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Virat Kohli has said it has been made clear to Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul that their controversial comments made on an Indian TV show, which has left them facing a suspension, are not acceptable and the personal opinions are not the view of the India team.Pandya and Rahul appeared on a talk show on Sunday where their comments – Pandya’s in particular – came in for widespread criticism and raised concerns over the team culture. The BCCI issued the players a show-cause notice to which Pandya responded with an apology to the board.”From the Indian cricket team point of view, any inappropriate comments that are made in that scenario are something that we definitely don’t support and the two concerned players felt what has gone wrong and they have understood the magnitude of what’s happened,” Kohli said at the SCG ahead of the opening ODI against Australia. “Definitely it has to hit anyone hard, they will definitely understand the things that have not gone right.”We, definitely, as the Indian cricket team do not support views like that and that has been communicated. I can definitely say that as the Indian cricket team and responsible cricketers we definitely don’t align with those views and those are purely individual views.”We are still waiting for a decision to be made but from the Indian cricket team point of view this changes nothing in terms of our beliefs in the change room. It does nothing to the spirit that we’ve been able to create within the change room and these are purely individual opinions and something as I said which is inappropriate.”While the controversy is dealt with by the Committee of Administrators (CoA), which is overseeing the BCCI, it creates a headache for Kohli ahead of the first ODI on Saturday, especially the uncertainty around Pandya’s availability given how key he is to balancing the India line-up as the seam-bowling allounder in the middle order.Kohli acknowledged the outcome of the process may require the team to rethink their plans, but was confident that with Ravindra Jadeja in the squad, they had the options to cover for Pandya even though Jadeja is a spin-bowling allrounder.”From the combination and team balance point of view, yes, you’ll have to think about the combination you’ll need now,” Kohli said. “You don’t have control over these things so you have to address it the way it unfolds. That’s how we are looking at it, the combinations will have to be looked at when the decision comes out and from there on we’ll see what needs to be done about the whole situation.”

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and coach Chandika Hathurusinghe are concerned about Bangladesh’s batting, but that hasn’t led to any late changes to the T20 World Cup squad. As a result, Litton Das has survived despite scoring just 79 runs in his last six T20Is, all played this year.Litton’s T20I form had dipped so much that he lost his place in the side after scoring 1, 23 and 12 in the first three T20Is of the five-match series against Zimbabwe. His last innings ended when he missed with three consecutive attempts at scooping Blessing Muzarabani, dragging the ball on to the stumps off the last one.”Litton is a very important player in our team,” Shanto said in a press interaction on Wednesday. “He hasn’t had a good time recently. It can happen to any cricketer. But we didn’t want to bring in a new player for such a big event. We valued Litton’s experience. I wouldn’t have dropped him.Related

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“We were already discussing our World Cup team combinations during the Sri Lanka series. We wanted to be prepared by playing matches at home but the success in those matches was subjective. We were clear that we won’t change anyone only because he did badly in these home matches.”We didn’t bat on good wickets in the T20I series [against Zimbabwe in Chattogram and Dhaka]. We had to go on and off from the ground due to rain in some of the matches too. But Litton and I should score runs in every game. We have clarity in the team, so we hope we will deliver at the World Cup.”Hathurusinghe admitted that the top and middle order didn’t combine as well as expected against Zimbabwe, but felt there were occasions when they did fire to win games – they won the series 4-1, after all.”We managed to get a good start in some matches, and when we didn’t get a good start, we managed to finish strongly in some matches,” Hathurusinghe said. “So everybody got an opportunity to bat in the middle, that was a positive. Yes, individually, some of the players would have loved to spend [more] time in the middle, score runs, but in T20 cricket, anything can happen because it is a very different game to the other two formats.”We would love our top order to score all the time – in that kind of scenario, it takes a lot of pressure out of the other players. I am confident that – we have five matches leading up to the first game – we will be able to get those areas of concern sorted.”Bangladesh will play a three-T20I series against T20 World Cup co-hosts USA at Prairie View later this month and then the warm-up fixtures.Mahmudullah is back at his familiar finisher’s position and doing well•BCB

‘Want to give Mahmudullah and Shakib good memories’

Both Shanto and Hathurusinghe said that the batters should take inspiration from Mahmudullah. The senior batter, who is part of the 2024 squad, was dropped ahead of the 2022 T20 World Cup but returned to the fray just before the 2023 ODI World Cup, in which he was Bangladesh’s best batter. Mahmudullah has struck two fifties in T20Is this year in his familiar finisher’s role and had just one failure, a first-ball duck in the third T20I against Sri Lanka.”He’s been playing regularly. He made a strong comeback. Lately he’s playing his best cricket,” Hathurusinghe said. “He’s changed his approach to batting a lot. His role is going to be in the middle order, probably be the enforcer in the middle as well as a finisher role, which he has done remarkably well lately in all formats, in the domestics as well.”Shanto said that he was looking forward to Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan, the most experienced cricketers in the squad, to share their experience with the other players.”The team is benefiting from [Mahmudullah’s] role in the batting line-up, at No. 5 or 6,” he said. “It gives the team an extra advantage. He is an inspiration for the youngsters. He has shown how to come back from such a tough situation.”We want to give them [Mahmudullah and Shakib] good memories at the World Cup. It is our responsibility as the younger players. I want them to perform their normal roles but, at the same time, if they can spread their experience with the rest of the team, it will help us.”Chandika Hathurusinghe: “Taskin is a very important member for us. He’s a leader”•AFP via Getty Images

‘Taskin is our leader of the pack in fast bowling’

Bangladesh are also hoping that their new vice-captain, Taskin Ahmed, gets fit in time to have an impact – Taskin was included in the squad despite a side strain.”Taskin is our leader of the pack in fast bowling,” Hathurusinghe said. “The rules of the tournament allow us to carry someone [reserve players], and then we can make a decision. We are giving him the best chance to be fit to play.”Taskin is a very important member for us. He’s a leader. That’s why he’s the vice-captain as well. We have the best medical and recovery procedures in America so we are going to use those resources and then give him the best chance of be fit for the first game.”Despite the question mark over Taskin, Shanto believes the bowling attack can win them games at the T20 World Cup.”We have a much improved fast-bowling department,” he said. “There’s a higher possibility of winning a T20 match if the bowling unit does well. We are also likely to play in conditions that may aid spin, so given our variation, they should also do well. Bowling is our strength.”At the 2022 T20 World Cup, then captain Shakib and the coaching staff led by S Sriram had overseen a new, fearless approach from the players, which gave Bangladesh two wins. They have struggled at global tournaments on the whole, though, but Hathurusinghe is being quietly optimistic.”I understand that we have high aspirations as a country. We have been playing good cricket generally out of the ICC events,” Hathurusinghe said. “As players and coaches, we also have high expectation. The first step is to get through this difficult group stage. We are in a very strong group so getting out of it is the main target.”Bangladesh are in Group D, with Nepal, Netherlands, South Africa and Sri Lanka, and start their World Cup on June 8 with a fixture against Sri Lanka at Dallas’ Grand Prairie stadium.

Karabo Meso, the 16-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, has earned her maiden ODI call-up, figuring in the 14 for South Africa’s three-match series against Sri Lanka from April 9 in East London.Chloe Tryon, who missed the third T20I, has been ruled out of the series to continue her rehabilitation for a back injury. Annerie Dercksen, who was part of the T20I series that South Africa lost 2-1, has been left out. Delmi Tucker, the allrounder, has replaced her in the side.”It’s a big loss with the injury of Chloe as an allrounder, that’s why Delmi has come into the squad and she can give you the offspin option and with her batting,” Hilton Moreeng, South Africa’s head coach, said. “In these conditions, we never know this time of year what to expect on our surfaces. So we make sure that we have all our angles covered and overall we’re just excited to make sure that we finish off on a high and go into our off-season.”

Kapp reprimanded for Athapaththu send-off

Marizanne Kapp has been reprimanded for breaching level one of the ICC Code of Conduct during the third T20I against Sri Lanka. Kapp, in the 13th over of the Sri Lanka innings, used inappropriate language and gestured in the direction of the pavilion after dismissing Chamari Athapaththu. One demerit point has also been added to Kapp’s disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period.

Meso made her South Africa debut in the second T20I against Sri Lanka in Potchefstroom, where she came in at No. 8 and was dismissed for a two-ball duck by Chamari Athapaththu. In the third match, she arrived at the crease with one ball left in the innings and did not make a run. Tucker, meanwhile, has played seven ODIs, 14 T20Is and one Test. In seven ODIs, she has 53 runs and three wickets.The ODI series will be part of the ICC Women’s Championship, which determines qualification for the 50-over World Cup. South Africa are currently second on the table with 20 points, with ten wins in 15 matches.”It’s a very simple equation for us, there’s six points to play for and Sri Lanka showed now in the last two to three days what they are capable of, so it’s now to make sure that we can get that right because every game there’s a lot more to play for,” Moreeng said. “Qualification is key for the 2025 World Cup. It’s going to be a challenge but everyone is looking forward to it and we have a very strong squad on home soil.”After the opening ODI in East London, South Africa and Sri Lanka face-off in the second game in Kimberley on April 13 and then the third in Potchefstroom on April 17.

South Africa squad for women’s ODI series vs Sri Lanka:

Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune Delmi Tucker

Coming into Royal Challengers Bangalore’s final group game of WPL 2024, Ellyse Perry had not picked up a single wicket in six outings. She more than made up for that by returning the best-ever figures in the WPL, and propelling RCB into the playoffs. It was a sensational display of swing bowling from Perry, who finished with 6 for 15 to help bowl Mumbai Indians out for a mere 113.And Perry wasn’t done yet. With RCB losing their top three quickly, she then carried the chase with an unbeaten 38-ball 40. She had an ally in Richa Ghosh, who remained not out on 36 off 28 as RCB sealed a seven-wicket win in Delhi.RCB’s win snuffed out Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz’s playoff hopes.

Mandhana’s decision at the toss bears fruit

It takes a brave captain to go against the tide, especially in a game that could make or break the team’s season. Six of the seven games in the Delhi-leg of the WPL before today had been won by the sides batting first. Even the one that Mumbai won chasing required a Harmanpreet Kaur special. Despite that, Mandhana elected to field, citing the match being played on a fresh surface as the reason. And her decision paid off.With Yastika Bhatia out due to illness, Mumbai had a new opening pair in S Sajana and Hayley Matthews. The duo added 43 for the opening wicket, but once Matthews fell, it was all one-way traffic.

Perry magic leaves Mumbai dumbfounded

It started with a catch, it ended with the poles being hit four times – interspersed by two lbws – as Perry ripped through Mumbai in a sensational display of swing and seam bowling. She was involved in each of the first seven Mumbai wickets to fall and by the time she was done, RCB had one foot in the playoffs.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Sophie Devine struck first removing Matthews with Perry taking an excellent catch diving forward at deep midwicket. Perry started well with the ball conceding only a run in her first over, but Mumbai were still motoring along at close to eight runs an over.From no wickets off her first nine balls, she picked up six off her next 15 as Mumbai collapsed from 61 for 1 in 8.3 overs to 82 for 7 in 13.It was the good length ball that brought about Mumbai’s undoing. Perry first got through Sajana’s defences with a sharp in-ducker that clattered into her off stump. The very next ball, Perry went away from Harmanpreet who drove at it half-heartedly only to manage a thick inside-edge back onto her stumps.The first ball of her next over, Perry got another good length ball to deviate sharply back into Amelia Kerr, who was rapped on the pads and a loud appeal ensued. RCB challenged the on-field umpire’s not-out decision and were proven right. Amanjot Kaur pulled Perry first ball but was sent back immediately after with another booming inswinger that cut her in half.Perry picked her fifth wicket by cleaning up Pooja Vastrakar and then claimed the WPL record for the best figures off the final ball of her spell trapping Nat-Sciver Brunt in front. In all, Perry bowled 18 dot balls in her four-over spell, leaving Mumbai clueless.Priyanka Bala, on WPL debut, remained unbeaten on 19 to take Mumbai past the 100-mark.Richa Ghosh produced a vital, unbeaten 36 off 28•BCCI

Perry, Ghosh take RCB into the playoffsIf six wickets weren’t enough, Perry also starred with the bat after RCB lost their top three quickly. Sophie Molineux, opening the batting for the second game running, had a life on 4 when Sciver-Brunt spilt a simple catch at extra cover. She couldn’t last long though with Matthews getting her stumped for 9. Sciver-Brunt then saw the back of Mandhana the next over before Shabnam Ismail beat Devine for pace.At 39 for 3 after 6.1 overs there would have been some nerves in the RCB camp. Perry settled some of them by hitting Saika Ishaque for a four and six. Ghosh then had a big reprieve when Sciver-Brunt again shelled a simple catch at midwicket off Ismail. And unlike Molineux, Ghosh made Mumbai pay.Both batters paced their innings well and once they got a hang of the surface, they opened up their shoulders. It was fitting that Perry got RCB over the line lofting Vastrakar over mid-on to seal the deal in 15 overs.

Grace Harris has replaced Darcie Brown in Australia’s ODI squad for their tour of Bangladesh.Brown was ruled out because of a navicular stress injury in her left foot. A Cricket Australia statement said that an exact timeframe for Brown’s return will be determined in due course.Harris had previously been selected only for the T20Is but will now leave sooner. Her WPL stint with UP Warriorz has already ended after they failed to qualify for the playoffs. Australia have not brought in a replacement for Brown in the T20I squad.Related

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In another update, allrounder Heather Graham, who was a stand-by for the series, is now unavailable following an illness.Jess Jonassen had been omitted from Australia’s squad, which was announced last month, and Tayla Vlaeminck had earned a recall.Australia will play three ODIs and as many T20Is in their first ever tour of Bangladesh, starting March 21. The ODIs will be part of the Women’s Championship.Australia are currently at the top of the table with ten wins in 15 games and Bangladesh are placed seventh with four wins from 15 games.

Updated Australia squad for Bangladesh tour

Alyssa Healy (capt), Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Tayla Vlaeminck

Northamptonshire 255 (Vasconcelos 70, Sales 57, Leach 3-15) and 311 for 8 (Whiteman 130*, Taylor 53) drew with Somerset 412 (Kohler-Cadmore 130, Rew 89, White 5-103)Skipper Sam Whiteman’s first Northamptonshire century batted them to safety on the final day of the LV= Insurance County Championship match with Somerset at Taunton. The visitors managed to extend their second innings from an overnight 66 for 1 to 311 for 8, the rock-solid Whiteman leading from the front with an unbeaten 130, off 269 balls, with 14 fours and a six.Whiteman, in his first season as a Championship player, batted throughout the day, receiving excellent support from Tom Taylor, who contributed 53 to an eighth-wicket stand of 79 that finally frustrated a Somerset attack, who gave their all on an unhelpful pitch. Jack Leach finished with 3 for 77 and match figures of 6 for 92.By the time the players shook hands at 5.40pm, Northamptonshire had a lead of 154, with a possible 11 overs remaining. They took nine points from the rain-affected contest, while Somerset, yet to win this season, claimed 12.The home bowlers expected to have to toil for every wicket as Northamptonshire began the day needing 91 to avoid an innings defeat, with nine wickets in hand. So it proved, on a pitch, which had offered little in the way of seam movement or turn on day three. The opening attack of Craig Overton and Lewis Gregory went past the bat several times early on, but Whiteman and nightwatchman Jordan Buckingham survived and started to look increasingly comfortable.Buckingham marked his Northamptonshire debut with an invaluable contribution, sharing a half-century stand with his skipper and facing 66 balls for his before being bowled advancing down the pitch to Leach.By then Whiteman had reached a 104-ball fifty, with five fours and a six over midwicket off Leach. More importantly, 20 overs of the day had elapsed before Somerset made the breakthrough.There was no shortage of effort or accuracy from the bowlers. Leach struck another blow when Hassan Azad, who had retired hurt with a hand injury the previous evening, offered a low return catch, having made only 4. It was 147 for 3 at lunch, with Northamptonshire still ten runs behind. A Saif Zaib reverse sweep off Leach early in the afternoon session levelled the scores.A draw was looking increasingly likely. But, having moved confidently to 33, Zaib carelessly lifted a ball from Overton to fine leg where Leach held a testing catch. At 174 for 4, Northants were only 17 in front. But Whiteman was well set and a pulled boundary off Gregory brought up the 200.With a further ten added, Rob Keogh, on 14, failed to keep down a leg glance off Kasey Aldridge and Gregory held a sharp catch at backward short leg. It was 211 for 6 when a thinner glance saw James Sales depart for 1 to Gregory, wicketkeeper James Rew diving full length to his left to hold a one-handed catch inches off the ground.Harry Gouldstone quickly followed for a duck to another fine catch, this time by Tom Kohler-Cadmore at first slip, his task made more difficult by Overton diving in front of him to try and take the ball at second slip.The lead was only 62. But Whiteman had just completed his hundred, a study in concentration occupying 179 balls, and found a more reliable partner in Taylor, who helped take the score to 254 for 7 at tea.Somerset’s last hope was the second new ball, available one over after the interval. A chance slipped by with three runs added as Cameron Bancroft failed to hold a low catch offered to his left at second slip by Taylor, on 30, off Gregory.It was an error the hosts could not afford. Taylor progressed to a 96-ball half-century, with 8 fours and a six, and by the time he was well caught by Rew down the leg-side to give the tireless Peter Siddle his first wicket, the lead was 141. But it was Whiteman’s day. Unbeaten on 29 at the start of play, by the close he had occupied the crease for more than six and three-quarter hours, offering just one difficult chance to slip off Leach with the draw all but secured.