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After a successful series draw in South Africa, the Men in Blue will take on Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series, starting January 11, 2024. However, the BCCI is likely to announce the squad with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both being reportedly available for selection. Apart from this, the BCCI on Saturday, January 6th announced the India A squad for two-day warm-up fixture and multi-day game against England Lions. Notably, Abhimanyu Easwaran will lead the India A side against the Lions. On the other hand, India Women will take on Australia Women in the second T20I at the DY Patil Stadium after having clinched the first game by nine wickets margin.
Here in this article, we’ll look at all the big news that took place on Saturday, January 6, but before that, let's check the matches scheduled for the day.
WATCH: Rohit Sharma returns to India after drawing Test series in South Africa
Today’s match preview:
BBL 2023-24: Brisbane Heat vs Hobart Hurricanes
The 29th match of the BBL 2023-24 is scheduled to take place between Brisbane Heat and the Hobart Hurricanes at The Gabba in Brisbane on Sunday, January 7 at 01:45 p.m. IST. While both teams are coming after their respective wins in the BBL 2023-24, the Colin Munro-led Brisbane Heat are comfortably sitting at the top of the points table with five wins from seven games, whereas the Hurricanes are fifth in the standings with three wins from six matches so far in the tournament.
India Women vs Australia Women 2nd T20I:
India Women will go head-to-head against Australian Women in the second T20I of the three-match series at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai. In the first match of the series, the Indian Women put together one of the best performances in T20I format in recent memory, demolishing the challenge of the reigning world champions Australia. With that, India Women will be high on confidence to get the better of Australia Women in two straight T20I matches to secure a rare series win against them.
Major cricket events that happened on January 6
BBL 2023-24: Sydney Sixers reclaim the second spot with a 7-wicket win over Melbourne Stars
Moises Henriques-led Sydney Sixers defeated Glenn Maxwell's Melbourne Stars in the 28th match of the BBL 2023-24 by seven wickets to reclaim the second spot in the BBL standings. A commendable effort by the Sixers bowlers helped them restrict the Stars to a below par total in the first inning, while their top-order batters made sure to complement those bowling efforts as they won the match in 18.1 overs.
Also Read: Who is Shweta Sehrawat? - Youngster who smashed 242 runs in Senior Women's One Day Trophy
Afghanistan announce 19-member squad for T20I series against India; injured Rashid Khan included
Afghanistan Cricket Board’s Selection Committee named a 19-member Afghanistan National Squad for the three-match T20I Series against India. Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s regular T20I captain, has been included in the squad but might not feature in any game as he recovers from the back surgery he recently underwent. Meanwhile, Ibrahim Zadran, who led Afghanistan to a 2-1 series victory against the UAE, will continue to lead Afghanistan against India.
WATCH: Third umpire presses wrong button for Josh Phillipe's run out in BBL 2023-24 clash
BCCI announces India ‘A’ squad for series against England Lions
The Men’s Selection Committee named a 13-member India ‘A’ squad for a 2-day warm-up fixture & the first multi-day match against England Lions. India ‘A’ will play a total of 3 multi-day matches in the tour. The tour will begin with a two-day warm-up game, starting on January 12, 2024. The first four-day match will commence on January 17, 2024.
Ambati Rayudu quits YSRCP, takes break from politics
Just after nine days of joining the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has decided to quit the party and informed that he will be taking a "little" break from politics. In December last year, the former CSK batter joined the YSRCP in Andhra Pradesh.
SCG crowd enters ground to witness Warner’s final Test moments
Australian legend David Warner has concluded his Test career after the 2023 WTC champions' victory against Pakistan in the third and final Test on Friday. The third Test was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground and the crowd was allowed to enter the ground to witness the 37-year-old Aussies' final moments in Test cricket.
Also WATCH: David Warner gifts his helmet and gloves to young fan at SCG
"Can Ajit take that bold call?" - Ex-BCCI selector stresses on India's problem of plenty for T20 World Cup 2024
The selection dilemma regarding the Indian men's T20I team continues with the possibility of veterans like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli making themselves available for the shortest format. Stressing these issues, a former Indian selector has raised questions regarding the possible Indian squad for the T20 World Cup later in the year. While speaking to PTI, a former national selector on the condition of anonymity, questioned India's batting lineup if the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya are available for selection. He also challenged whether Ajit Agarkar can bold calls to add a left-hander and drop one of these stars.
R Ashwin asks Makhaya Ntini to greet CSK fans; latter sings Hindi song
Former South Africa fast bowler Makhaya Ntini met Ravichandran Ashwin during the recently-concluded multi-format series. Ashwin jokingly asked Ntini to greet the Chennai fans, to which the latter replied by singing a Hindi song ‘Kabhi kabhi mere dil mei’. The way the South African sang the song, cracked up Ashwin and he couldn’t control his laughter. WATCH Here.
