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The Rohit Sharma-led Team India took down the English side by an inning and 64 runs in Dharamsala to claim the series with a 4-1 margin. With this win, India became the first team in 112 years to win a series by 4-1 margin. The Men in Blue also claimed the top spot, surpassing Australia in the WTC 2023-25 cycle. On the other hand, while Sri Lanka clinched the T20I series against Bangladesh by 2-1 margin, New Zealand had posted a 40-run lead at Stumps on day of second Test against Australia.
Here in this article, we’ll look at all the big news that took place on Saturday, March 9, but before that, let’s check the matches scheduled for the day.
WPL 2024: Delhi Capitals Women vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Women
Delhi Capitals Women are set to take on Royal Challengers Bangalore Women in the 17th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. In their last outing, Delhi Capitals Women suffered a tough one run loss against UP Warriorz, stalling their momentum somewhat in the second and most important half of the WPL season. Meanwhile, their upcoming opponents, Royal Challengers Bangalore Women lost their last contest in the WPL 2024 to Gujarat Giants, leaving them firmly behind the top two teams in the points table.
PSL 2024: Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans
The Shadab Khan-led Islamabad United will take on Mohammad Rizwan’s Multan Sultans in Match 27 of the PSL 2024. The match is scheduled to be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi from 2:30 p.m. IST. Both the teams are coming on the back of contrasting results in their previous fixture. While the United beat Karachi Kings to claim the third place in the standings, the Multan Sultans lost to Peshawar Zalmi, but comfortably sit at the top position, having already sealed their playoffs spot.
PSL 2024: Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators
Shaheen Afridi-led Lahore Qalandars will take on Rilee Rossouw’s Quetta Gladiators in Match 28 of the PSL 2024. The match is scheduled to be played at the National Stadium in Karachi from 7:30 p.m. IST. Both the teams are coming for this fixture on the back of similar results. While the Qalandars lost to Karachi Kings, the Gladiators lost to Peshawar Zalmi.
Major cricket events that happened on March 9
Harmanpreet Kaur scores incredible fifty to guide MI Women home vs GG
On Saturday, March 9, Mumbai Indians Women defeated Gujarat Giants by seven wickets in the 16th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), to reach the top of the points table. It was the MI Women captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored an unbeaten 95 off 48, to help her team chase down a big total of 190 runs in the last over.
R Ashwin picks up 9-wicket bag to help India defeat England in 5th Test
On Saturday, March 9, India defeated England by an innings and 64 runs to win the fifth and final Test at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala to retain the Anthony de Mello Trophy 4-1. Ravichandran Ashwin was the star of the show for India in his 100th Test match, picking up nine-wickets-in-the-match against a hapless England batting lineup.
IPL Mega Auction set to happen in 2025, confirms Arun Dhumal
The Chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Arun Dhumal, has confirmed that the mega auction for the biggest franchise T20 tournament in the world will happen “for sure.” Notably, the IPL mega auction happens every three seasons, and since the last one took place in 2022, it is highly likely to occur once again in 2025.
Rahul Dravid speaks on Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer’s contract snub
India head coach Rahul Dravid broke his silence on Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer losing BCCI’s central contract. Dravid said, "I don't decide contracts or discuss that. I don't even know what the criteria is. Both are in the mix and hope they play cricket, stay fit and force the selectors to pick them. No one is out of contention, players without contracts have also played.”
BCCI announces ‘Test Cricket Incentive Scheme' after India's 4-1 win
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary, Jay Shah on Saturday, March 9 announced a 'Test Cricket Incentive Scheme' to help prioritise Test cricket. This announcement by the BCCI comes in order to encourage the longest format and also reward consistent performances in it after Rohit Sharma-led Team India demolished England in the five-match Test series.
WATCH: James Anderson completes 700 Test wickets; gets Kuldeep in 5th Test
England pacer James Anderson on Saturday, March 9 became first pacer and third man overall to complete 700 Test wickets. The 41-year-old got Kuldeep Yadav early on Day 3, courtesy a brilliant catch by the keeper Ben Foakes. The English pacer soon after reaching the 700-mark, raised the ball to acknowledge this feat, with his teammates also joining him in the middle to congratulate on this achievement.
Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 28 runs to clinch T20I series 2-1
Bangladesh won the toss and invited Sri Lanka to bat first. The visitors rode on wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis' 87-run onslaught in 55 balls with six fours and sixes each to set a 175-run target. While chasing the target, the hosts lost quick wickets as Nuwan Thushara picked a hat-trick and helped Sri Lanka to win the match by 28 runs.
Rohit Sharma posts hilarious caption for picture with Indian youngsters; goes viral
The Indian captain, Rohit Sharma, took to his Instagram to post a picture with the Indian youngsters, albeit with a hilarious caption, which read, “Garden mein ghoomne wale bande.” The post from Rohit Sharma came after he led India to a win in the fifth and final Test by an innings and 64 runs against England, clinching the series 4-1.
WATCH: Thushara becomes fifth Sri Lankan to take hat-trick in men's T20I
With the three-match T20I series on the line, Sri Lanka dominated Bangladesh by 28 runs at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday in the third and final T20I to clinch the series 2-1. Sri Lanka pacer Nuwan Thushara registered a historic achievement as he became the fifth Lanka bowler to take a hat-trick in the men's T20I.
