Picture Credit: X

Picture Credit: X

Rohit Sharma-led Team India are taking on England in the second Test of the five-match series in Vizag. After winning the toss and opting to bat first, at Stumps on Day 1, the side had put 336/6 with Jaiswal nearing a double hundred. On the other hand, Australia registered a comfortable 8-wicket win to go 1-0 up in the three-match ODI series against West Indies. 

Here in this article, we’ll look at all the big news that took place on Friday, February 2, but before that, let’s check the matches scheduled for the day.

Today’s match preview:

SA20 2024: MI Cape Town vs Pretoria Capitals

Kieron Pollard-led MI Cape Town are scheduled to face Wayne Parnell’s Pretoria Capitals at the Newlands in Cape Town in double-header Saturday’s first match at 5:00 p.m. IST. When these two sides met last on February 1, MI Cape Town beat the Capital by 34 runs. While the MI Cape Town are placed fourth in standings, eyeing a playoffs berth, the Wayne Parnell-led Capitals are reeling at the bottom of the table with just two wins so far in the tournament. 

SA20 2024: Joburg super Kings vs Durban Super Giants

Faf du Plessis-led Joburg Super Kings will take on Keshav Maharaj’s Durban Super Giants at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg at 9:00 p.m. IST. While the Super Giants are comfortably sitting at the top of the points table, having sealed their playoffs qualifications, the Super Kings are still struggling for a place as they are placed fifth with only two wins from nine games under their name. 

ILT20 2024: Desert Vipers vs Gulf Giants

Colin Munro-led Desert Vipers are scheduled to take on James Vince’s Gulf Giants in Match 19 of the ILT20 2024. The match is set to take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. IST. Speaking about the standings, both teams are reeling in the bottom half of the table. While the Giants are fifth with two wins from five matches, Vipers are just below them at sixth place with two wins from six games. 

ILT20 2024: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Dubai Capitals

Sunil Narine-led Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will take on David Warner’s Dubai Capitals in the second match of Saturday’s double-header. The match is scheduled to be held at 8:00 p.m. IST at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. While the Capitals are comfortably positioned at the second placed in the points table, the Knight Riders are third with three wins from six games so far in the tournament.

Major cricket events that happened on February 2

Marco Jansen’s 71* knock helps Sunrisers seal second spot; beat Paarl Royals by 44 runs

The Aiden Markram-led side posted 208/4 after opting to bat first against the Paarl Royals at the Boland Park, courtesy Marco Janen’s scintillating unbeaten 71-run knock. Brilliant bowling from the Eastern Cape thereafter restricted the Royals to 164/7 in 20 overs, and thus registering a 44-run win to seal the second spot in the points table with a bonus point.  

Xavier Bartlett’s four-fer on debut help Australia go 1-0 up against Windies in ODI series

Debutant Xavier Bartlett starred with the ball for the hosts, finishing with the figure of 4/17 to help hi side register a convincing win over West Indies in the first ODI of the three-match series at MCG. The Aussie restricted the visitors to 231 before Josh Inglis (65), Cameron Green (77*) and Steven Smith (79*) helped the side finish on the other side with 11.3 overs to spare. 

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Mohammed Siraj misses second Test against England; released from the squad

Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj was released from the Indian squad ahead of the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam. While Rohit Sharma at toss confirmed that Siraj has been rested to manage workload, the BCCI later confirmed adding that “the decision was taken keeping in mind the duration of the series and the amount of cricket he has played in recent times.”

Don’t forget, Pujara is waiting: Ravi Shastri warns Shubman Gill after another cheap knock

After Anil Kumble and Sanjay Manjrekar, former Indian cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri warned Shubman Gill for his poor run of form with the bat. Speaking during Day 1 of the ongoing second Test, Shastri said, “It’s a fresh side, young side. These youngsters have to prove themselves. Don’t forget, Pujara is waiting. He is grinding it out at the Ranji Trophy and is always in the radar.”

Shoaib Bashir calls Rohit Sharma’s wicket “very very special”

On Friday, February 2, Shoaib Bashir became the newest Test debutant for England. The uncapped off-spinner, who is part of the playing XI for England in the second Test against India in Vizag, recalled his maiden Test wicket. After picking Rohit Sharma’s wicket, the 20-year-old called it a “very very special” moment.

Sunil Gavaskar leaves India vs England 2nd Test after mother-in law’s sudden demise

Former Indian cricketer and legend Sunil Gavaskar lost his mother-in-law on Friday, 2nd February. The World Cup winning cricketer soon after his mother-in-law’s demise, left the India versus England second Test in Vizag as he flew to Kanpur for the last rites. Moreover, Gavaskar will not be commentating in the second Test in Visakhapatnam.  

WATCH : Shaheen Afridi meets Manchester United owner Avram Glazer

Shaheen Shah Afridi met Manchester United owner Avram Glazer in Dubai. The Pakistan spearhead posted the video of brief interaction on his social media and captioned it, “Thank you Avram Glazer. It was great to meet you. Eagerly anticipating attending some Manchester United and Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL games with you and to host you in my beautiful Pakistan.”

Ishant Sharma to play Ranji Trophy match against Baroda

Veteran Indian bowler Ishant Sharma is all set to feature in Delhi’s Ranji Trophy clash against Baroda. The 35-year-old will make hiss return after a month, where he played for Delhi against Puducherry.