Credit: X
After ending the three-match T20I series 1-1, Team India and South Africa are scheduled to square off against each other in the three-match ODI series, starting from Saturday onwards. On the other hand, IPL franchise Mumbai Indians have received criticism on social media from fans for replacing Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as the team's captain.
Here in this article, we’ll look at all the big news that took place on Saturday, December 16, but before that, let's check the matches scheduled for the day.
Today’s match preview:
South Africa vs India: 1st ODI
The three-match T20I series between India and South Africa was tied 1-1, and both teams will look to commence the ODI series with a victory. KL Rahul-led India and Aiden Markram's South Africa will face each other in the first ODI on Saturday at 01:30 p.m. IST at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
Major cricket events that happened on December 16
India Women's team register biggest-ever Test win; beat Heather Knight's England by 347 runs
India women defeated England women by a margin of 347 runs to record the biggest-ever victory in women’s Test. The hosts, under the captaincy of Harmanpreet Kaur, bowled out England for 131 runs in the morning session of Day 3 to register a historic win over their counterparts in a home Test. India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said, “We had a couple of days to prepare before the start of this game. All the players took the responsibility and delivered their best."
Mumbai Indians see massive drop in followers inside one hour of captaincy announcement
The record five-time IPL title winners, Mumbai Indians on Friday, December 15 announced a change in captaincy. One of the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League named Hardik Pandya as their new skipper, replacing their longest-serving Rohit Sharma, at the helm. T his decision came as a surprise just days after the franchise traded Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya from the Gujarat Titans ahead of the IPL 2024 auction.
Mohammad Shami ruled out of Test series against South Africa; Deepak Chahar withdraws
In the biggest update of the day, star Indian pacer Mohammad Shami has been ruled out of the two-match Test series against South Africa. The Men in Blue will take on the Proteas Men in a two-match Test series in Centurion and Cape Town respectively, starting later this month after the completion of the white-ball leg of the series. Just a day ahead of the three-match ODI series against South Africa, Indian bowler Deepak Chahar also withdrew from the tour, owing to a medical emergency in his family.
Suryakumar Yadav shares cryptic post after Rohit Sharma’s removal as MI captain
On Friday, December 15, Mumbai Indians surprised all by naming Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya as their skipper ahead of IPL 2024. However, there were speculations on Rohit Sharma losing captaincy after Hardik Pandya was traded from Gujarat Titans ahead of the retained-released window. The next day, Suryakumar Yadav, who recently led the Men in Blue in a series draw against South Africa, shared a heartbreak emoji on X as well as on his Instagram story.
Jonty Rhodes praises Hyderabad International Airport’s toilet facility with cricket analogy
Jonty Rhodes, the South African cricketing legend, took to his official X account to praise the occupancy indicator system of the toilet facility at the Hyderabad International Airport. The 54-year-old akin the occupancy indicator system to the highly famous third umpire referral system in cricket, also called the DRS, in a unique comparison on his official X account.
Marnus Labuschagne to undergo scans for apparent finger injury in 1st Test against Pakistan
Australian top-order batter Marnus Labuschagne will undergo scans for an apparent finger injury after being struck in the second innings against Pakistan. Playing the first Test in Perth, the hosts ended Day 3 at 84-2 with a 300-run lead. But throughout the innings, Pakistani bowlers constantly peppered the Aussies with lethal short bowling.
KL Rahul gives major update on Rinku Singh’s India debut in ODIs
KL Rahul, the Indian captain for the three-match ODI series against South Africa, dropped a major update about the future of Rinku Singh in the 50 overs format. On the eve of the first ODI at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, the 31-year-old stated at the press conference that Rinku Singh “will get his opportunity even in the ODI series.”
Delhi Capitals approached Mumbai Indians to trade for Rohit Sharma: Reports
Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Capitals reportedly approached Mumbai Indians to trade for Indian captain Rohit Sharma. These reports surfaced after the five-time champions announced Sharma being replaced by Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya as captain after returning to MI via an all-cash trade in November. According to Sports Today's Nikhil Naz, Delhi Capitals had approached Mumbai Indians for Rohit's trade but MI rejected the offer.
Yuzvendra Chahal celebrates Haryana's Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023 win
After Haryana defeated Rajasthan by 30 runs to win their first-ever Vijay Hazare Trophy in the 2023-24 domestic season, Yuzvendra Chahal reacted to the famous victory with an emotional post on his official X account. The 33-year-old was an integral part of the Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign for Haryana before he left for South Africa to play in the ODI series for India.
