cup then, and I didn't know if I'd get the chance to play for India again. So to come back and play my 300th international match at Lord's, I couldn't ask for a better venue."
She also spoke about leaving behind the disappointment of the T20 World Cup and focusing on the future.
"We had a chance at Lord's to qualify against Australia (in the T20 World Cup). We couldn't take that opportunity, but that's cricket. You have to keep moving on.
"Whether you get a hundred or a zero, every time you go out there, you start your innings from zero. It's the same with the team. You're going to have good days and bad days, but we'll always take it in stride and try to give our best for the country."
Mandhana said switching from T20 to red-ball cricket requires a change in mindset and returning to the basics.
"Batting for long periods definitely helps, especially since we don't play a lot of Test cricket. We did play the pink-ball Test in Perth before. Going back to Wormsley was great. I hadn't been there since 2014, so it brought back old memories.
"For me, the preparation is about adjusting after opening in T20 cricket, where you're expected to score quickly at a high strike rate. In red-ball cricket, you need to watch the ball carefully. Going back to basics is very important. The preparation was all about doing the basic things right and spending long periods at the crease."
The 29-year-old also became the youngest woman in cricket history to achieve the feat and is the 12th woman overall to play 300 international games.
Before the match, England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt won the toss and chose to bowl. India handed a Test debut to Shree Charani, while Yastika Bhatia returned to the playing XI. England gave debut caps to Alice Capsey and Mady Villiers.
Mandhana revealed that she only found out about the milestone the night before the match. Reflecting on her journey, she recalled playing the 2017 Women's World Cup final at Lord's and how uncertain she felt about her future after a difficult tournament.
"I actually got to know about the 300th international match last night. As a player, you don't really keep track of games across all formats. I remember playing the 2017 World Cup final here at Lord's.
"I didn't have a great World Cup then, and I didn't know if I'd get the chance to play for India again. So to come back and play my 300th international match at Lord's, I couldn't ask for a better venue."
She also spoke about leaving behind the disappointment of the T20 World Cup and focusing on the future.
"We had a chance at Lord's to qualify against Australia (in the T20 World Cup). We couldn't take that opportunity, but that's cricket. You have to keep moving on.
"Whether you get a hundred or a zero, every time you go out there, you start your innings from zero. It's the same with the team. You're going to have good days and bad days, but we'll always take it in stride and try to give our best for the country."
Mandhana said switching from T20 to red-ball cricket requires a change in mindset and returning to the basics.
"Batting for long periods definitely helps, especially since we don't play a lot of Test cricket. We did play the pink-ball Test in Perth before. Going back to Wormsley was great. I hadn't been there since 2014, so it brought back old memories.
"For me, the preparation is about adjusting after opening in T20 cricket, where you're expected to score quickly at a high strike rate. In red-ball cricket, you need to watch the ball carefully. Going back to basics is very important. The preparation was all about doing the basic things right and spending long periods at the crease."
4 months ago
Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers says Bengaluru will always hold a special place in his heart, describing the city as the one that changed his life and gave him a connection with fans unlike anything he had experienced before.
Speaking on The Times of India's Bombay Sports Exchange podcast, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru legend reflected on his 11-year **** ociation with the franchise, saying the affection he received from the fans fulfilled a childhood dream.
"Bengaluru is closest to my heart and will always remain that way," de Villiers said. "It's the city that changed my life, so it will always have a special place in my heart."
De Villiers joined RCB in 2011 after spending three seasons with the Delhi franchise and quickly became one of the IPL's most loved players.
Alongside Virat Kohli, he formed one of the league's most iconic batting partnerships, earning a lasting place in the hearts of Bengaluru supporters despite the franchise's long wait for its maiden IPL **** le.
Looking back on his early days with RCB, de Villiers said he felt at home almost immediately.
"Bengaluru is a very special city. It had an enormous impact on my life. When I joined RCB in 2011, I immediately felt at home. It didn't take long for the crowd to get behind me."
The 41-year-old recalled the first time he heard the Chinnaswamy Stadium crowd chanting his name, saying it instantly took him back to his childhood.
"Hearing them chant my name was one of those moments I'd dreamed about as a child," he said.
"When I was six or seven years old, I used to hit tennis **** around the garage imagining myself playing in front of huge crowds."
"The first time the Bengaluru crowd started chanting my name, it felt like a light bulb switched on. I thought, 'This is exactly what I dreamed about.'"
According to de Villiers, that emotional bond formed almost instantly and only grew stronger over the years.
"That connection with Bengaluru was immediate. The connection with India as a whole developed even further over the following years, especially around 2015 and 2016. But Bengaluru was where it all began."
Few overseas cricketers have enjoyed the kind of admiration de Villiers continues to receive in India, with RCB supporters still celebrating him years after his retirement from the IPL.
Asked what made Indian fans connect with him so deeply, the former South African captain admitted he never fully understood it.
"Honestly, I never really understood it. All I know is that it was incredibly special," he said.
"India has a deep love for cricket and for competition. I think people appreciate players who compete with passion and genuine joy."
"Perhaps that's what people connected with. Maybe they also appreciated someone who always tried to remain positive."
While he cannot fully explain the relationship, de Villiers says it remains one of the greatest gifts of his career.
"Ho
Speaking on The Times of India's Bombay Sports Exchange podcast, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru legend reflected on his 11-year **** ociation with the franchise, saying the affection he received from the fans fulfilled a childhood dream.
"Bengaluru is closest to my heart and will always remain that way," de Villiers said. "It's the city that changed my life, so it will always have a special place in my heart."
De Villiers joined RCB in 2011 after spending three seasons with the Delhi franchise and quickly became one of the IPL's most loved players.
Alongside Virat Kohli, he formed one of the league's most iconic batting partnerships, earning a lasting place in the hearts of Bengaluru supporters despite the franchise's long wait for its maiden IPL **** le.
Looking back on his early days with RCB, de Villiers said he felt at home almost immediately.
"Bengaluru is a very special city. It had an enormous impact on my life. When I joined RCB in 2011, I immediately felt at home. It didn't take long for the crowd to get behind me."
The 41-year-old recalled the first time he heard the Chinnaswamy Stadium crowd chanting his name, saying it instantly took him back to his childhood.
"Hearing them chant my name was one of those moments I'd dreamed about as a child," he said.
"When I was six or seven years old, I used to hit tennis **** around the garage imagining myself playing in front of huge crowds."
"The first time the Bengaluru crowd started chanting my name, it felt like a light bulb switched on. I thought, 'This is exactly what I dreamed about.'"
According to de Villiers, that emotional bond formed almost instantly and only grew stronger over the years.
"That connection with Bengaluru was immediate. The connection with India as a whole developed even further over the following years, especially around 2015 and 2016. But Bengaluru was where it all began."
Few overseas cricketers have enjoyed the kind of admiration de Villiers continues to receive in India, with RCB supporters still celebrating him years after his retirement from the IPL.
Asked what made Indian fans connect with him so deeply, the former South African captain admitted he never fully understood it.
"Honestly, I never really understood it. All I know is that it was incredibly special," he said.
"India has a deep love for cricket and for competition. I think people appreciate players who compete with passion and genuine joy."
"Perhaps that's what people connected with. Maybe they also appreciated someone who always tried to remain positive."
While he cannot fully explain the relationship, de Villiers says it remains one of the greatest gifts of his career.
"Ho
4 months ago
Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter AB de Villiers believes teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could become one of the first players of his generation to choose T20 cricket over Test cricket.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his India debut last week in the second T20I of the ongoing series against England.
Speaking on TOI Sports' Bombay Sports Exchange Podcast, de Villiers said the growing appeal of T20 cricket could influence young players like Sooryavanshi when deciding the direction of their careers.
"He (Sooryavanshi) could become one of the first youngsters to simply say, 'Sorry, I'm not interested in Test cricket. I'm perfectly happy playing T20 cricket.'"
ALSO READ: AB de Villiers reveals Virat Kohli wanted him to delay RCB retirement
De Villiers said T20 cricket can be a more comfortable format for batters because of the playing conditions.
"From a comfort perspective, it's (T20) much easier. You're facing short spells, there are only two fielders outside the circle during the Powerplay, the wickets are flatter—it can be a much easier life as a cricketer. We'll see what he decides. But regardless of what he (Sooryavanshi) chooses, there will certainly be challenges and pitfalls along the way."
The former South Africa captain added that if Sooryavanshi eventually decides against playing Test cricket, the responsibility should not rest with the player.
"You can't blame him. Those decisions are made at the top. It's up to the administrators to find the right balance and make those decisions a little more difficult than they currently are. Right now, the choice is quite obvious (between Test and T20)," de Villiers said on TOI Sports' Bombay Sports Exchange Podcast.
At the same time, de Villiers said Sooryavanshi's journey will not be easy.
"He will go through difficult patches. His character will be tested. Then it will be up to him to show whether he has the character and mental strength to come through those phases. There are plenty of alarm bells and pitfalls that he could encounter," he said.
He also said Sooryavanshi will need the right guidance as he develops.
"At 15, you should still be relatively immature—and he probably is. We'll have to wait and see what happens. I hope he has good leadership, guidance and mentorship around him. I also hope he's open to accepting help along the way because it will be a rocky road. There's absolutely no doubt about that. Especially if he chooses to play Test cricket—which he may not."
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his India debut last week in the second T20I of the ongoing series against England.
Speaking on TOI Sports' Bombay Sports Exchange Podcast, de Villiers said the growing appeal of T20 cricket could influence young players like Sooryavanshi when deciding the direction of their careers.
"He (Sooryavanshi) could become one of the first youngsters to simply say, 'Sorry, I'm not interested in Test cricket. I'm perfectly happy playing T20 cricket.'"
ALSO READ: AB de Villiers reveals Virat Kohli wanted him to delay RCB retirement
De Villiers said T20 cricket can be a more comfortable format for batters because of the playing conditions.
"From a comfort perspective, it's (T20) much easier. You're facing short spells, there are only two fielders outside the circle during the Powerplay, the wickets are flatter—it can be a much easier life as a cricketer. We'll see what he decides. But regardless of what he (Sooryavanshi) chooses, there will certainly be challenges and pitfalls along the way."
The former South Africa captain added that if Sooryavanshi eventually decides against playing Test cricket, the responsibility should not rest with the player.
"You can't blame him. Those decisions are made at the top. It's up to the administrators to find the right balance and make those decisions a little more difficult than they currently are. Right now, the choice is quite obvious (between Test and T20)," de Villiers said on TOI Sports' Bombay Sports Exchange Podcast.
At the same time, de Villiers said Sooryavanshi's journey will not be easy.
"He will go through difficult patches. His character will be tested. Then it will be up to him to show whether he has the character and mental strength to come through those phases. There are plenty of alarm bells and pitfalls that he could encounter," he said.
He also said Sooryavanshi will need the right guidance as he develops.
"At 15, you should still be relatively immature—and he probably is. We'll have to wait and see what happens. I hope he has good leadership, guidance and mentorship around him. I also hope he's open to accepting help along the way because it will be a rocky road. There's absolutely no doubt about that. Especially if he chooses to play Test cricket—which he may not."
4 months ago
Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter AB de Villiers has revealed that Virat Kohli tried to convince him not to retire from franchise cricket before he stepped away from the game in 2021.
Speaking on TOI Sports' Bombay Sports Exchange Podcast, de Villiers said Kohli made an effort to change his mind, but he had already decided it was the right time to move on.
"Yes. He tried," de Villiers said when asked if Kohli tried to stop him.
The South African great retired from international cricket in 2018 after helping his team beat India and Australia at home. He continued playing franchise cricket, including for RCB in the Indian Premier League (IPL), before retiring from all forms of the game in 2021.
"I walked away from international cricket exactly when I wanted to (2018). We had beaten India and Australia at home, and I left on a high."
"Then I decided I'd continue playing a few T20 tournaments, travel the world with my family, take them to the IPL, to England for the Blast, to Australia for the Big Bash and a few other tournaments. When I finally felt ready, I called it a day (from franchise cricket as well, in 2021)."
De Villiers said retiring from the IPL was not a sudden decision and that he had been thinking about it throughout his final season.
"It took time. That thought stayed in my mind throughout the final season or so. Eventually, I simply went up to Virat and said, 'I'm done'," de Villiers said.
De Villiers also spoke about the pressure of playing in front of packed crowds at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where fans chanted his name.
"That can be draining as well. Those moments also bring sleepless nights. It's not all sunshine and roses. There are difficult moments too. The expectations and pressure you put on yourself can sometimes become suffocating. I've spoken about that before. I'm incredibly proud of what I achieved. But before big matches, I'd often struggle to sleep. I'd be so focused on making an impact for the team that I found it difficult to simply be myself. So it wasn't always easy," De Villiers said on TOI Sports' Bombay Sports Exchange Podcast.
Reflecting on life after retirement, he said the joy of success does not last long, even for the biggest players.
"Of course, I miss those moments. When everything clicked and the crowd helped me enter that zone, it was an incredible feeling. But success disappears very quickly. Every champion will tell you the same thing. You win the biggest trophy, and an hour later you're already asking yourself, "Now what?" Then your attention shifts immediately to the next trophy. You're never fully satisfied with those achievements. Having said that, I can now look back at those memories with enormous gratitude."
Speaking on TOI Sports' Bombay Sports Exchange Podcast, de Villiers said Kohli made an effort to change his mind, but he had already decided it was the right time to move on.
"Yes. He tried," de Villiers said when asked if Kohli tried to stop him.
The South African great retired from international cricket in 2018 after helping his team beat India and Australia at home. He continued playing franchise cricket, including for RCB in the Indian Premier League (IPL), before retiring from all forms of the game in 2021.
"I walked away from international cricket exactly when I wanted to (2018). We had beaten India and Australia at home, and I left on a high."
"Then I decided I'd continue playing a few T20 tournaments, travel the world with my family, take them to the IPL, to England for the Blast, to Australia for the Big Bash and a few other tournaments. When I finally felt ready, I called it a day (from franchise cricket as well, in 2021)."
De Villiers said retiring from the IPL was not a sudden decision and that he had been thinking about it throughout his final season.
"It took time. That thought stayed in my mind throughout the final season or so. Eventually, I simply went up to Virat and said, 'I'm done'," de Villiers said.
De Villiers also spoke about the pressure of playing in front of packed crowds at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where fans chanted his name.
"That can be draining as well. Those moments also bring sleepless nights. It's not all sunshine and roses. There are difficult moments too. The expectations and pressure you put on yourself can sometimes become suffocating. I've spoken about that before. I'm incredibly proud of what I achieved. But before big matches, I'd often struggle to sleep. I'd be so focused on making an impact for the team that I found it difficult to simply be myself. So it wasn't always easy," De Villiers said on TOI Sports' Bombay Sports Exchange Podcast.
Reflecting on life after retirement, he said the joy of success does not last long, even for the biggest players.
"Of course, I miss those moments. When everything clicked and the crowd helped me enter that zone, it was an incredible feeling. But success disappears very quickly. Every champion will tell you the same thing. You win the biggest trophy, and an hour later you're already asking yourself, "Now what?" Then your attention shifts immediately to the next trophy. You're never fully satisfied with those achievements. Having said that, I can now look back at those memories with enormous gratitude."
4 months ago
NEW DELHI: Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers says money never motivated him during his illustrious career, insisting his only focus was improving as a cricketer and competing against the best in the world.
Speaking on The Times of India's "Bombay Sports Exchange" podcast, the 41-year-old reflected on how the financial boom in T20 cricket has changed the aspirations of young players, while explaining why his own journey was never driven by lucrative contracts or commercial success.
Asked whether greater financial incentives in Test cricket could encourage youngsters to pursue the longest format, de Villiers admitted that money inevitably draws attention but said it should never be the primary motivation for an aspiring athlete.
"When I was growing up, my dream was simply to play for my country in front of packed crowds. It had nothing to do with money," de Villiers said.
He believes the challenge for Test cricket lies in creating excitement around the format rather than simply increasing player earnings.
"If ****** ody is watching Test cricket, then where is the excitement? If there's no buzz around it, no ultimate trophy that's fiercely contested and celebrated, then why should youngsters dream about becoming Test cricketers?" he said.
While acknowledging the Indian Premier League's remarkable commercial growth, de Villiers revealed he barely paid attention to the financial side of the tournament during his playing days.
"I'll probably give you a very boring answer. Throughout my entire career, I never thought about money, politics or any of that," he said.
"My entire focus was simply on hitting a cricket ball every single day. That's all I thought about."
The former Royal Challengers Bengaluru star admitted that seeing his bank balance increase was a pleasant surprise, but never something that influenced his decisions.
"I'd occasionally look at my bank account and think, 'Wow, that's nice. That's a bonus.' Then I'd ask, 'What do we do now? Invest it? Fine.' And after that, it was straight back to cricket. How can I become better? How can I win games? That's all that mattered."
Looking back after retirement, de Villiers says he now appreciates the scale of cricket's financial growth far more than he did as a player.
"It's incredible to see how much the IPL has grown over the years. It's breathtaking," he said. "I was happy for whoever had built it."
De Villiers also credited his upbringing for shaping his attitude towards wealth, saying he was raised to value hard work and gratitude over financial success.
"I was brought up in a way where money never really moved the needle for me," he said. "From a young age, I was taught that money doesn't grow on trees. You appreciate your blessings. You respect other people."
The South African great said his retirement decision itself was proof that money never dictated his career.
"The minute I felt that desire leavi
Speaking on The Times of India's "Bombay Sports Exchange" podcast, the 41-year-old reflected on how the financial boom in T20 cricket has changed the aspirations of young players, while explaining why his own journey was never driven by lucrative contracts or commercial success.
Asked whether greater financial incentives in Test cricket could encourage youngsters to pursue the longest format, de Villiers admitted that money inevitably draws attention but said it should never be the primary motivation for an aspiring athlete.
"When I was growing up, my dream was simply to play for my country in front of packed crowds. It had nothing to do with money," de Villiers said.
He believes the challenge for Test cricket lies in creating excitement around the format rather than simply increasing player earnings.
"If ****** ody is watching Test cricket, then where is the excitement? If there's no buzz around it, no ultimate trophy that's fiercely contested and celebrated, then why should youngsters dream about becoming Test cricketers?" he said.
While acknowledging the Indian Premier League's remarkable commercial growth, de Villiers revealed he barely paid attention to the financial side of the tournament during his playing days.
"I'll probably give you a very boring answer. Throughout my entire career, I never thought about money, politics or any of that," he said.
"My entire focus was simply on hitting a cricket ball every single day. That's all I thought about."
The former Royal Challengers Bengaluru star admitted that seeing his bank balance increase was a pleasant surprise, but never something that influenced his decisions.
"I'd occasionally look at my bank account and think, 'Wow, that's nice. That's a bonus.' Then I'd ask, 'What do we do now? Invest it? Fine.' And after that, it was straight back to cricket. How can I become better? How can I win games? That's all that mattered."
Looking back after retirement, de Villiers says he now appreciates the scale of cricket's financial growth far more than he did as a player.
"It's incredible to see how much the IPL has grown over the years. It's breathtaking," he said. "I was happy for whoever had built it."
De Villiers also credited his upbringing for shaping his attitude towards wealth, saying he was raised to value hard work and gratitude over financial success.
"I was brought up in a way where money never really moved the needle for me," he said. "From a young age, I was taught that money doesn't grow on trees. You appreciate your blessings. You respect other people."
The South African great said his retirement decision itself was proof that money never dictated his career.
"The minute I felt that desire leavi
4 months ago
AB de Villiers predicts Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could say he's 'not interested in Test cricket' after India T20I debut originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
AB De Villiers says Vaibhav Sooryavanshi may become the first youngster to skip Test cricket entirely.
He warns the 15-year-old will face difficult patches that will test his character deeply.
Sooryavanshi's father has insisted his son won't be a great cricketer until he plays Tests.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is 15 years old and has already made his international debut for India in the T20I series against England. He is now the subject of one of cricket's most pressing debates: will the next generation of stars simply skip Test cricket altogether?
AB De Villiers says Vaibhav Sooryavanshi may become the first youngster to skip Test cricket entirely.
He warns the 15-year-old will face difficult patches that will test his character deeply.
Sooryavanshi's father has insisted his son won't be a great cricketer until he plays Tests.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is 15 years old and has already made his international debut for India in the T20I series against England. He is now the subject of one of cricket's most pressing debates: will the next generation of stars simply skip Test cricket altogether?
4 months ago
As France braces for another heatwave, it's barely recovered from the last one. Meteorologists expect scorching temperatures to return this week, and with them, the same question that was asked repeatedly in June: why won't France just turn on the air conditioning?
Some people are already taking things into their own hands. Dozens of people lined up outside several Lidl stores across the Paris region on Thursday, all hoping to get their hands on an air conditioning unit. In Aubervilliers, a Paris suburb, the doors gave way under the pressure of the crowd, and fights broke out among shoppers. "I saw people get trampled," one shopper told Le Parisien newspaper. "I was in shock, I got shoved around in every direction, and unfortunately I didn't leave with an AC unit," another said.
Only around 24% of French households have air conditioning according to France's energy transition agency – up from 18% just two years ago, but still far below the roughly 50% seen in neighboring Italy.
Alexia, a 26-year-old living on the outskirts of Paris, says she caved when she found out another heatwave was on the way. "All the air conditioners I had seen to potentially buy were out of stock. So I rushed to get another one before there was absolutely none left."
Meanwhile, just 7% of French schools are equipped with AC, and thousands closed their doors last week as temperatures in the classroom became unbearable. With more than 2,000 excess deaths recorded over six days at the peak of the June heat, according to health authorities, France's cultural resistance to AC has started to soften.
Some people are already taking things into their own hands. Dozens of people lined up outside several Lidl stores across the Paris region on Thursday, all hoping to get their hands on an air conditioning unit. In Aubervilliers, a Paris suburb, the doors gave way under the pressure of the crowd, and fights broke out among shoppers. "I saw people get trampled," one shopper told Le Parisien newspaper. "I was in shock, I got shoved around in every direction, and unfortunately I didn't leave with an AC unit," another said.
Only around 24% of French households have air conditioning according to France's energy transition agency – up from 18% just two years ago, but still far below the roughly 50% seen in neighboring Italy.
Alexia, a 26-year-old living on the outskirts of Paris, says she caved when she found out another heatwave was on the way. "All the air conditioners I had seen to potentially buy were out of stock. So I rushed to get another one before there was absolutely none left."
Meanwhile, just 7% of French schools are equipped with AC, and thousands closed their doors last week as temperatures in the classroom became unbearable. With more than 2,000 excess deaths recorded over six days at the peak of the June heat, according to health authorities, France's cultural resistance to AC has started to soften.
4 months ago
England Women have announced a 15-player squad for their one-off Test against India, which will mark the team's historic maiden women's Test match at Lord's Cricket Ground. The squad includes five uncapped players as England prepares for the landmark fixture.
Star all-rounder Alice Capsey is expected to make her Test debut against India. The right-handed batter has already represented England in 89 limited-overs internationals and is among the most exciting young talents in the women's game. Cricketing prodigy Tilly Corteen-Coleman is also in contention for a place in the playing XI, while Durham all-rounder Mady Villiers, Grace Potts and Ellie Threlkeld are the other uncapped players named in the squad.
England's current T20 captain, Nat Sciver-Brunt, has been named to lead the side for the historic encounter. However, her availability remains subject to fitness as she leads the T20 squad from the sidelines in the ongoing T20 World Cup with a calf strain. The four-day Test is scheduled to begin on July 10, just four days after the World Cup final.
Emma Lamb and Issy Wong also remain in contention for selection. Meanwhile, Sophia Dunkley, Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Ryana MacDonald-Gay are among the notable omissions despite featuring in England's most recent Test appearance against Australia at the MCG during the 2024-25 Women's Ashes.
Tammy Beaumont is another notable inclusion in the squad. The 35-year-old has yet to feature for England in any format.
"We have selected a strong Test squad under the leadership of Nat Sciver-Brunt for what will be another historic few days at Lord's for women's cricket," Clare Connor, the ECB's managing director of women's cricket, said.
"Test cricket is a rare and wonderfully challenging experience in the women's game and I know how proud our players are to represent England in this format. For the 11 women who will get the chance to be the first to enjoy that feeling at Lord's, it will be a moment to savour," she added.
England Test squad: Nat Sciver-Brunt (C), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Grace Potts, Ellie Threlkeld, Mady Villiers, Issy Wong.
Star all-rounder Alice Capsey is expected to make her Test debut against India. The right-handed batter has already represented England in 89 limited-overs internationals and is among the most exciting young talents in the women's game. Cricketing prodigy Tilly Corteen-Coleman is also in contention for a place in the playing XI, while Durham all-rounder Mady Villiers, Grace Potts and Ellie Threlkeld are the other uncapped players named in the squad.
England's current T20 captain, Nat Sciver-Brunt, has been named to lead the side for the historic encounter. However, her availability remains subject to fitness as she leads the T20 squad from the sidelines in the ongoing T20 World Cup with a calf strain. The four-day Test is scheduled to begin on July 10, just four days after the World Cup final.
Emma Lamb and Issy Wong also remain in contention for selection. Meanwhile, Sophia Dunkley, Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Ryana MacDonald-Gay are among the notable omissions despite featuring in England's most recent Test appearance against Australia at the MCG during the 2024-25 Women's Ashes.
Tammy Beaumont is another notable inclusion in the squad. The 35-year-old has yet to feature for England in any format.
"We have selected a strong Test squad under the leadership of Nat Sciver-Brunt for what will be another historic few days at Lord's for women's cricket," Clare Connor, the ECB's managing director of women's cricket, said.
"Test cricket is a rare and wonderfully challenging experience in the women's game and I know how proud our players are to represent England in this format. For the 11 women who will get the chance to be the first to enjoy that feeling at Lord's, it will be a moment to savour," she added.
England Test squad: Nat Sciver-Brunt (C), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Grace Potts, Ellie Threlkeld, Mady Villiers, Issy Wong.
5 months ago
South African batting great AB de Villiers has backed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's talent but said he is unsure whether the 15-year-old will choose to pursue red-ball cricket in the future.
Speaking at an event in Mumbai on Sunday, de Villiers said Sooryavanshi has the skill to succeed in Test cricket but questioned whether the teenager would want to take that path.
"Yeah, he's a wonderful talent. The red-ball thing I absolutely cannot answer. I think he can if he wants to, but there's your answer, and there's the big question as well is does he really want to? Time will tell. There's no doubt he's got the talent and the ability to do so. It won't always be easy, and I've mentioned that a few times before," de Villiers said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
The former South Africa captain said there would be challenges if Sooryavanshi chose to play the longer format but backed his ability to handle them.
"If he decides to play red-ball cricket, there will be some challenges, but he's got the skill and the ability to work through that and in my opinion, I hope he does try and play Test cricket, but I doubt it. We'll see in future."
De Villiers also supported the selectors' decision to include Sooryavanshi in India's T20I squad for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, as well as the Asian Games.
On Saturday, the BCCI named Sooryavanshi in all three squads, making him the youngest player ever selected for the Indian side at the age of 15. He broke a 36-year-old record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who made his international debut against Pakistan in 1989 at the age of 16.
Calling the selectors' move the correct one, de Villiers said the teenager had earned his place.
"It's definitely the right call from the selectors. So well done to them for making the brave decision. It would have been easy to say that he's still too young and he's not ready, and go for more experience. He's broken down that door, and he deserves his place in the Indian T20 team, so I'm happy for him," he said.
Sooryavanshi earned the call-up after a record-breaking IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals. The Bihar batter finished as the tournament's highest run-scorer with 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.30.
He also hit a record 72 sixes during the season and collected multiple post-season awards, including Most Valuable Player (MVP), Emerging Player of the Season, Super Striker, Orange Cap and Super Sixes of the Season.
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Speaking at an event in Mumbai on Sunday, de Villiers said Sooryavanshi has the skill to succeed in Test cricket but questioned whether the teenager would want to take that path.
"Yeah, he's a wonderful talent. The red-ball thing I absolutely cannot answer. I think he can if he wants to, but there's your answer, and there's the big question as well is does he really want to? Time will tell. There's no doubt he's got the talent and the ability to do so. It won't always be easy, and I've mentioned that a few times before," de Villiers said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
The former South Africa captain said there would be challenges if Sooryavanshi chose to play the longer format but backed his ability to handle them.
"If he decides to play red-ball cricket, there will be some challenges, but he's got the skill and the ability to work through that and in my opinion, I hope he does try and play Test cricket, but I doubt it. We'll see in future."
De Villiers also supported the selectors' decision to include Sooryavanshi in India's T20I squad for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, as well as the Asian Games.
On Saturday, the BCCI named Sooryavanshi in all three squads, making him the youngest player ever selected for the Indian side at the age of 15. He broke a 36-year-old record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who made his international debut against Pakistan in 1989 at the age of 16.
Calling the selectors' move the correct one, de Villiers said the teenager had earned his place.
"It's definitely the right call from the selectors. So well done to them for making the brave decision. It would have been easy to say that he's still too young and he's not ready, and go for more experience. He's broken down that door, and he deserves his place in the Indian T20 team, so I'm happy for him," he said.
Sooryavanshi earned the call-up after a record-breaking IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals. The Bihar batter finished as the tournament's highest run-scorer with 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.30.
He also hit a record 72 sixes during the season and collected multiple post-season awards, including Most Valuable Player (MVP), Emerging Player of the Season, Super Striker, Orange Cap and Super Sixes of the Season.
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NEW DELHI: South African batting legend AB de Villiers has thrown his weight behind India's decision to hand teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his maiden international call-up, describing the selectors' move as both "the right call" and a "brave decision".
The 15-year-old made history on Saturday when he was named in India's squads for the tours of Ireland and England and the Asian Games, becoming the youngest player ever selected for the national side and eclipsing the mark set by Sachin Tendulkar in 1989.
Speaking at an event in Mumbai, de Villiers said the selectors deserved credit for resisting the temptation to opt for experience.
"It's definitely the right call from the selectors. So well done to them for making the brave decision. It would have been easy to say that he's still too young and he's not ready, and go for more experience. He's broken down that door, and he deserves his place in the Indian T20 team, so I'm happy for him," the former South African captain said.
While de Villiers refrained from making definitive predictions about Sooryavanshi's red-ball future, he expressed confidence that the youngster possesses the skill set to succeed across formats if he chooses that path.
"Yeah, he's a wonderful talent. The red-ball thing I absolutely cannot answer. I think he can if he wants to, but there's your answer, and there's the big question as well is does he really want to? Time will tell. There's no doubt he's got the talent and the ability to do so. It won't always be easy, and I've mentioned that a few times before," de Villiers said.
The batting great acknowledged that Test cricket would present a different set of challenges, but backed the Bihar-born prodigy to overcome them.
"If he decides to play red-ball cricket, there will be some challenges, but he's got the skill and the ability to work through that and in my opinion, I hope he does try and play Test cricket, but I doubt it. We'll see in future," he added.
Sooryavanshi's rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. The Rajasthan Royals opener dominated IPL 2026 with 776 runs at a staggering strike rate of 237.30 and smashed a record 72 sixes.
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The 15-year-old made history on Saturday when he was named in India's squads for the tours of Ireland and England and the Asian Games, becoming the youngest player ever selected for the national side and eclipsing the mark set by Sachin Tendulkar in 1989.
Speaking at an event in Mumbai, de Villiers said the selectors deserved credit for resisting the temptation to opt for experience.
"It's definitely the right call from the selectors. So well done to them for making the brave decision. It would have been easy to say that he's still too young and he's not ready, and go for more experience. He's broken down that door, and he deserves his place in the Indian T20 team, so I'm happy for him," the former South African captain said.
While de Villiers refrained from making definitive predictions about Sooryavanshi's red-ball future, he expressed confidence that the youngster possesses the skill set to succeed across formats if he chooses that path.
"Yeah, he's a wonderful talent. The red-ball thing I absolutely cannot answer. I think he can if he wants to, but there's your answer, and there's the big question as well is does he really want to? Time will tell. There's no doubt he's got the talent and the ability to do so. It won't always be easy, and I've mentioned that a few times before," de Villiers said.
The batting great acknowledged that Test cricket would present a different set of challenges, but backed the Bihar-born prodigy to overcome them.
"If he decides to play red-ball cricket, there will be some challenges, but he's got the skill and the ability to work through that and in my opinion, I hope he does try and play Test cricket, but I doubt it. We'll see in future," he added.
Sooryavanshi's rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. The Rajasthan Royals opener dominated IPL 2026 with 776 runs at a staggering strike rate of 237.30 and smashed a record 72 sixes.
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