<p><em>Jio Women?s T20 Challenge 2020: All you need to know. The women?s edition of IPL, Jio Women?s T20 Challenge 2020: All You Need to Know.</em></p>



<h2>JIO Women's T20 Challenge 2020:</h2>



<p>The Board Of Control for Cricket in India announced the Women?s T20 Challenge last month. The matches will be played in Sharjah, UAE. All matches will be played at a single venue in Sharjah. This will be the first time when the Women?s T20 Challenge will be played outside India. The Jio Women?s T20 Challenge will take place alongside IPL2020 qualifiers.</p>



<p>The tournament will be played from November 4 to November 9. Three teams Supernova, Velocity and Trailblazers, Four matches will be played in the tournament. The T20 Challenge will start on Wednesday with Supernova taking on Velocity in the tournament opener. The Velocity will be facing Trailblazers on Thursday in the second game. And the Trailblazers will meet Supernova on Saturday.</p>



<p>The top two teams, depending on the match points and Net Run Rate will advance to the Final. The final of the Women?s T20 Challenge will be played on Monday, November 9 in Sharjah.</p>



<p>The matches will be played in the evening time i.e., 7:30 PM IST, 6:00 PM UAE Time.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Harmanpreet Kaur will be captaining Supernova while Smriti Mandhana and Mitali Raj will be leading Trailblazers and Velocity respectively. Players from South Africa, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, England, West Indies and New Zealand will travel to UAE for the short tournament.&nbsp;</p>



<h2>The fixture of Jio Women?s T20 Challenge 2020:</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong><span class="has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color">Matches</span></strong></td><td><strong><span class="has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color">Date</span></strong></td><td><strong><span class="has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color">Venue</span></strong></td><td>? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?<strong><span class="has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color"> Teams</span></strong></td><td><strong><span class="has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color">Time(IST)</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td>Match 1</td><td>04-Nov-20</td><td>Sharjah</td><td>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Supernova Vs Velocity</td><td>7:30 PM</td></tr><tr><td>Match 2</td><td>05-Nov-20</td><td>Sharjah</td><td>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Velocity Vs Trailblazers</td><td>7:30 PM</td></tr><tr><td>Match 3</td><td>07-Nov-20</td><td>Sharjah</td><td>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Trailblazers Vs Supernova</td><td>7:30 PM</td></tr><tr><td>Match 4</td><td>09-Nov-20</td><td>Sharjah</td><td>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Final</td><td>7:30 PM</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2>Full Squad of Jio Women?s T20 Challenge:</h2>



<h3>Supernova:</h3>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2020/11/Supernova.jpg" alt="Harmanpreet Kaur Supernova" class="wp-image-20645" /><figcaption>Supernova Harmanpreet Kaur | Image - BCCI</figcaption></figure></div>



<p>Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Chamari Atapattu, Priya Punia, Anuja Patil, Radha Yadav, Taniya Bhatia, Shashikala Sriwardene, Poonam Yadav, Shakera Selman, Arundhati Reddy, Pooja Vastrakar, Ayushi Soni, Ayabonga Khaka, Muskan Malik.</p>



<h3>Trailblazers:</h3>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2020/11/Smriti-Mandhana-Trailblazers.jpg" alt="Smriti Mandhana Trailblazers" class="wp-image-20646" /><figcaption>Trailblazers Smriti Mandhana | Image - BCCI</figcaption></figure></div>



<p>Smriti Mandhana (c), Deepti Sharma, Punam Raut, Richa Ghosh, D Hemlatha, Nuzhat Parween, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Harleen Deol, Jhulan Goswami, Simaran Dil Bahadur, Salma Khatun, Sophie Ecclestone, Natthakan Chantham, Deandra Dottin, Kashvee Gautam.</p>



<h3>Velocity:</h3>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2020/11/Mitali-Raj-Velocity.jpg" alt="Velocity Mitali Raj " class="wp-image-20647" /><figcaption>Velocity Mitali Raj | Image - BCCI</figcaption></figure></div>



<p>Mithali Raj(c), Shafali Verma, Veda Krishnamurthy, Sushma Verma, Ekta Bisht, Mansi Joshi, Shikha Pandey, Devika Vaidya, Sushree Dibyadarshini, Manali Dakshini, Leigh Kasperek, Danielle Wyatt, Sune Luus, Jahanara Alam, M Anagha.</p>



<p><strong><span class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">Saurav Ganguly (BCCI President) on Women?s Cricket -</span></strong>?As BCCI grows the game of cricket across all formats, one key area of focus has been to grow the women?s game. We hope the Jio Women?s T20 Challenge will inspire more young girls to take up the sport and give parents the confidence that playing cricket is a great career opportunity for their daughters.?</p>



<p><br><strong><span class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">Jay Shah (BCCI Honorary Secretary): </span></strong>?Our goal with the Women?s T20 Challenge is to build a pathway to a dedicated Women?s? IPL. Signing an exclusive Title Sponsor for the Women?s T20 Challenge, is a great testament to the property, allowing it to be self-sustainable. We believe Jio and RF ESA as Title Sponsors will be strong partners for the Women?s T20 Challenge.?</p>



<p><strong><span class="has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color">ALSO READ:</span></strong> <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ms-dhoni-confirms-he-will-play-more-in-yellow-jersey/">MS Dhoni Confirms He Will Play More In Yellow Jersey</a></p>



<p><strong><span class="has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color">ALSO READ:</span></strong> IPL2020: SRH Vs MI Match Preview, Probable11, Fantasy Tips</p>

Jio Women?s T20 Challenge 2020: All You Need To Know

jio-womens-t20-challenge-2020-all-you-need-to-know

<p><em>Women?s T20 Challenge: Velocity beats Supernova by 5 wickets. The first game of Women?s T20 Challenge and what a thriller: Velocity beats Supernova by 5 wickets.</em></p>



<h2>Match Highlights (Velocity vs Supernova):</h2>



<p>Women?s T20 Challenge opener was played between Supernova and Velocity on Wednesday, 4th November. The opener was hosted at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah at usual timings of evening matches i.e.,19:30 IST (14:00 GMT), 18:00 LOCAL. The first match was one of the thrillers to watch. It was a low scoring game due to Sharjah pitches which tends to slow down as the tournament progresses.</p>



<p>Earlier, Velocity won the toss and opt to bowl first, keeping that dew factor in mind. The first breakthrough came in the 6th over, Kasperek dismissing Priya Punia (11 off 15). Rodrigues(7 off 8) became the second one to get dismissed in 8th over by Ekta Bisht. A good partnership between Athapaththu and captain Harmanpreet Kaur which took Supernova past 85 runs. The partnership was broken by Jahanara Alam picking Athapaththu(44 off 39) in 14 over.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Harmanpreet Kaur(31 from 27) looked in good touch but sent to the dugout by Jahanara Alam. S Siriwardene managed to score 18 from 21 balls and got run out. No other got to settle down at the end as a result Supernova put 126 - 8 in 20 overs.</p>



<p>Ekta Bisht was the pick of the bowler, she returned with the figures 3/22 in 4 overs while Jahanara Alam and Kasperek got two wickets each.</p>



<p>Velocity didn?t get a good start, Ayabonga Khaka dismissed Danielle Wyatt for a duck. Shafali Verma(17 from 11 balls) could not capitalize on her good start, she was removed by Ayabonga Khaka in the 3rd over, Captain Mitali Raj(7 off 19 balls) also dismissed cheaply by S Siriwardene in the 9th over.</p>



<p>Veda Krishnamurthy and Sushma Verma stitched a good partnership of another 30 runs, this partnership for the 4th wicket took Velocity past 60 runs in the 13th over. While Veda Krishnamurthy (29 from 28 balls) was dismissed by Radha Yadav in the 13th over.</p>



<p>Velocity got a match-winning duo when Sushma Verma and Sune Luus took Velocity closer to the total. They built a good another 50 runs stand and almost won the game for Velocity. But Sushma Verma(34 from 33 balls) was dismissed to Poonam Yadav on the last ball of the 18th over.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2020/11/Velocity-vs-Supernova-2-1024x681.jpg" alt="Velocity vs Supernova. Jio Women's T20 Challenge" class="wp-image-20833" /><figcaption>Velocity vs Supernova | Image - BCCI/IPL</figcaption></figure></div>



<p>Sune Luus was unbeaten on quickfire 37 from 21 balls. Velocity reached a total of 129 - 5 in one ball prior. For Supernova, Ayabonga Khaka picked two wickets while, Radha Yadav, Poonam Yadav and Shashikala Siriwardene got one wicket each.</p>



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a thriller we?ve witnessed here in Sharjah! ??<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Velocity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Velocity</a> pull off a 5-wicket over <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Supernovas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Supernovas</a> in the opening encounter of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JioWomensT20Challenge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JioWomensT20Challenge</a> ??????<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SNOvVEL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SNOvVEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/jTB9yVgM1y">pic.twitter.com/jTB9yVgM1y</a></p>&mdash; IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1324041277181059072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2020</a></blockquote> 



<h2>Post Match Presentation(Velocity vs Supernova):</h2>



<h3>Harmanpreet Kaur | Supernovas (losing) captain: </h3>



<p>Yes, we were 20 runs short, but if you want to win the game, you have to keep bowling well. I think whatever we thought, we didn't bowl according to our plans in the last couple of overs. They batted really well. Last four overs, we didn't utilize it very well with the bat. We could've looked for the singles at least but we didn't get those runs. Playing after a long time, it's not easy for the players. If you keep winning then only you can survive in this tournament. We need to come up with a positive approach in the next game. There was dew in the last couple of overs, but I feel it's part of the game and we didn't win this because we didn't bowl well in the last couple of overs.</p>



<h3>Mithali Raj | Velocity (winning) captain:</h3>



<p> It went very close. Definitely challenging. Most of the girls were part of the T20 World Cup but Jhulan and I are playing after the last edition. I was expecting 120-130, but you expect the openers to get you 30-40 runs. Losing Dani, our main player, there was some panic, but Veda and Luus have played really well and got us back on track. Such platforms help young players rub shoulders with seniors and their idols and that's excellent exposure for them. It's difficult to prepare for back-to-back games since it's a 2 PM game tomorrow, but that's how it is.</p>



<h3>Sune Luus | Player of the Match (37* off 21):</h3>



<p> It was a difficult task. The other team bowled very well, but Veda and Sushma batted really well, rotated the strike and hit boundaries too. Sushma told me every ball to stay here till the end. I didn't find the surface that difficult, and it was coming on quite nicely. You saw the sixes that we managed to hit. I think it played nicely throughout the innings, so I think it depends on your style of batting whether the conditions suit you or not. We're very grateful to the BCCI and the ICC, for organizing a tournament like this, especially in these crazy times.</p>



<p><strong><span class="has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color">ALSO READ: </span></strong><a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ipl-2021-mega-auction-date-all-you-need-to-know/">IPL 2021 Mega Auction date, all you need to know</a><br><strong><span class="has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color">ALSO READ: </span></strong><a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ipl-2020-qualifier-1-mi-vs-dc-match-preview-probable-xi-fantasy-tips/">IPL 2020: Qualifier 1 MI vs DC Match Preview, Probable XI, Fantasy Tips</a></p>

Women?s T20 Challenge: Velocity beats Supernova by 5 wickets

womens-t20-challenge-velocity-beats-supernova-by-5-wickets

<p><em>Jio Women?s T20 Challenge: Trailblazers brutally beats Velocity by 9 wickets. Match 2 of Jio Women?s T20 Challenge: Trailblazers brutally beats Velocity by 9 wickets.</em></p>



<h2>Highlights(Velocity vs Trailblazers):</h2>



<p>Jio Women?s T20 Challenge, Match no 2, Smriti Mandhana?s Trailblazers beat Mitali?s Velocity by 9 wickets. Sophie Ecclestone, Jhulan Goswami and Rajeshwari Gayakwad sheer dominance bowled out Velocity for the lowest total in the history of Women?s T20 League. Velocity just managed to score 47 runs before they got bowled out by Trailblazers in 15.1 overs.</p>



<p>Earlier, Velocity got the toss to their side and they decided to bat first. The first breakthrough for Trailblazer came in 3rd over of Jhulan Goswami. Goswami picked Shafali Verma, 13 from 9 balls which include a four and a six.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Sophie Ecclestone picked two wickets in the 4th over. Ecclestone dismissed skipper Mithali Raj and Veda Krishnamurthy on consecutive deliveries. Mitali Raj scored a single run while Veda Krishnamurthy went for a golden duck.?</p>



<p>Jhulan Goswami picked another wicket in the 5th over, dismissing D Wyatt. Sophie Ecclestone collected her 3rd wicket in the 6th over of the game. She dismissed Sushma Verma(1 from 8 balls).</p>



<p>Previous match-winner Sune Luus dismissed by Rajeshwari Gayakwad in the 9th over, Sikha Pandey got out in 10 runs. Sushree Dibyadarshini got out for a duck off Rajeshwari Gayakwad in the 9th over. To finish off, Ekta Bisht and Jahanara Alam were picked by Dipti Sharma and Ecclestone respectively.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2020/11/Trailblazers-1.jpg" alt="Trailblazers Jio Women's T20 Challenge" class="wp-image-20845" /><figcaption>Trailblazers || Image - BCCI/IPL</figcaption></figure></div>



<p>Velocity got reduced to 47 runs for 10 wickets in 15.1 overs. Sophie Ecclestone was the centre of the talks as she returned with figures 4 wickets in 3.1 overs giving away just 9 runs. While Goswami and Gayakwad got two wickets each in their bag and Dipti Sharma managed to open her account.</p>



<p>Trailblazers did not give a single chance to Velocity to come back and get settle down.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In response to a low scoring total, Trailblazers reached 49 runs in just 7.5 overs. Trailblazers in the loss of Smriti Mandhana got to the total with Deandra Dottin scoring 29 runs from 28 balls while Richa Ghosh scored 13 runs off 10 balls.</p>



<p>The Net Run Rate of Trailblazers goes high to +3.905 with a low scoring win on Thursday, 5th November. Sophie Ecclestone was awarded Player of The Match for her 4 wickets in 3.1 overs.</p>



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Trailblazers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Trailblazers</a> start their <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JioWomensT20Challenge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JioWomensT20Challenge</a> campaign in style as they thump <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Velocity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Velocity</a> by 9 wickets. ??????<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VELvTBL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VELvTBL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JioWomensT20Challenge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JioWomensT20Challenge</a> <br><br>LIVE: <a href="https://t.co/tecCY5u0vl">https://t.co/tecCY5u0vl</a> <a href="https://t.co/2lCuQH0flN">pic.twitter.com/2lCuQH0flN</a></p>&mdash; IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1324321178765307904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2020</a></blockquote> 



<h2>Post Match Presentation:</h2>



<h3>Sophie Ecclestone | Player of the Match:</h3>



<p>&nbsp;We have a great team with a great bunch of girls, to come up here again and play for them is great. When the wicket wasn't turning, so I tried to keep it straight and vary the pace. It's quite nice to get a few wickets. So many youngsters around, they are teaching me the Hindi language and I'm trying to understand their culture.</p>



<h3>Smriti Mandhana | Trailblazers captain:&nbsp;</h3>



<p>We were really excited. We were raring to play cricket after a break of seven months. It was a good game. I was happy with Mithali's decision as we wanted to have a look at the wicket. The bowling plans were according to the batters. I just told all the bowlers to keep it back of a length and stick to the stump line. We have a good spin attack. I was following IPL, so I thought we had a good bowling attack (with all the spinners). It's an exciting tournament, even last year it was really exciting. It's an amazing opportunity for everyone. This is really going to help women's cricket.</p>



<h3>Deandra Dottin:&nbsp;</h3>



<p>I just wanted to get the runs quickly because cricket is a funny game. There could be a spot where you will have to go through on net run rate. Talking to my friends back home, watching Netflix, that?s all that I have been doing during the lockdown. We will rest up a bit before playing our next game.</p>



<h3>Mithali Raj | Velocity captain:</h3>



<p>?Definitely (would want to forget this game). But it is fine because when you have a fresh wicket the batters want to have a bat. That's the reason we chose to bat. Personally, I would have liked Dani and Shafali to have a big partnership because they are the key for our batting line up and we are dependent on them to give us a start. Unfortunately in both the games we didn't get that, Shafali played a cameo but we wanted Dani to spend some time in the middle and then there was a collapse. We are going to recover from this defeat. I think it is important we regroup and analyze, we haven't had much preparation, two games back to back and no team gets bad in one game. The girls just need to cheer up because they would have felt bad after today's game.</p>



<p></p>



<p><strong><span class="has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color">ALSO READ:</span></strong><a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/womens-t20-challenge-velocity-beats-supernova-by-5-wickets/"> Women?s T20 Challenge: Velocity beats Supernova by 5 wickets</a><br><strong><span class="has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color">ALSO READ: </span></strong><a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ipl-2021-mega-auction-date-all-you-need-to-know/">IPL 2021 Mega Auction date, all you need to know</a></p>

Jio Women?s T20 Challenge: Trailblazers brutally beats Velocity by 9 wickets

jio-womens-t20-challenge-trailblazers-brutally-beats-velocity-by-9-wickets

<p>The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is the next designation of all top teams and their fans. The tournament is all set to kick off in Pakistan on February 19. India are part of Group A, which also has Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. Team India will play their first match on February 20 against Bangladesh in Dubai.</p>
<p>The provisional squad for the ICC event is likely to be announced on or before January 12. There are a number of names that have been considered, and some players might get a nod in the squad. However, there will be some unlucky players who will not be able to make the cut. In this article, we will talk about three big names who might not be picked for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.</p>
<h2>Three big stars who might be dropped from rh ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad </h2>
<p><strong>3. Arshdeep Singh</strong> </p>
<p>Indian fans can't forget the performance that Arshdeep Singh delivered in the T20 World Cup 2024. He finished the tournament as the leading wicket-taker and helped India win the long-awaited ICC title. Though Arshdeep has only played 8 ODIs so far. But with his ability to swing the new ball and then contain batters in the end, it makes him a complete white-ball bowler. However, India will already have the option of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and Hardik Pandya in a 15-member squad.</p>
<p><strong>2. Sanju Samson</strong> </p>
<p>Sanju Samson finished 2024 as India's top scorer in T20Is. He slammed three centuries in just 12 innings and is someone who can bat anywhere and also is a keeper. But despite his batting form, Samson might not be able to make the cut. India will go with Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul as wicketkeepers, and the top order is already packed. Hence, Samson might not be able to make it into the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad.</p>
<p><strong>1. Suryakumar Yadav</strong> </p>
<p>India's T20I captain and one of the key members of the team in the shortest format has been in and out of the ODI squad. He played an important role in India winning the T20 World Cup 2024. He is also in good form as compared to some other Indian seniors. But he won't get a chance as India might back Rahul, Pant, and Shreyas Iyer in the middle order.</p>
<p>Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/india-to-miss-jasprit-bumrah-in-icc-champions-trophy-2025-ace-pacer-to-travel-to-new-zealand-to-undergo-scans-reports/">India to miss Jasprit Bumrah in ICC Champions Trophy 2025? Ace pacer to travel to New Zealand to undergo scans - Reports</a></p>

India are likely to announce provisional squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on January 12.

India's provisional squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is likely to be revealed on January 12. We might see some big names missing out a spot in the squad.

India will play their first match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on February 20 in Dubai.

3 Indian Stars who might be dropped from India's squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

3-indian-stars-who-might-be-dropped-from-india-s-squad-for-the-icc-champions-trophy-2025

<p><strong>ICC Champions Trophy 2025: </strong>As the days go by, the buzz around speculations and predictions continues to intensify. For Team India, squad predictions have become a hot topic of discussion, sparking debates everywhere—from cricket fanatics on social media to casual conversations on the streets. Amid this growing excitement, one key question stands out: who will don the wicketkeeping gloves for India in the highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025?</p>
<p>With numerous cricket experts and pundits making bold predictions about India's squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, a common thread runs through most discussions: the inclusion of KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Sanju Samson.</p>
<p>However, opinions are far from unanimous. While some former cricketers have opted to leave Rishabh Pant out of their squads, others argue for his inclusion at the expense of Sanju Samson, fueling a heated debate among fans and analysts alike. Let's discuss all three options one by one:</p>
<h2><strong>KL Rahul Frontrunner to Keep Wickets?</strong></h2>
<p><strong><img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202501/image_430x256_677fef7181149.jpg" alt=""></strong></p>
<p><strong>KL Rahul </strong>has made a compelling case to be India’s primary wicketkeeping option in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar praised Rahul’s ability to deliver consistently under pressure, highlighting his crucial contributions at No. 5 and his knack for scoring vital runs when the team needed them most.</p>
<p>Rahul’s reliability behind the stumps was further cemented by his record-breaking performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup. With 17 dismissals, including 16 catches and one stumping, he surpassed Rahul Dravid’s 2003 record for the most dismissals by an Indian wicketkeeper in a single World Cup edition.</p>
<p>These achievements underscore his dual efficiency with both the gloves and the bat, solidifying his place as a frontrunner for the role in high-stakes tournaments like the Champions Trophy.</p>
<h2><strong>Is Rishabh Pant Ready for ODI Format?</strong></h2>
<p><strong><img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202501/image_430x256_677ff4b385bc4.jpg" alt=""></strong></p>
<p><strong>Rishabh Pant </strong>has proven his mettle in the Test format, but his performances in white-ball cricket have been inconsistent, as highlighted by his ODI stats: 871 runs in 31 matches at an average of 33.50 and a strike rate of 106.21. Despite his potential, these numbers suggest he lacks the maturity required for high-pressure limited-overs cricket.</p>
<p>However, Pant’s wicketkeeping skills set him apart. Among the three contenders, he is the most agile and reliable behind the stumps, with quick reflexes, sharp accuracy, and adaptability to various conditions. While his batting in ODIs needs improvement, his exceptional glove work makes him a strong contender for a spot in the squad.</p>
<h2><strong>Can Sanju's Form Secure Him a Spot?</strong></h2>
<p><strong><img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202501/image_430x256_677ff4b73d5fc.jpg" alt=""></strong></p>
<p>Sanju Samson’s impressive ODI stats—510 runs in 16 matches at an average of 56.66 and a strike rate of 99.60—underscore his potential as a reliable wicketkeeper-batter. His ability to capitalize on limited opportunities, including a century and three fifties, makes him a strong contender for the squad.</p>
<p>Sanjay Bangar also stated, “You have to give a place to Sanju Samson because he averages above 50 in ODI cricket. Add to that, he is a man in form as well.”</p>
<p>When compared to Rishabh Pant, Samson’s batting stats are significantly better, highlighting his consistency in white-ball cricket. Moreover, Samson’s wicketkeeping skills are nearly on par with Pant’s, making him a well-rounded option. His current form further solidifies his chances of overtaking Pant in the race for the role.</p>
<h2><strong> Who Will Keep Wickets?</strong></h2>
<p>KL Rahul, with his record-breaking wicketkeeping performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup and consistent contributions as a batter, emerges as the frontrunner for India’s primary wicketkeeper role. Sanju Samson, backed by Sanjay Bangar for his stellar ODI average of 56.66 and solid form, is a strong contender for the backup spot.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant’s exceptional wicketkeeping skills and proven Test success make him a valuable asset, though his inconsistent white-ball batting leaves room for improvement. Together, these options reflect India’s enviable depth in the wicketkeeping department heading into the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.<strong><br></strong></p>
<p>The weight is on KL Rahul to be the first-choice wicketkeeper. Shreyas Iyer is fit and actively playing cricket to provide a good balance in the team and in his presence, KL Rahul would be the best option. Sanju Samson would be a better batter and wicketkeeper in the backup if we take Stats into account. Rishabh Pant might have to wait for a while in the white ball cricket.</p>

With KL Rahul’s consistency, Sanju Samson’s form, and Rishabh Pant’s agility, who should India trust as their wicketkeeper in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025? The race is closer than ever.

India’s wicketkeeping dilemma: Rahul’s reliability, Samson’s form, or Pant’s agility? A tough decision awaits ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Who Will Keep Wickets for India in ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant, or KL Rahul?

who-will-keep-wickets-for-india-in-icc-champions-trophy-2025-sanju-samson-rishabh-pant-or-kl-rahul-

<p>The last few months have been below par for Team India in terms of performances. They didn't enjoy much time on the field. But everything can change as the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is coming up, and India will be one of the favorites teams entering the tournament.</p>
<p>But can they do it without Jasprit Bumrah? Well, not many will give the Indian cricket team a chance if Bumrah doesn't take part in the upcoming event. That is the reason Rohit Sharma and his men are currently in big confusion over Bumrah's participation.</p>
<p>Notably, the pacer didn't bowl in the final innings of the fifth test at the SCG due to a fitness issue. Though it wasn't serious and we might see the name of Jasprit Bumrah in the Indian squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, it will come with one condition.</p>
<h2>Will Jasprit Bumrah be ready for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?</h2>
<p>Notably, the last date to submit the provision squad for all teams is January 12. There is no doubt Bumrah will be part of the squad, but his participation in the tournament will be subject to his fitness. As reported by Hindustan Times, the pacer will only step on the field when he feels pain-free.</p>
<p>The report indicates that the pacer has reached New Zealand to consult Dr. Rowan Schouten, who is an orthopedic surgeon. He was the one that treated Bumrah back in 2023, when he suffered from a back injury. The report quoted, "<strong>The surgeon is in touch with BCCI’s medical team, and the selectors are expected to be informed.”</strong></p>
<p>India are all set to host England for five T20Is and three ODIs before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The tour will begin on January 22 and will conclude on February 12, a week before India will play their first game of the Champions Trophy 2025. India will start their campaign with a game against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai.</p>
<p>India are already struggling with the bad form of the batters. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are going through rough patches. Adding to that, there is no clarity over Mohammed Shami's return. The pacer has been playing at the domestic level, but he is not getting clearance from the NCA to play for India. And if Bumrah doesn't play, India will be under immense pressure.</p>
<p>Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/australia-suffered-a-massive-blow-after-josh-hazlewood-captain-pat-cummins-is-also-likely-to-miss-icc-champions-trophy-due-to-injury/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australia suffered a massive blow; after Josh Hazlewood, captain Pat Cummins is also likely to miss ICC Champions Trophy due to injury</a></p>

Jasprit Bumrah didn't bowl in the second innings of the fifth test against Australia at the SCG. He will be rested for the England series ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

India to miss Jasprit Bumrah in ICC Champions Trophy 2025? Ace pacer to travel to New Zealand to undergo scans - Reports

india-to-miss-jasprit-bumrah-in-icc-champions-trophy-2025-ace-pacer-to-travel-to-new-zealand-to-undergo-scans-reports

<p>The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is just a month away, and the two-time champion, Australia, have been hit with a couple of massive injury-related blows. Star pacer Josh Hazlewood, who was ruled out of the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, might not take part in the upcoming mega event, and now, there is another massive injury concern.</p>
<p>ODI captain Pat Cummins is likely to miss the coming event. This news has certainly hit the team and Australian fans, as the captain is a key member of the squad and has been nursing an ankle injury. His participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is hanging by a thin thread.</p>
<p>Notably, Australia are scheduled to tour Sri Lanka for two test matches ahead of the coming ICC event. Cummins has been rested, and Steve Smith has been given the captaincy duties for the upcoming series. Australia have already qualified for the World Test Championship final, which is why the coming tests don't hold much value and their result won't affect anything. Hence, Cricket Australia decided to give Cummins a rest.</p>
<h2>Pat Cummins might miss the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to an ankle injury</h2>
<p>The captain, Pat Cummins, played a crucial role in helping Australia win the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He finished with the second-most wickets in the series after Jasprit Bumrah (32). Cummins took 25 wickets at an average of 21.36. He also scored 159 runs with the bat in this low-scoring series.</p>
<p>However, playing all five tests on the trot has seemed to have affected him, and the captain has sustained an ankle soreness. Meanwhile, the captain is on leave because of the birth of his second child, which was also one key reason for him missing the Sri Lanka tour. That's what George Bailey, the chief selector of Australia, also confirmed in one of his statements.</p>
<p>But the recent news has not just raised questions about his availablity but also his participation in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. He is set to undergo scans for his sore ankle. Bailey said, "<strong>We’ll have to wait and see when the scan comes back and see how it's tracking. There’s a little bit of work to do.”</strong></p>
<p>That indicates that the two-time Champions Trophy winner are in jeopardy. If Cummins couldn't make it in time, then Mitchell Marsh is likely to lead Australia in the mega event, which will begin on February 19. Australia are placed in Group B, and they will begin their campaign on February 22 against England.</p>
<p>Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/icc-champions-trophy-2025-to-shift-from-pakistan-to-uae-completely-here-s-why/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to shift from Pakistan to UAE completely? Here's why</a></p>

Pat Cummins led Australia to to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy win after a wait of ten years. Cummins is likely to miss the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to injury.

Australia suffered a massive blow; after Josh Hazlewood, captain Pat Cummins is also likely to miss ICC Champions Trophy due to injury

australia-suffered-a-massive-blow-after-josh-hazlewood-captain-pat-cummins-is-also-likely-to-miss-icc-champions-trophy-due-to-injury

<p><strong>Australia Tour of Sri Lanka 2025: </strong>Australia, after having a dominating Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, are all set to tour Sri Lanka for a red-ball series. Cricket Australia have announced the squad for the tour today and Steve Smith is named captain of the side as Pat Cummins is rested.</p>
<p>Australia won the Border Gavaskar Trophy after a decade this year. The series started with Perth's loss for them and many ruled them out as a competition against India this time as well. But, they owned strong character and won three out of four test matches clinching the series 3-1. </p>
<p>The entire bowling department was thoroughly in the best of their forms, the batting looked damped in the first two tests but by the end of BGT 2025, the entire batting lineup got some runs from their bat. </p>
<p><img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202412/image_430x256_676e141bad740.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>Now, Australia has unveiled a 16-player squad for their upcoming two-match Test series in Sri Lanka, with a few surprising changes. Skipper Pat Cummins will miss the tour as he takes paternity leave to welcome his second child while continuing to recover from an ankle issue that plagued him throughout the home season.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Mitchell Marsh, who was part of the team that triumphed over India, has been left out. Adding to the injury concerns, Josh Hazlewood remains unavailable due to the setback that sidelined him during the latter stages of the India series. These adjustments set the stage for an intriguing challenge as Australia gears up for the Sri Lankan Tests.</p>
<h2><strong>Australia Squad for Sri Lanka Tour</strong></h2>
<p><em><strong>Steve Smith (C), Travis Head(VC), Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Nathan McSweeney, Beau Webster, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Cooper Connolly, Todd Murphy, Matt Kuhnemann, Sean Abbott</strong></em></p>
<p>Australia's squad for the two-Test series in Sri Lanka signals a clear strategy to tackle spin-friendly conditions. With only two frontline pacers, Mitchell Starc and Sean Abbott, the focus has shifted firmly to spin.</p>
<p>Todd Murphy and Matt Kuhnemann join the experienced Nathan Lyon, creating a strong spin arsenal designed for the turning tracks of Galle. This balanced mix of experience and fresh talent shows how the selectors are adapting to the challenges of playing conditions in Sri Lanka.</p>
<p>On the batting front, Nathan McSweeney has earned a spot in the squad despite falling out of favor during the India series. Adding a fresh spark, young Cooper Connolly, a left-handed batter who can also bowl orthodox spin, has received his first-ever Test call-up. His inclusion not only reflects Australia’s faith in young talent but also highlights their intent to embrace versatility.</p>
<p>Sam Konstas also retained his spot in the side. Alex Carey and Josh Inglis are two wicket-keeping options and the presence of Vice Captain Travis Head provides an absolute balance to the squad. With these selections, Australia seems ready to take on the Sri Lankan conditions with both skill and strategy.</p>
<p><strong>READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/icc-champions-trophy-2025-to-shift-from-pakistan-to-uae-completely-here-s-why/">ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to shift from Pakistan to UAE completely? Here's why</a><br></strong></p>
<p><strong>SOURCE- <a href="https://x.com/cricketcomau/status/1877160916057313759">CRICKET AUSTRALIA</a></strong></p>

Australia's squad for the Sri Lanka Tests emphasizes spin with Lyon, Murphy, and Kuhnemann. McSweeney returns, while debutant Connolly adds versatility. Starc and Abbott lead a trimmed-pace attack.

Australia strengthens spin options for Sri Lanka Tests, recalls McSweeney, and includes debutant Connolly. Starc, Abbott lead reduced pace lineup.