Smriti Mandhana moves to 2nd spot in ICC ODI batting rankings
Dubai, May 13 (PTI): Stylish opener Smriti Mandhana inched closer to reclaiming the world number one spot in the ICC Women's ODI batting rankings, rising one place to second after playing a pivotal role in India's triumph in the recent Tri-Nation tournament in Sri Lanka.
Mandhana, who last achieved the top ranking for ODI batters in 2019, was in excellent touch during the recent matches against Sri Lanka and South Africa, amassing 264 runs across five innings to finish as the second leading run-scorer in the tournament.
Mandhana, who had slammed a 101-ball 116 in the final against Sri Lanka, is just 11 rating points away from top-ranked South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt, who managed just 86 runs during the Tri-Series.
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu made ground inside the top 10 as she rose two places to seventh after scoring 139 runs for her side during, while Jemimah Rodrigues (up five spots to 15th) and South Africa's Chloe Tryon (up nine places to 18th) also improved.
India spinner Sneh Rana was adjudged Player of the Series in Sri Lanka and the experienced tweaker was among the big movers on the updated list for bowlers that is still headed by England's Sophie Ecclestone.
South Africa seamer Nadine de Klerk also gained one place to move to 24th overall on this list, while Rana jumped four spots to 34th following her 15 wickets in the Tri-Series at an average of just 14.
Australia's Ash Gardner maintained her place as the No.1 ranked all-rounder in ODI cricket, with India's Deepti Sharma improving one place to fifth overall following some impressive efforts in Sri Lanka.
There were also gains for Tryon (up three places to 11th) and de Klerk (up four spots to 12th).
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Karnataka offers extensive incentives in its proposed IT policy
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka has proposed a new Information Technology Policy for 2025–2030, offering extensive financial and non-financial incentives aimed at accelerating investments, strengthening innovation and expanding the state's tech footprint beyond Bengaluru.
The Karnataka Cabinet gave its nod to the policy 2025–2030 with an outlay of Rs 445.50 crore on Thursday after the Finance Department accorded its approval.
The policy introduces 16 incentives across five enabler categories, nine of which are entirely new, with a distinctive push to support companies setting up or expanding in emerging cities.
Alongside financial support, the government is also offering labour-law relaxations, round-the-clock operational permissions and industry-ready human capital programmes to make Karnataka a globally competitive 'AI-native' destination.
According to the policy, units located outside Bengaluru will gain access to a wide suite of benefits, including research and development and IP creation incentives, internship reimbursements, talent relocation support and recruitment assistance.
The benefits also include EPF reimbursement, faculty development support, rental assistance, certification subsidies, electricity tariff rebates, property tax reimbursement, telecom infrastructure support, and assistance for events and conferences.
Bengaluru Urban will receive a focused set of six research and development and talent-oriented incentives, while Indian Global Capability Centres (GCCs) operating in the state will be brought under the incentive net.
Incentive caps and eligibility thresholds have been raised, and the policy prioritises growth-focused investments for both new and expanding units.
Beyond incentives, the government focuses on infrastructure and innovation interventions.
A flagship proposal in the policy is the creation of Techniverse -- integrated, technology-enabled enclaves developed through a public-private partnership model inside future Global Innovation Districts.
These campuses will offer plug-and-play facilities, artificial intelligence and machine learning and cybersecurity labs, advanced testbeds, experience centres, and disaster-resistant command centres.
There will also be a Statewide Digital Hub Grid and a Global Test Bed Infrastructure Network, linking public and private research and development, and innovation facilities across Karnataka.
The government has proposed a Women Global Tech Missions Fellowship for 1,000 mid-career women technologists, an IT Talent Return Programme to absorb experienced professionals returning from abroad, and broad-based skill and faculty development reimbursements.
Shared corporate transport routes in Bengaluru and tier-two cities will be designed with Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation and other transport entities to support worker mobility.
The government said the policy is the outcome of an extensive research and consultation process involving TCS, Infosys, Wipro, IBM, HCL, Tech Mahindra, Cognizant, HP, Google, Accenture and NASSCOM, along with sector experts and stakeholder groups.
It estimates an outlay of Rs 967.12 crore over five years, comprising Rs 754.62 crore for incentives and Rs 212.50 crore for interventions such as Techniverse campuses, digital grid development, global outreach missions and talent programmes.
