Picture Credit: X

Picture Credit: X

The Shubman Gill-led Men in Blue are locking horns with Zimbabwe in a five-match T20I series at the Harare Sports Club in Harare, Zimbabwe. While the series stand leveled 1-1 with both teams winning a match each. On the other hand, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side are hosting South Africa Women in the three-match T20I series of the multi-format tour. While they won the ODI and one-off Test, they trail the T20I series 0-1 with the second match getting abandoned due to rain.

In this article, we will go through all the big news that took place on Monday, July 8. But, before that, let’s take a look at the matches scheduled to take place today.

Today’s match preview

3rd T20I: India Women vs South Africa Women

India Women will compete against South Africa Women in the third and final T20I of the three-match series at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. After losing the first match, the Indian cricket team put themselves in a decent position in the second match to level the series, but the rain played spoilsport. With that, South Africa can’t lose the T20I series, but they will have to continue with their consistency in batting, to have the best chance of emerging victorious in the third and final T20I. 

Major cricket events that happened on Monday, July 8

David Warner open to playing 2025 Champions Trophy after Australia retirement

On Monday, July 8, David Warner, the Australian opening batsman, announced that he is open to playing in the Champions Trophy 2025 if the selectors pick him. The 37-year-old, who was believed to have retired from international cricket after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2024 recently, took to Instagram to reveal his plans in cricket.

Hardik Pandya posts inspirational message after becoming T20 World Cup champion

India's T20 World Cup 2024-winning star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has shut down his haters with his spectacular performance in the tournament and the 30-year-old has recently shared a video compilation of his World Cup winning moments with an inspirational message. Pandya captioned the video compilation from his T20 World Cup winning moments, " Make your comeback greater than your setback. Always."

How BCCI’s INR 125 prize money will be distributed among Team India?

After India’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, BCCI announced a massive prize pool of INR 125 Crore. But, how much will the players get from it is the biggest question. According to a report published by TOI, the INR 125 Crore prize money will be distributed among the 15-member squad along with the four reserves. The 15-member support staff will also be awarded a share of the prize money.

WATCH: Abhishek Sharma video calls Yuvraj Singh after maiden T20I ton

Abhishek Sharma, on Sunday, July 7 video called his mentor and idol, former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh after scoring his maiden T20I century. The 23-year-old was quick to call Yuvraj, who is currently participating in the World Championship of Legends. “I am very proud. You deserve it. Many more to come. This is just the start,” the 42-year-old said in the special call. 

Matthew Breetzke earns maiden Test call-up for West Indies series; Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje misses out

Matthew Breetzke, deemed Dean Elgar’s replacement in the South Africa Test side earned his maiden call-up for the series against West Indies. Meanwhile, David Bedingham, Dane Paterson and Dane Piedt are the only players featured in the New Zealand series who made it to the squad against West Indies. Among bowlers, Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje will miss the series. While Nortje has been dropped after he decided to opt out from CSA’s central contract, to focus on T20 cricket, Jansen has been rested to manage his workload.

ICC approves Champions Trophy 2025 schedule; India-Pakistan clash in Lahore: Reports

Latest reports have confirmed the schedule for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to be hosted by reigning champions Pakistan in February-March next year. According to the schedule, the marquee clash of the 2017 finalists India and Pakistan has been marked for March 01, while another age-old rivals, England and Australia, will meet on February 22. According to The Telegraph, the hosts will be seen squaring off against New Zealand on February 19 for the tournament opener, while the last group stage encounter will be played between England and South Africa at Rawalpindi on March 02.