ESPNcricinfo staff
The IPL draws to a close tomorrow with two familiar names competing for the title after a two-month long battle. How did the early knockouts do this season? Find out in our team-by-team breakdown. With plenty of cricket coming up – the WTC final is around the corner and the Ashes are almost here – here’s a round-up of this week’s action.
Health hazards: why cricket is tougher for women in more ways than you might think
From dealing with menstrual disorders to endometriosis, RED-S and more, Sruthi Ravindranath explores how women have it hard in the game in ways that men don’t
IPL exit reports
ESPNcricinfo writers review teams’ performances after the league stage of the IPL. Sunrisers Hyderabad, who were the first team out and the bottom of the table, suffered from an unsettled unit and confusing selection calls, while Delhi Capitals only fared marginally better after their top order misfired and overseas players fell out of form. Punjab Kings were let down by their bowling attack and Kolkata Knight Riders had a few bright spots – Rinku Singh the brightest of them – but an otherwise forgettable season. Rajasthan Royals had a brilliant team but failed to utilise players and the impact rule effectively, and RCB came close yet again, but despite star performers in the likes of du Plessis, Maxwell and Siraj, they weren’t ably supported by the rest of the team. For LSG, it was two-times unlucky after making the playoffs for the second consecutive year, only to falter in the Eliminator.
Who was at the non-striker’s end when Rinku Singh hit five sixes to beat Gujarat Titans?
And who became the first impact substitute in IPL history? Test yourself with our 2023 IPL recap quiz.
Shaheen Shah Afridi: ‘Speed doesn’t matter’ as much as taking wickets
The Pakistan fast bowler spoke to Osman Samiuddin about recovering from his knee injury, captaining Qalandars to two PSL titles, and looking ahead to the T20 Blast.
Shooting star to Supernova: Twenty years of James Anderson
Ahead of the Ashes, Andrew Miller looks back in awe at one of England’s greatest bowlers’ two decades of back-breaking, shoulder-wrenching, ankle-stomping wear and tear.
Why Australia could have the advantage in the World Test Championship final
Ian Chappell says it ought to have been a clash of equals, but the unavailability of key players for India could hobble them.
How many cricketers have also competed in the Olympics in other sports?
And what is the largest difference between a team’s first-innings and second-innings scores in all first-class cricket? Steven Lynch has answers to even the most obscure cricket trivia questions in this week’s Ask Steven.
Veteran ringmaster Stuart Broad still ‘loving the Ashes circus’
The senior England fast bowler spoke to Vithushan Ehantharajah about his competitive “addiction”, pre-series goading and his plans for David Warner.
Watch: Which Eoin Morgan shot makes Rashid Khan’s dream set?
The Afghanistan and Gujarat Titans allrounder builds his ideal batter, with shots from Virat Kohli, Younis Khan and Kevin Pietersen, among others.
How to pick the best Test batting performances of all time
Anantha Narayanan breaking down the method involved to come up with a rankings list.
