South Africa have called up Corbin Bosch, who made his international debut in December last year, to replace the injured Anrich Nortje for the ICC Champions Trophy due to Nortje's recurring back injury. Nortje, a key player in South Africa's white-ball setup, has been sidelined since last month and previously missed the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
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Dubai Capitals triumphed in the ILT20 final against Desert Vipers, winning by four wickets. Shai Hope, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Sam Curran, and Mohammad Waseem were acknowledged for their exceptional performances throughout the tournament, with Hope and Farooqi earning top batter and bowler titles, respectively.
Varun Chakaravarthy becomes the oldest Indian ODI debutant since 1974, debuting at 33 years and 164 days in the second ODI against England in Cuttack. His debut cap was presented by Ravindra Jadeja. Chakravarthy expressed his pride in the achievement and aims to make a significant impact. India lead the three-match series 1-0.
Kerala and Gujarat have progressed to the Ranji Trophy semi-finals in contrasting fashions. Kerala narrowly edged Jammu and Kashmir by a one-run first-innings lead, while Gujarat dominated Saurashtra with an innings and 98 runs win. Despite not having players in the top 20 run-scorers, both teams exhibit strong team spirit and determination to excel.
England captain Jos Buttler commended Rohit Sharma's century in the ODI format, citing it as an example of aggressive modern cricket. Despite pressure, Sharma scored his first ODI ton in 16 months, crucial for India's series win. Buttler highlighted the performance's learning value, appreciating Sharma's adaptability and England's need for improvement.
The decline of cricket in Pakistan has raised concerns, with former player Inzamam-ul-Haq blaming the Pakistan Cricket Board for constant team changes. He emphasizes learning from the past mistakes and cautions against repeated errors.
India endured a tough Day 2 at the Gabba Test, with Australia reaching a commanding 405/7. Centuries from Travis Head (152) and Steve Smith (101) propelled the hosts. A heated moment saw Mohammed Siraj's errant throw nearly injure Ravindra Jadeja, drawing a sharp rebuke. Jasprit Bumrah secured a five-wicket haul for India on the second day.
Bengal keeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha received a guard of honour during the Ranji Trophy match against Punjab, marking his retirement from all cricket forms. Saha's career includes 141 First-Class matches and 40 Tests for India. The 40-year-old veteran last represented India in December 2021 against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium.
In 2024, India's cricket schedule was light on ODIs, with only one series against Sri Lanka, which India lost. The focus was on T20Is to prepare for the T20 World Cup and shifting back to Test cricket post-tournament. This strategic scheduling aimed to manage player workload and reduce injuries. Captain Rohit Sharma topped India's ODI run charts.
The second season of the Indian Street Premier League reaches its final stage with the top four teams: Majhi Mumbai, Falcon Risers Hyderabad, Srinagar Ke Veer, and KVN Bangalore Strikers. The first qualifier sees top-placed Majhi Mumbai facing Hyderabad, while the Eliminator features Srinagar against Bangalore. Key players include Rajat Mundhe, Abhishek Kumar Dalhor, Kisan Satpute, and Sagar Ali.
The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi visited Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on January 6 to look at the unfinished work as the Champions Trophy begins on February 19. Pakistan will host matches in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, while India will play in Dubai. Naqvi expressed confidence in meeting the January 25 deadline.