Pakistan are in grave danger of being knocked out of the Women’s T20 World Cup after Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 20 runs in the Group A match at the prestigious Edgbaston in Birmingham on Saturday. Chasing a target of 164, Pakistan were playing comfortably at 69 for two after 11 overs, but then faced a dramatic and scary batting collapse.

Pakistan managed to score only 20 runs in its last nine overs as Bangladesh snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in amazing fashion. Pakistan still have two matches left in the group stage, but the fate of their qualification is no longer in their own control or hands.

Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Women’s T20 World Cup: highlight | Achievement:

If India beats South Africa in Manchester on Sunday, Pakistan will be officially and mathematically out of the competition.

Joti, Shoorna help Bangladesh recover

Bangladesh recovered from an early collapse at the Rose Bowl to post 123/6. With their semi-final hopes intact, they were in immediate trouble as Fatima Sana struck twice in the opening overs. Dilara Akhtar was out for five, Sharmin Akhtar was out for zero and Zuaria Firdous was out for seven, leaving Bangladesh at 13/3.

Captain Nigar Sultana Joti played an inning of 36 runs in 38 balls and started the innings with five fours. She was well supported by Shobhana Mostori, who scored 22 runs from 19 balls and revived the pair after early damage.

Pakistan’s bowlers maintained a tight control in the middle overs, with Fatima Sana finishing with figures of 4-1-18-2, while Nashra Sandhu was economical, conceding just 14 runs in her four-over spell. Sadia Iqbal, Tasmiya Rubab and Tuba Hasan also took one wicket each.

When it looked like Bangladesh were slipping to a below-average score, Sharn Akter provided the team late momentum with an unbeaten 39 off 22 balls at a strike rate of 177.27. His aggressive innings, which included five fours, took Bangladesh to a competitive end at 92/6. Although the total is not impressive, Bangladesh will take confidence from the resilience shown by their middle and lower order after the early collapse.

Pakistan had to face bad batting

Pakistan faced another disappointing batting performance as Bangladesh restricted them to 100 for 8. Pakistan did not run, but in the first half of the innings they were heading towards a competitive total, with the required run rate hovering around one run-a-ball.

Muniba Ali once again showed resistance at the top, making 25 off 30 balls with one four and a six, but her dismissal on 69 marked the beginning of a steady decline. Gul Firozha had given a fast start, scoring 23 runs in 18 balls and hitting four fours before falling in the first powerplay phase.

The middle order failed to take advantage of this, with Ayesha Zafar (11), Iram Javed (9) and captain Fatima Sana (10) all getting starts but being unable to convert them into meaningful contributions. Pakistan slipped from a good position of 69 for 2 to 84 for 8 and lost six wickets for only 15 runs in a dramatic collapse.

Bangladesh’s spin attack proved decisive, led by Nahida Akhtar, who took 3 for 18, while Sanjeeda Akhtar Meghla also took 3 wickets. Rabeya Khan and Ritu Moni took one wicket each as Pakistan struggled to rotate the strike and build partnerships.

Lower-order batsmen Nashra Sandhu and Tasmiya Rubab added runs late, but by then Pakistan was out of the contest. Pakistan is now eyeing the match between India and South Africa, where India’s victory will officially knock them out of the tournament.

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New Delhi: India made a great start to the chase against Afghanistan in the third ODI at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday, scoring a record 23 runs in the first over.Chasing 219 to win, India started their innings at 5/0 after Afghanistan were penalized five runs during their innings when captain Hashmatullah Shahidi repeatedly ran into the protected area of ​​the pitch.The unusual start helped India enter the record books for the most runs scored in the opening over of an ODI innings by an Indian team.

Most runs by India in the first over of an ODI innings

The record-breaking over was bowled by Azmatullah Umarzai and turned into a nightmare for Afghanistan.After India started at 5/0, Yashasvi Jaiswal Started walking quickly. The left-handed batsman took two runs before hitting a four through the off side. Umarzai then lost control of the over, bowling wide and giving two no-balls while overstepping twice.Jaiswal took full advantage of the free-hit opportunity. He hit a four over long-off and followed it with another four straight over mid-off. A mistimed pull caught at mid-wicket did not count as it was a no-ball.The over ended with Jaiswal hitting another short delivery for four runs, taking India’s tally to 23 runs after only six legal deliveries.Earlier, Afghanistan recovered from a poor start and were all out for 218 runs.Prasidh Krishna was India’s star with the ball, taking a career-best spell of 5/23. The fast bowler destroyed the Afghan top order and reduced their score to 36/4 in the first 10 overs.Afghanistan captain Shahidi then led the fight by scoring a decisive inning of 102 runs off 131 balls, his first ODI century. He made a 105-run partnership with Umarzai, who scored 50, and later added 57 runs with Mohammad Nabi.Despite Shahidi’s efforts, Afghanistan lost their last five wickets for just 20 runs and were all out for 218 runs.

New Zealand could easily be on the brink of an early exit from the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 when they face Ireland in Southampton on Friday. However, the defending champions showed courage to pull off a thrilling four-run win, registering their first win in the tournament after consecutive defeats against West Indies and Sri Lanka.

Defending a modest target of 141 runs, Gabby Lewis and Orla Prendergast put together a 110-run partnership for the second wicket, putting New Zealand under immense pressure. But veteran Suzie Bates used all her experience to defend 15 runs in the final over and give the White Ferns victory.

New Zealand vs Ireland, Women’s T20 World Cup: highlight | Achievement:

Bates, playing her first match of the tournament, also made valuable contributions with the bat and scored an unbeaten 19 runs in 12 balls, which included a six off the last ball of New Zealand’s innings.

The White Ferns adopted an attacking approach at the top of the order, but it backfired as they were reduced to 10 for three within four overs. After this, captain Amelia Kerr, Brooke Halliday, Izzy Sharp and Bates together took over the innings and took New Zealand to a competitive score of 140 runs for six wickets.

‘It was our choice to play aggressively’

Speaking after the match, fast bowler Jess Kerr revealed that New Zealand deliberately chose to play with positive intent despite a poor start to the tournament. He also praised his teammates for showing tremendous character and composure in the death overs when Ireland looked set to snatch the match.

“Yes, look, it was not the start we wanted and it was down to our choice how we wanted to perform today. And T20 cricket doesn’t always go your way, but I think the character the group showed on the last ball speaks volumes about this team and our grit and determination. And yes, really happy to get one on the board today,” Kerr said in the post-match press conference.

‘Fielding disappointed us’

Kerr believes that despite the defeat, New Zealand’s batting and bowling performances in the first two matches were not far from expectations. He admitted that fielding has been the team’s biggest concern but stressed that the players never lost faith in their approach.

Kerr said, “We created chances and we would always like to score more runs and take more wickets, but perhaps the fielding let us down. The professional game is tough and there are always ups and downs, but you have to keep the belief.”

He said that New Zealand is committed to its aggressive playing style and has no intention of abandoning it after two defeats.

“We’ve always said we want to go out and attack and it doesn’t take two defeats to change that approach,” he said.

Still reeling from the opening defeat, New Zealand face Katherine Bryce’s Scotland at the County Ground in Bristol on Tuesday, June 23. But their biggest match will be against England on June 27, a contest that could ultimately decide whether they reach the semi-finals or miss out on the top four.

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India vs Afghanistan Live Score: India have already sealed the ODI series against Afghanistan with impressive wins in Dharamsala and Lucknow, but there is still a lot at stake in the third and final ODI to be held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.

With a 2-0 lead in the bag, Shubman Gill’s side will aim to complete a clean sweep, while also continuing to evaluate their squad’s depth ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Team India focused on experiment
India entered the series with a clear objective of assessing their bench strength and this process is expected to continue in Chennai as well. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed that changes would be made to the final eleven.

The series has already brought out many positives. Ishan Kishan took advantage of his opportunity and scored a explosive century while batting at number 4 in Lucknow. Captain Shubman Gill has continued his excellent form, scoring a brilliant 154 in the second ODI and proving equally effective at No. 3 in the absence of Virat Kohli.

Young fast bowler Gurnoor Brar has also impressed with his pace, bounce and ability to hit at awkward lengths, attributes that could prove valuable in South African conditions during the 2027 World Cup.

India are expected to give more chances to Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is being pegged as a left-handed opening option and a possible backup to Rohit Sharma. Nitish Kumar Reddy, now fully fit after recovering from thigh pain, remains in the headlines as India look for an all-round solution in the absence of Hardik Pandya. Prince Yadav and Harsh Dubey are also likely to remain in contention as the team continues to evaluate its next generation of talent.

KL Rahul may be rested after the series win, which will open the way for Kishan to remain behind the stumps. Fast bowler Harshit Rana has also returned to the team after recovering from knee surgery.

Afghanistan eyes consolation win
For Afghanistan, the final ODI represents an opportunity to avoid a series whitewash and end the tour on a positive note. The visitors lost badly in Lucknow, where India posted a mammoth total of 402 runs after Afghanistan decided to bowl first. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi admitted after the defeat that his team was “not good enough” that day.

Afghanistan’s struggles have been largely due to an inconsistent batting lineup and the absence of key players. Experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nabi missed the second ODI due to a viral infection, while Azmatullah Omarzai was ruled out due to injury. If both pass their fitness test, they are expected to return for the series finale.

The visitors will once again rely heavily on their two biggest match-winners, opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz and star spinner Rashid Khan, to challenge a confident Indian team.

pitch and weather report
The match will be played on pitch number 4 at Chepauk, which is a red clay surface that traditionally provides good bounce and carry. While Chennai has long been known for spin-friendly conditions, recent matches have produced more batting-friendly tracks. However, as the game progresses, quality spinners like Rashid Khan can still achieve grip and variable bounce.

The weather is expected to be hot and humid, with temperatures hovering around 35 degrees Celsius. Although there is a slight chance of rain in the afternoon, conditions are expected to remain largely suitable for the entire match.

With the series already decided, India will continue to look forward towards the future, while Afghanistan will be looking for glory and a better performance in the final ODI.

Miguel Almiron became the first victim of FIFA’s new face covering rule when the Paraguay midfielder was sent off during his team’s World Cup clash against Turkey on Friday.

Almiron was shown a straight red card by referee Ivan Barton following a VAR review at the end of the first half. The incident occurred during a heated altercation with Turkiye defender Mert Muldur after a foul on Paraguay forward Isidro Pitta sparked a confrontation between the players.

Turkey vs Paraguay, FIFA World Cup 2026: Updates

Standing away from the main melee, Almiron was seen covering his mouth with his hand while talking to Muldur. The Turkiye defender immediately alerted the match officials, leading to VAR intervention. After reviewing the footage on the pitchside monitor, Barton showed a straight red card, reducing Paraguay to 10 players.

The dismissal left Paraguay 1–0 up, leaving them with a loss for the remainder of the competition.

What is the new FIFA rule?

FIFA introduced the regulation ahead of the 2026 World Cup as part of efforts to tackle abusive or discriminatory language on the pitch.

Under the rules, a player who covers his mouth with a hand, sleeve or shirt when involved in a confrontational situation with an opponent can be shown a red card. The purpose of this law is to prevent players from hiding comments that cannot be verified by match officials, broadcasters or disciplinary bodies.

However, this rule does not apply to non-collision situations. FIFA has clarified that players will not be penalized for covering their mouths during friendly conversations, including exchanges with club teammates representing different national teams.

The regulation was introduced following an incident involving Benfica’s Gianluca Pristiani during a Champions League knockout match against Real Madrid earlier this year. Prestieni reportedly covered his mouth while directing the abuse at Vinicius Jr., making it difficult for officials to determine what was actually said.

When announcing the rule in AprilThe International Football Association Board (IFAB) said, “At the discretion of the competition organiser, any player covering his mouth in the event of a collision with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card.”

Over the years, players and coaches have routinely covered their mouths during conversations to prevent tactical discussions from being captured by television cameras. However, football lawmakers have stepped in to crack down on the practice during confrontations, particularly in cases involving potential abuse or discriminatory comments.

Almiron’s dismissal against Turkiye is now the first high-profile example of the rule being applied FIFA World CupSetting an example for the players in the remainder of the tournament.

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TimesofIndia.com in Chennai: India may have already clinched the ODI series against Afghanistan, but the final match in Chennai is not going to be a disappointment. For the team management, this is another opportunity to stay on course for the 2027 ODI World Cup, test combinations and most importantly ensure that every player in the team gets a meaningful opportunity.One of those players is an opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal.The left-handed batsman had a disappointing performance in the last ODI, but India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate made it clear that a failure will not cost him his place. Jaiswal is ready for another opportunity, which is a reflection of the management’s commitment to giving marginalized players a fair chance rather than testing them in a single innings.“We also want to take another look at Yashasvi Jaiswal. He didn’t score in the last game, so he will get another chance,” Ten Doeschate said on the eve of the third ODI.The message from the Indian camp has been consistent. Winning is the first priority, but building depth is also the first priority. This balancing act is evident in the potential changes to Friday’s game.fast bowler Arshdeep SinghThe impresser is likely to be rested in the first two matches as part of workload management. The batting order will also be reshuffled, the top three positions will remain the same. One of the two all-rounders among Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer will be missing. washington beautiful And Nitish Kumar Reddy is sure to be included in the playing eleven. He said, “We will make some changes from the first two games. Part of the brief coming into the series was that we wanted to try some different combinations and give everyone a fair share of the game. Someone like Arshdeep has bowled very well in the first two games; he can probably rest tomorrow, and the same goes for a batsman. We will change them and go back to playing a slightly different team.” That flexibility has become one of India’s biggest strengths in white-ball cricket. Many batsmen are able to occupy multiple positions, allowing management to experiment without weakening the side. The same philosophy extends to all-rounders, with Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Shivam Dubey all being evaluated for different roles.According to Ten Doeschate, Nitish remains an important long-term investment.“Nitish has shown over the last 18 months how important he can be to this team. His body is getting stronger and we see him as a natural backup to Hardik.”Still the headlines remain on Jaiswal.Only a few players in Indian cricket have faced such tough competition to make it to the top order. with Shubman Gill, Rohit SharmaVirat Kohli, opportunities for the southpaw have become limited. Ten Doeschate accepted the challenge of managing a team brimming with batting talent.“In a series like this against Afghanistan, you can say we can take a little bit of pressure off the feet, but yes, we want to see guys like Jaiswal. “He’s someone who is waiting in that position because of our quality and depth. But I definitely feel that the first priority is always to win the series and put out our best team. “One of the briefs going into this series was to make sure the team is rotated and everybody plays. So Jaiswal gets some chances, and it’s incredibly difficult because there’s a lot of quality. But he’s one of those guys, when he gets the odd chance, he’s got to score runs.”Perhaps this sums up India’s selection philosophy better than anything else. There is patience, but there is also intense competition. Players will get opportunities, but they will also be expected to capitalize on them quickly. For Jaiswal, Chennai presents another audition. For India, this is another step towards identifying the combinations that can shape their campaign over the next 18 months.

The United States became the second team after co-hosts Mexico to book their place in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a comfortable 2-0 win over Australia on Friday. Mauricio Pochettino’s team won two games from two matches, progressed with one game remaining and recorded their first back-to-back World Cup victories since 1929.

After opening their campaign with an emphatic 4-1 win over Paraguay, the co-hosts produced another convincing performance in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. Cameron Burgess’s own goal and Alex Freeman’s VAR-awarded header proved enough to send the Americans through to the round of 32 and underline their growing credentials on home soil.

usa vs australia, FIFA World Cup 2026: highlighted

The result takes the United States top of Group D on six points, while Australia remains on three points and will now need a positive result against Paraguay to keep qualification hopes alive.

America attacked quickly to take control

The Americans needed just 11 minutes to break the deadlock.

Folarin Balogun outran the Australian backline and drove into the penalty area before delivering a dangerous low ball across goal. Defender Cameron Burgess, attempting to clear the danger, could only divert the ball into his own net.

Australia struggled to recover from the early setback as the United States continued to control the pace with their energy and pressure. The Socceroos enjoyed spells of possession but rarely threatened to test the American defense.

The hosts thought they had doubled their lead just before half-time when Alex Freeman scored from close range. The assistant referee’s flag initially disallowed it, but a lengthy VAR review confirmed the goal, leading to wild celebrations among the home supporters.

This moment just before the break effectively took the wind out of Australia.

Pochettino’s side continue to build momentum

After impressing against Paraguay in their opening match, the United States once again looked organized, disciplined and clinical when the opportunity arose.

Pochettino’s side may not have produced a display full of attacking fireworks, but they took control of the match when it mattered. Australia struggled to create clear chances, while the Americans looked comfortable protecting their two-goal advantage during the second half.

This victory also holds historical importance.

The United States had not won its opening two matches at a World Cup since the 1929 edition, making it the nation’s first World Cup double in 96 years. More importantly, it has sealed their place in the knockout rounds, with one group-stage match still to be played.

With qualification already secured, the United States can now go into their final Group D match against Truckee with confidence and an opportunity to build further momentum before the knockout stage begins.

Meanwhile, for Australia, the equation is much simpler. Their World Cup future now hinges on winning the match against Paraguay as they attempt to keep their campaign alive.

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henry nichols Made an immediate impact on his return to New Zealand colours, stepping in for the retired Kane Williamson and scoring a strong unbeaten century against England on the third day of the Test at the Oval to put his team in a dominant position. At stumps on Friday, New Zealand were 252 for 3 in their second innings and took their total to 352 after bowling out England for 291 just before lunch. Nicholls remained unbeaten on 119 runs and took the innings forward Rachin RavindraWho scored a fluent 76 before being out after tea. The pair added 161 runs in 201 balls and created a new record for the highest partnership for New Zealand at the Oval. His stand first stabilized the innings, then steadily took control before changing gears after tea, when he started scoring almost six runs per over with sharp timing and clean strokeplay. New Zealand’s position puts them firmly in control of the match, they still have seven wickets in hand and a chance to move towards a 500-run lead. This will leave England facing a tough challenge in the fourth innings, especially considering their history at the venue. His highest successful chase at the Oval is 263 runs against Australia in 1902, while his highest ever chase in the fourth innings is 378 for 3 against India at Edgbaston in 2022 during the baseball era. Nicholls, who arrived in London only last Sunday after Williamson’s shock retirement, admitted the change was unexpected. “(Williamson’s retirement) was a bit of a shock to everyone,” he said. “I’ve been lucky enough to play a lot of cricket with Kane. I’ll never be able to replace him. I’ve really enjoyed coming back to Test cricket, you want to contribute. It was fun, the partnership with Rachin and finally the partnership with Daryl (Mitchell).“ Walking early at 8 for 1, Nicholls faced jofra archer Had to bowl fast and tackle quickly. It survived the initial explosion, then was rebuilt after. devon conwayRavindra was out, playing a more attacking role while Nicholls provided stability. There were some early alarms, including a chance left on 7 by debutant wicketkeeper James Reeve, who endured a difficult outing behind the stumps. England’s bowling struggled to break stands in the middle session as both the attack and the crowd systematically sapped energy. However, the momentum changed dramatically after tea. Nicholls completed his half-century in 72 balls, soon followed by Ravindra, who completed his first half-century against England in 79 balls. Ravindra’s innings ended on 76 when he was lbw to Jacob Bethel, who once again proved decisive after taking three wickets in the first innings. Nicholls brought up his century soon after, reaching the milestone with his 14th four off Bethel over midwicket in 133 balls. This was his 11th Test century in his 59th match and his second against England, having previously scored a century in Auckland in 2018. He also recently recorded back-to-back centuries, including an unbeaten 150 in Zimbabwe last August. He accepted the applause, picked up his bat and carried on with calm assurance. At stumps, he was unbeaten on 119 off 164 balls, with Daryl Mitchell unbeaten on 32, as New Zealand added 63 runs from the final 86 balls of the day without losing control. Earlier in the day, New Zealand’s position was built on the back of a strong bowling effort matt henryWho took 5 wickets for 80 runs to get his seventh five-wicket haul in Tests. Making a strong comeback after missing the first Test at Lord’s due to back spasms, Henry was supported by sharp catching in the field as England were restricted to 291. England’s lower order showed unexpected resistance Matthew Fisher And debutant Sonny Baker thwarted the attack and added 53 runs for the last wicket. Fisher remained unbeaten on 50 off 77 balls and received a standing ovation from the Oval crowd despite England suffering a heavy deficit.

Former India head coach WV Raman believes India have the batting depth and spin-bowling strength required to win the Women’s T20 World Cup. However, the former India batsman expressed concern over the team’s powerplay bowling and stressed the need to identify bowlers who can perform consistently with the new ball.

Against Pakistan, India conceded 52 runs in the powerplay, which is Pakistan’s highest ever powerplay score against India in Women’s T20I. Even against Netherlands, Indian bowlers looked under pressure in the beginning. However in both the matches Sri Charani and Deepti Sharma helped India regain control By putting brakes on the opposition batsmen in the middle overs.

“I think this is a very strong team. The batting is strong. And they have a lot of experience in the spin department. This team has the potential to win the T20 World Cup as well,” Raman told PTI in an interview.

“If there is any area of ​​concern, it would probably be the ability to take wickets in the power play or fast bowling combinations – in particular, who will bowl with the new ball and at the end of the innings,” Raman said.

‘Harmanpreet has become patient’

Raman also praised captain Harmanpreet Kaur for becoming more patient and patient, noting that she has evolved from a player who often loses her temper easily.

Raman said, “Over the years, Harman has become a lot more patient. And that’s the experience for any cricketer. It makes her mature. During my tenure, she was someone who got irritated easily. And she also kept her heart above her head.”

India currently top Group A with four points and a net run rate of +3.975. They next face Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa at Old Trafford, Manchester on June 21, followed by Nigar Sultana Joty’s Bangladesh before concluding the group stage against Sophie Molineux’s Australia.

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With the ODI series already secured after wins in the first two matches against Afghanistan, India have used this opportunity to test different combinations and assess players outside their established core group.Absence of senior personalities Virat Kohli, hardik pandya And Jasprit Bumrah has allowed the team management to experiment, especially with the batting order. Both Ishan Kishan And Shubman Gill He was given opportunities at No. 3, the position usually occupied by Kohli, and the pair responded with promising performances.However, one strategic decision has continued to spark debate. Despite being one of the most experienced batsmen in India’s top order, KL Rahul has once again been deployed in a finishing role lower down the order. While Rahul played a quickfire inning of 39 not out off 19 balls in the opening ODI, he was out without opening the account in the second match in Lucknow.Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes that Rahul’s talent is not being fully utilized at the No. 6 position and feels that the wicketkeeper-batsman should be handed greater responsibility in the upper order.Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said, “It is not good for KL Rahul and the team if he is batting at number six. In my opinion, he should bat at number four or five maximum. I think they can go by the rotation policy. Relax the certainties in a few games, give chances and then choose the team.”The former opening batsman also supported the rotation strategy in the remaining games, arguing that India should use the series to evaluate the team’s depth and identify its strongest combination ahead of future tournaments.Srikkanth also expressed concern over the schedule of the Afghanistan series and questioned whether the players were given enough time to recover after tough cricket. With the IPL and Men’s T20 World Cup having recently concluded, and the Women’s T20 World Cup currently underway, he felt the timing of the ODI series was far from ideal.“Afghanistan is not really a great team. It is sad. Now they are going to play in Chennai where it will be very hot. I don’t know how they will play there. It is not fair. I don’t think they should play in June. The T20 World Cup and IPL have just finished. Give them a break and the Women’s T20 World Cup is going on, why don’t we focus on that? Honestly, there should be a month’s break after the IPL. There is no family there.” time, no leave, and most importantly, no mental break,” he said.India will now enter the final ODI after clinching the series, while the discussion on Rahul’s batting position and the player’s workload remains the main issue.