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After ending their 11-year-long title drought of an ICC trophy, the Rohit Sharma-led Team India had extravagant celebrations after landing in India. While the celebrations might not be over yet, former skipper Virat Kohli was seen leaving from Mumbai, reportedly flying to London to meet his wife Anushka Sharma and kids Vamika and Akaay. Apart from this, the Indian Women team suffered their first lost against South Africa Women in the ongoing tour.
In this article, we will go through all the big news that took place on Friday, July 5. But, before that, let’s take a look at the matches scheduled to take place today.
Today’s match preview
1st T20I: Zimbabwe vs India
Zimbabwe will play against India in the first T20I of the five-match series at the Harare Sports Club in Harare. The hosts Zimbabwe last played a T20I nearly two months ago against Bangladesh during an away series, which they lost 1-4, which has led to a wholesale number of changes in the squad. Meanwhile, the newly crowned T20 World Cup champions will have none of their players from the title winning squad in the first couple of T20Is, making it an intriguing series for the fans to look forward to.
Major cricket events that happened on Friday, July 5
Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp’s batting blitz help SA-W beat IND-W by 12 runs
On Friday, July 5, the South African women’s team defeated India by 12 runs in the first T20I of the three-match series. Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp were the star performers for South Africa in their first win on the Indian tour, with both scoring fifties to help the team put a massive score of 189/4 on the board.
I felt very bad for Hardik: Krunal Pandya pens emotional post
Krunal Pandya, the Indian all-rounder, and the elder brother of Hardik Pandya, penned an emotional post for his “Bachhu” on his official Instagram account. The 33-year-old spoke about how the last six months were the toughest in the life of Hardik Pandya, for which he felt very bad for him before lauding his T20 World Cup triumph.
Rohit Sharma jokes about Suryakumar Yadav's catch in T20 WC 2024 final
India captain Rohit Sharma cracked a joke about Suryakumar Yadav’s iconic catch in the T20 World Cup 2024 final. Sharma along with Surya, Shivam Dube, and Yashasvi Jaiswal were felicitated by the Maharashtra government at the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan. While addressing the gathering, Rohit cracked a hilarious joke about Suryakumar's catch, leaving everyone in splits.
WATCH: Hugh Jackman lauds favourite Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma
The Hollywood star, Hugh Jackman, named Rohit Sharma, the captain of India, as his favourite cricketer from the Indian cricket team. During a promotional interview for the Marvel film, Deadpool & Wolverine, alongside his co-star, Ryan Reynolds, the Australian actor, who is an avid cricket fan, called Rohit Sharma a “beast” for his batting exploits during India’s T20 World Cup triumph.
Hardik Pandya celebrates T20 World Cup victory with son; wife Natasa missing
Hardik Pandya, the vice-captain of India, played a major role for the national team in winning the T20 World Cup last month. Following his return home, he held his son Agastya in his hands after a long time, sharing the pictures and video of the moment on Instagram, but his wife Natasa Stankovic was missing from the celebration.
WATCH: Maharashtra CM felicitates Rohit and other Mumbai cricketers
On Friday, July 5, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, felicitated the captain of the Indian cricket team, Rohit Sharma, for leading the side to a T20 World Cup triumph last month. At his official residence in Mumbai, known as the Varsha Bungalow, the 60-year-old also honoured the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Riyan Parag to make India debut in first T20I vs Zimbabwe: Reports
Rajasthan Royals’ dynamic all-rounder Riyan Parag is reportedly set to make his India debut during the first T20I against Zimbabwe. The all-rounder received his maiden national call-up after an impressive performance in the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League. As per media reports, might receive his cap and represent India in the first T20I of the series, which is set to be played on July 6.
Virat Kohli asks Rajeev Shukla to move aside; pulls Rohit Sharma to front
During team India's T20 World Cup 2024 victory parade, Virat Kohli asked BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla to move aside. He then pulled Rohit Sharma to the front and the two lifted the trophy together. The video of the incident went viral on social media in no time, and fans questioned Shukla as well as BCCI Secretary Jay Shah's presence in the team bus.
Virat Kohli spotted at Mumbai Airport post WC'24 celebrations
After Team India's grand welcome post T20 World Cup 2024 win, batter Virat Kohli was spotted at the Mumbai International Airport late at night on July 4. Kohli is reportedly flying to London to meet his wife Anushka Sharma and kids Vamika and Akaay after a triumphing campaign in the USA and West Indies. Notably, the team returned home on Thursday.
WATCH: Rohit meets family in heartwarming moment after returning home
Rohit Sharma, the captain of India, returned home at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai with the T20 World Cup trophy alongside his teammates on Thursday, July 4. After a lap of honour, Rohit Sharma headed to the President’s box inside the stadium where he had an emotional meeting with his mother and the rest of the family.
