Shreyas Iyer vs Suryakumar Yadav: Who has the better T20 captaincy record?
It was a brave decision from the management to sack the captain who guided India to their third T20 World Cup title on home soil earlier in 2026.

📢Women's T20 World Cup 2026: AUS W vs BAN W Today's Match Highlights: Unmissable video recap, POTM, match analysis, stats and more

Australia Women (Photo by Annabel Lee-Ellis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

How did Match 9 of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 go between Australia Women and Bangladesh Women?

Australia Women defeated Bangladesh Women comprehensively by nine wickets in the ninth match of the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at Headingley, Leeds, on Wednesday, June 17.

Sophie Molineux won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to field first. There was plenty of swing on offer, and the likes of Megan Schutt and Kim Garth had field days out in the middle. All-rounders Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland also contributed nicely, using the seam-friendly conditions to their advantage. Even Molineux, who is a left-arm spinner, was seen bowling inswinging arm-balls for a major part of his spell.

The Bangladesh batters couldn't break the shackles as the run rate rarely touched four an over in their innings. Nigar Sultana finished as the top-scorer for the Asian side, but her 27 runs came off 47 balls. Ritu Moni was the only other batter who got into double figures, scoring 16 off 26 deliveries. Bangladesh were restricted to 77/8 in 20 overs.

In reply, Georgia Voll took the attack to the Bangladesh bowlers, even as Beth Mooney departed for a run-a-ball 10. Perry chipped in with an unbeaten 19 off 15 balls as Australia romped home in 9.3 overs. Voll, who was dismissed for a four-ball duck in the last game, remained unbeaten on 45 off 32 deliveries. Marufa Akter took the only wicket to fall for Australia.

Top batting performance of the match: Georgia Voll

Georgia Voll would have hoped for some runs to boost her confidence after she was dismissed without scoring in the first game, which was also her debut match in the Women's T20 World Cup. The 22-year-old played some delightful shots during her 45-run knock off 32 balls, hitting six fours and one six.

Top bowling performance of the match: Kim Garth

Kim Garth swung the new ball prodigiously and caused all sorts of problems for the Bangladeshi batters. She struck twice inside the power play and dismissed openers Juairiya Ferdous and Dilara Akter. The Dublin-born seamer finished with figures of 2/18 in four overs.

Records Broken and Major Milestones Achieved

The last time Perry bowled more than two overs in a T20I was in January 2024 against South Africa in Canberra.

Who won the Player of the Match award?

Ellyse Perry won the Player of the Match award for her all-round exploits. She bowled three overs, giving away just 14 runs and picking up two wickets. With the bat, she contributed 19 runs, hitting two boundaries. However, she did receive a reprieve when Sobhana Mostary dropped her when she was batting on nine.

When is the next match?

Australia's next match is against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 20. Meanwhile, Bangladesh will be in action on the same day as they face Pakistan.

Women's T20 World Cup 2026: AUS W vs BAN W Today's Match Highlights: Unmissable video recap, POTM, match analysis, stats and more
Australia Women defeated Bangladesh Women comprehensively by nine wickets in the ninth match of the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at Headingley, Leeds, on Wednesday, June 17.

📢Matheesha Pathirana undergoes surgery after support from Kolkata Knight Riders & Sri Lanka Cricket

Matheesha Pathirana. (Photo Source: Matheesha Pathirana/IG)

Fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has undergone surgery on his left hamstring with support from his board, Sri Lanka Cricket and his Indian Premier League side, Kolkata Knight Riders. The successful operation took place in France with the 23-year-old on his road to recovery before returning to competitive action.

Pathirana picked up the injury during the recently concluded IPL season in KKR's game against the Gujarat Titans on May 16. He bowled just eight balls in the match before having to leave the field in agony. The right-arm fast bowler, however, has gone under the knife and will aim to return to the cricket field sooner rather than later.

"Matheesha Pathirana has successfully undergone a left biceps femoris open surgical hamstring repair and has now begun the road to recovery in France. This journey was made possible with the outstanding support of Sri Lanka Cricket and Kolkata Knight Riders and we are truly grateful for their commitment to his wellbeing. He will work hard, stay focused and be back doing what he loves soon. See you back on the field stronger than ever," Pathirana's manager said on an Instagram post.

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Pathirana was a huge INR 18 crore buy for KKR in the mini auction ahead of the 2026 season. The former Chennai Super Kings bowler, however, already arrived late to the tournament after picking up a calf injury during the T20 World Cup. And even after his arrival and subsequent fitness tests, the Sri Lankan international lasted for less than two overs. His injury prompted the 2024 IPL champions to sign Luvnith Sisodia as an injury replacement towards the end of the season.

The fast bowler's injury also saw him miss out on Sri Lanka's all-format tour to the West Indies, where they lost the T20I series but went on to win the three-match ODI series 1-0.

Matheesha Pathirana undergoes surgery after support from Kolkata Knight Riders & Sri Lanka Cricket
The successful operation took place in France with the 23-year-old.

[WATCH] Tri-Nation Series 2026: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi pulls off sensational rebound catch in India A's win over Afghanistan A
India A won the match by 101 runs.

📢[WATCH] Tri-Nation Series 2026: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi pulls off sensational rebound catch in India A's win over Afghanistan A

[WATCH] Tri-Nation Series 2026: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi pulls off sensational rebound catch in India A's win over Afghanistan A (Photo Source: Sony LIV)

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced a moment of brilliance in the field during the tri-series clash against Afghanistan A on June 17 in Dambulla. India A tightened their grip on the contest as they secured a commanding 101-run victory and booked their place in the tournament final.

The stunning effort came in the sixth over of Afghanistan A’s chase. Fast bowler Anshul Kamboj delivered a back-of-a-length ball on middle stump to Khalid Taniwal. The batter appeared to be early on the shot as the ball held up slightly off the surface. Attempting a flick, Taniwal chipped the ball into the air towards the infield.

Stationed nearby, Sooryavanshi reacted instantly and leapt to his left in an attempt to complete a one-handed catch. Although he managed to get his hand to the ball, he could not hold onto it on the first attempt. However, the youngster showed remarkable awareness.

Sooryavanshi pulls off a stunner! 🤯

Watch the #TalentTVCup LIVE on #SonyLIV & #SonySportsNetwork 📺 pic.twitter.com/lpQwBXX79c

— Sony LIV (@SonyLIV) June 17, 2026

As the ball popped out, he quickly turned around and dived forward to grab it safely on the rebound with both hands before it could touch the ground. The incredible catch sent Taniwal back to the pavilion for 13 runs and drew applause from teammates and spectators alike.

Earlier, India A posted a formidable total of 319/9 in their allotted 50 overs after being asked to bat. Several batters made valuable contributions, with Priyansh Arya scoring 58, Tilak Varma adding 59, and Kumar Kushagra also chipping in with 58 runs. For Afghanistan A, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Abdollah Ahmadzai, and Farmanullah picked up two wickets each.

In reply, Afghanistan A struggled to keep pace with the required run rate and were eventually bowled out for 218 in 36.5 overs. Bahir Shah was the top scorer with 57 runs, but lacked substantial support from the other end. India A spinner Nishant Sindhu starred with the ball, claiming 4/31 to earn the Player of the Match award, while Yash Thakur contributed with two wickets as India A sealed a convincing win.

MPL T20 2026: Match 35, JRL vs RNE Match Prediction – Who will win today’s MPL T20 match between Jabalpur Royal Lions vs Royal Nimar Eagles?
Jabalpur Royal Lions (JRL) lock horns with Royal Nimar Eagles (RNE) in match No. 35 of the ongoing Madhya Pradesh T20 League at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Thursday, June 18.

📢MPL T20 2026: Match 35, JRL vs RNE Match Prediction – Who will win today’s MPL T20 match between Jabalpur Royal Lions vs Royal Nimar Eagles?

Jabalpur Royal Lions and Royal Nimars Eagles. (Photo Source: MPL)

Jabalpur Royal Lions (JRL) lock horns with Royal Nimar Eagles (RNE) in match No. 35 of the ongoing Madhya Pradesh T20 League at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Thursday, June 18.

Only net run rate separates these two teams on the points table. Jabalpur Royal Lions find themselves at No. 4, with four wins and one defeat from five matches. The Eagles have an identical win-loss record after playing five games, but they are placed third thanks to a better net run rate.

The Royal Lions are coming into this clash on the back of an eight-wicket defeat to the Rewa Jaguars. Meanwhile, the Eagles are on a four-match winning streak, having defeated the Indore Pink Panthers by eight wickets in their last appearance.

JRL vs RNE: Match Details

Match

Jabalpur Royal Lions vs Royal Nimar Eagles, Match 35 , Madhya Pradesh T20 League 2026

Date and Time (IST)

Thursday, June 18, 7:30 PM

Venue

Holkar Stadium, Indore

Broadcast and Live Streaming

JioStar Network Channels and JioHotstar (App & Website)

Holkar Stadium, Indore: Pitch Report

The pitches at the Holkar Stadium in Indore have been brilliant for batting so far. Defending totals haven't been easy, with the pitches showing no signs of wear and tear in the second innings. The captain who wins the toss would want to field first and plan the run-chase according to the target set for them.

JRL vs RNE: Head-to-Head T20 Record

This is going to be the first meeting between Jabalpur Royal Lions and Royal Nimar Eagles.

JRL vs RNE: Predicted Playing XIs

Jabalpur Royal Lions:

Arpit Gaud, Ajay Rohera (WK), Akarsh Singh, Nayanraj Mewada, Ritik Tada, Vedant Awasthi, Sanjog Nijjar, Rahul Batham (C), Akshay Sharma, Pankaj Patel, Puneet Datey

Royal Nimar Eagles:

Dharmesh Patel, Himanshu Mantri (WK), Kanishk Dubey, Anand Bais, Saransh Jain (C), Shivansh Chaturvedi, Abhishekh Mavi, Parush Mandal, Kartik Rajoriya, Devendra Singh Katheit, Kumar Kartikeya

JRL vs RNE: Probable Best Performers of the Match

Probable Best Batter: Ajay Rohera

Jabalpur's wicketkeeper-batter Ajay Rohera could be the batter to watch out for. He has amassed 268 runs in five matches at an average of 67 and a strike rate of 165.43. Rohera will look to get his team off to a flying start.

Probable Best Bowler: Puneet Datey

The 31-year-old Puneet Datey has accounted for 10 wickets this season after playing five matches. He has a fine economy rate of 7.39. The experienced right-arm seamer will have a key role to play with the new ball.

Today's Match Prediction : Chasing team to win the match

📢BAN vs AUS 2026: ‘A childhood dream’ - Joel Davies marks Australia debut with match-winning spell

BAN vs AUS 2026: ‘A childhood dream’ - Joel Davies marks Australia debut with match-winning spell (Source : ausmencricket on IG)

Australian left-arm spinner Joel Davies said he had fulfilled a childhood dream by making his international debut and celebrated the occasion with a match-winning spell in the first T20I against Bangladesh in Chattogram. He became the first Australian player in three years to claim three or more wickets on T20I debut.

The match also produced two notable milestones for Australia. For the first time in a T20I innings, Australian spinners accounted for nine wickets, while it was also the first instance of spinners taking nine wickets in a T20I innings in Bangladesh. Davies played a key role, dismissing Parvez Hossain Emon and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, both caught in the deep after being deceived by his flight and subtle turn. He finished with impressive figures of 3 for 17.

"I think coming over here, I thought it might be spinning a little bit more than it actually did, but to still get enough out of the wicket. It has been a childhood dream to play for Australia in any format. So to get that done today was a massive achievement for me,” said Davies as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

"I think here in Bangladesh the grounds are a fair bit smaller than in Australia, so if there were any parts of the ground that were slightly bigger, I had to use that to my advantage. With the wind going against the big boundary, it was Mitch's idea to make me hit them to that big boundary and I think I got two wickets from that, so it was a nice plan by him,” he added.

Davies described bowling alongside Adam Zampa, who was named Player of the Match for his figures of 3 for 18, as a memorable experience. Australia's other debutant, Nikhil Chaudhary, also impressed, returning 1 for 14 after having Rishad Hossain caught in the deep. Meanwhile, Matt Renshaw, arguably Australia's standout bowler on the tour, claimed 2 for 26 as the visitors' spin attack dominated Bangladesh in the opening T20I.

"It was pretty surreal. I think I've grown up just watching him play on TV, and now to be a teammate with him was something I never thought I'd experience. But I think he's so smart on the field and off the field. He's smart on the field and he would pick my brain to make sure that I had the right approach to how I wanted to get them out and how I wanted to build some pressure. So it was really nice having him by my side,” said Davies.

BAN vs AUS 2026: ‘A childhood dream’ - Joel Davies marks Australia debut with match-winning spell
Joel Davies returned with the figures of 3/17.

Nat Sciver-Brunt ruled out of England’s next two T20 World Cup matches with calf injury
England Women are leading the points table in the group with four points.

📢Nat Sciver-Brunt ruled out of England’s next two T20 World Cup matches with calf injury

Nat Sciver-Brunt ruled out of England’s next two T20 World Cup matches with calf injury (Photo Source: Harry Murphy - ECB/ECB via Getty Images)

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has been ruled out of the team's next two fixtures after scans confirmed she suffered another calf strain while batting against Ireland. Sciver-Brunt retired hurt on 48 during England's four-wicket victory in Southampton after experiencing tightness in the same left calf muscle she injured while playing county cricket earlier this summer.

The all-rounder had only recently returned to action, having been cleared to feature in warm-up matches against Australia and India last week as a specialist batter. However, the recurrence of the injury has forced England to manage her workload carefully. In a statement, the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed that Sciver-Brunt will miss England’s upcoming matches against Scotland and West Indies as she continues her recovery.

"Nat will continue to be monitored and assessed by the England medical team as she undertakes her rehab while remaining in the squad," the statement said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

England remained hopeful that captain Nat Sciver-Brunt could return for their final group-stage fixture against New Zealand Women's at The Oval on June 27, despite being ruled out of the next two matches with a calf injury. In her absence, spin-bowling all-rounder Charlie Dean will lead the side, having previously captained England during recent bilateral series victories over New Zealand and India.

Sciver-Brunt's absence is a major setback for England, given her impressive form at the tournament, where she has scored 94 runs without being dismissed. Sophia Dunkley, the reserve batter in the squad, is expected to replace her for England's clash against Scotland at Headingley on June 20.

Former captain Heather Knight expressed confidence in the team’s ability to cope without Sciver-Brunt, pointing to England’s strong performances and series successes under Dean’s leadership in recent months. England will take on Scotland Women on Saturday, June 20 at Leeds, Headingley.

"We've been able to do things really well without Nat. I think Deano did a brilliant job stepping into Nat's shoes,” said Knight.

s the next match?

The third ODI in this three-match series takes place on Saturday, June 20, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

IND vs AFG 2026: India vs Afghanistan Highlights & Review – 2nd ODI
India won the second ODI by 170 runs to win the three-match series.

Ireland suffer injury blow as Ava Canning ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026
Ireland Women have lost two games so far in the World Cup.

📢Ireland suffer injury blow as Ava Canning ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026

Ireland suffer injury blow as Ava Canning ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026 (Photo Source: George Wood - ECB/ECB via Getty Images)

Ireland have drafted in Jane Maguire as an injury replacement for Ava Canning, who has been ruled out of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 after suffering a stress fracture in her back. The replacement was approved by the tournament’s technical committee on Wednesday, June 17, with Maguire set to be available for selection for Ireland’s upcoming clash against New Zealand Women on Friday, June 19.

Canning had already missed Ireland’s second group-stage fixture against England, where she was replaced by Louise Little. Despite a spirited effort from the Irish bowling attack, the team fell to a four-wicket defeat against the hosts in Southampton. The loss followed their opening-game setback against Scotland Women, leaving Ireland winless after two matches in the tournament.

Maguire’s inclusion marks an encouraging comeback for the young pacer, who had been in danger of missing the World Cup altogether after suffering a knee injury during domestic cricket in early May. However, an ahead-of-schedule recovery has earned her a place in the squad, where she joins her sister, Aimee Maguire. The siblings will now be part of Ireland’s bid to secure their first-ever victory in Women’s T20 World Cup history.

Ireland’s campaign began with a 40-run defeat to Scotland, although Canning impressed with figures of 3/27. Batter Amy Hunter top-scored with 39 runs in that contest. In the second match against England, Aimee Maguire and Orla Prendergast picked up two wickets apiece, while Prendergast and Little made useful contributions with the bat, though the rest of the batting unit struggled to make an impact.

Ireland will next face the White Ferns at The Rose Bowl, Southampton on June 19, hoping to bounce back and keep their campaign alive with a much-needed victory.

Ireland squad:

Gaby Lewis (c), Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Jane Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell, Alice Tector

Women's T20 World Cup 2026: IND W vs NED W Today's Match Highlights: Unmissable video recap, POTM, match analysis, stats and more
India Women won by 95 runs.

📢3 players who can lead India Women after Harmanpreet Kaur

Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur. (Photo source: Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Some players do not just play the game; they transform it. In Indian women’s cricket, Harmanpreet Kaur is undoubtedly one such player. With her fearless approach and aggressive batting style, she brought a new dimension to the game and inspired a generation of cricketers across the country.

Under her leadership, India reached new heights, including the historic triumph in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup on home soil. However, as Harmanpreet enters the twilight phase of her illustrious career, discussions about the team’s future leadership have naturally begun.

The question now is, who will take over the captaincy mantle and lead Indian women’s cricket into its next era? With the rise of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and the emergence of several capable leaders, the Indian women's team has a number of promising candidates who could step up to fill the role.

Here are 3 possible future Indian women's captains after Harmanpreet Kaur:

3. Deepti Sharma

Deepti Sharma. (Source:Gettyimages)

One of the most prominent names in Indian women’s cricket, Deepti Sharma , can be considered for the role after Harmanpreet Kaur. Deepti has played more than 275 international matches for India. With immense experience under her belt, she may already have the respect of her teammates and brings the seniority factor with her as well.

In the WPL, Deepti also captained her franchise, the UP Warriorz, briefly when the then regular captain, Alyssa Healy, was injured. She is just 28 years old and can be considered a long-term captaincy option in the future.

2. Jemimah Rodrigues

Jemimah Rodrigues (Source: Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

The enigmatic Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues will be a great candidate for the captaincy duties after Harmanpreet Kaur. The 25-year-old is one of the most experienced players, especially in the shorter formats, and is a regular member of the squad for the last few years.

As far as captaincy is concerned, she impressed everyone in the WPL 2026, where she was appointed as Delhi Capitals Women’s captain, replacing Meg Lanning. Jemimah took the side to the final of that season, showcasing her credentials as captain. With age on her side, she can be a solid captaincy option for the Women in Blue.

1. Smriti Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)

The most obvious choice to replace Harmanpreet Kaur as India’s captain will be the current vice-captain Smriti Mandhana . The experienced left-hand batter has a stellar record as captain in the WPL, leading RCB to two titles in 2024 and 2026, respectively. She also has captained India before as well and became India’s youngest-ever T20I captain when she led for the first time in 2019.

In T20Is, Smriti has led India 18 times and has won 11 of those matches, often filling in the void of Harmanpreet. Whereas in ODIs, she has a 100% record as India captain, winning all four matches. With an established captaincy record, she is the ideal captaincy choice for the Indian team beyond the depature of the Moga-bonr.

3 players who can lead India Women after Harmanpreet Kaur
Harmanpreet enters the twilight phase of her illustrious career, discussions about the team’s future leadership have naturally begun.

Women's T20 World Cup 2026: PAK W vs SA W Today's Match Highlights: Unmissable video recap, POTM, match analysis, stats and more
South Africa registered their first win of the tournament.