New Zealand Cricket has officially announced its squad for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, with star all-rounder Amelia Kerr appointed as captain.

The marquee tournament is scheduled to begin on June 12, 2026, and New Zealand will be aiming to make a strong impact on the global stage.

🏏 Leadership and Key Players

Amelia Kerr will lead a well-balanced and experienced squad featuring some of New Zealand’s most accomplished players, including:

• Suzie Bates
• Sophie Devine
• Brooke Halliday

Kerr, who delivered standout performances in previous ICC tournaments, will look to guide the team with both bat and ball.

🎯 Final World Cup for Senior Stars

The 2026 edition will mark the last international campaign for some of New Zealand’s senior stalwarts:

• Suzie Bates
• Sophie Devine
• Lea Tahuhu

Their experience will be crucial as the team transitions to a new generation.

🌟 Emerging Talent to Watch

The squad also includes exciting young players who will be playing their first World Cup:

• Izzy Gaze
• Nensi Patel

These players impressed in recent international outings and are expected to add fresh energy to the side.

🗣️ Coach Ben Sawyer’s Statement

Head coach Ben Sawyer praised the squad and highlighted the importance of representing the country at the highest level.

📋 Full New Zealand Squad

The squad announced by New Zealand Cricket is as follows:

• Amelia Kerr (Captain)
• Suzie Bates
• Sophie Devine
• Flora Devonshire
• Izzy Gaze
• Maddy Green
• Brooke Halliday
• Bree Illing
• Polly Inglis
• Jess Kerr
• Rosemary Mair
• Nensi Patel
• Georgia Plimmer
• Izzy Sharp
• Lea Tahuhu

📊 Team Outlook for T20 World Cup 2026

New Zealand heads into the tournament with:

• A blend of experience and youth
• Strong all-round capabilities, led by Amelia Kerr
• Motivation to perform in a transition phase

After a competitive showing in the previous edition, the team will be aiming to go deeper into the knockout stages this time.

📌 Conclusion

With Amelia Kerr at the helm and a mix of seasoned campaigners and emerging stars, New Zealand looks well-prepared for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. The tournament could mark the end of an era for some legends while also paving the way for the next generation of Kiwi cricketers.

Match 40 of the Indian Premier League 2026 promises an exciting contest as Punjab Kings take on Rajasthan Royals at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on April 28.

With both teams eyeing crucial points in the tournament, conditions at the venue could play a decisive role.

📊 Match Preview

Punjab Kings have been one of the standout teams this season. Under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, they currently sit at the top of the points table with:

• 7 matches played
• 6 wins
• 1 no result (rain-affected)

Their consistency with both bat and ball has made them a strong contender for the playoffs.

On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals are placed fourth:

• 8 matches played
• 5 wins
• 3 losses

Despite a strong start, the Royals have recently lost momentum and will be eager to bounce back.

🏟️ Pitch Report – Mullanpur Stadium

The surface at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium is generally known to favor batters.

Key Pitch Characteristics:

• ✔️ Flat surface with good bounce
• ✔️ Ideal for stroke play
• ✔️ High-scoring matches likely
• ✔️ Bowlers may struggle, especially in the first innings

As the game progresses, the pitch may offer slight assistance to spinners, but overall it remains batting-friendly.

🎯 Toss Strategy

Winning the toss could be crucial:

• Batting first is preferred to put scoreboard pressure
• Dew in evening games may influence chasing teams
• Teams often aim for scores above 180+

🔥 Players to Watch

Punjab Kings

• Shreyas Iyer – Leading from the front with consistent batting
• Arshdeep Singh – Key bowler in powerplay and death overs
• Marcus Stoinis – All-round impact player

Rajasthan Royals

• Yashasvi Jaiswal – Explosive opener
• Riyan Parag – Middle-order stability
• Jofra Archer – Pace threat on any surface

⚖️ Match Insight

• Expect a run-fest if conditions remain dry
• Power hitters from both sides could dominate
• Bowlers will need variations (slower balls, yorkers) to succeed

📝 Squads Overview

Punjab Kings

Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer, Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Lockie Ferguson, and others.

Rajasthan Royals

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Jofra Archer, Ravi Bishnoi, Adam Milne, and others.

📌 Conclusion

The PBKS vs RR clash is set to be a thrilling encounter, with the batting-friendly conditions at Mullanpur likely to produce plenty of runs. Punjab Kings will look to maintain their dominance, while Rajasthan Royals aim to regain momentum in the tournament.

Young Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi has been penalised for breaching the Indian Premier League (IPL) Code of Conduct following an on-field outburst during Match 38 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium.

⚠️ What Happened: Frustration After Rare Dismissal

Raghuvanshi found himself at the center of controversy after being dismissed for obstructing the field—one of the rarest modes of dismissal in cricket.

• The 21-year-old became only the fourth player in IPL history to be dismissed in this manner
• The decision sparked visible frustration
• He engaged in a heated exchange with the umpire

😠 On-Field Outburst Leads to Penalty

Following his dismissal, Raghuvanshi reacted aggressively:

• Struck the boundary cushion with his bat
• Threw his helmet into the dugout in anger

These actions were deemed a violation of the IPL’s Code of Conduct.

📜 IPL’s Official Action

The IPL released a statement confirming the disciplinary action:

• Raghuvanshi was fined 20% of his match fee
• He received one demerit point
• The breach fell under Article 2.2, which relates to abuse of equipment or ground infrastructure

Importantly, the youngster:

• Admitted the offence
• Accepted the Match Referee’s sanction, avoiding further escalation

🏏 Match Recap: Thriller Goes to Super Over

Despite the controversy, the match itself was a nail-biter:

• KKR vs LSG clash went into a Super Over
• LSG managed to set a modest target of 2 runs
• KKR chased it down comfortably to secure victory

The dramatic finish was somewhat overshadowed by Raghuvanshi’s incident.

📊 Why This Matters

• Young players are increasingly under scrutiny for on-field behaviour
• The IPL continues to enforce strict discipline standards
• Even emotional reactions can lead to financial penalties and demerit points

For Raghuvanshi, this serves as a learning moment early in his career.

⚖️ Understanding the Rule

Under IPL regulations:

• Abuse of equipment (bat, helmet, ground fixtures) is a punishable offence
• Penalties can include fines, demerit points, or suspensions
• Accumulating demerit points over time can lead to match bans

✅ Key Takeaways

• Angkrish Raghuvanshi fined 20% match fee + 1 demerit point
• Penalised for angry outburst after dismissal
• Became 4th player in IPL history dismissed for obstruction
• Incident occurred during KKR vs LSG thriller
• KKR eventually won in a Super Over finish