Guptill retires from international cricket

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday revealed the full schedule for the highly-anticipated TATA Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025, confirming that the third edition of the world’s only full-fledged women T20 league will be held across in the four cities of Baroda, Bengaluru, Lucknow and Mumbai.

The joint statement went on to say that the tournament will start on 14th February at the newly constructed BCA Stadium in Vadodara. The first game will see Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Giants (GG).

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International games

No international games.

Domestic cricket + T20 leagues

SA20

- Pretoria Capitals: 138/8 (20 overs)  

- Joburg Super Kings: Match ongoing 

 International League T20

- MI Emirates: 159/6 (20 overs)  

- Desert Vipers: 117/3 (14.5 overs) [Target: 160]  

 Bangladesh Premier League

• Chittagong Kings: 200/7 (20 overs)  

• Khulna Tigers: 155/9 (20 overs) [Target: 201]  

• Result: Chittagong Kings won by 45 runs  

• Dhaka Capital: 139 (20 overs)  

• Fortune Barishal: 145/2 (16 overs) [Target: 140]  

• Result: Barishal won by 8 wickets  

Big Bash League

- Brisbane Heat: 201/6 (20 overs)  

- Hobart Hurricanes: 207/5 (20 overs) [Target: 202]  

- Result: Hurricanes won by 5 wickets  

India’s batting coach

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed Sitanshu Kotak as the new batting coach for the Indian men's cricket team. Kotak, a former player for Saurashtra and a seasoned coach at the National Cricket Academy, will be joining the coaching team led by head coach Gautam Gambhir in preparation for the upcoming white-ball series against England, which begins on January 22, 2025. 

Kotak brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as the head coach of India A and as an assistant coach in various international assignments. His appointment follows India's recent losses in Test series against New Zealand and Australia within a span of four months, as the BCCI aims to enhance the team's performance ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for next February.

Interestingly, former England batsman Kevin Pietersen had shown interest in the batting coach position and made himself available. However, the BCCI opted for Kotak due to his familiarity with the Indian cricketing system and his proven success in both domestic and international coaching. 

The current coaching staff under Gambhir includes Abhishek Nayar, Morne Morkel, Ryan ten Doeschate, and T Dilip. The addition of Kotak is expected to strengthen the support staff as India prepares for some important matches ahead.

On This Day

2006

One of the flattest, most turgid Tests in history, between India and Pakistan, was brought to a semblance of life on the fourth afternoon when India's openers ground inexorably towards one of their country's proudest batting records. Pankaj Roy and Vinoo Mankad's opening stand of 413 had been the world record for almost 50 years, but by the close Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid were just nine runs adrift. Fate, however, had the final say, and fog wiped out all but 14 balls of the final day - in which time Sehwag fell with the score on 410, and the record was eventually broken by Neil McKenzie and Graeme Smith two years later in Chittagong.

Coming tomorrow

1st Youth ODI, England Under-19s Tour of South Africa

   - South Africa Under-19s vs England Under-19s

   - Start Time: 8:00 AM GMT

Bangladesh Premier League (23rd Match)

   - Durbar Rajshahi vs Sylhet Strikers 

   - Start Time: 8:15 AM GMT

Big Bash League (37th Match)

   - Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder

   - Start Time: 1:00 PM GMT

Bangladesh Premier League (24th Match)

   - Chittagong Kings vs Rangpur Riders

   - Start Time: 2:30 PM GMT

International League T20

   - Sharjah Warriorz vs Dubai Capitals

   - Start Time: 3:30 PM GMT

SA20 (11th Match)

   - Durban's Super Giants vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape

   - Start Time: 9:40 PM GMT

What else is happening

• Cricket Fan's Mishap: A hilarious viral video of a cricket fan in Australia whose car crept into the car of the dude next to him. There was no handbrake, and the fan had parked in a hurry to take a snap with cricketer Sam Konstas. Despite efforts to stop the crash, his white Land Cruiser rolled into another vehicle, nicking it badly. The incident went viral on Twitter.

• Champions Trophy: Anrich Nortje of South Africa has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy tournament due to a back injury. This was yet another blow for the pacer, who has now joined a list of injuries for South African bowlers before the mega event.

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