Afghanistan has announced its squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, with key players Ibrahim Zadran and Mujeeb Ur Rahman ruled out due to injuries. The team will be led by Hashmatullah Shahidi and includes experienced players like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi.
A video of Virat Kohli’s playful dance before a team huddle during the recent India-Sri Lanka series has gone viral, showcasing his vibrant personality and infectious energy. While India lost the ODI series, Kohli remains a key figure in the team and is set to return for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.
India’s new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has faced heavy criticism after Team India lost an ODI series against Sri Lanka for the first time in 27 years. Social media users have been quick to troll Gambhir, with many calling for his resignation. The loss comes amidst the Paris Games, further fueling the online criticism.
India captain Rohit Sharma expressed concern over his team’s struggles against spin bowling after a 110-run drubbing in the third ODI resulted in a series loss to Sri Lanka. He urged Indian batters to have a ‘serious look’ at their individual game plans against spin, highlighting the need to address their weaknesses ahead of upcoming challenges.
India’s new head coach Gautam Gambhir aims to continue the winning streak as the Men in Blue face Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series. The series presents an opportunity to assess the team’s depth and solidify a vision for the future, especially with the Champions Trophy looming in 2025. Key areas of focus include finding a third pacer to support Bumrah and Siraj, and deciding on the wicketkeeper’s role between K.L. Rahul and Rishabh Pant. Meanwhile, a depleted Sri Lankan side will look to overcome a recent losing streak and turn the tide against their formidable neighbours.
India Women will be looking to secure an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against South Africa Women in Bengaluru. India won the first ODI by a comprehensive 143 runs, but there were concerns about the batting performance. The second ODI promises to be an exciting encounter with both teams aiming for a strong performance.
India’s women’s cricket team looks to seal a series win against South Africa in the second ODI, aiming for a tighter top-order performance. While Smriti Mandhana impressed with a century, the team seeks improvement from Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jemimah Rodrigues. Meanwhile, South Africa hopes for a better batting display to counter India’s strong spin attack, led by Asha Shobhana, Deepti Sharma, and Radha Yadav.
Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma is set to achieve a remarkable milestone as she plays her 200th international match for India in the first ODI against South Africa in Bengaluru. This achievement marks a significant moment in her career, making her one of the most experienced players in the Indian women’s cricket team.
Pakistan’s former captain, Bismah Maroof, has announced her retirement from all forms of cricket effective immediately. The decision comes after the team’s disappointing performance in the ODI series against the West Indies. Maroof made her international debut in 2006 and represented Pakistan in 276 matches across all formats, becoming the most-capped player in the history of Pakistan women’s cricket. She scored over 6,000 runs and took 80 wickets during her career. Maroof was also part of the Pakistan team that won gold medals in the Asian Games in 2010 and 2014. She captained Pakistan in 96 international matches, including the 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup in New Zealand. In T20Is, she led Pakistan in eight editions of the Women’s T20 World Cup, including the 2020 and 2023 tournaments.
