Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) will face off in their opening match of the IPL 2025 season. SRH hold an upper hand with a strong squad and recent victories against RR, while RR contend with key players' absences, including skipper Sanju Samson, creating a significant challenge for their campaign.
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Paarl Royals made history this past week in the SA20 with a 20-over all-spin attack, securing their playoff spot. They lead the points table with six wins in seven matches, thanks to key contributions from Joe Root and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. MI Cape Town follows closely, having also been on an unbeaten streak.
Aayan Afzal Khan, a promising UAE cricketer, is gearing up for his third season with the Gulf Giants in the ILT20. With 36 T20Is and 37 wickets, Aayan highlights the league's importance for local talent, offering significant playing opportunities. Gulf Giants, previous champions, look forward to another exciting season starting January 12, 2025.
Hasan Nawaz scored an unbeaten 105 off 45 balls, leading Pakistan to a nine-wicket win over New Zealand in the third T20I, setting a new record for the fastest T20I century by a Pakistan batter. Mark Chapman's 94 was not enough as New Zealand's total of 204 was chased down with ease.
UP Warriorz, powered by Georgia Voll's 99* off 56 balls, eliminated defending champions RCB from the Women's Premier League with a thrilling 12-run victory. Key contributions from Kiran Navgire and Grace Harris helped UPW reach 225/5, while RCB's chase ended at 213 all out, despite Richa Ghosh's 69 off 33 balls.
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.
Niki Prasad, once overlooked for the U-19 Women's T20 World Cup, has been chosen as India's captain for the 2025 edition after leading the team to victory at the U-19 Asia Cup. She emphasises teamwork and draws inspiration from Harmanpreet Kaur, preparing to defend their title in Malaysia.
Australian team, led by Captain Steve Smith, is keenly focused on the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy as they face Sri Lanka in two ODIs. These matches, taking place in Colombo, serve as the final preparation for the tournament starting February 19. Sri Lanka aim to rebuild after missing out on the Champions Trophy.
Australian pacer Scott Boland excelled in the Test series against India, taking 21 wickets in three matches at an average of 13.19, including a ten-wicket haul in the final Test. Boland's performance, highlighted by dismissing Virat Kohli four times, secured him the best bowling average in men's Test cricket since WWI.
Young South African cricketers like Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ryan Rickelton, and Dewald Brevis are making significant strides in the SA20 league, showing promise for the national team's future. Vernon Philander emphasises the importance of these young talents rubbing shoulders with international stars, aiding their development and boosting South African cricket's resurgence on the global stage.
The BCCI is likely to seek an extension to announce India's provisional squad for the Champions Trophy by January 19, past the ICC deadline of January 12. The decision follows the selection of the squad for the T20I series against England, with ODIs and the Champions Trophy squad announcement postponed.