Picture Credit: X
After the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 16-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, several people have come to speak on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's return in the shortest format. It is to be noted that the duo will play their first T20I after last featuring in the 2022 T20 World Cup. On the other hand, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led India Women will take on the Australia Women in the series decider on Tuesday, 9 January at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
Here in this article, we’ll look at all the big news that took place on Monday, January 8, but before that, let's check the matches scheduled for the day.
Today’s match preview:
BBL 2023-24: Adelaide Strikers vs Hobart Hurricanes
The 31st match of the BBL 2023-24 is scheduled to take place between Adelaide Strikers and the Hobart Hurricanes at the Adelaide Stadium on Tuesday, January 9 at 02:10 p.m. IST. While the Strikers are coming after a win over the Perth Scorchers, the Hobart Hurricanes lost by a margin of one run in their last match against the top-placed Brisbane Heat. Speaking of their standings, while the Nathan Ellis-led Hurricanes are fifth in the table with three wins from seven games, the Strikers are just below them at sixth place with two wins from seven matches so far in the tournament.
India Women vs Australia Women 3rd T20I
India Women will lock horns against Australia Women in the third and final T20I of the three-match series at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai. The Australians made a rousing comeback into the series with a convincing win by six wickets in the second T20I after losing the first match by nine wickets. With the series locked at 1-1, the third and final T20I between India women and Australia women promises to be a humdinger of a contest.
Major cricket events that happened on January 8
BBL 2023-24: Perth Scorchers consolidate second place with 7-wicket win over Sydney Thunder
Aaron Hardie-led Perth Scorchers defeated Chris Green's Sydney Thunder in the 30th match of the BBL 2023-24 by seven wickets to consolidate second position in the points table. The Scorchers invited the Thunder to put the score first on the board, with the latter posting 137/8 in their stipulated 20 overs. However, a half-century from Zak Crawley and an unbeaten 26 from Josh Inglis helped the side chase the total in 19.1 overs, with five balls to spare.
Also Read: DDCA sack Yash Dhull as captain after humiliating loss against Puducherry in Ranji Trophy: Reports
Virat Kohli to open with Rohit Sharma in first T20I against Afghanistan: Reports
According to recent reports, Virat Kohli will be opening the innings for India in the first T20I match against Afghanistan alongside skipper Rohit Sharma. Kohli will be seen playing in the T20I format for the first time after a period of more than a year, after he last featured in the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Mohammed Shami likely to miss two Tests against England
The Men in Blue will take on the Three Lions in a five-match Test series at home, starting January 25th. But ahead of the Test series, reports suggest that star Indian pacer Mohammed Shami will miss two matches. “Shami hasn’t even started to bowl; he will have to go to NCA and prove his fitness. He looks doubtful for the first two Tests against England,” a BCCI source said.
Also WATCH: Sadeera Samarawickrama holds onto stunning one-handed catch against Zimbabwe in 2nd ODI
Henrich Klaasen announces retirement from Test cricket
Henrich Klaasen in a shocking news, on January 8th announced retirement from Test cricket. This decision comes after he was overlooked from the two-match Test series against India. “After a few sleepless nights wondering if I am making the right decision, I have decided to Retire from RED Ball cricket,” he captioned his post.
SKY to miss entire domestic season and initial phase of IPL: Reports
The Indian team has been handed a setback with injuries piling up in the camp. Off late, it's been Suryakumar Yadav. As per reports surfacing, while the prolific T20 batter will miss the T20I series against Afghanistan due to an ankle injury, he is will also miss the entire domestic season and initial phase of IPL after being afflicted by sports hernia.
Mihir Diwakar 'exposes' MS Dhoni after being accused of INR 15 Cr fraud
Aarka Sports’ CEO Mihir Diwakar refuted allegations of him cheating former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Diwakar tweeted, "I wish to clarify that the story implanted and run on electronic and print media about cheating #msd is utterly baseless and is done to defame me to destroy my social reputation and my reputation in sports fraternity to inflict business losses to me."
Sisanda Magala and Craig Overton ruled out of SA20 2024 with injuries
With the SA20 2024 set to begin in a few days' time, the Sunrisers Eastern Cape have been handed a major blow as South African bowler Sisanda Magala and England all-rounder Craig Overton will miss the 2024 edition. "Sisanda Magala & Craig Overton are ruled out for the season due to injuries. We wish them a speedy recovery," the franchise wrote in a post on X. However, Protean batting all-rounder Patrick Earl Kruger has been named a Magala's replacement.
SA20 is four weeks, there would be chances to play Tests: Graeme Smith
Graeme Smith backed SA20 after they received a lot of backlash for prioritising the league over Test cricket. Smith was quoted by Sportstar as saying, “SA20 is (for) four weeks a year which we operate on and obviously, one or two challenges happen and that’s not ideal. That should get better and better every season.”
Indian cricketers stand to voice for Indian tourism amid Maldives row
Several Indian cricketers along with other athletes joined hands to back Indian tourism amid the ongoing Maldives row. Names like Suresh Raina, Sachin Tendulkar, Hardik Pandya, and other prominent faces from the Indian sports fraternity backed home tourism and appealed to fans to explore the beauty of Indian islands. As the ongoing rift between India and Maldives widened, Indian athletes spoke out and praised the enchanting beauty of the Lakshadweep Islands.
