India’s Rohit Sharma (PTI Photo/Atul Yadav)

NEW DELHI: India captain Rohit Sharma’s lean run with the bat has sparked debate after another modest outing in the third and deciding ODI against New Zealand in Indore on Sunday. Rohit, who scored just 11 runs off 13 balls, continued a dip in form that has raised questions about his motivation as he enters the final phase of his international career.

Having retired from T20Is and Test cricket, Rohit is now active only in ODIs. While he was named Player of the Series during India’s ODI series against Australia last year, he has struggled to replicate that form in recent months. Against South Africa, Rohit managed 146 runs in three matches, but his output dropped sharply against New Zealand, where he scored only 61 runs across the three-game series.Rohit’s failure in the series decider prompted former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull to question whether the veteran still has a clear goal driving him. Speaking during commentary on Star Sports Network, Doull said: “I feel with Rohit, he’s always had something to chase, as in a goal in mind, whether it be a T20 World Cup, whether it be a 50-over World Cup. I just wonder, that 27 World Cup in South Africa, is that too far away? Does he have that real hunger? Maybe it’s just, I mean, it’s different every year, isn’t it? Because we’re building up. We seem to be building up as national sides, no matter who you are. Each year, you’re building up to a different format of an ICC event, aren’t you?“The last little while and coming up for the next two weeks, we’re building up to a T20 World Cup. So there’s very little one-day cricket played in the last four months and in the next three or four months. Next year, I’m guessing, or later this year and going into next year, there’ll be an absolute diet of 50-over cricket. “When you’re only playing one format, you don’t get huge amounts of opportunities. The next time he’s in the Indian uniform will be, what, July in the UK? It’s a long way away.”While Rohit endured a tough series, Virat Kohli stood out for India, finishing as the top scorer with 240 runs at an average of 80, including a century in the final ODI, though it came in a losing cause.

PSL (File photo/Agencies)

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will shift to a player auction system from its 11th season, moving away from the draft format that has been used since the league began in 2016. The change follows a model similar to the Indian Premier League (IPL).The total purse for each PSL franchise has also been raised to USD 1.6 million from USD 1.3 million for the player auction.

PSL chief executive Salman Naseer said the changes ahead of the league’s 11th edition are aimed at strengthening the tournament.“The PSL will now transition from a draft to players auction system which should increase transparency and enhance the competitive balance of teams in the league,” Naseer said, as quoted by news agency PTI.He added that the new system would also offer players better earning opportunities.Under the revised rules, franchises will be allowed to retain a maximum of four players, with only one retention permitted in each category. Earlier, teams could retain up to eight players, along with a mentor and a brand ambassador, and use a right-to-match option to keep a ninth player during the draft.The PCB has removed the provisions for hiring mentors, brand ambassadors and the right-to-match option.Naseer said the two new teams, Hyderabad and Sialkot, will be allowed to pick four players each from the available pool before the auction.Each franchise will also be permitted one direct signing of an overseas player who did not take part in PSL 10.The 11th season of the PSL is scheduled to begin on March 26, with Faisalabad included as a venue.

RCB marched into the WPL 2026 playoffs with their fifth straight win in this year’s competition on Monday, January 19. Gautami Naik’s 73 and a disciplined bowling performance helped Bengaluru complete the double over the Giants, who were never really in the chase to begin with.

With the win, RCB made it six win on the trot in the WPL, the longest streak in the history of the competition. For Gujarat, it was their third loss on the trot as the batters failed early on. Apart from Ashleigh Gardner, who scored 54 runs, none of the other GG batters could find momentum in the first match in Vadodara, which was supposedly their home ground. However, the support was RCB was there and they were in full voice as it was Sayali Satghare who provided the early strikes for RCB. Coming in as a replacement for the fan favourite Ellyse Perry, Satghare came into her own during the win against Delhi Capitals last time around, securing a double-strike in the very first over she bowled.

That trend continued in the match on Monday as he first cleaned up Beth Mooney and then a few balls later, dismissed the dangerous Sophie Devine to leave Gujarat reeling at four for two in two overs while chasing 179.

The next over saw the ever-consistent Lauren Bell add another wicket to her season’s tally. Anushka Sharma, who missed the last few games, looked to be comfortable in the middle and hit a couple of elegant boundaries as the task was to steady the ship alongside Gardner.

But the powerplay score of 29 for the loss of three wickets wasn’t just enough in the context of the run chase, meaning that acceleration was needed. Anushka perished in her efforts to push the run-rate as Nadine de Klerk also joined the party.

GG masters of their own downfall

What started as a season with a lot of hope and two straight wins has quickly unfolded for the Giants. It was surprising to see that with the required run-rate being high they decided to send in Kashvee Gautam instead of Bharti Fulmali.

The 31-year-old has been hitting with a strike-rate of more than 178 in her last five matches and Kashvee had managed just 36 runs in three innings she has come out to bat with a strike-rate of 112.5. And the all-rounder failed to make an impact and was dismissed for four off eight balls.

Georgia Wareham’s stay was also brief as the writing was already on the wall for the Giants. Gardner got to her fifty with a couple of big hits, but that was the only bit of excitement that the Gujarat fans would have during their side’s batting performance.

While Kanwer attempted to play some innovative shots, it wasn’t enough as RCB sealed the win and moved into the play-offs. For Gujarat, they will need to head to the drawing board and regroup as they face an upbeat UP Warriorz side next in the league on January 22.

RCB find new stars in flawless season

Before the season started, RCB were given a big jolt in the form of Perry’s withdrawal. In 25 matches, the all-rounder had scored 972 runs and picked up 14 wickets, playing a big role in RCB’s only title win in 2024.

So, Bengaluru needed new stars to come up. Lauren Bell and Grace Harris have been sensational, but they needed some of the Indian talents to come up. And on Monday, the situation presented itself for RCB.

Being put in to bat, RCB lost Grace Harris and Georgia Voll in the first two overs of the match with Smriti Mandhana needing a partner to steady the ship. Gautami walked in when RCB needed a special knock and that is what she delivered.

Having missed out on her chance in the reverse fixture, the 27-year-old looked determined to make the most of her chance and assist her skipper to save the innings.

Mandhana and Gautami added 60 runs off 45 balls and it was the latter who was the aggressor in the stand. Mandhana was playing the anchor role as Gautami flexed her muscles with a few big shots. She started with a boundary and then a six off Renuka as the innings was up and running.

Despite Mandhana falling with the score at 69 for three, Gautami showed full confidence in her hitting and raced to her fifty in 42 balls. She made GG for dropping her soon after her landmark by putting up a 69-run stand with Richa Ghosh, who scored 27 runs.

“I think when I walked out to the middle, the wicket was not that easy to bat on. It was slightly on the slower side and the ball was holding up. So, the plan was to take the innings deep. I was backing my strength. I kept rotating strikes with singles and doubles which pleased me the most,” said Gautami after her knock.

By the time Naik departed for 73 off 55 balls, RCB were 142 for five and set for a big finish. They got it with Radha’s 17 off 8 and Shreyanka’s 8 off 2 balls. With the ball, Satghare picked up figures of three for 21 and has given the management a good headache by the time Arundhati Reddy comes in.

For now, RCB can rest their feet up till Saturday, January 24, when they face Delhi Capitals.

WPL 2026 | WPL Points Table | WPL 2026 Schedule | Live Score

– Ends