Picture Credit: X
The Shubman Gill-led new-look Team India is taking on Zimbabwe in a five-match T20I series. In the first T20I, which was played on Saturday, July 6, the Men in Blue succumbed to a 13-run defeat against their opponents at the Harare Sports Club. On the other hand, the Women in Blue are hosting South Africa Women in a multi-format series. However, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side won the ODI and One-off Test, they trail the three-match T20I series 0-1.
In this article, we will go through all the big news that took place on Saturday, July 6. But, before that, let’s take a look at the matches scheduled to take place today.
Today’s match preview
2nd T20I: Zimbabwe vs India
Zimbabwe will play against India in the second T20I of the five-match series at the Harare Sports Club in Harare. The Zimbabwean cricket team have a great opportunity to test their skills versus the newly crowned T20 World Cup champions in their home den in the upcoming five T20I matches. For India, this series is all about giving chances to the young players in the aftermath of few of their senior players retiring from the T20 format in the last week or so.
2nd T20I: India Women vs South Africa Women
India Women will take on South Africa Women in the second T20I of the three-match series at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. After conceding defeat to the South Africa cricket team for the first-time on tour, India will be needing to bounce back quickly to stay alive in the series. For the Protea Women, it is going to be vital to keep the winning momentum going after failing to register a single result in the ODI and Test matches.
Major cricket events that happened on Saturday, July 6
Sikandar Raza, Chatara’s bowling heroics help Zimbabwe defeat India by 13 runs
On Friday, July 6, Zimbabwe registered a historic win by 13 runs against the newly crowned T20 World Cup champions India in the first of five T20I matches in the series at the Harare Sports Club in Harare. The captain Sikandar Raza and Tendai Chatara picked up three wickets each, to help Zimbabwe defend the 115-run total successfully.
WCL 2024: Pakistan Champions claim top spot after comprehensive win against India Champions
On Saturday, the Pakistan Champions emerged victorious by 68 runs as they toppled India Champions to claim the top spot in the points table. Despite a stormy start, Kamran Akmal and Sharjeel Khan stitched a 145-run stand for the first wicket. While Akmal scored 40-ball 77, Sharjeel amassed 72 runs off just 30 balls to score 243/5 in 20 overs. In the run chase, Robin Uthappa and Ambati Rayudu did give a good start with Suresh Raina also chipping in some crucial runs, but the middle order collapse led to the Indian side post only 175 runs in the 20 overs and lose the match by 68 runs.
WATCH: PM Modi asks Rohit Sharma about dancing his way to take T20WC trophy
During Team India’s interaction with PM Modi at his residence in New Delhi, the dance from Rohit Sharma to receive the T20 World Cup trophy came into prime focus. When PM Modi asked Rohit Sharma about it, he stated that his teammates didn’t want him to do a simple walk, which is why he decided to shake his leg.
Nobody in India cares about him: Ravi Shastri slams Michael Vaughan
Former India cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri slammed Michael Vaughan for his comments about the Indian team’s scheduling at the T20 World Cup 2024. Shastri said that he should check on England team first and that nobody cares about him in India. In addition to this, the cricketer-turned-commentator also called out those who complained about Suryakumar Yadav’s boundary catch.
Riyan Parag gets debut cap from father; Abhishek & Dhruv handed debut
On Saturday, July 6, Riyan Parag along with Abhishek Sharma and Dhruv Jurel was handed India T20I debut cap ahead of the first T20I against Zimbabwe. In an emotional moment, Riyan Parag, who gets a maiden call-up after a prolific IPL 2024, received his cap from his father, Parag Das, a former First Class cricketer from Assam.
Sherfane Rutherford pens heartfelt post for late mother; goes viral
West Indies cricketer, Sherfane Rutherford, who recently featured in T20 World Cup 2024, took to Instagram to inform about the demise of his mother. The Windes batter shared a heartfelt post for his mother, along with pictures with her. In the post, Rutherford called his mother as "the best mom anyone could ever have asked for in this life time."
Sajeevan Sajana to replace Richa Ghosh in T20I squad vs SA W
After Indian wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh suffered on-field injury during the first T20I against South Africa Women on Friday, the BCCI Women have announced Sajeevan Sajana as her replacement. “Sajeevan Sajana has been named the concussion substitute for Richa Ghosh, who is suffering from neck pain and dizziness due to an on-field injury," BCCI Women posted on X.
