The Indian Test team for the first two matches of the upcoming five-match series against England has been announced, featuring a 22-year-old new entrant alongside seasoned players. Notably, Mohammed Shami and Ishan Kishan will not be part of the team for the first two Tests. Meanwhile, in the world of hockey, India is set to face the US in the Olympic qualifiers on Saturday, promising an exciting encounter.
Let's have a look at the top 10 trending sports news on January 13's sports roundup:
BCCI announce 16-member squad for first two Tests against England
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently unveiled the Indian cricket team's roster for the first two matches of the upcoming five-game Test series against England. The series is scheduled to commence on January 25. One of the most notable selections in the squad is Uttar Pradesh's prolific batsman Dhruv Jurel, who has earned his first call-up to the Indian national team.
In the lineup, Jurel is set as the third-choice wicketkeeper, following prominent players KL Rahul and KS Bharat. Adding to his growing cricket profile, Jurel was also a recent pick by the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2024 auction, marking another significant milestone in his burgeoning cricket career.
India's squad first two Tests vs England: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Avesh Khan
Ishan Kishan, Mohammed Shami and Prasidh Krishna fail to make the cut
In a turn of events, fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, who was a part of India's Test squad for the recent series against South Africa, was not included in the team for the initial two matches of the upcoming series against England. This decision follows his underwhelming performance in South Africa.
Additionally, experienced pacer Mohammed Shami also finds himself outside the squad for the first two Tests against England. Furthermore, wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan remains excluded from India's lineup, continuing his absence which began with the South Africa Test series and extends through the current three-match T20I series against Afghanistan.
Injury concerns for Prasidh Krishna
Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna suffered a left quadriceps injury on January 12 while playing in Karnataka's Ranji Trophy game against Gujarat. Prasidh had to leave the field mid-game after delivering 14.5 overs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad during the Group C encounter.
CSA sack Under-19 captain David Teeger ahead of World Cup
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has decided to remove David Teeger from his role as captain of South Africa's Under-19 cricket team due to safety considerations. There were concerns that Teeger might attract attention from anti-war protesters, prompting this precautionary measure. Despite this change in leadership, Teeger will remain an integral part of the team, as confirmed by CSA officials on Friday. This announcement comes just before the start of the U-19 World Cup, set to begin on January 19, 2024, with South Africa serving as the host nation for the event.
Bengaluru, Delhi to host Women's Premier League (WPL) matches
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has identified Bengaluru and Delhi as the favored locations to host the 2024 Women's Premier League (WPL). The BCCI is also planning to conduct the tournament's second edition from February 22 to March 17, 2024. According to ESPNcricinfo, the plan is to commence the early rounds of the WPL 2024 in Bengaluru, with the latter stages, including the knockout matches, scheduled to be held in Delhi.
Dean Elgar joins Essex days after walking away from international cricket
Former captain of South Africa's cricket team, Dean Elgar has embarked on a new journey in his cricket career by signing a three-year contract with the Essex County Cricket Club. This development follows closely on the heels of his retirement from Test cricket, with his final match being against India at the Newlands Cricket Stadium in Cape Town. Elgar, who is 36 years old, leaves behind an illustrious Test career, having scored 5,347 runs across 86 matches since his debut in 2012.
Doubles pairing of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty storm into Malaysia Open semis
India's celebrated badminton duo, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, continued their stellar performance by reaching the semifinals for the second time in a row at the Malaysia Open Super 1000 tournament. On Friday, January 12, they achieved a convincing win against China's Ren Xiang Yu and He Ji Ting. Ranked second globally and last year's Asian Games gold medalists, Rankireddy and Shetty showcased their dominance on the court with impressive rallies and skillful net play. They clinched a resounding victory with scores of 21-11 and 21-8 against the world number 32 Chinese pair, wrapping up the match in just 35 minutes.
Indian women's hockey team to face US in Olympic qualifiers
The Indian women's hockey team is set to kick off their campaign in the Olympic qualifiers on Saturday against the US. Playing on home turf, the team aims to leverage their home advantage to secure a spot in the Paris Olympics.
Sumit Nagal storms into Australian Open main draw
Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal secured his spot in the main draw of the Australian Open 2024, achieving a notable milestone in his career. On Friday, January 12, the 26-year-old triumphed over Slovakia's Alex Molcan with a straight-set victory of 6-4, 6-4 in the final round of the qualifiers, played on Court 3.
Puneri Paltan, Jaipur Pink Panthers register contrasting wins in PKL
The Puneri Paltan team showcased a commanding performance, overpowering the Gujarat Giants with a remarkable 37-17 win at Jaipur’s SMS Indoor stadium on January 12. Jaipur Pink Panthers clinched a thrilling 38-35 victory over Telugu Titans in the Pro Kabaddi League, marking a spectacular start to their home leg.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
India announce squad for 1st two Tests against England as 22-year-old gets maiden call up; Ishan Kishan still out
IND vs ENG: Emotional Dhruv Jurel's reaction goes viral after 22-year-old receives maiden India call-up for England Tests
