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With the ICC holding a meeting in Sri Lanka after BCCI raised concerns to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan all-rounder Hasan Ali has shared his opinions. On the other hand, with the BCCI still mulling on India’s bowling coach, Sairaj Bahutule is set to travel to Sri Lanka for the upcoming limited-overs series as interim bowling coach.
In this article, we will go through all the big news that took place on Sunday, July 21. But, before that, let’s take a look at the matches scheduled to take place today.
Today’s match preview
Women’s Asia Cup 2024: Sri Lanka Women vs Malaysia Women
In the Women’s Asia Cup 2024, Sri Lanka will play against Malaysia in their second Group B match at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla. Following their comprehensive win by seven wickets against Bangladesh Women, the Sri Lanka cricket team will eye to get their hands on the title. Meanwhile, Malaysia suffered a 22-run loss in their opening Women’s Asia Cup match against Thailand, which is why they need to upstage their performance in order to have a chance at making the top four.
Women’s Asia Cup 2024: Bangladesh Women vs Thailand Women
In the second fixture of the day in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024, Bangladesh will take on Thailand in their second Group B match at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla. Both teams are coming off contrasting results in their opening matches. While the Bangladesh Women went down Sri Lanka by seven wickets, Thailand defeated Malaysia by 22 runs to get a winning start in the tournament.
Major cricket events that happened on Sunday, July 21
India defeat UAE by 78 runs in Women’s Asia Cup 2024
On Sunday, July 21, India registered a massive win by 78 runs against UAE in their second Group A match in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024. At the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, the fifties from the captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh propelled India beyond 200 for the first time in T20Is, following which the bowlers successfully defended the runs.
BCCI announces support of ₹8.5 Cr to IOA for Paris Olympics 2024
BCCI announced that it will provide ₹8.5 crore to the Indian Olympics Association (IOA) for the forthcoming Paris Olympics 2024. The announcement came from BCCI secretary Jay Shah on Sunday, July 21. The 2024 edition of the quadrennial tournament is set to begin on July 26, where a total of 117 Indian athletes will participate across 16 sports.
No Morkel for SL tour; Bahutule likely to be India's bowling coach
Sairaj Bahutule is set to be Team India's bowling coach for the white-ball series in Sri Lanka. Morne Morkel is set to take up the bowling coach role but as he isn't set to travel with the team to Sri Lanka, as per Cricbuzz, Bahutule is set to be Team India's bowling coach for the six-match series against Sri Lanka.
VVS Laxman likely to join Lucknow Super Giants ahead of IPL 2025
Former India middle-order batter and National Cricket Academy (NCA) head, VVS Laxman is likely to join Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). According to a report in the Times of India (TOI), the Lucknow-based franchise has expressed interest in signing the former India cricketer for coaching role ahead of the 2025 edition of the cash-rich league.
Hardik Pandya not an automatic pick for Champions Trophy: Reports
Hardik Pandya is reportedly not an automatic pick in India in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to the concerns around his fitness. The 30-year-old was snubbed by the BCCI from captaining India in T20Is on the upcoming tour to Sri Lanka, while he wasn’t selected in the ODI squad either after asking for a rest citing personal reasons.
DC to retain Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel & Kuldeep Yadav: Reports
Contradicting the speculations which spread of Delhi Capitals (DC) captain and wicketkeeper-batter, Rishabh Pant moving to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction, new reports have emerged stating that he is set to be retained, along with all-rounder Axar Patel and off-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Additionally, either of Tristan Stubbs or Jake Fraser McGurk is likely to be retained as overseas option.
WATCH: Suryakumar partakes in intense training session before SL tour
Suryakumar Yadav, the newly appointed Indian T20I captain, took to his official Instagram account to post about the latest training session ahead of the three-match series against Sri Lanka, on Sunday, July 21. In the middle of going through the paces on the field, the 33-year-old spoke about how hard work is far from easy, but it’s absolutely worth it.
Vikram Rathour to replace VVS Laxman as NCA Head: Reports
According to reports, former India batting coach, Vikram Rathour is set to replace VVS Laxman as NCA head after the latter has shown no interest in extending his contract. “It is likely that you may see Rathour heading NCA. For now, a call on VVS Laxman’s contract renewal is pending, but the conversation from his side is not positive,” a source quoted as saying by SportsTak.
Shreyanka Patil ruled out of Women’s Asia Cup; replacement announced
The India women’s team have suffered a massive blow amidst the ongoing Women’s Asia Cup 2024 in Sri Lanka. Star bowler, Shreyanka Patil has been ruled out with a fractured finger. She sustained the injury during India Women's campaign opener against Pakistan Women. However, Tanuja Kanwar has been named Patil’s replacement in the Indian squad for the Women's Asia Cup.
Give you advice which helps: Azam on Kohli, Williamson and Root
Babar Azam opened up about the impact of Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root on his career. Azam revealed that he talks to all three starts whenever he gets a chance to improve his batting. Not only this, but he also said that he got to learn a lot from them. Azam appeared on Ab de Villiers' YouTube show.
S Badrinath rants at selectors after Gaikwad omitted from SL tour
The former Indian cricketer, S Badrinath, delivered a scathing rant at the selectors, wanting justice for Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was dropped from the national team squad for the Sri Lanka tour. He shared the detailed stats of Ruturaj Gaikwad in the T20I format before claiming the need for a relationship with a Bollywood actress to get picked for the team.
WATCH: Hasan Ali reacts over India’s participation in Champions Trophy
Amid the ongoing concerns relating to Team India's participation in the upcoming Champions Trophy, Pakistan all-rounder Hasan Ali has raised his voice. Speaking in an interview with Samaa TV, Ali said, "If we're going there (to India) to play, then they should come to Pakistan too," before adding, "If India don't want to come, we'll play without them."
