by Tanish Prabhu
Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma centuries power India to ODI series victory over Zimbabwe:
India Women secured a commanding 121-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second One-Day
International in Vadodara on Sunday, with centuries from Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti
Sharma helping the hosts clinch the three-match series with a game to spare. Batting first at the
BCA Stadium, India posted an imposing 328 for six from their 50 overs before bowling
Zimbabwe out for 207 in 48.5 overs to establish an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.Kaur was named Player of the Match after producing a superb 126 from 121 deliveries, while all-rounder Sharma contributed 101 from 83 balls to give India complete control of the contest.
Zimbabwe’s bowling attack struggled to contain India’s middle-order acceleration, although Nomvelo Sibanda claimed two wickets to provide some resistance. In reply, Zimbabwe began steadily through Modester Mupachikwa and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, who helped the visitors recover after losing Loryn Phiri early. Mupachikwa scored 49 from 70 deliveries, while MugeriTiripano contributed 46 from 57 balls. Their partnership offered Zimbabwe a platform to challenge the target, but neither batter was able to convert their start into a half-century.
Beloved Biza added 34, but India’s bowlers gradually tightened their grip on the contest as wickets fell at regular intervals. Left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma was particularly effective, claiming four wickets to dismantle Zimbabwe’s middle and lower order. Deepti Sharma also contributed with the ball, taking three wickets as the visitors were eventually dismissed for 207. Zimbabwe’s resistance ended in the 49th over, handing India a comprehensive victory and confirming the series result. The win followed India’s nine-wicket triumph in the opening ODI, where Rawal scored an unbeaten century to guide the hosts to their target of 198.
Australia humiliated, South Africa level the series 1-1 heading to Cape Town:
Three days of rain in Gqeberha didn’t stop the South African’s from levelling the series 1-1, heading into Cape Town after Australia were humiliated on the final day with an innings loss and 31 runs.
Temba Bavuma batted on for two days to reach an important century and was well supported by Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer to pile on the runs. Both batters scored half centuries. Bavuma’s innings was the key difference that changed the momentum of the match and Australia were flustered further after being bowled out for 99.
But while the result will attract plenty of attention, Australia’s first innings collapse for just 99 runs will raise even greater concerns about the team’s batting depth and its ability to adapt to challenging conditions. Scott Boland and Travis Head provided plenty of resistance on the final day, but Boland had no support from the other end. Head provided an attacking intent to get to his century, while Boland displayed remarkable patience and resilience at the other end. However, with wickets continuing to fall around them, their efforts ultimately proved insufficient. Their batting has been an issue for over a year now, raising the question on who should be axed and who should be replaced for the final test and beyond that as well. Marnus Labuschagne has had more opportunities than most players around the world, without a century for three years. One aggressive shot in the second innings on day four opened the door for South Africa, and it’s those moments where the selectors need to have a hard think about his spot in the side. Will Labuschagne play in the final test, or will he be axed and replaced by someone else?
Pakistan seal a spot in the ODI Tri Series final in a thrilling finish at Gaddafi Stadium:
Against Sri Lanka, Harry Brook’s maiden double century went in vain after the Sri Lankan batters successfully chased down 430 at Rawalpindi Stadium. It was the second highest run chase in ODI cricket. Then Shadab Khan took Pakistan over the line in a tense finish at Gaddafi Stadium, with a magnificent century. England are yet to win a game.
England nearly defended 242 on a bowling friendly pitch. Shadab Khan was given out plumb LBW to give England the win by 20 runs, but even though he knew that he was out, he chose to review because they had enough reviews in their innings. Out of nowhere, Shadab Khan happened to get some edge on the bat, which was picked up by snicko, forcing the game to continue even after shaking hands. This surprised Shadab Khan and England.
Khan and Haris Rauf continued with their partnership for the final wicket and Shadab Khan reached a well-deserved century before Haris Rauf hit the winning runs in a dramatic finish to the game in over number 47. Two thrilling matches involving England ended in a dramatic loss. With one match to go for England and nothing on the line, how do they recover from this?
Antonelli wins in United States, one win away from being a WDC:
Kimi Antonelli has moved a step closer to securing his maiden Formula One world championship after delivering a commanding victory at the United States Grand Prix in Austin. The Mercedes driver converted pole position into his ninth victory of the 2026 season, finishing
13.078 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc at the Circuit of The Americas.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen completed the podium in third, while seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton finished fourth for Ferrari. McLaren’s Lando Norris rounded out the top five.
Despite his dominant performance, Antonelli will have to wait until next weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix for another opportunity to secure the championship, with the title fight remaining mathematically alive. He has to finish ninth or higher to win the World Drivers Championship. The Italian holds a 123-point advantage over Mercedes teammate George Russell and a 124point lead over Hamilton, leaving him on the verge of becoming the youngest world champion in Formula One history.
Leclerc emerged as the leading challenger after a late battle for the remaining podium positions, overtaking Norris before moving ahead of Verstappen to secure second place. Verstappen, who had arrived in Austin looking to continue his strong recent form, was forced to settle for third after struggling to match the race winner’s pace. Hamilton’s fourth-place finish provided Ferrari with valuable points, while Norris was unable to maintain his podium challenge as his tyres deteriorated in the closing laps. Oscar Piastri finished seventh for McLaren, behind Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar in sixth, while Russell recovered to eighth after a difficult afternoon that included a five-second penalty. Liam Lawson and Pierre Gasly completed the points-paying positions for Racing Bulls and Alpine respectively. The race also featured three retirements, with Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas, Alpine’s Franco Colapinto and Haas driver Oliver Bearman all failing to reach the chequered flag.
