📢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
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
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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.
India Women won by 95 runs.
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📢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.
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.
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.
South Africa registered their first win of the tournament.
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'She keeps me calm' - Shafali Verma credits Smriti Mandhana's presence after their century stand vs Netherlands
Verma and Mandhana put on 115 runs for the first wicket from just 71 balls to help India reach 209 from 20 overs.
Verma and Mandhana put on 115 runs for the first wicket from just 71 balls to help India reach 209 from 20 overs.
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📢Women's T20 World Cup 2026: PAK W vs SA W Today's Match Highlights: Unmissable video recap, POTM, match analysis, stats and more
Marizanne Kapp. (Photo Source: Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
How did Match 11 of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 go between Pakistan Women and South Africa Women?
In a contest which could have gone either way, South Africa Women (SA W) clinched a solid win against Pakistan Women (PAK W) in Match 11 of the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup 2026 , getting over the line with two wickets and 19 balls to spare at Edgbaston, Birmingham , on Wednesday, June 17 .
As the match kicked off in style, Pakistan batted first, and despite a horrendous start where they lost half the side in the powerplay with just 29 runs on the board, they put up a fight through a terrific comeback. Captain Fatima Sana (55 off 38) and Tuba Hassan (23 off 27) did an excellent recovery job for the Women in Green, as they were able to score 126-9 at the end of their 20 overs.
For the Proteas, the start wasn't as easy, since the difficult conditions at Edgbaston did not allow for a free flow of runs. A collapse in the middle made the game swing the opposite way for a while, and the Fatima Sana-led side genuinely seemed to have made a comeback in their defence. But the South Africans managed to pull things back in their favour and registered a solid win to get off the mark in the tournament.
Top Batting Performance: Annerie Dercksen
South Africa had lost opener Sune Luus in the second over of the chase, but Annerie Dercksen's arrival at the crease meant that the Proteas were in safe hands. Dercksen dominated the powerplay, taking the maximum advantage of the field restrictions. Once skipper Laura Wolvaardt departed for 8 off 12, Dercksen took the charge in her own hands and steered the run chase with her 52-run knock off just 35 deliveries, batting on an extremely difficult track.
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Top Bowling Performance: Marizanne Kapp
The experience of Marizanne Kapp (3-23 in 4 overs) was on display right away, as she began the proceedings with the ball and struck on the first ball, trapping Muneeba Ali lbw. She struck for the second time in the first over, this time getting rid of another opener, Gull Feroza, on the last ball. In her second over, Kapp got the better of Ayesha Zafar, completing her three wickets that put her side right on top of the contest early on.
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Records Broken and Major Milestones Achieved
Fatima Sana and Tuba Hassan registered the highest 9th-wicket partnership (71) for Pakistan Women in T20Is.
Annerie Dercksen made his first fifty in T20 World Cups.
South Africa has maintained an unbeaten record against Pakistan in WT20 World Cups, winning all four contests thus far.
Fatima Sana became the first captain to score 50+ and pick 3 wickets in a Women’s T20 World Cup match.
Fatima Sana became the fourth player overall to score a 50 and pick 3 wickets in the same match in WT20 WCs.
South Africa's lowest victory by margin of wickets in the tournament's history. Joint second-lowest overall.
Who won the Player of the Match award?
Annerie Dercksen. (Photo Source: Jacob King/PA Images via Getty Images)
Dercksen, who registered her maiden half-century in the T20 World Cup and steered the brilliant run chase for the Proteas, was adjudged the Player of the Match. Her knock in the middle included seven beautiful boundaries and a couple of glorious sixes as well, as she helped the South African side gain a couple of crucial points on the table.
When is the next match?
Scotland and the West Indies will be seen crossing swords in the next match of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026. This contest will be played on Thursday, June 18 at the Headingley in Leeds.
Marizanne Kapp. (Photo Source: Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
How did Match 11 of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 go between Pakistan Women and South Africa Women?
In a contest which could have gone either way, South Africa Women (SA W) clinched a solid win against Pakistan Women (PAK W) in Match 11 of the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup 2026 , getting over the line with two wickets and 19 balls to spare at Edgbaston, Birmingham , on Wednesday, June 17 .
As the match kicked off in style, Pakistan batted first, and despite a horrendous start where they lost half the side in the powerplay with just 29 runs on the board, they put up a fight through a terrific comeback. Captain Fatima Sana (55 off 38) and Tuba Hassan (23 off 27) did an excellent recovery job for the Women in Green, as they were able to score 126-9 at the end of their 20 overs.
For the Proteas, the start wasn't as easy, since the difficult conditions at Edgbaston did not allow for a free flow of runs. A collapse in the middle made the game swing the opposite way for a while, and the Fatima Sana-led side genuinely seemed to have made a comeback in their defence. But the South Africans managed to pull things back in their favour and registered a solid win to get off the mark in the tournament.
Top Batting Performance: Annerie Dercksen
South Africa had lost opener Sune Luus in the second over of the chase, but Annerie Dercksen's arrival at the crease meant that the Proteas were in safe hands. Dercksen dominated the powerplay, taking the maximum advantage of the field restrictions. Once skipper Laura Wolvaardt departed for 8 off 12, Dercksen took the charge in her own hands and steered the run chase with her 52-run knock off just 35 deliveries, batting on an extremely difficult track.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by ICC (@icc)
Top Bowling Performance: Marizanne Kapp
The experience of Marizanne Kapp (3-23 in 4 overs) was on display right away, as she began the proceedings with the ball and struck on the first ball, trapping Muneeba Ali lbw. She struck for the second time in the first over, this time getting rid of another opener, Gull Feroza, on the last ball. In her second over, Kapp got the better of Ayesha Zafar, completing her three wickets that put her side right on top of the contest early on.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by ICC (@icc)
Records Broken and Major Milestones Achieved
Fatima Sana and Tuba Hassan registered the highest 9th-wicket partnership (71) for Pakistan Women in T20Is.
Annerie Dercksen made his first fifty in T20 World Cups.
South Africa has maintained an unbeaten record against Pakistan in WT20 World Cups, winning all four contests thus far.
Fatima Sana became the first captain to score 50+ and pick 3 wickets in a Women’s T20 World Cup match.
Fatima Sana became the fourth player overall to score a 50 and pick 3 wickets in the same match in WT20 WCs.
South Africa's lowest victory by margin of wickets in the tournament's history. Joint second-lowest overall.
Who won the Player of the Match award?
Annerie Dercksen. (Photo Source: Jacob King/PA Images via Getty Images)
Dercksen, who registered her maiden half-century in the T20 World Cup and steered the brilliant run chase for the Proteas, was adjudged the Player of the Match. Her knock in the middle included seven beautiful boundaries and a couple of glorious sixes as well, as she helped the South African side gain a couple of crucial points on the table.
When is the next match?
Scotland and the West Indies will be seen crossing swords in the next match of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026. This contest will be played on Thursday, June 18 at the Headingley in Leeds.
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📢'She keeps me calm' - Shafali Verma credits Smriti Mandhana's presence after their century stand vs Netherlands
Shafali Verma x Smriti Mandhana (Source: Mark Brake/Getty Images)
Shafali Verma has acknowledged how Smriti Mandhana's presence helps her perform to the best of her abilities whilst opening the batting. This comes after the pair played a significant role in helping India Women secure a convincing 95-run victory over the Netherlands Women during the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup.
Verma stated that Mandhana constantly advises her not to strive and hit every ball for big runs, and instead to wait for the right opportunity by knocking the ball along the ground. This calming presence on the field helped the pair forge a 100-run partnership whilst opening the batting, with the 22-year-old hitting her maiden T20I half-century, and the more experienced Mandhana went on to score a 47-ball 74 to be named Player of the Match.
Verma, along with the left-handed batter, put on 115 runs for the first wicket from just 71 balls to help India reach 209 from 20 overs.
"She keeps advising me, because I feel like hitting a six every ball, but she's the one who keeps me calm, tells me loose balls will come and I have to play along the ground too. So she keeps me calm and she spoke very well with me today, she was making me understand on every ball. So it felt great, we had a 100-plus partnership and we are trying to do the same in the upcoming matches," Shafali said in the press conference via ESPNcricinfo.
Verma also stated the importance of having an opening partner who understands each other's game, strengths and weaknesses. This helps the duo rotate the strike according to the bowler and make full use of their varied skill sets.
"She has the best seat to tell me what I'm doing is right or wrong, and then even I have the best seat to tell her which bowler I can take on. We both know who should take the strike when there's an offspinner, or when there's a left-arm spinner. We have been playing with each other for many years, so we both know about each other a lot," she added.
India secured their second consecutive win in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup and currently find themselves at the top of Group 1 with four points from two matches. Their next game will see them face South Africa Women at Old Trafford in Manchester on Sunday, June 21, in what could decide their chances to qualify for the knockouts.
Shafali Verma x Smriti Mandhana (Source: Mark Brake/Getty Images)
Shafali Verma has acknowledged how Smriti Mandhana's presence helps her perform to the best of her abilities whilst opening the batting. This comes after the pair played a significant role in helping India Women secure a convincing 95-run victory over the Netherlands Women during the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup.
Verma stated that Mandhana constantly advises her not to strive and hit every ball for big runs, and instead to wait for the right opportunity by knocking the ball along the ground. This calming presence on the field helped the pair forge a 100-run partnership whilst opening the batting, with the 22-year-old hitting her maiden T20I half-century, and the more experienced Mandhana went on to score a 47-ball 74 to be named Player of the Match.
Verma, along with the left-handed batter, put on 115 runs for the first wicket from just 71 balls to help India reach 209 from 20 overs.
"She keeps advising me, because I feel like hitting a six every ball, but she's the one who keeps me calm, tells me loose balls will come and I have to play along the ground too. So she keeps me calm and she spoke very well with me today, she was making me understand on every ball. So it felt great, we had a 100-plus partnership and we are trying to do the same in the upcoming matches," Shafali said in the press conference via ESPNcricinfo.
Verma also stated the importance of having an opening partner who understands each other's game, strengths and weaknesses. This helps the duo rotate the strike according to the bowler and make full use of their varied skill sets.
"She has the best seat to tell me what I'm doing is right or wrong, and then even I have the best seat to tell her which bowler I can take on. We both know who should take the strike when there's an offspinner, or when there's a left-arm spinner. We have been playing with each other for many years, so we both know about each other a lot," she added.
India secured their second consecutive win in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup and currently find themselves at the top of Group 1 with four points from two matches. Their next game will see them face South Africa Women at Old Trafford in Manchester on Sunday, June 21, in what could decide their chances to qualify for the knockouts.
Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Shreyanka Patil stretchered off the field after twisting her ankle
The off-spinner landed awkwardly on her right ankle while picking up the ball and turning, and immediately fell to the ground.
The off-spinner landed awkwardly on her right ankle while picking up the ball and turning, and immediately fell to the ground.
📢Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Shreyanka Patil stretchered off the field after twisting her ankle
Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Shreyanka Patil stretchered off the field after twisting her ankle(Photo Source: BCCI Women)
India Women 's all-rounder Shreyanka Patil was stretchered off the field after twisting her ankle during the 95-run win over the Netherlands Women in Headingley on Wednesday, June 17. Bowling her first ball of the game, Patil ran towards mid-on to stop the ball, where she twisted her ankle and had to be taken off the field on a stretcher.
In the first ball of the sixth over, Netherlands batter Phebe Molkenboer tapped the ball towards mid-on. Patil ran after it to stop the single and reached the ball after Yastika Bhatia palmed the ball away with a diving effort. The off-spinner landed awkwardly on her right ankle while picking up the ball and turning, and immediately fell to the ground.
She lay on the ground, clutching her right ankle, as the Indian team physiotherapist came out. While trying to stand up, she was unable to balance any weight on her right leg, and eventually had to be stretchered off the field. Shafali Verma completed the sixth over with Radha Yadav being brought in to field.
Patil has been out of action for multiple periods due to long injury layoffs in 2024 and 2025. She suffered a finger fracture on her left hand in July 2024, which was followed by shin splints in both legs and then a stress issue in her wrist. She was back to full fitness in September of 2025, where she represented the Barbados Royals in the Women's CPL and was a regular feature of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2026 WPL.
Speaking of the match, India put on a massive 209 for 5 in their 20 overs after being put into bat. A 115-run opening stand between Shafali and Smriti Mandhana , with late fireworks from Richa Ghosh, took the team to the mammoth total. Mandhana top-scored with a well-made 74 off 47 balls, her second consecutive half-century of the tournament, while Shafali scored 55 off 38 balls. The Netherlands were bowled out for 114, with Shree Charani finishing with figures of 4 for 19 and Shafali picking up figures of 3 for 20.
India sit top of Group A, with two wins from two matches. Their next match is against South Africa Women on June 21 at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Shreyanka Patil stretchered off the field after twisting her ankle(Photo Source: BCCI Women)
India Women 's all-rounder Shreyanka Patil was stretchered off the field after twisting her ankle during the 95-run win over the Netherlands Women in Headingley on Wednesday, June 17. Bowling her first ball of the game, Patil ran towards mid-on to stop the ball, where she twisted her ankle and had to be taken off the field on a stretcher.
In the first ball of the sixth over, Netherlands batter Phebe Molkenboer tapped the ball towards mid-on. Patil ran after it to stop the single and reached the ball after Yastika Bhatia palmed the ball away with a diving effort. The off-spinner landed awkwardly on her right ankle while picking up the ball and turning, and immediately fell to the ground.
She lay on the ground, clutching her right ankle, as the Indian team physiotherapist came out. While trying to stand up, she was unable to balance any weight on her right leg, and eventually had to be stretchered off the field. Shafali Verma completed the sixth over with Radha Yadav being brought in to field.
Patil has been out of action for multiple periods due to long injury layoffs in 2024 and 2025. She suffered a finger fracture on her left hand in July 2024, which was followed by shin splints in both legs and then a stress issue in her wrist. She was back to full fitness in September of 2025, where she represented the Barbados Royals in the Women's CPL and was a regular feature of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2026 WPL.
Speaking of the match, India put on a massive 209 for 5 in their 20 overs after being put into bat. A 115-run opening stand between Shafali and Smriti Mandhana , with late fireworks from Richa Ghosh, took the team to the mammoth total. Mandhana top-scored with a well-made 74 off 47 balls, her second consecutive half-century of the tournament, while Shafali scored 55 off 38 balls. The Netherlands were bowled out for 114, with Shree Charani finishing with figures of 4 for 19 and Shafali picking up figures of 3 for 20.
India sit top of Group A, with two wins from two matches. Their next match is against South Africa Women on June 21 at Old Trafford in Manchester.
📢'I love doing it' - Ellyse Perry on her ability to contribute as an all-rounder after Australia vs Bangladesh
Ellyse Perry. (Photo Source: George Wood/Getty Images)
Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry said she relishes contributing across all facets of her game, including bowling, after helping her side beat Bangladesh in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup on Wednesday, June 17. The 35-year-old returned to her best with the ball, taking 2 for 14 from three overs to restrict the opposition to just 77 in the first innings.
Perry stated that she enjoys working on her bowling and learning new things to keep things different. She was pleased that her hard work came to fruition at Headingley on Wednesday.
"Any opportunity (I get) to contribute, I really enjoy doing that with this wonderful group of players. I've been chipping away with my bowling, I love doing it, it keeps me interested at training to have a trundle. There's bits and pieces you've always got to learn and try and develop and I've been doing that for the last little bit. So to have an opportunity today was really enjoyable," Perry said after the Bangladesh match via Cricket Australia.
Perry has been renowned for her all-round skill across her 19-year-long international career. The right-hander, however, has not bowled regularly over the past few years and has instead focused more on their contributions with the bat. In the last 32 T20Is that Australia has played in, Perry has bowled just eight times. However, she showed her prowess with the bowl against Bangladesh and remains a valuable asset to her side's arsenal.
Australia captain Sophie Molineux also talked about the importance of having an experienced bowler in Perry amongst their ranks. Despite the reduction in her role as a bowler, the experienced all-rounder is also prepared to come in and bowl whenever required, as she remains match-ready thanks to constant training.
"She bowls every single training. And even when she hasn't bowled, she's ready at any point, which is really admirable for someone to have been playing the game for 20 years and still has such an impact with the bat and has chipped away at something in the background. When she gets the opportunity, she makes that count, so I'm really pleased for her," Sophie Molineux said.
Perry has 129 wickets from 176 T20I matches since making her debut back in 2008. She is renowned for being extremely economical, conceding runs at just 5.83. Before the start of the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, she bowled twice in the warm-up matches, against South Africa and the West Indies, where she picked a wicket each.
Ellyse Perry. (Photo Source: George Wood/Getty Images)
Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry said she relishes contributing across all facets of her game, including bowling, after helping her side beat Bangladesh in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup on Wednesday, June 17. The 35-year-old returned to her best with the ball, taking 2 for 14 from three overs to restrict the opposition to just 77 in the first innings.
Perry stated that she enjoys working on her bowling and learning new things to keep things different. She was pleased that her hard work came to fruition at Headingley on Wednesday.
"Any opportunity (I get) to contribute, I really enjoy doing that with this wonderful group of players. I've been chipping away with my bowling, I love doing it, it keeps me interested at training to have a trundle. There's bits and pieces you've always got to learn and try and develop and I've been doing that for the last little bit. So to have an opportunity today was really enjoyable," Perry said after the Bangladesh match via Cricket Australia.
Perry has been renowned for her all-round skill across her 19-year-long international career. The right-hander, however, has not bowled regularly over the past few years and has instead focused more on their contributions with the bat. In the last 32 T20Is that Australia has played in, Perry has bowled just eight times. However, she showed her prowess with the bowl against Bangladesh and remains a valuable asset to her side's arsenal.
Australia captain Sophie Molineux also talked about the importance of having an experienced bowler in Perry amongst their ranks. Despite the reduction in her role as a bowler, the experienced all-rounder is also prepared to come in and bowl whenever required, as she remains match-ready thanks to constant training.
"She bowls every single training. And even when she hasn't bowled, she's ready at any point, which is really admirable for someone to have been playing the game for 20 years and still has such an impact with the bat and has chipped away at something in the background. When she gets the opportunity, she makes that count, so I'm really pleased for her," Sophie Molineux said.
Perry has 129 wickets from 176 T20I matches since making her debut back in 2008. She is renowned for being extremely economical, conceding runs at just 5.83. Before the start of the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, she bowled twice in the warm-up matches, against South Africa and the West Indies, where she picked a wicket each.
'I love doing it' - Ellyse Perry on her ability to contribute as an all-rounder after Australia vs Bangladesh
The 35-year-old returned to her best with the ball, taking 2 for 14 from three overs to restrict the opposition to just 77 in the first innings.
The 35-year-old returned to her best with the ball, taking 2 for 14 from three overs to restrict the opposition to just 77 in the first innings.
Deepti Sharma matches Jhulan Goswami's all-time record for most women's international wickets
Deepti Sharma has started her Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign brilliantly. She has played handy cameos and taken important wickets through the middle overs in the two games India have played.
Deepti Sharma has started her Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign brilliantly. She has played handy cameos and taken important wickets through the middle overs in the two games India have played.
📢Deepti Sharma matches Jhulan Goswami's all-time record for most women's international wickets
Deepti Sharma (Source - Pankaj Nangia/Getty Image)
Deepti Sharma has made a fine start to her campaign in the Women's T20 World Cup 2026. She has played handy cameos and taken important wickets through the middle overs in the two games India have played.
After bagging a five-for in India's opening game against arch-rivals Pakistan at Edgbaston, Birmingham, the spin-bowling all-rounder created history on Wednesday, June 17, against the Netherlands at Headingley, Leeds.
Deepti dismissed Phebe Molkenboer in the eighth over on Wednesday and tied with compatriot and former pacer Jhulan Goswami for most wickets in women's international cricket.
Now, both Jhulan and Deepti are tied with 355 wickets at the international level each, followed by England's Katherine Sciver-Brunt (335), Australia legend Ellyse Perry (332), England spinner Sophie Ecclestone (327) and South Africa pacer Shabnim Ismail (318).
With 166 wickets in 124 matches, Deepti is India's second-highest ODI wicket-taker next to Jhulan (255). In T20Is, Deepti is exclusively holding the top spot, having taken 167 wickets in 146 matches globally. She also has 22 wickets in six Tests for India.
In the game against the Netherlands, India were invited to bat first, and the opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma smashed exhilarating half-centuries to put the Women's ODI World Cup champions in a position of strength. Yastika Bhatia, Richa Ghosh, and Deepti played enterprising cameos to take India's total beyond the 200-run mark. The Dutch side was set a daunting target of 210.
Apart from the top four batters in the Netherlands' batting order, no one else got to double figures. Skipper Babette de Leede was the top-scorer, but her 28-run knock came off 27 balls. For India, Shree Charani starred with a four-for. Shafali also chipped in with three wickets. Nandni Sharma, making her Women's T20 World Cup debut, took two wickets. However, the Asian giants suffered a setback when Shreyanka Patil had to be stretchered off the field after sustaining a leg injury while fielding.
Deepti Sharma (Source - Pankaj Nangia/Getty Image)
Deepti Sharma has made a fine start to her campaign in the Women's T20 World Cup 2026. She has played handy cameos and taken important wickets through the middle overs in the two games India have played.
After bagging a five-for in India's opening game against arch-rivals Pakistan at Edgbaston, Birmingham, the spin-bowling all-rounder created history on Wednesday, June 17, against the Netherlands at Headingley, Leeds.
Deepti dismissed Phebe Molkenboer in the eighth over on Wednesday and tied with compatriot and former pacer Jhulan Goswami for most wickets in women's international cricket.
Now, both Jhulan and Deepti are tied with 355 wickets at the international level each, followed by England's Katherine Sciver-Brunt (335), Australia legend Ellyse Perry (332), England spinner Sophie Ecclestone (327) and South Africa pacer Shabnim Ismail (318).
With 166 wickets in 124 matches, Deepti is India's second-highest ODI wicket-taker next to Jhulan (255). In T20Is, Deepti is exclusively holding the top spot, having taken 167 wickets in 146 matches globally. She also has 22 wickets in six Tests for India.
In the game against the Netherlands, India were invited to bat first, and the opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma smashed exhilarating half-centuries to put the Women's ODI World Cup champions in a position of strength. Yastika Bhatia, Richa Ghosh, and Deepti played enterprising cameos to take India's total beyond the 200-run mark. The Dutch side was set a daunting target of 210.
Apart from the top four batters in the Netherlands' batting order, no one else got to double figures. Skipper Babette de Leede was the top-scorer, but her 28-run knock came off 27 balls. For India, Shree Charani starred with a four-for. Shafali also chipped in with three wickets. Nandni Sharma, making her Women's T20 World Cup debut, took two wickets. However, the Asian giants suffered a setback when Shreyanka Patil had to be stretchered off the field after sustaining a leg injury while fielding.
📢'As soon as he switches to India jersey from IPL, he's a different player' - Manoj Tiwary's huge praise for Arshdeep Singh after heroics in 2nd ODI
Arshdeep Singh (Source: BCCI)
Former Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary lauded Arshdeep Singh after the left-arm pacer bagged a three-for in the second ODI against Afghanistan at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, June 17.
Arshdeep wasn't at his best during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. In 14 matches, he picked up as many wickets at an average of 38.64 and conceded runs at an economy rate of 10.21. While these numbers aren't too impressive, the left-arm spinner has returned to his best after putting on the India jersey, picking up five wickets in the first two ODIs against Afghanistan.
Tiwary said that IPL is "just entertainment cricket" and that the setup is designed so batters will dominate bowlers. He also pointed out that Arshdeep looks to have regained his rhythm, something that he lacked during the IPL. The Punjab pacer also started vlogging actively, posting videos on social media and sometimes landing in controversy. However, he hasn't been doing that during the ongoing series, and Tiwary feels that having no distractions is helping the 27-year-old.
"IPL is just entertainment cricket, to be honest with you. The format is T20, but it is just full-on entertainment, where things are set up for batters and bowlers only get hit. So you cannot compare and judge performances from there. As soon as he switches to India jersey from IPL, he's a different player. We have seen that in T20Is, he has a better numbers of striking in the first over than Jasprit Bumrah," Manoj Tiwary said on Cricbuzz.
"His rhythm has come back now. He has stopped doing some things that he was doing in the IPL. He used to do all of that in the IPL, he has stopped now, we don't see much of him on social media. When you move away from distractions and focus on things that matter, then the consistency in performances is there. It is good to see him leading the attack and pick wickets for his country," he added.
Arshdeep finished with figures of 3/45 in nine overs on Wednesday. Gurnoor Brar and Prince Yadav took three and two wickets, respectively, as Afghanistan were bowled out for 232 in 44.3 overs. They lost by 170 runs, chasing down an improbable 403-run target.
Earlier in the day, Shubman Gill (154) and Ishan Kishan (125) slammed blistering centuries to help India post a massive total after being asked to bat first. On the back of this convincing win, the hosts took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Arshdeep Singh (Source: BCCI)
Former Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary lauded Arshdeep Singh after the left-arm pacer bagged a three-for in the second ODI against Afghanistan at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, June 17.
Arshdeep wasn't at his best during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. In 14 matches, he picked up as many wickets at an average of 38.64 and conceded runs at an economy rate of 10.21. While these numbers aren't too impressive, the left-arm spinner has returned to his best after putting on the India jersey, picking up five wickets in the first two ODIs against Afghanistan.
Tiwary said that IPL is "just entertainment cricket" and that the setup is designed so batters will dominate bowlers. He also pointed out that Arshdeep looks to have regained his rhythm, something that he lacked during the IPL. The Punjab pacer also started vlogging actively, posting videos on social media and sometimes landing in controversy. However, he hasn't been doing that during the ongoing series, and Tiwary feels that having no distractions is helping the 27-year-old.
"IPL is just entertainment cricket, to be honest with you. The format is T20, but it is just full-on entertainment, where things are set up for batters and bowlers only get hit. So you cannot compare and judge performances from there. As soon as he switches to India jersey from IPL, he's a different player. We have seen that in T20Is, he has a better numbers of striking in the first over than Jasprit Bumrah," Manoj Tiwary said on Cricbuzz.
"His rhythm has come back now. He has stopped doing some things that he was doing in the IPL. He used to do all of that in the IPL, he has stopped now, we don't see much of him on social media. When you move away from distractions and focus on things that matter, then the consistency in performances is there. It is good to see him leading the attack and pick wickets for his country," he added.
Arshdeep finished with figures of 3/45 in nine overs on Wednesday. Gurnoor Brar and Prince Yadav took three and two wickets, respectively, as Afghanistan were bowled out for 232 in 44.3 overs. They lost by 170 runs, chasing down an improbable 403-run target.
Earlier in the day, Shubman Gill (154) and Ishan Kishan (125) slammed blistering centuries to help India post a massive total after being asked to bat first. On the back of this convincing win, the hosts took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
'As soon as he switches to India jersey from IPL, he's a different player' - Manoj Tiwary's huge praise for Arshdeep Singh after heroics in 2nd ODI
"IPL is just entertainment cricket, to be honest with you. The format is T20, but it is just full-on entertainment, where things are set up for batters and bowlers only get hit," Manoj Tiwary said.
"IPL is just entertainment cricket, to be honest with you. The format is T20, but it is just full-on entertainment, where things are set up for batters and bowlers only get hit," Manoj Tiwary said.
📢Ireland vs India 2026: Where to Watch Matches - TV Channels & Live Streaming in India
Ireland vs India. (Photo Source: Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has confirmed the acquisition of exclusive television and digital media rights for India's upcoming tour of Ireland in 2026 .
The agreement will see Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV exclusively broadcast the two T20I matches from the tour, bringing Indian cricket fans closer to every moment of Team India's action on Irish soil.
With this acquisition, SPNI has deepened its investment in premium live sports, further enhancing its position as one of India's destinations for international cricket. The addition of the Ireland tour expands Sony's year-round cricket offering and provides fans with more opportunities to follow Team India beyond marquee multi-nation tournaments and bilateral contests.
The tour will showcase a mix of established stars and emerging talent while also highlighting the growing cricketing ties between India and Ireland.
The Indian squad led by Shreyas Iyer with Tilak Varma as second in command has an eclectic mix of young and experienced players such as Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Prasidh Krishna and the batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi .
Fans can look forward to comprehensive coverage, expert analysis, multilingual commentary, and immersive viewing experiences across television and digital platforms.
IRE vs IND 2026: Full Schedule
Match
Date
Time (IST)
Venue
First T20I
Friday, June 26
6:00 PM
Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast
Second T20I
Sunday, June 28
6:00 PM
Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Ireland vs India 2026 series get underway?
The upcoming T20I series between Ireland and India will get underway on June 26, 2026. It will conclude with the second and final match of the series on June 28, 2026.
What are the venues for the Ireland vs India 2026 T20I series?
Both the matches of the Ireland vs India T20I series will be held in Belfast.
Where can fans watch the broadcast of the India tour of Ireland 2026 on television (TV) in India?
The live television (TV) broadcast for India's tour of Ireland 2026 will be available on Sony Sports Network channels in India.
Where can fans enjoy the live-streaming of India's tour of Ireland 2026 in India?
The digital live streaming for India's tour of Ireland 2026 can be accessed via SonyLIV's mobile application and website in India.
(Inputs: Sony Pictures Network India)
Ireland vs India. (Photo Source: Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has confirmed the acquisition of exclusive television and digital media rights for India's upcoming tour of Ireland in 2026 .
The agreement will see Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV exclusively broadcast the two T20I matches from the tour, bringing Indian cricket fans closer to every moment of Team India's action on Irish soil.
With this acquisition, SPNI has deepened its investment in premium live sports, further enhancing its position as one of India's destinations for international cricket. The addition of the Ireland tour expands Sony's year-round cricket offering and provides fans with more opportunities to follow Team India beyond marquee multi-nation tournaments and bilateral contests.
The tour will showcase a mix of established stars and emerging talent while also highlighting the growing cricketing ties between India and Ireland.
The Indian squad led by Shreyas Iyer with Tilak Varma as second in command has an eclectic mix of young and experienced players such as Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Prasidh Krishna and the batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi .
Fans can look forward to comprehensive coverage, expert analysis, multilingual commentary, and immersive viewing experiences across television and digital platforms.
IRE vs IND 2026: Full Schedule
Match
Date
Time (IST)
Venue
First T20I
Friday, June 26
6:00 PM
Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast
Second T20I
Sunday, June 28
6:00 PM
Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Ireland vs India 2026 series get underway?
The upcoming T20I series between Ireland and India will get underway on June 26, 2026. It will conclude with the second and final match of the series on June 28, 2026.
What are the venues for the Ireland vs India 2026 T20I series?
Both the matches of the Ireland vs India T20I series will be held in Belfast.
Where can fans watch the broadcast of the India tour of Ireland 2026 on television (TV) in India?
The live television (TV) broadcast for India's tour of Ireland 2026 will be available on Sony Sports Network channels in India.
Where can fans enjoy the live-streaming of India's tour of Ireland 2026 in India?
The digital live streaming for India's tour of Ireland 2026 can be accessed via SonyLIV's mobile application and website in India.
(Inputs: Sony Pictures Network India)
Ireland vs India 2026: Where to Watch Matches - TV Channels & Live Streaming in India
The series will get underway on Friday, June 26, 2026.
The series will get underway on Friday, June 26, 2026.
📢'This team needs him as a leader' - Michael Vaughan wants Ben Stokes to return as England captain
Ben Stokes and Michael Vaughan. (Photo Source: Getty Images)
Former captain Michael Vaughan claimed England desperately need Ben Stokes back as their leader in Test cricket, thanks to his tactical prowess. This comes after the all-rounder was not picked for his side's second Test match against New Zealand following a nightclub incident involving him and teammate Gus Atkinson last week.
Stokes and Atkinson broke a team curfew after the Three Lions' victory over the Black Caps in the first Test match at Lord's. The duo were then involved in a brawl with the rugby player, resulting in them getting suspended for the Oval Test.
Despite the off-field controversies, Vaughan fully backs the left-handed batter and wants him back in the team as captain. The former player-turned-expert also claimed that it would be difficult for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to turn up and say Stokes is no longer the captain of the Test side.
"This team needs him as a leader, as a captain. His tactical awareness of the game has been right up there with the best captains I have seen. I wouldn't want to be that person that says to the English cricket fan 'Ben Stokes is not our captain any more'," Vaughan said on BBC Test Match Special.
However, should the ECB decide to sack Stokes for his nightclub antics, Vaughan believes that the only player under whom the 35-year-old would be comfortable playing is Joe Root. The right-handed batter has been given the captaincy on an interim basis in the absence of England 's regular Test skipper for the second Test against New Zealand.
Vaughan suggests that the leadership qualities Stokes possesses would make it extremely difficult for him to remain just a player in the team. However, with Root's stature in the side, he would not mind playing under the former England captain.
"If the ECB make a call Ben can't come back in a leadership role, the only captain he could play under is Joe," said Vaughan. I don't see Ben as the kind of character that would just walk into the dressing room as a player. I see him purely as the leader. I would have found it very difficult to go into a team after captaining for a while. I think Ben would struggle but, if there was one respected player in the dressing room he would do it for, it is Joe," Vaughan added.
It is worth mentioning that Root captained England 65 times in the longest format of the game before being replaced by Stokes in the summer of 2022 as the Three Lions kick-started their new regime under coach Brendon McCullum.
Ben Stokes and Michael Vaughan. (Photo Source: Getty Images)
Former captain Michael Vaughan claimed England desperately need Ben Stokes back as their leader in Test cricket, thanks to his tactical prowess. This comes after the all-rounder was not picked for his side's second Test match against New Zealand following a nightclub incident involving him and teammate Gus Atkinson last week.
Stokes and Atkinson broke a team curfew after the Three Lions' victory over the Black Caps in the first Test match at Lord's. The duo were then involved in a brawl with the rugby player, resulting in them getting suspended for the Oval Test.
Despite the off-field controversies, Vaughan fully backs the left-handed batter and wants him back in the team as captain. The former player-turned-expert also claimed that it would be difficult for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to turn up and say Stokes is no longer the captain of the Test side.
"This team needs him as a leader, as a captain. His tactical awareness of the game has been right up there with the best captains I have seen. I wouldn't want to be that person that says to the English cricket fan 'Ben Stokes is not our captain any more'," Vaughan said on BBC Test Match Special.
However, should the ECB decide to sack Stokes for his nightclub antics, Vaughan believes that the only player under whom the 35-year-old would be comfortable playing is Joe Root. The right-handed batter has been given the captaincy on an interim basis in the absence of England 's regular Test skipper for the second Test against New Zealand.
Vaughan suggests that the leadership qualities Stokes possesses would make it extremely difficult for him to remain just a player in the team. However, with Root's stature in the side, he would not mind playing under the former England captain.
"If the ECB make a call Ben can't come back in a leadership role, the only captain he could play under is Joe," said Vaughan. I don't see Ben as the kind of character that would just walk into the dressing room as a player. I see him purely as the leader. I would have found it very difficult to go into a team after captaining for a while. I think Ben would struggle but, if there was one respected player in the dressing room he would do it for, it is Joe," Vaughan added.
It is worth mentioning that Root captained England 65 times in the longest format of the game before being replaced by Stokes in the summer of 2022 as the Three Lions kick-started their new regime under coach Brendon McCullum.
'This team needs him as a leader' - Michael Vaughan wants Ben Stokes to return as England captain
Despite the off-field controversies, Vaughan fully backs the left-handed batter and wants him back in the team as captain.
Despite the off-field controversies, Vaughan fully backs the left-handed batter and wants him back in the team as captain.
'No new tips, team management told me to back my strengths' - Gurnoor Brar shares experience of playing for India
Gurnoor Brar has been a pleasant revelation for India during the ongoing three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.
Gurnoor Brar has been a pleasant revelation for India during the ongoing three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.