Cricket Weekly Roundup: From Jitesh Sharma’s engagement to Morne Morkel’s appointment as India’s bowling coach

The world of cricket continues to captivate fans with its relentless pace and ever-evolving narrative. From personal milestones to major appointments, the cricketing landscape is a blend of thrilling performances, off-field developments, and unexpected twists. Each week brings a fresh set of stories that not only shape the present but also set the stage for the future of the game.

This weekly roundup highlights the most significant events that have made waves in the cricketing world, showcasing the sport’s ability to inspire, entertain, and unite fans across the globe. Whether it’s the rise of new stars, strategic decisions by cricket boards, or the personal journeys of players, cricket remains a constant source of excitement and drama.

Major highlights of the week in cricketing world

Jitesh Sharma gets engaged to Shalaka Makeshwar

Jitesh Sharma, the talented Indian cricketer, recently announced his engagement to Shalaka Makeshwar. He shared the happy news on social media, expressing his love and excitement for their future together. The couple hails from Maharashtra and have been in a relationship for some time now. Shalaka is a talented engineer with a passion for design. The news met with widespread congratulations from fans, fellow cricketers, and the cricketing fraternity.

Kieron Pollard destroys Rashid Khan with 5 back-to-back sixes in The Hundred 2024

Kieron Pollard, representing the Southern Brave, produced one of the most incredible batting displays in cricket history by smashing Rashid Khan, the star spinner for Trent Rockets, for five consecutive sixes in a single over during The Hundred 2024. Pollard’s explosive power-hitting turned the match on its head, showcasing his dominance, leaving fans and experts in awe of his extraordinary performance.

West Indies and South Africa share the spoils

The first Test match between West Indies and South Africa ended in a draw, despite a valiant effort from the West Indian batters to chase down a challenging target. South Africa’s bowlers were disciplined and managed to keep the hosts under pressure throughout the match. While the result was disappointing for the West Indies, the match showcased some exciting cricket, with both teams displaying moments of brilliance.

Read the full report here: Alick Athanaze’s fightback helps West Indies earn a draw against South Africa in the first Test

Toronto Nationals clinch maiden Global T20 Canada title

Toronto Nationals secured their first Global T20 Canada title with a dominant 8-wicket victory over defending champions Montreal Tigers. Andries Gous‘ unbeaten half-century guided the Nationals to a comfortable chase after restricting Montreal to a modest total.

Graham Thorpe’s Wife reveals heartbreaking truth about former cricketer’s demise

Former England cricketer Graham Thorpe tragically took his own life after a prolonged battle with depression and anxiety, his wife Amanda has revealed. Despite his success on the cricket field and being known for his mental strength, Thorpe’s private struggle with mental health intensified over the past few years, ultimately leading to this heartbreaking outcome.

Ben Stokes ruled out of the entire English summer

England captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out for the remainder of the English summer after suffering a hamstring injury while playing in The Hundred. The all-rounder will miss the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, with Ollie Pope taking over as captain. Stokes is targeting a return for England’s tour of Pakistan in October.

Also READ: South Africa unveils T20I squad for West Indies tour; Kwena Maphaka earns maiden call-up

Bollywood glamour to light up UPT20 league

The UP T20 League 2024 promises a grand opening ceremony with Bollywood stars Janhvi Kapoor and Ananya Panday set to enthrall the audience with their performances. The event is expected to be a dazzling showcase of music, dance, and entertainment, building anticipation for the cricket matches to follow.

BCCI eyes IPL like league for retired cricketers

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering a groundbreaking initiative to launch an IPL-style league exclusively for retired cricketers. This proposed league aims to provide a platform for former cricket stars to continue engaging with the sport and entertain fans, while also potentially generating additional revenue for the BCCI.

James Anderson considers T20 encore

James Anderson, the legendary England pacer, has hinted at a potential return to T20 cricket after recently retiring from Test cricket. Despite being 42, Anderson believes he still possesses the skills to excel in the shortest format and is considering opportunities in franchise leagues. His decision to explore a T20 comeback has generated significant excitement among fans, eager to witness the master swing bowler in action once again.

BCCI reshuffles schedule for India’s home series

The BCCI has made significant changes to the schedule for India’s upcoming home T20I series against Bangladesh and England. The first T20I against Bangladesh, originally slated for Dharamsala, has been shifted to Gwalior due to stadium renovations. Additionally, the venues for the first two T20Is against England have been swapped, with Kolkata hosting the opener and Chennai taking the second match due to scheduling conflicts with Republic Day events in Kolkata.

Duleep Trophy teams finalized

The BCCI has announced the squads for the first round of the Duleep Trophy 2024-25. The tournament will feature four teams captained by Shubman Gill, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Shreyas Iyer. The competition promises to be a platform for young and emerging talent to showcase their skills alongside established stars.

See the complete squads here: BCCI announces squads for the Duleep Trophy; Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad to lead

Morne Morkel appointed as India’s bowling coach

Former South African pacer Morne Morkel has been appointed as the new bowling coach of the Indian cricket team. Morkel will take charge from the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. His appointment marks a significant addition to the Indian coaching staff, with high hopes for his expertise in developing India’s fast bowling attack.

T20I series split between Ireland and Sri Lanka Women

The Ireland and Sri Lanka Women’s teams have played out a thrilling T20I series, which concluded in a 1-1 draw. Both teams showcased their skills and determination, with the series providing valuable experience for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

BCCI turns down ICC’s request to host the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in India

The BCCI has turned down the ICC’s request to host the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in India. Citing the upcoming Women’s ODI World Cup in India next year and the monsoon season, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has stated that hosting two Women’s World Cups consecutively could create a wrong impression. This decision leaves the ICC with the challenge of finding an alternative host for the tournament amidst the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh, the original host nation.

Also READ: WI vs SA: Fast bowlers dominate as 17 wickets fall on Day 1 of Guyana Test

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.