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The strike rate is very important in T20 but it is not the whole and sole of it: Mithali Raj

Former India women's team captain Mithali Raj spoke about the significance of the strike rate in T20 cricket and also praised Virat Kohli for his batting brilliance in the ongoing IPL 2023.

Apr 26, 2023, 7:31 AM3 min read

The strike rate is very important in T20 but it is not the whole and sole of it: Mithali Raj

The former India women's team skipper Mithali Raj has spoken regarding the significance of the strike rate in T20 cricket. Also, she has addressed the new Impact Player rule implemented by the BCCI in the IPL 2023 season. Mithali has played 89 T20Is for India, scoring 2364 runs at an average of 37.52. Notably, she is the only Indian women's cricketer to have a T20I average of more than 30.

Read Also: Lowest total defended by each team in IPL history

She was talking about Virat Kohli's IPL 2023 strike rate. While addressing the same, she told that the RCB Kohli prefers both boundaries and runs between the wickets. She also claimed that Kohli has an effortless hitting ability with the ball even though the bowler is very quick. She also praised Kohli's strike rate against pacers in the ongoing edition of the IPL.

"Virat banks a lot more on fours and running between the wickets than power-hitting. The way he has been starting in the powerplay in this IPL is great. The faster the bowler bowls, the easier it seems for him to dispatch the ball to the boundary. The strike rate that he has against the pacers is amazing," Mithali said in an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times.

If the pitch is difficult and you are losing wickets then you can't just depend on strike rate: Mithali

"Both are important... in a way, it has become a topic of discussion because of the advancement of T20 cricket but one can't be putting too much emphasis on one aspect while ignoring the other. There has to be that balance. If you are having a good run then you are expected to score runs and also maintain a good strike rate. Form is even more valuable in this format because there is no time. It moves very fast and you don't get the opportunity to create your own rhythm. It also depends on where you bat. If you are an opener, then have to go hard in the powerplay. It's the best way to use the field restrictions and get as many runs as possible. But say the pitch is difficult and you are losing wickets then you can't just depend on strike rate. You bat according to the situation, according to what the demands of your team are. The strike rate is very important in this format but is not the whole and sole of it." She added.

While talking about the impact player rule in IPL 2023, Mithali said; "Yes, to a certain extent, it does reduce the role of an all-rounder. If your Impact Player is a batter then at times we've seen in this IPL that the batting line-up goes down to No.9. You are not out of the game in a chase even if you are 7 or 8 down. It has its pros and cons and it all depends on how wisely the team uses it."

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Most centuries in WT20Is

Esha Oza currently holds the record for most centuries in WT20Is, with four centuries in the format. Explore the list of players with such century records!

May 17, 2025, 5:47 AM3 min read

Most centuries in WT20Is - Esha Oza leads the chart | sportzpoint.com

Scoring a century in any form of cricket is a moment of glory, but in the fast-paced format of T20s, it gets more exciting to watch. Numerous cricketers have consistently proved themselves in this format by delivering spectacular tons.

The list goes deep as we have such power-hitters from around the globe!

Join us as we explore the list of players with most centuries in WT20Is and celebrate their glorious innings.

1. Esha Oza (4 centuries) | UAE

Esha Oza holds the first rank for most centuries in WT20Is | sportzpoint.com
Esha Oza in action against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2024. Image | ESPNcricinfo 

The current captain of UAE, Esha Oza, holds the record for most centuries in WT20Is with 4 centuries in her T20 career so far. This Indian-born cricketer made her debut in T20Is in 2018 and reached this milestone extremely fast.

She is also the fastest player from UAE to reach 1000 runs in T20Is. Her fourth century in T20Is came against Qatar in the Asia Cup qualifier, where she led her team to a brilliant victory.

Read Also: Top 10 fastest centuries in Women's T20Is

Esha Oza stats in WT20Is

Span Matches Innings  Runs Highest Avg SR 100 50
2018-2025 93 91 2538 158* 31.33 113.40 4 10

2. Chamari Athapaththu (3 centuries) | Sri Lanka

Chamari Athapaththu holds the second rank for most centuries in WT20Is | sportzpoint.com
Chamari Athapaththu celebrating her 113 off 66 balls against Australia in 2019. Image | ESPNcricinfo 

Chamari Athapaththu, the current captain of Sri Lanka national team, holds the 2nd position in this list with her 3 centuries in WT20Is. She is one of the finest cricketers from Sri Lanka and led them to win the 2024 Asia Cup.

Chamari scored her first hundred in T20Is in 2019 against Australia. She scored the other following centuries in 2024 against Scotland and Malaysia.

Read Also: England or Australia? Which team has won more Women's Ashes?

Chamari Athapaththu stats in WT20Is

Span Matches Innings Runs Highest Avg SR 100 50
2009-2025 146 143 3458 119* 25.42 110.09 3 13

3. Fatuma Kibasu (3 centuries) | Tanzania 

Fatuma Kibasu holdes the third rank for most centuries in WT20Is | sportzpoint.com
Fatuma Kibasu celebrating her century in 2019. Image | Facebook 

The former captain of Tanzania, Fatuma Kibasu, holds the 3rd position with her 3 centuries in WT20Is. She is the only Tanzanian woman to score a century at international level so far, and holds the highest individual score for her country in WT20Is.

Fatuma made her T20 debut in 2019 and played magnificently ever since!

Fatuma Kibasu stats in WT20Is

Span Matches Innings Runs Highest Avg SR 100 50
2019-2023 45 44 1245 127* 35.57 109.69 3 5

Read Also: Most WT20I runs in a calendar year

Other players with 2 centuries in WT20Is 

Here's a list of players who scored 2 centuries in WT20Is and comes in the list following the TOP 3.

Player Span Matches Innings Runs Highest Avg 100 50
Prosscovia Alako (UGA) 2019-2025 59 57 824 116 15.54 2 1
Rebecca Blake (ROM) 2022-2023 13 13 754 135* 107.71 2 5
Maria Castineiras (ARG) 2019-2025 38 37 694 155* 23.93 2 1
Deandra Dottin (WI/BRB) 2008-2025 138 135 3004 112* 26.82 2 14
Mariko Hill (HKG) 2019-2025 79 76 1678 106 25.42 2 6
Meg Lanning (AUS) 2010-2023 132 121 3405 133* 36.61 2 15
Gaby Lewis (IRE) 2014-2024 94 94 2318 119 28.61 2 13
Hayley Matthews (WI) 2014-2025 106 106 2651 132 26.77 2 16
Beth Mooney (AUS) 2015-2025 112 106 3381 117* 42.26 2 27
Danni Wyatt-Hodge (ENG) 2010-2025 170

149

3190 124 23.62 2 19

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"Wear whites for Virat": RCB fans in Bengaluru to wear white for Virat Kohli Test tribute

Get ready to witness a sea of whites in Chinnaswamy stadium. RCB fans in Bengaluru to wear white for Virat Kohli Test tribute. Check the full article for all the details.

May 16, 2025, 7:40 AM2 min read

"Wear whites for Virat": RCB fans in Bengaluru to wear white for Virat Kohli Test tribute | sportzpoint.com

RCB fans in Bengaluru to wear white for Virat Kohli Test tribute? Yes! Fans are planning a special "wear white" initiative and asking the crowd to show up in whites for the upcoming RCB vs KKR match at Chinnaswamy Stadium on May 17, 2025.

As the IPL is set to resume tomorrow, and we will witness Virat Kohli play his first match after his announcement of test retirement, fans are organising a heartfelt tribute for the King!

The viral spread of white wave

A fan-driven moment is going viral recently where they call the crowd to wear white for a collective tribute to Virat Kohli after his test retirement.

Whether you have a test jersey or not, all they ask for is wearing anything white instead of the jerseys of IPL franchises.

Discussions on Reddit

The white tribute takes shape on reddit as fans try to reach out as much as possible.

Reddit discussion on how RCB fans in Bengaluru to wear white for Virat Kohli Test tribute | sportzpoint.com
Reddit discussion thread on wear white in Chinnaswamy tribute. Image | Reddit

Fans pledge to wear white in Instagram comments

Fans leave heartfelt messages on comments section of official Royal Challengers Bengaluru Instagram page.

RCB fans in Bengaluru to wear white for Virat Kohli Test tribute | sportzpoint.com
Comments on RCB's official Instagram handle. Image | Instagram 

Hashtags like #WearWhiteForVirat, #KohliTestTribute, and #KohliTestFarewell are the ones people are using to make this a trend before the upcoming IPL 2025 match.

RCB fans in Bengaluru to wear white for Virat Kohli Test tribute | sportzpoint.com
Comments on RCB's official Instagram handle. Image | Instagram 

Content Creators spreading the word

Many content creators have joined hands to support this initiative and they are getting huge responses.

Harsha Bhogle reacts on Twitter 

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BCCI announce Indian women's squad for ODI and T20I series against England

The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the Indian Women's Cricket team squad for the upcoming England tour starting June 28th, 2025.

May 15, 2025, 1:58 PM2 min read

BCCI announce Indian women's squad for ODI and T20I series against England | sportzpoint.com

The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the Indian Women's Cricket team squad for the upcoming England tour starting June 28th, 2025.

The Women in Blue will play five T20Is and three ODIs against the England Women's Cricket team.

Harmanpreet Kaur was named the captain of the both squads. Meantime, Smriti Mandhana was named the vice captain of the team. 

Kranti Gaud and Sayali Satghare are a few of the new names in the squad who were not part of the Tri-Nation series-winning squad for India. Shafali Verma returned to the T20I squad after missing out for a few months due to being off form.

Read Also | Most centuries by Indian cricketers in WODIs: No one is catching Smriti Mandhana

Indian Women's Cricket team squad for the England tour

India’s T20I Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare

India's ODI Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare

India's tour to England full schedule 

S. No.

Date

Time

Match

Venue

1

Sat

28-Jun-25

7 PM IST

1st T20I

Trent Bridge, Nottingham

2

Tue

01-Jul-25

11 PM IST

2nd T20I

Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol

3

Fri

04-Jul-25

11:05 PM IST

3rd T20I

Kennington Oval, London

4

Wed

09-Jul-25

11 PM IST

4th T20I

Old Trafford, Manchester

5

Sat

12-Jul-25

11:05 PM IST

5th T20I

Edgbaston, Birmingham

6

Wed

16-Jul-25

5:30 PM IST

1st ODI

The Rose Bowl, Southampton

7

Sat

19-Jul-25

3:30 PM IST

2nd ODI

Lord's Cricket Ground, London

8

Tue

22-Jul-25

5:30 PM IST

3rd ODI

Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street

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India's ODI schedule till World Cup 2027

Know what is the ODI schedule of Indian Cricket Team till ODI World Cup 2027 and when India will face which team.

May 14, 2025, 9:44 AM3 min read

India's ODI schedule till World Cup 2027

After the Champions Trophy 2025, India's target in ODI cricket will be the ODI World Cup 2027. In such a situation, know what is Team India's ODI schedule till the World Cup 2027. The Men in Blue have to play a total of 9 series in the next ICC ODI tournament, which includes 27 matches.

Apart from this, some more ODI matches can be scheduled near the tournament. So, know what is the ODI schedule of Indian Cricket Team till 2027 and when India will face which team.

Also Read: The Kohli Effect: Will Indian fans lose interest in Test cricket after Virat Kohli's retirement?

The ODI World Cup2027 will be held around October to December. Before this, the Indian team is going to play a lot of matches. India have to play 3-match ODI series against 8 teams. They will play series twice against one country.

India will play New Zealand twice

India will play Australia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, West Indies and Sri Lanka once each in the upcoming ODI series, while it will play New Zealand twice. Out of the nine series, India will play six series at home, while the rest will be held outside the country.

It will start with the tour of Bangladesh in August, which will be played this year. In October-November 2025, India has to play a three-match ODI series on its tour of Australia. South Africa's team will tour India in November-December.

India will host Sri Lankan team in December 2026

In January 2026, the New Zealand team will play an ODI series in India. After this, India has to play a three-match series against Afghanistan in June. In July 2026, Team India will have to play the same number of ODI series on its tour of England.

The West Indies team is scheduled to tour India in September-October. There will be an ODI series against New Zealand at home in October-November. India will host the Sri Lankan team for an ODI series in December 2026.

Also Read: Fav four in Test cricket: Kohli vs Root vs Williamson vs Smith stats in Tests

India's ODI schedule till World Cup 2027

Month/Year Opponent Venue No. of ODIs
August 2025 Bangladesh Away 3
Oct-Nov 2025 Australia Away 3
Nov-Dec 2025 South Africa Home 3
January 2026 New Zealand Home 3
June 2026 Afghanistan Home 3
July 2026 England Away 3
Sep-Oct 2026 West Indies Home 3
Oct-Nov 2026 New Zealand Home 3
December 2026 Sri Lanka Home 3

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The Kohli Effect: Will Indian fans lose interest in Test cricket after Virat Kohli's retirement?

Virat Kohli's influence on cricket in India is huge. Now that he has retired from tests, here we are to examine "The Kohli Effect." Will Indian fans lose interest in Test cricket after Virat Kohli's retirement? It is an important question to follow.

May 14, 2025, 5:25 AM3 min read

The Kohli Effect: Will Indian fans lose interest in Test cricket after Virat Kohli's retirement? | sportzpoint.com

Virat Kohli's decision to step away from tests makes it a key question to ask, observe and analyse its effects on fans and their engagement with Test cricket.

People on the internet are talking about the closure of a big chapter. So, now that the chapter is closed, it will be crucial to check if the fans still embrace the long format.

Let's dive into the depths of this particular question that will rise in the days ahead: Will Indian fans lose interest in Test cricket after Virat Kohli's retirement?

Kohli's unmatched influence on Test cricket fandom

Virat Kohli's fan engagement raise the question that Will Indian fans lose interest in Tes cricket after Virat Kohli's retirement? | sportzpoint.com
Virat Kohli walking out of the pavillion as the crowd cheer up in joy. Image | Pinterest 

Virat Kohli has left his mark and impact beyond just his bat and performance. The sentimental connection fans had with him in tests is hard to put into words.

Considering India had exceptional test cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar, what is it about this man that his test exit is feeling like an irreplaceable void?

  • Virat Kohli is the most successful Indian Test captain and holds the record for most victories, with 40 wins in total.
  • His captaincy at home soil was exceptional, which showed everyone how dominant the Indian team can be, winning 24 out of 31 matches.
  • Kohli's presence in Tests was unique. He inspired millions of fans to watch the format, who were drawn by his presence and performance.
  • He fundamentally reshaped the Test landscape for India by proving the entire world that this country is equally good in Test just like other formats.
  • Kohli's on-field intensity made every moment iconic for the teammates and fans to watch.
  • He holds the record for scoring the most double centuries as an Indian batter, with 7 double centuries in his career. 
  • Kohli's hunger for doing better and delivering crucial knocks and centuries for the team has drawn so many non-cricket fans to watch this format.
  • Fans felt a strong emotional connection to his journey, following the highs and lows, and his commitment to winning for India.

Read Also: Most successful Test captains from India

What could Kohli's absence mean for the Test in India?

Will Indian fans lose interest in Test cricket after Virat Kohlis retirement? | sportzpoint.com
A kid holding a banner in a crowd during a match of the Indian cricket team. Image | Hindustan Times 

Virat Kohli's role in this format has been significant, on and off the ground. The reaction of fans after his retirement news made it clear how he has defined an entire generation's perception of the format.

Social media is flooded with posts and comments like "End of an Era," "Test cricket won't be the same without the King," "Grew up watching him fire in tests, a part of our childhood is gone today," and many others.

While some people are recalling those "memories and battles," some are acknowledging "the irreplaceable void and future of test cricket for India."

Read Also: "End of an era": Cricketing world reacts to Virat Kohli's test retirement

The kind of reaction and energy from the fandom makes it obvious to speculate how challenging it can be to keep the same level of interest in tests now. It makes it even questionable as the former captain, Rohit Sharma, has also decided to retire from Test cricket, days before Kohli's retirement.

The whole nation will definitely miss Ro-Ko in tests. But will it affect their interest in this format?

It will be a vital thing to keep an eye on in the future.

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