India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who was ruled out of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy due to a back issue, was on Sunday spotted in Dubai ahead of the high-octane India-Pakistan clash during which he also collected his prestigious International Cricket Council (ICC) awards at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The uncertainty over pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, starting February 19, could be over by Tuesday as the BCCI is running against time to submit the final squad to the International Cricket Council by February 11.
India skipper Rohit Sharma faced intense scrutiny over his form in the past six months, but quashed all of it in swashbuckling fashion by hitting 119 off 90 balls, his 32nd ODI century, in a four-wicket series-clinching win over England at Cuttack.
The Ranji Trophy 2024-25 has entered its business end, with the quarterfinals set to kick off on Saturday. After weeks of intense competition in the group stage, eight teams remain in contention for the coveted title.
India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has played down the extra relevance of his side’s contest against arch-rival Pakistan at the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy by declaring each match at the tournament is of equal importance.
South Africa restricted India to 148/6 in 20 overs despite Dinesh Karthik's late flourish (30 not out off 21 balls). Besides Karthik, Shreyas Iyer (40 off 35), Ishan Kishan (34 off 21) were the main scorers as most of the Indian batters failed to deliver against Proteas bowlers and lost wickets at regular intervals.
According to sources, with the value per match crossing the Rs. 100-crore mark, the overall value of the media rights has touched Rs. 41,000 crore as of now, with two parties, whose names are yet to be known, not willing to give up on the digital rights of the mega event.
The Rishabh Pant-led India are playing the ongoing series against Proteas without their key players -- Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Jasprith Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav -- due to rest and injury issues.
As per indications, the numbers will add up to 410 with a gradual increase after every two editions. It has been learned that the Indian cricket board would schedule 74 games in the first two years of the cycle - 2023 and 2024 - followed by 84 matches in the next couple of seasons.
The next ten days of T20I action against a full-strength Proteas side will be an opportunity for India to test a new-look top-order without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, and with KL Rahul out with a right groin injury, Rishabh Pant is set to make his international captaincy debut at his home ground.
