Sports News: BCCI’s Support for Paris Olympics, Gambhir’s New Role, and More Indian Sports Updates

The BCCI has contributed INR 8.5 crores to support the 117 Indian athletes and 139 support staff bound for the Paris Olympics, commencing July 26," BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said on social media as he wished the athletes all the best. The Indian contingent will compete in a plethora of sports such as athletics, shooting, hockey, and others. Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the Olympic Games in Paris, as organizers plan to improve the Seine River's water quality and host the opening ceremony, which aims to propel 6,000-7,000 athletes onto the river.

Morne Morkel is in contention to be India's next bowling coach; talks are on with the BCCI. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has recommended him from their successful stint at Lucknow Super Giants, after which he is likely to join the team once the series against Sri Lanka gets over. The way he was so calm and had great technical expertise, it made Indian bowlers rave about him. Also, fielding coach T Dilip is likely to be retained along with Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate, who could join as support staff.

Vikram Rathour, a former batting coach of India, hailved Shubman Gill and said the opening batsman has the potential to go on and captain India in all formats someday. Gill made his international debut back in 2019 and led India to a 4-1 win in the recently concluded ODI series against Zimbabwe. He was also named the vice-captain for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. Rathour lauded Gill's leadership and body language, saying that he has got exposure with the Gujarat Titans and India A. With the increased responsibility, he believes Gill will become more of a leader despite this being a tough IPL season for him with Gujarat Titans.

Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh both struck fifties, powering India to a dominant 78-run victory over the UAE in their second Women's Asia Cup T20 match. While Kaur's was an elegant 66 from 47 balls, Richa Ghosh's was an explosive 64 off 29 balls as India posted a record T20I score of 201 for 5. The chase was out of question as UAE could only manage 123 for 7. Never allowing UAE any leeway during the chase, the Indian bowlers were led by Deepti Sharma's 2 for 23. India currently is at the top of Group A with two wins and will face Nepal in their final group match.

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in Pakistan, starting from February 19 in Karachi and concluding with a final in Lahore at Gaddafi Stadium on March 9. However, there is every chance that the event may get shifted in case India refuses to visit Pakistan. The other two venues being considered are Sri Lanka and the UAE. Pakistani pacer Hasan Ali said that if the event is scheduled to happen in Pakistan, then it will go on without India as well. He said that cricket must go on in Pakistan, regardless of whether India comes or not. India last toured Pakistan for cricket in 2008.

Gautam Gambhir is finally going to take over as the head coach of the Indian men's cricket team in Mumbai today, July 22, 2024. His inaugural press conference will be at 10:00 a.m. IST; therefore, he will likely face questions around the process of squad selection for the impending tour of Sri Lanka and how to go about the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. It's probable that Ajit Agarkar may join him as chairman of the selection committee. Gambhir, who succeeds Rahul Dravid, will also lead India in three T20Is and three ODIs against Sri Lanka beginning July 27.

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya has expressed the deepest gratitude to BCCI Secretary Jay Shah for a support of INR 8.5 crore to the Indian Olympic Association for the Paris Olympics 2024. Shah announced it on 'X' with the purpose of supporting the Indian contingent that consists of 117 athletes and 140 support staff. From July 26 to August 11, the key athletes who would represent India at the Olympics would be PV Sindhu, Neeraj Chopra, Mirabai Chanu, and Lovlina Borgohain.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma is enjoying his time off as he waits for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka. The photographs from his vacations with his family came out on Instagram. Sharma, who traveled to various events between Dallas and Wimbledon, will come back to join India in the white-ball tour. He won't feature in the T20I series because of his retirement from the format. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the T20I side, and Gautam Gambhir will begin his tenure as head coach. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul will represent the Indian squad in the ODI series, while Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill appear in the T20I squad.